He Waits for Us
Nativity of the Lord - Christmas Mass at Dawn
Read this Gospel passage aloud to the family
Luke 2:15-20 - When the angels went away from them to heaven, the shepherds said to one another, "Let us go, then, to Bethlehem to see this thing that has taken place, which the Lord has made known to us." So they went in haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the infant lying in the manger. When they saw this, they made known the message that had been told them about this child. All who heard it were amazed by what had been told them by the shepherds. And Mary kept all these things, reflecting on them in her heart. Then the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen, just as it had been told to them.
(Parent) Reread this part a few times aloud
(It is simply too glorious. In addition to, or in place of the meditation below, it may be best to choose your own piece (or pieces) of this “good news of great joy” to meditate on or just to bask in. Take some extra time today to savor this Gospel passage.)
(Parent) Read this meditation aloud to the family
The shepherds are baffled, of course! In their utter amazement they are moved to go with haste to Bethlehem. And what else could they really do?! They have just heard (from a “multitude of the heavenly host,” no less!) of the single greatest event that has ever happened—ever. And the lives that they knew (of hum-drum hopes, of meaningless effort, of unfulfilled spirit…), these were forever transformed. They had to go. They had to go!
And the same is true for us. Today we hear about the birth of a Savior for us. It’s simply not enough just to hear about it. We have to go to it, to experience it, to make it our own. We have to go! This is what faith is really about. It’s about more than our teachings, our actions, our prayer. It’s about a Person, the Person of Jesus Christ. And today that Person comes to us, as a little, tiny Baby. Jesus Christ has come, and our empty lives are now filled with joy. Today (right now!) in the reflections of our heart, in the Mass, in our renewed commitment to set out on a whole new life…we have to go. We have to go…to Him. We have to experience Him. We have to make Him our own.
He waits—for us—this is why He has come!
As a family, pray a portion of the Rosary together (very short if children are young) reflecting on the Scripture passage above. (Optional: allow a brief time for discussion or questions from children concerning their thoughts and prayer.)
Reminder for Parents: Pier is just meant to be a jumping off point. The real goal is that you pray & eventually use the fruits of your personal prayer as the content of your family’s prayer. Duc in altum.
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