THE BREAD OF LIFE CATHOLIC BIBLE STUDY

By Deacon Ken and Marie Finn

BEFORE YOU BEGIN

Pray and ask God to speak to you through His Holy Spirit.

“THE PARACLETE, THE HOLY SPIRIT WHOM THE FATHER WILL SEND IN MY NAME, WILL INSTRUCT YOU IN EVERYTHING, AND REMIND YOU OF ALL THAT I TOLD YOU.” (JOHN 14:26)

FIRST DAY     Reread last week’s readings.

1. What was a helpful or new thought from the readings or from the homily you heard on Sunday?

 

2. From what you learned, what personal application did you choose to apply to your life this week?

 

 

SECOND DAY     READ ISAIAH 60:1-6     FIRST READING

(“But upon you the Lord shines.”)

l. To what are the Israelites being called, whose light has come, and what shines upon the Israelites?  Isaiah 60:1

 

2. How did the glory of the Lord appear in the following scriptures? Exodus 16:7, 10 Exodus 24:16, 17 Leviticus 9:6, 23, 24 Ezekiel 3:12-13 Luke 2:9

 

Personal – In your life, in what way has “the glory of the Lord” appeared to you?

 

3. What covers the earth and the unbelievers?   Isaiah 60:2

 

4. Upon whom does the Lord shine, and what appears over them? Isaiah 60:2

 

5. Fill in the blank: Nations shall walk by your _____________ and kings by your shining radiance.   Isaiah 60:3

 

6. Who is the light?   John 8:12

 

7. Why must we raise our eyes, and who comes to the light?    Isaiah 60:4

 

8. Who shall be radiant, whose heart shall overflow, and what will happen to the sea and the nations? Isaiah 60:5

 

9. What will the camels do, and from where will they come? Isaiah 60:6

 

10. What shall they bear, and what will they be proclaiming? Isaiah 60:6

 

Personal – In what way is the light of Christ shining through you in your family, your work, and your environment? Are people drawn to you because they see that light within you?

 

 

THIRD DAY     READ EPHESIANS 3:2-3, 5-6     SECOND READING

(“In Christ Jesus the Gentiles are now co-heirs with the Jews.”)

1. Who heard of the ministry which God gave Paul, and for whose regard?  Ephesians 3:2, Ephesians 2:11

 

2. What was revealed?   Ephesians 3:3

 

3. What was unknown to men in former ages?   Ephesians 3:4-5

 

4. Who has revealed this mystery, and to whom was this mystery revealed?   Ephesians 3:5

 

5. Read the following scriptures:  John 14:26, Acts 11:12, 1 Corinthians 2:13

 

Personal – Do you listen each day for the Holy Spirit’s instructions for you? What has he taught you as you have been reading his word? Remember to pray before you read God’s word, asking the Holy Spirit to teach you and give you wisdom, knowledge, and obedience to follow his plan for your life.

 

6. Who were some of the holy apostles and prophets, and by whom were they sent?Isaiah 1:1, Jeremiah 1:1, John 1:35-50, Romans 1:1

 

7. What is the mystery revealed?   Ephesians 3:6-8

 

8. How do the Gentiles and the Jews become co-heirs? Ephesians 3:6

 

9. Whom has God commissioned to preach the Gospel?   Ephesians 3:6 Matthew 28:18-20

 

Personal – In what way have you ever felt called to teach or share God’s Word with others? A good beginning is to share with your spouse, children or a close friend how the Lord has touched you in his Word or from the homily on Sunday.

 

 

FOURTH DAY     READ MATTHEW 2:1-12     GOSPEL

(“They prostrated themselves and did him homage.”)

1. Where was Jesus born, who was king at that time, and who arrived from the east?   Matthew 2:1

 

2. Read the following scriptures: Daniel 2:27 and Daniel 4:4.

 

According to these verses, are those who read the stars able to know God’s plan for their lives?

 

3. Who is the only sign we follow?  Isaiah 7:14 Luke 11:30

 

4. For whom were the astrologers searching, and what did they observe?   Matthew 2:2

 

5. How did King Herod react, and who reacted along with him?   Matthew 2:3

 

6. Whom did King Herod summon, and what did he inquire of them? Matthew 2:4

 

7. What did the chief priest and scribes tell Herod, and to what prophet were they referring?  Matthew 2:5, Micah 1:1 5:1

 

8. What is the ruler to do?   Matthew 2:6

 

9. Read the following and write out your favorite verse: John 10:11, John 10:14, John 10:16, Acts 20:28,

1 Peter 2:25, 1 Peter 5:3-4, Revelation 7:17

 

Personal – Share the scripture you chose and tell how it has affected your life.

 

10. What did King Herod find out from the astrologers? Matthew 2:7

 

11. Where did he send them, and what were his instructions to them?   Matthew 2:8

 

12. What was the astrologer’s reaction to the star as they followed it?   Matthew 2:10

 

Personal – Have you had any insight to God’s light in his Word? What is your reaction to this?

 

13. When the astrologers found the child with his mother, Mary, what did they do? Is this in fulfillment of the Old Testament prophesy?  Matthew 2:11, Isaiah 60:5-6

 

Personal – Have you bowed before the Lord? How have you prostrated yourself in homage before our Holy God? In his presence in the Eucharist, have you knelt to do him homage, or do you do it just out of habit? Reflect on this.

 

 

FIFTH DAY     READ PSALM 72:1-13

(“For he shall rescue the poor man when he cries out.”)

Read and meditate on Psalm 72:1-13.

What is the Lord saying to you personally through the Psalm?

 

How can you apply this to your daily spiritual life?

 

 

SIXTH DAY READ ALL THE COMMENTARY

ISAIAH 60:1-6

This week’s reading from Isaiah comes from a section sometimes called Third Isaiah (Chapters 55-66), and is generally considered to be written by an unknown poet. The time of this passage is about 535 B.C. and it prophesies the role of the temple and offers to open its doors to all other nations. The invitation was given to the whole world to join the ranks of Israel as the Lord’s chosen people.

Isaiah is calling on the people to rise up in the splendor and radiance of the Lord (verse 1). He tells them that the glory of the Lord shines in them and through them (verse 3). He urges them to be confident in that love and they will become leaders of all nations and many from all nations will be drawn to them (verses 4-5).

Today we are being called to rise up and become symbols of light and hope. We are called to be a light to a world that is covered with much darkness. We can be a light to the world only as long as we walk in the light of Christ. Each one of us is called by the Psalmist (Psalm 119:105) to be a light unto each other’s path. We are being called today, as in the time of Isaiah, to let the glory of God’s light shine through all of us.

 

EPHESIANS 3:2-3,5-6

Paul wrote this letter while in prison awaiting trial before Nero. He reflects on his mission to the Gentiles (those who do not believe in the Jewish faith), and he speaks about his own conversion as being a great mystery of Christ.

Paul was on a journey to Damascus to persecute disciples of the Lord when suddenly a light flashed around him that seemed to come from heaven. He was challenged by the Lord to stop persecuting him and to come follow him. Paul did and his whole life changed. He uses that conversion experience to bring others to the Lord (Acts 9:3-9). He claimed his place as an apostle because he was an eyewitness to the Lord during his “metanoia” or conversion experience.

Paul gained a deeper understanding of God’s plan of salvation through Christ. He reveals to us in this letter that into his life had come the great secret of God. That secret was that the love and mercy and grace of God were meant not for the Jews alone, but for all mankind. When Paul met Christ on the road to Damascus there was a sudden flash of revelation that affected his whole life. That “metanoia” is open to all of us, and we are being called to bring to the world that same message. It was to the Gentiles that God sent Paul, to open their eyes that they might turn from darkness to light. We hear Paul stating very boldly that God’s love and mercy are given to all, Jews and Gentiles alike.

 

MATTHEW 2:1-12

We celebrate the feast of Epiphany, which means the visitation of the seekers or as they are often called, the Magi, and Christ’s manifestation of his glory to them. It was in Bethlehem, a little town six miles south of Jerusalem, that Jesus was born.

The name Bethlehem means “house of bread,” and the manger in which Jesus slept was used to feed the animals. It is significant that Jesus was born in a place called “house of bread,” as he chose to feed us with his Word and in his presence in the Eucharist. He calls himself “Living Bread,” in John 6:35-66, and we share his living bread in our liturgies in accordance with scripture (Luke 22:14-20), in churches throughout the world.

Bethlehem was where Jacob buried Rachel (Genesis 48:7) and it was there that Ruth married Boaz (Ruth 4:13). This city was the home of David (1 Sam. 16:1, 17:12, 20:6) and it was in Bethlehem that the Jews expected God’s Anointed One to come into the world (Micah 5:1-2). When Jesus was born, there came to Bethlehem seekers from the east to do him homage. The Magi were holy and wise men and were skilled in philosophy, medicine, natural sciences, soothsaying, and interpretation of dreams. Many later became members of a tribe of pagan priests in Persia and functioned much like the Levite priests in Israel.

About the same time that Jesus was born, the Roman poet, Virgil, was praising through his writings and poems the “savior of the world,” the emperor, Augustus Caesar of Rome. So it was to a waiting world that Jesus came and the astrologers from lands far away gathered at his cradle. It was the first sign and symbol of the world’s conquest by Jesus Christ.

Today many of the learned men and women are coming to praise the King of Kings, Jesus; but many are not. What about you? Is Jesus your King and are you bringing him your presence as a gift? We need to reflect on the gift given to all who believe in the Christ Child of Bethlehem. The gift is being co-heirs of his kingdom, members of the one body and sharers of the promise. Have we made someone feel like an unwanted stranger? Have we dared label anyone a foreigner, alien, outsider, or pagan? Have we welcomed all to our “manger scene?” Is the light in our hearts drawing others to him, as the star did in Bethlehem? The manifestation of the star’s brilliance spoke to the Magi of the entry of a King into the world. The glory of God’s love for all is called to be manifested in us through the power of the Holy Spirit and in the saving name of Jesus Christ.

 

Application

Isaiah urges us to look at the glory of God being unfolded before us, and calls upon the people to rise up from the shackles of captivity. In Ephesians Paul describes God’s secret plan, and in Matthew we see the wise men overjoyed at the results of following the star.

This week, like the wise men or Magi, let us bring Jesus our gift. Yours might be a gift of joy or love, peace or patience, etc. Then you need to share this gift with someone in your family or work place. The wise men came in humility and left encouraged and full of hope. We can expect no less, when we bring Jesus our gift.

El Pan de Vida Estudio de Biblia Católico

By Deacon Ken and Marie Finn

BEFORE YOU BEGIN

Pray and ask God to speak to you through His Holy Spirit. “THE PARACLETE, THE HOLY SPIRIT WHOM THE FATHER WILL SEND IN MY NAME, WILL INSTRUCT YOU IN EVERYTHING, AND REMIND YOU OF ALL THAT I TOLD YOU.” (JOHN 14:26)

FIRST DAY     Reread last week’s readings.

1. What was a helpful or new thought from the readings or from the homily you heard on Sunday?

2. From what you learned, what personal application did you choose to apply to your life this week?

SECOND DAY     READ NUMBERS 6:22-27     FIRST READING

(“The Lord bless you and keep you!”)

l. To whom was the Lord speaking, and to whom did he tell him to speak? Numbers 6:22-23

2.Who was Aaron, and what did the Lord say to Moses about him? Exodus 4:14-16

3.About what was Moses to speak to them? Numbers 6:23

4.What six things were included in the blessing? Numbers 6:24-26

5.Who will be blessed? Proverbs 28:20

6.What brings wealth? Proverbs 10:22

7.Who was blessed by the Lord, what did he do for her, and what was her response? Luke 1:46-55

8.What has the Lord given us? Psalm 118:27

9.Who did Jesus say he was? John 8:12

10.What shall be invoked upon the Israelites, and what will the Lord do? Numbers 6:27

Personal – In what way have you blessed a family member or a friend? What do others see shining forth from your face?

THIRD DAY     READ GALATIANS 4:4-7     SECOND READING

(“…God sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, crying out, ‘Abba, Father!’”)

1.Under what was God’s Son born? Galatians 4:4

2.What did God’s Son do? Galatians 4:5

3.What happens to everyone who believes in Jesus? John 3:16

4.Who did the law come through, and what did Jesus bring? John 1:17

5.Who are the children of God, and who bears witness that we are? Romans 8:14-16

6.What proof do we have that we are his children? Galatians 4:6

7.To whom did he give the power to become children of God? John 1:12-13

8.Why are the children of God not known to the world? 1 John 3:1

9.What are we no longer, and what has he made us? Galatians 4:7

10.With whom are the children of God joint heirs? Romans 8:17

Personal – In what way have you cried out to “Abba,” Daddy, this week? What have you inherited from God? What are your parents leaving you as an inheritance, or what are you leaving your children as an inheritance?

FOURTH DAY     READ LUKE 2:16-21     GOSPEL

(“And Mary kept all these things, reflecting on them in her heart.”)

1.When the shepherds went off in haste, who did they nd? Luke 2:16

2.Why did Mary lay her firstborn Son in a manger? Luke 2:7

3.What did the shepherds do when they saw the child? Luke 2:17

4.What was the reaction of those who were told the message? Luke 2:18

5.What amazed or astonished the people listening to Jesus? Matthew 7:28-29

Personal – What have you seen and made known to others since you have been studying God’s Word?

6.What did Mary do? Luke 2:19

7.What did Mary do when Jesus became lost and then told her he was about his Father’s business? Luke 2:49-51

Personal – What have you personally pondered in your heart that God revealed to you, and how have you followed Mary’s example?

8.How did the shepherds return? Luke 2:20

9.What was the reaction of the paralytic and the people upon the healing? Luke 5:25-26

10.What happened on the eighth day, and to whom had the name been given? Luke 2:21, Luke 1:31

11.What has his name done for us? Acts 4:12

12.To what is the name Jesus inherited far superior? Hebrews 1:3-4

Personal – What name has been given to you, and of what is it a reflection?

FIFTH DAY     READ PSALM 67:2-6, 8.

(“…may he let his face shine upon us.”)

Read and meditate on Psalm 67:2-6, 8.
What is the Lord saying to you personally through the Psalm?

How can you apply this to your life?

SIXTH DAY     READ ALL OF THE COMMENTARY

NUMBERS 6:22-27

When Mary said, “Generation after generation shall call me blessed of God,” she was recognizing and accepting the gift God had given her (Luke 1:48). If Mary had denied her incredible position, she would have been throwing God’s blessing back at him.

In today’s reading we are being shown that a blessing was one way of asking God’s divine favor to rest upon others. All of God’s blessings had their fulfillment in the coming of Christ on earth. Mary received the fullness of these promises and blessings when she said, “Be it done unto me according to thy Word.” At that very moment she conceived Jesus Christ in her womb. As proof of this blessing we have the angel Gabriel’s words as he salutes her as “full of grace.” She has the full friendship of God, and no man or woman had ever received the fullness of God’s blessing until then.

A blessing conveys that God will (1) bless and protect, (2) be pleased because of us, (3) be gracious, merciful, and compassionate to us, (4) show favor to us, and (5) give us peace. When we ask God to bless us and others, we are asking him to do these ve things. We will have the full friendship of God as we ask him to bless others as well as ourselves.

Today, on this special feast, let us thank God for all the blessings that he has given Mary, the Mother of God. We have all pro ted through her blessings; and the title, Mother of God, that the church confirmed in her regard at the Council of Ephesus in 431 AD, demonstrates all this.

GALATIANS 4:4-7

In today’s reading Paul uses the example of slavery to show that before Christ came and died for our sins, people were in bondage to the law. By becoming enslaved to the law, people thought they could be saved. At just the right time, God sent Jesus to earth to die for our sins, and we who were once slaves are now God’s very own children with an intimate relationship with him. For centuries the Jews were wonder- ing when their Messiah would come, but God’s timing was perfect.

We may sometimes wonder if God will ever respond to our prayers, but we must never stop trusting or give up hope. At the right time, he will respond to us. Jesus was born of a woman and was subject to God’s law and fulfilled it. His death brought freedom for us who were enslaved to sin so we could be adopted into God’s family. Under the Roman law, an adopted child was guaranteed all legal rights to his father’s property. As adopted children of God, we share with Jesus all rights to God’s resources.

As God’s heirs, we can claim what he has provided for us; which is our full identity as his children. The Old Testament was based on the law, but was only a shadow of things to come. Christianity is the fulfillment of the Old Testament. Christianity is the reality, and the reality is God has become man, and man is now free and has been adopted into God’s family as rightful heirs to the kingdom.

LUKE 2:16-21

What a tremendous sign of comfort and hope it is when we read that the first visitors to lay eyes on the long-awaited Messiah were simple, hard-working, uneducated, common folks called shepherds. Even in birth Jesus has shown us the ultimate in humility, and his choice of those who were part of his birth experience were of humble origins themselves.

Can you imagine the thoughts that owed through Mary’s head as she observed the shepherds com- ing to pay homage to her Son? She certainly was aware of the power and beauty of the angels singing praises of glory to God to their new born king. The Jewish custom was when a new child was born the local musicians would come by and sing some congratulatory songs. Mary had, not earthly musicians to sing to her son, but she had a choir of angels to ll the air with heavenly sounds.

On this very special day, we can honor Mary in her blessed role as Mother of God. God himself honored her by making her the mother of his Son. Jesus, in one of his last acts on this earth before dying on the cross, made his mother our mother. It was through no merit of her own that she earned this dignity. This honor was given as a sheer gift of God. When we honor her, we are in fact thanking God for his gift of her to us.

Application

The first reading explains that a blessing is God giving someone his protection and direction. The second reading tells how the Old Testament was a time of preparation, and the New Testament was a time of the reality of God entering into human history as a human being named Jesus. The Gospel reveals Jesus beginning his life on earth humbly, and in humility he went to his death on a cross for us.

This week, let the humility of the shepherds be your model of conduct during the Christmas holidays. Bring to your family, friends, and co-workers, the gift of listening, the gift of gentleness, and the gift of humility. Mary was a role model for the whole world, for both male and female.

THE BREAD OF LIFE CATHOLIC BIBLE STUDY

By Deacon Ken and Marie Finn

BEFORE YOU BEGIN:

Pray and ask God to speak to you through His Holy Spirit.  “THE PARACLETE, THE HOLY SPIRIT WHOM THE FATHER WILL SEND IN MY NAME, WILL INSTRUCT YOU IN EVERYTHING, AND REMIND YOU OF ALL THAT I TOLD YOU.”  (JOHN 14:26)

FIRST DAY     Reread last week’s readings.

1. What was a helpful or new thought from the readings or from the homily you heard on Sunday?

 

2. From what you learned, what personal application did you choose to apply to your life this week?

 

 

SECOND DAY     READ ISAIAH 52:7-10     FIRST READING

                      (“Your God is King”)

l. Whose feet are beautiful and what does he announce? Isaiah  52:7, Romans 10:15

 

2. What are we not to be afraid to cry out?  Isaiah 40:9

 

3. Why do the watchmen shout for joy?  Isaiah 52:8

 

4. What are the watchmen never to do?  Isaiah 62:6

 

5. What are we to do together and for what reason? Isaiah 52:9

 

6. Why does God comfort and encourage us?  2 Corinthians 1:3-4

 

7. Whom does the Lord redeem?  Psalm 34:23

 

8. What has the Lord done with his holy arm and in the sight of  whom? Isaiah 52:10

 

9. What will all the ends of the earth see?  Isaiah 52:10

 

10. What is to be known upon the earth, among all nations? Psalm 67:3

 

Personal – To whom have you been announcing peace and good news? How do people see the joy and salvation of the Lord upon you?

 

 

THIRD DAY     READ HEBREWS 1:1-6      SECOND READING                      

(“Let all the angels of God worship him.”)

1. How did God speak in times past? Hebrews 1:1

 

2. How does God speak to us now, what did he make him, and what  did he do through him?  Hebrews 1:2

 

3. What came to be through him (Jesus)? John 1:3-4

 

4. Of whom is Jesus the reflection and perfect copy, and by what  are all things sustained?  Hebrews 1:3

 

5. When Jesus accomplished purifications from sins what did he do?  Hebrews 1:3

 

6. How did Jesus accomplish this purification? Colossians 1:15-20

 

7. What has Jesus inherited, and to what is he far superior? Hebrews 1:4

 

8. Because Jesus humbled himself becoming obedient to death, what  did God do to him?  Philippians 2:8-9

 

9. What are the questions asked about angels, and what does he   say about his first born?  Hebrews 1:5

 

10. Who is ruler of the kings of the earth and who loves us? Revelations 1:5

 

Personal – How have you been sustained by God’s mighty Word and how have you worshipped his son Jesus this past week?

 

 

FOURTH DAY      READ JOHN 1:1-18      GOSPEL 

  ( “And the Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us”)

1. Who was in the beginning? John 1:1,14

 

2. Who did Jesus say he was to the Father? John 10:30

 

3. Who was in the beginning with God and what was this life that  came to be through him? John 1:2-4

 

4. What has the darkness not overcome? John 1:5

 

5. Who came for testimony, to what did he testify and what did he say about himself?  John 1:6-8

 

6. What does the true light do, how did the world come to be, and who did not accept him?  John 1:9-11

 

7. To those who did accept Jesus what did he give them power to  become, in what did they believe, and how were they born? John 1:12-13

 

8. Who can enter the kingdom of God?  John 3:5

 

9. What has not been revealed and what will happen to us when it  is revealed? 1 John 3:2

 

10. When the Word became flesh of what was he full?  John 1:14

 

11. What did John say about Jesus, what came through Moses, and what came through Jesus?  John 1:15-17

 

12. Who has revealed the Father to us?  John 1:18   

 

Personal – What has Jesus revealed to you about the Father?

 

 

FIFTH DAY     READ PSALM 98:1-6       

          (” The Lord has made his salvation known.”)

Read and meditate on Psalm 98:1-6

What is the Lord saying to you personally through the Psalm?

 

How can you apply this to your life?

 

 

SIXTH DAY     READ ALL OF THE COMMENTARY

ISAIAH 52:7-10

In today’s passage God urges his people to draw comfort from past history and to look forward to a greater exodus.  He is telling them that it is time to shake off the grief and lethargy that has overtaken them. There is the sound of Good News that God is about to escort his people home to Jerusalem, God’s holy city, the city with God’s temple. But the people experienced desolation instead of prosperity, and destruction instead of liberty. The people suffered terribly because of their sins, but God promised to restore Jerusalem as a holy city.

God reigns, and today he still is very much in control.  Today’s verse states how beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news of peace and salvation (v.7).  How beautiful are the feet of those who go forth and preach the Gospel of Jesus Christ (Romans 10:15).  How welcome are those who bring the message of hope to a broken, hopeless, segment of our world.

God’s great message of salvation must be through us to others so they can have the chance to respond to the “Good News”.  How will our loved ones hear it unless we take it to them?  How will the nations hear it unless someone takes it to them?  God is calling you to take a part in making his message known in your family and your community.  Think of one person who needs to hear the good news, and think of something you can do to help him or her hear it.  Then you go out and do that act, in Jesus’ name, as soon as possible.

   

HEBREWS 1:1-6

The letter to the Hebrews was written to a group of Jewish Christians who appeared to be having second thoughts about Jesus Christ being their long-awaited Messiah.  They should have been a community of mature christians by this time; instead, they seemed to be sort of withdrawn and inward-looking in their spiritual walk.  They needed a strong reminder that what they now possess in Christ is far better than what they had before they became Christians.

This passage begins with a tremendous affirmation of Jesus’ divinity.  Through Jesus, God has made his supreme and final revelation of himself to man.  Jesus is the living embodiment of the character and majesty of God.  Jesus has dealt with the problem of human sin by sacrificing himself on the cross and paying the ransom for all mankind with his blood. He is now at God’s side in the position of supreme power.  The angels, whom the Jews came very close to worshipping themselves, worship Jesus Christ.  They are spiritual beings and they are to serve and glorify God himself.

The people were well versed in scripture and whether through doubt, persecution, or false teaching, they seemed to be in danger of falling away from their Christian faith.  This danger is very much present in today’s world.  There is much false teaching today and many so-called “Shepherds” are just wolves in sheep’s clothing.  We need to stay in fellowship, pray, and study God’s Holy Word, and follow the teachings of our church.  Take the time this Christmas season to thank the Lord for bringing his light into your heart and bringing about a better relationship with him. Remember, it is Jesus birthday, and the present he wants most is YOU!    

 

JOHN 1:1-18

This passage clearly shows that what Jesus taught and what he did are tied inseparably to who he is.  In today’s reading John shows Jesus as fully human and fully God.  Although Jesus took upon himself full humanity and lived as a man experiencing all the emotions that all of us have, he never ceased to be God who has always existed.  This is the truth about Jesus, and the foundation of all truth.  If we cannot or do not believe this basic truth, we will not have enough faith to trust our eternal destiny to him.  This is the reason John writes this gospel, to build faith and confidence in Jesus Christ, so that we may believe he truly was and is God in the flesh (John 20:30-31).

Jesus’ life brings light to mankind, in his light we see ourselves as we really are: sinners in need of a savior.  We fall on our knees, and like the shepherds at the little cave in Bethlehem, we too give praise and glory to the light of the world, our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.  The wise men followed the light of a star to see the light of the world.  When we follow Jesus, the light of the world, we can avoid walking blindly and falling into sin.  He lights the path ahead of us so we can see how to live.  He removes the darkness of sin from our lives, and if we have allowed the light of Christ to shine in our lives this Christmas season, then we will never stumble in the darkness.

As the world celebrates the birth of Christ, let yourself be reborn spiritually.  Through faith in Christ this new birth changes us from the inside out – rearranging our attitudes, desires and motives.  Have you asked Christ to make you a new person on Christmas day?  This fresh start is available to all who believe in him.  Merry Christmas.

 

Application

The first reading tells us how beautiful are the feet of those who go forth and proclaim God’s Word.  The second reading shows that encouragement and discipline lead to a stronger commitment to God.  The gospel reveals Christmas as a time of new birth, a time of giving your life over to God.

This week, give those you love the greatest present you could give them for Christmas.  How beautiful are your feet as you go forth and gift them with the gift of your presence, of your love, of salvation by bringing them to Christ.  Remember, it is Christ’s birthday, and the presents should all be for him, and he only wants you!