These reflections are a result of more than 40 years of ministry as a Roman Catholic priest. Most of these years I spent in the Diocese of Charlotte which covers Western North Carolina. Now I am retired, and live in Medellín, Colombia where I continue to serve as a priest in the Archdiocese of Medellín.
Dear Family and Friends,
As the old song goes, “It’s Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas Everywhere You Go.” https://youtu.be/QJ5DOWPGxwg?si=-AgEQWREky1LqpK-
That’s especially true in Colombia. Envigado, our little section of the great metropolitan city of Medellín, turned on it’s Christmas Lights way back in early November. Everywhere you go there’s Christmas, especially in our home. With all my mom’s handmade decorations and Óscar’s collection of over 500 nativities, Christmas is literally everywhere! Of course, I began the season by watching Truman Capote’s A Christmas Memory with the wonderful Geraldine Page. It was my mom’s favorite. https://youtu.be/_lmjU54i6R4?si=k58ScXB1EKk522HE
It's been a fun 75th year. We celebrated with two trips to the USA, one in January, the other in June. On the second trip, Óscar’s sister, Doralba, went with us. We were able to visit with many friends in Asheville, Charlotte, Detroit, Niagara Falls, Mobile and Miami! In Charlotte, I was finally able to meet our new bishop, Michael Martin, OFM Conv. What a wonderful shepherd for the church in Western North Carolina. While in Mobile, I was able to visit with my Aunt Mary, who died later in the year. In August, Óscar and I went on an interesting pilgrimage to Medjugorje and the Balkans. Since August I have been busy helping in my local parish, celebrating Masses and hearing confessions. Things are really picking up this Advent. Soon we will begin the great Colombian tradition, the Novena for Christmas, Novena de Aguinaldos (December 16-24).
In addition to my Aunt Mary, we lost two special friends this year, Myrna Rodríguez (1937-2024) and Father Larry Richardt (1937-2025). Myrna was the sister of Meira Riesco. Myrna died in December, and I celebrated her funeral in our January visit to Asheville. Father Larry was my spiritual director when I was in seminary at Saint Meinrad, Indiana. He helped to make me the priest I am today. He is greatly missed. https://www.legacy.com/us/obituaries/name/j-richardt-obituary?id=58809612
I continue to post the Daily Reflection and the Orchid Ministry in Facebook, by text and email. If you would like to be added to the list 🙂 (or removed 😳), please let me know. We continue feeding the birds, Óscar the larger birds who love the plantains, Morris the hummingbirds (5-6 different types). In the coming year we hope to explore more of Colombia. We would love for you to come visit and get to know our beautiful paradise!
May your Christmas be filled with God’s blessings, and may the New Year be another year of grace in the Lord!
Merry Christmas & Happy New Year 2026!
Morris & Óscar
Christmas, 2025
Snail Mail:
C Morris Boyd
P.O. Box 18444
Asheville, NC 28814-0444
Email:
WhatsApp: +57 (300) 243-7352
US Virtual Phone: (828) 713-1344
Colombian cell: +57 (300) 243-7352
Google Voice: (754) 307-6821
Responsorial Psalm (Psalm 72)
R. Justice shall flourish in his time, and fullness of peace for ever.
For he shall rescue the poor when he cries out, and the afflicted when he has no one to help him.
He shall have pity for the lowly and the poor; the lives of the poor he shall save.
R. Justice shall flourish in his time, and fullness of peace for ever.
https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/121825.cfm
In a world run by billionaires, justice for the poor has never been very popular. Yet, it is precisely the poor, the lowly and the afflicted who have the heart of the One whose coming we await. Perhaps this Season of Advent offers us the opportunity to open our hearts as well. https://youtu.be/Ley1aOPDHCE?si=C_64jsXNMFbVoB4d
The book of the genealogy of Jesus Christ, the son of David, the son of Abraham. (Mt 1:1-17)
https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/121725.cfm
Today begins the second part of Advent, the time of the O Antiphons. I remember one of the catechists in Mexico whose last name was very liturgical: De la O (of the O Antiphons!). Doing the family genealogy is always fascinating and sometimes shocking because of the little details that are discovered. Even the Lord has grandparents and great grandparents with stories to tell! https://youtu.be/XgSCp_GEe2k?si=pCxA83up_N8zKEqn
Jesus said to them, “Amen, I say to you, tax collectors and prostitutes are entering the Kingdom of God before you.” (Mt 21:28-32)
https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/121625.cfm
Probably not one of our most treasured sayings of Jesus, but boy, it still packs a wallop, especially for us good church folks. Tonight in Colombia we begin the Great Novena for Christmas, Novena de Aguinaldos, https://share.google/aimode/jLHOXZ89N1SP88GwF. Today's photo is from the Alumbrados (Christmas lights) of Medellín last night. Medellín is celebrating 350 years of its founding and 70 years of Christmas lights by the city power company. Come, Lord Jesus, come, do not delay! https://youtu.be/2bp_P0dNKmE?si=_cMnTizn1KwZWFBw
The utterance of Balaam, son of Beor, the utterance of the man whose eye is true, Of one who sees what the Almighty sees, enraptured, and with eyes unveiled. I see him, though not now; I behold him, though not near: A star shall advance from Jacob, and a staff shall rise from Israel. (Num 24:2-7, 15-17a)
https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/121525.cfm
This is one of the more mysterious passages of the Scriptures. Of course, it finds its completion in the Star of Bethlehem. To be able to see with eyes unveiled means nothing if we can’t see Him in neighbors in need who live in fear. https://youtu.be/qrB3Yj_GtOQ?si=fxj3Fs2NGLGgUTfV
