Recently in Christmastide Category

Have we finished the Christmas season in good order? Have we exceeded our expectation to live the season of Christmas differently from what secular culture has given us? Or, have we given up and just given ourselves over to the mediocrity of the the world around us with regard to Christian Faith?  What follows is a very interesting commentary on our Christian observance of the Birth of Jesus, the Nativity of God-Man by Father Julián Carrón. While the today brings to a close the Church's yearly observance of Christmastide, we have work to do before we put to rest the nagging questions: what difference does this Child make in my life? AND Do we really believe that God is in our midst?

In order to describe our humanity and to see ourselves properly at this moment in the world's history, it is hard for us to find more appropriate words than those contained in this passage by the Prophet Zephaniah. "Sing aloud, O daughter of Zion; shout, O Israel!". Why? What reason is there to rejoice, with all that is happening in the world? Because "the Lord has taken away the judgments against you".

The first repercussion that these words produced in me was surprise at how the Lord looks at us: with a gaze that succeeds in seeing things that we shall not be able to recognize unless we participate in his same gaze at reality. "The Lord has taken away the judgments against you": in other words, your evil does not have the last word over your life; the usual way you look at yourself is not the right one; the look with which you constantly reproach yourself is not true. The one true look is the Lord's look. And it is precisely by this look that you will be able to understand that he is with you: if he has taken away the judgment against you, what can you fear? "You shall fear evil no more". An inexorable positiveness prevails over life. For this reason, the biblical passage continues, "do not fear, O Zion, do not let your hands grow weak" Why? Because "The Lord your God is in your midst, a warrior who gives victory". There is no other source of joy than this: "he will rejoice over you with gladness. He will renew you with his love, he will exult over you with loud singing" (3:14-17).

We celebrate a holy day adorned with three mysteries: this day the star led the Magi to the manger; this day wine was made from water at the wedding; this day Christ willed to be baptized in the Jordan by John in order to save us, alleluia. (Antiphon for the Magnificat, Second Vespers)

The Church prays

O God, who on this day revealed your Only Begotten Son to the nations by the guidance of a star, grant in your mercy that we who know you already by faith, may be brought to behold the beauty of your sublime glory.

The Magi give us an example to follow: to walk diligently, to walk by faith guided by the indications of God --that is, the star-- in order to arrive at what God wants to give. Himself. As Pope Benedict said on Friday, the Magi are the best example of "humanity's pilgrimage to Jesus." The giving of the gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh is merely the beginning of our gift to the Lord. Our gift is none other than ourselves, as freely as it is possible to give... 

Our first point on the pilgrimage is what is sung in the "The First Nowell," Then entered in there Wise Men three, Full reverently on bended knee....

By walking this pilgrimage to Jesus, the Magi arrive at Truth itself. Do we have the courage to do the same or do we succumb to human opinion?

O God, who were pleased to give us the shining example of the Holy Family, graciously grant that we may imitate them in practicing the virtues of family life and in the bonds of charity, and so, in the joy of your house, delight one day in eternal rewards.

Today is a fitting day to follow the Fourth Commandment: Honor your father and mother. Of course, this applies to our living and deceased parents.

The consistent teaching of the Church, based on sacred Scripture and Tradition, tells us that the family is an irreplaceable contribution to the good of society. In an eminent way the family, through responsible motherhood and fatherhood, and the spouses' unique and singular participation in God's work of co-creation. Pope Benedict XVI reminds that us that "the natural family, as an intimate of life and love, based on marriage between a man and a woman, constitutes 'the primary place of humanization for the person and society,' and 'a cradle of life and love'" (Message for the Celebration of the World Day of Peace 2008).

At the king's command these innocent babes and little Children were put to death. They died for Christ, and now in the glory of heaven as they follow Him, the spotless Lamb, they sing for ever: Glory to You, O Lord!

O God, whom the Holy Innocents confessed and proclaimed on this day, not speaking but by dying, grant we pray, that the faith in you which we confess with our lips may also speak through our manner of living.

Pay close attention to the sentiments of this prayer: confession of the reality of God not by words but by actions, by the way we live. How appropriate to keep this in mind these days.

There were innocent children slain instead of Christ, by a wicked ruler. Even the nursing babes were put to death. Spotless, they follow the Lamb Himself, and say forever: 

Glory be to You, O Lord!