Gospel Reflections for December 8 2019
Don’t miss Christmas!
You might think that’s impossible. The signs of Christmas are all around us, in stores, malls, billboards, and countless TV commercials letting us know where the best deals are.
There is no chance anyone will miss that Christmas day is coming!
But what about that first Christmas? People had been waiting for centuries for Our Lord to arrive and their biggest fear was that might miss it! How would they know for sure that Jesus had come?
The First Reading today gives a series of remarkable signs that would be unmistakable proof that God had fulfilled His promise to send His Son to us. When you see a lion lay down peacefully with a lamb, or a wolf walk calmly with a calf, look around …because these affirm that Jesus is here!
These animals are natural enemies and never would be together without violence. Clearly, only Our Lord could make this peaceful event happen.
Of course, the ancient readers understood these images figuratively, and knew they were actually about them. When people who have been enemies are finally at peace, it can only be because they have the spirit of the Lord within them. Our Lord is “born” in their heart.
Maybe you find this a stressful time filled with shopping, entertaining, and decorating. Without thinking you could inadvertently lose sight of the reason for the season which is the peaceful presence of Our Lord in your life. You might tragically miss the real Christmas!
Thank God for the Season of Advent, which is like an island of tranquility each year to remind you to slow down and reflect on how you are leading your life, how you are doing with God, and perhaps with which enemy you can find peace.
There is a year-round way you can connect with our faith every day and that is to tune in to Relevant Radio, a Catholic radio talk show on station KHJ, AM 930 in the Los Angeles area. Relevant Radio also has stations throughout the United States, click here to find your local station. You can also listen online at relevantradio.com. I am honored to lead the rosary on this station, Monday through Friday evenings at 5pm, where we also take calls, at 888 949 9419, from around the country with prayer requests for loved ones in need or other special intentions.
The Season of Advent, and Relevant Radio can make sure you do not miss the real Christmas event, the coming of the saving power of Christ deep within in your life.
God Bless!
Fr. Dave
Our precious Faith is amazing and sooooooooooooooooooo beautiful!!!Imagine 2000 years of giving love, celebrating our Savior and living His LOVE!!! We must make Christmas live every day in our lives!! Live Jesus’ love every day!! What a precious beautiful world we would have!!! Loveeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee it!! Live Jesus!!! Live Love!!!
Loveeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee, Franca and Dick
Merry Christmas
May every person allow God’s grace to reside in their hearts, and let the Lord be born there as we experience this Advent season. As a convert, learning so much via 930 AM radio station and now serving my parish in unimagined ways, I pray Christ shines out through us for all to see the “island of tranquility” Fr. Dave so eloquently articulated. Pax Christi.
Many thanks for your beautiful words!
During this busy time of buying gifts and preparing for Christmas it would be good
to spare a moment to thank the Lord for His many gifts, especially the gift
of Himself in the manger.
With hope and longing we await His coming into our hearts and having
His Presence with us on the journey.
Well said!
Don’t forget to mention you can download the Relevant Radio App! It is a great way to grow in our Faith. I have learned so much from listening to the different shows. As well as seen so many little miracle occur from our daily prayer of the Rosary. I thank God for this ministry. Several times during the day I try to sit quiet and just remind myself that I am surrounded by Angels and Saints together with my Lord and mother Mary and I feel such amazing Peace. I highly recommend it! Happy Advent!!