AcademyofNotreDamedeNamur
Advent
TheAdventSeasonisuponus.Ourhopeis that,aswejourneythroughAdvent,this bookletcanserveasaguideforyouandyour familyaswejointogetherinprayerasa NotreDamecommunitythisChristmas. Thisinspirationalbooklet,designedby RachelSwan'23,containsprayers,readings fromscripture,journalquestions,and reflectionsfromNDcommunitymembers designedtoengageyouinamomentof reflectionforeachdayofAdvent.Useit individuallyorasafamilytogrowcloserto Christasweawaithiscomingduringthis liturgicalseason.
SUNDAY NOVEMBER27 OhLordonhigh, Howlongmustyourpeoplecry? Chainedbysinandshame, Withnoonebutourselvestoblame. Wanderinginendlessnight, Norest,nopeace,onlyafight, Againstenemieswecansee, Andonesfromwhomwe'llneverbefree. Bittersighswithsorrowfulwails, Butweknowyourfaithfulnessprevails. WhereisourSavior,ourMessiah? WhowasprophesiedbyIsaiahandJeremiah? Whowillbringusoutofoppression Andliftusinascension? Howlong,OGod,mustwewait, Inourpitifulandsufferingstate? -UpperSchoolStudent
SUNDAY NOVEMBER27 HowdoyouhopetheAdventSeason willrenewyourfaith?
Avoicecriesout: “Inthewildernesspreparethewayof theLord, makestraightinthedeserta highwayforourGod. Everyvalleyshallbeliftedup, andeverymountainandhillbe madelow; theunevengroundshallbecomelevel, andtheroughplacesaplain. ThenthegloryoftheLordshallbe revealed, andallpeopleshallseeittogether, forthemouthoftheLordhas spoken.” Isaiah40:3-5
MONDAY NOVEMBER28
TUESDAY
NOVEMBER29
ReflectionbyaUpperSchoolStudent
Whetheryouareafirmbelieverinwaitinguntilafter ThanksgivingtobegintheChristmasfestivitiesoryou alreadyhaveallofyourChristmasstuffexplodingallover yourhouse,mostpeoplecanagreeononething:Christmas isoneofthebesttimesoftheyear,especiallyatNotreDame. Christmasisamilliondifferentthings it’sscreamingMariah CareyChristmassongsasshecomesoutofhibernation.It’s makingChristmascookieswithyourlovedonesand, dependingonyourfamily,burningthemalltocrisps.Butto me,Christmasisallaboutfamily.Andwiththat,Christmasis aboutmyNotreDamesisterhood.Thereisthisfascinating holidaymagicandhopethatI’veseeneveryyearheresince 6thgrade.OnceDecember1sthits,weallturnupour kindnessmetersbyatleast30percent.AdventAngelsisjust aroundthecorner,andmostpeoplearebuzzingwith excitementforwhotheywillget.Doorsarealwaysheldopen, themostatrociousChristmassweatersinexistencebeginto surface,alongwiththeobligatorySantasuitfromsomeone andthereisalwaysasparkleofjoyinsomeone'seyes.This, howeverstrangeitmaysound,iswhenIseeJesusenter NotreDame.WearewaitingforJesusandcelebratinghis birthduringtheAdventseason,butbydoingso,wehaveall managedtoembodyhimwhenwearewitheachother.We begintoloveothersmorebecausewehavelearnedtolove theworldaroundus.Soaswetransitionintotheholiday seasonandoutofit,remembernotonlytolookforJesusin others,buttoembodyhimandhismessageofloveand devotionbylearningtorecognizeallthegoodthatsurrounds ourcommunitynotjustatChristmas,butthroughoutthe year.
WEDNESDAY NOVEMBER30 IwaitfortheLord,mysoulwaits, andinhiswordIhope; mysoulwaitsfortheLord morethanthosewhowatchfor themorning, morethanthosewhowatchfor themorning. OIsrael,hopeintheLord! ForwiththeLordthereissteadfastlove, andwithhimisgreatpowertoredeem. ItishewhowillredeemIsrael fromallitsiniquities. Psalm130:58
THURSDAY DECEMBER1 LordJesus, Masterofboththelightandthe darkness,sendyourHolySpiritupon ourpreparationsforChristmas.We whohavesomuchtodoandseek quietspacestohearyourvoiceeach day,wewhoareanxiousovermany things,lookforwardtoyourcoming amongus.Wewhoareblessedinso manywayslongforthecompletejoy ofyourkingdom.Wewhosehearts areheavyseekthejoyofyour presence. Weareyourpeople,walkingin darkness,yetseekingthelight. Toyouwesay,“Come,LordJesus!” Amen. -HenriNouwen DutchbornCatholicpriest,professor, psychologistandprolificwriter
THURSDAY DECEMBER1 Whatareyouhopefulfor? Howhasyourfaithshapedyourhope?
FRIDAY
DECEMBER2
InthesixthmonththeangelGabrielwassentbyGod toatowninGalileecalledNazareth,toavirgin engagedtoamanwhosenamewasJoseph,ofthe houseofDavid.Thevirgin’snamewasMary.Andhe cametoherandsaid,“Greetings,favoredone!The Lordiswithyou.”Butshewasmuchperplexedbyhis wordsandponderedwhatsortofgreetingthismight be.Theangelsaidtoher,“Donotbeafraid,Mary,for youhavefoundfavorwithGod.Andnow,youwill conceiveinyourwombandbearason,andyouwill namehimJesus.Hewillbegreat,andwillbecalled theSonoftheMostHigh,andtheLordGodwillgiveto himthethroneofhisancestorDavid.Hewillreignover thehouseofJacobforever,andofhiskingdomthere willbenoend.”Marysaidtotheangel,“Howcanthis be,sinceIamavirgin?”Theangelsaidtoher,“The HolySpiritwillcomeuponyou,andthepowerofthe MostHighwillovershadowyou;thereforethechildto bebornwillbeholy;hewillbecalledSonofGod.And now,yourrelativeElizabethinheroldagehasalso conceivedason;andthisisthesixthmonthforher whowassaidtobebarren.Fornothingwillbe impossiblewithGod.”ThenMarysaid,“HereamI,the servantoftheLord;letitbewithmeaccordingtoyour word.”Thentheangeldepartedfromher. Luke1:2638
SATURDAY DECEMBER3
ReflectionbyaUpperSchoolStudent DuringtheseasonofAdvent,asweprepare forthebirthofJesusChristoursavior,we mustalsorememberhowHecametobein thisworld.AdventisatimeinwhichI rememberJesus'mother,Mary,whowasa braveandselflesswoman.Itwasabeautiful miracletoconceiveJesusandhaveavirgin birth.WhentheangelGabrielapproached Mary,hetoldherthatGodhadchosenherto bethemotherofhisson,Marywasshocked, butshehadtrustintheLordandsaid“Here amI,theservantoftheLord;letitbewithme accordingtoyourword.”Maryhadnodoubts. IwanttolivemylifelikeMary.Iwanttobe braveandhavefaithinGod.Therearetimes whenIamscaredandIdonotknowwhatto do.DuringtheAdventseason,Iamreminded tobebravelikeMarybecauseGodiswithme.
SUNDAY DECEMBER4 Godofpowerandmercy openourheartsinwelcome. Removethethingsthat hinderusfromreceiving Christwithjoysothatwe maysharehiswisdomand becomeonewithhimwhen hecomesinglory,forhelives andreignswithyouandthe HolySpirit,oneGod,forever andever. Amen.
SUNDAY DECEMBER4 Whathindersyoufromreceiving Christ?HowdoyoushareChrist’s wisdomwithothers?
MONDAY DECEMBER5 Inthatregiontherewereshepherdsliving inthefields,keepingwatchovertheirflock bynight.ThenanangeloftheLordstood beforethem,andthegloryoftheLord shonearoundthem,andtheywereterrified. Buttheangelsaidtothem,“Donotbe afraid;forsee—Iambringingyougood newsofgreatjoyforallthepeople:toyouis bornthisdayinthecityofDavidaSavior, whoistheMessiah,theLord.Thiswillbea signforyou:youwillfindachildwrappedin bandsofclothandlyinginamanger.”And suddenlytherewaswiththeangela multitudeoftheheavenlyhost,praising Godandsaying, “GlorytoGodinthehighestheaven, andonearthpeaceamongthosewhom hefavors!” Luke2:8-14
ReflectionbyaUpperSchoolStudent
SaintNicholasDayisaCatholicholidaycelebratedon December6,throughouttheglobe.St.Nicholasisthe patronsaintofchildrenandismostknownforhis traditionofdroppingsmallgiftsinchildren’sshoeson December6.Itispopularlyknownthatonlygood childrenaregivenpresentswhilethebadonesare givencoal.Growingup,Ialwaysputmyshoesoutfor St.Nicholas,hopinghewouldfillthemwithsmall treatsandgifts.Ivividlyrememberputtingmyshoes outbeforeIwenttobedonDecember5,andwaking upthenextmorningtothenewlypopularrollonlip gloss.Somethingsolittlecreatedsomuchjoy.Inthe followingyears,thisinspiredmetobeonmybest behaviorduringthedaysandweeksleadinguptothe night,especially,becauseIshareabirthdaywiththe feastdayofSt.Nicholas.Sharingabirthdaywiththis traditiononlymadethedaymorespecial.Iconsider SaintNicholasDayoneofthemostprominentdays duringAdvent,asitgiveshopeandexcitementfor thefollowingweeksofDecember.Iknowitiseasyto getdistractedbythewhirlwindofexcitingChristmas traditions,butIthinkSaintNicholasDayisan importantreminderthatAdventisatimeofgiving, celebration,andhope.
TUESDAY DECEMBER6
DECEMBER7 AndMarysaid, “MysoulmagnifiestheLord, andmyspiritrejoicesinGodmySavior, forhehaslookedwithfavoronthelowlinessofhis servant.
Surely,fromnowonallgenerationswillcallme blessed; fortheMightyOnehasdonegreatthingsforme, andholyishisname. Hismercyisforthosewhofearhim fromgenerationtogeneration. Hehasshownstrengthwithhisarm; hehasscatteredtheproudinthethoughtsof theirhearts. Hehasbroughtdownthepowerfulfromtheir thrones, andliftedupthelowly; hehasfilledthehungrywithgoodthings, andsenttherichawayempty. HehashelpedhisservantIsrael, inremembranceofhismercy, accordingtothepromisehemadetoour ancestors, toAbrahamandtohisdescendantsforever.” Luke1:4655
WEDNESDAY
THURSDAY DECEMBER8 IMMACULATECONCEPTION God,youwhodispelalldarkness,cometo bewithus,ineachoneofoursituations, cometoliveamongus,livewithusandin us,cometofillthedistancesthatdivideus andseparateus,cometoreconcileuswith youandwithoneanother. Godoflight,openourheartstothemystery ofyourloveandtheinvitationofyour grace.Letourcomplacencygivewayto conversionandourjudgmentsto compassionateacceptanceofothers. Turnoppressionintojusticeandtransform conflicttopeace. WeaskthisinthenameofJesus,who drawsnear. Amen.
THURSDAY DECEMBER8 IMMACULATECONCEPTION HowdoyoufindpeaceinGod? Howdoyoufindpeaceinyourself?
FRIDAY DECEMBER9 AndtheWordbecamefleshandlived amongus,andwehaveseenhisglory,the gloryasofafather’sonlyson,fullofgrace andtruth.(Johntestifiedtohimandcried out,“ThiswasheofwhomIsaid,‘Hewho comesaftermeranksaheadofme becausehewasbeforeme.’”)Fromhis fullnesswehaveallreceived,graceupon grace.Thelawindeedwasgiventhrough Moses;graceandtruthcamethrough JesusChrist.NoonehaseverseenGod.It isGodtheonlySon,whoisclosetothe Father’sheart,whohasmadehimknown. John1:14-18
SATURDAY DECEMBER10 ReflectionbyDr.O'Brien Adventalwaysbringsmyheartandmindto ponderbeginnings thebirthofmy children,adoptingbothofthemandseeing theireyessparkleeachtimetheylearned somethingnew.Beginningsarewithout questionpowerfulmomentstoponder.They remindusofourrootsandthethingsthat havehelpedtodeveloptheverycoreofwho weareashumanbeings. Inthispondering,Iamoftenbroughtback toJesus’humblebeginnings.IwonderifSt. Joseph,theFosterFatherofJesus,pondered similarmiracleslikeIdoaboutmynow teenagers.Onlyafewpeoplereallyknew Jesusashegrewupbutwithhislifeof givingandhistotalsacrificedidhisbirth,his beginningbecomeaprofoundmoment. Afterhissacrificeforhumanity,people scrambledtoknowthestoryofhislife-his Mother,Mary,andhisFather,Joseph. Continuedonpg.22
SATURDAY DECEMBER10
AsIponderthebeginningsthatAdvent bringstomind,Iultimatelyfindmyself feelingadeepsenseofgratitudenotonly forallofthebeginningsthatarepartofthe fabricofmylifebutalsoforthepeoplewho gaveofthemselvessothatIcould experiencemomentsofgrowth. ThisAdventIpauseingratitudeforthe birth-momsofmychildrenwhochoseme tobe“Mom”fortheirchildren.Iamgrateful fortheamazingjourneythathasbrought ustowherewearetoday.ThisAdventIam gratefulforthehumblestartofthelifeof Jesusbecausehisexampleofsacrifice bringsmeaningtoeverybeginning.
ReflectionbyDr.O'Brien,continued
LordGod,maywe, yourpeople,wholook forwardtothebirthdayof Christ,experiencethejoyof salvationandcelebratethat feastwithloveand thanksgiving. WeaskthisthroughChrist ourLord. Amen.
SUNDAY
DECEMBER11
SUNDAY DECEMBER11 Whatbringsyoujoyduringthe AdventSeason?
Thisisthemessagewehaveheardfrom himandproclaimtoyou,thatGodis lightandinhimthereisnodarknessat all.Ifwesaythatwehavefellowshipwith himwhilewearewalkingindarkness, welieanddonotdowhatistrue;butif wewalkinthelightashehimselfisin thelight,wehavefellowshipwithone another,andthebloodofJesushisSon cleansesusfromallsin.Ifwesaythatwe havenosin,wedeceiveourselves,and thetruthisnotinus.Ifweconfessour sins,hewhoisfaithfulandjustwill forgiveusoursinsandcleanseusfrom allunrighteousness. 1John1:59
MONDAY DECEMBER12
TUESDAY DECEMBER13
reflectonourselves,deepenourfriendshipwith
ReflectionbyaMiddleSchoolStudent Adventisatimeofanticipationandwaitingfor Jesustocomeintotheworldtosaveusallfrom sin.WhilewaitingforJesus’lighttoilluminate theworld,itprovidesustheopportunityto
Him,andmore.Duringthistime,Iespecially feelJesuscomingintomylife. First,Jesuscomesintomylifethroughfamily. EveryChristmasmyfamilyandIcometogether tosharelove,happiness,andtheanticipationof Jesuscomingintotheworld.DuringChristmas, wealwayssharelotsoflaughsatthedinner table,exchangesentimentalgifts,andlistento Christmasmusic.Second,duringChristmas time,Jesusalsoentersintotheworldthrough otherpeople.DuringAdvent,peoplearevery jollyandjoyful,andIthinkthat’sbecauseHeis comingintotheworldandmakinghistriumph througheveryone.Adventisatimewherewe hopeandweanticipateforJesus’coming.
WEDNESDAY DECEMBER14 Bepatient,therefore,beloved,untilthe comingoftheLord.Thefarmerwaitsforthe preciouscropfromtheearth,beingpatient withituntilitreceivestheearlyandthelate rains.Youalsomustbepatient.Strengthen yourhearts,forthecomingoftheLordis near.Beloved,donotgrumbleagainstone another,sothatyoumaynotbejudged.See, theJudgeisstandingatthedoors!Asan exampleofsufferingandpatience,beloved, taketheprophetswhospokeinthenameof theLord.Indeedwecallblessedthosewho showedendurance.Youhaveheardofthe enduranceofJob,andyouhaveseenthe purposeoftheLord,howtheLordis compassionateandmerciful. Aboveall,mybeloved,donotswear,either byheavenorbyearthorbyanyotheroath, butletyour“Yes”beyesandyour“No”be no,sothatyoumaynotfallunder condemnation. James5:712
THURSDAY DECEMBER15 Emmanuel, Ourworldwaitsindarknesslonging foryourlight.Inthemidstofdarkness, enkindleourhope.Aswelongfor lastingpeace,bewithus,aswelong forcuresandhealings,bewithus. Aswelongforloveandcommunity,be withus. Fulfillthedeepestlongingsofyour peopleanddispelthedarknessinour heartsandinourworld.LetyourWord ignitethehopetheworldneedsto bringtolifeyourlove. Amen. -Sr.KatherineFeely,SND
THURSDAY DECEMBER15 HowdoyoushowGod’slove? HowdoyoufeelGod’slove?
SeewhatlovetheFatherhasgiven us,thatweshouldbecalled childrenofGod;andthatiswhat weare.Thereasontheworlddoes notknowusisthatitdidnotknow him.Beloved,weareGod’schildren now;whatwewillbehasnotyet beenrevealed.Whatwedoknowis this:whenheisrevealed,wewillbe likehim,forwewillseehimasheis. Andallwhohavethishopeinhim purifythemselves,justasheispure. 1John3:1-3
FRIDAY DECEMBER16
ReflectionbyMs.Tully
SATURDAY DECEMBER17
candlesandsinging"OCome,OCome,
RememberingthatJesuswasbothfully humanandfullydivinebringsmegreat peace.WhileIlightthecandlesonmyAdvent
candles,too.HeusedthesamesensesthatI havetoexperiencetheworld,andit'sa remindertousemysensestolookforhis presenceintheworldtoday.
IlookforwardtoAdventeveryyear.Ithinkit mighthavesomethingtodowithmylovefor
Emmanuel,"butasI'vegrownup,I'verealized thatitalsohassomethingtodowiththe mysteryoftheIncarnation. ItisamazingtomethatGodcameamongus inaliving,breathingbody,justlikemine,and onChristmas,thatiswhatwearecelebrating! Sometimes,itcanfeelhardtorelatetoJesus' life,anditcanfeelevenmorechallengingto liveuptotheexamplehesetforus.
wreath,ItrytorememberthatJesuslit
SUNDAY DECEMBER18 Father,all-powerfulGod, youreternalWordtookfleshon ourearthwhentheVirginMary placedherlifeattheserviceof yourplan. Liftourmindsinwatchfulhopeto hearthevoicewhichannounces hisgloryandopenourmindsto receivetheSpiritwhopreparesus forhiscoming. WeaskthisthroughChrist ourLord. Amen.
SUNDAY DECEMBER18 Howcanyouopenyourmind,heart, andsoultoreceivetheHolySpirit? HowhastheAdventseasonrenewed yourfaith?
NowthebirthofJesustheMessiahtookplacein thisway.WhenhismotherMaryhadbeenengaged toJoseph,butbeforetheylivedtogether,shewas foundtobewithchildfromtheHolySpirit.Her husbandJoseph,beingarighteousmanand unwillingtoexposehertopublicdisgrace,planned todismissherquietly.Butjustwhenhehad resolvedtodothis,anangeloftheLordappeared tohiminadreamandsaid,“Joseph,sonofDavid, donotbeafraidtotakeMaryasyourwife,forthe childconceivedinherisfromtheHolySpirit.She willbearason,andyouaretonamehimJesus,for hewillsavehispeoplefromtheirsins.”Allthistook placetofulfillwhathadbeenspokenbytheLord throughtheprophet:
MONDAY DECEMBER19
“Look,thevirginshallconceiveandbearason, andtheyshallnamehimEmmanuel,” whichmeans,“Godiswithus.”WhenJosephawoke fromsleep,hedidastheangeloftheLord commandedhim;hetookherashiswife,buthad nomaritalrelationswithheruntilshehadbornea son;andhenamedhimJesus. Matthew1:1825
TUESDAY DECEMBER20 ReflectionbyDr.Hotchkiss Waiting... Waitingistheactofknowingwhatiscomingand needingtobepatient. Waitingisknowingthatfallisintheairandtheleaves willbechangingandlettingnaturedothework. Waitingisbakingbread,smellingitintheoven,eager toshareaslicewithafriend. Waitingisanactoffaithasonewaitsforthebirth ofachild,God'swork. Waitingexpandsyourheartasyouwaitforthearrival ofyourfamilyattheholidays,forSundaynightdinner, andfortheunexpectedcelebrationofbeingtogether. Waitingtestsyourpatiencewhenyoudon'tknowthe rightorbestdecision,youwaitandprayforthelight. Waitingslowslifedown,encouragesyoutonotice, tobegrateful. Towaitistowonder,tolisten,topray. Now,wewaitforthejoyoftheChristmasseasonand thecelebrationofthebirthofJesus. Howwillhecometome?HowcanIbeready? Howcanwaitingprepareme? Waitingistheactofnotknowingandtrustingin whatistocome.
WEDNESDAY DECEMBER21 InthosedaysMarysetoutandwentwith
blessedisthefruitofyourwomb.Andwhy hasthishappenedtome,thatthemother ofmyLordcomestome?ForassoonasI heardthesoundofyourgreeting,the childinmywombleapedforjoy.And blessedisshewhobelievedthatthere wouldbefulfillmentofwhatwasspoken toherbytheLord.” Luke1:3945
hastetoaJudeantowninthehillcountry, wheresheenteredthehouseofZechariah andgreetedElizabeth.WhenElizabeth heardMary’sgreeting,thechildleapedin herwomb.AndElizabethwasfilledwith theHolySpiritandexclaimedwithaloud cry,“Blessedareyouamongwomen,and
THURSDAY DECEMBER22 Moveoverthefaceof Mydeep, Mydarkness, Myendlessrestlesschaos, Andcreate, OGod; Troubleme, Comfortme, Stirmeup, Andcalmme, Butdonotcease Tobreathe YourSpiritinto Mywakeningsoul. -JanRichardson Artist,writer,andordainedminister
THURSDAY DECEMBER22 Whatbringsyoujoyinyourlife? Howcanyouspreadjoytoothers?
FRIDAY DECEMBER23 Rejoicegreatly,OdaughterZion! Shoutaloud,OdaughterJerusalem! Lo,yourkingcomestoyou; triumphantandvictoriousishe, humbleandridingonadonkey, onacolt,thefoalofadonkey. Zechariah9:9
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DECEMBER24
ReflectionbyMrs.Woehlcke ThemagicandmysteryofChristmasisrootedintheIncarnation, Emmanuel,“GodwithUs.”AstheWordmadeflesh,Jesusrevealstous theverybestthatwecanhopetobecome,andourbestselfmanifests inthehumilityofahelplesschildwhostillmanagestoimpressboth shepherdsandkings.Thismysteryiscommunicatedthroughthe storiesweencounterinbooks,filmsandTVspecials.Thestoriesof Christmasembodytherevelationthatthehumblewillbeexaltedand thattheproudwillbeconverted.CharlieBrownandhislowly Christmastreearefinallyvaluedinthelastsceneofthebeloved Christmasspecial,andDisney’sSmallOnebecomesthedonkeythat willcarryMarytoBethlehemtogivebirthtotheinfantSavior.Scrooge’s visitationsbringhimtoadefiningmetamorphosis,theGrinchis transformedasherealizesthatChristmasisfarmorethanribbonsand bows,andBuddytheElfeventuallymeltshisfather’sheart. Forme,oneChristmasTVspecialgiftedmewithafreshsenseofthe meaningofChristmasandwroughtalastingimpactonourfamily’s celebrationofChristmasInTheBestChristmasPageantEver,a “typical”momissuddenlythrustintotheroleofdirectorforherchurch community’sChristmaspageant.Muchtoherchagrin,theHerdmans, AKAthe“worstkidsinthehistoryoftheworld,”bullytheirwayintothe leadrolesoftheChristmasstory.AstheHerdmansareintroducedto thestoryofJesus’birth,theyaskquestionsthatreflectafresh,first timeperspectiveofthestory’struemeaning:“where'sSocialServices? Shouldn'tsomebodyshowHerodwho'sboss?Whatdoabunchof shepherdshavetodowithanything?WhatiftheWiseMensquealed toHerodaboutthebabyJesus'location?WhattheheckareMaryand Josephgonnadowithabunchoffragrantoilswhydon'ttheWise Mengivethemsomethingpractical,like,youknow,aham?”Ina memorableandclimaticscene,Imogene,wearingthebluemantleof Mary,comestoanepiphanyofherownjustassheisabouttowalk ontothemakeshiftstage.Sheembracestheswaddleddollsotenderly thatthecongregationisconvincedthatJesusisbeingplayedbyareal baby,andtheTVaudienceparticipatesvicariouslyinthe congregation’srenewedandrefreshedappreciationofthetimeworn Nativitystory:
SATURDAY
DECEMBER24
JosephtoowentupfromGalileefromthetownofNazareth toJudea,tothecityofDavidthatiscalledBethlehem, becausehewasofthehouseandfamilyofDavidtobe enrolledwithMary,hisbetrothed,whowaswithchild.While theywerethere,thetimecameforhertohaveherchild,and shegavebirthtoherfirstbornson.Shewrappedhimin swaddlingclothesandlaidhiminamanger,becausethere wasnoroomforthemintheinn.Nowtherewereshepherds inthatregionlivinginthefieldsandkeepingthenightwatch overtheirflock.TheangeloftheLordappearedtothemand thegloryoftheLordshonearoundthem,andtheywere struckwithgreatfear.Theangelsaidtothem,“Donotbe afraid;forbehold,Iproclaimtoyougoodnewsofgreatjoy thatwillbeforallthepeople.FortodayinthecityofDavida saviorhasbeenbornforyouwhoisMessiahandLord.And thiswillbeasignforyou:youwillfindaninfantwrappedin swaddlingclothesandlyinginamanger.”Andsuddenlythere wasamultitudeoftheheavenlyhostwiththeangel,praising Godandsaying:GlorytoGodinthehighestandonearth peacetothoseonwhomhisfavorrests.”Whentheangels wentawayfromthemtoheaven,theshepherdssaidtoone another,“Letusgo,then,toBethlehemtoseethisthingthat hastakenplace,whichtheLordhasmadeknowntous.”So theywentinhasteandfoundMaryandJoseph,andthe infantlyinginthemanger.Whentheysawthis,theymade knownthemessagethathadbeentoldthemaboutthischild. Allwhohearditwereamazedbywhathadbeentoldthemby theshepherds.AndMarykeptallthesethings,reflectingon theminherheart.
Luke2:420
SUNDAY DECEMBER25 CHRISTMASDAY MerryChristmas! Wehopethatyouarefilled withthejoyandpeaceof Christmasaswereachtheend ofourAdventjourney together. Thankyouforspendingtime inprayerunitedwiththe NotreDamecommunity!
Specialthankstoourreflectorsandprayerwriters. CompiledbyRachelSwan'23 withhelpfrom Ms.JuliaTully'08,JillJoyce,andMs.LisaD'Orazio.