For Christmas last year we received a clock that chimes the tune of a Christmas hymn every hour on the hour. We enjoyed listening to the clock throughout Advent and Christmas. In the new year, I took down the clock and was ready to store it until the following Christmas season when my husband asked me not to pack it away. He thoroughly enjoyed listening to the chimes since they reminded him of the meaning  of Christmas.

  

At first I thought it odd listening to Christmas melodies in March and June and September. But the reason to celebrate Christmas – the coming of God in the flesh – is the foundation of our faith and our reason to live every single day of the year. Throughout the year we do not know what situations we will encounter. Some will be agreeable; others will not. But the gospel message in Matthew of the birth of the child Jesus reassures us: ‘Emmanuel’. God is always with us, throughout the year.

Prayer: God of infinite goodness, thank you for walking with us every day of the year. Amen