The Solemn Feast of Christmas-Year A
Response: Psalm 96
Reading 2: Luke 2:10-11
Gospel: Luke 2: 1-14
“Behold I proclaim to you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. For today in the city of David a savior has been born to you who is Christ and Lord.” How blessed we are!!! Praise the Lord!
The Feast of Christmas is like a diamond in that there are so many facets that it is difficult to know where to start. The picture above is my favorite image of Christmas. It shows Mary exhausted from the travel and the pain of childbirth sleeping peacefully. Meanwhile, Joseph, also tired from the journey and challenges he faced, holds and cares for the newborn Son of God, giving Mary some needed time to rest. To me, it gives a realistic, human picture of that first Christmas night. Also, it reminds us of the beautiful, self-sacrificing roles of Mary and Joseph in the plan of redemption.
During the days preceding Christmas the prayer of the Catholic Church and some Anglican and Lutheran Churches include the following O Antiphons to focus on some of the qualities of this new Savior:
December 17 - O Sapientia (O Wisdom)
O Wisdom, coming forth from the mouth of the Most High,
reaching from one end to the other,
mightily and sweetly ordering all things:
Come and teach us the way of prudence.
December 18 - O Adonai (O Lord)
O Adonai, and leader of the House of Israel,
who appeared to Moses in the fire of the burning bush
and gave him the law on Mt. Sinai:
Come and redeem us with an outstretched arm.
December 19 - O Radix Jesse (O Root of Jesse)
O Root of Jesse, standing as a sign among the peoples;
before you kings will shut their mouths.
to you the nations will make their prayer:
Come and deliver us and delay no longer.
December 20 - O Clavis David (O Key of David)
O Key of David and sceptre of the House of Israel;
you open and no one can shut;
you shut and no one can open:
Come and lead the prisoners, from the prison house,
those who dwell in darkness and the shadow of death.
December 21 - O Oriens (O Dayspring)
O Morning Star,
splendor of light eternal and sun of righteousness:
Come and enlighten those who dwell in darkness and
the shadow of death.
December 22 - O Rex Gentium (O King of the Nations)
O King of Nations and their desire,
the cornerstone making both one:
Come and save the human race,
which you fashioned from clay.
December 23 - O Emmanuel (O With Us is God)
O Emmanuel, our king and our lawgiver,
the hope of the nations and their Savior
Come and save us, O Lord our God.
While each of these titles is wonderful, the one that I love the best is Emmanuel, God with us. God could have redeemed us and then left us to ourselves. However, in His love, He wants to be with us in all the aspects of our lives. In the Eucharist at Mass, He continually offers himself for our sins and feeds and strengthens us in Holy Communion throughout our lives. In the Blessed Sacrament, He remains with us as our faithful friend ready to hear our prayers and speak to our hearts. How great His love and how blessed we are!!
Have a very happy Christmas!!!
Spanish Translation of Reflection Above...
Fiesta de Navidad
“He aquí yo os anuncio buenas nuevas de gran gozo que será para todo el pueblo. Porque hoy en la ciudad de David ha nacido un Salvador que es Cristo y Señor.” ¡Qué bienaventurados somos! ¡Alabado sea el Señor!
La Fiesta de Navidad es como un diamante en que hay tantas facetas que es difícil saber por dónde empezar. La imagen de arriba es mi imagen favorita de la Navidad. Muestra a María agotada por los viajes y el dolor del parto durmiendo pacíficamente. Mientras tanto, José, también cansado del viaje y los desafíos que enfrentó, sostiene y cuida al recién nacido Hijo de Dios, dándole a Maria un tiempo necesario para descansar. Para mí, da una imagen realista y humana de esa primera noche de Navidad. También nos recuerda los bellos y abnegados papeles de María y José en el plan de redención.
Durante los días que precedieron a la Navidad, la oración de la Iglesia Católica y algunas Iglesias anglicanas y luteranas incluyen las siguientes antífonas para enfocarse en algunas de las cualidades de este nuevo Salvador:
17 de diciembre - O Sapientia (O Sabiduría)
Oh Sabiduría, saliendo de la boca del Altísimo,
Alcanzando de un extremo al otro,
Poderosa y dulcemente ordenar todas las cosas:
Ven y enséñanos el camino de la prudencia.
18 de diciembre - Oh Adonai (Señor)
Oh Adonai, y líder de la Casa de Israel,
Que se apareció a Moisés en el fuego de la zarza ardiente
Y le dio la ley sobre el monte. Sinai
Ven y redímenos con un brazo extendido.
19 de diciembre - O Radix Jesse (O Raíz de Jesse)
Oh Raíz de Isaí, que está como señal entre los pueblos;
Antes que los reyes cerraron sus bocas.
A ti las naciones harán su oración:
Ven a entregarnos ya no te tardes.
20 de diciembre - O Clavis David (O Clave de David)
O Llave de David y cetro de la Casa de Israel;
Tú abres y nadie puede cerrar;
Cierras y nadie puede abrir:
Ven y conduce a los prisioneros, desde la prisión,
Los que moran en las tinieblas y la sombra de la muerte.
21 de diciembre - O Oriens (O Dayspring)
O Estrella de la mañana,
Esplendor de luz eterna y sol de justicia:
Venid e iluminad a los que moran en tinieblas y
La sombra de la muerte.
22 de diciembre - Rex Gentium (Rey de las Naciones)
¡Oh Rey de las Naciones y su deseo,
La piedra angular haciendo ambos uno:
Ven y salva a la raza humana,
Que usted formó de arcilla.
23 de diciembre - O Emmanuel (O Con Nosotros es Dios)
Oh Emmanuel, nuestro rey y nuestro legislador,
La esperanza de las naciones y de su Salvador
Ven y salvanos, oh Jehová nuestro Dios.
Mientras que cada uno de estos títulos es maravilloso, el que más me gusta es Emmanuel, Dios con nosotros. Dios podría habernos redimido y luego habernos dejado a nosotros mismos. Sin embargo, en Su amor, Él quiere estar con nosotros en todos los aspectos de nuestras vidas. En la Eucaristía en la Misa, Él se ofrece continuamente por nuestros pecados y nos alimenta y nos fortalece en la Santa Comunión a lo largo de nuestras vidas. En el Santísimo Sacramento, Él permanece con nosotros como nuestro fiel amigo dispuesto a escuchar nuestras oraciones ya hablar a nuestros corazones. ¡Cuán grande es Su amor y cuán dichosos somos !!
¡Tenga una Navidad muy feliz!!!
Dear Sr. Annette,
ReplyDeleteI really like that last week’s post and today’s post included reflections on the roles of Joseph and Mary in God’s plan for our redemption. We are offered many glimpses of self-sacrificing on the part of Joseph and Mary. We see also great humility, respect, reverence and surrender. Such beautiful qualities that are not always visible in today’s families as social values favor individuality and materialism. I hope that all families, including my own, will pause long enough today to gaze at the Christ child, the Holy Family, the starkness of the stable and enter into the mystery of Jesus’ miraculous birth. What can we glean about our God as we are reminded that Jesus’ birth was announced first to shepherds by angels and that the Three Kings bowed before the infant in humble worship?
Let our pause be one of silent adoration and quiet prayer to the Prince of Peace, the One True Light born to guide us on our life’s path. Let us ask for openness of eyes and ears, mind and heart to hear the wisdom and follow the Light. May His Light be born anew in us this day and let us go forward and let it shine. I can almost hear Sr. June singing “This little light of mine…”
And let us rejoice for this is a time to celebrate! For God is with us.
Merry Christmas to all!!
¡Feliz Navidad a todos!
The picture is very realistic and inspiring. Yes, our divine Saviour certainly has showered infinite blessings on us!
ReplyDeleteThe following excerpts are from a Christmas homily delivered by Pope Francis:
"The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light." (Is 9:1).
"On this night, like a burst of brilliant light, there rings out the proclamation of the apostle: 'God's grace has been revealed, and it has made salvation possible for the whole human race." (Tit 2:11).
The grace which was revealed in our world is Jesus, born of the Virgin Mary,true man and true God. He has entered our history; he has shared our journey. He came to free us from darkness and to grant us light. In him was revealed the grace, the mercy, and the tender love of the Father. Jesus is love incarnate. He is not simply a teacher of wisdom, he is not an ideal for which we strive while knowing that we are hopelessly distant from it. He is the meaning of life and history, who has pitched his tent in our midst.
The shepherds were the first to see this "tent", to receive the news of Jesus' birth. They were the first because they were among the last, the outcast. And they were first because they were awake, keeping watch in the night, guarding their flocks. Together with them, let us thank the Lord for having given Jesus to us, and with them let us raise from the depths of our hearts the praises of his fidelity: We bless you, Lord God most high, who lowered yourself for our sake. You are immense, and you made yourself small; you are rich and you made yourself poor; you are all-powerful and you made yourself vulnerable.
On this night let us share the joy of the Gospel: God loves us, he so loves us that he gave us his Son to be our brother, to be light in our darkness... Jesus is the light who brightens the darkness. He is mercy: our Father always forgives us. He is our peace. Amen"
Pope Francis
Homily
Vatican Basilica
12/24/13