“So Many Blessings”

48 years ago today our eldest daughter Angela was baptized. We had just moved to Easton, Pa. from Kansas City. Our lives were moving onto the “fast track”… new job, new house, new baby. Fr. Robert Biszek, a wonderful and holy priest, baptized Angela. It was also Advent. Wow, it seems like yesterday.

Our first three children were all born in November. When Angela was 2, we went to pick up her new sister Suzanne at the hospital. She had made her a new “pot holder”…. we were very excited. Two years later Angela and Suzanne joined me to go and bring Laurie home. There was so much joy and excitement during those Advents…new babies, putting up the Christmas tree, hot chocolate with marshmallows, buying the gifts… everything was “new”. 

I remember taking the girls shopping to get their mom  a Christmas present. I enjoyed being with my girls trying on hats and looking at toys and also trying to find something for Judy. It was just a happy time…all in the context of Advent, getting ready for Christmas. 

God’s plan for us is happiness. We’re reminded in today’s reading from Isaiah of his great love for us.  “For the mountains may depart and the hills be removed, but my steadfast love shall not depart from you, and my covenant of peace shall not be removed, says the LORD, who has compassion on you.” (Is. 54:10) God loves us so much; let’s enjoy the blessings he pours out upon us.

A lot has happened since that Advent of 1973. Two years (and 2 months) after Laurie, Jon was born. And let’s not forget Cris, Mary, Pete, Anne, Dave, and Catherine who followed every couple of years. 

Advent is a good time to reflect on our many blessings. Think back over the years at all the Lord has done for you. Sure we have had challenges and sorrows, but underneath it all, God’s  “steadfast love and covenant of peace remain.” And that is very good news.