Photo painting of the nativity by William Bell Scott
Years ago when I was a mere kid, Father Carriege was a "new" priest at our church. Father Carriege was cool, he had long hair, often was barefoot, and when he said the homily he did not stay up at the altar, instead, he walked amongst the congregation. He was loved in our small town. He was the first Priest that I knew that made me feel that he was "like us" and not a "God". He seemed real, and his message was obtainable. He spoke to us and not above us.
Durning Christmas Mass he walked amongst us to say his homily. Usually a homily can take twenty minutes, and at Christmas it can go on for eternity… that is to say that Father Carriege stood up to say the homily and he said this and only this:
"If Christ can be born in a stable, then he can be born in our hearts."
It rocked my world, and I was never the same after that. Faith did not ask for perfection, for a five-star hotel to be born into. His homily made me feel holy, made me feel that the best gift I could give was to open my heart. To be ready to say yes, here I am.
Years later, on Christmas Eve, Father Carriege was killed by a drunk driver. I still can recall the shock of hearing about his death.
Each year around Christmas I think of him. He was someone who gave foundation to my faith. My stable is still a mess, probably will be forever, but at least the door is ajar and my heart is trying to do more than listen.
May the meaning of Christmas penetrate light, joy and love to every corner of my stable and yours.
xxx
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