Gospel Luke 2:16-21
The shepherds went in haste to Bethlehem and found Mary and Joseph, and the infant lying in the manger. When they saw this, they made known the message that had been told them about this child. All who heard it were amazed by what had been told them by the shepherds. And Mary kept all these things, reflecting on them in her heart. Then the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen, just as it had been told to them.
When eight days were completed for his circumcision, he was named Jesus, the name given him by the angel before he was conceived in the womb.

Reflection
Insights come through many different ways, but when we listen to these stories through the Octave of Christmas, it's surprising that how many people come sort of from places we wouldn't expect them to come from. And they had the faith, they had an understanding. They knew what was going to happen and they were rejoicing that it was happening.
That's a gift. And I believe each of us have that gift. We do have ways in which God continues to reveal to us the mysteries of our life with him. And it's important for us to do what Mary did, to hold these images and these thoughts and these ideas in our hearts, not to try to figure them out.
That would be holding it in your head, but just to wonder about it, to ponder it, to imagine what it would mean if it was true. That's the work of Mary, the church. That's our work.

Closing Prayer
Father, prayer is not always asking directly for something, but rather staying in your presence and opening our hearts to what you long to say to us. We forget that prayer is to a great extent, listening, not necessarily always asking. So bless us with a listening, reflective heart. And we ask this in Jesus’ name, Amen.

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