Words of the Saints to Ponder While Journeying Toward Bethlehem

Today, as my thoughts on Advent 2021 come to a close I want to end with the words of Pope Francis. A great, humble, smart and kind, tireless worker striving toward unity among all people, men, women, children, rich, poor, powerful, voiceless, seen, and the unseen. We are all one family here on Earth. Let us work toward peace among all people. Thank you for journeying with me on this Advent walk. I am forever grateful.

Pope Francis (Dec. 17, 1936)

Born: Buenos Aires, Argentina

Chemical Technician, Jesuit, Parish Priest, Archbishop of Buenos Aires, Cardinal, Pope, Advocate for Social Justice, First Pope to be a Member of the Society of Jesus, the First from the Americas, the First from the Southern Hemisphere, and the First Pope from Outside Europe since Gregory III,  Educator, Professor of Literature and Psychology, Grand Chancellor of the Catholic University of Argentina, Author, “Prophet of Justice”

“Christmas reveals the immense love of God for humanity. From that flows also the enthusiasm, the hope of us Christians, that in our poverty we know that we are loved, we are visited accompanied by God.”

“Christmas is joy, religious joy, an inner joy of light and peace.”

“For me Christmas has always been about this, contemplating the visit of God to his people.”

Prayer:

Dear Lord Jesus, You have arrived. My heart has longed for you for 28 long days. The morning star has shown Your glory. The shepherds had adored, the animals have all celebrated sharing in your birth. Now the holy family rests. In the days ahead, stay with me as I try to put everything I have learned and come to know to be put into practice. Thank You, Christmas Miracle, for coming.

Music:

Between the Ox and the Grey Donkey

Between the ox and the grey donkey
Sleeps, sleeps, sleeps the little son,
A thousand divine angels, a thousand seraphim
Fly around this great God of love.

Between the two arms of Mary
Sleeps, sleeps, sleeps the fruit of life,
A thousand divine angels, a thousand seraphim
Fly around this great God of love.

Between the roses and the lilies,
Sleeps, sleeps, sleeps the little son,
A thousand divine angels, a thousand seraphim
Fly around this great God of love.

Amidst the gentle shepherds
Sleeps, sleeps Jesus who smiles,
A thousand divine angels, a thousand seraphim
Fly around this great God of love.

On this beautiful, so solemn day
Sleeps, sleeps, sleeps Emmanuel,
A thousand divine angels, a thousand seraphim
Fly around this great God of love.