These reflections are a result of more than 40 years of ministry as a Roman Catholic priest. Most of these years I spent in the Diocese of Charlotte which covers Western North Carolina. Now I am retired, and live in Medellín, Colombia where I continue to serve as a priest in the Archdiocese of Medellín.
Then the other disciple (whom Jesus loved) also went in, the one who had arrived at the tomb first, and he saw and believed. (Jn 20:1a, 2-8)
https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/122723.cfm
We celebrate today the Fourth Gospel, the one we call “according to John.” The church has always wanted to associate this anonymous gospel with the Apostle John, but the gospel itself doesn’t speak about John, rather the gospel focuses on the Beloved Disciple. As the final editor of the gospel says of the Beloved Disciple: “It is this disciple who testifies to these things and has written them, and we know that his testimony is true” (Jn 21:24).
Stephen, filled with the Holy Spirit, looked up intently to heaven and saw the glory of God and Jesus standing at the right hand of God, and he said, "Behold, I see the heavens opened and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God." (Acts 6:8-10; 7:54-59)
https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/122623.cfm
To say “yes” to the Prince of Peace, then, means saying “no” to war, to every war and to do so with courage, to the very mindset of war, an aimless voyage, a defeat without victors, an inexcusable folly. This is what war is: an aimless voyage, a defeat without victors, an inexcusable folly. To say “no” to war means saying “no” to weaponry. (“URBI ET ORBI" Message of Pope Francis, Christmas 2023). Today we celebrate the heavenly birthday of the first martyr for Christ, Saint Stephen.
He came to what was his own, but his own people did not accept him. But to those who did accept him he gave power to become children of God. (John 1:11-12)
https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/122523-Day.cfm
Beloved, let us give thanks to God the Father, through his Son, in the Holy Spirit, because in his great love for us he took pity on us, and when we were dead in our sins he brought us to life with Christ, so that in him we might be a new creation. Christian, remember your dignity, and now that you share in God’s own nature, do not return by sin to your former base condition. Bear in mind who is your head and of whose body you are a member. Do not forget that you have been rescued from the power of darkness and brought into the light of God’s kingdom. Through the sacrament of baptism you have become a temple of the Holy Spirit. (A Christmas Homily of Saint Leo the Great)
While they were there, the time came for her to have her child, and she gave birth to her firstborn son. She wrapped him in swaddling clothes and laid him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn. (Lk 2:1-14)
https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/122523-Night.cfm
The Son of God became the Son of Man so that all men and women could become the dear Children of God. Merry Christmas!
Thus says the Lord GOD: And suddenly there will come to the temple the LORD whom you seek. And the messenger of the covenant whom you desire. Yes, he is coming, says the LORD of hosts. (Mal 3:1-4, 23-24)
https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/122323.cfm
Our waiting is almost over. Tomorrow will be a busy day in every parish, in every home, Sunday AND Christmas Eve. May the Lord find us watching and waiting to receive Him with joy! O Emmanuel, our King and Giver of Law: come to save us, Lord our God!
