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.
There was a prophetess, Anna, the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher. She was advanced in years, having lived seven years with her husband after her marriage,
and then as a widow until she was eighty-four. She never left the temple, but worshiped night and day with fasting and prayer.
And coming forward at that very time, she gave thanks to God and spoke about the child to all who were awaiting the redemption of Jerusalem. (Lk 2:36-40)
https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/123021.cfm
Sometimes the Prophetess Anna (84 years young!) is forgotten in the Christmas Story, but what an important role our elders have to play in our lives. Our elders are able to see God’s promise fulfilled as they bless us with their wisdom and experience and share the story of their lives with us all. Today’s Christmas Carols are from some youngsters having fun making churros for Christmas.
“Lord, now let your servant go in peace; your word has been fulfilled:
my own eyes have seen the salvation which you prepared in the sight of every people,
a light to reveal you to the nations and the glory of your people Israel.” (Lk 2:22-35)
https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/122921.cfm
Today’s gospel canticle the Nunc Dimittis, along with the Benedictus and the Magnificat, form the hinges of the Liturgy of the Hours, the church’s daily prayer. The feast of the martyr, Saint Thomas Becket (d. 29 December 1170), reminds us that before “king and country” we must serve God first. Today’s Christmas Carol is Los Pañales (The Swaddling Clothes).
When Herod realized that he had been deceived by the magi, he became furious.
He ordered the massacre of all the boys in Bethlehem and its vicinity two years old and under,
in accordance with the time he had ascertained from the magi. (Mt 2:13-18)
https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/122821.cfm
If yesterday’s gospel of the Empty Tomb was a bit disconcerting here in the middle of Christmas, today’s feast of the Holy Innocents reminds us that not everyone was thrilled with the birth of the Christ Child. Some thought of his coming among us as a threat to the powers that be (the established order). And so, in hopes of killing him, Herod orders the massacre of the children. Today’s Christmas carol is Yo Soy Vicentico (I’m Little Vincent).
When Simon Peter arrived after him, he went into the tomb and saw the burial cloths there, and the cloth that had covered his head, not with the burial cloths but rolled up in a separate place. 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/122721.cfm
The Fourth Gospel, the one we call according to John, is anonymous. But the church has always wanted to attribute it to the apostle John. But there is an older tradition that says the “disciple whom Jesus loved” was Lazarus, whom Jesus raised from the dead. That would make sense of this passage when the “disciple whom Jesus loved” sees the cloth “that had covered his head, not with the burial cloths but rolled up in a separate place.” He sees and believes because from first hand experience he knows what has happened. Today’s Christmas carol is A Belén Pastores (To Bethlehem Shepherds).
He went down with them and came to Nazareth, and was obedient to them;
and his mother kept all these things in her heart.
And Jesus advanced in wisdom and age and favor before God and man. (Lk 2:41-52)
https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/122621.cfm
The feast of the Holy Family reminds us that even though our families may not be perfect like the Holy Family of Jesus, Mary and Joseph—our families are holy. In our families we first find God’s love. Today we have another wonderful Christmas carol from Colombia, thanks to the Pre-kindergarten kids: Mi Burrito Sabanero (My Burrito).
