“O” Antiphon: “O King of all nations and keystone of the Church: Come and save man, whom you formed from the dust”!

These last days before Christmas offer great readings for reflection on the Incarnation and the miracles surrounding it. In the first reading, Hannah, a barren wife who prayed for a miracle, brings her young son, Samuel, to the Temple and leaves him with the priest Eli. She fulfills her promise that if she is blessed with a son, she will give him to God’s service. Samuel becomes the first of Israel’s prophets, anointing David king, from whose royal line both Joseph and Jesus are descendants.

As we ponder the miracle of Samuel’s birth and the birth of John the Baptist, sons of mothers thought to be unable to conceive, and the miracle of Jesus’ birth of a virgin, we must conclude that indeed, with God, all things are possible.

Our Lord himself makes this comment during a conversation with his disciples. When he observes that it is difficult for the rich to enter the kingdom of heaven, the disciples ask how anyone can get to heaven if even the rich must struggle. Jesus responds, With God, all things are possible. With God’s help, it is possible for most of us to get past our self-centered existence long enough to live as children of God focused on loving God and neighbor instead of focusing obsessively on our own problems and fears.

So far, I have reflected only on today’s first reading. The two other readings are closely related, and I ask God to help me and all who read this reflection to take some time to consider the relationship between Hannah’s cry of victory, the Responsorial Psalm, and Mary’s Magnificat in today’s Gospel, clearly inspired by Hannah’s words. May we all have a happy and holy Christmas!

Prayer:

Dear God, grant we pray, that those who confess Jesus’ Incarnation with humble fervor may merit his company as their redeemer. (From today’s Opening Prayer)