Comments for Christmas Hope Returned at http://www.thecatholicthing.org , comment 1 to 9 out of 9 comments http://www.thecatholicthing.org Sat, 25 May 2013 15:06:20 +0100 FeedCreator 1.7.3 http://www.thecatholicthing.org/columns/2012/christmas-hope-returned.html#comment-15068 What a beautiful essay! Thank you. This line, "It’s good to remember in this season that Christmas is in truth the beginning of a kind of adventure," and the closing especially remind me of some words from Cesare Pavese that Msgr. Giussani was fond of quoting, "The only joy in the world is to begin. It is beautiful to live because to live is to begin, always, and every instant." - William Wed, 26 Dec 2012 07:10:14 +0100 http://www.thecatholicthing.org/columns/2012/christmas-hope-returned.html#comment-15064 Thanks for putting us on the Royal "road to a whole series of new discoveries"! - Charles Reding Mon, 24 Dec 2012 17:23:37 +0100 http://www.thecatholicthing.org/columns/2012/christmas-hope-returned.html#comment-15063 A lovely essay, Dr. Royal. Thank you. - Maggie-Louise Mon, 24 Dec 2012 07:44:08 +0100 http://www.thecatholicthing.org/columns/2012/christmas-hope-returned.html#comment-15062 A Merry Christmas to you Mr. Royal for that sublime essay, and thank you to Frank for sharing the Joy of coming home! God bless all of the good men and women of The Catholic Thing, Fr. Schall, Tony Esolen, Fr. Bramwell, Ms. Goodwin, Mr. Kainz, Mr. Beckwith, and on and on...and may He bless all of us who read and comment, AND ESPECIALLY GOD BLESS GRUMP! Jesus Christ, wishing to sanctify the world, is made flesh! - Chris in Maryland Mon, 24 Dec 2012 07:07:52 +0100 http://www.thecatholicthing.org/columns/2012/christmas-hope-returned.html#comment-15060 I was taught that even though ancient pagan peoples did not have the full truth of God, their pagan beliefs were evidence that there is a longing for God deep within us, and these people expressed it through paganism. In our secular age, this still rings true. All people deep inside long for the light, love, and truth that is Jesus Christ. Those who don't explicitly want to believe in Jesus still seek for Him in their lives. In our modern American culture, people have transferred all that seek from Jesus into the mythical person of Santa Claus. He is kind, jolly, and generous, and the spirit of his holiday leads others to want peace on earth and reconciliation with others. Santa has the added bonus of not growing up to carry a cross, so he is much easier to follow than Jesus. Even Hollywood, with all of its wackiness, produces some films that really do capture the true yearning of the human heart. I have always felt that we Catholics, who know the fullness of truth, should not scowl on all of this "secular celebration", but rather use it to point out the underlying truth that is the foundation of the yearning that I think is really behind the hope the world feels at Christmas. If people are searching, let's point them in the right direction, as gently as possible, rather than look down on them. They are on a journey. We are on that same journey. If we have been blessed to be farther along than they, then let's reach back and say, "Come along." The Holy Spirit works in strange ways. Maybe he uses Santa to bring people to Christ. Merry Christmas, and God bless us, everyone! - athanasius Mon, 24 Dec 2012 05:52:35 +0100 http://www.thecatholicthing.org/columns/2012/christmas-hope-returned.html#comment-15058 A clerk complained to me yesterday that she couldn't wait till the day after Christmas because she had been listening to the same *six* carols played on the speakers for *months*. Once one understands that this crass commercialization and banalification of Christmas has been *planned* - every bit as much as the 911 attack - it is easier to rise to the challenge of defeating the enemy. Let there be lightness in our step today! I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day Their old familiar carols play, And wild and sweet the words repeat Of peace on earth, good will to men. I thought how, as the day had come, The belfries of all Christendom Had rolled along the unbroken song Of peace on earth, good will to men. And in despair I bowed my head: "There is no peace on earth," I said, "For hate is strong and mocks the song Of peace on earth, good will to men." Then pealed the bells more loud and deep: "God is not dead, nor doth he sleep; The wrong shall fail, the right prevail, With peace on earth, good will to men." Till, ringing singing, on its way, The world revolved from night to day, A voice, a chime, a chant sublime, Of peace on earth, good will to men! Henry Wadsworth Longfellow - Sue Mon, 24 Dec 2012 05:41:59 +0100 http://www.thecatholicthing.org/columns/2012/christmas-hope-returned.html#comment-15055 My gift this Christmas will not be found under the tree, it will be found in the quiet humble knowledge of the mind and the joy of my heart. I came home to the Church last April after 18 years of struggle. My wife and I have never been more in love with one another as our love is to Christ and reflected back to our wonderful union. and oh are we living an adventure! Merry Christmas to all! - Frank Mon, 24 Dec 2012 02:48:27 +0100 http://www.thecatholicthing.org/columns/2012/christmas-hope-returned.html#comment-15054 I am always perplexed as people open their gifts and proclaim,"this is the best Christmas ever!" Sad to say in our culture Christmas happiness costs money. - Willie Mon, 24 Dec 2012 02:14:13 +0100 http://www.thecatholicthing.org/columns/2012/christmas-hope-returned.html#comment-15052 I wish everyone would read this article. Merry Christmas to all TCT readers! - Randall Sun, 23 Dec 2012 23:51:17 +0100