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.
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. (Lk 2:1-14)
https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/122523-Night.cfm
The Son of God became the Son of Man so that all men and women could become the dear Children of God. Merry Christmas!
Thus says the Lord GOD: 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. (Mal 3:1-4, 23-24)
https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/122323.cfm
Our waiting is almost over. Tomorrow will be a busy day in every parish, in every home, Sunday AND Christmas Eve. May the Lord find us watching and waiting to receive Him with joy! O Emmanuel, our King and Giver of Law: come to save us, Lord our God!
Mary said: "My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord; my spirit rejoices in God my savior, for he has looked upon his lowly servant. From this day all generations will call me blessed: the Almighty has done great things for me, and holy is his Name. (Lc 1:46-56)
https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/122223.cfm
In its wisdom, the church places Mary’s hymn of praise on our lips so that each day we sing the praises of the One “who casts down the mighty from their thrones and lifts up the lowly, who fills the hungry with good things, and sends the rich away empty.” As someone once observed, if you want to keep Christ in Christmas, then feed the hungry, clothe the naked, forgive the guilty, welcome the unwanted, care for the ill, love your enemies, and do unto others as you would have done unto you. O King of all nations and keystone of the Church: come and save humanity, whom you formed from the dust!
Elizabeth, filled with the Holy Spirit, cried out in a loud voice and said, "Most blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb. And how does this happen to me, that the mother of my Lord should come to me? Blessed are you who believed that what was spoken to you by the Lord would be fulfilled." (LK 1:39-45)
https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/122123.cfm
In the church’s devotion to the Word of God, we pray the words of Elizabeth to Mary: “Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb, Jesus.” O Radiant Dawn, splendor of eternal light, sun of justice: come and shine on those who dwell in darkness and in the shadow of death.
Mary said, "Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord. May it be done to me according to your word." Then the angel departed from her. (Lk 1:26-38)
https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/122023.cfm
My spiritual director, Fr Joe McCloskey, used to say about the Incarnation, that the whole universe held its breath to hear the response of Mary to the Angel. May we also say YES to God so that Christ can be born in us. O Key of David, opening the gates of God’s eternal Kingdom: come and free the prisoners of darkness!
