Dear Friends,  Merry Christmas!  The English word “merry” did not originally mean “jolly” or “mirthful.”  It really meant something more along the lines of “blessed” and “peaceful.”  “Merry” was meant to convey a deep down inner joy rather than revelry.  We get a good sense of the original meaning of “merry” in the popular and relatively ancient Christmas carol, God Rest Ye, Merry, Gentleman.  As clearly indicated by the comma after the word “merry,” it is not used to describe jolly gentlemen, but rather was intended as a blessing from God invoked upon them.  So, the meaning of the carol is “God rest ye peacefully, gentlemen.”  And so, to all, a very merry, that is a blessed and peaceful Christmas.  May we enjoy true peace in our homes, in our families, in our parish community, and in our fragile world at Christmas and always.  May your Christmas be merry and bright, blessed by the peace of God’s light.           Cordially in Christ, Fr. Lou