Daily Reflection – Dec 25, 2015
Friday 25 December 2015
First Reading: Isaiah 62:11-12
Psalm Response:
A light will shine on us this day: the Lord is born for us
Psalm 97:1, 6, 11-12
Second Reading: Titus 3:4-7
Gospel Reading: Luke 2:15-20
Today’s Note: The Nativity of the Lord (Christmas)
Mass at Dawn
Gospel Reading:
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.
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.
Then the shepherds returned,
glorifying and praising God
for all they had heard and seen,
just as it had been told to them.
Reflection:
“Light dawns, and gladness!” proclaims the psalmist. Titus then makes very clear what the good news is which breaks in upon us like the dawn each day: “Not by any work (“righteous deed”) that we do, but according to God’s mercy God has saved us.” It is because God is generous and kind, Titus teaches, that God richly pours the Holy Spirit on us and into us. What righteous deed had the shepherds done, what long prayers, heroic sacrifices, extraordinary service? Yet they see the glory of God, the generosity of God made manifest in the angels’ song of “Peace to all of good will.” They rush off to find the infant in the manger. Mary ponders their words, their excitement, their amazement, and keeps on reflecting in her heart.
What are some of the things you ponder in your heart? If you are obsessed by any thing or person, give God a Christmas present and hand over the obsession so the savior can set you free today. Think long and hard about God’s generosity and your not needing to prove yourself to God. Good news: you are already loved, just as you are! How will you respond?
Thank you that Mary is like us in all things, that she suffered labor pangs with no mother or midwife, alone and frightened; that Joseph could only find a manger for the baby. Comfort all parents who feel helpless, alone, unable to provide.
