SCRIPTURE REFLECTION & PRAYER Happy Christmas. Christmas is a time of homecoming for many of us and this year, more than any other year, our homes will be the focus of our Christmas celebrations. Home is where we first learn about our faith and God’s extraordinary love for us. It is this ‘domestic church’ that we hope to nourish and inspire with this booklet for the twelve days of Christmas. Our celebration of Christmas 2020 will be very different, but the story and the central meaning has not changed; we still celebrate the birth of Jesus, the incarnation of God with us. This assures us that even in the difficulties and trauma of this pandemic, that God is with us. It may not be possible for all of us to gather in our churches and the familiar carol services may be online. No matter what limitations are on public gatherings we can, in our families - the domestic church - experience the true spirit of Christmas, as we pray and reflect on the feasts of the ‘twelve days’ of Christmas. The great notes struck on the feast of Christmas echo throughout the twelve days that follow. In our homes this year the crib can have a special focus. Last year Pope Francis published an Apostolic Letter on the meaning and importance of the nativity scene. The Latin title of the letter ‘Admirabile Signum’ refers to the “enchanting image” of the Christmas crèche (nativity), one that “never ceases to arouse amazement and wonder”, writes the Pope. “The depiction of Jesus’ birth is itself a simple and joyful proclamation of the mystery of the Incarnation of the Son of God”. Contemplating the Christmas story is like setting out on a spiritual journey, “drawn by the humility of the God who became man in order to encounter every man and woman.” So great is His love for us, writes the Pope, “that He became one of us, so that we in turn might become one with him” In concluding his letter Pope Francis made a special appeal: ‘Standing before the Christmas crèche, we are reminded of the time when we were children, eagerly waiting to set it up. These memories make us all the more conscious of the precious gift received from those who passed on the faith to us. At the same time, they remind us of our duty to share this same experience with our children and our grandchildren.’ In a calmer celebration of the Christmas season this year, we can, please God, ponder the wonderful mystery of God coming among us. This booklet, produced by the Northern Pastoral Network, provides us with a series of reflections following the feasts of the twelve days of Christmas. On each of the twelve days we invite you to spend time with scripture, reflection and prayer. You may want to use this booklet in your private prayer or find a time to gather each day with your family. We pray this Christmas that each of us will rediscover the meaning of Our Lord’s Nativity and the great hope that it proclaims for the world. May you have a happy, holy, safe and peaceful Christmas and New Year. Friday 25th December ‘for unto us a child is born, The Nativity of Our Lord Unto us a Son is given’ Isaiah 9:6 Luke 2:15-20 When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, "Let's go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the LORD has told us about." So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger. When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them. But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart. The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told. Reflection Prayer Stable of Bethlehem Heavenly Father, Space of tenderness, home of hospitality; help us rightly to remember the birth of Jesus, To an anxious couple in search of shelter that we may share in the song of the angels, To a new-born child fragile and vulnerable the gladness of the shepherds To poor shepherds on the margins of town and society and the worship of the Wise Men. To searching Magi, believing in the promise of the star. Close the door of hate and open the door of love all over the world. As we rejoice in God-with-us May we become Bethlehem spaces Let kindness come with every Open to receive and embrace gift and every greeting. the fragile, the vulnerable, the displaced; Deliver us from evil by the blessings that Christ brings. in ourselves May Christmas morning make us in one another jubilant to be your children in our world. and Christmas evening find us filled with grateful thoughts, Christmas forgiven and forgiving, Stillness of God, whisper of love bringing love, Breath of God, quiet mystery peace and joy to all we meet. Light of God, holy wisdom Shadow of God, birth of mercy Amen. May God be with us in tenderness and love this Christmas. SCAN ME E M K C I L C Saturday 26th December Saint Stephen's Day 1 Acts 7:55-60 But Stephen, full of the Holy Spirit, looked up to heaven and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing at the right hand of God. “Look,” he said, “I see heaven open and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God.” At this they covered their ears and, yelling at the top of their voices, they all rushed at him, dragged him out of the city and began to stone him. Meanwhile, the witnesses laid their coats at the feet of a young man named Saul. While they were stoning him, Stephen prayed, “Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.” Then he fell on his knees and cried out, “Lord, do not hold this sin against them.” When he had said this, he fell asleep. Reflection Prayer Lord God, we give you thanks for the example of The transition from the joy of Christmas to the cruelty Stephen who looked up to Heaven and prayed for his of martyrdom seems too abrupt and it is a vivid persecutors. We remember Christians who are reminder that Jesus came on earth to die. persecuted throughout the world today, and all those The Greek word from which we derive the English word afflicted because of their faithful witness. ‘martyr’ literally means witness. In celebrating the feast of St. Stephen, the first martyr, on this day, we We face many dangers at the present time and we ask are reminded that Jesus calls his followers to be you to bless us with the gifts of courage and calmness witnesses; not all called to shed their blood. In contrast which Stephen showed in the face of danger. Help us to the violence of the Roman Empire into which Jesus find the generosity of heart to pray for our enemies as was born, we are called to be witnesses to a different Stephen did. kingdom, God’s Kingdom, where values of compassion, justice, mercy and kindness reign. We remember those called to the ministry of the Love, including love of enemies, is at the heart of God’s diaconate. Bless them in their work and inspire more kingdom. As Stephen faced death, imitating Jesus, he people to respond to this calling. prayed for his enemies. Stephen was a much loved and We remember with thanksgiving those who work respected deacon in the early Church and it was his task tirelessly for the poor. Bless and strengthen them in to organise meals to feed the poor. In remembrance of their work. Stephen’s work, people used to collect money for the poor in small clay boxes during the year. On Saint We humbly, ask you God to help us bring your gentle, Stephen’s Day, ‘Boxing Day’, the boxes were broken and joyful, love to our families, our neighbours, our parishes, the money distributed to the poor. and the world at this Christmas time. Amen. SCAN ME E M K C I L C Sunday 27th December Feast of the Holy Family 2 Luke 2:41-52 Every year the parents of Jesus used to go to Jerusalem for the feast of the Passover. When he was twelve years old, they went up for the feast as usual. When they were on their way home after the feast, the boy Jesus stayed behind in Jerusalem without his parents knowing it. They assumed he was with the caravan, and it was only after a day’s journey that they went to look for him among their relations and acquaintances. When they failed to find him they went back to Jerusalem looking for him everywhere. Three days later, they found him in the Temple, sitting among the doctors, listening to them, and asking them questions; and all those who heard him were astounded at his intelligence and his replies. They were overcome when they saw him, and his mother said to him, ‘My child, why have, you done this to us? See how worried your father and I have been, looking for you.’ ‘Why were you looking for me?’ he replied. ‘Did you not know that I must be busy with my Father’s affairs?’ But they did not understand what he meant.