Advent Daily Reflections Header
The Nativity of the Lord
Readings of the Day
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It is finally here!
After the preparations for our family and friends, cards, gift giving,
and not
to mention the often frenetic scurrying around to serve our
clients... For me,
the days of Advent often do not have much of a feel of waiting, as
there's too
much to "do." Our surroundings- stores, television, activities- all
show us the "commercial way" to do December 25th. Our donors and
benefactors graciously and generously give gifts and toys and money to
help us
"make Christmas." Well, our best efforts are now complete, Santa
Claus has come for children with believing eyes, and dinner has been
prepared
for our sisters and brothers.
I am so grateful to
have taken time to stop and "do Advent" now! In the collect for
today's Mass at Dawn
we hear: "Grant, we pray, almighty God, that, as we are bathed in the
new
radiance of your incarnate Word, the light of faith, which illumines
our minds,
may also shine through in our deeds." Yes, Lord: Marantha. Come!
The readings- and
there are many for Christmas Eve, Dawn, and Day- invite us to
"rejoice," "give glory with angels," see the child, walk
with the shepherds, and recognize he who is the "refulgence of
glory." And in the Mass for Christmas Day we hear the prologue of
John's
Gospel - I never remember hearing it on Christmas Day!
The reading we will
probably hear is from Luke 2:1-14, the familiar story of Jesus'
birth in the
manger because there was no room at the inn. I was deeply challenged
with this
from a reflection from The Contemplative Monk: "Each of us is an
innkeeper
who decides if there is room for Jesus."
Happy deciding and
Merry Christmas!
Sr. Betsy Van Deusen,
CSJ serves with Catholic Charities in the Diocese of Albany, NY and is
the
chair of the CCUSA Parish Social Ministry Leadership Team.
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