September 8, Nativity of the Virgin Mary

With delight I rejoice in the Lord — Isaiah 61:10 

Mass Readings: Micah 5:1-4 or Romans 8:28-30 / Matthew 1:1-16,18-23 or 1:18-23 

Early Christmas 

An easy-listening radio station in my city starts to play Christmas music in mid-November. That’s a little bit early for my taste but I admit that as Dec. 25 draws near I listen to that station often. Then, on Christmas Day at 6 p.m., the holiday music suddenly ends and the normal programming returns. That’s an abrupt, sad shift. That familiar song is right: Christmas time is here…. Oh, that we could always see such spirit through the year. 

Today’s Gospel recounts the birth of Jesus. His life is an ever-present reality, whether it’s September or December, the year 1 or 2010. We don’t need snow, ornaments or holiday music to experience the joy of Christmas and the reality of our Savior.

Prayer: Jesus, let me radiate the joy of knowing You.