Tomorrow we celebrate, but today we wait in anticipation for the birth of the Lord. The whole world waits, anticipating the One Whose coming marks the turn from death to life, from sadness to joy, and from separation to a return to the union with God for which we were created.
One of my favorite readings from the Office of Readings in the Liturgy of the Hours lands during the octave before Christmas – it is from a homily in praise of the virgin mother by Saint Bernard, assigned to the December 20th office. May you find it an equally inspiring reflection during these final hours of Advent:
You have heard, O Virgin, that you will conceive and bear a son; you have heard that it will not be by man but by the Holy Spirit. The angel awaits an answer; it is time for him to return to God who sent him. We too are waiting, O Lady, for your word of compassion; the sentence of condemnation weighs heavily upon us.
The price of our salvation is offered to you. We shall be set free at once if you consent. In the eternal Word of God we all came to be, and behold, we die. In your brief response we are to be remade in order to be recalled to life.
Tearful Adam with his sorrowing family begs this of you, O loving Virgin, in their exile from Paradise. Abraham begs it, David begs it. All the other holy patriarchs, your ancestors, ask it of you, as they dwell in the country of the shadow of death. This is what the whole earth waits for, prostrate at your feet. It is right in doing so, for on your word depends comfort for the wretched, ransom for the captive, freedom for the condemned, indeed, salvation for all the sons of Adam, the whole of your race.
Answer quickly, O Virgin. Reply in haste to the angel, or rather through the angel to the Lord. Answer with a word, receive the Word of God. Speak your own word, conceive the divine Word. Breathe a passing word, embrace the eternal Word.
Why do you delay, why are you afraid? Believe, give praise, and receive. Let humility be bold, let modesty be confident. This is no time for virginal simplicity to forget prudence. In this matter alone, O prudent Virgin, do not fear to be presumptuous. Though modest silence is pleasing, dutiful speech is now more necessary. Open your heart to faith, O blessed Virgin, your lips to praise, your womb to the Creator. See, the desired of all nations is at your door, knocking to enter. If he should pass by because of your delay, in sorrow you would begin to seek him afresh, the One whom your soul loves. Arise, hasten, open. Arise in faith, hasten in devotion, open in praise and thanksgiving. Behold the handmaid of the Lord, she says, be it done to me according to your word.
Saints & celebrations
- December 21 – Saint Peter Canisius – Learn more about his from the Southn Nebrask Register website (the official publication of the Catholic Diocese of Lincoln).
- December 22 – Saint Francesca Saverio Cabrini – Read more about Mother Cabrini at the Vatican News website.
- December 23 – Saint John of Kanty – Read about him at Franciscan Media.
- December 24 – Saint Irma – Read about her at the EWTN website.
- December 25 – Christmas day – Merry Christmas!
- December 26 – Saint Stephen – Read more about Saint Stephen at the Vatican News website.
- December 27 – Saint John the Apostle – Read more about Saint John at the Vatican News website.
This week’s “Why Do Catholics Do That?” pastor’s insert (from the December 21, 2025 bulletins)
Priests celebrating their anniversaries this week
- Rev. Paul A. Magnano (December 21, 1967)
- Rev. Justin D. McCreedy, O.S.B. (December 26, 1970)
- Rev. Hendry Arokiasamy, H.G.N. (December 27, 2006)
- Rev. Anthony Alles (December 27, 2014)
- Rev. Raphael Ambadan (December 27, 1987)
Remembering our deceased priests
- Fr. James Lee (December 22, 2024)
- Msgr. Thomas Quain (December 22, 1959)
- Bp. Edward J. O’Dea (December 25, 1932)
- Fr. Gerald Baltrusch (December 26, 1939)
- Fr. Oliver Duggan (December 26, 2024)
- Bp. Aegidius Junger (December 26, 1895)
- Fr. Brian J. McGovern (December 27, 2013)
0 Comments