Message of Christmas Day - 2008
Published: Sat, 12/20/08
- resources for prayer and spiritual growth
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MESSAGE OF THE DAY
Great little One! whose all-embracing birth
Lifts Earth to Heaven, stoops Heaven to Earth.
~Richard Crashaw
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May the spirit of Christmas bring you peace,
The gladness of Christmas give you hope,
The warmth of Christmas grant you love.
~Author Unknown
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SCRIPTURE READINGS
http://www.nccbuscc.org/nab/
Is 9:1-6; Ps 96: 1-2, 2-3, 11-12, 13; Ti 2:11-14; Lk 2:1-14
R. (Lk 2:11) Today is born our Savior, Christ the Lord.
Sing to the LORD a new song;
sing to the LORD, all you lands.
Sing to the LORD; bless his name.
Announce his salvation, day after day.
Tell his glory among the nations;
among all peoples, his wondrous deeds.
Let the heavens be glad and the earth rejoice;
let the sea and what fills it resound;
let the plains be joyful and all that is in them!
Then shall all the trees of the forest exult.
They shall exult before the LORD, for he comes;
for he comes to rule the earth.
He shall rule the world with justice
and the peoples with his constancy.
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GOSPEL MEDITATION
- from "Daily Bread"
http://www.preacherexchange.com/daily_bread.htm
"His dominion is vast and forever peaceful."
The Prince of Peace is born to us! Yet our world is torn by wars,
great and small, each spreading terror, privation, hunger and
death, each an outrage to the God who is love. Every war between
nations begins with bitterness, jealousy, hatred and greed in the
hearts of individuals. What is it in my attitude toward the grace,
the talent, the material goods with which my life has been gifted
that predisposes me to be an agent of conflict, rather than peace
and love? Do I make peace and justice among people a priority and
convey this priority to my leaders? Come, Prince of Peace, reign in
our lives and lead us to ways of peace.
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PRAYING WITH SCRIPTURE (Carmelite Method)
A. Introduction: settling in, relaxing in awareness of God's
presence.
B. Reading the text slowly, prayerfully.
C. Meditation: imaginative representation of the material; reflection
on the meaning of the material and its application to one's life.
D. Affective prayer: conversation with God, attentive to sharing
feelings awakened in meditation. Prayer of petition, thanksgiving,
remorse.
E. Resting in God in silent loving awareness, if moved to do so.
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NOTES FROM A CLASSICAL WORK
- "Imitation of Christ," by Thomas A. Kempis
The Voice of Christ
If you knew how to annihilate yourself completely and empty
yourself
of all created love, then I should overflow in you with great
grace.
When you look to creatures, the sight of the Creator is taken from
you. Learn, therefore, to conquer yourself in all things for the
sake
of your Maker. Then will you be able to attain to divine
knowledge.
But anything, no matter how small, that is loved and regarded
inordinately keeps you back from the highest good and corrupts the
soul.
-------- Bk. 3, Chapter 42
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