The past two weeks had been a frenzy of events and now all seem to have gone by like a blur. We celebrated two big weddings in the family, Christmas, New Year and countless reunions and get-together with family and friends. We saw many people and truly appreciated their presence in our lives. We also saw many people but who have somehow not been a true presence in our lives. We missed many who have been a significant presence in our lives.
Presence is when someone truly touches my life and I in turn make a difference in theirs. Not everyone I see is a presence in my life. And not everyone who has been someone significant in my life, I can see. It is when someone changes me for the better that he becomes a presence in my life. Throughout all the frenetic activities of the Christmas season, I am grateful for the loving presence of people who have changed me for the better.
So they went with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the child lying in the manger. When they saw this, they made known what had been told them about this child; and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds told them. But Mary treasured all these words and pondered them in her heart.
Luke 2:16-19