Page Four NATIVITY OF THE LORD December 25, 2011VOLUNTEERS NEEDEDHome Delivered Meals are delivered Monday throughFriday by faithful VOLUNTEERS. If you have two freehours a week, you can help homebound neighbors bydelivering a hot meal at noontime. Can you think <strong>of</strong> abetter way <strong>of</strong> spending two FREE hours?Interested? Please call Arleen at the Seniors AssistanceCenter, (708) 456‐7979, during <strong>of</strong>fice hours, Monday ‐Friday, from 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM. A small stipend will begiven for mileage. Your help with this service would begreatly appreciated.Come, Adore Him<strong>The</strong> music ministry <strong>of</strong> St. Isaac Jogues Church, under thedirection <strong>of</strong> Lisa Hall, will present a concert <strong>of</strong> holidaymusic on Sunday, January 8th at 3:00 PM in the church.Our adult choir, youth choir, teen choir, and cantorensemble will provide you with an entertaining andjoyous afternoon <strong>of</strong> music and laughter. After the rush <strong>of</strong>preparations, sit back and let the peace <strong>of</strong> the Christmasseason and its music surround you. St. Isaac Church islocated at 8149 W. Golf Road in Niles.“SENIOR” ESTATE PLANNING©2011ORTRADITIONAL ESTATE PLANNING---------------WHICH IS BEST FOR YOU?-------------------------LOCATION: <strong>The</strong> Estelle Sieb <strong>Community</strong> Center7774 W. Irving Pk. Rd. at (Ozark)DATE: January 10, 2012 (Tuesday)TIME: 10:00 A.M.Does traditional estate planning work for you or do you need “Senior” EstatePlanning©2011? What are the ways to protect your assets from devastating costs<strong>of</strong> Long Term Health Care? Have you considered whether long-term careplanning is something that could benefit you? Anthony B. Ferraro, Attorney-CPA,will discuss what you can do with your estate plan when life happens and thingschange.C<strong>of</strong>fee and rolls will be served.
Page Five NATIVITY OF THE LORD December 25, 2011<strong>The</strong> Nativity <strong>of</strong> the LordGreat ExpectationsChristmas can be disappointing. We remember theChristmases from our childhood, all the joy, theexcitement, and the fun we had. When we grow up, wehave to shop for gifts, write and mail the cards, put upthe decorations and do all the preparations that seem tostress us out. We may be sad that the day did not meetour expectations. Now that most <strong>of</strong> that is done, (unlessyou are reading this on a break from cleaning housebefore the grandkids arrive) we can reflect on how thefirst Christmas upset all expectations.I'm sure Joseph never expected to have a child so soon.Or to have the baby born in a stable miles from theirhome in Nazareth. <strong>The</strong> shepherds never expected to bewakened by angels. And those Jews who looked forwardto the coming <strong>of</strong> a Messiah never expected him to comeas a baby. Yet God had his reasons for coming in thisway.<strong>The</strong> nativity scene looks so peaceful and beautiful, butthe reality was not so romantic. <strong>The</strong> messiah came notto the sound <strong>of</strong> war horns, but the cry <strong>of</strong> a helplessinfant. He was born in a stable because no one had roomfor him. <strong>The</strong> first to see him were the shepherds, themigrant workers <strong>of</strong> the time. <strong>The</strong> political leaders (Herodand friends) wanted to kill him.Jesus was born in this way to show that he came not forthe important and wealthy, but for the poor and outcast.As an adult, he would continue to surprise: He ate withsinners and tax collectors. He challenged the religiousleaders <strong>of</strong> Israel. He was executed as a criminal.So today he continues to come to us in the homeless,the illegal alien, the sick, those in prison, the unborninfant, that we may find him where we least expect. Canwe learn to see him in the unexpected, in our trials anddifficulties, our own weaknesses? When we do, we willcelebrate what Christmas is truly about.Tom Schmidt, Copyright (c) J. S. Paluch Co.THOUGHT FOR THE WEEKLet those who never loved before, love now:Let those who always loved, love the more.‐‐AnonymousDecember 25, 2011Nativity <strong>of</strong> the LordMidnight: Is 9:1‐6 / Ti 2:11‐14 / Lk 2:1‐14Dawn: Is 62:11‐12 / Ti 3:4‐7 / Lk 2: 15‐20Day: Is 52:7‐10 / Heb 1:1‐6 / Jn 1:1‐18This may not seem like the most seasonally appropriatecomment, but I really dislike camping. I love the outdoorsduring the day, but give me a hotel bed at night. Otherssee camping in a much different light, but for me itinvolves too much dirt, too little sleep, and anunfortunate lack <strong>of</strong> electricity and running water. I don’tneed the Ritz, but camping is just too bare bones for me.This is why I’m so struck by the Greek translation <strong>of</strong> theverse from John’s Gospel we hear at Christmas Massduring the day: “And the Word became flesh and pitchedhis tent among us”(John 1:14). Pitched his tent among us.Not an RV. Not a camper. Not a hotel room. Simply atent. Bare bones. Vulnerable.This is how God chose to come—and come among us.Not over us. Not above us. Among us. It’s as completelysimple and completely mysterious as that.In the weeks leading up to this wonderful day, we’vecertainly been surrounded by and probably participatedin much feasting and purchasing and planning—some <strong>of</strong>it to excess, for sure. Many presents were bought, festiveparties planned, special food prepared. It’s good andright to celebrate with friends and family and to shareour blessings generously with those in need.But the deepest truth <strong>of</strong> what we celebrate today is thatGod came among us in simplicity. <strong>The</strong>re was little fuss,just a poor couple in a poor place. <strong>The</strong> divine tent waspitched in the dirt where animals slept.God came as a vulnerable, helpless child—a mystery asold as the ages, but ever new each Christmas. Celebrateit well today. Merry Christmas!Janel Eskersundaybulletins@liguori.org© 2011 Liguori Publications, Ligouri, MO 63057‐9999. Printed in U.S.A. Imprimatur: “In accordance withc.827, permission to publish has been granted on January 6, 2011, by the Most Rev. Robert J. Hermann,Vicar General, Archdiocese <strong>of</strong> St. Louis. Permission to publish is an indication that nothing contrary toChurch teaching is contained in this work. It does not imply an endorsement <strong>of</strong> the opinions expressed inthe publication: nor is any liability assumed by this permission.” No part <strong>of</strong> this work may be used in anyform without prior written permission <strong>of</strong> Liguori Publications. Scripture texts in this work are taken fromthe New American Bible with Revised New Testament and Revised Psalms © 1991, 1986, 1970Confraternity <strong>of</strong> Christian Doctrine, Washington D.C. and are used by permission <strong>of</strong> the copyright owner.All rights reserved. No part <strong>of</strong> the New American Bible may be reproduced in any form withoutpermission in writing from the copyright owner.
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