Ps 72:1-2, 3-4ab, 7-8, 17
O God, with your judgment endow the king, and with your justice, the king's son; He shall govern your people with justice and your afflicted ones with judgment. The mountains shall yield peace for the people, and the hills justice. He shall defend the afflicted among the people, save the children of the poor. Justice shall flower in his days, and profound peace, till the moon be no more. May he rule from sea to sea, and from the River to the ends of the earth. May his name be blessed forever; as long as the sun his name shall remain. In him shall all the tribes of the earth be blessed; all the nations shall proclaim his happiness.
REFLECTION: "May his name be blessed forever"
Christmas is only a few days away and we are starting to see the signs everywhere of this approaching date.
But, in our society, what are these signs?
All the stores are swamped. People almost running over each other in the parking lot. Grocery stores stacked with rich foods and customers running into each other with overfilled grocery carts. Crazy drivers worried about things they have to accomplish to have the perfect holiday, not paying proper attention to traffic.
And silently, Mary and Joseph travel the road to Bethlehem. They travel with other pilgrims in preparation for the birth of our King.
In less than a week will I be trying to make the best dinner party ever and give the flashiest presents so people can see how perfectly polished I am?
Or will I be ready to celebrate our King's birthday, and honor Him as He deserves?
Am I just wasting time trying to impress my peers?
Las Posadas is a celebration that takes place each of the 9 days prior to Christmas. People get together at the end of the day to re-enact Joseph and Mary's pilgrimage. To spiritually join them on their travels. A prayer such as the Holy Rosary is recited, a small meditation read, and some songs shared. And a little snack before going back home.
Another way to prepare ourselves to the birth of our King is to join us in praying St. Alphonsus Christmas Novena. This can be found under the "Devotions" headline in our website, or simply clicking HERE
Is hard to put "things to do" aside, and truly prepare for Christmas. But if we spend a few minutes a day, especially within the last week of Advent to prepare for His birth, we might really be able to honor Him.
If we accompany His parents on their journey, in return, they will accompany us. And at the end of this trip, Jesus will really be born in our hearts.
