January 1, 2021

Posted on by Evelyn Rivera
My reflection today comes from God:
Heaven, Early morning
New Year’s Day
“Dear Daughter, Dear Son,
I am writing you in the name of Jesus. It’s the first thing I want to do in this new year. Today, the eighth day after Christmas, my son is given his name… and his name, his destiny. In a sense, he now swings into action.
I chose the name for him: Jesus. It’s a very good choice. All the world will know what he must do and why he must do it, because they will know who he is. He is my Beloved, my agent of salvation. That is what his name stands for: God is Savior.
I have sent him for this purpose. He will rescue all people from their sins. He will restore hope, heal the brokenhearted. He will give dignity to humankind, putting love and harmony back into their proper place.
I feel like celebrating today. I rejoice because it is the beginning of my great work. I rejoice because of you, also. I love you much more than I did before. Of course, I always loved you. I created you from nothing. I made the world, and made it a good world, just for you. But now there is more to it… there is more to you. You are linked to the life of my own dear Son. I love you the same way I love him. That is why he was born of Mary, so that you and he could be joined together.
Because of Christmas, you are united to the life of Jesus. Because of this day- when he is given his name – you are united to his destiny. In the small part of the world you live in, you are to work, hand-in-hand, with my Son. You are to be ‘another Jesus:’ rescuing people from their helplessness, healing the brokenhearted, restoring harmony where there is dissension, loving others as I have first loved you…
I cannot explain everything in this short letter. I cannot explain everything to my Son, either. He is only eight days old. He will grow in grace and manhood. Love and wisdom will develop, little by little.
So it will be with you. Keep going. Don’t get discouraged. Remember my constant love for you. It is your gift. It came with the life, and the destined love, of Jesus.
Happy New Year!
Love,
God

December 31, 2020

Posted on by Evelyn Rivera
My reflection today is from the Wise Men:
A Caravanasary Near Damascus
December 31, 0001
Dear Christmas Friend,
We’ve traveled enough today. Still a long way from home, but we do want to get this letter off to you while everything is still fresh in our minds.
As the saying goes, we are now sadder, but wiser… and broker. So many Christmas scenes picture us as being kings – rich kings with costly robes on our backs, and gleaming buckles. But we are not rich men, only wise. (And as everybody knows these two qualities don’t always go together.)
As you North Americans would put it, we ‘blew it all’ on Christmas. All the money we saved up went into those expensive presents we gave Jesus, placing them in the care of his mother and good Joseph. No regrets. We’re glad we did it. The very best is what God has given us. We were honored to represent all people, everywhere, who reach God by whatever wisdom. We wanted to give our best in return. 
Remember this, please. Now that the bills are coming in… and you notice, maybe, that you gave other people better presents then they gave you, never mind. You did it because you loved. Don’t ever regret any sign of love. Rejoice that you took the trouble to do so. Our greatest acts of kindness are only clues, faint ones at that, of God’s great kindness to us all.
But we want to say more. It has to do with ‘sadder but wiser. ‘ By wisdom, we arrived where Jesus was. By wisdom, we helped King Herod and his Scribes understand what was going on and what to do about it. We thought our insights would be an influence for good.
Not so. All of Jerusalem continued as they were before. They even massacred little children, they were so pigheaded in their attitudes. We were lucky to get out alive.
You, too can feel the sting of such things. The year’s end can sometimes sting you even more painfully. You know what will help somebody. You know the advice that will bring happiness and peace to those who suffer. You tell them so… and they don’t care. They stay in their stubbornness, and maybe even hate you more.
Never mind. Do what you can. Don’t get upset by failure. Pray for those you cannot reach by wisdom. Leave the outcome up to God, the way we did.
Have no regrets for the good you did last week. And have no anxiety about the good you cannot do next year. Even in our wisdom, we’re only human. Remember this.
And remember:
Our Christmas Love,
in Christ,
Three Men of Wisdom”

December 30, 2020

Posted on by Evelyn Rivera
My reflection today is from the shepherds:
“The open countryside Northeast of Bethlehem
December 30, 0001
Dear Christmas Friend,
The other shepherds have asked me to write to you. I am their delegate. (I am the only one who knows how to write.) We all want to wish you Mary Christ-Mass.
We waited until after Christmas to write to you. On purpose. For one thing, until we heard the angels singing and then went over to see for ourselves, we had nothing to say to anybody, about anything. For another reason, it’s the days after a big celebration that cause time to seem like it’s dragging, and can tempt you to think you’re not very special.
These feelings we can relate to, for sure. We have the most time dragging profession in all the world! Watching sheep! Looking out for wild animals! Hour after hour! Dull is the only word for it.
Also, we’re about the most despised people in the world. Just a shade above the tax collectors. Nobody looks at us when we go to town. Nobody thinks we have anything important to say. Nobody cares.
But God cares. We never thought so before; but now we know it. We were the first ones to hear the message. God’s message was: ‘Don’t be afraid of anything or anybody. Don’t listen to those people, strutting around like big shots, thinking you are not important. You are important. Go see my baby, born of Mary, given for love of you.’
We went. We saw. We breathe new air now; we see the world much differently. Oh, we still get bored and depressed sometimes, but it doesn’t last so long; we don’t stay down. We’ve seen the gift of a loving God. We’ve heard his song of joy for us.
We’ll pray for you. We promise, all of us. We’ll pray to God our father that he will bring you to such a personal experience of his love that no put-downs from other people, no dullness of routine, no bouts with depression-nothing can ever take away your song of joy… and your certainty of
Love, in Christ,
The Shepherds”

December 29, 2020

Posted on by Evelyn Rivera
My reflection today is from the President of the Ben David Prayer Group:
House of the Silversmith Ain-Karim
December 29, 0001
“Dear Christmas Friend,
You probably don’t remember us. But we know you a little bit…and we know what you are probably going through these days after Christmas.
So, at the conclusion of our prayer tonight, all the neighbors of Elizabeth and Zachariah wanted me to write you a letter to cheer you up. And to urge you to pray… maybe even form your own little prayer group back home.
Maybe you do remember us… vaguely. Our names are tucked into the gospel of Saint Luke. But so many important events took place at the time, our little claim to fame goes relatively unnoticed.
You may recall how Zachariah was struck done by an angel because he doubted God’s love. Then ‘his power of speech returned’ once his child was born. And we were there, all astonished. God was making himself known right before our eyes. It was wonderful.
Luke will record it very faithfully: ‘All the neighbors (that’s us!) we’re filled with awe and the whole affair was talked about throughout the hillcountry of Judea. And those who heard of it treasured it in their hearts.
Yes we did. It was easy at first, but then troubles came, ordinary problems, like the ones that get you down. Evil seemed to have the upper hand. (Look at what Herod did at Bethlehem! Many people have been nasty to each other. Grudges seem to be more powerful than love.
It was difficult to do what God wanted us to do. We knew we were supposed to keep treasuring the reality of love, that special gift of love ushered in by two most beautiful babies: John of Elizabeth and Zachariah and Jesus of Mary, the Son of God.
We had to get together to pray with each other, to keep alive the fires of wonder and thanksgiving.
You, too. There is evil in your world, also. Many things come up that can discourage you. Don’t let them push out the reality of Christmas. Get a friend to pray with you. Ask God to help you treasure in your hearts the good news of his personal love for you.
Remember, we will be with you. Each time our prayer group meets, we will include you in:
Our Love, in Christ,
The Neighbors”
Isaias Powers

December 28, 2020

Posted on by Evelyn Rivera
My reflection today is from Elizabeth and Zechariah:
Our home
Hill country of Judea
December 28, 0001
Dear Christmas Friend:
Things are very hectic here. Indeed, all over the Judean countryside. Family squabbles, arguments, flareups of anger! All is so different from the good feeling of a few days ago.
Without any warning, Joseph and Mary packed up, in the middle of the night, and left for Egypt. Then Herod’s soldiers came to Bethlehem and butchered all the baby boys-all twelve of them! Our own kinsfolk, all dead! Everyone is grieving. We went down to grieve with them. The families are inconsolable.
They hate Mary and Joseph, too. We tried to tell them it was not their fault. King Herod was the murderer, not they. They turned on us in hatred, too. They kept repeating and repeating, ‘If it were not for Mary’s son, our child would not have died!’
We can’t do a thing. We feel bad for Mary and Joseph. We miss them. It’s so sad when family closeness breaks down. You know what we mean. You have been in the middle of family squabbles, sometimes. There are people who have cut you off from their love. This always hurts, but especially during the days after Christmas.
All we can say is that we are going through it also; and we will be with you as you go through it. We’re not trying to give you any quick solutions or easy answers, like tell you to ‘cheer up’ or ‘don’t feel bad’ or things like that.

We just want to write you how we are managing… even as we grieve and miss our friends. We know that we still have each other. We still have some friends who haven’t turned against us. And we know God loves us-our child and Mary’s child are proofs of this.
It is the same with you. You have the very same grounds for confidence we have. Let these thoughts support you when loneliness or hatred makes you sad.
Please include us in the company of those friends who stick by you. And remember:
All our Love,
 Elizabeth and Zechariah”

December 27, 2020

Posted on by Evelyn Rivera
My reflection today comes from Saint Joseph:
“From Joseph
A cave, outskirts of Bethlehem, December 27, 0001
Dear Christmas Friend,
I know my beloved wife already wrote to you. (She read it to me before she sent it.) I will be with you, too – when drabness seems to get you down and other peoples coldness tempt you to doubt your worth.
But I want to add something. Now that Christmas is over, you may be looking into the future… and you may be worried about it. Can you meet all your pressing responsibilities? Will you have your health? Will you have enough money to keep going? If there are changes in your life (there probably will be) how will you handle them?
I know how worries can wear a person down. This very afternoon, I’m having some anxious moments. I am unemployed right now. This makeshift home is hardly a palace we can be proud of. How will I manage the responsibility of caring for my wife and foster-child? I have no money, no friends in high places, no home of my own… no idea about what to do or where to go from here.
I did have a dream last night, and it scared me. It’s fuzzy in my mind, but I think it told me to leave here and start a new life in Egypt. I’ll wait and see. If I dream it again, I will have to obey it. But how will we prosper in a strange land, living with people we don’t know? Will I be able to support Mary and Jesus? What will become of us?
I can only rely on God he has seen me through past perils. He has sustained me when I was so bewildered. (Even when I wondered whether or not I should marry Mary.) Everything turned out so well. There is no doubt in my mind that God will be with me, no matter what the future brings.
The same God will be with you, too. Be of good heart. Remember the joy of Christmas. Remember all your joys… and all the many, many times God has seen you through past difficulties. He will continue to prove his love for you, always.
I am certain of this. I will pray for you – especially when worries come – that you will be certain of it, too.
Relax today. Be easy on yourself. Get a good rest. Have some good dreams. I’ll be praying for you, that your sleep be untroubled and your worries never get so big that you can’t manage them.
All my love,
my Son’s love, too,
Joseph”

December 26, 2020

Posted on by Evelyn Rivera
My reflections these next few days will be letters from those who were at the first Christmas.
“From Mary, a cave, outskirts of Bethlehem, December 26, 0001
Dear Christmas Friend,
It’s now the day after Christmas. I want to thank you for the honor you gave my Son, Joseph, and me. You celebrated well. You prepared for it and prayed about it. (I also delighted in the joy you had when you gave and receive those Christmas presents.)
Now you are probably experiencing a let down. The excitement is over; the living room is in disarray; everybody’s going here or there, or else catching up on much-needed rest. Life is so different now; even the Christmas songs have stopped. Compared to the feverish activity before, your world now seems so ordinary, perhaps even dull.
Never mind. Don’t get discouraged. I am experiencing a let down, too. Nobody can stay on a ‘high’ forever. It was so unforgettably beautiful to give birth to my Son. Nothing can compare to that. Beautiful, also to know my husband‘s support of love… and welcome the shepherds with their shy and simple praise… and sense the joy of the whole world, and angels too… all this was so exhilarating it could not possibly continue.
I have work to do. I must care for my baby, keep our place clean and plan for the future. Day follows day, now.
Even so, I’ll never lose the memory of these past months. My gratitude to God will never dim. I won’t become discouraged by our poverty or by the fact that so many people will soon forget me and forget what Christmas is all about.
I know my real value. God has chosen me to help him with his plan of love. He values me. This is the light shining through every drab detail; it is the warmth that will never permit human indifference to chill me.
You, too, be of good cheer. You are greatly valued in God’s eyes. You have loved my Son by celebrating his birthday. You have proven that love is real to you because you were thoughtful of others this Christmas. We are family, you and I.
Don’t be upset if your house is in a mess, or if people seem indifferent, or if you don’t have much energy at all. ‘Down times’ will pass. We are family in these feelings, too.
Must get supper ready now. I just wanted to write you this, to thank you for remembering us yesterday… and to promise you my support, especially when life is more dreary than exciting.
All my love,
Mary” -Isais Powers, C.P.

Christmas Day

Posted on by Evelyn Rivera
My reflection today is from Living Faith:
“Who among us has not felt a bit of gloom on certain Christmas days? Family conflicts, personal illness, loneliness due to the absence of loved ones, annoying interruptions of our plans, the constant messes around the world and other distressful issues can move in to erode our enjoyment. When gloom spreads over us, let us recall that we carry the Eternal Light within us. No matter how gray our mood might be, this is a day to sink into faith, a strong faith, one filled with gratitude. The Holy One loved the world so much that the beloved Son was birthed to tell us this love. Today we can choose to share that gift of loving presence with our generous kindness, a helping hand, a ready smile, a listening ear, a forgiving heart. No matter how gloomy we might be feeling, let the Light shine through us today.” Sr. Joyce Rupp, O.S.M.
Several people have shared with me how this Christmas will not be the same. This reflection today reminds us that no matter what we are feeling today, our faith still
brings us back to the true meaning of Christmas. The Light that shown in the darkness is here today to give us strength no matter what we are going through. The nativity scene in this picture belonged to my parents.
My mother bought it at W. T. Grants in Meriden over 60 years ago.  Merry Christmas and a happy and healthy new year!

Christmas Eve 2020

Posted on by Evelyn Rivera
Christmas Eve
“Today marks a turning point – not a true Advent day, but not quite Christmas either. We live unsure of the days impact on us. We are still preparing as we address some last minute detail; we are already celebrating as we rush off to a dinner and gift exchange. Is Christmas almost over, or just beginning? It is a day of restlessness.
Every family celebrates Christmas Eve in a different way. One family exchanges gifts after an early dinner, one family after midnight Mass; still another family leaves cookies for Santa and is off to bed early. There is no one right way to celebrate, except that few of us like to be empty-handed with nothing to give to another.
The first Christmas Eve found people equally unsure of the day’s impact on their lives. heaven met earth in the lives of ordinary people to save the lost, to establish the kingdom, to elevate humankind. There was no right way to celebrate that turning point of history – except not wanting to be empty-handed.
This Christmas Eve God’s love still works in quiet places, among unnoticed people, in the ordinary situations of our lives. He reaches into the ordinary to make it grace filled. Jesus is coming to us; must we celebrate empty-handed, empty hearted?” – Terrance Schneider
Dear God, blessed are you and worthy of our love and prayers. Teach us not to limit Christmas to the next 24 hours. May the warmth, joy and love of this day make an impact on every day we live. Amen.?

December 23, 2020

Posted on by Evelyn Rivera
My reflection today: Waiting for Santa
“Excitement builds as children wait for Santa’s gift giving journey to begin. ‘Mom, how does Santa make it to every house in the world in just one night?’ ‘How will Santa get into our house – we have no chimney?’ On and on in endless wonder children ponder the mystery of Christmas.
There was necessary traveling on the first Christmas, too. A family was forced to travel from Nazareth to Bethlehem to register for taxes. Bearing God’s gift to every heart in the world, Mary and Joseph could find no room for Jesus in any house that night; he was an intrusion, not an eagerly awaited guest. We wonder, how could it happen?
This Christmas, Jesus travels to be a guest in our hearts. What type of welcome awaits him? Is there any room for him in our lives? How will he get in? How can he meet all of our needs? We, too, ponder the mystery of Christmas-God with us.” –  Terrance Schneider
Dear God,
we may never be special or famous, yet you wish to be with us. So often the things of the world draw our attention away from you.
Do you have us the grace necessary to remove any obstruction from welcoming you in a deeper way into our lives. Come close to us, Lord, help us through this very different Christmas season. give us the grace, to love others enough to distance ourselves from them.?