This year we attended Christmas Eve mass at our local church as usual. We chose to go to the earliest mass. We assumed our regular priest would officiate, but to our surprise we had a visiting priest. This priest had twinkling eyes above his mask and quickly welcomed us before hand. We touched base with him and then settled in for mass.
It was the homily he gave though that went straight to my heart: the Christmas message we all seek.
He started by asking each of us to turn to the persons seated near us and to say Merry Christmas to them, but only with our eyes. No words. No gestures. Just an eye to eye look that conveyed the Christmas message. We all did it…and when we were done he launched into talking about how our eyes can convey kindness, love, attention, care, support, encouragement…..We often rely on gestures and words…but our eyes really can be the window to sharing our best self with others.
He then challenged us to use our Christmas eyes all year long.
Every time we have an interaction with someone, show them we care. It doesn’t matter if they are a stranger to us, whether they go to our church or even any church. Look them in the eye with our kindest eyes. Send love straight from our heart to theirs, through our eyes.
We sometimes think people can’t see us smile when we wear a mask. Guess what! They can, if we smile with our Christmas eyes.
Try it this year. Anytime. Any day.
Peace to all. Welcome to 2022.
What a wonderful story Linda! ❤ I have always looked in the eyes of people..to see their heart, their truth, their personality, and their sincerity and kindness, or not so kindness. When I saw your picture, I didnt look at the mask lol I was looking at your eyes. A person's eyes tell and say so much. But I never thought about my own eyes. Am I projecting Love, kindness, and everything I look for in others? So thank you, thank you for making me to be self aware of my own eyes. ❤
I think a thought that should be shared and reminded.
I truly loved the story of what the priest said 😊