Memorial of Saint Lucy

We are called to follow the LORD, but where will He lead us? Will it be to a manger in Bethlehem on a cold winter's night? Will we worship Jesus, the Christchild, while kneeling in the dirt and having straw poke into our legs? Sometimes, God leads us where we do not expect if we are open to His voice the journey of our lives will never be boring. We are each born with a mission. Each mission is unique. Do you know what your personal mission is? Have you considered where you will meet Jesus face to face in this life?

For the shepherds, it was in the still of night as the angels sang. For the wise men, it was in a small home in a tiny town. They traveled across the known world with gifts of immeasurable worth, to lay at the King of Heaven and Earth whose palace was their hearts. Amid the pageantry of modern nativities, we often miss the sacrifice of that Holy Night. God gave us the unspeakable gift of Himself as a sweet child. Those who witness this birth gave of themselves and did not count the cost. They followed God's Call wherever it led.

Today is the feast of Saint Lucy. She is remembered for her faith and light. She met Jesus in her willingness to die for her faith. In a moment, she chose Jesus, and now we celebrate her faith centuries later.

In our home, this is a special day. My oldest gets up early to make a breakfast of scrumptious biscuits and warm coffee. She lights her candles and dresses in a long gown of white, tied with a red sash to emulate St Lucy's martyrdom. Then she comes to each room to serve us in the darkness. Amid the preparations for joyous holidays, we need to remember that our first duty is to serve. What has struck me over the years of reading scripture is that when Jesus heals people in the Bible, they rise and serve. The young girl who had died, He commanded to awake and she rose to the astonishment of her family. However, she wasted no time it celebrating her miracle, she took what she was given and gave back.

Perhaps that is the true message of Christmas...Jesus came to serve so that we might serve. Not, that we might receive. Our calling is Heaven, it is the ultimate mission of every life--to know, love, and serve the LORD, Our God, with all our hearts, minds, and souls and to return to Him in glory at the end of our lives for eternity. But, is that really the end? Our saints are not retired, they are alive, active, and involved in our lives and our Church. They are still serving, their crown is one of service to the Church Militant. Rest in God is never idle.

There are but 12 days until Christmas, how can we serve one another? How can we pour out our hearts, souls, and God-given gifts this Christmas season and the rest of our lives?