We have missed not being with our loved ones. Not holding and hug them and show them we care very much for them. We have lost loved relatives and friends without even saying goodbye. We did not even attend their funerals for various reasons.
No wonder some are losing faith, hope and trust ... in anything.
Let me tell you a story.
Years ago, a man called Moses led the Jews to the Promised Land. On the way there, many of his followers suffered various hardships. They complained, and whined and moaned. They lost all hope and trust in his leadership. They even lost faith in their God and rebelled against Him. They relied on their own man-made gods created out of precious metals.
Like we are doing now.
No wonder spending is on the increase in many sectors of the economy. Food, drinks, jewellery, perfumes, entertainment and so on. People are searching for a distraction from their present situation which seems never to end.
With hindsight and 2020 vision it is fair to say that this year has been a disastrous one for many and best forgotten.
However, it is important to keep alive faith, hope and trust in our Lord.
It is our duty, our responsibility, to do so.
To be a Christian is to have faith and trust in God. To have hope in His love and mercy.
Christianity is not a badge to wear on one's lapel. It is a way of life.
It is right that at this time we celebrate Christmas and decorate our homes, both outside and indoors. Even if no one will visit to see it.
It is our sign to the world that we trust and believe that God will listen to our prayers and will respond generously in His time and in His way.
Celebrating Christmas is the best birthday present we can give Jesus at this time.
Of course, we are not immune from our own rants and moans about our own situations right now. As Christians we should help and support each other as well as those God places in our lives who need help.
Feel free to rant and rave and moan in the comments box below, or write to me at enquiries@holyvisions.co.uk if you prefer.
We may not have any solutions but at least we will be able to pray together in the sure knowledge that He is amongst us and listening as He has promised to do.
Let us keep faith and hope alive in our hearts and trust in God always.
God bless.
...perhaps times like these are teaching moments about what is truly important in life.
ReplyDeleteYes, you are so right, Tom. People are important. People. We seem to forget it so often. When is the last time we said "I love you" to a dear one?
DeleteGod bless.
Perhaps. I think so too, Tom.
DeleteI don't think we should forget this year, Victor. It is something we will build on. It is the beginning of a new thing.
"...what we had accepted as normal."
Normal. What a wonderful word. I wonder what it means? 🧐
Yes, we should build a new beginning, Sandi. But the pain, suffered by many, should best be forgotten as best we can lest it drags us down and slows our recovery and progress towards God.
DeleteGod bless.
Dear Victor:
ReplyDeleteThank you for posting this blog today.
Because of my advancing age and numerous health problems, I have been in a self-imposed 'lock-down' since March 12, 2020; and have been unable to muster up any kind of 'Christmas spirit' this year. However, your blog today, has encouraged me; and, while I'm too ill & too financially strapped to buy presents for my loved ones (whom I may NOT see this year) -- or, to buy the fixings of a normal 'Christmas dinner' -- today's post has helped to remind me that it's NOT about the family, 'special foods' or 'presents'! It's ALL about His Presence in our lives! NOT being able to attend ANY Masses for so long has been 'soul crushing'. Maybe today, I'll try to put up a few Christmas decorations -- at the very least, set up my beautiful Nativity set, 'center-stage' -- on my dining room table -- on a beautiful 'Christmas-themed' tablecloth!
Thank you Unknown for your comment.
DeleteI'm so sorry to hear about the difficulties you have had this year. I am praying for you and your family right now.
Do not worry about presents for your loved ones. The best presents we can receive or give someone is our prayers. Tell them so. They will understand. And pray for them. Individually. Bring them to God and pray a special prayer for each one according to their needs.
Even if you have not been able to attend Mass. Pray to God on a one-to-one basis. Just you and Him. Ask Him to send His Holy Spirit into your soul. This is the best Communion with our Lord.
Put up as many decorations as you can. Even just the Nativity set will do. And offer a special prayer to our Lord. It is like singing Happy Birthday and saying "Thank you" for all He has done for us.
God bless you and your family always.
This year has challenged everyone but I do believe a strong faith will get us to the other side of this mess.
ReplyDeleteYes indeed. We must keep faith in God.
DeleteGod bless, Brian.
Times like these faith can rise to the occasion and help you through the rough times. I can't imagine life without faith but there are lots of people who don't believe these days.
ReplyDeleteAnd that is sad ... so many people who don't believe. And what little glimmer of faith there may have been dies in the process.
DeleteGod bless you, Bill, my friend.
Our faith has never been more important and crucial than at this time, Victor. We may be in difficult straits, but we can rest assured that God is large and in charge. He will see us through!
ReplyDeleteBlessings!
Indeed He will see us through this, as He has done in the past when we faced many difficulties in life. Faith should remain strong.
DeleteGod bless you, Martha.
I agree with Tom and have faith that God will bring us out the other side of this in His time.
ReplyDeleteAmen Happyone. Yes, God will see us through.
DeleteGod bless.
I've a hard time explaining, but feel there's a Big Lesson out there, waiting to be revealed. When everything we hold dear is removed, let's look closely at what remains. Praying for clarity!
ReplyDeleteI agree Mevely. God is talking, but I fear not many are listening. If I may mention my last book, Man And God: in there I ask whether God does speak to us in this day and age. Yes He does. Perhaps not as He spoke to the prophets, or Abraham or Moses; but He speaks to us all the same. This is one such instance.
DeleteGod bless you my friend.
Because i was needed to keep working, at least for most of my clients, this year has not really been that different. It has been a challenge, money is as tight as ever (if not a bit more so because of the clients who could not keep me), yet i see no reason to abandon faith. He Who has kept me thus far will keep me to the end.
ReplyDeleteSo right, Mimi. God has looked after you all this time; He will not abandon you now ... or ever. Praise the Lord.
DeleteGod bless you and yours.
Dearest Victor,
ReplyDeleteWell, we cannot complain too much as we have had only a few weeks that we could not attend Mass. We, with a smaller group, did go to pray the rosary together, in order to have our Church being opened again. We walked in front of the Church, praying and a bit on the pavement, circles and holding our rosaries. It gives you a sense of unity and prayers have always been strong. Yes, the Church got opened up again, with every other pew taped off, and we ought to social distance from others and wear the masks. But it feels to good that at least a core group of loyal Catholics continued to go to Mass! We need LOTS of prayer and as Pieter and I always have said, moving to the USA we learned that the top priority for most people is SPORTS! That too is a kind of golden calf... a worship in many ways and a bad one. We both are illiterate in that sense and we never felt that we missed out on anything. Neither are we movie watchers; we once again are completely illiterate in that regard. We were being attacked while living/working in Indonesia by the locals calling us greedy and bad people. They BELIEVED that all Americans were as being portrayed in their Hollywood movies... they get viewed all over the world. Speaking their language, I've always defended that fiercely and did carry local newspapers with me, showing them the percentage of people living below the poverty level etc. etc. Also mentioning that we are a religious people in general, not as being portrayed by that Hollywood 'crap'. Yes, that's what I call them as I absolutely have NO respect for them. Their moral values are zero, a few maybe standing out and trying to remain normal!
But the youth is so easy to brainwash and made to look up to their role models and idols that are NO role model. They lack any bit of moral value; empty hulls!
That is the problem and parents should have worked harder on teaching family values but sadly a lot of those having kids, are themselves in awe by those STARS.
Our life never has been influenced by all the fake news, movies without any morals, or anything fake and the selling of eternal youth (?!)... Stupidity for all those botox and fillers etc. Eternal youth you preserve for later, for your soul to live forever and not by wasting that too, here on earth!
Daring to grow old gracefully is more of an accomplishment.
Hugs,
Mariette
Thank you Mariette for your comments. It is sad what is happening to the world these days.
DeleteMore people are influenced by materialism and spirituality seems in decline. It is good that you managed to get to church, or even pray outside the church as a group.
Here in the UK a lot of churches were closed for a while. Now some are opening and following guidelines and distancing etc ... Also a lot of churches televised the Mass via streaming and also on You Tube.
We must pray and continue to hope that God will see us through this situation. Celebrating Christmas is a sign of that hope.
God bless always.
💞
DeleteGreat post. This has been a year to remember, but my pain and broken heart are not associated with COVID-19. The pain and brokenness stem from grief of the loss of my son. He was only 45 years old, and left behind his wife and two small children. I know God had a plan that I’m not privy to. I am leaning heavily on my faith and trust in our great God. I will never be over it, but, with God’s help, I will get through it. Thank you for your encouraging words. Blessings.
ReplyDeleteI am so sorry, Nells, to hear about your son. I am praying for you all right now. Of course, you will never get over it; you should not. It is good to remember him and honour him whenever you can. Yes, God had a plan for him, his family and you too. God cares for you all and He will see you through it.
DeleteKeep the faith, Nells, and continue to trust in God.
May He bless you and your family always.
Very well said, Victor. A word the whole world needs right now. God's plan has not been delayed or rearranged, but how we react to what we have all experienced in 2020 shows our character and our tested faith. I love your example of the children of Isreal that Moses had to deal with. This may be the best year of our life...Who knows, maybe Jesus will return and take us to our heavenly home. And if not, then there is still work to be done here. God bless you Victor for your faithful words of hope.
ReplyDeleteIt has been a difficult year for many people, Wanda. Many have lost loved ones. They will never forget that. And they should not.
DeleteGod is allowing this situation to happen. It is part of His plan and He is still in control. I believe He is speaking to the world right now through this situation. I fear many are not listening ... still.
God bless you and yours, Wanda.
I have received an anonymous comment as follows:
ReplyDeleteYes! Covid 19 has practically taken control of our lives and shaken our faith to its foundation. Nevertheless let’s see the positive good things that came about from this pandemic.
1 Wildlife, fauna and flora has been flourishing to a new life. The birds are singing and new species of plants and mushrooms are being discovered or re appeared.
2 The air pollution has dropped to a certain degree during the lockdowns. Cleaner air meant less asthma attacks and lower pulmonary conditions.
3 Working from home meant less community.
4 Waterways and canals were cleaner, such as Venice and marine life was at an increase. And cleaner hands.
5 Better community spirit by re connecting with past friends and relatives. With sing-along session songs with Zoom.
6 Becoming more charitable by clearing our wardrobes/cupboards of our unwanted items and given to good causes.
7 Introduction of ‘Live Streaming’. A new fad that now people will use in the future to record their family events live for absent friends/family.
8 Shelters from homeless people were provided. And Supermarkets were generous by giving away surplus food and products.
9. An advancement in medical science, by discovering new ways of manufacturing new vaccines in a shorter period of time.
10 A wake up call to our fragility of life. It enhanced our faith and trust in God that without Him, we are nothing. People are reflecting more on their beliefs, praying more often, conversion to Christianity is on the increase and hopefully from this one dreadful virus good things will come from it in the future of mankind.
God Bless
Anon
Thank you Anon for your positive thoughts.
DeleteGod bless.
Thank you for your unique perspective!
ReplyDeleteThank you Kathy.
DeleteGod bless always.
Wow, Victor, this right here --> 'We may not have any solutions but at least we will be able to pray together in the sure knowledge that He is amongst us and listening as He has promised to do.'
ReplyDeleteYou summed our response up so beautifully. Bless you ...
Thank you so much, Linda, for your kind words. Now more than ever we should trust in God.
DeleteGod bless.