Let's extend the arms of the Season.

The Christmas countdown is on(precisely 4 days to go), and people are shopping, planning festive menus and merrily dashing about.
But the season can wear a different face for some who live alone and have aged(who'd watched their folks and siblings).
Others have spouses who are far away, perhaps on business, or hospitalized.

For these and some other reasons, they seem isolated in this season of family togetherness.Many might have no child(ren) of their own to delight with presents, or no one to visit on Christmas. Some, having accepted a charitable dinner invitation from kind and caring friends, may feel like a fifth wheel on 'the mini-van'. To be candid but not melodramatic, there is something profoundly dispiriting about going from a Christmas Mass to an Auto-mat, and unto a lonely apartment, or looking at the Madonna and Child wishing you have a loving family nearby.

It seems ironic that this season of "joy to the world" can stand as a challenge to us. But with the gift offaith, we can fight self-pity and gloom turning them into an opportunity for grace. In fact, we can think of this season as our special time with Jesus in celebration of His birthday; as a chance for thanksgiving and prayers for a promising New Year.
As we spread that love that Christ came to offer the world, our hearts are lifted up.

Lets not pretend that our hearts don't feel the range of emotions that God designed them to experience. At times like this, perhaps on Christmas morning and New Year eve, we can still be at one with Christ.

We are not just joyfully gazing at Him in the manger, but we sits beside Him in the desert wishing that those stones might turn into bread. Like Him, we hunger and thirst.In this season of "joy to the world," why not engage yourself in the service of humanity by sharing your time, low, other material and non-material gifts with .

Don't squander the opportunity to bask in His warmth. Abide in Him and receive all the gracesthat flows from the manger. As you do so, imagine
His heartbeat emanating from the manger pulsing with love

.¤¤¤COMPLIMENT OF THE SEASON¤¤¤
Sent from my BlackBerry wireless device from MTN