(This post was “misplaced” yesterday as was the one I prepared for today – they wound up as pages as opposed to posts – so expect two songs/reflections today! Sorry for the overload.)

GO TELL IT ON THE MOUNTAIN! While Christmas is a seasonal celebration of Jesus’ birth over 2,000 years ago, it’s also a reminder for us to give him room to be born in our hearts each day. Was Jesus born in your heart this Christmas?

Are you experiencing joy in your life as a result of your love for the Lord? Will you share it with others? Go tell it on the mountain! This command means more than simply telling someone you believe in Christ or that God has blessed you abundantly. It means share your journey with others – how you pray, your daily routine, your desolations and consolations. Unite your journey with others, let them know they’re not alone.

This song reminded me of the importance of encouraging each other on the journey. Let’s make that our resolution this year! Let’s encourage each other not only through prayer but by sharing life and experiences. This way we can begin to realize we’re more alike than different and Jesus’ love and peace can permeate the world. God bless you!

O Holy Night, the song that moved me this morning. First, FALL ON YOUR KNEES! I couldn’t help but think of all the people who kneel when receiving the Eucharist. They’re falling on their knees with good reason!

His law is love and His Gospel is peace!!!!! Woah! I guess I never really paid attention to the words of this song beyond the chorus. Those words got something stirring in me. My crazy brain went off thinking of love and peace as salt and pepper, the seasoning all Christians should be sprinkling into the world. That morphed into thinking about Matthew 5:13 .

Love and peace, the true “spice of life.” The new year is a good time to assess how well we’re doing spreading love and peace in the world. When it comes to spreading love in the world I think we need to assess two scenarios: love for family and love for the stranger. How are we loving the people in our families, immediate and extended? Do we take time to visit or call? Do we sacrifice our time to bring cheer? Do we forgive as often as necessary? Are we praying for reconciliation?

When it comes to a stranger, are we able to see or sense God’s presence in “the other?” Can we honestly look at a stranger and love them as God loves them – despite faults, flaws, socioeconomic status or nationality? Are we empathizing with and praying for our brothers and sisters struggling in poor and war torn countries?

P is for pepper. LOL! Imagine the earth being “peppered” with peace. If God could wave a wand and zap us with world peace it would be awesome. However, that wouldn’t require our participation and God always wants us to participate in His plan. So how do we go about spreading peace? Be comfortable with vulnerability. View all situations with eyes of innocence. Refrain from gossip. Look on the bright side. Give people the benefit of the doubt. Pray and be silent because God speaks there and where God is there is peace! God bless you!