Reflection for Saturday, December 25, 2021: Christmas, The Nativity of the Lord.
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Brock, Mary
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2021-12-25
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en_US
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|I proclaim to you good news of great joy: today a Savior is born for us, Christ the Lord.|During the weeks of Advent we have been quieting ourselves and preparing for this Christmas day of great joy as we celebrate the birth of Jesus. We remember the humble birth of Jesus in a Bethlehem manger and can feel hopeful anticipation of the promise of the return of Jesus. Whenever we profess the Apostle or Nicene Creeds we proclaim Jesus will come again to judge the living and the dead, and our Christmas celebration can reignite our belief.|When I pray about the Christmas story I usually focus on Mary as I relate to her experience from my vocation as a mother. Mary must have felt a range of emotions including profound love for the new baby, excitement, confusion, joy, exhaustion, fear, wonder, and the uncertainty of the future. |However, this year I am drawn to the shepherds in the Christmas story. These steadfast workers stayed with their flock night and day always watching for danger as they searched for sources of food and water. Threats such as wild animals were ever present. The tricky aspect of threats is the constant potential of the danger and toll that anticipation takes. Today we are living in times with many threats to our wellbeing and identity. While we most probably are not grappling with an imminent attack of a wild animal, we face threats such as those from the Covid-19 virus variants, extreme weather conditions, financial insecurity, personal safety and civil unrest.|As the shepherds were always aware of threats, it is understandable when the angel appeared to the shepherds their first response was fear. Yet the angel reassured them by saying:
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University Ministry, Creighton University.
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These reflections may not be sold or used commercially without permission. Personal or parish use is permitted.
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Lectionary Number: 13 (vigil)
Lectionary Number:
Lectionary Number: 14 (midnight)
Lectionary Number: 15 (dawn)
Lectionary Number:
Lectionary Number: 14 (midnight)
Lectionary Number: 15 (dawn)