Christmas Reflections with Pope Benedict XVI
O Come Let Us Adore Him!
Turn you Advent Wreath into a Christmas Wreath. Each day during the Christmas season we light a
white candle and reflect on a short prayer to keep us focused on the cause of our joy, the Christ Child. On
the Advent wreath remove the candle and place a white candle in the center and light during your
prayer time.
Too often we come up to Christmas eve and Christmas day, with little or no time for formal prayer at all. Every
moment is filled with some preparation for having people over to our house or going to their homes. We are too
busy to enter into the meaning of this feast and ask for the graces we desire.
This year we celebrate Christmas for two full weeks as we enter the eight-day Octave of Christmas. We can
take joy in the story of the nativity and of our Savior's entrance into the world in the most humble of ways. We
can take time to read the Scriptures daily and to meditate on them.
The First week of Christmas
Saturday: Mary, the Mother of Jesus, knew herself to be loved. God's gaze fell upon her and new life flowed
through her being. She was indeed the highly favored one. The blessing that she received she passed on to
others by her loving gaze and gracious love. May the Lord look upon all of us with kindness and give us peace
as we enter the New Year with Mary as our model and guide.
Prayer: Lord Jesus, we honor your Mother who reflected so deeply on the favors your Father bestowed on her.
Like Mary, may we ponder your kindness; like Mary, may we live lives of obedience and self-giving. Grant us
the grace to experience your indwelling Spirit.
Sunday: The magi too were stewards of God's grace. As stewards, the magi brought their
gifts-gold,frankincense, and myrrh- and offered them to the Child born of Mary. Here is stewardship in action,
the receiving and sharing of gifts. God gave us the ultimate sacrifice of His Son.
Prayer: Lord Jesus, help us to see the revelation of God's love and mercy in Jesus. Intercede for us that we
might be fit instruments of God's grace. Too often our vision is dark and without hope. Pray that you might see
with the eyes of Christ.
A Blessed Christmas Season and a Happy and Holy New Year
This concludes the reflections for this year.
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