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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December 18 – Wednesday  Jeremiah 23:5-8; Psalm 72: 1, 12-13, 18-19; Matthew 1:18-25 I will hear what God proclaims: for God proclaims peace. A Native American Shenandoah proverb states, “It is no longer good enough to cry peace; we must act peace, live peace and live in peace.” Instead of giving John the Baptist a …

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December 17 – Tuesday Genesis 49: 2, 8-10; Psalm 72:3-4ab; 7-8; 17; Matthew 1:1-17 O Wisdom of our God Most High, guiding creation with power and love: come to teach us the path of knowledge! That’s the first of the “O” Antiphons. At daily Mass, you may hear it used as the Alleluia verse before the …

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December 16 – Monday Numbers 24:2-7, 15-17a; Psalm 25:4-5ab, 6, 7bc, 8-9; Matthew 21:23-27 At times God uses us to pass along our wisdom, faith and hope to others. Be it a kind word, expression of encouragement, writing of a note, uplifting in prayer. That impact can reach into eternity. We must be the light …

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December 15 – Sunday  Isaiah 35: 1-6a, 10; Psalm 146:6-7,8-9,9-10: James 5:7-10; Matthew 11:2-11 This is Gaudate Sunday and we begin to see our salvation drawing nearer. The sick are healed, the blind see, the lame walk, and the earth is refreshed and in bloom. We begin to celebrate, but James’ Letter cautions us a little bit. He …

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