Podcasts about our advent

Preaching: Mike RothMuch is wrong with the world and it breaks our hearts. We feel discouraged. We feel overwhelmed. We feel hopeless. Our Advent sermon series, Held by Longing, will plumb the depths of our sorrow. But then, we'll keep going. We'll follow the prophets of the Hebrew Scriptures in considering how our discouragement, overwhelm, and hopelessness can, like the North Star, hold us in light that guides us onward. Onward, to participate in Divine Love, which is capable of making all things new.Pearl Church exists to express a sacred story and to extend a common table that animate life by love. A primary expression of our sacred story is the weekly sermon. If our sermons inspire you to ponder the sacred, to consider the mystery and love of God, and to live bountifully, would you consider supporting our work? You can donate easily and securely at our website: pearlchurch.org. Thank you for partnering with us in expressing this sacred story.

Our guest this week is one of our teaching pastors, Spencer Gallarno, Pastor of Senior Adults and Congregational Care. We talk about egg creams, Paul and Silas, the Christmas Eve Service, and more!We have Christmas traditions this episode from Luke G and Brynn N.Join us Wednesday, December 24th, at 4:30 or 6 pm for our Christmas Eve service. We will have Children's bulletins in the foyer for you to grab on your way in!Our Advent hymn this week is Joy to the WorldIf you're new to our podcast, you can check out our past episodes here and on the Grace Evangelical Church feed.

Our guest this week is Kyle Jacobson! We talk a little about his background, favorite Bible story, and some of their favorite Christmas activities.We have Christmas traditions from Elanie H, Riley N, and Mackenzie H. We'd love to hear from you about your favorite traditions- record a voice memo and text it to one of us or email it to ashley.austell@graceevan.org by Sunday, December 21st, to be featured on the podcast!Our Advent hymn this week is The First NoelIf you're new to our podcast, you can check out our past episodes here and on the Grace Evangelical Church feed.

Preaching: Ben ConachanMuch is wrong with the world and it breaks our hearts. We feel discouraged. We feel overwhelmed. We feel hopeless. Our Advent sermon series, Held by Longing, will plumb the depths of our sorrow. But then, we'll keep going. We'll follow the prophets of the Hebrew Scriptures in considering how our discouragement, overwhelm, and hopelessness can, like the North Star, hold us in light that guides us onward. Onward, to participate in Divine Love, which is capable of making all things new.Pearl Church exists to express a sacred story and to extend a common table that animate life by love. A primary expression of our sacred story is the weekly sermon. If our sermons inspire you to ponder the sacred, to consider the mystery and love of God, and to live bountifully, would you consider supporting our work? You can donate easily and securely at our website: pearlchurch.org. Thank you for partnering with us in expressing this sacred story.

Our Advent series continues with Steve Withington explaining how Jesus came to show us what true humanity looks like and how, through his Spirit, we can be transformed into the new humanity that was always meant to be like him.

Our Advent and Christmas series is called “Signs of the Season.” Each week we will look at a different concept that we will reflect on as part of our rememberence of the birth of our Savior. Our message today is “Signs and Truths” and looks at the truths we remember as we prepare ourselves for Christmas. We remember the signs of the season as we await our Emmanuel, God with us. Our scripture readings come from Isaiah 35:1-10; James 5:7-10; and Matthew 11:2-11.

Our Advent series continues as Dr. Katie Ranum shares a message of peace from Isaiah and Matthew.

In this episode we push on in Jonah, reading Jonah 1:9-17, finishing the conversation on the great storm and also Jonah being cast into the sea. Our Advent theme this week is Peace, and so we explore what our passage today has to do with peace. Together we discuss the satirical form of this week's passage which forces us to see truths that we often would rather ignore. Additionally, we identify the peace that we find when we cease our striving and choose to rest in the presence of God in the midst of the storms and chaos of life.

Preaching: Ben ConachanMuch is wrong with the world and it breaks our hearts. We feel discouraged. We feel overwhelmed. We feel hopeless. Our Advent sermon series, Held by Longing, will plumb the depths of our sorrow. But then, we'll keep going. We'll follow the prophets of the Hebrew Scriptures in considering how our discouragement, overwhelm, and hopelessness can, like the North Star, hold us in light that guides us onward. Onward, to participate in Divine Love, which is capable of making all things new.Pearl Church exists to express a sacred story and to extend a common table that animate life by love. A primary expression of our sacred story is the weekly sermon. If our sermons inspire you to ponder the sacred, to consider the mystery and love of God, and to live bountifully, would you consider supporting our work? You can donate easily and securely at our website: pearlchurch.org. Thank you for partnering with us in expressing this sacred story.

Our Advent sermon series continues in Genesis 32:22-32, and we'll focus on the topic of how God changes us.

ADVENT WEEK TWO: PEACEDecember 7 Rev. Mike MillerPeace in the ValleyEzekiel 37:1-14I will put my spirit within you, and you shall live, and I will place you on yourown soil; then you shall know that I, the Lord, have spoken and will act, saysthe Lord. Ezekiel 37:14Advent is a season of waiting. It is a time to prepare ourselves for peace andnew life coming into a very weary world. Ezekiel 37:1–14 gives us a vivid imagethat speaks powerfully to this theme of new life.Addressing the despondent and displaced exiles in Babylon, Ezekiel speaksof a valley of bones that are not only dead, but long past the point of life. Thisimagery reflects how many people can feel during the holiday season. Cut off,forgotten, spiritually lifeless. But Advent reminds us that God does not aban-don God's people in valleys alone. Instead, God sits with them in the valleysand promises restoration and new life.In this scripture text, God commands Ezekiel to prophesy, and as he does, thebones come together, flesh forms, and breath enters. What once was deadstands alive again. This breath-Spirit of God is the same Spirit that hoveredover the waters at creation, the same Spirit that filled Mary's womb, and thesame Spirit that brought and continues to bring new life into our midst.During Advent, we sit in the tension between the brokenness of the world andthe promises of peace, hope, joy, and love. Ezekiel 37 reminds us that Godbrings life where there is death, hope where there is despair, joy where thereis sadness, and love where there is hatred.Our Advent journey reminds us that just as Jesus once came to a wearyworld, Jesus comes again and again into our lives to make everything new.As we wait, we do not wait in fear. We wait in hope—trusting that the God whobreathes life into dry bones is still at work, even in our valleys. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Who is the true king? And what does it mean to worship and follow the true king? Our Advent series continues with Amelia Smith examining the differences between how the magi and Herod responded to the birth of Jesus and what it means for us.

Our Advent and Christmas series is called “Signs of the Season.” Each week we will look at a different concept that we will reflect on as part of our rememberence of the birth of our Savior. Our message today is “Signs and Stories” and looks at the stories we tell as part of how we remember Christmas. We remember the signs of the season as we await our Emmanuel, God with us. Our scripture readings come from Isaiah 11:1-10; Romans 15:4-13; and Matthew 3:1-12.

Our Advent gathering was a beautiful, creative and reflective time, with poems, prose and songs, culminating in communion. Many thanks to all those who contributed.

Preaching: Mike RothMuch is wrong with the world and it breaks our hearts. We feel discouraged. We feel overwhelmed. We feel hopeless. Our Advent sermon series, Held by Longing, will plumb the depths of our sorrow. But then, we'll keep going. We'll follow the prophets of the Hebrew Scriptures in considering how our discouragement, overwhelm, and hopelessness can, like the North Star, hold us in light that guides us onward. Onward, to participate in Divine Love, which is capable of making all things new.Pearl Church exists to express a sacred story and to extend a common table that animate life by love. A primary expression of our sacred story is the weekly sermon. If our sermons inspire you to ponder the sacred, to consider the mystery and love of God, and to live bountifully, would you consider supporting our work? You can donate easily and securely at our website: pearlchurch.org. Thank you for partnering with us in expressing this sacred story.

Pastor Ethan begins our Advent series, The Rescue! Our previous series in Colossians taught us that God "has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the Kingdom of the Son he loves". Our Advent series spins right out of that, reminding us that Jesus is The Rescue.

Our Advent series kicks off in the Old Testament with Isaiah 9. In this section of scripture, Isaiah foretells the coming of Christ and what his incarnation and rule will mean for His people. We hope this sermon blesses you in the Lord.Originally November 30th, 2025. Zachary Nelson. Covenant Church. Tuscaloosa, AL.

Our Advent series from the Pauline Epistles begins today with a study of Romans 8:18-25 entitled, The Groan before the Jingle Bells.

Today is the beginning of Advent. Our Advent theme is God's Enduring Love.

Our Advent and Christmas series is called “Signs of the Season.” Each week we will look at a different concept that we will reflect on as part of our rememberence of the birth of our Savior. Our message today is “Signs and Times” and looks at how we plan when we try to understand God's timing and the unknown. We remember the signs of the season as we await our Emmanuel, God with us. Our scripture readings come from Isaiah 2:1-5; Romans 13:11-14; and Matthew 24:36-44.

Today is the beginning of Advent. Our Advent theme is God's Enduring Love.

Today is the beginning of Advent. Our Advent theme is God's Enduring Love.

Today is the beginning of Advent. Our Advent theme is God's Enduring Love.

Today is the beginning of Advent. Our Advent theme is God's Enduring Love.

Today is the beginning of Advent. Our Advent theme is God's Enduring Love.

Our Advent series, Meeting the Messiah, begins in Chapter 1 of Matthew's Gospel. Our preacher, John Perry.

Our Advent series concludes with a look at love through the eyes of Mary. Mary's song in Luke 1 reveals the love of God to us and encourages us to be people who love like God. This sermon begins with a testimony from UCC member Caitlin Snyder.

Our Advent series concludes with a look at love through the eyes of Mary. Mary's song in Luke 1 reveals the love of God to us and encourages us to be people who love like God. This sermon begins with a testimony from UCC member Caitlin Snyder.

Read OnlineMerry Christmas! Our Advent preparations have been completed, and we are now invited by our Lord to enter into the glorious celebration of His birth!How well do you understand the awe-inspiring mystery of Christmas? How fully do you comprehend the significance of God becoming a human, born of a virgin? Though many are quite familiar with the beautiful and humble story of the birth of the Savior of the World, that familiarity can have the surprising negative effect of keeping our intellect from deeply probing the depths of the meaning of what we celebrate.Notice the last line of the Gospel passage quoted above: “And Mary kept all these things, reflecting on them in her heart.” What a beautiful line to ponder this Christmas day. Mother Mary was the one person who would have understood the mystery of the birth of her Son, the Son of God, the Savior of the World, far more deeply than anyone else. It was to her that the Archangel Gabriel appeared, announcing her pregnancy and His birth. It was her who carried her Son, the Son of God, in her Immaculate womb for nine months. It was to her that Elizabeth, her cousin, cried out, “Most blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb” (Luke 1:42). It was Mary who was the Immaculate Conception, the one who was preserved from all sin throughout her life. And it was her who gave birth to this Child, carried Him in her arms and nursed Him at her breast. Our Blessed Mother, more than any other, understood the incredible event that had taken place in her life. But, again, the Gospel above says that “Mary kept all these things, reflecting on them in her heart.” One thing this tells us is that even Mary, the Mother of Jesus and the Mother of God, needed time to ponder, reflect and savor this most holy mystery. She never doubted, but her faith continually deepened, and her heart pondered the unfathomable and incomprehensible mystery of the Incarnation.Another thing this tells us is that there is no end to the depth of the “pondering” to which we must commit ourselves if we want to enter more deeply into the mystery of the birth of the Son of God. Reading the story, setting up a nativity scene, sharing Christmas cards, attending Mass and the like are central to a holy celebration of Christmas. But “pondering” and “reflecting,” especially during prayer and especially at the Christmas Mass, will have the effect of drawing us ever deeper into this Mystery of our Faith. Reflect, today, with our Blessed Mother. Ponder the Incarnation. Place yourself into the scene that first Christmas. Hear the sounds of the town. Smell the smells of the stable. Watch as the shepherds come forth in adoration. And enter the mystery more fully, acknowledging that the more you know about the mystery of Christmas, the more you know how little you actually know and understand. But that humble realization is the first step to a deeper understanding of what we celebrate this day.Lord, I gaze at the wonder of Your birth. You Who are God, the Second Person of the Most Holy Trinity, God from God and Light from Light, became one of us, a humble child, born of a virgin and laid in a manger. Help me to ponder this glorious event, to reflect upon the mystery with awe and to more fully grasp the meaning of what You have done for us. I thank You, dear Lord, for this glorious celebration of Your birth into the world. Jesus, I trust in You.Source of content: catholic-daily-reflections.comCopyright © 2024 My Catholic Life! Inc. All rights reserved. Used with permission via RSS feed.Featured image above: Shepherds at the Manger, via flickr

Preaching: Mike RothTo feel, anything, is to be alive. Feelings are a central part of our humanity. Their significance is clearly attested to in the life of Jesus, the Infinite wrapped in flesh, feeling—happiness, sadness, worry, anger, despair, vulnerability, peace, amazement… Unfortunately, in comparison to thinking, western thought has minimized feelings as insignificant, disgraced them as childish, and devalued them as inferior. Because of this, many of us have inherited a tumultuous relationship with feelings. Throughout Advent, a season marked by longing, we intend to celebrate, embrace, and plumb the depths of a few consequential feelings. Our Advent hope is that come Christmas morning, a gift is born: the incarnation of feelings in our selves, relationships, and life with God.Pearl Church exists to express a sacred story and to extend a common table that animate life by love. A primary expression of our sacred story is the weekly sermon. If our sermons inspire you to ponder the sacred, to consider the mystery and love of God, and to live bountifully, would you consider supporting our work? You can donate easily and securely at our website: pearlchurch.org. Thank you for partnering with us in expressing this sacred story.

Preaching: Mike RothTo feel, anything, is to be alive. Feelings are a central part of our humanity. Their significance is clearly attested to in the life of Jesus, the Infinite wrapped in flesh, feeling—happiness, sadness, worry, anger, despair, vulnerability, peace, amazement… Unfortunately, in comparison to thinking, western thought has minimized feelings as insignificant, disgraced them as childish, and devalued them as inferior. Because of this, many of us have inherited a tumultuous relationship with feelings. Throughout Advent, a season marked by longing, we intend to celebrate, embrace, and plumb the depths of a few consequential feelings. Our Advent hope is that come Christmas morning, a gift is born: the incarnation of feelings in our selves, relationships, and life with God.Pearl Church exists to express a sacred story and to extend a common table that animate life by love. A primary expression of our sacred story is the weekly sermon. If our sermons inspire you to ponder the sacred, to consider the mystery and love of God, and to live bountifully, would you consider supporting our work? You can donate easily and securely at our website: pearlchurch.org. Thank you for partnering with us in expressing this sacred story.

Preaching: Mike RothTo feel, anything, is to be alive. Feelings are a central part of our humanity. Their significance is clearly attested to in the life of Jesus, the Infinite wrapped in flesh, feeling—happiness, sadness, worry, anger, despair, vulnerability, peace, amazement… Unfortunately, in comparison to thinking, western thought has minimized feelings as insignificant, disgraced them as childish, and devalued them as inferior. Because of this, many of us have inherited a tumultuous relationship with feelings. Throughout Advent, a season marked by longing, we intend to celebrate, embrace, and plumb the depths of a few consequential feelings. Our Advent hope is that come Christmas morning, a gift is born: the incarnation of feelings in our selves, relationships, and life with God.Pearl Church exists to express a sacred story and to extend a common table that animate life by love. A primary expression of our sacred story is the weekly sermon. If our sermons inspire you to ponder the sacred, to consider the mystery and love of God, and to live bountifully, would you consider supporting our work? You can donate easily and securely at our website: pearlchurch.org. Thank you for partnering with us in expressing this sacred story.

Our Advent series continues with the story of Zechariah and Elizabeth from Luke 1:5-25. When we consider the circumstances, the setting, and the story, it is evident the Lord's providence led to blessing this righteous couple with a son. Their son, John the Baptist, would the messenger who would "prepare the way" for Christ Jesus. We hope this message blesses you in the Lord. Originally December 8th, 2024. Zachary Nelson. Covenant Church. Tuscaloosa, AL.

Day 1: Christ’s Dependence and Our Advent “By his own will Christ was dependent on Mary during Advent: he was absolutely helpless; he could go nowhere but where she chose to take him; he could not speak; her breathing was his breath; his heart beat in the beating of her heart…. In the seasons of ... Read more The post Day 1: Christ’s Dependence and Our Advent – From the writings of Caryll Houselander – Discerning Hearts Podcasts appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.

Preaching: Mike RothTo feel, anything, is to be alive. Feelings are a central part of our humanity. Their significance is clearly attested to in the life of Jesus, the Infinite wrapped in flesh, feeling—happiness, sadness, worry, anger, despair, vulnerability, peace, amazement… Unfortunately, in comparison to thinking, western thought has minimized feelings as insignificant, disgraced them as childish, and devalued them as inferior. Because of this, many of us have inherited a tumultuous relationship with feelings. Throughout Advent, a season marked by longing, we intend to celebrate, embrace, and plumb the depths of a few consequential feelings. Our Advent hope is that come Christmas morning, a gift is born: the incarnation of feelings in our selves, relationships, and life with God.Pearl Church exists to express a sacred story and to extend a common table that animate life by love. A primary expression of our sacred story is the weekly sermon. If our sermons inspire you to ponder the sacred, to consider the mystery and love of God, and to live bountifully, would you consider supporting our work? You can donate easily and securely at our website: pearlchurch.org. Thank you for partnering with us in expressing this sacred story.

Merry Christmas! It's Advent season. Our Advent sermon series this year focuses on loneliness. One of the things we'll learn in this message is that loneliness can happen even during times that are perceived to be joyous and happy. And as you may know, loneliness can happen to anyone. None of us is immune.

Christmas is coming! Our Advent series, "The First Christmas Playlist," starts with Elizabeth's Song as recorded in Luke 1:39-45.

Our Advent study begins in Isaiah 2.

So they went in haste 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. Luke 2:16–19Merry Christmas! Our Advent preparations have been completed, and we are now invited by our Lord to enter into the glorious celebration of His birth!How well do you understand the awe-inspiring mystery of Christmas? How fully do you comprehend the significance of God becoming a human, born of a virgin? Though many are quite familiar with the beautiful and humble story of the birth of the Savior of the World, that familiarity can have the surprising negative effect of keeping our intellect from deeply probing the depths of the meaning of what we celebrate.Notice the last line of the Gospel passage quoted above: “And Mary kept all these things, reflecting on them in her heart.” What a beautiful line to ponder this Christmas day. Mother Mary was the one person who would have understood the mystery of the birth of her Son, the Son of God, the Savior of the World, far more deeply than anyone else. It was to her that the Archangel Gabriel appeared, announcing her pregnancy and His birth. It was her who carried her Son, the Son of God, in her Immaculate womb for nine months. It was to her that Elizabeth, her cousin, cried out, “Most blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb” (Luke 1:42). It was Mary who was the Immaculate Conception, the one who was preserved from all sin throughout her life. And it was her who gave birth to this Child, carried Him in her arms and nursed Him at her breast. Our Blessed Mother, more than any other, understood the incredible event that had taken place in her life.But, again, the Gospel above says that “Mary kept all these things, reflecting on them in her heart.” One thing this tells us is that even Mary, the Mother of Jesus and the Mother of God, needed time to ponder, reflect and savor this most holy mystery. She never doubted, but her faith continually deepened, and her heart pondered the unfathomable and incomprehensible mystery of the Incarnation.Another thing this tells us is that there is no end to the depth of the “pondering” to which we must commit ourselves if we want to enter more deeply into the mystery of the birth of the Son of God. Reading the story, setting up a nativity scene, sharing Christmas cards, attending Mass and the like are central to a holy celebration of Christmas. But “pondering” and “reflecting,” especially during prayer and especially at the Christmas Mass, will have the effect of drawing us ever deeper into this Mystery of our Faith.Reflect, today, with our Blessed Mother. Ponder the Incarnation. Place yourself into the scene that first Christmas. Hear the sounds of the town. Smell the smells of the stable. Watch as the shepherds come forth in adoration. And enter the mystery more fully, acknowledging that the more you know about the mystery of Christmas, the more you know how little you actually know and understand. But that humble realization is the first step to a deeper understanding of what we celebrate this day.Lord, I gaze at the wonder of Your birth. You Who are God, the Second Person of the Most Holy Trinity, God from God and Light from Light, became one of us, a humble child, born of a virgin and laid in a manger. Help me to ponder this glorious event, to reflect upon the mystery with awe and to more fully grasp the meaning of what You have done for us. I thank You, dear Lord, for this glorious celebration of Your birth into the world. Jesus, I trust in You. Source of content: catholic-daily-reflections.comCopyright © 2023 My Catholic Life! Inc. All rights reserved. Used with permission via RSS feed.

Our Advent 2023 series conclueds as Pastor Davy Chu preaches on peace at Christmas from Luke 2:13-14.

Our Advent series continues this week as Pastor Ethan shares a message about the mindset of Christmas.

Our Advent series continues this week as Pastor Ethan shares a message about the mindset of Christmas.

Our Advent 2023 series continues as Pastor Dane Ortlund preaches on the humility of Christ from Luke 2:12.

Our Advent series continues with a message from Isaiah 61.

Our Advent guide, John the Baptist, is praised by Jesus today. What does it mean that the violent are taking the Kingdom of Heaven by force?

Our Advent series continues with the topic of Peace, and boy oh boy does Tom bring us to a new understanding of what peace looks like, why we need it and the key to having it. We don't know about you, but we could use some more peace in our lives and in this season of Christmas, the Prince of Peace wants to give you the real deal kind of peace: HIS peace.  We hope you will join us in this conversation about Jesus that brings conviction, hope, understanding and so so much peace!

Our Advent journey will begin Sunday, December 3rd when we will light our first Advent candle. We invite you to journey with us through the Psalter (Psalms) lectionary text for the Advent Season. The Psalms are a historic Jewish prayer book that is comprised of 150 chapters and divided into 5 books. The prayers found in the Psalms encompass a myriad of seasons of life. Seasons of despair, doubt, sadness, and grief are seasons of hope, joy, and assurance. Join us on our Advent Journey at storiedchurch.org/blog www.storiedchurch.org Find out more about Storied Church: linktr.ee/storiedumc TO GIVE visit our link tree and click "GIVE NOW": linktr.ee/storiedumc JOIN OUR LISTSERVE: storiedchurch.org/connect instagram.com/storiedchurch facebook.com/storiedchurch YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@storiedchurch921

While the truths of Galatians 4:4-7 may take less than a minute to read, they offer a lifetime fruitful study. The Apostle Paul shows how the coming of Christ was neither early nor late but came to pass according to God's eternal plan and purpose. The opening verse reveals what uniquely qualified Jesus to bring salvation to his people once and for all. Our Advent exploration of this text begins where the Apostle himself does, with “Incarnation.”

Our Advent sermon series, Behold, commences with a message from Senior Pastor David Dwight. God invites us to behold – not merely look, but to pay attention, to notice, and to take in the beauty + magnitude of the birth of Jesus Christ. Everything changed when He entered into the world fully man and fully God. Religion turned into a relationship with the person of Christ. Together, as a community of beholders, we can bring our distractions and our wounds to Jesus this Christmas, so that nothing would stand in the way of our beholding and entering into relationship with the Son of God. “Behold, you will conceive in your womb, and bring forth a son, and will call his name “Jesus.'” - Luke 1:31

So they went in haste 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. Luke 2:16–19Merry Christmas! Our Advent preparations have been completed, and we are now invited by our Lord to enter into the glorious celebration of His birth!How well do you understand the awe-inspiring mystery of Christmas? How fully do you comprehend the significance of God becoming a human, born of a virgin? Though many are quite familiar with the beautiful and humble story of the birth of the Savior of the World, that familiarity can have the surprising negative effect of keeping our intellect from deeply probing the depths of the meaning of what we celebrate.Notice the last line of the Gospel passage quoted above: “And Mary kept all these things, reflecting on them in her heart.” What a beautiful line to ponder this Christmas day. Mother Mary was the one person who would have understood the mystery of the birth of her Son, the Son of God, the Savior of the World, far more deeply than anyone else. It was to her that the Archangel Gabriel appeared, announcing her pregnancy and His birth. It was her who carried her Son, the Son of God, in her Immaculate womb for nine months. It was to her that Elizabeth, her cousin, cried out, “Most blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb” (Luke 1:42). It was Mary who was the Immaculate Conception, the one who was preserved from all sin throughout her life. And it was her who gave birth to this Child, carried Him in her arms and nursed Him at her breast. Our Blessed Mother, more than any other, understood the incredible event that had taken place in her life.But, again, the Gospel above says that “Mary kept all these things, reflecting on them in her heart.” One thing this tells us is that even Mary, the Mother of Jesus and the Mother of God, needed time to ponder, reflect and savor this most holy mystery. She never doubted, but her faith continually deepened, and her heart pondered the unfathomable and incomprehensible mystery of the Incarnation.Another thing this tells us is that there is no end to the depth of the “pondering” to which we must commit ourselves if we want to enter more deeply into the mystery of the birth of the Son of God. Reading the story, setting up a nativity scene, sharing Christmas cards, attending Mass and the like are central to a holy celebration of Christmas. But “pondering” and “reflecting,” especially during prayer and especially at the Christmas Mass, will have the effect of drawing us ever deeper into this Mystery of our Faith.Reflect, today, with our Blessed Mother. Ponder the Incarnation. Place yourself into the scene that first Christmas. Hear the sounds of the town. Smell the smells of the stable. Watch as the shepherds come forth in adoration. And enter the mystery more fully, acknowledging that the more you know about the mystery of Christmas, the more you know how little you actually know and understand. But that humble realization is the first step to a deeper understanding of what we celebrate this day.Lord, I gaze at the wonder of Your birth. You Who are God, the Second Person of the Most Holy Trinity, God from God and Light from Light, became one of us, a humble child, born of a virgin and laid in a manger. Help me to ponder this glorious event, to reflect upon the mystery with awe and to more fully grasp the meaning of what You have done for us. I thank You, dear Lord, for this glorious celebration of Your birth into the world. Jesus, I trust in You.Source of content: catholic-daily-reflections.comCopyright © 2022 My Catholic Life! Inc. All rights reserved. Used with permission via RSS feed.