Happy Three Kings!

"Nativity of the Homeless" scene, outside Christ Our Hope
Catholic Church on 2nd Ave in downtown Seattle.

As we celebrate the Solemnity of The Epiphany of Our Lord, we recall the journey of the three magi to the child Jesus. In the gospel reading from today's great feast, we learn a lot from the three wise men's journey.

They were persistent in their search for Jesus: "Where is the newborn King of the Jews?" they asked. Using King Herod's words, they searched "diligently" for the child. No matter where we are in our vocation to follow Christ, we must continue to search for Him in our lives.

Upon finding the child, they opened their treasures and offered them. We too are called to give of ourselves to Christ and offer up all that we have for his greater glory.

During the wise men's journey, they were also open to change after a warning not to return to King Herod. We too, must be open to the will of God in our lives.

Epiphany comes from a Greek verb meaning "to reveal." The events of the Epiphany are revelations of Christ to man.

What gift will be bring to the infant Christ? How can we experience Christ's revelations in our lives?

Children of God



My grandmother with baby Belia
at our Uncle Art's 50th Birthday Party

In this octave of Christmas, as we celebrate the birth of our Lord, Jesus Christ,

       my co-worker became a grandmother for the fourth time to her daughter's first child, baby Robby,

       my uncle, Fr. Art Gramaje, CMF had a 50th birthday party where a couple he married recently showed up with their 8-week old baby Belia,

       a friend of the family expecting their first child hosted a baby shower (years after a miscarriage),

       we celebrate the Feast of the Holy Family today.

This is a wonder-filled time to be reminded that we are all children of God and, as today's gospel reading says, "called to grow in wisdom and age and favor before God and man."

Will conclude this post with a Prayer Blessing of a Child in the Womb, just recently approved by the USCCB. Feel free to celebrate this blessing rite during Advent, on Mother's Day, on the Annunciation, or any other appropriate time throughout the year. May we all continue to remember to give praise and thanks for this most great gift God has given us...the gift of life and of course LOVE.

Merry Christmas!