Finding deeper spiritual meaning this time of year

Christmas is one of the most important days of the year in the Christian faith. Life is full of challenges, but this is a time of celebration to remember the birth of the savior.

“This has been a ... challenging year for all of us,” said Archbishop José Gomez, president of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops. “But in this season of joy and hope we know that the redeemer lives. Every Christmas is a new beginning, for our lives and for the whole world. Our God loves us. Let Jesus into your heart.”

This time of year most people look forward to gifts, decorated trees, and gathering. But many people rush around with long to-do lists. Instead, slow down and relax, focusing on what’s really important.

You can try doing things that don’t cost that much, but are meaningful, like writing out Christmas cards to friends and family, packing everyone in the car after dinner and driving around to see nativity scenes and lights, or making snacks for the birds outside your home. This creativity can be valuable — helping you to temporarily transcend everyday concerns.

And unfortunately for some, Christmas will not be a time of merriment and joy due to poverty.

Is there a way you can help the needy either by volunteering your time, or donating money? Helping others during the holidays is a way to feel the warmth of the season and to pitch in.

In addition, some churches put their services online in the form of videos, which is helpful for people with mobility problems. They can worship in the comfort of their homes.

The priests of the Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston have created messages of hope to help during these difficult times. These can be inspirational, as if the priests are talking to you directly one on one. To access, go to www.archgh.org, select Resources, go to Health Updates and then select Messages of Hope.

Things are not perfect in the world. There’s the economy and the lingering effects of the pandemic, but things have never been perfect. It’s important to remember that we’ve had problems before and have survived.

While Christmas is the time of the birth of Jesus, it can also be a time of rebirth — a clean slate, so to speak. Faith and hope have sustained people through the centuries. They are just as strong and powerful today to bring support.