December 23 – Monday Malachi 3:1-4, 23-24; Psalm 25:4-5ab; 8-10, 14: Luke1:57-66 Doubt! Silence! Singing God’s praise!  Zachariah’s story in a nutshell!  We can relate to his dilemma if we have ever failed to discern the movement of God’s grace in times of confusion (Luke 1; 12).  Zachariah hears remarkable good news yet doubts it—why? …

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December 22 – Sunday Isaiah 7:10-14; Psalm 24:1-2, 3-4, 5-6; Romans 1:1-7; Matthew 1:18-24 Think about the question in the Psalm: Who can ascend the holy mountain? Who is called to be holy? Isaiah presents a virgin who bears a son called Emanuel, God with us. Holy Mary is the virgin who opened herself to …

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December 21- Saturday Song of Songs 2:8-14; Psalm 33:2-3, 11-12, 20-21; Luke 1:39-45 GOD IS LOVE. The readings are overflowing evidence of Scripture telling us about the human dimension of God’s love. Read them. Slowly. In the Song of Songs, we are bombarded by the romantic, erotic love of the bridegroom as he comes:  “I hear my Beloved. See …

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December 20 – Friday Isaiah 7:10-14; Psalm 24: 1-2, 3-4ab, 5-6; Luke 1:26-38 “Your will be done.” Mary, what were you doing when the Angel Gabriel visited you?  Were you outside taking in the beauty of God’s creation or indoors cooking or cleaning? Were you surprised with the greeting ,”Rejoice O highly favored daughter” and …

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December 19 – Thursday Judges 13: 2-7, 24-25a; Psalm 71:3-4a, 5-6ab, 16-17; Luke 1:5-25 Most of us can’t imagine what a heavenly encounter would feel like. Angels don’t often drop in for an informal visit!  Encountering God is easy and sometimes harder than we think.  When we are attentive, we find God in everything and …

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