Christmas Gospel Readings: Luke 2.1-14; Holy Family Readings: 1 Samuel 1.20-22,24-28; 1 John 3.1-2,21-24; Luke 2.41-52
“Mary gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped him in swaddling clothes and laid him in a manger because there was no room for them in the in.”
(Luke 2.7)
The child who is God’s joy for the world is born among the poor to include the poor in God’s good news. Christmas opens doors and widens tables in the spirit of making room for the Christ child for whom there was no room in the inn.
Fittingly the Church celebrates the Feast of the Holy Family on the Sunday after Christmas. Already in the gospel for that day Jesus is a tween, a 12 year old who goes his own way instead of journeying home from Passover with his parents. When Mary questions why he didn’t tell them where he was, Jesus expects they should have known he’d be about his Father’s business.
Mary gives us a model of a reflective disciple. She is amazed at Jesus’ insight and wisdom; baffled by why he left their company; reproachful about the hurt and fear she experienced; and finally, willing to keep reflecting on what happened.
With what young people have you talked about how you live and practice your faith?
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