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Note: There are three Gospel and reflection options for Christmas.
The Poverty of Christmas
The Nativity of the Lord—Christmas: Reflection I
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. Luke 2:6–7 (Gospel from Mass During the Night)
A loving mother and father who experience the birth of their first child receive insight into the sacredness and beauty of this scene. Though great mystery surrounds Jesus’ conception within the womb of the Blessed Virgin Mary, she was truly His mother, and He was truly her Son. Saint Joseph, knowing he was not this Child’s biological father, made a profound act of faith by accepting that fatherly responsibility, as instructed in a dream by an angel of the Lord. Because of his faith and God-given mission, Joseph’s commitment to being the father of the Son of God was one that only a most loving and devoted father would make.
As we celebrate Christmas Day, we are reminded of the humility with which our Lord chose to enter the world. Jesus was born in a place where animals dwelt because Mary and Joseph were away from their home to register for the Roman census. At first glance, one might conclude that the physical environment, most likely a cave, was unfortunate. However, we can be certain that this humble and poor setting was part of God’s divine plan, adding to the glory of that night. Christ, in His humility, chose this setting to reveal to us the true greatness of love.
The poverty and humility of the cave and the manger—a feeding trough for animals—helped point to the sacredness of Jesus’ birth. No glamor, no fancy or comfortable setting, only love. Pure love. The love in the heart of the Blessed Virgin Mary, the devotion of Saint Joseph, and the Incarnate presence of the Son of God were everything needed to make that night glorious.
One lesson we can learn from the Nativity of the Lord is that the beauty, peacefulness, and contentment of our lives are not dependent upon how much money or how many material possessions we have, but rather on the purity of our love. The Holy Family’s hearts were perfectly fulfilled, not because of their surroundings, but because of their intimate union with God in the person of Jesus Christ.
The presence of the Son of God in that place of poverty sheds light on the true riches we crave. The true treasures we seek are found not in wealth, comfort, or possessions, but in the love and grace of God. The Holy Family’s witness reveals to us that when we place our hearts in God’s hands, we will be filled with all we need.
Reflect today on that most sacred, simple, and humble scene. As you do, try to imagine how humanly fulfilling that experience was for the Holy Family. Jesus was wrapped tightly in swaddling clothing, and He was adored with the greatest affection of His mother and foster father. Mary and Joseph’s hearts contained all that was necessary for profound gratitude and fulfillment. If you struggle with being fulfilled, learn a lesson from the Holy Family and seek to imitate Mary and Joseph so that your love for our Incarnate Lord fills you with all you need.
My Incarnate Lord, Your divine nature, united to Your human nature, transformed that humble cave near Bethlehem into a tabernacle filled with the most powerful bonds of pure love. Please draw me into that sacred scene and help me to share in the love in the Immaculate Heart of Your mother, as well as the human devotion of Your foster father, Joseph. May I find contentment and total fulfillment in life by seeing You and loving You in every way that You come to me. Jesus, I trust in You.
Wonder and Awe at the Incarnation
The Nativity of the Lord—Christmas: Reflection II
When the angels went away from them to heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let us go, then, to Bethlehem to see this thing that has taken place, which the Lord has made known to us.” So they went in haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the infant lying in the manger. Luke 2:15–16 (Gospel from Mass at Dawn)
We know very little about these first visitors of the Son of God. They were not kings or princes. They were not wealthy or powerful. They were simple shepherds who spent their days with their sheep that grazed the open fields and their nights with each other for the protection of their vulnerable flocks. They often slept in caves, ate simple food, and lived off the land. It was to these simple shepherds that the angels appeared, directing them to be the first to worship and adore Christ their Lord.
The fact that God first invited humble shepherds to see Him and adore Him speaks volumes. Many people struggle with their self-image. They see their faults, compare themselves to others, and often dislike what they see. The only thing that matters, however, is what God sees when He looks at us. God doesn’t judge by societal norms or popular opinions. He sees His sons and daughters and deeply desires to draw us to Himself, just as He did with the shepherds.
Imagine the shepherds of that time. They might have been good and decent people, working to make a living for themselves and their families. They were likely uneducated, poorly groomed, and looked down upon by the larger Jewish community. Their work made it challenging to adhere to the strict legal practices as interpreted by the scribes and Pharisees, but this did not diminish their faith in God’s eyes. Their low social status led many to see them as untrustworthy, so much so that their testimony was not normally accepted in Jewish legal proceedings.
Despite this, their responsibilities were essential to Jewish life. The wool they gathered was necessary for clothing. The sheep they raised were central to Jewish worship and provided an important source of food for the wider community. Simply put, their work was essential, but they were not afforded the dignity that they deserved.
That all changed when God chose a group of them as the first to hear of the birth of the Savior of the World—directly from angels no less! God saw them much differently than the way social norms had labeled them. God saw in them the people He came to redeem and paid no attention to erroneous opinions.
As we celebrate Christmas Day, we are invited to see ourselves in these shepherds. We are invited to see them as God sees them, through the eyes of the angels who were sent to bring them this joyful news. We must see God’s desire for their love and worship as His desire for our love and worship. Seeing ourselves in this way, with this invitation and dignity, will help to shatter any poor self-image we struggle with, enabling us to embrace our true dignity and image as adorers of Christ.
Reflect today on whether you see yourself and others through God’s eyes or through the lens of disordered opinions. A good self-image is not one that elevates us above others, nor is it one that devalues us for erroneous reasons. A good self-image is a true image, God’s image of us, and His gaze is one that draws us to love Him and adore Him with great care and devotion.
My humble Lord, You were born in a place where animals lived and laid in a manger. These humble surroundings enabled You to draw the humble and rejects from society to Yourself, inviting their love and adoration. As they came, You revealed their dignity, and they discovered Your love. Please draw me, as You drew these shepherds, to Your humble presence and reveal Your love to me, that I may see myself and others through Your divine eyes. Jesus, I trust in You.
God’s Ongoing Presence
The Nativity of the Lord—Christmas: Reflection III
The true light, which enlightens everyone, was coming into the world. He was in the world, and the world came to be through him, but the world did not know him. He came to what was his own, but his own people did not accept him. John 1:9–11 (Gospel from Mass During the Day)
Sadly, many in the world do not know the Son of God, as John the Evangelist testifies in the above passage. This truth, that “the world did not know him,” does not refer only to the people of Jesus’ time, it refers to every place and time.
Christmas is a beautiful time of year. Many families and friends gather together. Presents often are given and received. Good food adds to many celebrations. Yet the central meaning of this day often remains unknown and unloved. Regardless of whether your gathering is large or small, celebratory or difficult, don’t lose sight of the reason we celebrate Christmas.
When we have an inadequate understanding of Christmas, we are those to whom the evangelist was referring: “He came to what was his own, but his own people did not accept him.” Christmas must be a time when we “know Him” and “accept Him.” Christmas points us to the true meaning of life. It illuminates the reason for life and teaches us how to live.
Today’s Gospel continues from the above passage, “And the Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us, and we saw his glory, the glory as of the Father’s only Son, full of grace and truth.” Do you see the glory of the Word Who became flesh, the glory of the Father’s only Son, Who is full of grace and truth? Christmas is a time to see more clearly the reality of the Incarnation of the Son of God.
Seeing God in the flesh requires new spiritual eyes under the direction of the Holy Spirit. It will never suffice simply to go through the motions of attending Church, listening to the story of the Nativity, and then joining in a family party. We need the Gifts of the Holy Spirit to see, understand, believe, and live this life-changing mystery. Have you allowed the Holy Spirit to so transform your life that you now see and understand these divine mysteries?
Just as the Blessed Mother and Saint Joseph saw the Son of God in the flesh that first Christmas, so we must see Him in our lives. His Incarnation is such that His presence continues to dwell among us in the Church, in the lives of others, through prayer, and especially in the Sacraments. Jesus’ True Presence must become our central focus, just as it was for Mary and Joseph when Christ was born.
Reflect today on the ongoing mystery of the Incarnate Word of God. Pray to the Holy Spirit to give you the gifts you need to perceive Him, love Him, and adore Him. Doing so will enable you to continuously celebrate the central meaning of this solemn day.
My Incarnate Lord, You came to Earth long ago in the form of a Child. Even after You ascended into Heaven, You remained alive in the hearts of Your faithful, within the sacraments You instituted, and within Your Church. Please give me gifts of the Holy Spirit so that I am always aware of Your divine presence and so that I am drawn into a continual worship of You. Jesus, I trust in You.
Family Life and the Holy Family
Feast of the Holy Family of Jesus, Mary and Joseph (Year A)
Sunday within the Octave of Christmas (Or, if there is no Sunday, December 30)
When the magi had departed, behold, the angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream and said, “Rise, take the child and his mother, flee to Egypt, and stay there until I tell you. Herod is going to search for the child to destroy him.” Joseph rose and took the child and his mother by night and departed for Egypt. Matthew 2:13–14
Today we honor and ponder the family life of Jesus, Mary, and Joseph. The love within their home exceeded that of any other household, and the love within their family poured forth upon their extended family and wider community. Scripture gives us limited details about the life of the Holy Family. What we do know is that from the very beginning, they suffered through enormous challenges.
Mary’s pregnancy was the first challenge they faced. She conceived the Christ Child before she and Joseph lived together. Though she knew how she conceived the Son of God, Joseph did not understand until the angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream. We can imagine that relatives and members of the community expressed their disapproval, given that the angel of the Lord did not reveal the truth to everyone.
Jesus was born far away from their home, in the little town of Bethlehem, in a cave, where animals dwelt. Humble shepherds were their first guests, and the magi from the East soon followed. Within a year or two after Jesus’ birth, this family had to uproot from their home and flee to Egypt, find accommodations, and earn a living because Herod sought to kill the child Jesus.
After Herod’s death, Joseph was instructed in two subsequent dreams that he could return to Israel and was to move his family to the small and unremarkable village of Nazareth. Though Nazareth was not held in high esteem, it was within this simple setting that Jesus was raised and learned the virtues of hard work, obedience, and humility. Nazareth, though overlooked by the world, became the sacred ground where the Savior of the world was prepared for His mission. Finally, given that Saint Joseph is not mentioned during the time that Jesus exercised His public ministry, it is commonly believed that Jesus and His mother experienced the human sorrow of Joseph’s earthly death.
Despite the hardships the Holy Family endured, the love in their home overshadowed every challenge, making their family life a source of the utmost consolation and joy. Amidst the trials they faced, the Holy Family found joy, not in worldly comforts, but in their deep union with God and with each other. Their home was a sanctuary of love, prayer, and mutual support, where God’s presence was always felt. How fascinating it will be one day, in Heaven, if God reveals to us the details about the earthly and hidden life of the Holy Family. Though the angels witnessed their lives as they unfolded in time, we can hope and imagine that God, in His goodness, will share these mysteries with the saints, revealing the true beauty of the Holy Family’s earthly life together. Their conversations, interactions, charity, prayer, fun, work, and all that made up their family life will be a source of eternal admiration and gratitude.
Reflect today on the Holy Family. Ask God to give you insight into their lives together. As you do, use any insights as a source of inspiration for your own life and relationships with those closest to you. Though we will all fall short of the charity that permeated the home of the Holy Family, we can work to imitate them by allowing God to increase our charity toward one another. Through daily prayer, acts of sacrifice, and a commitment to love one another, we can create a family life that reflects the holiness and unity of Jesus, Mary, and Joseph.
Holy Family of Jesus, Mary, and Joseph, Your family life was holy beyond imagination. In your daily interactions, Your love was manifest and inspiring to each other and to Your relatives and friends. Please draw me into Your family life and teach me to love those in my family so that we will become a stronger community of love. Jesus, I trust in You.
Sanctification of the Ordinary
Feast of the Holy Family of Jesus, Mary and Joseph (Year B)
Sunday within the Octave of Christmas (Or, if there is no Sunday, December 30)
When the days were completed for their purification according to the law of Moses, they took him up to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord… When they had fulfilled all the prescriptions of the law of the Lord, they returned to Galilee, to their own town of Nazareth. The child grew and became strong, filled with wisdom; and the favor of God was upon him. Luke 2:22; 39–40
Everything that Jesus did throughout His earthly life was important. Every one of His human actions was a sanctified act, endowed with His sacred power. His preaching sanctified the human voice and words, making it possible for us to proclaim the Gospel in His name and with His authority. His love for those He daily encountered became the source of grace necessary for us to imitate His charity. His suffering and death made it possible for us to unite our sufferings to His, thus enabling our suffering to share in His one redemptive act. His resurrection to new life makes it possible for us to begin to share in His new life now and fully after our deaths.
But what about all that Jesus did before He began His public ministry? What about His hidden life with Mary and Joseph in Nazareth? We can be certain that though His life in Nazareth was not recorded in Scripture, everything He did there has great significance for our lives.
If we were to give a summary of all that Jesus did in Nazareth, we could call it a “sanctification of the ordinary.” He lived an ordinary life, albeit in an extraordinary way. He daily interacted with His mother and foster father as a child. Jesus learned Joseph’s trade, becoming a carpenter Himself. He most likely was close to Joseph on his deathbed, which is why Saint Joseph is the patron saint of a happy death. Jesus ate, worked, played, built friendships, prayed to His heavenly Father, and exemplified every virtue in everything he did.
Why is this important? By living an ordinary life in the most extraordinary way, Jesus sanctified every ordinary daily human activity, making it possible for us to grow holy by doing the same. The Holy Family, through their daily care for each other and their devotion to God, shows us that holiness is not reserved for the extraordinary moments of life but is found in every simple act of love, service, and prayer.
Sometimes people fall into the trap of thinking that their daily work is a necessary evil. Some even dream of becoming rich so that they no longer have to work and can hire people to do all the “ordinary” activities they prefer not to do. That would be a mistake. Daily life has been infused with God’s grace in the Person of Jesus by His activity, especially during His hidden years. In our fast-paced world, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed by the monotony of daily life or to lose sight of the spiritual significance of our work. But when we unite our efforts with Christ, we discover that these ordinary tasks are not burdens but blessings, opportunities to grow in grace and reflect God’s love in the world.
Reflect today on the ordinary parts of your life. Do you become tired with the mundane tasks you do every day? If so, discover the great value in the ordinary. Meet Jesus the worker. Encounter Him in your chores, work, recreation, meals, and every routine activity you are called to fulfill. Don’t run from them, run to them, because in them you will discover the sanctification with which our Lord endowed those activities. By offering up your daily tasks as a form of prayer, you participate in Christ’s mission and draw closer to Him.
My extraordinary Lord, Your hidden life in Nazareth was part of Your mission of sanctifying the world. With Your hands, You built and constructed, while with Your Spirit, You sanctified. Please help me to find You in every ordinary part of my life so that I will receive the sanctification You bestowed on all that we do in the ordinary parts of our lives. Jesus, I trust in You.
A Human and Holy Family
Feast of the Holy Family of Jesus, Mary and Joseph (Year C)
Sunday within the Octave of Christmas (Or, if there is no Sunday, December 30)
Each year Jesus’ parents went to Jerusalem for the feast of Passover, and when he was twelve years old, they went up according to festival custom. After they had completed its days, as they were returning, the boy Jesus remained behind in Jerusalem, but his parents did not know it. Luke 2:41–43
As the story continues, when Mary and Joseph realized Jesus was not with them, they worriedly searched for three days. On the third day, they found Him in the Temple, amazing the teachers of the Law with His wisdom. “When his parents saw him, they were astonished, and his mother said to him, ‘Son, why have you done this to us? Your father and I have been looking for you with great anxiety.’ And he said to them, ‘Why were you looking for me? Did you not know that I must be in my Father’s house?’” (Luke 2:48–49).
Jesus was perfect, as was His Immaculate Mother. The unity and love within the Holy Family exemplified every virtue. Therefore, we can be certain that Jesus’ remaining behind in Jerusalem and our Blessed Mother’s anxiety and questioning were not sinful acts but rather ones that reveal deeper spiritual realities, teaching us how to live as members of God’s family, sharing in the life of the Holy Family.
Though Jesus and His Blessed Mother were without sin, it was the Father’s will that they experience the effects of sin in their lives—not as personal consequences, but in solidarity with us. Jesus, being fully God, emptied Himself and was “for a little while” made “lower than the angels” (Hebrews 2:7). Thus, He asked questions of the teachers of the Law, not because He lacked knowledge, but because He chose to share fully in our human condition. His wisdom gradually manifested itself, not because of weakness, but as an act of humility and solidarity with humanity.
Our Blessed Mother was permitted to experience the human emotion of anxiety, not due to a lack of faith, but to share fully in our human experience. Unlike us, however, she responded perfectly to that anxiety. When we experience anxiety or fear, our Blessed Mother offers us an ideal response—she diligently searched for Jesus. Upon finding Him, she sought to understand the mystery with openness and faith, pondering the experience in her Immaculate Heart in a prayerful and recollected way and placing her complete trust in God. We are called to do the same. By following her example, we share more fully in the life of the Holy Family, whom we honor today.
Reflect today on the Holy Family—their human interactions, their love, and their experiences of daily life. The Son of God and His Blessed Mother now look down upon us from Heaven, fully understanding all that we go through. This awareness should bring us great consolation, enabling us to entrust ourselves to them more fully.
Most Holy Family of Jesus, Mary, and Joseph, You lived in this world and experienced all that human families experience. You know what it is to grow, learn, love, and trust in God. You understand the human temptations to fear and anxiety and provide a model for confronting those feelings. Please draw me into Your community of love so that I may more fully share in the virtues You lived on Earth. Mary and Joseph, pray for me. Jesus, I trust in You.
The Fruit of Martyrdom
December 26, Feast of Saint Stephen, First Martyr
Second Day of the Octave of Christmas
Jesus said to his disciples: “Beware of men, for they will hand you over to courts and scourge you in their synagogues, and you will be led before governors and kings for my sake as a witness before them and the pagans.” Matthew 10:17–18
These words capture the essence of the martyrdom of Saint Stephen, the Church’s first martyr, whom we honor today. The day after celebrating the birth of Christ, the Church, in her wisdom, reflects on the reality of persecution as a consequence of worshiping the newborn King.
The Jewish community in Jerusalem was diverse, with traditional Hebraic Jews and Hellenistic Jews who were influenced by the Greco-Roman culture. As Jews began to convert to Christianity, a new unified community of believers emerged. Despite this unity, tensions arose, particularly when Hellenistic widows were neglected in the daily distribution of bread. To address this, the Apostles appointed seven deacons, with Stephen being the first, likely a Hellenist himself.
Stephen, described as “a man filled with faith and the Holy Spirit,” performed great wonders among the people. When confronted by Hellenistic Jews, he defended the faith with wisdom and courage, leading to his being dragged before the Sanhedrin. His eloquent defense angered his opponents, resulting in his stoning. In his final moments, Stephen commended his spirit to Jesus and prayed for his persecutors.
At first, his martyrdom seemed a tragic loss that sparked a wave of persecution and scattered the Christian community throughout the countryside of Judea and Samaria. This dispersion, however, spread the Gospel beyond Jerusalem, leading to many new converts. What appeared to be a tragedy became a catalyst for the growth of the early Church.
As we honor Saint Stephen, reflect on the truth that God permits evil only to draw greater good from it. If you face suffering or persecution, let today’s feast inspire hope. Trust in God’s plan, reject fear, and embrace His will, knowing that He can use every cross for His glory.
Saint Stephen, you were a man filled with grace and power, deeply committed to Jesus and the proclamation of the Gospel. Please pray for me, that I will have your courage and faith so that God can use me to further His Kingdom by drawing many souls to Him. Saint Stephen, pray for me. Jesus, I trust in You.
John, an Icon of Love
December 27, Feast of Saint John, Apostle and Evangelist
Third Day of the Octave of Christmas
So Peter and the other disciple went out and came to the tomb. They both ran, but the other disciple ran faster than Peter and arrived at the tomb first; he bent down and saw the burial cloths there, but did not go in. When Simon Peter arrived after him, he went into the tomb and saw the burial cloths there, and the cloth that had covered his head, not with the burial cloths but rolled up in a separate place. Then the other disciple also went in, the one who had arrived at the tomb first, and he saw and believed. John 20:3–8
The “other disciple,” the one who “saw and believed,” was John the Apostle whom we honor today. In his Gospel, John often refers to himself as “the one whom Jesus loved.” This title indicates not that Jesus loved John more than the others but that John’s heart was perhaps the most open and receptive to Jesus’ love, allowing our Lord’s charity to fill him more completely.
Celebrating the Feast of Saint John within the octave of Jesus’ birth invites us to reflect not only on John but also on the deep and intimate love that he and Jesus shared—a love that serves as an icon of the love Jesus desires to bestow on each of us.
Today’s Gospel beautifully highlights three of John’s virtues. First, his all-consuming love for Jesus is evident in his immediate response to Mary Magdalene’s news of the empty tomb. John’s love compelled him to run to the tomb with Peter, showing how deeply he cherished his relationship with the Lord.
Second, John’s respectful nature is revealed when he arrives at the tomb first but waits for Peter, the elder and leader among the Apostles, to enter before him. This act of deference speaks volumes about John’s humility and respect for authority.
Finally, after entering the tomb, John “saw and believed.” This moment reflects the depth of his faith, a faith that did not require physical proof but was grounded in a profound trust in Jesus. John’s belief was a response to the infused gift of faith, a virtue that allowed him to recognize the truth of the Resurrection even before seeing the risen Lord.
John’s example challenges us to examine our own spiritual lives. Is our love for the Lord so strong that it draws us toward Him with the same urgency that led John to run to the tomb? Does our love for God translate into a genuine respect for others? Is our faith so deep that we trust in God’s promises without needing visible proof?
As we honor Saint John, reflect today on his identity as “the one whom Jesus loved.” His receptivity to Jesus’ love made him stand out as a model disciple. Seek to imitate John by expanding the capacity of your heart to receive more of God’s love, so that His presence within you becomes evident to others.
My loving Lord, Your Sacred Heart overflowed with love for all people. Saint John was especially receptive to that love, enabling him to love You all the more. Please give me a heart like Saint John’s so that I, too, may become Your beloved disciple. Saint John, pray for us. Jesus, I trust in You.
Evil Transformed
December 28, Feast of the Holy Innocents, Martyrs
Fourth Day of the Octave of Christmas
When Herod realized that he had been deceived by the magi, he became furious. He ordered the massacre of all the boys in Bethlehem and its vicinity two years old and under, in accordance with the time he had ascertained from the magi. Matthew 2:16
It’s almost unimaginable that Herod could issue such a cruel command and just as difficult to comprehend how the soldiers could carry it out. The broken hearts, the “sobbing and loud lamentation” must have permeated Bethlehem and its vicinity that day, echoing for years to come.
In stark contrast to Herod’s fury is the protective care of Saint Joseph. The angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream, saying, “Rise, take the child and his mother, flee to Egypt, and stay there until I tell you. Herod is going to search for the child to destroy him” (Matthew 2:13). Joseph immediately “rose and took the child and his mother by night and departed for Egypt.”
Why would God permit such cruelty toward the innocent boys of Bethlehem and its vicinity, while allowing His divine Son to flee and hide with Joseph and the Blessed Mother in Egypt? Why not just intervene and stop Herod? Saint Thomas Aquinas, in the Summa Theologica, states, “Since God is the highest good, He would not allow any evil to exist in His works, unless His omnipotence and goodness were such as to bring good even out of evil” (ST I, q. 2, art. 3). Though this might be hard to accept in the face of suffering, it is a truth of faith that we must hold onto.
These young children did not know Jesus, yet in God’s providence and permissive will, He allowed them to bear witness to Him through their innocent blood. One might ask, “What about their lives? They never had the chance to grow and live full lives!” Such thinking overlooks God’s omnipotence and pure goodness. God foresaw the eternal good He would bring from this tragedy, permitting it because their sacrificial witness would be the source of their eternal glory in Heaven.
It is common, and easy, to view life only through the lens of this world. But this world is fleeting, and when compared to eternal life, it is but a moment. If we can look beyond the suffering God permits us to endure, we begin to see the greater good that our suffering can produce. In Heaven, we will never regret embracing God’s permissive will. We will never regret accepting the suffering we endure because of evil inflicted upon us—if we unite that suffering to Christ and offer it for His glory.
Reflect today on the horrific evil God permitted to be inflicted upon these innocent children and their families, and the burden imposed upon Saint Joseph and Mary as they fled for safety. As you do, make an act of faith that our all-loving and all-powerful God knows best and brings great eternal good out of this trial. Consider, too, your own suffering in this life. Whatever God has permitted, He can redeem. Offer your suffering to our Lord in union with His Sacrifice, and know that you will rejoice in this offering for all eternity.
My all-powerful and all-loving God, You only permit evil in this world because You can bring good out of it in the lives of those who trust in You. Please give me a trusting heart when I face evil and suffering. Help me to surrender it to You with hope, so that You are glorified for eternity by my love. Holy Innocents, pray for us. Jesus, I trust in You.
Thy Kingdom Come!
December 29, Fifth Day in the Octave of Christmas
When the days were completed for their purification according to the law of Moses, the parents of Jesus took him up to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord, just as it is written in the law of the Lord, Every male that opens the womb shall be consecrated to the Lord, and to offer the sacrifice of a pair of turtledoves or two young pigeons, in accordance with the dictate in the law of the Lord. Luke 2:22–24
Forty days after a firstborn male was born, the law of Moses required that the mother participate in a purification ritual and that the parents were to “redeem” the child by offering a ritual sacrifice. As faithful Jews, Mary and Joseph took these obligations seriously. When they entered the Temple, they were met by a holy man named Simeon, who was among the faithful Jews “awaiting the consolation of Israel.”
From its founding, the Kingdom of Israel had endured many troubled times. The last time the Kingdom of Israel had been united was under the reign of King David and his son Solomon in the tenth century B.C. After Solomon’s death, the kingdom split into the Northern Kingdom of Israel and the Southern Kingdom of Judah. The Northern Kingdom was captured by the Assyrians in 722 B.C., and the Southern Kingdom was conquered by the Babylonians in 586 B.C., leading to the destruction of the First Temple and the exile of many Jews to Babylon for about seventy years. In the centuries that followed, Greek culture was imposed upon the region after the conquest of Alexander the Great, and the Romans finally captured Judah in 63 BC, maintaining control beyond the birth of Christ.
This history of oppression and division created various responses among the Jewish people. Many prophets had foretold the coming of the Messiah, the one who would bring consolation to Israel. Some Jews expected the Messiah to be a political leader who would reunite and restore the Kingdom. Others were indifferent to the prophecies. But a faithful remnant, like Simeon, awaited the Messiah who would bring about a profound spiritual renewal.
Simeon was not a Pharisee, Sadducee, or scribe, but an ordinary devout Jew filled with the Holy Spirit. It was the Holy Spirit Who revealed to him that he would not see death before he had seen the Messiah. On the day Mary and Joseph brought Jesus to the Temple, Simeon, inspired by the Holy Spirit, came to the Temple and recognized the Christ Child. He took Jesus in his arms and rejoiced, saying, “Lord, now let your servant go in peace; your word has been fulfilled…”
We should all strive to be like Simeon. Like the people of Israel and Judah, we are living in a world where God’s Kingdom is often divided or overshadowed by immorality, wars, divisions, and a lack of faith. We might be tempted to address these challenges in various ways, but the best way is to become part of the faithful remnant who, like Simeon, trust in God’s promises and eagerly anticipate His transforming action in our lives and in the world.
Reflect today on the state of the world. In some places, the Kingdom of God is vibrant and alive; in others, it seems distant or absent. No matter where you find yourself, turn your gaze to the all-powerful Messiah, Who is capable of renewing His Kingdom on Earth as we await its fullness at the end of time. Devote yourself to His mission, and allow the Holy Spirit to inspire you to be an active participant in bringing about the reign of God.
My Lord and Messiah, as I see the challenges and divisions in the world around me, help me to trust in Your promises. May I, like Simeon, be filled with faith and hope as I await Your Kingdom. Inspire me to be an instrument of Your grace, helping to build Your Kingdom here on Earth. Jesus, I trust in You.
The Faithful Remnant
December 30, Sixth Day in the Octave of Christmas
There was a prophetess, Anna… She never left the temple, but worshiped night and day with fasting and prayer. And coming forward at that very time, she gave thanks to God and spoke about the child to all who were awaiting the redemption of Jerusalem. Luke 2:36–38
Like Simeon, Anna was among those “awaiting the redemption of Jerusalem.” She belonged to the faithful remnant of Israel who believed in the prophecies, understood the Messiah’s spiritual and salvific role, and awaited His coming with great hope.
Because Anna “never left the temple, but worshiped night and day with fasting and prayer,” she was deeply attuned to God’s voice. Her life of prayer made her sensitive to the promptings of the Holy Spirit, especially on that glorious day when Jesus was presented and ritually redeemed in the Temple.
Imagine Mary and Joseph’s reaction to Simeon’s prophetic words and then to Anna’s. They might have expected the ritual offering and dedication to be a routine event. Yet, the joy and prophetic words of Simeon and Anna must have filled them with awe and wonder at the profound mystery of their Child’s identity and mission.
Like Simeon and Anna, we are called to be part of the faithful remnant today. The chaos and immorality that plague our world can easily lead to discouragement or anger. When this turmoil is close to home, within our families or communities, it becomes even more challenging. Anna’s example in today’s Gospel offers us a powerful model of how to live our lives. While most of us cannot remain in church night and day, fasting and praying, we are all called to carry the indwelling of the Holy Spirit within us, making our souls temples of God.
Saint Teresa of Ávila speaks highly of the prayer of recollection, a practice that helps us become more aware of God’s presence within. This prayer takes place on two levels. First, “active” recollection is an intentional meditation in which we seek God within the temple, or “castle,” of our souls. It’s an active turning inward to find God dwelling within us by grace.
Over time, as we deepen in this prayer, it becomes “passive” recollection. God begins to take the lead, and we sense His presence more profoundly throughout the day, calling us to be with Him in the temple of our souls. Those who practice these forms of recollection are like Anna who spent day and night in the Temple, attuned to God’s voice.
Reflect, today, on God’s invitation to imitate Anna’s life of prayer. By following her example, you, too, will become more attuned to the voice of God and the promptings of the Holy Spirit. You will recognize the many ways the Messiah comes to you and is present all around you. This grace will empower you to overcome the evils and challenges of the world, making you a member of God’s faithful remnant, awaiting His consolation and redemption.
Most glorious Messiah, You see the chaos in our world, and You come to those who seek You to deliver them and set them free. Help me to become a member of Your faithful remnant, always turning to You in trust and seeking You day and night. Jesus, I trust in You.
Contemplative Prayer
December 31, Seventh Day in the Octave of Christmas
In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God… And the Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us, and we saw his glory, the glory as of the Father’s only-begotten Son, full of grace and truth. John 1:1; 14
The Prologue to John’s Gospel, John 1:1-18, is one of the most profound and theologically rich passages in Scripture. It is both contemplative and mysterious, inviting us to come to know God in His essence through the depth of contemplative prayer.
The opening words, “In the beginning…,” echo the Book of Genesis, revealing the eternal and preexistent nature of the Son of God. Saint John the Evangelist, through a special grace of infused contemplative knowledge, understood that Jesus was the Word, eternally spoken by the Father, and co-existing with Him for all eternity. He recognized that the Word took on human nature, becoming flesh and dwelling among us.
Consider the thoughts of Saint John as he wrote these words for the first time. He had spent about three years with the Eternal Word made flesh—walking with Him, listening to His teachings, and witnessing His miracles, His rejection, His suffering, His death, and His Resurrection. He stood with the others as Jesus ascended into Heaven and experienced the outpouring of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost.
After Pentecost, John’s understanding of Jesus deepened. Through prayer and the celebration of the Eucharist, John discovered his Lord in an even more intimate and transformative way. The Eternal Word, though no longer walking the earth, was now present within him by grace. This abiding presence became more real to him than ever before.
Like John, we are called to know the Eternal Word as He continues to dwell among us through the Sacraments, in prayer, in the Scriptures, and within our souls. We are invited to be transformed by His presence so that we may become His living members within the Church.
This deep union with Christ is only possible when we allow ourselves to be drawn into the mysteries of the Incarnation and redemption. While our minds can grasp these mysteries to a certain extent, true understanding comes through infused contemplative knowledge, a gift of the Holy Spirit dwelling within us.
Reflect today on Saint John the Evangelist as he wrote his Prologue. Consider the gift of contemplative understanding he received, the transformation that occurred within his soul, and the intimacy he shared with God. Each of us is called to this same life of interior union and contemplation. Let this beautiful and mysterious Prologue draw you deeper into prayer and into the mystery of the Word made flesh.
My Eternal Word of God, You existed before time began, in perfect union with the Father and the Holy Spirit. During this octave of Christmas, we reflect on Your Incarnation, Your becoming flesh to dwell among us and within us by grace. Please reveal to me this great mystery so that I may believe with the same faith as Saint John, Your beloved disciple. Jesus, I trust in You.
The Overflowing Heart of the Mother of God
January 1, Solemnity of the Blessed Virgin Mary, the Mother of God
The Octave Day of Christmas
The shepherds went in haste to Bethlehem and found Mary and Joseph, and the infant lying in the manger. When they saw this, they made known the message that had been told them about this child. All who heard it were amazed by what had been told them by the shepherds. And Mary kept all these things, reflecting on them in her heart. Luke 2:16–19
At the birth of Christ, the Blessed Mother’s Immaculate Heart was full of love and grace, so full that it overflowed in superabundance. Her human heart could not contain all that consumed it. Seeing her Child, having Saint Joseph near, and being accompanied by God’s creatures within that sacred cave near Bethlehem was all that she needed for her complete fulfillment. But God gave her even more.
As that holy night unfolded, an angel of the Lord appeared to the poor shepherds tending their flocks in the fields. The angel announced “good news of great joy that will be for all the people” (Luke 2:10). The angel went on to declare, “Today in the city of David a savior has been born for you who is Messiah and Lord. And this will be a sign for you: you will find an infant wrapped in swaddling clothes and lying in a manger” (Luke 2:11–12). Then, a multitude of heavenly hosts appeared, glorifying God with their song of praise.
Such an experience compelled these lowly shepherds to immediately seek out this newborn Messiah. When they found Him, they revealed to our Blessed Mother and Saint Joseph what the angel had said to them, and “Mary kept all these things, reflecting on them in her heart” (Luke 2:19). It is this Immaculate Heart and the motherhood of the Blessed Virgin Mary that we celebrate today.
Because Mary’s Immaculate Heart was overflowing with love and grace, these humble shepherds gave her the opportunity to share that love and grace. While they blessed her and Saint Joseph by their presence and adoration, she blessed them even more by being an instrument and mediatrix of God’s love through her newborn Son.
Mary was not only the mother of the flesh of her Son, but the mother of the Person Who is the Son of God. For this reason, the Church, in Her wisdom, has ascribed to her the title, “Mother of God.” Jesus was her Son, and Jesus is God. Therefore, she is rightly honored as the Mother of God.
As the Mother of God, Mary’s Immaculate Heart continues to overflow with love and grace. Just as she did with the shepherds on that first Christmas night, her heart continues to pour forth all that it contains upon us, her spiritual sons and daughters. The extent to which we are members of Christ’s Body, the Church, is the extent to which the Blessed Mother’s motherhood is active in our lives, just as it was in the life of her Son and as it touched the lives of the shepherds.
Reflect today on this glorious title given to Jesus’ mother—the Mother of God. As you do, ponder the role she plays in your life and in the life of the entire Church. By giving birth to the Messiah, the Son of God, she gave birth to the Church, becoming mother and mediatrix to us all. Seek her intercession, mediation, and motherhood, knowing that doing so not only honors her Son, but also cooperates with His divine plan of salvation.
Most glorious Mother of God, your Immaculate Heart is overflowing with love and the fullness of grace. Your love for all of God’s children compels you to share that grace with all who come to you and your divine Son. Please count me among your children and lavish upon me all that is contained in your pondering heart of pure love and grace. Mother of God, pray for us. Jesus, I trust in You.
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