Emmanuel-God with us
Christmas Day, the Eighth Day of the Octave of Christmas
The last time we looked at the Genealogy of Jesus Christ there were a total of 42 generations between Abraham and Jesus himself. It would take humanity that long to see the Word made flesh by some simple, humble shepherds, a handful of animals and several Wise Men from the East. They were the first to meet the Messiah in their lifetime; to see the first promise.
All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had said through the prophet:
Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and they shall name him Emmanuel,
which means “God is with us.” (Mt 1:22-23 NAB)
And God was with us.
Today is a day of celebration. A day to remember why Jesus was born. Let us enjoy him.
He came as Salvation, the light in the darkness, the Truth, the Way and Life.
Let us continue to be still and take in the much-needed reason of this Christmas Season.
Remember, continue to prepare for his second promise…He is Coming.
Thank you for taking this journey with me. Merry Christmas and God bless you and your family.
Note: Christmas Weekdays Jan 2–Jan 7, 2023 followed by Jan 8, 2023: The Epiphany of the Lord and Jan 9, 2023: The Baptism of the Lord. Thereafter, January 10 begins the first week in Ordinary Time.
On the Seventh Day in the Octave of Christmas
I’m sure you have heard the phrase, “Jesus is the reason for the season,” but what constitutes a season?
One example, seasons of time, Spring, Summer, Autumn and Winter.
Another, the periods of our lives: Spring-years as children and adolescents; Summer-adulthood; Autumn-life filled with wisdom and Winter-rest and final rest.
Today’s Gospel by John, chapter 1, versus 1-18 encapsulates a season in the life of Christ. Scripture tells us,
“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things came to be through him, and without him nothing came to be. (John 1 1-3 NAB)
What came to be through him was life, and this Life was the light for the human race. Scripture tell us, “the light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.” (Jn 1:5 NAB)
Before we knew, Jesus was. When he came innocent and pure, he was the Hope we needed. If he had not, salvation was not at hand for you and me. Jesus was the initial reason for that season of time for humanity. We needed Jesus to be born. And he will come again.
Mankind was given prophets such as John the Baptist to help prepare us for Jesus’ arrival. The Bible tells us, “The true light, which enlightens everyone, was coming into the world.” (John 1:9 NAB)
Scripture tells us, “He was in the beginning with God. All things came to be through him, and without him nothing came to be.” (Jn 1:2 NAB)
Again, John reiterates and now, “He was in the world, and the world came to be through him, but the world did not know him.” (Jn 1:10 NAB)
An amazing revelation.
Yet when he arrived, many rebuked him but those who believed became children of God, born of God. Jesus’ birth, glorified, a life filled with grace and truth, John the Baptist reiterates someone so important was coming after him. He was just letting us know, “hey, get ready people” and keenly says, “because he existed before me.” (john 1:15 NAB)
And because of Jesus, we too received grace in place of grace. “From his fullness we have all received, grace in place of grace,” (John 1:16 NAB)
We have just begun to unravel the reason for the season of Christmas. What a journey we have said yes to…
Thank you and God bless you. Merry Christmas.
On the Sixth Day in the Octave of Christmas
Merry Christmas
Yes, we continue to extend a very Merry Christmas to you and your family today, the sixth day of the Octave of Christmas. It is a time of celebrating Jesus in our hearts; of feasting on all the tasty holiday treats and enjoying our Christmas decorations as well. There is no fasting during this time. In fact, it is prohibited.
The church wants us to take these eight days to understand the mystery of Christmas. To absorb the miracle of the incarnation of the birth of Jesus Christ.
God became man.
Christ born among us.
For you and me to share in a relationship with him.
This brings us to the Feast of the Holy Family of Jesus, Mary and Joseph.
Jesus, born of a woman, Mary who with her husband shared their beloved child Jesus. They became a family. Jesus brought honor and respect to his parents
From the beginning, God created man and woman to have a relationship of love with him. Father and children. They were one. He wanted them to build a relationship with each other for love; have children; be a family.
God set the family structure of father, mother and children. The Patriarchal and his tender motherly partner, both in a relationship reflecting God’s love. Unfortunately, many families find themselves today in broken relationships with each other. Much despair, homelessness, loss of love for each other and God. We must go back to the fundamentals of family relationships. We must bring back honor, respect and love to our fathers and mothers. God’s fourth law tells us:
HONOUR THY FATHER AND THY MOTHER.
COMMANDS: love; respect; obedience on the part of children; care on the part of parents for the spiritual and temporal welfare of their children; obedience to civil and religious superiors.
FORBIDS: hatred of parents and superiors; disrespect; disobedience. https://www.ewtn.com/catholicism/library/ten-commandments-10336
God bless you and your families. May the Child Jesus grant you the graces needed for you and your families blessing you with honor and respect.
On the Fifth Day in the Octave of Christmas
Short Prayer
This Christmas season Jesus,
Help me to walk in humility today
I praise you for your goodness
I glorify you for a just heart and
I bless you for your mercy.
You are light and in you no darkness resides.
And your Precious Blood cleanses me from all sin.
Guadalupe Irma © 2022
A Christmas Prayer
My Beloved Jesus,
This Christmas Season your light shined over all the world
You brought Truth, and Life many will not welcome
Countless followers will tread your Way to seek the brightness of your love
Yet numerous souls walk in hypocrisy of their faith in efforts to declare you.
Jesus, many challenges await you, even as a baby
Teach our hearts this season patience, humility and love for all
Unravel the knots of falseness so love may enter
Baptize us in you Truth for your birth will give us more…
Salvation from sin.
Guadalupe Irma © 2022 (Ref. 1 Jn 2:3-11 NAB)
Christmas is a journey. Live a moral life of holiness and selflessness; be in union with Christ. Live the foundations of our faith and create a beautiful relationship with our Lord. Be a light to the world.
Merry Christmas
On the Fourth Day in the Octave of Christmas
Feast of the Holy Innocents, Martyrs
At this point the Magi had come to see the new King, bring their gifts, and left. Hearing that Herod needed them to reveal Jesus’ location, they chose a different route home.
We also understand the angel of God instructed Joseph to take his family to Egypt that very night. Joseph understood his son’s life was in danger and his obedience to God was evident. (Mt 2:13-18 NAB)
Alongside the celebration of the birth of the Messiah, the Gospel of Matthew brings to light Herod’s jealousy and anger. He ordered the horrific massacre of young male children two years old and under. O how the wailing of one mother’s cry of grief is painful, but a multitude of mothers sobbing loud?
These were the holy innocents martyred for Christ’s sake. Their blood spilled for Jesus. And keeping the Messiah safe was critical for the fulfillment of the prophecy-humanity’s salvation.
We live in a time where human tragedy continues in plain sight. Many innocent lives are sacrificed through abortion. Reasons kept hidden, where is the wailing for them? These blameless lives cut short before a first breath drawn continues even through the Christmas season. They too are innocents for Jesus. Pray those horrific acts are reversed before they begin.
Yes, what Herod did was a human tragedy-driven by evil. These innocents are considered the first martyrs for Jesus Christ, and he redeemed their suffering. They share in the celebration of glory in heaven baptized in their blood.
God bringing justice gives us Hope especially to someone who has lost a child. So…although horrifying, keep in mind this a feast of victory not of tragedy. They received the crown of eternal glory, eternal rest.
God bless you all and Merry Christmas.
On the Third Day in the Octave of Christmas
Faith, Hope & Love
Today’s Gospel Reading tells us of Mary Magdalene seeing the tomb where Jesus was laid, empty. She runs to let the apostles know he is missing.
Upon her return to his grave, Jesus appears to her; reveals who he is and instructs her to carry a huge message to Simon Peter and the others.
She is to let them know she has seen Him. He has returned.
Think about it, Jesus chose Mary Magdalene, a lowly woman, a sinner whom he cast out of her seven demons. Who then surrendered to his ministry because of a strong Faith. A principle human being to deliver the greatest news ever. He entrusted her to proclaim the key of salvation history, his return.
Now go back in time…An angel entrusted nearby shepherds with news that was essential to mankind…Hope. Shepherds, lowly and humble. The first to hear and chosen to publicize the birth of the Messiah. The Word made flesh in the form of an innocent baby. A newborn vulnerable to those who wanted him dead even before he was born.
As we reflect on this Christmas season, we understand more why Jesus’ birth was important and critical to humanity. He came to save us from our iniquities because of his Love for us.
Throughout history God has used the lowliest of mankind to announce his arrival, His truth. We are those lowly servants, chosen to proclaim his coming and prepare for his final coming, the second Advent.
So many people in our society hurt: the outcast, the hungry, the poor, the homeless, the sick, the dying, and the forgotten. Yet, they are the ones God will use for conversions in need of his Truth, his Way, and Life.
He is entrusting us with his Christmas message. He is coming to fulfil his second promise. He will come in Glory. This is the season our works of mercy begin bringing Hope, Faith and Love to our brethren.
Merry Christmas.
On the Second Day in the Octave of Christmas
There is curiosity on why today’s first Reading speaks of Martyrdom on the second day of Christmas. It recounts the persecution of the Apostle Stephen, stoned to death who spoke of the glory of God. He was the first of Jesus’ followers who gave his life for him.
Two revelations from Stephen proclaimed prior to his death.
Scripture tells us, “Behold, I see the heavens opened and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God.” (Acts 7:56 NAB)
Throughout human history many Christ-followers died for our Lord, even today. St. Stephen gave his life for Jesus and was saved by the divine Son of God. All so relative when you think about it.
Emmanuel – God with us came to save us. Vulnerable as a child; Jesus as God-Man was prepared to undertake mankind’s challenges, our sinfulness with love and humility. Jesus is with us as we live our faith. He walked the sands and soil of this earth and gave his life for us.
Now, are you willing to give your life for Christ? Walk his talk? Are you waiting in anticipation for his Second Coming this second day of Christmas? The second Advent?
The first promise has been fulfilled. Don’t stop. Continue to prepare for the fulfillment of the second promise.
Note: This is a good time to return to read your Bible. The first section consists of 46 books in the Old Testament and the second section consists of 27 books in the New Testament. All relative of the history of mankind and their relationship with God.
God bless you all as we continue to say, “Merry Christmas.”
On the First Day in the Octave of Christmas
Scripture tells us, “And the Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us, and we saw his glory, the glory as of the Father’s only Son, full of grace and truth. (John 1:14 NAB)
Jesus Christ, Emmanuel—God with us.