Sunday, December 21, 2008

OF THE BIRTH OF CHRIST OUR LORD



St. Luke speaks in the second Chapter [1-15]

In those days a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that the whole world should be enrolled. This was the first enrollment, when Quirinius was governor of Syria. So all went to be enrolled, each to his own town. And Joseph too went up from Galilee from the town of Nazareth to Judea, to the city of David that is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and family of David, to be enrolled with Mary, his betrothed, who was with child. While they were there, the time came for her to have her child, and she gave birth to her firstborn son. She wrapped him in swaddling clothes and laid him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn. Now there were shepherds in that region living in the fields and keeping the night watch over their flock. The angel of the Lord appeared to them and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were struck with great fear. The angel said to them, "Do not be afraid; for behold, I proclaim to you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. For today in the city of David a savior has been born for you who is Messiah and Lord. And this will be a sign for you: you will find an infant wrapped in swaddling clothes and lying in a manger." And suddenly there was a multitude of the heavenly host with the angel, praising God and saying: "Glory to God in the highest and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests."

First Point.

First:

Our Lady and her husband Joseph go from Nazareth to Bethlehem.

“Joseph went up from Galilee to Bethlehem, to acknowledge subjection to Caesar, with Mary his spouse and wife, already with child.”

Second Point.

Second:

“She brought forth her first-born Son and wrapped Him up with swaddling clothes and laid Him in the manger.”

Third Point.

Third:

“There came a multitude of the heavenly army, which said:

‘Glory be to God in the heavens.’”

Link (here)

St. Francis Xavier, S.J.

on the Birth of our Lord

1 comment:

Chris Pham said...

Joseph

My name is Chris Pham. I work at CatholicTV, a nationally broadcasted TV station headquartered near Boston, MA. I work as PR coordinator here and before I was a missionary to the poor in Juarez, Mexico. Like you, I am interested in spreading our faith through the media.

I thought you might be interested in the information below. You can embed the videos into your blog for the benefit of your readers.


JESUIT SPIRITUALITY NOW TAUGHT ON TELEVISION

CatholicTV is now showing an original weekly series called “Discernment of Spirits”. CatholicTV is a nationally-broadcasted television station headquartered near Boston. 6 archived episodes are viewable now free of charge or advertising at www.CatholicTV.com.

Father Tim Gallagher O.M.V., hosts the weekly, retreat-style show on the discernment of spirits. Fr Gallagher is an expert on St. Ignatius of Loyola's Rules for Discernment and how these core insights stimulate our spiritual growth today. Each episode is approximately thirty minutes long with six retreatants in attendance. Teachings on the discernment of spirits originated well over 1500 years ago by early church fathers such as Saint Augustine. St. Ignatius of Loyola, the founder of the Jesuits, was a renowned teacher who wrote about the discernment of spirits in his “Spiritual Exercises”. The television show revolves around Saint Ignatius’ teachings on the discernment of spirits and Ignatius’ 14 rules.

Father Gallagher is a member of the Oblates of the Virgin Mary, a religious community dedicated to retreats and spiritual formation according to the Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius. Father Gallagher has dedicated many years to an extensive ministry of retreats, spiritual direction, and teaching about the spiritual life. The Society of Jesus (Jesuits) is the largest religious order in the world. They continue to teach about the discernment of spirits which involves the process of perceiving good and evil and then acting prudently in every day life.

In today’s fast-paced life, Christians are struggling with sin just as they have been since the beginning of time. The discernment of spirits and St. Ignatius’ 14 rules help guide Christians in the journey from sin, to conversion, and finally, holiness.

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Each week, the “Discernment of Spirits” show airs at these times (Eastern): Monday-9:30PM, Tuesday-5:30PM, Wednesday-11:30AM, Friday-3:30PM & 11:00PM and Sunday-1:00AM

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CatholicTV provides family-friendly, religious, news, and educational programming 24 hours daily. Founded over 50 years ago, CatholicTV is available in selected areas on cable in the United States and Canada, via Sky Angel IPTV and online via a live stream anytime, everywhere at the station's web site www.CatholicTV.com. Father Robert Reed, a priest of the Archdiocese of Boston, is the Director of CatholicTV