Saturday within the Octave of the Feast of the Nativity of our Lord
Posted on December 30, 2023 by under
Scripture: St. Luke 2:15-20 (NKJV)
2:15 So it was, when the angels had gone away from them into heaven, that the shepherds said to one another, “Let us now go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has come to pass, which the Lord has made known to us.” 16 And they came with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the Babe lying in a manger. 17 Now when they had seen Him, they made widely known the saying which was told them concerning this Child. 18 And all those who heard it marveled at those things which were told them by the shepherds. 19 But Mary kept all these things and pondered them in her heart. 20 Then the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, as it was told them.
Devotion
The glorious Gospel of Jesus Christ is a wondrous blessing from heaven. But the work that we are called to do in service to that Gospel is often very simple and humble. We don’t have to try to make spectacles of ourselves when we tell others about Jesus Christ. We don’t have to rely on gimmicks, publicity stunts, bait-and-switch tactics, flashy entertainment, or any other such thing. Most of the time we are just called to speak the truth and do what is good and proper according to our vocations!
The devil often tempts us to make our faith about ourselves. He wants us to turn inward and seek our own glory. The glory of the Gospel is in its focus on the Son of God who became true man, born of the virgin Mary, and was crucified for our salvation. We cannot add any glory to that amazing work of God! But He blesses us poor, lowly people from all nations to carry that glorious message to all who might hear and believe. Again, we are called to simply carry out the good works that He teaches us to do, and speak the truth according to His holy Word. God will handle all things according to His power and good will!
Collect: Grant, we beseech Thee, Almighty God, that the new Birth of Thine Only-Begotten Son in the flesh may set us free who are held in the old bondage under the yoke of sin; through the same Jesus Christ, Thy Son, our Lord, Who liveth and reigneth with Thee and the Holy Ghost, ever One God, world without end. Amen.
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
