Weekly Meditation December 21, 2009

Here we are in the fourth week of Advent and only days away from this year's celebration
of Christmas, the birth of Jesus, the Christ Child, our Savior. These days keep most of us
"on the go." But Advent and Christmas times also move us to personal reflections and memories, to intimate family joys and gratitude -- a time of "gift giving" and "gift receiving." We all enjoy receiving gifts but at a mature and deeper level we cherish the experience of giving gifts. We all need to receive love but we also very much need to have and show love for others.

God so loves us as to give us his best gift, his only Son, born of the Virgin Mary. Mary and Joseph raised that Son who has shown us by his life and teachings how to give love to God the Father and to others.

"A new commandment I give you, that you love one another as I have loved you."

May this Christmas celebration bring us closer to Christ to whom we have committed our lives and love.

Lord, our God, with the birth of your Son, your glory breaks on the world. Through the night hours of the darkened earth, we your people watch for the coming of your promised Son. As we wait, give us a foretaste of the joy that you will grant us when the fullness of his glory has filled the earth, who lives and reigns with you for ever and ever.

Opening Prayer Mass at Midnight

MERRY CHRISTMAS AND LOADS OF BLESSINGS