With this issue, Lisa Yanko, formerly Lisa Rumpel, returns from a break from writing. After getting married in the fall, she says the time for reflection and creativity to write about her faith and mental health has been a wonderful opportunity. Although she has bipolar disorder, it does not define her, and her passion is to shed light on the journey from languishing with mental illness to flourishing with mental health and how faith helps her to live her best life. She is a mental health advocate, writer, and speaker.
“It is Christmas every time you let God love others through you… yes, it is Christmas every time you smile at your brother and offer him your hand. It is not how much you do, but how much love you put in the doing.”— St. Mother Teresa of Calcutta
This quote from a modern-day saint is a beautiful reminder of what the Christmas season is about. Even the little things we do with great love are Christmas treasures.
I recently read the book 33 Days to Morning Glory by Father Michael Gaitley, MIC, and came to appreciate St. Mother Teresa more. In the Do It Yourself retreat, in preparation for a Marian consecration, there is a saint for each week whose life of holiness readers can reflect on. My friend and I called each other in the early morning before the start of work to talk about the day’s devotion. Every call would strengthen my spirit and hope in the Lord. We’d chat about our day ahead and what we were taking to heart from the chapter. Commenting on the examples of the lives of the saints doing extraordinary things is inspiring. I know my friend appreciated the time we spent prayerfully reflecting together as much as I did.
Waiting to celebrate the joy of Jesus’ birth at Christmas is worth it. St. Mother Teresa said, “We desire to be able to welcome Jesus at Christmas-time, not in a cold manger of our heart, but in a heart full of love and humility, a heart so pure, so immaculate, so warm with love for one another.”
Jesus must have been the sweetest baby. Completely relying on his mother and father for all his needs. How lucky the shepherds were to see him as a newborn. Jesus, a gentle saviour and a cuddly baby. How great is that!
How I wish I could take a turn holding him and talking to Mary and Joseph about their son. Mary had a pondering heart and held on to the precious moments with Jesus. Mother Teresa also had a pondering heart and prayed for Mary to lend her heart to her. She knew that the Holy Spirit lived in the heart of Jesus’ mother. She was really asking for the Holy Spirit to dwell in her.
“Mother Teresa lived in some of the poorest environments on earth,” writes Father Gaitley. “She had to put up with burning heat, bad breath, stuffy rooms, nagging fatigue, endless responsibilities, bland food, hard beds, body odour, cold water bathing, and agonizingly deep spiritual aridity. Yet, despite all this, she radiated joy. She smiled. She marvelled at the good things God did in her life and in the lives of others, and she pondered the countless loving details arranged by Our Lady.”
With so much to do and fatigue nagging at me, I will remember to smile and marvel at the amazing things God is doing in my life.
Lately, I’ve been visiting the chapel at work in the morning. My quiet prayer goes like this. My life is in your hands, Lord. Whatever you do, please take care of everything. There are many things on my mind and heart. I trust in you, I love you.
The light from the sanctuary candle flickers brightly on the golden tabernacle. And I pause to be silent.
Hope is waiting for things to happen and expecting the best. Hope is Jesus. The Lord continues his work of healing in our lives as he shines his light into the world. “A light will shine on us this day: the Lord is born for us.”(Psalm 97)
Wishing you a healthy and happy Christmas season!
