Merry Christmas!

Alleluia, alleluia! 

A holy day has dawned upon us. 

Come, you nations, and adore the Lord. 

Today a great light has come down upon the earth. 

Alleluia! 

Today's Gospel Acclamation sums up the joy of Christmas. The light of Christ still shines throughout the world.

Today is the sixth day of the Octave of Christmas. While the world has moved on to celebrating the New Year, Mother Church is still thrilling in the joy of the birth of Jesus. Christmas is so great the Church says the one day is eight days long, so full is its wonder and joy. 

Even Christian radio stations have stopped playing Christmas carols. Not me. I'm still in Christmas. Why move on?  Peace on earth and good will to all men! Unto us a child is given. Alleluia!

Jesus, the wonder of your incarnation continues to reverberate in me. Today I am a Christmas person, a true Christian.

Saint Joseph, please pray for me.

 

A Man of Character

When Joseph woke up he did what the angel of the Lord had told him to do: he took his wife to his home.

Mt.1:24

Joseph has determined to divorce Mary, be it informally, when he is spoken to in a dream to the do the opposite, to take her as his wife. He awakes and unquestioningly does what the angel has told him to do.

The beginning of Matthew's Gospel tells us much of what we know about Joseph. He was a man of honour, a man who recognised God's word and a man who was obedient. There was enough character in Joseph for God to entrust the care of his son to him when the son was most vulnerable, a new-born baby.

For me, Joseph is a great role model of manhood. If the few verses written about Joseph could be written about me I would be mightily pleased. Today I can focus on being a man of honour, a man who hears God's word and tends to it.

Jesus, help me become a man whose character is pleasing to you. 

Saint Joseph, please pray for me.

Be Alert

If only you had been alert to my commandments, your happiness would have been like a river, your integrity like the waves of the sea.

Is.48:18

God laments the apostasy of his chosen people. They have turned their backs on happiness and integrity. What does this leave? Sadness and unfaithfulness.

Sadness and unfaithfulness are common maladies. The antidote is alertness to God's commandments, to his Word. These are not dusty and outdated rules. They are the key to happiness and faithfulness, things the world craves. 

Stay awake! Be ready! The cry of Advent calls for alertness to God's commandments. When I am alert, happiness and faithfulness are mine... today.

Lord, help me be alert to your word, your voice, today.

Saint Philip Neri, please pray for me.

Hope in the Lord

I am sure I shall see the Lord’s goodness in the land of the living. Hope in him, hold firm and take heart. Hope in the Lord!
Ps.26.13,14

The psalmist sings of his hope and expectation of the coming of the Lord.

This is the anthem of Advent. Hope in Him, Take heart. Hope in the Lord. People hope in so many things, other people, circumstance, plans and dreams. But for me to take heart, to be strong and courageous in faith, my hope is in the Lord.

I take this Advent hope into my day.

Oh come Lord Jesus come. I place my trust in you.

Saint Philip Neri, please pray for me.

Peace on Earth

The Lord is my shepherd; there is nothing I shall want. Fresh and green are the pastures where he gives me repose. Near restful waters he leads me, to revive my drooping spirit.

Ps.22:1-3.

David's great psalm portrays the destination of our Advent gaze, green pastures, still waters.

I'm looking out over the green spring pasture of a school sports field as I write. The morning sun is sparkling in the dew. Green pastures, still waters. There is a promise of peace and rest. This promise is mine to take into my day.

Jesus, you give me peace this morning. Help me be an agent of peace to all I meet today.

Saint Philip Neri, please pray for me. 

 

Maranatha!

The wolf lives with the lamb, the panther lies down with the kid, calf and lion feed together, with a little boy to lead them.

Is.11:6

Isaiah prophesies the glorious arrival of the "Root of Jesse" and the change of world order from aggression and destruction to joy and peace.

This wonderful season of Advent is a time of preparing the way, of expectancy, of straining forward to something glorious just over the horizon. Isaiah describes who and what it is I am preparing, expecting, straining. Jesus' return.

Christmas celebrates Jesus' first coming. Advent anticipates his second. This is the source of my optimism and joy. 

Maranatha! Come Lord Jesus come!

Saint Philip Neri, please pray for me.