Reading 1
Nm 6:22-27
The LORD said to Moses:
“Speak to Aaron and his sons and tell them:
This is how you shall bless the Israelites.
Say to them:
The LORD bless you and keep you!
The LORD let his face shine upon
you, and be gracious to you!
The LORD look upon you kindly and
give you peace!
So shall they invoke my name upon the Israelites, and I will bless them.”
Reading II
Gal 4:4-7
Brothers and sisters:
When the fullness of time had come, God sent his Son,
born of a woman, born under the law,
to ransom those under the law,
so that we might receive adoption as sons.
As proof that you are sons,
God sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts,
crying out, “Abba, Father!”
So you are no longer a slave but a son,
and if a son then also an heir, through God.
Gospel
Lk 2:16-21
The shepherds went in haste to Bethlehem 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.
When eight days were completed for his circumcision,
he was named Jesus, the name given him by the angel
before he was conceived in the womb.
Meditation: 1 John 2:18-21
Children, it is the last hour. (1 John 2:18)
Do these words make you feel a little uneasy? We just celebrated the coming of Jesus at Christmas a week ago, and now we are being reminded that this is not the end of the story. Rather, it’s just the beginning. From the time of Jesus’ birth to today and beyond, we are all heading toward the end of time, when Jesus will come again in glory. Does that thought fill you with fear and trembling? Or hope and expectation?
The truth is, our reactions are probably a bit of both. But whenever we are fearful, it’s probably because we’ve lost sight of the truth we celebrated at Christmas: The light has come into the world, and the darkness cannot overcome it.
We don’t know what the coming year will hold. We may very well face economic difficulties, trouble in our marriage or with our children, illness, or death. But whatever the future holds, darkness will never overcome the light of Christ!
As we look forward toward a new year, let’s fix our eyes on this truth. It’s like riding a bicycle. If you look at your front wheel, you’ll probably veer off the road and fall. But if you lift your head and fix your eyes on your destination, you’ll get there much more smoothly.
So aim high as you approach 2010! Christ is with you, and his promises can bring you hope. You can walk confidently through any type of turmoil because you belong to him. His Spirit dwells in you, so keep your head high. Jesus has overcome the darkness and has raised you above even your own anxieties and fears.
Get goint! Walk on in faith, looking toward Jesus enthroned in heaven. He is patiently unfolding his perfect plan. Who knows what this year will hold? Who knows what blessings God will pour out on you, what opportunities you will have to proclaim his glory, what ways even your challenges might bring others into his kingdom! There is a lot that we don’t know. But we do know that Jesus the Lord reigns over the coming year!
“Jesus, I lift my eyes to you! You are my end goal, and with you is where I want to be! I will look ahead with hope. Come, Lord Jesus!”
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