It is a gentle joy that is reborn in our hearts every year at Christmas. Even in the days beforehand, we begin to savor that true peace which the Child Jesus came to bring to the world. It is the right opportunity to open our eyes even more to the reality around us and recognize the real needs of those around us. Perhaps we can devote an extra hour to listening to what one of our brothers or sisters carries in their heart. It is a time to share joy and sorrow. Simple, concrete gestures that will truly make next Christmas «the feast of tenderness».
Let us live each day of this week to the fullest!
MONDAY, DECEMBER 13
Saint Lucy
Devotion to Saint Lucy is widespread throughout the world; her existence is certain, while the story of her martyrdom is legendary. She was born in Syracuse in 286, during the period of Diocletian's persecutions against Christians, and from childhood she consecrated her virginity to the Lord. Promised in marriage to a pagan, Lucy told her mother of her firm decision to consecrate herself to Christ. Her future husband, suspicious and concerned when he saw his bride sell all her property to distribute it to the poor, reported her as a Christian after confirming Lucy's refusal. She was arrested and put on trial. Threatened with being handed over to prostitutes, Lucy replied: «The body is contaminated only if the soul consents». The proconsul then ordered that the woman be forced away, but she became so heavy that dozens of men were unable to move her. Lucy emerged unharmed from every torment; even her eyes were torn out (which is why she is invoked in cases of eye diseases), until she was made to kneel and beheaded. It was December 13, 304.
To learn more:
• On Your Word - (Missal November-December 2021)
• With living water - (Daily Liturgy of the Hours November-December 2021)
THURSDAY, DECEMBER 16
Beginning of the Christmas novena
The “feast of tenderness,” Holy Christmas, is almost here! Let us try to take a step forward each day, so that we may live ever more intimately with Jesus and grow in love for our brothers and sisters. Small gestures, remembering them in prayer, perhaps offering some suffering for someone. Let us recenter our lives on Jesus. Let us also be helped by the words of Pope Francis: “A son has been given to us. Anyone who has a small child knows how much love and patience are needed. We must feed the child, care for it, clean it, and look after its fragility and needs, which are often difficult to understand. A child makes us feel loved, but also teaches us to love. God was born as a child to urge us to care for others. His tender, disarming cry makes us understand how useless so many of our whims are; and we have many! His defenseless and disarming love reminds us that the time we have is not meant for feeling sorry for ourselves, but for comforting the tears of those who suffer. God takes up residence near us, poor and needy, to tell us that by serving the poor we will love Him. […] As a poet wrote, “God’s residence is next to mine. The furnishings are love” (E. Dickinson, Poems, XVII).”
To learn more:
• Novena to Christmas
• Novenas to the Immaculate Conception and Holy Christmas
• Pray, pray, pray
FRIDAY, DECEMBER 17
Beginning of the novena to the Holy Family
We prepare with a novena for the feast of the Holy Family of Nazareth, which falls on the first Sunday after Christmas. The three members are extraordinary and unique figures: Jesus, Mary, and Joseph, yet they share the characteristics and face the challenges of every human being. The family should be a privileged place for human growth and dialogue with the Lord. In the house of Nazareth, Jesus grew “in wisdom, age, and grace before God and men” (Lk 2:52). Benedict XVI emphasized: “The Holy Family is certainly unique and unrepeatable, but at the same time it is a ‘model of life’ for every family, because Jesus, true man, wanted to be born into a human family, and in doing so he blessed and consecrated it.”
To learn more:
• The Holy Family of Jesus
“The beauty of Christmas shines through in sharing small acts of concrete love. It is not alienating, superficial, or evasive; on the contrary, it expands the heart and opens it to selfless giving” (Pope Francis). Let us open our hearts and live this special time to the full!
Have a good journey!
