This Week at Home (Haga clic para esta semana en casa )
Welcome to the Feast of the Holy Family. With songs, time spent together, and the word of God, let us join in our homes to celebrate the birth of our savior, Jesus Christ! (Click here for a printable PDF)
Monday, December 27: St. John, Apostle and Evangelist
Today the Church celebrates the Feast of St. John, apostle, and evangelist. He and his brother were early disciples of Jesus and witnesses to the resurrection. He traveled to Ephesus, where he composed his Gospel and letters, and later wrote the Book of Revelation from the island of Patmos. It is traditional to bless wine and cider on the Feast of St. John.
SING A CHRISTMAS SONG TOGETHER
“O Come Little Children” is a song you might hear in church during the Advent season. Singing even the same simple song every day can create a lovely rhythm for the season.
O Come, Little Children Photos from Christmas Day 2019, 10 am Mass
1. O come, little children; come one and come all, O come to the manger in Bethlehem’s stall, And see what our Father in heaven above Has sent to us all on this earth with his love.
2. O see in the manger so meek and so mild, O see in the soft light the heavenly Child, In swaddling clothes folded, his beauty more sweet, Than angels, whose voices his lowly birth greet.
3. His bed, little children, a manger with hay; His Mother and Joseph in ecstasy pray, The shepherds in wonder their glad worship bring, While chorus of angels sweet Glories sing.
Text: 11 11 11 11; Johann C. von Schmid, 1768–1854; tr. by Melanie Schute, 1885–1922, alt. Music: Johann A. Schulz, 1749–1800. Recorded by: Kerey Quaid, Edited by: Emma Whitten Mission San Luis Rey Parish December 8, 2020 Permission to podcast/stream the music in this video obtained from ONE LICENSE License #A725901. All Rights Reserved.
Tuesday, December 28: The Holy Innocents
When Herod massacred all baby boys under two years of age, he sought to eliminate the threat the messiah posed to his power. His horrific, violent act epitomizes a truth we know even today: those who benefit most from the world’s brokenness and injustice will always oppose the transformation God has promised. The infant Jesus needed protection, protection God provided in the person of St. Joseph. The deaths of the children were profound violations of the law of God. God is the God of life. God raised the infants to be saints, that the profound injustice of their deaths might be transformed: from death to life, that is the way of our God.
Wednesday, December 29: Simeon: Waiting in Hope
God had promised Simeon that he would not see death until he had seen the salvation of Israel. The child Jesus, not yet six weeks old, is brought to the temple to be dedicated to the Lord. What must it have been like for him to feel the fulfillment of the promise? What desires of your heart are you awaiting God to fulfill?
Thursday, December 30: Anna the Prophetess
Anna the prophetess “spoke about the child to all who were awaiting the redemption of Israel.” The hope that she has held onto has been realized before her eyes, and she cannot keep it to herself. She goes out into the world to be the bringer of the Good News, to bring hope. When we celebrate Christmas, we are making present the incarnation through which God continues to bring about a renewed world. Christians are to testify about our hope, just as Anna did. How can you share your hope today?
Click for Today’s Readings
Friday, December 31: Word Made Flesh
The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us.” The evangelist John tells us the cosmic significance of the birth of Jesus. Because John uses the language of philosophy and poetry, it can be hard to grasp what he means. But because he uses these elevated ways of speaking, it is possible to approach the inexplicable mystery that is contained in the incarnation.
Read today’s Gospel. What word or phrase sticks out to you most? Copy it and meditate on it as you pray this week.
Click for Today’s Readings
Saturday, January 1: Mary, the Holy Mother of God
“Mary kept all these things, reflecting on them in her heart.” Mary’s central place in this great mystery of God dwelling among us led her to a place of contemplation. Though she was the one chosen to bring Jesus into the world, she did not have all the answers. Praying the Rosary, we have the opportunity to contemplate like Mary, deepening our reflection while our words proclaim the memorized prayers.
Pray the Rosary today and ask Mary to help you to hold all these things in your heart.
Christmas Songs Online
Here is a playlist of music that is focused on Christmas songs often sung at mass. Consider more meditative instrumental music for the playlist as well. Listening to this music in the car or while making dinner can balance the excitement and bustle of December. Let us be present this week to the reality of Jesus with us, our Emmanuel.
© 2021 USCCB, additional text by Liturgy Training Publications. 800-933-1800 and Kathryn Ball-Boruff. Permission to publish was granted by the Archdiocese of Chicago on February 9, 2021.
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