At Christmas, a reflection of family

Adoration of the Shepherds, 1622, Gerard van Honthorst.

Christmas is a special time for families. Loved ones gather to participate in the time honored rituals of the season – sharing meals, giving gifts, worshiping God and celebrating the birth of Jesus Christ, His son.

It is also a time for reflection and for keeping in touch with family members who are far away. For many years now, parishioner Bob Musselman has composed a Christmas letter for family and friends.

These letters are, first and foremost, summaries of a family's progress over more than a decade. But they also contain a certain spirituality that transcends their immediate accounting of the events of a 12-month period. They are, perhaps, a reminder of the fleeting precious moments in all families and of the special focus on families at this time of the year.

Bob's wife, Julie, shares those Christmas letters on her blog, A Catholic Home Journal. Bob and Julie Musselman have six children.

Also, she shares some of the process of preparing St. Raphael for Christmas, a family activity in preparation for the Holy Family.

Photo: The Musselman family on an outing at Steinhatchee.