The Fifth Day in the Octave of Christmas

And after the days of her purification, according to the law of Moses, were accomplished, they carried him to Jerusalem, to present him to the Lord: As it is written in the law of the Lord: Every male opening the womb shall be called holy to the Lord: And to offer a sacrifice, according as it is written in the law of the Lord, a pair of turtledoves, or two young pigeons: And behold there was a man in Jerusalem named Simeon, and this man was just and devout, waiting for the consolation of Israel; and the Holy Ghost was in him. And he had received an answer from the Holy Ghost, that he should not see death, before he had seen the Christ of the Lord. And he came by the Spirit into the temple. And when his parents brought in the child Jesus, to do for him according to the custom of the law, He also took him into his arms, and blessed God, and said: Now thou dost dismiss thy servant, O Lord, according to thy word in peace; Because my eyes have seen thy salvation, Which thou hast prepared before the face of all peoples: A light to the revelation of the Gentiles, and the glory of thy people Israel. And his father and mother were wondering at those things which were spoken concerning him. And Simeon blessed them, and said to Mary his mother: Behold this child is set for the fall, and for the resurrection of many in Israel, and for a sign which shall be contradicted; And thy own soul a sword shall pierce, that, out of many hearts, thoughts may be revealed.
Luke 2:22-35 (Douay-Rheims Bible)

Prayer Reflection

Dear Father your servant Simeon spoke some powerful words through the Holy Spirit concerning your Jesus. There has been much that has touched me in these readings and none are more clear than the last words spoken by this man. "Behold this child is set for the fall, and for the resurrection of many in Israel, and for a sign which shall be contradicted; and thy own soul a sword shall pierce, that, out of many hearts, thoughts may be revealed." 34-35 We often don't think too much on this but guaranteed our thoughts are revealed. Just as the you know our thoughts dear Father, so also does your Son. We tend to forget this in our everyday lives. And our thoughts can often pierce the heart of our dear Mother and wound her tender mercy for us when we fail to love you first in our heart. Our deepest and darkest thoughts often come to light when we open our hearts to reveal the truth that lies deep within. May we come to reconcile what we have buried deep in the heart of our Mother, the sword that pierces her heart, that of our sins. Amen

The Dream of a Lifetime

Now the generation of Christ was in this wise. When as his mother Mary was espoused to Joseph, before they came together, she was found with child, of the Holy Ghost. Whereupon Joseph her husband, being a just man, and not willing publicly to expose her, was minded to put her away privately. But while he thought on these things, behold the angel of the Lord appeared to him in his sleep, saying: Joseph, son of David, fear not to take unto thee Mary thy wife, for that which is conceived in her, is of the Holy Ghost. And she shall bring forth a son: and thou shalt call his name JESUS. For he shall save his people from their sins. Now all this was done that it might be fulfilled which the Lord spoke by the prophet, saying: Behold a virgin shall be with child, and bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us. And Joseph rising up from sleep, did as the angel of the Lord had commanded him, and took unto him his wife.
Matthew 1:18-24 (Douay-Rheims Bible)

Prayer Reflection

Dear Father for Joseph his dream was a reality to do your will, that of taking Mary as his wife after she was with child. Most importantly, your child. His ego was left behind and in it's place love became his purpose. What is it about dreams that in our day we always push them aside. Not once realizing that we can be touched by you in them as was Joseph. He didn't discount it to "just a dream," he did what was revealed to him in it. It makes us wonder about our own at times, if in the trials of our lives we are given simple answers to the questions that are buried deep in our thoughts. Except in our day we look to something else entirely when we dream, not really seeing what we need to know. Joseph had the faith of a lifetime he kept God close to his heart, that's why he was chosen to be the spouse of the virgin Mary who was with child. Their union was of the heart to be a model for the family who come after them. Let our family life imitate the blessing of the Holy Couple.

The Dream

Now the generation of Christ was in this wise. When as his mother Mary was espoused to Joseph, before they came together, she was found with child, of the Holy Ghost. Whereupon Joseph her husband, being a just man, and not willing publicly to expose her, was minded to put her away privately. But while he thought on these things, behold the angel of the Lord appeared to him in his sleep, saying: Joseph, son of David, fear not to take unto thee Mary thy wife, for that which is conceived in her, is of the Holy Ghost. And she shall bring forth a son: and thou shalt call his name JESUS. For he shall save his people from their sins. Now all this was done that it might be fulfilled which the Lord spoke by the prophet, saying: Behold a virgin shall be with child, and bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us. And Joseph rising up from sleep, did as the angel of the Lord had commanded him, and took unto him his wife. And he knew her not till she brought forth her firstborn son: and he called his name JESUS.
Matthew 1:18-25 (Douay-Rheims Bible)

Prayer Reflection

Dear Father you work in wonderful and mysterious ways. You gave Joseph to Mary to be her human spouse and to be the human dad to Jesus. You let him know of your desire through a dream of revelation for the coming birth of your Son. A great task was given this humble man. Dear Father we often don't see very well your grace in our own lives, but you have given us two special people that guide us on our journey to you. Through them we come to believe in the divine nature of how you brought forth your Son. May we come to truly understand this blessing you bestowed on us. Amen

Monday of the Third Week of Advent

Advent Prayer

Father, all-powerful God, your eternal Word took flesh on our earth when the Virgin Mary placed her life at the service of your plan. Lift our minds in watchful hope to heart the voice which announces his glory and open our minds to receive the Spirit who prepares us for his coming. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen.


She will bear a son and you are to name him Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins. All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had said through the prophet.
Matthew 1:21-22

Reflection:
And to think Joseph almost let Mary go all because God, through the Holy Spirit, gave her a child to be our savior.

The prophets foretold Jesus' coming long ago. He came, and we have witnessed his saving grace since then. Jesus delivers us from our sins, he restores our faith and brings love to our hearts. This little child of love that the Holy Spirit gave to Mary to entrust within her womb for us has taught us the value of life.

Her womb is sacred for she held within, a life that would save the world from itself. Many mothers today who have born a child know how precious this little life is. How for nine months it was nurtured within a body of love. For Mary to receive this special gift of love from God is an act of love on her part for accepting God's love in a way many of us would destroy a life.

Jesus will born because Mary loved him from conception. This special gift should remind us of how we sin when we destroy a life within, that was put there by the grace of God for us to nurture.

Jesus' coming birth is a reminder that he comes to save. Think about his birth and the grace God gave Mary. What about many out there who did not choose to be pregnant, but are. They are special for the life within them, don't destroy your soul by killing a life that is filled with love from God.