Who Was That Baby in the Manger?

Discovering hope and joy in the Catholic faith. December 2016 St. Clement Mary Hofbauer Parish Conventual Franciscan Friars Who was that baby in the manger?

At this time of year, we tell a from the Father” (John 1:14). God charming tale of a long ago journey always keeps his word. Trust him. St. Francis Xavier on a donkey, a baby born in a cave, He was love in the esh. “For God St. Francis Xavier and a visit by kings. In truth, the real sent the Son into the world, was born to a event was not just charming, it was not to condemn the world, Spanish noble awesome. That baby was more than but that the world family. He a child … might be saved taught in Paris He was proof that God always through him” (John where he met keeps his promises. That 3:17). Out of love St. Ignatius baby was the ful llment of for us, Jesus of Loyola an amazing promise willingly took on and joined the new made to the indignity of a Society of Jesus. In 1541, he generations of human body and was sent as a missionary to faithful assuring its frailty to share India and Japan. He tirelessly a savior to our nature. Love served the poor with joy. heal the rift him back. Although he yearned to spread created by the He is God. “In the Gospel in China, he died sin of our the beginning was en route but wasn’t bitter or rst parents. the Word, and the disappointed. He is called the God spoke Word was with God, “Apostle of Japan” and his word and the Word was “Apostle of the Indies.” “(a)nd the Word became esh and dwelt God” (John 1:1). God came to free us among us, full of grace and truth; we have Living in the present from sin and open the way to beheld his glory, glory as of the only Son everlasting life. Follow him. Sometimes, we get so bogged down by worries about the future or regrets of the past, we forget to live in the present. Instead of worrying about Why do Catholics what you can’t control, entrust celebrate Christ’s birth those worries to God knowing on December 25th? that he will help you through them all. Trust that his grace is The Gospels do not enough. the Emperor Aurelian, identify a speci c date for December 25 was celebrated “Blessed be Jesus’ birth. December 25 as the “birth of the the Lord, the was chosen for several unconquered sun.” As God of Israel, reasons, including that the Christianity became more for he has visited date was close to the widely practiced, the pagan and brought winter solstice. celebration was replaced by redemption to his The early Church Christmas to celebrate people” attempted to replace Christ’s birth — the real (Luke 1:68). existing pagan celebrations “unconquered” light of the with Christian ones. Under world.

Family dynamics can make holiday celebrations Develop a bad memory. Reliving past hurts can make anything but jolly. Try these tips to make this your holidays miserable. Decide that this will be the year to forgive happiest holiday season: and forget. Repeat, “It’s not about me.” Taking what others Get up. Stand up. The more we focus on irritations, the say or do personally makes you easy prey for more they irritate. When feeling irked, take a break to ll someone trying for a reaction or looking for attention. your water glass, stretch your legs, or engage in a Keep your power by choosing not to get offended. different conversation. Smile and nod. Arguing your point of view in Have compassion. You can wish your family heated discussions may feel momentarily satisfying experience were different but trying to change others but only serves to prolong tensions. Happy holidays is pointless. Instead use compassion to nd new ways come from smiling, nodding, and changing the subject. of love during holiday gatherings.

John 1:1-18, Is the Immaculate Who Is Jesus? Conception about Mary or Jesus? On December 25 we celebrate the what it’s like to be hungry and birth of Jesus. Just who is Jesus and thirsty, to be tired, to be tempted. The Immaculate Conception celebrates what does he mean to us? God, the Son, understands us Mary’s conception without Original Sin. John explained that Jesus is because he became like It refers to our belief that Mary was God’s Word born into esh, us. preserved from the stain the Second Person of the Many who saw Jesus on of Original Sin at the Trinity. He is the source of Earth rejected him. moment of her life. Jesus enlightens us They didn’t recognize conception in view of her about God and his him as the Messiah. We role as Jesus’ mother nature. To know Jesus is each have to make a (Catechism of the Catholic to know God because choice about Jesus. Do Church, #491). On December 8, grace and truth come we choose Jesus as our 1854, Pope Pius IX declared this truth from God, through Savior? Do we live our infallibly. Christ to us. lives as if we are Because she was not tainted by At the same time Jesus took on children of God? If our Original Sin, she could be completely our human nature. He lived as we live, answers are “yes,” then Jesus is the lled with grace. In fact, at the experienced what we experience, and one to whom we turn for truth and Annunciation, the angel Gabriel calls suffered what we suffer. He knows grace. her, “full of grace,” (Luke 1:28). This grace enabled Mary to say “Yes” to the angel’s invitation, and to continue saying “Yes” when faced with hardship build a chapel for her. She sent him and suffering, including standing at the with roses to the bishop as a sign. foot of the Cross on Good Friday. When St. Juan emptied the roses from God did not preserve Mary from his cloak, it retained the image of the Original Sin simply because he favored Dec. 5 – St. Sabas (532). St. Sabas Blessed Mother. her, but because she had been chosen was born in (now) Turkey, and ed to a Dec. 30 – The Holy Family (1st from all eternity to be the mother of his monastery to escape an abusive home. century). On the feast of the Holy Son. Her role as Jesus’ mother was He became a hermit and moved to the Family, we celebrate the family life of crucial to his mission of salvation. Her desert. He attracted many followers, and Jesus, Mary, and grace- lled “Yes” opened the way to formed a community. Though unwilling, Joseph. By their love Jesus’ “Yes” on the Cross. he was ordained and eventually was and support of named the superior of all hermits in one another, the To provide practical ideas that promote Jerusalem. He died at the age of 93. Holy Family is faithful Catholic living. Dec. 12 – Our Lady of Guadalupe a model for Success Publishing & Media, LLC (1531). The Blessed Mother appeared to Publishers of Growing in Faith™ and Partners in Faith™ all (540)662-7844 (540)662-7847 fax St. Juan Diego, a Native American, and Christian http://www.growinginfaith.com (Unless noted Bible quotes and references are from asked him to have the bishop of Mexico families. the Revised Standard Version and the New American Bible) © Copyright 2016 Success Publishing & Media, LLC