The term "traditional Christmas" can have different meanings, depending on culture and history of any given family. When we think a Christmas celebration, many of us imagine Midnight Mass, Christmas carolers, presents underneath decorated trees, stockings hung on the fireplace, a turkey in the oven. Others think of tamales or plum pudding, posadas and trips to relative‘s houses. We have special songs, special foods and stories; a special language that is unique to Christmas.

It is interesting to note that most of the things that we think of as indispensable Christmas traditions are actually modern additions to the festivity. Up until the early 1800‘s, it was illegal to celebrate Christmas in many of our states who believed the traditions to be too pagan or (even worse) too Catholic. Christmas trees immigrated with German settlers in the 19th Century, the Christmas Card originated in London in the same era. Most of our beloved Christmas Carols were written in the last 200 years. Santa Claus, himself, developed from Danish and English Father Christmas, also in the 19th Century.

The history of the celebration of Christmas in the United States is unusual. The earliest Christmas celebrations in the American southern colonies centered around hunts and socials or balls. They were adult affairs and children were not invited. What a far cry from our modern Santa Claus driven Christmas economic machine! 

There is no doubt that traditions change with a change in culture. What we consider a "traditional Christmas" tomorrow might not bear much resemblance to our celebrations today. But what will always be essential to Christmas will remain the same; God‘s generosity to us, his children. In the cold and fearful darkness that we experience around us in the world, God‘s presence breaks through with the message of the angels. "Fear not!" The Light of Jesus Christ is born among us, a light that brings peace, consolation and joy.

    A wedding reception is considered by most people as the epitome of grand celebrations. Anyone who has been involved in a wedding knows the incredible amount of planning and work that it entails. A site must be located, food tested, wedding garments tried on, seating plans ar- ranged, flowers chosen, bands/DJ’s interviewed; countless details decided and changed and rearranged. For better or worse, wedding celebrations are not just the expression of love between a man and woman but are representations of the families being joined in the union. The list of those who are to be invited to a wedding is incredibly difficult to produce. One’s response to a wedding invitation is a statement of approval, not just of the couple getting married, but of their respective families.
    Wedding customs are different when looked at over time and between cul- tures and religious backgrounds but the basic understanding of the union of two individuals does not change. The parable Jesus tells in to- day’s Gospel reflects his culture and society. Weddings were celebrations of the entire population of a village. Most of the people in a village would have been in the same tribal family. The idea that a person would not ac- cept an invitation would have been considered shameful. The idea that an invitation, some- thing usually reserved only to family, would be sent out to whomever was met on the “high roads” was equally shameful. But that is ex- actly what is happening in today’s Gospel.
    Next week, we will begin a year-long celebration of the 75th anniversary of St. Margaret Mary Parish. Over the years, we and those who have gone before us have responded one way or another to the invita- tion of the Lord to the feast of His Word and His Body and Blood. In this year, you will be invited to join in a special way in the work of our parish. The theme of our anniversary year is “A Pilgrim People Celebrating our Faith”. As we enter the celebration, let us remember that our pilgrimage is our re- sponse to the invitation that calls us into the banquet of the Kingdom.