It's funny how everything happens at once.

Last week, I was advised by the parish that the server hosting their website was down. Since this is a server I purchase webspace on, it meant that the #12423 homepage was also down. As it happens, the company with whom I contract is having financial problems, and is likely out of business. Of course, this happened without warning, and without time to download the latest copy of the site. What a headache!

That night, after finding out about this and trying to figure out what happened, my own internet connection dropped out. This was later determined to be caused by a wireless issue with my hardware. Ugh, the worst!

The next day, before I could even contact the company to arrange repairs, my wife, Lady Jodi, went into labor. Eighteen hours later, and we are now blessed to have a healthy 6lb, 12oz baby girl! In this little miracle, all of the annoyances of daily life fade away. I see her the beauty of life, the miracle of creation, and a reminder of the depths of God's love.

As we celebrate the Christmas season, let us refocus ourselves on God, in thanksgiving for the blessings He provides. Website crash, connections (or cars, or washing machines, etc) break, and there's always something to occupy our time. But in God's precious gift of the baby Jesus, we can find strength and purpose to handle whatever comes our way.

Merry Christmas.

Kevin (DGK)