Thanks, Giving.

- by Helen Erin, for December 2018 Newsletter

This year's Thanksgiving was a memorable one.  The Sunday right after Thanksgiving was Feast of Christ the King, and we had five small children / babies baptized during our Cantonese mass on that day!  Most of them are the 3rd generation of our church, meaning they are the grandchildren of our parishioners.  It was very amazing as I witnessed how faith has been passed down from generation to generation.  It was truly a day full of blessings and we thank God for their new lives.

Thanksgiving is a time for us to be grateful and give thanks to God; however, there are more profund meanings behind the word "Thanksgiving".  It is a time that we are giving as well.  We are thankful of what God has given us when we are on the receiving side, but it is also important for us to know what God has given us is meant to be given out to others as well.  Thanksgiving is followed by Advent season, where we prepare for Jesus Christ's arrival to the world.  The best way to receive Christ is to share Christ.  The best way to prepare for love, is to share love.  The best way to give thanks, is to give others what God has given you.

Some people are taken aback by the thought of sacrifice.  We think so highly of our possessions including money, energy, and time.  We hesitate to part with our tangible and intangible valuables - it requires a sacrifice.  But, if we are so attached to these things, how do we even have room for Christ to be in us?  Giving really means to empty ourselves for something greater and better to fill us.

Let us pray for each other that we have a heart of giving, loving and sharing, that we can become more like Christ each day as we follow His footsteps.  I wish you all a wonderful holiday season.  God bless you and your family!