Slowing down...

This time of year, it seems that the whole world is in a hurry. The to-do list is relentless: eat the leftover turkey, decorate, get the tree up, write out cards, shop, shop, plan the Christmas meal, shop, make cookies, shop some more.

Dec. 26 is usually when we flop on our couches, bodies and souls exhausted with the constant rush of the last six weeks, admiring our tree for a few brief moments before we rush to take it down, undecorate...the radio doesn't help. B101, the forerunner of those stations in this area that have flipped to all Christmas tunes, switches back at 12:01 a.m. that day. Boom -- no more Christmas.

You get the idea.

Here's the interesting thing about being Catholic. More than any other time of year, the weeks leading up to Christmas are a time to slow down, reflect and prepare ourselves for Christ. And the big day itself is celebrated starting on the 25th. Each Mass between then and the Epiphany (Jan. 6) is ranked with the same solemnity as Christmas Day.

So much of what we do goes against what this world says is important. For us, it's not so much about what we buy, but the intention behind our giving. It's not about greed, but charity. We don't work to impress our visiting relatives, but open our homes with humility and thanksgiving. And while so many are only celebrating the presents and food, we are celebrating so much more -- the reality that our entire world was changed the day Jesus was born.

It can be pretty staggering to consider. Sure, the list of errands is just as extensive for Catholics, and if we're not careful, the season will pass us by. But as the Gospel reading from this past weekend tells us, if we are vigilant and keep watch for Him, this season will do wonders for our faith.