Dear Father Groeschel,

I have to admit to being tempted to being somewhat of a “Grinch” - of wanting to “run away” to another place during the Christmas holidays here just to get away from what I was anticipating. Then I ran into someone who was able to change that mentality – who opened my mind to the truth and wonderful example - of what I might try to be for others during that time instead of trying to escape – and that is to be, as much as I can with God’s Grace, an outpouring of hospitality following the example of Christ. As I listened, I began to think, “Lord, maybe I can stay here and be what you want me to be for the others, with your grace.” I am also remembering the fine example of one of our pastors who always urged us to read “A Woman Wrapped in Silence” during Advent. Henri Nouwen stages our spiritual growth in 3 steps: “from isolation to solitude; from hostility to hospitality; and from illusion to prayer” in a book entitled “Reaching Out”. May Mary, our Mother, teach us to pray, to welcome, and to adore her Infant Son as we pray with her and the angels, and to welcome and honor everyone who comes across our path as we would the “babe whom she wrapped in swaddling clothes”, to whom she gave birth and whom we adore and are able to receive in Holy Communion every day.
In Christ, God bless you and Thank you.