A Holy Day

Yesterday morning I went to Mass. It was a Holy Day. On the Roman Catholic Church calendar of Holy days, December 8th is celebrated as a Holy day of obligation, commemorating the Immaculate Conception of Mary. It was a small group of mostly older people that morning. There were 2 other times when parishioners could come...those 2 Masses were very busy. I liked the early morning drive across the bridge into town...as our sleepy town was waking up. There were Canadian Geese hovering over the cold river. I could see my breath in the cold morning air. As I approached the Church, I saw the Manger scene below. I was there just as the Priest arrived. He held the door for me.. as we wished each other good morning. There was no music accompaniment at this early service...only the voices of the 35 or so people attending. To me it was such a simple Mass...just the 35 of us listening to our Priest tell the story of Mary. As he prepared the Communion, he said to us, "As you come forward with the palm of your hand outstretched...think of that cupped palm as your own little Manger making a place in your heart for the Lord Jesus." I had never heard it described that way. Such a sweet description...I thought. From now on when I look at a Manger scene...either at home or away, I will remember his words. Balisha