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.
When the magi had departed, behold, the angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream and said, "Rise, take the child and his mother, flee to Egypt, and stay there until I tell you. Herod is going to search for the child to destroy him." Joseph rose and took the child and his mother by night and departed for Egypt. He stayed there until the death of Herod, that what the Lord had said through the prophet might be fulfilled, Out of Egypt I called my son. (Mt 2:13-18) https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/122824.cfm
The feast of the Holy Innocents reminds us of the ongoing tragic consequences of war and violence have on children and their parents. Those who believe in massive deportations would condemn the Christ Child to certain death. In Colombia the Feast of the Holy Innocents is a day for good natured jokes and gags among friends. The traditional Colombian holiday dessert is natilla & buñuelos. It’s so important they even made a Christmas carol about the making of natilla.
What was from the beginning, what we have heard, what we have seen with our eyes, what we looked upon and touched with our hands concerns the Word of life — for the life was made visible; we have seen it and testify to it. (1 Jn 1:1-4)
https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/122724.cfm
In this Octave of Christmas, we celebrate today the Fourth Gospel, the one we call “according to John.” As the gospel itself testifies, “The Word became flesh and dwelt among us” (Jn 1:14). Today’s carol (villancico) is very popular in Colombia, Colibrí Navideño (the Hummingbird Carol). Today's photo is of my grandmother's favorite image of the Nativity which she decoupaged.
Stephen, filled with the Holy Spirit, looked up intently to heaven and saw the glory of God and Jesus standing at the right hand of God, and he said, "Behold, I see the heavens opened and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God." (Acts 6:8-10; 7:54-59)
https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/122624.cfm
“This Christmas, at the beginning of the Jubilee Year, I invite every individual, and all peoples and nations, to find the courage needed to walk through that Door, to become pilgrims of hope, to silence the sound of arms and overcome divisions!” (“URBI ET ORBI" MESSAGE OF POPE FRANCIS, CHRISTMAS 2024). Today we celebrate the heavenly birthday of the first martyr for Christ, Saint Stephen. Today I remember my uncle, +Percy Irving Torp, who was born on this day in 1936 and died on December 30, 1985. Uncle Percy was always a "pilgrim of hope" for me.
When the angels went away from them to heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let us go, then, to Bethlehem to see this thing that has taken place, which the Lord has made known to us.” So they went in haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the infant lying in the manger. (Lk 2:16-20)
https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/122524-Dawn.cfm
There is an overabundance of liturgical riches at Christmas: Vigil Mass, Mass During the Night, Mass at Dawn, and Mass During the Day. Of course, the liturgy assumes that the community will be celebrating at ALL the Masses. It’s pastorally wise to combine the gospel readings from the Mass During the Night and the Mass at Dawn. For like the shepherds we too must go to Bethlehem to see this Child that Lord has made known to us.
Dear Family and Friends,
This Christmas finds us grateful to all of you our friends and family for your presence in our lives. As always, we carry you in our hearts. We just attended the performance of Händel’s Messiah here in Medellín, followed by a quick trip to see the over 8 million Christmas lights in the river park. Our home is fully decorated for Christmas—over 500 nativities in Óscar’s collection this year, and so all is ready. I will be celebrating in my local parish, Nuestra Señora de las Lomas, and praying for all of you.
This year we made a pilgrimage to the shrines of France. Before the pilgrimage we made a trip to Denmark, Norway and Sweden. As we began our experience in Denmark, the home of my Torp ancestors, I fell in the Cathedral and broke my collarbone and two vertebrae in my back. But it didn’t stop us. We continued our trip to Norway and had a marvelous visit with our friends, Per & Heidi, who gave us a royal trip through the mountains and fjords. Afterwards we flew to Paris and joined the pilgrims for our amazing French adventure. In the Basilica of Saint John Vianney in Ars, one of our pilgrims was received into full communion. I had married him and his wife 44 years ago. It was truly a miracle. Our final pilgrimage stop was in Lourdes, and it touched all our hearts. But a small group of pilgrims wanted to keep on going and so we spent a further two weeks visiting the shrines of Spain. When we finally left Europe, we went to the United States and were able to visit our beloved Asheville. Due to my fall in Denmark and continued back problems, we returned to Colombia. We had been gone two months!
I had back surgery in September and began an intensive osteoporosis treatment that will last two years. I’m doing very well. We had planned an extended trip to the USA for the Fall, but everything cancelled due to Hurricane Helene that hit Asheville and the mountains of WNC. We pray for all who have been affected. The rebuilding will take years.
We lost two dear friends this past year: Myrna Rodríguez (87), the sister of Meira Riesco, and Doña Bertha Lopera (96). I also lost my young cousin, Trey Torp (42). May they dance with the angels!
Christmas came early for Óscar—his new BYD all-electric car arrived! He’s busy building his dreams! May your Christmas and New Year be filled with the presence of the Prince of Peace. And may the Virgin Mary, good Saint Joseph, and the Christ Child bless you and all your loved ones!
Merry Christmas & Happy New Year 2025!
Morris & Óscar
Christmas, 2024
