It may not be obvious in the midst of this ongoing pandemic, political differences, and environmental turbulence, but the hope of Christmas truly is ours. We can maintain hope for peace and happiness in this world.
The angel declared this message to the shepherds in the field. The angels said, “Do not be afraid; for see—I am bringing you good news of great joy for all the people: to you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is the Messiah, the Lord” (Luke 2:10-11).
That Good News was, and is, Jesus and the gift of salvation. And did you notice that the angels said that gift is given to all people? Every one of us is a beneficiary of God’s goodness, no matter our profession, financial status, age, ethnicity, gender, or social status.
Jesus is always with us, and good things are in our lives, if not today, in the near future. God never turns away from us. The key is for us not to turn away from God.
*Photo: Paintings in the Chapel of the Angels, Israel
*We meditate on the incarnation of Jesus throughout the Joyful Mysteries of the Rosary. You can contemplate these mysteries and pray the rosary easily with the book, The Rosary Prayer by Prayer.
Midwest Mary 
Great post and wonderful images!
Sending you my warmest wishes on this Christmas
Thank you, Louisa. Blessed Christmas to you.
Thank you, Luisa. Blessed Christmas to you.
How beautiful! thank you for posting this image.
My pleasure!
Those paintings are so beautiful Mary. Thank-you for sharing them with us. Enjoy Christmas.
Thank you, Sandy. Peace and love to you this holy season and always.
Thank you so much Mary. The same for you. I hope you enjoy the link to Andre Bocelli’s Christmas in Tuscany with his family.
Thank you, Sandy. I love Andrea Bocelli and was able to see him in concert last month. The performance was outstanding and emotionally moving. May you be richly blessed in the coming year.
Ah how wonderful for you!👏 I have also enjoyed walking trips with our family and others in Tuscanny so I especially enjoyed hearing his voice from where he is most at home.
Thanks for this reminder Mary!! Also, thank you for so faithfully following my blog. I love seeing the popup that “Mary Doyle has liked your post”!!! Have a wonderful Christmas!!
My pleasure, Frances. Be well and happy.
Sorry I wasn’t in touch sooner to wish you and yours a Merry Christmas and a healthy Happy New Year! Belated as it may be I do now and add that this essay is fantastic, so exquisitely done and inspiring to see the traditional meaning and beauty of Christmas displayed this way! Thank you for such encouragement during this most trying time in human history, when I myself tend to be on the harsh side when it comes to going with my gut reaction; to the many human foibles and humanity’s lack. As Mom told us growing up, there is always hope!
God bless you and yours!
Brother in Christ Jesus,
Lawrence
Thank you, Lawrence. All the best to you in this new year.
Hi Mary! Well it’s great to touch base and you are entirely welcome! I really need to thank you, for caring and being such an inspiration! If we were conferring on Christmas week the thrill and heartfelt joy would be no different than now or anytime! You know how it goes, “better late than never;” something my Mom drilled into us growing up many moons ago! I have to say I learned through living, Mom said it just right!
So again thank you for putting that message together and I thank God I found it yesterday! Puts a smile on my face in spite of the terrors of this current world!
God bless you and yours! Can’t keep a good guy down right? Now I’m laughing!! At myself of course; just an idiot sometimes! Or maybe better said I’m a good clown when I need to be! No makeup required either! Funny enough as is!