Archives for 2017

December 25: Christ is born

Traditional Ornament: Manger Scene

Reading: Luke 2: 6-21

“For today in the city of David a Savior has been born for you who is Messiah and Lord.” (Luke 2:11)

The waiting is over. Christ is born!

And suddenly there was a multitude of the heavenly host with the angel, praising God and saying: “Glory to God in the highest and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.” (Luke 2: 13-14)

God’s love for us is constant, even when we disobey and turn away from Him. On Christmas Day we celebrate God’s faithfulness when our loving Father’s promise to send a Redeemer is fulfilled through the birth of His only begotten Son.

© 2017 Catechist’s Aide

December 24: Journey to Bethlehem

Traditional Ornament: Donkey, Sandals

Reading: Luke 2: 1-5

“In those days a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that the whole world should be enrolled.” (Luke 2:1)

Luke’s gospel is the only place that we find the details of Jesus’ birth. At the end of her pregnancy, Mary and Joseph are called to travel to Bethlehem to be enrolled in a census. The journey takes place because of a political decree, but make no mistake this is God’s plan in action.

The theme of the journey is significant. Joseph and Mary journey to Bethlehem where their baby will be born. The shepherds in the fields journey in haste to the stable after a visitation from a host of angels. In Matthew’s gospel, we read that the magi journey, following a star, that led them to the Christ child, whom they honor. And, on this Christmas Eve, we come to the end of our Advent journey.

All of these journeys lead to the same place – the coming of Jesus Christ into the world and into our lives. But the journey does not end there. When we meet Jesus, our Savior, He takes us on another journey back to the Father.

© 2017 Catechist’s Aide

December 23: Joseph

Traditional Ornament: Carpenter’s Tools

Reading: Matthew 1: 18-25

“When Joseph awoke, he did as the angel of the Lord had commanded him and took his wife into his home.” (Matthew 1:24)

In Matthew’s gospel, he begins by recording the genealogy of Jesus through his adoptive father, Joseph, tracing his roots back through the house of David to Abraham. Matthew also tells us that Mary was betrothed to Joseph. In the Old Testament, this meant something more than a modern-day engagement. Betrothal was basically the first stage of marriage. A couple who were betrothed had been legally married in front of witnesses, however, the bride would have continued to live in the home of her parents. After a year, the wedding was officially celebrated in the tradition referred to in the Parable of the Ten Virgins, where the groom ceremonially goes to the home of his bride’s parents and bring his wife back to his home where they would live together as husband and wife.

Since they were already legally married, Joseph had decided to quietly divorce Mary when he learned of her pregnancy. Otherwise, there would be no need for a divorce. But, Joseph had a dream that changed everything. An angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and told him, “Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary your wife into your home. For it is through the holy Spirit that this child has been conceived in her. She will bear a son and you are to name him Jesus.” (Matthew 1: 20-21)

The Bible contains no direct spoken word of Joseph, but his actions speak volumes. Upon waking from the dream, he did not hesitate. He dutifully obeyed and he continued to obey God’s commands throughout Jesus’ life. Like Mary his bride, Joseph let his faith and trust in God guide his actions.

© 2017 Catechist’s Aide

December 22: Mary

Traditional Ornament: Rose or Lily

Reading: Luke 1: 26-55

“Behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you shall name him Jesus” (Luke 1:31)

Today’s reading begins with the angel Gabriel’s announcement to Mary that she is to be the mother of the Son of God. Each year on March 25^th we celebrate this day with the Solemnity of the Annunciation which marks the moment of Jesus’ conception and incarnation (the Word made flesh). The importance of the Annunciation cannot be overstated. Jesus became human not on the day of his birth, but at the moment of his conception in his mother’s womb. Jesus had the full human experience, including that of an unborn child.

We sometimes refer to Mary as the “New Eve” because of her humble “Yes” to God. In the garden, Eve had appropriated for herself that which was God’s to give. At the Annunciation, Mary was the willing recipient of what God wanted to give to her, and through her to all the world. Mary’s response was not that of a pre-programmed robot, she had the freedom to say “No” to God, just as Eve had. God does not force His will on us, and Mary’s Immaculate Conception did not preclude her own free will.

At the Annunciation, the salvation of all humanity rested on Mary’s response, just as it had with Eve in the garden. This Advent, as we hopefully wait for the coming of the Savior, we also recognize that it could not happen without the free and humble “Yes” of Mary.

© 2017 Catechist’s Aide

December 21: John the Baptist

Traditional Ornament: Clam Shell

Reading: Matthew 3

“I am baptizing you with water, for repentance, but the one who is coming after me is mightier than I.” (Matthew 3:11)

When John the Baptist appeared on the scene, there had not been a prophet among the Israelites for hundreds of years. It may be hard for us to understand the importance of having a prophet in our midst if we think of them as nothing more than fortunetellers or seers. For the ancient Israelites however, a prophet meant much more. The role of the prophet was fundamental to their relationship with God. It was the prophet who called the people of Israel to repentance when they had fallen away. It was also the prophet who strengthened the Israelites and called them into a closer union with the Lord.

It’s no surprise then when we read that “at that time Jerusalem, all Judea, and the whole region around the Jordan were going out to him and were being baptized by him in the Jordan River as they acknowledged their sins.” (Matthew 3: 5) And what John the Baptist said to those who came out to see him was that the time of the Messiah was finally at hand. John prepared the people of Israel for the coming of Christ through a baptism of repentance. We are called to prepare, in this same way, for the coming of Christ this Advent and when He comes again.

© 2017 Catechist’s Aide

December 20: Zechariah & Elizabeth

Traditional Ornament: Angel

Reading: Luke 1: 5-25

“Do not be afraid Zechariah, because your prayer has been heard.” (Luke 1:13)

Today’s reading begins the Infancy Narrative in Luke’s gospel, with the announcement of the birth of John the Baptist. Zechariah was a holy man – a priest, and his wife Elizabeth was a cousin of Mary, the Blessed Mother, and both were “righteous in the eyes of God.” (Luke 1:6) The angel Gabriel appears to Zechariah and tells him that he and his wife Elizabeth will bear a son, John. The angel tells Zechariah that his son “will be great in the sight of the Lord. He will drink neither wine nor strong drink. 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. He will go before him in the spirit and power of Elijah to … prepare a people fit for the Lord.” (Luke 1:15-17)

As a priest, Zechariah understands what this means. His son is to be consecrated to the Lord’s service and will proclaim the coming of the Messiah. As a priest, he also understands the power of God to work miracles in peoples’ lives, and this would be a miraculous birth since he and Elizabeth were old and had been childless for many years. As a priest, he knew well the story of Abraham and Sarah. Despite that, as the angel tells him that his prayer for a child has been answered, he responds with doubt. With that Gabriel tells Zechariah that he will be speechless and will remain mute until the child is born.

We don’t know the reason behind Zechariah’s doubt. We do know that no one is immune to it. So, what can we do then, when we are faced with our own doubt? I think the answer may be in Zechariah’s story. He was stricken mute until the time that God fulfilled his promise of the birth of a son for the barren couple. Zechariah’s inability to converse gave him time to work through his doubt – to reflect and to pray and restore his trust in God. This should be our response to doubt as well, and through doubt, we can come to an even deeper faith.

© 2017 Catechist’s Aide