Reflection: What Child is this?

And Joseph too went up from Galilee from the town of Nazareth to Judea, to the city of David that is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and family of David, to be enrolled with Mary, his betrothed, who was with child. While they were there, the time came for her to have her child, and she gave birth to her firstborn son. She wrapped him in swaddling clothes and laid him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn. Luke 2:4-7

O Blessed Joseph, it must have caused you great concern that there was no room in the inn for Mary to have her baby.  You were her quiet protector and you found a place to stay.  O Saint Joseph, you are the Protector of Families and we ask you to watch over all families.  

Now there were shepherds in that region living in the fields and keeping the night watch over their flock. The angel of the Lord appeared to them and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were struck with great fear. The angel said to them, "Do not be afraid; for behold, I proclaim to you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. For today in the city of David a savior has been born for you who is Messiah and Lord. And this will be a sign for you: you will find an infant wrapped in swaddling clothes and lying in a manger." And suddenly there was a multitude of the heavenly host with the angel, praising God and saying: "Glory to God in the highest and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests."  Luke 2:8-14 

When the angel of the Lord appeared to the shepherds and the glory of the Lord shone around them they had great fear but they listened to the message of the angel.  O Lord, help us to listen to you when we are afraid.  Help us to see the signs You give us that lead us to great joy.  Stay with us, as we come, gazing at You lying in the manger.  O Prince of Peace, bring Your peace into the world, into our families and into our hearts. 

When the angels went away from them to heaven, the shepherds said to one another, "Let us go, then, to Bethlehem to see this thing that has taken place, which the Lord has made known to us." 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. Then the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen, just as it had been told to them.  Luke 2:15-20 

O Mary and Joseph, the shepherds came in haste to see the babe lying in the manger.  You welcomed them as you welcome us to come and see the baby Jesus, His hands outstretched to us.  As we kneel before the baby, we sing songs of praise to see the newborn King.  O Mary, you kept all these things, pondering them in your heart.  Help us to be like you, Mary, and to ponder all the Lord has done for us.  Blessed Saint Joseph and Holy Mary, Mother of God, draw us close to the baby Jesus where we may find rest. 



O Holy Family, we entrust to you all the names we receive through this ministry.