Fr. Craig’s Contemplations

Nativity of the Lord
Merry Christmas! I give thanks to God for all of you! I give thanks for all the good that happens here at St. Anne’s because of all of you! Many of our neighbors in need were given food, special gifts, and the gift of love because of your generosity! In no way can I adequately say Thank you!

I must also thank the dedicated staff of St. Anne’s. All that you see within our many ministries is thanks to them and their dedication to the service to God’s people. I especially thank God for the dedication of Julie Neal, Anne Schulz, Steve Szach, Karyn Milligan, Marianne Boesch-West, Laura Knaack, Denise Arpke, and Cheryl Yuhas.

Finally, we are always called to remember this from our ancient church scholars. The Twenty-Fifth Day of December, when ages beyond number had run their course from the creation of the world, when God, in the beginning, created heaven and earth and formed the human person in his likeness; when century upon century had passed since the Almighty set his bow in the clouds after the Great Flood, as a sign of covenant and peace. In the twenty-first century since Abraham, our father in faith came our Ur of the Chaldeans. In the thirteenth century since the People of Israel were led by Moses in the Exodus of Egypt, around the thousandth year since David was anointed King, in the sixty-fifth week of prophecy of Daniel; in the one hundred and ninety-fourth Olympiad; in the year seven hundred and fifty-two, since the foundation of the City of Rome, in the forty-second year of the reign of Caesar Octavian Augustus, the whole world being at peace, Jesus Christ, the eternal Son of the eternal Father desiring to consecrate the world by his most loving presence, was conceived by the Holy Spirit, and when nine months had passed since His conception, was born of the Virgin Mary in Bethlehem of Judah, and was made man. {cf. Roman Missal, Appendix I} This is a summary of our thousands of years of history in one short paragraph, yet it shows us all in essence a love story. The love story of how our Lord, from the very beginning until now, desires each of us to be in a relationship with Him. {Together we pray the timeless words, O Come Let us adore Him!}

May the Lord bless you this Christmas!
Fr. Craig Marion

READINGS FOR DECEMBER 25^TH, 2022

MERRY CHRISTMAS
 

1^st Reading—Isaiah 9: 1-6—“For a child is born to us, a son is given us,” prophesied Isaiah. “They name him Wonder-Counselor, God-Hero, Father-Forever, Prince of Peace. His dominion is vast.”

Responsorial Psalm:  — “Today our Savior is born, today our Savior is born, today our Savior is born. Alleluia! Alleluia! Jesus Christ is born!”

2^nd Reading—Titus 2: 11-14— God’s grace appeared in the Savior Christ Jesus, offering salvation to all people. Paul told Titus that the appearance of Christ trains us “to live temperately, justly, and devoutly.”

Gospel Acclamation—Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia! “Good news and great joy to all the world; today is born our Savior, Christ the Lord!” Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia!

Gospel—Luke 2: 1-14—Mary gave birth to her firstborn and laid him in a manger. The angel of the Lord appeared to shepherds nearby to tell them the good news. An angelic choir sang, “Glory to God in the highest!”