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.
And suddenly there will come to the temple the LORD whom you seek, And the messenger of the covenant whom you desire. Yes, he is coming, says the LORD of hosts. But who will endure the day of his coming? And who can stand when he appears? (Mal 3:1-4, 23-24)
https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/122325.cfm
O Emmanuel, our king and lawgiver, the desire of all nations and their salvation; come and save us, O Lord our God. https://youtu.be/01BcaggibDw?si=40-Lp1gHO1pRkpq3
Mary said: He has shown the strength of his arm, and has scattered the proud in their conceit.He has cast down the mighty from their thrones and has lifted up the lowly. He has filled the hungry with good things, and the rich he has sent away empty. And holy is his Name. (Lk 1:46-56)
https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/122225.cfm
Mary’s hymn of praise reminds us that God comes not to the high and mighty, but rather to the poor and lowly. When we serve the poor and the lowly, we serve the One whose coming we await, and holy is his name. https://youtu.be/i85XG4OwQ8s?si=vFkxBo8VvpiILath
The angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, "Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary your wife into your home. For it is through the Holy Spirit that this child has been conceived in her. She will bear a son and you are to name him Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins." When Joseph awoke, he did as the angel of the Lord had commanded him and took his wife into his home. (Mt 1:18-24)
https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/122125.cfm
Saint Joseph often gets overlooked in the Christmas rush, but what an important role he has in the story of salvation. Today’s villancico (Colombian Christmas carol) is Saint Joseph’s Whiskers (Las Barbas de San José). https://youtu.be/GMFclT2QHwE?si=smtXRhOxwJMzD-wu
Listen, O house of David! Is it not enough for you to weary men, must you also weary my God? Therefore the Lord himself will give you this sign: the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and shall name him Emmanuel. (Is 7:10-14)
https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/122025.cfm
We see God’s sign fulfilled in the Virgin Mary’s child, the One who has the power to open the doors of our hearts. In a world where compassion is seen as weakness and mercy is only extended to billionaires, we ask you to come, Lord, and teach us again the way of salvation. Come, do not delay!
Then Zechariah said to the angel, “How shall I know this? For I am an old man, and my wife is advanced in years.” And the angel said to him in reply, “I am Gabriel, who stand before God. I was sent to speak to you and to announce to you this good news. But now you will be speechless and unable to talk until the day these things take place, because you did not believe my words, which will be fulfilled at their proper time.” (Lk 1:5-25)
https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/121925.cfm
To be speechless—what a fitting punishment for a priest! Today we begin the continuous reading of the Infancy Narrative in the gospel of Luke with its two Annunciations and its two Nativities. O Root of Jesse, sign of God's love for us, come do not delay! https://youtu.be/OAIro_A1CYw?si=zk2xanedhUgDvvp2
