My wife does an amazing job at decorating our house for Christmas. She does particularly well in placing Nativity scenes in various sections of our home to remind us and any visitors that Jesus is the reason for the season.
My job is to decorate the outside of the house with lights and two Nativity scenes, one in the front of the house and one in our backyard. Each scene includes the illuminated figures of Baby Jesus, Blessed Mary, and Saint Joseph.
I am particularly fond of the scene we place on our backyard deck. We can see it from the master bedroom in our home, and it is the last thing we see before going to sleep each night, as we keep our bedroom shades a little higher during Christmas season to be able to see it.
When removing and storing these outdoor Nativity scenes each year, I feel sad and look forward to the following Advent season when they can be displayed once again.
As I thought about it this year, I found myself thinking, “You silly old man. These beautiful representations of the Nativity are just symbols pointing you to God. Do not be sad. You have their real presence in your life when you pray to Jesus, the Blessed Mother and St. Joseph. All three are ever present to help you when you turn to them in intercessory prayer.”
With that, my sadness left and I felt a sense of peace!
May we always remember that Jesus, the saints, and our guardian angels are always with us.
By: Deacon Tom Gryzbek
