“This day in David’s city a Savior has been born to you, the Messiah and Lord. Let this be a sign to you: in a manger you will find an infant wrapped in swaddling clothes.” Suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host, praising God and saying, “Glory to God in the highest, and peace on earth to those on whom His favor rests.” –Luke 2:11-14
Christmas is nearly here!. It may be a very busy time for you, but please take the time to read the first two chapters of the Gospel of Luke. You will hear about Elizabeth, her husband Zechariah, the angel Gabriel, Mary and Joseph and the events surrounding the birth of Jesus. If you do this, you will likely be better prepared to celebrate with joy the birth of our Savior this Christmas.
And now, something for the people on your gift list. Many of you have already bought or made gifts, but here’s a suggestion for an additional gift for the people on your list. You do not need to go shopping; all you need is a few quiet moments to think a little more about how God works in our lives. God, and God alone, fulfills every authentic yearning of the human heart. He provides life and peace, wholeness and love, contentment and joy. So, between now and Christmas, think of each person on your gift list and hold them in prayer before God. Pray that they, like the Blessed Virgin Mary, John and Elizabeth, may joyfully recognize the presence of God in their midst. We can include ourselves in the prayer, so that we, too, might more fully recognize God’s presence in our lives.
May the stars which shone so brightly on that first Christmas Eve bring the light of hope to our families; may the voices of the angels fill us with joy; and may the Holy Family fill our hearts with the love that only the Christ child can bring.