Harry’s Christmas Wish List
It’s Christmas Eve we await the birth of our savior. The greatest gift God gave us. There is really nothing else that matters today. The gifts, the decorations, and hustle and bustle. These things are all symbolic of preparing for the birth of our Lord. But the true meaning of Christmas resides in our hearts and is about the love we extend to one another through our acts of kindness, just as our Savior taught us.
This morning I reflect on the year. So much has happened to our world. The media reminds us all day long of the doom and gloom. There are snippets of good however overshadowed by the sadness and misery. I pray for those that are ill. I pray for those that have left our world and the grieving families left behind. I pray for those without jobs seeking assistance for food. I thank God for the opportunity to follow in the actions of his son, reaching out to those in need. Bring witness to neighbors helping neighbors and coming together for the sake of the needs of someone else.
Yes, our world may have been turned around and upside down during 2020, but we must look at the good that was performed, sacrifices of our front-line heroes, and efforts beyond from strangers expressing concern to those in need. The greatest gift we bring forth to 2021 is the kindness and compassion of mankind.
Faith has prevailed! Allowing us to shine our light and carry forward with love in our hearts. Enriching the lives of those around us with small gestures and true extension of sharing the love in our hearts. Through masked faces we turn our attention to looking in the eyes of those we encounter; for in our eyes, we see the love of God. My wish this Christmas is for the world to embrace the gift of faith and love to one another:
My wish list this Christmas for our world is that:
- The Covid-19 vaccines are effective, and the crisis ends. Bringing health to all.
- Life gets back to a normalcy enriched with all we have learned.
- Those in need of jobs find a path to provide for their families and hunger will end.
- That the homeless will find shelter and warmth and peace in their hearts.
- That God continues to bring forth those in need so we may embrace them and assist them on a path void of poverty
- May all of you feel Gods love in your heart and that your faith will bring peace and kindness within.
- May your light continue to shine, faith remain deep within your heart, and the love of God remain within.
Merry Christmas everyone! Let us rejoice in the birth of our savior!
God Bless,
Harry Ohde
Volunteer President/CEO
Society of St. Vincent de Paul Chicago