Find a balance at Christmas, abbot urges

and, in particular, Linus’ explanation of the Christmas story — to appeal to children.

“That’s how Jesus taught, with stories and parables,” he said.

“When we have a lot of kids, I like to engage the kids and make Mass an enjoyable experience for them.”

For many Americans, Christmas is a time of shopping, gift-giving, social gatherings and, of course, huddling around the television to watch sporting contests and specials.

“We get caught up in all that,” Gore said. “I try to remind people to do things too for others on a spiritual level as well. To not forget what it’s all about, Charlie Brown.”

The abbey’s 1,100-acre property at various times has served as a ranch, a dude ranch, and even a Wells Fargo stagecoach stop, complete with stables since remodeled as office and living space for the monks.

The Olivetan Benedictine monks have owned the site since 1985. They host individual and group retreats, which provide the abbey’s main income. Visitors too often arrive at the abbey “exhausted, wiped out, drained,” Gore said.

“It’s not easy living out there in the world,” said Gore, who bought, restored and sold houses in Santa Fe before he became a monk at age 50. “They just need to rest, be healed, restore themselves, then go back out there.”

Christmas can be a time of tension between the material and the spiritual worlds, but the Rev. Bob Lussier, the abbey’s prior, forever rid himself of that dilemma in 1988.

Then a successful film and television actor, Lussier summoned friends to his plush home in Hollywood Hills and gave away all his worldly possessions in one wild day of gift-giving.

“I got rid of everything in that one day,” said Lussier, who acted in dozens of feature films, television series and more than 200 commercials.

“I didn’t know what my reaction was going to be when that time came,” he said.

Lussier said he was surprised by his reaction as friends picked through his fine furniture, jewelry and dinnerware, then hauled it away.

“I giggled for the whole day,” he said. “I didn’t realize that I would be so happy about it. It was really a great joy.”

EDDIE MOORE/JOURNAL Brother Martin de Porres Gardiner offers a plate of cookies to the Rev. Aidan Gore, abbot of Our Lady of Guadalupe Abbey, during lunch at the monastery. Seated beside Gore are the Rev. Bob Lussier, right, and the Rev. John Davies.

Brother Bruno Boyko carries a crucifix as he and other monks prepare for Mass at Our Lady of Guadalupe Abbey in Pecos.

Rose petals dot the floor after Mass at Our Lady of Guadalupe Abbey.