TODAY'S THEME: O Holy Day
                            
Next edition: Wednesday

Mystic Nativity, circa 1500)
Sandro Botticelli (1444-1510)
Early Renaissance Italian painter

And it came to pass in those days that a decree went out
from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be registered.
So all went to be registered, everyone to his own city.

Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth,
into Judea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem,
because he was of the house and lineage of David, to be
registered with Mary, his betrothed wife, who was with child.

So it was, that while they were there, the days were completed
for her to be delivered. And she brought forth her firstborn Son,
and wrapped him in swaddling cloths, and laid Him in a manger,
because there was no room for them in the inn.

Now there were in the same country shepherds living out in the
fields, keeping watch over their flock by night. And behold, an
angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord
shone around them, and they were greatly afraid. Then the angel
said to them, "Do not be afraid, for behold, I bring you good tidings
of great joy which will be to all people. For there is born to you this
day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.
And this will be a sign to you: You will find a Babe
wrapped in swaddling cloths, lying in a manger. "

And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of
of the heavenly host praising God and saying:


"Glory to God in the highest,
And on earth peace, goodwill toward men!"

Luke 2: 1, 3-14
The Holy Bible
New King James Version



The Nativity and Adoration of the Shepherds, 1304-6
Giotto di Bondone (circa 1267-1337)
Florentine painter and architect

Luke's Gospel account of the Christmas event is full of activity...And yet,
in the middle of the frenetic action, here is this woman wrapped in
mystical silence...She demonstrates the necessity of a quiet place
within ourselves at Christmastime -- that place were we are most
ourselves in relation to God.

It is a place of silence, not because it is untouched by all the activity
of our lives, but because it is capable of wonder. Every prayer
begins with silent wonder before it turns to words. Our first
response to God is dumbstruck awe at who he is and what
he has done for us.

William Freberger
"The Christmas Woman"
From "Making Christmas a Saving Event,"
Catholic Update, December, 1985

Nativity scene
From the Wurzburg Manuscript

Loving Father,
Help us remember the birth of Jesus, that
we may share in the song of the angels,
the gladness of the shepherds,
and worship of the wise men.

Close the door of hate and open the door
of love all over the world. Let kindness
come with every gift and good desires with
every greeting. Deliver us from evil by the
blessing which Christ brings, and teach us
to be merry with clear hearts.

May the Christmas morning make us happy to
be Thy children, and Christmas evening bring
us to our beds with grateful thoughts,
forgiving and forgiven, for Jesus' sake.

Amen.

Robert Louis Stevenson (1850-1894)
Scottish novelist, poet and travel writer

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Bonus quote:

It came without ribbons. It came without tags. It came without packages,
boxes or bags. Christmas can't be bought from a store...
Maybe Christmas means a little bit more.

Theodor Seuss Geisel, aka "Dr. Seuss" (1904-1991)
American author and cartoonist