O, Christmas Tree

I sit in my living room tonight, staring at my Christmas tree. It seems a little odd, as the lights didn't twinkle as they did when I was a kid. The ornaments are different, too. And instead of an angel on the top, there is a star. There a many changes since then, and I'm sure the are many more to come. It's disheartening on one hand,and on the other, all I can think is that it is the natural order of things. The world doesn't stand still, nor do we. Things change and we change. I think the hardest thing I have to deal with from the change, though, is the loss of those who are so near and dear to me. Thus far, there haven't been that many I can remember who have passed on, but there are a few: both of my grandfathers, my aunt Joan, & Stella Key from the library where I worked when I was in college. Other than that, there haven't been that many who were close to me who have passed on to the glory that awaits. However, every time I look at the Christmas tree, the sparkling lights remind me of each and every one of them. I don't know what it is that recalls them, but I am thankful that there is a visible reminder of my family and friends who have passed on. We, as Catholics, believe that most people go through a purgation process before entering heaven, we call it purgatory. And we must pray for those who have passed on, so that if they are in purgatory, we are offering our prayers to God as expiation for their sins. Seeing the lights on the tree, and seeing those that I so fondly remember in each of those twinkling lights, reminds me that I should be offering prayers on their behalf. And so I do. And it is Advent, so what better time?


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