Sunday within the Octave of Christmas

Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly,
as in all wisdom you teach and admonish one another,
singing psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs
with gratitude in your hearts to God.
Colossians 3:16

Reflection:
There is something extremely beautiful about letting the word of Christ dwell within. His word comes alive in our hearts. We begin to live richly a life meant to be lived, one united with Jesus.
Where we teach and admonish each other how to love God.

It is not just that, it is with a soul filled with gratitude that enables us to sing joyfully from our hearts. The love for the word of God brings to us a new way of life that is filled with so much joy and happiness.

Many have gratitude for what is given to them in their life. We are often grateful for our health, for our families, for the children God gives us. We are grateful for the jobs that provide support for us to feed and clothe our families. We are grateful for what we make in order to supply us with the comfort we have in our homes. There is so much gratitude out there, but are we thankful for the songs given to us to sing praise to God and all that he provides us.

Do we show him our gratitude on a daily basis, and thank him for letting us wake up each day enabling us to do what we need to do in order to be grateful for the family we do have.

Do we take time to listen to hymns sung beautifully that speak wonderfully of God's love for us.
There is much truth in letting the word of Christ dwelling richly within, it enables us to live grateful lives, to honor God, to sing his praises. After all he loves us more than we know.

Fourth Sunday of Advent

Advent Prayer

Lord God, may we, your people, who look forward to the birthday of Christ experience the joy of salvation and celbrate that feast with love and thanksgiving. We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

Blessed are you who believed that what was spoken to you by the Lord would be fulfilled.
Luke 1:45

Reflection:
How truly blessed Mary is, because she is the first to have believed in what was spoken to her by the Lord. That is why she is spotless and filled with such love for God and her Son.

Do we have this type of faith to believe in what God tells us in his Holy Word made flesh. In this I say Jesus for he was made flesh for us to know God. He was born of a virgin who was chosen to fulfill God's plan and will for her.

What do we do in our day to listen to God's word and to keep Jesus alive in our hearts. Do we attend Mass where he is alive waiting for us to see him with eyes of faith. Can we imitate Mary in this regard, she was the first after all to hold within her womb the Word made flesh.