Eighth Day of Christmas

January 2
Having emerged from the depths of despair, we yearn to help others. Yet afore we can minister outward we must first and always see to our primary vocation – marriage. Our first responsibility is always to our Beloved spouse and our children. Our Beloved spouse and the love we share (children, in part) are the eighth gift of Christmas. Our work and ministry mean nothing if they create ministerial widows, widowers, and orphans. Only by seeking the depths of right relationship with our Beloved can we have any idea what it ought to look like in serving others. There is a hierarchy of service: Spouse and family, work, then ministry. Right relationship must be seen to in that order of priority. Society tends to fall short in its support of these priorities and they must be fought for, as is required, for right relationship. Merry Christmas!
Patrick