Sunday Readings
“And when the Lord Jesus has become your peace, remember, there is another thing: goodwill towards men. Do not try to keep Christmas without goodwill towards men.”– Charles Spurgeon
My Dearest Friends in Christ,
I welcome you to this last Sunday before the anticipated day of Christmas. Today we are called to take Christ to others by radiating the love of Christ, giving joy to those we meet bringing them to experience Christ by our positive actions as our Mother Mary demonstrated in her generous and selfless visit to Elizabeth her kinswoman. May you be filled with joy in God’s Presence today and always.
Today’s readings remind us that Jesus is reborn each day in ordinary people living ordinary lives who have the willingness to respond to God’s call and the openness to do God’s Will. They suggest that Christmas should inspire us to carry out God’s Word,, as Mary and Jesus did, in perfect obedience to His Will with cheerful kindness and unselfish generosity.
For many, Christmas is a time of showing off their wealth and achievements rather than to share with those who have less. For some others, it is a time to socialize and appear in their best outfits to attract admiration. The readings of today take us in a different direction to emphasize what should be our preoccupation this Christmas; that is bringing the joy of Christ into the lives of our families and people we meet. It is this that is the most important and which is the true spirit of Christmas. It does not matter who you are, God wants to dwell in you, to use you to bring Himself to others. The second reading from the letter to the Hebrews says: “Sacrifice and offering you did not desire, but a body you prepared for Me.“ Your body is that body in which Christ wishes to dwell and not in the cribs around the world.
In the Gospel, Luke tells us how two seemingly insignificant women met to celebrate the kindness and fidelity of God. It shows us how sensitive Mary was to the needs of Elizabeth, her older cousin who had miraculously become pregnant in her old age. For Luke, discipleship consists in listening to God’s Word and then carrying it out. Mary does both. In doing these she becomes the most perfect disciple. “At this Christmas when Christ comes, will He find a warm heart? Mark the season of Advent by loving and serving the others with God’s love and concern.” -St. Teresa of Calcutta
Mary said yes to God to use her to bring Jesus to the world. She brought joy to Elizabeth and the world. We are called to say yes to God so that He might use us to bring Jesus/Joy to others as Mary did.
Christmas is the ideal time for us to be filled with the Spirit of Christ, allowing His rebirth within us. Once Christ is reborn in us, He enables us to share His Love with all whom we encounter by offering them humble and committed service, unconditional forgiveness, compassionate and caring love. Let us take the time to visit others during the Christmas season, reconcile family disputes, restore broken relationships, bring peace and joy where hatred and grudges have taken a stronghold. Let’s bring light where darkness has beclouded peoples’ minds and let’s inspire them with our good example and draw them closer to God.
We need to bless and encourage the younger generation. Elizabeth demonstrates the responsibility, of the older generation to inspire the younger generation. Grandparents, teachers, and leaders have the responsibility of encouraging those around them. By complimenting and encouraging one’s spouse, children and friends, let us make them know how valuable they are to us and to God.
God is faithful to His promises. The first reading from Prophet Micah gives assurance to the Jews that God is faithful to His promises and that from the unimportant village of Bethlehem He will send them the long-expected Ruler. From something insignificant, as was Bethlehem, God brings out something significant. It doesn’t matter how insignificant your good deeds are, God always treasures and makes something meaningful out of them. So be positive-minded and never be discouraged even if you can only offer a little to others during this Advent and Christmas Season.
The second reading encourages us to be thankful to Christ Who offered the sacrifice of perfect obedience that liberated us from sin. At Christmas, we celebrate that unique sacrificial gift of Christ to the world. May our lives be sacrificial in this period of Christmas to reciprocate God’s Gift of Himself to us.May you and your family leap for joy as Christ enters your home this Christmas Season.
