Christmas Letter
This week I will share with you my Christmas letter 2025.
Wishing you an abundance of grace-filled surprises this holiday season and graces a plenty throughout 2026 (and beyond).
In lieu of exchanging names for Christmas gifts our Sisters are contributing from their personal allowances (that range $25-70 monthly) to local local food distribution center and thrift store where some of our members volunteer each week. Sisters who have “advantage” cards make purchases to donate foods directly to the pantry. Rice, beans pasta, life-sustaining foods popular with Daystar clientele . The number of the needy who seek assistance each week is shameful in our lands of “milk and honey.” As Tiny Tim said, “God bless them all.”
~by Sister Roberta Bailey, OSB
Also below please find my Christmas greeting.
The past year past has been one of CHANGE for our community! In August Sister Roberta stepped aside as prioress and Sister Tonette Sperando was appointed and installed as our Canonical Administrator. Sister Tonette is from our daughter-house in Alabama where she served as Treasurer and Communications director and a 6-year term as Prioress. In 1902 our Sisters and sisters from Kentucky merged to form that monastery. So, we were already related! Transition has been for the most smooth – few bumps along the way but with the agility of experienced bike riders we keep foraging forward. I have experienced ups and downs health-wise: “fall and get up” has resulted in a couple hospital stays and a stint of 21 days in a rehab facility. I assure you (and myself) I’m home now and growing stronger day by day. See … Obviously, I can use a computer!
Greetings to each of you and prayers for you and your families. May God shower you and them with blessings. Have a pleasant holiday season, peace and God’s favor in the new year!
Sister Roberta
Musings from a Long-Ago Christmas
He lies there in His manger,
Straw tickling the soles of His bare feet,
Strands of hay clutched in His fists.
A smile plays on His lips
And there is a sparkle in His eyes.
I sense a wisdom beyond His years.
I reach out to touch His hand …
let Him grasp my little finger,
turning my hand, palm upward, outward, open:
to Him and to His father – to Life
I struggle to answer His gurgling question
Respond to His smile – Affirm His trust –
And then …. My furrowed brow softens,
The tense jaw relaxes,
The mind, imagination and eyes turn from
far-fetched worries
and imagined troubles of tomorrow
to meet His gaze, nod approval,
and laugh in child-like delight at His touch.
The touch goes beyond the warmth of His
hand in mine, Rigid structures I’ve erected
Melting the hardened portions of my stony heart And setting tomorrow in the beautiful
perspective of a little child:
“Live this day,” He seems to say, But He’s so small where does the message come from?
I look into His eyes and I know He speaks.
“Live this day … where every tomorrow becomes today – threads of yesterday weave them-selves into the fabric of the present moment.
Think of Me when anxiety and cares pile up.
Smile at me, the Infant in the crib …
with gentleness hold me close to your heart …
and relax… for I am ever near.
“When noise and busyness surround you …
Let your mind step aside and
recall the quiet of Bethlehem’s stall.
Be steeped in calmness.
If the daily becomes hum-drum, see me in Joseph’s shop Where every moment is a delightful discovery. Wood shavings curl around my ear and cling to my hair As I struggle to fashion a chair “just like my Daddy’s”.
At the end of a weary day, be mother to me…
Rock me to sleep… hum a lullaby until the cares disappear beyond the horizon, Your shoulders droop and your head gently rests atop mine.
Together we will rest, dream great dreams of conquering all the dragons in your world
And spread peace amid chaos
Puff softly, gently on the smoldering
bedside candle and
Close the door on war and strife …
As I whisper, “Good night, sweet dreams.”
Together we will rest – Together we will rise,
Praise the Father and greet the new day … EVERYDAY – until that day when you will rest upon me eternally, and in that heavenly rest,
RISE, GREET and PRAISE God FOREVER!
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