For Saturday, 24 December
“In the tender compassion of our God the dawn from on high
shall break upon us, to shine on those who dwell in darkness and the shadow of
death, and to guide our feet into the way of peace." (Luke 1. 77-78)
All our Advent waiting and preparation climaxes in this
moment: we stand today at the threshold of Christmas. We are here even if our
Advent journey has been less than it should be, or our spiritual conversion
less than we had hoped for. We are here because of God: accompanied here not to simply witness the dawning of God’s tender compassion in Jesus, but graced to live in
Jesus’ light that dispels darkness, defeats death and guides us into
everlasting peace with Godself. Today, God's grace turns us away from all that
weighs us down and despairs us to the certain hope Jesus is for us and
for our salvation. Indeed, it is good and right that we be excited, hopeful and
eager to rejoice: God’s dawn is coming anew! God is indeed with us!
How are you feeling this Christmas Eve? What excites you?
What concerns you? How would you like to entrust these feelings to Jesus, God's gift, to our world?
Look back on your Advent journey. Recall a gift of this time
with God that has sustained nourished and enriched you to this day. Close
your eyes and savour this gift as God dawning into your life anew. Speak a few words
of thanksgiving to close this Advent time of prayer.
For Friday, 23 December
When the time arrived for Elizabeth to have her child she
gave birth to a son. Her neighbors and relatives heard that the Lord had shown
his great mercy toward her, and they rejoiced with her. (Luke 1.57-58)
People rejoiced with Elizabeth because they were focused on
her joy of giving birth, not on their own needs. Their celebration with her
echoes God’s self-giving involvement in our lives for our wellbeing and
happiness. Nothing expresses this truth more than God’s self-gift of Jesus we
celebrate at Christmas. Advent, then, prepares us for Christmas
self-giving: God's, that we receive, and ours, that we can share. The poor and needy call us to care for them and give them hope. Family and friends invite us to return to our rightful place at the table, and so, make love real. Enemies ask us for forgiveness for a peace of mind that deepens their faith in God's compassion. All of these speak of a grace this season offers us: rejoicing in
another’s happiness, as God rejoices in us through Jesus.
What does God’s self-giving ways mean to you? How have you
experienced God’s self-giving in your life? Would you like to give like God
this Christmas? To whom will you gift yourself to?
Recall how someone’s generous, self-giving ways made a
difference in your life. Savour the goodness, then make a
phone call or write a note to thank this person this Christmastime.
For Thursday, 22 December
“God 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." (Luke 1.54-55)
This line that Mary proclaims speaks of God’s faithfulness
to humankind through the ages. God expresses faithfulness in mercy and
roots it in love. This reality proclaims who God is and who we are to God. We
celebrate it most especially at Christmas in the gift of Jesus. Through his
life, death and resurrection, Jesus reveals God’s faithfulness to all peoples:
God created us to save us for communion with Godself. The peace of Christmas,
then, is Jesus' promise of the fullness of life with God.
How do you feel about God’s faithfulness in your life? In
what ways have you experienced God’s fidelity in recent times? What has God's fidelity taught you about yourself?
Think of someone you had let down before. Consider doing
something for this person this Christmas to express your care and love, your friendship and fidelity.
For Wednesday, 21 December
Mary set out in those days and traveled to the hill country
in haste to a town of Judah,where she entered the house of Zechariah and greeted
Elizabeth. (Luke 1.39-40)
Today’s Gospel reading invites us to reflect on the phrase
“to bear”. Mary bears or carries Jesus in her womb. She also bears, that is,
brings Jesus to Elizabeth. Finally, she will bear, as in give birth, to Jesus.
These three ways of understanding “to bear” speak of the discipleship Mary models
for us in these final days of Advent. She invites us to practise a discipleship that remembers, celebrates and believes. We are called to remember that we already bear Jesus in us because of our baptism. We are missioned to
celebrate that Jesus is our world’s radiant light and
abundant life. We are graced to believe that our Christ-like words and actions will give
birth to Jesus in others.
How have you lived God’s call to bear Jesus this Advent? In
these final Advent days, how can you bear Jesus more generously and more joyfully?
Is there someone you should bear Jesus to this Christmas?
Spend some time with Mary. Invite her to teach you how to
bear Jesus like she did.
For Tuesday, 20 December
Then the angel said to her, "Do not be afraid,
Mary, for you have found favor with God. Behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you shall name him Jesus". (Luke 1.30-31)
Mary’s obedient and trusting “yes” finds favor with God
because she recognizes who God is and what God is asking of her. God’s favor
also witnesses to Mary’s capacity to become the mother of Jesus in spite of her
youth. Like Mary, God invites us daily to do great things to make God more
present and real in our world. God calls because our human nature is created
good and ordained to do good. This challenges us to embrace and celebrate the
truth that we have already won God’s favor.
How does it feel to know that God favors you, and your
ability to do great things? How do you want to respond to this truth of who God
is and who you are?
Recall an experience when another affirmed and encouraged
you or valued and loved you. Sit with your memories of that experience for
awhile. Then, give thanks for the gift that this is in your life.
The angel said to Zechariah, “Do not be afraid, Zechariah, because your prayer has been heard. Your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you shall name him John. And you will have joy and gladness, and many will rejoice at his birth, for he will be a great in the sight of the Lord” (Luke 1.13-15)
We can have peace that God answers our prayers, and bestows happiness on us. God answers Elizabeth and Zechariah’s prayer for a child with the joyful gift of Elizabeth’s pregnancy. But God’s gift of John the Baptist to them is really for the joy of others; John will draw others to Jesus. We too have had our prayers answered. Whether God has gifted us with spouses or children, with friends or mentors, with success in school or at work, with employment, shelter and food, or, with good health and peace of mind, our joy can be truly celebratory when we share these gifts to delight others.
Do you share the gifts in your life? Are you being invited to do so more generously? How can you share them and bring joy to others?
Consider gifting the gift of yourself to family and friends this Christmas, rather than a material gift. This might be spending more time with another, helping someone in need, or even apologizing to someone you've hurt.
For Sunday, 18 December
Mary said, “Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord. May it be done to me according to your word”. (Luke 1.38)
Saying “yes” is never easy. Whether it is investing in a budding friendship, starting a new job, relocating to a new home, committing to having children or starting over after loss and death, saying “yes” always challenges: we’re being asked to take the road less traveled. Saying “yes” to God’s ways is even tougher: we do not know what God has planned. In today’s Gospel reading, Mary’s “yes” is not a surrender into uncertainty. Rather, she places herself in God’s hands by trusting in God’s promised goodness. She models for us a faith-filled response, one based on God’s faithfulness in her life. This assures her peace: God is in control.
What has God been inviting you to this Advent? How have you responded to this invitation? Is there something more you are being invited to?
Recall a time when you said “yes”, took the road less traveled and that has made all the difference. Savour the goodness of that experience as gift of God.
photo: nancysdailydish.blogspot.com
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