As I move into those middle years, I find that my experience is quite the opposite. Maybe it’s just a sign that I am getting older. Or perhaps it’s because I am growing wiser. In any case, Christmas means more to me this year than ever before.

It has nothing to do with presents, and, if I am honest, a nap on Christmas afternoon is about all the excitement I really want. No, the reason Christmas means more and more to me each year, is that I find I really need THE GIFT of Christmas — Christ - in my life more than ever.

I truly pray that amid all the excitement and activity of these holydays, you may receive THE GIFT of Christmas. That is the real blessing of this season!

Our sincere thanks to another group that has done so much but remains hidden: those who decorate our Liturgical space. From the flags at the entrance to the wreaths on the walls, they have done so much, as well!

Thank you for all you do for the Lord and us — God’s People!

Please pray that the sick will respond to God’s healing will, especially: Don Camden, Robert Grace, Nancy Lymangrover, Alicia Miller, Evelyn, Shannon Knapp, Peter Bumpus, Julie Hogland, Sam Marino, Pat Huhn, Madalyn, Mary, Monica, Bill, Marissa Provine, Craig Livingston, Barry, Joyce, Helen Jones, Larry Piesko, Bill Kottke, MaryAnna, Colette Bertrand, Carole, Larry Stanley, Rachel Holthus, Bob Brookins, Laura Drittler, Angela Cooney, Donald Schommer, Sophie Martin, June Bennett, Steve, Shirley Brake, Steve Thuss, Joyce Fraser, Ethan Montague, Micah Zielinski, Carolyn Johnson, Mary Johnson, Patti Conahan, Matt Even, Jimmy Sexton, Mel Oja, John, Adam Weitzel, Mary Beth, Mary Lou Colgin, Joey Boyd, Merrick, Kateri Sullivan-Golbiw, Mike, Linda Nagle, Bishop Povish, Joanna Bloese, Ellen Colombo, Karen, Laurie Deirlein, and Donovan.

Please remember in your prayers Mark Novak and family in the death of Mark’s mother, Virginia Norman; and Debbie Clonan and Family in the death of Debbie’s grandfather, John Bowman.

Sacrificial Giving: Presently we have 910 families registered in the parish and 433 families have made their stewardship commitment. If you have not returned your commitment card, please pray about the sacrificial giving you will be making weekly/monthly and return the card either by mail or the collection basket on Sunday. Your commitment card can be located in your Sunday Contribution packet — the first page.

THANK YOU to all the folks who volunteered their time and caring to the parents of some 39 children who will have new and warm clothing for this winter season. The Warm the Children program receives funds from the Ann Arbor News, but needs volunteers to help the parents stay on a budget. Our Charity and Justice Committee gives thanks for the sixteen volunteers who helped make this happen.

CATHOLIC MEN’S MOVEMENT will meet on Thursday, January 3, beginning with Mass at 7:30pm and followed by a talk and fellowship time till 9:30pm. Steve Ray will be speaking about men, marriage, romance and heaven. It will be at Spiritus Sanctus Academy-Via Sacra at Domino’s Farms. Call 734-930-4524 for more information.

Fr. David F. Howell, Pastor

Sr. Maryetta Churches, OP, Pastoral Minister

Mary Mahar, Education & Formation of Youth

Marilyn Rhadigan, Formation & Evangelization

Anne Williams, R.C.I.A. Coordinator

H. David Scharf, Deacon

Kay Thurmon, Secretary & Bookkeeper

Josie Doucette, Secretary, Religious Education

Tom & Margaret Callaghan, Youth Ministry

Leo Camden, Custodian

Steven H. Schulte, Musician

Saturday 4:30pm, Sunday 9:00 & 11:00am

Monday, Tuesday, Thursday & Friday 9:00am

Wednesday Evening 7:00pm

Sacrament of Penance: Saturday 11:30-12 noon

Baptisms: We have a regular schedule for Infant Baptisms. Contact Marilyn Rhadigan to make arrangements.

This is a season of many candles. Our Advent wreathes, Christmas centerpieces, windows, and the Worship area, are just a few of the places that candles burn brightly, lighting the way for the Christ child. As we tell our children, we are the light of the world! This Holy Christmas Season, may Christ Jesus light the way for you and may your light shine to all those around you! (Although you must know that it is extremely hard to be in the "spirit" as I look out my window at the green grass and rain as I write this! At least if I went to Arizona like my parents want me to, I could be getting a tan while missing the snow!) Have a great Christmas!

Merry Christmas from Mary!

THANK YOU to the religious education staff, teachers and students, to the M.O.M.S. group and to St. Mary Magdalen Parish for the thoughts, prayers and cards during this difficult time of the passing of Chris’s father. The Tim Schiller Family

What is the reason for the season? I think many people around the world will answer this question differently this year. We celebrate our Lord’s birthday by making lists, shopping at the mall, and exchanging gifts. We gather together with our friends and family, we laugh, eat, and retell some of our favorite family stories. Sounds like fun, even nice.

Now think about this for a minute. It’s your birthday and everyone around you celebrates your special day by giving each other gifts, but not to you. Everyone around is telling stories, laughing and eating together, but not with you. Sound like fun? I challenge those of you who don’t do this, (because I know some of you do), make a Happy Birthday cake and include Jesus in your celebration. Pray before dinner, go around the room and encourage visitors to state what their favorite gift from God is or how they have gifted Him this past year. Make this a new tradition in your celebrations.

Our Christmas gathering will be Friday, Dec. 28 from 5-10pm at the Rife’s home. Please bring a dish to pass, sub’s (drinks will be provided). We thank the Rife family for opening their home to us.

May you and your family have celebrations that create memories to last a lifetime. Be sure to include the real and only reason for the season.

While the Christmas season usually brings a wealth of memories and family traditions, it can also be a very difficult time if you are coping with the loss of someone close to you. We have collected some materials in the office dealing with "Coping with Grief during the Holidays". Please feel free to contact Sr. Maryetta or myself to obtain a copy.

While we are engaged in project "Enduring Freedom", we at St. Mary Magdalen would like to keep our active military family members and friends in our prayers. In order to do this, we will have a book available in the gathering area for you to place their names.

While we have just completed our study of David, our next Scripture Study will be Women of the New Testament. This new video series will give us an opportunity to reflect and discuss the impact some of these biblical women have had in sharing the Good News. It is scheduled to begin January 17 at 10:00 a.m. Daycare will be available. Sign up sheets are the gathering area.

Yours on the journey, Marilyn

Isaiah 9:1-6

The big surprise at Christmas is actually small. A child is born. Newborns are completely dependent on someone else's help to sustain their fragile gift of life. They need a parent's care. Yet newborns are completely powerful in possibility. They may become anyone. They may do anything. One of them might even save the world.

One of them did. The big surprise at Christmas is that the Savior of the World arrives as someone small.

In a prophecy bouncing with enthusiasm, Isaiah announces, "A child is born to us! A son is given us!" His words brought relief to a nation seeking strong leadership and an end to oppression. Those who thought they were walking in the dark now could see light. God had given them a leader whose "dominion was vast and forever at peace."

Christians see in this prophecy the anticipation of the birth of Christ. Jesus, the font of wisdom, brings people out of darkness into light. He rules over a vast dominion as the Prince of Peace.

Sometimes our problems seem too large to manage. We look for big solutions. Sometimes the solution may be very small. It may be faith in the birth of a child.

ARE INVITED TO: New Years Eve Dinner & Dance in an Italian Café at St. Joseph Church, 440 E. Washington St., Howell, Dec. 31, 6:30 pm to 1:30am. Cost is $38 to Dec. 25^th, and $40 afterwards. Call 417-342-2494 to register.

Craig Jarmosco representing DIOCESAN PUBLICATIONS (Our Bulletin Publisher) will be at the parish soon. He will be renewing present advertisements and seeking new ones. If interested please call the parish office. We feel this is an excellent service and that the sponsors get good coverage with their ads. THANKS TO YOU, and DIOCESAN PUBLICATIONS, the bulletin is published weekly at no cost to the parish.