1ST READING
The prophets tried to know where the Messiah would come from. It does not really matter what tribe Jesus was born into – the tribe of Benjamin and the House of David. What matters is He is born in our hearts and minds. What matters is that we embrace the Gospel with all our heart, mind and strength. What matters is that we follow where He leads. These things are within our own individual control – we get to choose whether we accept the gift of redemption or not.
Micah 5:1-4
1 Thus says the Lord: You, Bethlehem-Ephrathah too small to be among the clans of Judah, from you shall come forth for me one who is to be ruler in Israel; whose origin is from of old, from ancient times. 2 Therefore the Lord will give them up, until the time when she who is to give birth has borne, and the rest of his kindred shall return to the children of Israel. 3 He shall stand firm and shepherd his flock by the strength of the Lord, in the majestic name of the Lord, his God; and they shall remain, for now his greatness shall reach to the ends of the earth; 4 he shall be peace.
P S A L M
Psalm 80:2-3, 15-16, 18-19
R: Lord, make us turn to you; let us see your face and we shall be saved.
2 O shepherd of Israel, hearken, from your throne upon the cherubim, shine forth. 3 Rouse your power, and come to save us. (R) 15 Once again, O Lord of hosts, look down from heaven, and see; take care of this vine, 16 and protect what your right hand has planted the son of man whom you yourself made strong. (R) 18 May your help be with the man of your right hand, with the son of man whom you yourself made strong. 19 Then we will no more withdraw from you; give us new life, and we will call upon your name. (R)
2ND READING
It is the sacrifice of our self-will that is most pleasing to God. The Old Testament focused on the actual sacrifice of animals as burnt offerings to God that took away our sins. In the liturgy of the Church, we “sacramentalize” these offerings. What God really wants is the actual sacrifice they all signify— our surrender to His will out of love for and trust in Him. This is the best gift we can give God this Christmas.
Hebrews 10:5-10
5 Brothers and sisters: When Christ came into the world, he said: “Sacrifice and offering you did not desire, but a body you prepared for me; 6 in holocausts and sin offerings you took no delight. 7 Then I said, ‘As is written of me in the scroll, behold, I come to do your will, O God.’” 8 First he says, “Sacrifices and offerings, holocausts and sin offerings, you neither desired nor delighted in.” These are offered according to the law. 9 Then he says, “Behold, I come to do your will.” He takes away the first to establish the second. 10 By this “will,” we have been consecrated through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all.
GOSPEL
Spiritual men and women can recognize in the Holy Spirit their kindred spirits. Simply put, like attracts like, except of course in the case of magnets. We are dealing with holiness and righteousness. Where there is holiness, it will eventually flourish. Jesus tells us that where two or three gather in His name, He is there in their midst. Holiness works like this, too. Let us contribute to the growth of holiness in our families and communities.
GOSPEL ACCLAMATION
Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord. May it be done to me according to your word.
Luke 1:39-45
39 Mary set out and traveled to the hill country in haste to a town of Judah, 40 where she entered the house of Zechariah and greeted Elizabeth. 41 When Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting, the infant leaped in her womb, and Elizabeth, filled with the Holy Spirit, 42 cried out in a loud voice and said, “Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb. 43 And how does this happen to me, that the mother of my Lord should come to me? 44 For at the moment the sound of your greeting reached my ears, the infant in my womb leaped for joy. 45 Blessed are you who believed that what was spoken to you by the Lord would be fulfilled.”
Credits to: www.kerygmafamily.com
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