HE IS NEAR

Seeing Christmas through the eyes of children is a magical thing.

Surrounded by my grandchildren these past few days, I have returned to the land of Santa Claus, Peter Pan, Scooby Doo and teddy bears that come to life when children take a nap in Mrs. Sudoki’s class.

The openness of children to Santa’s dexterity at climbing down chimneys, to Captain Hook’s vain attempts to capture Peter Pan, to Shaggy’s courage in chasing after a castle ghost and to teddy bears that awaken to leave candies for sleeping SK students makes me realize that, despite the lurid headlines in newspapers this past month, the world is still rotating about a positive axis.

I received many special gifts this Christmas including a new camera (now up to14 from 6 megapixels), a four volume set of Game of Thrones, a jug of maple syrup, and two donations in my name to wonderful charities. However, the gift I will most cherish actually arrived about four weeks ago.

Upon our return from our California holiday, our son invited Terry and I to Hamilton to visit with the grandkids, Noah and Audrey. We began our day at Mass with Derek and his children at his local parish, Saint Lawrence, the second oldest church in Hamilton. It was the first Sunday of Advent and as I entered the magnificent domed structure, I was reminded of Martyrs’ Shrine in Midland.

Although one of the strengths of the Catholic Church is a common lectionary and ‘order of Mass’, I am always surprised by the variety of ways certain parts of the Mass are celebrated.

At Saint Lawrence, the priest invites all the children to surround the altar at the time of the Consecration. Then, they all join hands for the recitation of the Our Father. At the sign of peace, the youngsters are sent down the church aisles to shake hands with the parishioners before reuniting with their families.

My special gift was to watch five year old Noah and three year old Audrey walk down the main church aisle and gleefully shake hands with the welcoming congregation. The look on the faces of many elderly people as they reached out to exchange the sign of peace with the smiling children was touching.

As I watched the scene unfold, I realized that all children embody the joy, hope and of happiness of the Christmas season.

Indeed, children are God’s special sign to us that He is near.