Once in a mass, Father Ariel T. (Rogationist of the Sacred Heart) gave an acronym of the word "Watch."
Watch equals "Watch your words, actions, thoughts, character, and heart."
As Christmas is one of the most awaited seasons of the year, everyone waits and rejoices for its coming. For Christians and non-Christians, it has become a worldwide phenomenon. Gift-giving and sharing are observed in various group activities in schools, offices, and neighborhood.
Children are waiting for Santa Claus (the legendary patron saint of children), wishing for toys and goodies.
Saint Nicholas, a wonderworker has become a model for Santa Claus. "Nickolaos of Bari" has a reputation of secret gift-giving, and throughout he is remembered among Catholic and Orthodox Christians (Wikipedia).
Last year (and almost two years), we spent December in a hospital. I witnessed how sick people struggled to become happy despite their aching bodies. The doctors, nurses, and medical staff, as well, tried their best to serve the patients in the most comfortable way of spending a happy Christmas.
Seeing a Christmas tree in the hospital gave happiness and strength to people like me. In the hospital patients and their families have to face fate bravely like spending December days in that kind of setting: lying in bed. While all were shopping and having parties, the sick - Oh what a pity, they couldn't even eat; yet, though their discomfort they try to give a smile to lessen the burden of the others taking care of them.
Sister Angelica (Daughters of Charity) for some days, ministered to my mother on her struggle with cancer. She made my mother very happy to realize God was with us in the hospital. We had Christmas cards, a lot of goodies, and later on got discharged on December 24. Mother lived another year after this hospitalization and with a series of chemotherapies, she looked almost well and glamorous.
Truly, seasons come and go. Christmases are dressed in all sorts: decoration, food, tree, light, gift and party in December days. Everyday is worth the struggle, and surviving each new day is success.
My mother had a good fight. She made it to the finish line always on "the watch." And as a teacher all her life, I deemed her one good example serving God in many ways even in those times all the body and the mind ached, she proved life was beautiful.
Mother did well, especially last Christmas. She watched her words, actions, thoughts, character and heart. We will try to do that, too.
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