Christmas Day - Solemnity of the Nativity of the Lord

Reflection Questions

Today is born our Savior, Christ the Lord!

Throughout these four week of Advent, filled with anticipation and preparation, we have finally arrived on the day of our Savior's birth!  We pray that we might gain strength and courage from Jospeh and Mary's example of humility and trust in circumstances that were less than ideal - giving birth in a stable.  May we believe that God can do the same in our lives - bring about great joy and new life amidst any circumstance we find ourselves in.  We thank God with grateful hearts for the gift of Jesus who taught us to be bearers of peace, compassion and love.

Christmas is the season that promises
to touch our deepest needs and to meet
our deepest longings; it is the story of
God remembering us, caring about us,
and squeezing himself into time and space,

drawing near, even as one of us. 

~Timothy Clayton

Prayer

Rejoice, for the Lord is near; let your kindness be known to all!
Scripture

First Reading: Isaiah 9:1-6
Psalm: 96:1-3, 11-13
Second Reading: Titus 2:11-14
Gospel: Luke 2:1-14


Daily Scripture readings can be found online at the USCCB website

Monday of the Fourth Week of Advent

Reflection Questions

"Here I am living in a house of cedar, while the ark of God dwells in a tent!" Where have we placed God in our life and is it where He hopes to be?  How can we enshrine God in our hearts and recognize His presence in all things? 

"The favors of the Lord I will sing forever; through all generations my mouth shall proclaim your faithfulness.  For you have said, 'My kindness is established forever."  How have we helped pass along and proclaim His faithfulness to other generations?  When you think of "kindness" in terms of God, what do you think it means?  How kind have you been towards others lately?  How kind have you been towards yourself?

"Blessed be the Lord, the God of Israel; for he has come to his people and set them free" Today's reading contains the powerful prayer called the Canticle of Zechariah.  What does "freedom in God" mean to you?  How has God set you free?
Prayer

God of freedom, may we create a dwelling place for You within our Churches, within our homes, and within our hearts.  May we learn to place You in the center of our lives so that we can be guided in the ways of mercy and peace.  Let us always be willing to proclaim Your unending faithfulness to all we encounter and remember to be kind and compassionate with one another.  May Your love free us from false illusions, trying to be something other than who you created, and from the burden of sin.  For ever I will sing the goodness of the Lord!
Scripture

First Reading: 2 Samuel 7:1-5, 8b-12, 14a, 16
Psalm: 89:2-3, 4-5, 27, 29
Gospel: Luke 1:67-79


Daily Scripture readings can be found online at the USCCB website

Sunday of the Fourth Week of Advent

Reflection

The last week of Advent's readings do a great job of summing everything up. The first reading emphasizes that a Messiah is coming to bring salvation. The second reading announces Jesus' presence to the community. In the Gospel reading for this week, Mary sets out and travels to her cousin Elizabeth. It can relate to many of our own journeys, as we travel to be with family for Christmas on Tuesday.

It is the Gospel that says the most. In the Gospel, God is reminding us that those who believe what was spoken to us by the Lord would be fulfilled. This reminder is necessary during Advent. Remembering the real meaning of Christmas can be a challenge, for life gets crazy around Christmas: there are Christmas parties to attend, many presents to buy, and it is easy to forget why you are doing it all. Christmas is a celebration of the birth of Jesus, and it is easy to lose that in the shuffle of the hectic Christmas season. Instead, it is a time to focus on what is important: family, friends, and God.

Emily Clegg '16

Prayer

Father, this week, as we celebrate Christmas, be with us to remind us of Your love. Bless those who are traveling for the holidays: may their journeys be completed safely. May all remember what is truly important this Christmas.  Amen.
Scripture

First Reading: Micah 5:1-4a
Psalm: 80:2-3, 15-16, 18-19
Second Reading: Hebrews 10:5-10
Gospel: Luke 1:39-45

Daily Scripture readings can be found online at the USCCB website

Christmas.  Amen.

Saturday of the Third Week of Advent

Reflection Questions

"I prayed for this child, and the Lord granted my request.  Now I, in turn, give him to the Lord; as long as he lives, he shall be dedicated to the Lord."  What is the most precious thing that you value in your life?  How has God been a part of that?  What are you willing to give to God out of a grateful heart?

"He has filled the hungry with good things, and the rich he has sent away empty."  Today's Gospel is Mary's beautiful prayer called the Magnificat.  What parts of the prayer do you feel you share with Mary?  What are you hungry for spiritually?

"He has come to the help of his servant Israel for he remembered his promise of mercy, the promise he made to our fathers, to Abraham and his children for ever."  How has God shown mercy with you?  What does God's promise of faithfulness mean to you?  How have you been faithful in your promises to others?
Prayer

Faithful God of mercy, may we recognize that all good things come from You.  May we have the courage to give of our very selves what we value most to You in the form of service and love. May we hunger for justice, peace and compassion in our world and be willing to be those very things in our own lives.  May we be merciful as You are merciful and may we be faithful to both You and those in our lives.  My heart exults in the Lord, my Savior!
Scripture

First Reading: 1 Samuel 1:24-28
Psalm: 1 Samuel 2:1, 4-8
Gospel: Luke 1:46-56


Daily Scripture readings can be found online at the USCCB website

Friday of the Third Week of Advent

Reflection Questions

"He will rejoice over you with gladness, and renew you in his love, He will sing joyfully because of you, as one sings at festivals."  How has God renewed you in His love this Advent season?  Can you imagine God singing joyfully because of you?  Is it difficult or easy to imagine God celebrating over you and why?

"Give thanks to the Lord on the harp; with the ten-stringed lyre chant his praises.  Sing to him a new song."  Have you given thanks to God lately for the blessings in your life?  What are you grateful for?  How do you express your thanks to God?

"For at the moment the sound of your greeting reached my ears, the infant in my womb leaped for joy."  What brings you great joy?  How do you express your joy?
Prayer

God of joy, renew us in Your love and help us accept your overwhelming joy You find in us.  May we always give thanks to You for the many ways in which you enrich our lives and help us grow more deeply and fully into who You created us to be.  May we recognize the joy in our lives and embrace it.  May we celebrate Your goodness and Your grace that you give to us.  Exult, you just, in the Lord!  Sing to him a new song.
Scripture

First Reading: Songs 2:8-14 or Zep 3:14-18
Psalm: 33:2-3, 11-12, 20-21
Gospel: Luke 1:39-45

Daily Scripture readings can be found online at the USCCB website

Thursday of the Third Week of Advent

Reflection Questions
"Therefore the Lord himself will give you this sign: the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and shall name him Emmanuel."  Emmanuel means "God with us" but it also can be translated into "God for us."  Is it difficult or easy for you to believe that God is on your side and wanting what is best for you?  What are the ways in which God is for you?  What do you think God wants or desires for you?

"But she was greatly troubled at what was said and pondered what sort of greeting this might be.  Then the angel said to her, 'Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God.'"  When have you felt troubled and God has offered you comfort?  What are you fearful of right now and what is God saying to you about it?

"The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you."  When have you felt the power of the Holy Spirit in your life?  How has it energized and inspired you to make changes in your life and given you courage to move in the direction God is asking of you?

Prayer

God who is with and for us, help us truly believe that You desire what is best for us and will be with us throughout all circumstances.  When we feel troubled and afraid, let us find comfort and peace knowing that Your presence is with us always if only we turn to You with our concerns and worries.  Open our hearts to the power of the Holy Spirit.  Through the Holy Spirit, may we be given both courage and conviction to do what is loving and just. Let the Lord enter; he is the king of glory!
Scripture

First Reading: Isaiah 7:10-14
Psalm: 24:1-6
Gospel: Luke 1:26-38

Daily Scripture readings can be found online at the USCCB website

Wednesday of the Third Week of Advent

Reflection Questions

"For you are my hope, O Lord; my trust, O God, from my youth.  On you I depend from birth; from my mother's womb you are my strength."  What are you hoping for right now?  Where does your hope come from?

"He will be filled with the Holy Spirit even from his mother's womb, and he will turn many of the children of Israel to the Lord their God."  What does John the Baptist mean to you and how do you imitate his passion and determination in his faith?  How do you help others turn towards God?

"How shall I know this?  For I am an old man, and my wife is advanced in years."  Sometimes it is difficult to to change your expectations.  What do you expect from God?  Do you put limits around what you expect God to do?  In what ways has God surprised you with good and unexpected news?
Prayer

God of surprises, we know that You have loved us and been with us in every moment of our existence on earth.  May we always place our hope in You and depend on You for our strength in times of trial.  Fill us with the Holy Spirit that we might help others turn towards God by our words and actions to those around us.  May we be open to ways in which You might surprise us with unexpected blessings.  Help us accept Your gifts and possibilties that You offer us.  My mouth shall be filled with Your praise, and I will sing Your glory!
Scripture

First Reading: Judges 13:2-7, 24-25a
Psalm: 71:3-6ab, 16-17
Gospel: Luke 1:5-25


Daily Scripture readings can be found online at the USCCB website