Mary did not have a complete picture of the mission she had undertaken. She was progressively growing into that realization. She marvels at what Simeon said about the child. She is almost taken by surprise. She was amazed before God’s works, as were the apostles and all the people.
Within the lovely Season of Christmas and around the Crib, we venerate the Holy Family. Bowing or kneeling before the Crib, we learn the lessons of genuine family life, the need of silence and of a dignified work. Above all, we learn the perennial lesson of love: we are loved and we love.
Family, memory, togetherness, introspection and communion with Jesus Christ, the Son of God made Man. Christmas means different things to different people, but to four local Catholics, family and faith are the real reasons one should celebrate. It is the moment to look within and improve ourselves, to open our heart to the mystery of the Nativity of Christ.
The ending of the Covid-free safety bubble might also be a signal that it’s time for a further “stepping out” in other aspects of our life too. True love always requires the risk of leaving a safety zone behind. It’s a bit scary, because it exposes our vulnerabilities.
Christmas is the name for every decision one makes to care for those whom one is not responsible for by ordinary human standards. Christ is born in the hearts of people of goodwill. Christmas happens in every act of goodwill, irrespective of the seasons. May you have Christmas in all seasons….
“Finally, let us meditate upon the Gospel, on the manger, on the love of Jesus, and of Mary, Joseph, the angels and the shepherds beside him, that is the joy of Christmas. In this Christmas and New Year, through the love and hope that the birth of our Lord Jesus Christ brings, we hope that the Diocese of Macau, together with Macau society, as well as our neighbors and the rest of the world, will recover economic prosperity, stability and happiness in people’s lives.”
The Senado Square will once again host, on Christmas Eve, a Christmas carol concert. Organized by the Diocesan Youth Commission, the carolling session aims to announce the good news of the birth of Christ and help spread what the true message of Christmas really is.
Mercy and charity are far greater attributes than others and must be nurtured to subdue innate human negativity and tendencies to be critical.
Christmas traditions are essential, especially when they act as a conduit to God. As Christians, we must always remember to make Jesus our focus and move away from the superficiality of the world.
The first commandment requires us to adore God alone. Thus, the Lord Jesus reminded the devil, “You shall worship the Lord your God and him only shall you serve” (Matthew 4:10). But there are times when we break the first commandment. When we fail to safeguard three virtues…