As you celebrate Christmastide with your family, you may want to reflect on one or more of these questions:
Q. When has the birth of a child brought joy and gladness to you or those you love? (Luke 1:14)
Q. Joseph and Mary had to travel to Joseph’s ancestral home for a census. If you had to return to an ancestral home, where would you have to go? Does that home still exist?
Q. Simeon had been waiting to see the Messiah before he died. (Luke 2:23) What are some things you most hope God will allow you to see in your lifetime?
Q. How did the traditions of celebrating Christmas change for you throughout your life? How did you celebrate when you were a child? A parent? A grandparent?
Q. For what gifts are you most grateful this Christmas?
The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; upon those who dwelt in the land of gloom, a light has shone. (Isaiah 9:2)
Let the heavens be glad and the earth rejoice; let the sea and what fills it resound; let the plains be joyful and all that is in them! Then shall all the trees of the forest exult. (Psalm 96:11-12)
Do not be afraid; for behold, I proclaim to you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. (Luke 2:10)
And Mary kept all these things, reflecting on them in her heart. (Luke 2:19)
On this Christmas Day,
May we let our light shine as a reflection of the Light we celebrate today!
May we exult with the sea, the plain, and the forest!
Like Mary, may we keep this Word in our heart and know what it’s like to have God dwelling in us!
And, may we be surprised and astonished at least once today!
Merry Christmas!
