The Fourth Sunday of Advent
I would like to take this opportunity to wish everyone a blessed Christmas. While it has been the shortest Advent that the calendar allows it has been a beautiful journey this year. God gave me the opportunity to enter into the fruit of my labor and spend time with Him as each of you has done, with Lectio Divina. Today I was able to do something that has always been on my ‘best intentions’ list but never on my checked list. Today I started my day with prayer, then Mass, I spent time in front of the nativity where the manger yet lies empty; upon returning home I took six hours to spend quiet time with the Lord enjoying the light of the fire and the glow of the Christmas lights. No phone, no computer, just Him and me. The next three days will be filled with a certain frenzy, guests will be coming and going, meals need to be made, and gifts opened. Today was a day I could give to Him, my own visit to the nativity. I offered the present of my presence. I encourage each of you to carve out at least a space of time where you can spend time with Him in the uninterrupted quiet. I have found a peace and excitement that has been missing, both come from Him, Emmanuel, God with us.
Sunday, December 24th
In the eleventh-hour Holy Spirit had me swap today’s daily reading with tonight’s vigil reading and I must say,
“It is well with my soul!”
Reading: Isaiah 9:1-6
The people who walked in darkness
have seen a great light;
upon those who dwelt in the land of gloom
a light has shone.
You have brought them abundant joy
and great rejoicing,
as they rejoice before you as at the harvest,
as people make merry when dividing spoils.
For the yoke that burdened them,
the pole on their shoulder,
and the rod of their taskmaster
you have smashed, as on the day of Midian.
For every boot that tramped in battle,
every cloak rolled in blood,
will be burned as fuel for flames.
For a child is born to us, a son is given us;
upon his shoulder dominion rests.
They name him Wonder-Counselor, God-Hero,
Father-Forever, Prince of Peace.
His dominion is vast
and forever peaceful,
from David’s throne, and over his kingdom,
which he confirms and sustains
by judgment and justice,
both now and forever.
The zeal of the LORD of hosts will do this!
Spend time with our Lord rejoicing in the truth of Isaiah. God has delivered each of us from a before to an after, from an Advent to a Christmas.
Responsorial Psalm 96: Today is born our Savior, Christ the Lord
Today is born our Savior, Christ the Lord.
Sing to the LORD a new song;
sing to the LORD, all you lands.
Sing to the LORD; bless his name. R.
Announce his salvation, day after day.
Tell his glory among the nations;
among all peoples, his wondrous deeds. R.
Let the heavens be glad and the earth rejoice;
let the sea and what fills it resound;
let the plains be joyful and all that is in them!
Then shall all the trees of the forest exult. R.
They shall exult before the LORD, for he comes;
for he comes to rule the earth.
He shall rule the world with justice
and the peoples with his constancy. R.
Today is born our savior.
When peace enters the chaos of your life…
Today is born our savior.
When God’s Word speaks truth and brings hope…
Today is born our savior.
When you recognize God’s provision in a time of need…
Today is born a savior.
When you lift a need in prayer…
Today is born a savior.
Reading II Titus 2:11-14
Beloved: The grace of God has appeared, saving all and training us to reject godless ways and worldly desires and to live temperately, justly, and devoutly in this age, as we await the blessed hope, the appearance of the glory of our great God and savior Jesus Christ, who gave himself for us to deliver us from all lawlessness and to cleanse for himself a people as his own, eager to do what is good. Alleluia
What is your Christmas prayer? What new hope, new dream, new inspiration stirs your soul as you are awakened to the birth of a savior within our hearts? Ask big, dream big, hope big!
Gospel Luke 2:1-14
In those days a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that the whole world should be enrolled. This was the first enrollment, when Quirinius was governor of Syria. So, all went to be enrolled, each to his own town. And Joseph too went up from Galilee from the town of Nazareth to Judea, to the city of David that is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and family of David, to be enrolled with Mary, his betrothed, who was with child. While they were there, the time came for her to have her child, and she gave birth to her firstborn son. She wrapped him in swaddling clothes and laid him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn. Now there were shepherds in that region living in the fields and keeping the night watch over their flock. The angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were struck with great fear. The angel said to them, “Do not be afraid; for behold, I proclaim to you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. For today in the city of David a savior has been born for you who is Christ and Lord. And this will be a sign for you: you will find an infant wrapped in swaddling clothes and lying in a manger.” And suddenly there was a multitude of the heavenly host with the angel, praising God and saying:
“Glory to God in the highest
and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.”
The gift of an ordinary day; look at what God can do with an ordinary day. Mary and Joseph were simply doing what they were told to do. God breaks through the ordinary and offers us extraordinary. This Christmas consider bringing the gift of an ordinary day to another. Every day holds opportunities to share Jesus with the world. Often, we talk ourselves out of opportunity with excuses, “Not the right place” or “Not the right time.” The gift of an ordinary day is bringing Jesus to the world independent of circumstance. It is trusting that God will work extraordinary into our very ordinary. Today a savior is born! Glory to God in the highest! Amen? Amen!
