Wrapped in swaddling clothes and laid in a manger. Reflection for marriages. Saint Luke 2:1–14

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Gospel of the Day

A reading from the holy Gospel according to Saint Luke (2:1–14)
In those days a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that the whole world should be enrolled.
This first enrolment took place when Quirinius was governor of Syria. And everyone went to be enrolled, each to his own town.
So Joseph set out from the town of Nazareth in Galilee and travelled up to Judaea, to the town of David called Bethlehem—since he was of David’s house and line—in order to be enrolled together 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 a son, her first-born. She wrapped him in swaddling clothes and laid him in a manger because there was no room for them in the place where travellers lodged.
In the countryside close by there were shepherds who lived in the fields and took it in turns to keep watch over their flock by night. Suddenly an angel of the Lord appeared to them and the glory of the Lord shone round them. They were terrified, but the angel said,
“Do not be afraid. Listen, I bring you news of great joy, a joy to be shared by the whole people. Today in the town of David a Saviour has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord. And here is a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in swaddling clothes and lying in a manger.”
And suddenly with the angel there was a great throng of the heavenly host, praising God and singing:
“Glory to God in the highest heaven,
and peace to men who enjoy his favour.”
Wrapped in swaddling clothes and laid in a manger
Dear Jesus, how many times I have contemplated this scene, and yet it never ceases to amaze me! The angel announces that the “Saviour, the Messiah, the Lord” has been born. One might imagine a castle, acclamations and splendour… and yet “the sign is a child wrapped in swaddling clothes and lying in a manger.” How can this be? The Messiah a baby, wrapped in cloths, in a stable?
What a lesson, Lord—how different Your plans are from what I might imagine! Your message is clear. You Yourself set the example: the path to Salvation passes through becoming small and vulnerable, through giving everything, emptying oneself, welcoming circumstances even when I do not understand them, and giving one’s life. There is no other way. You said it very clearly: whoever wishes to follow You must “deny himself and take up his cross each day.” This is what Joseph and Mary did. Nothing unfolded according to their plans, yet they trusted in the Father. He knows more; He can do all things. Their task was simply to seek to do His will.
My good Jesus, help me to deny myself, to flee from my own reasoning, so that Your Love may fill my heart and I may love as You love.
Applied to Married Life
Miriam: I am so deeply moved by the fact that God came into the world as a baby, in a stable…
Joseph: Yes, what a lesson in humility and total detachment. And how beautiful it is to pray with the way Joseph and Mary lived everything. Humanly speaking, it seems senseless. Yet it could not be more beautiful, nor a greater sign of total love.
Miriam: How I long to welcome whatever circumstances may come, just as they did! They must have made their plans, yet they received with peace whatever came. They knew that their own judgement did not count, that they had to welcome each situation by trusting in God, giving everything to Him and loving.
Joseph: I am praying a great deal to be able, in every situation, to do His Will—even when I do not understand it. For this, I must never try to do my own will. My will must never be the criterion. By my own strength it is impossible, but with God’s grace—through prayer, the sacraments and sacrifice—I know I will succeed.
Miriam: It already shows that you are achieving it. It is a joy to see how you now carry what used to cause anger.
Joseph: Thank you so much, my love. It shows in you too. We are very weak, but God can do all things. Thank You so much, Lord!
Mother,
Help us to welcome Your Son and to give ourselves—to give everything—as you did. May this holy night be the beginning of my total self-giving to the Lord.
Blessed and praised be God!

 

The Magnificat in Marriage. Reflection for marriages. Luke 1:46–56

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Gospel of the Day

From the holy Gospel according to Saint Luke 1:46–56
And Mary said:
“My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord;
my spirit rejoices in God my Saviour,
for he has looked upon the humility of his servant.
From now on all generations will call me blessed.
The Mighty One has done great things for me,
and holy is his name.
His mercy is from generation to generation
to those who fear him.
He has shown the strength of his arm,
he has scattered the proud in their conceit.
He has cast down the mighty from their thrones
and has lifted up the lowly.
He has filled the hungry with good things,
and the rich he has sent away empty.
He has come to the help of his servant Israel
for he has remembered his promise of mercy,
the promise he made to our fathers,
to Abraham and his children for ever.”
Mary remained with her about three months

The Magnificat in Marriage:
In Mary’s song, we hear the voice of every true love that knows itself to be received as a gift. For spouses, the Magnificat reminds us that marriage is not born of self-sufficiency, but of shared humility: two spouses who recognise that their story is great because God dwells within it.
“My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord”: we have a sacrament, and God is present in our marriage. May every detail towards our spouse be a response to the Love He has for us. Let us ask ourselves in the small, daily things: does this glorify the Lord, or am I responding according to merely human logic, to the limited love of my spouse?
“He has looked upon the humility of his servant”: authentic conjugal love does not deny fragility — it welcomes it. God looks with special love upon spouses who do not hide behind pride, but present themselves as they truly are, in need of one another and of His grace. Where vulnerability is shared, there is fertile ground for the mercy of God.
“He has cast down the mighty from their thrones and has lifted up the lowly”: God disarms power struggles. In marriage there are no thrones to defend nor victories to conquer, but a constant learning to yield, to serve, and to raise the other up. Love grows when neither seeks to impose themselves and both desire the other to flourish in the Spirit.
“He has filled the hungry with good things”: spouses are hungry — for affection, understanding, meaning. Let us seek to be filled by God and then offer those goods to the “hungry” heart of our spouse.

Applied to Married Life
Joseph: I’ve finally realised that our marriage is sustained more by Grace than by our own strength.
Anne: Me too. When I feel small or tired, I don’t know where it comes from — but I find myself looking at you with love instead of focusing on your limits. Before, I only saw limits; now I see Christ in need within you, and all I can do is praise Him and serve Him.
Joseph: Does that mean you’re no longer the one in charge of this house?
Anne: [laughs] You’re funny. It means that now I try not to let Anne or Joseph be in charge of this house, but God. So I seek His will, not ours.
Joseph: You’re right. Sometimes I feel we fight for little “thrones”: being right, deciding, not giving in. And without realising it, that pulls us apart. The Gospel always brings us back to the same place: going lower, serving, yielding, listening.
Anne: Yes. And sometimes, faced with your sin, God asks me to remain like Mary — trusting that God has His plan and is always at work, even when we don’t understand Him.
Joseph: Blessed are you. So then… who’s washing up today?
Anne: The hungry one who will be filled with good things. So that’s you.
Joseph: [laughs] You caught me there — because I really am very hungry.

Mother,

on the threshold of your Son’s birth, we ask you to help us imitate you by proclaiming His greatness and recognising our nothingness.
Praised be our God for ever.

Wake Up! Reflection for marriages. Matthew 1:18-24

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From the Gospel according to Matthew 1:18–24

 

This is how the birth of Jesus Christ came about.
When his mother Mary was betrothed to Joseph, but before they lived together, she was found with child through the Holy Spirit.
Joseph her husband, since he was a righteous man, yet unwilling to expose her to shame, decided to divorce her quietly. Such was his intention when, behold, the angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, “Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary your wife into your home. For it is through the Holy Spirit that this child has been conceived in her. She will bear a son and you are to name him Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins.”
All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had said through the prophet: Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and they shall name him Emmanuel, which means “God is with us.”
When Joseph awoke, he did as the angel of the Lord had commanded him and took his wife into his home. 

Wake Up!

The angel reminds Joseph of his nobility: “Son of David,” and invites him to step into the greatness of God’s plan. Accepting it is frightening, it means embracing what we don’t understand and letting go of control.

Today, Christ is about to come, and He calls you, “child of God,” to welcome His plan. That call may come through unexpected or confusing situations that ask for an act of trust. There may be things in your relationship with your spouse that you don’t understand. From a human point of view, welcoming it may seem crazy, but that step is the threshold to the sublime, to the entrance of the Holy Spirit into your life, to calling things by what they truly are, not by what fear dictates. Joseph woke up, obeyed, and welcomed it. Just like that. And you, what are you going to do?

 

Applied to married life:

Fever woke María before the alarm clock. It was December 24th, the worst day to get sick. Christmas dinner had to be organized; the whole family was coming. Juan, her husband, offered to take over, but María wouldn’t let go, it had to be perfect. Exhausted, she collapsed onto the bed and fell back asleep.
She dreamed she was in a pastry shop. The pastries she had made were perfect: golden, delicate, flawless. People crowded around the display window, admiring them.
— How wonderful! Such perfection! —they said.
But the door was locked. No one could come in. And she couldn’t go out either. She stared at the pastries over and over, afraid they might stop being liked. The more they were admired, the lonelier she felt: trapped, unable to truly meet anyone.
She woke up suddenly and went to the kitchen. There was Juan, reading a recipe with a focused expression.
— Juan —she said— could you take charge of dinner?
He looked up and smiled.
— Of course.
— Really —she added— I trust you.
She went back to bed and, before falling asleep, prayed softly:
— Lord, help me break free from my slavery, to love, to be present, to welcome.
Hours later, feeling clearer, she got up. The house smelled different from what she would have chosen. She saw simple dishes, others improvised, and her husband tired—but fully given.
During dinner, the temptation returned: “I would have done it differently.” And each time she silently repeated:
— Jesus, free me from this slavery.
Laughter filled the living room. For the first time in a long while, María was truly present.
When everyone had left, María and Juan, before the Nativity scene, thanked the newborn Child for that peaceful night they had lived:
— Thank you for your self-giving —she said.

— And thank you for your courage —he replied.

 

Mother,

show us how to wake up to the life of your Son. May He who redeemed us with His Blood be forever blessed and praised.

Saying Yes to God’s Plan. Reflection for marriages. Luke 1:26-38

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From the Gospel according to Luke 1:26–38

In the sixth month, the angel Gabriel was sent from God to a town of Galilee called Nazareth, to a virgin betrothed to a man named Joseph, of the house of David, and the virgin’s name was Mary. And coming to her, he said, “Hail, full of grace! The Lord is with you.”
But she was greatly troubled at what was said and pondered what sort of greeting this might be.
Then the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. Behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you shall name him Jesus. He will be great and will be called Son of the Most High, and the Lord God will give him the throne of David his father, and he will rule over the house of Jacob forever, and of his Kingdom there will be no end.”
But Mary said to the angel, “How can this be, since I have no relations with a man?”
And the angel said to her in reply, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. Therefore the child to be born will be called holy, the Son of God. And behold, Elizabeth, your relative, has also conceived a son in her old age, and this is the sixth month for her who was called barren; for nothing will be impossible for God.”
Mary said, “Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord. May it be done to me according to your word.” 

Then the angel departed from her.

 

Saying Yes to God’s Plan

The scene in today’s Gospel is incredibly beautiful and gentle. It really moves you. We see Mary standing before the angel Gabriel, who announces God’s plan to her and asks for her consent to carry it out. And we see how she responds by accepting God’s will. From this scene, we learn from our Mother how to be ready to carry out God’s plan for us. It’s essential to live in God’s grace, to stay watchful, prayerful, and silent, and to be attentive so we can hear God speaking to us through the circumstances of our lives. God speaks to us through everything that happens to us. And even when His plan feels bigger than us, we’re called to trust it without questioning it. Mary doesn’t ask why it has to be this way; she asks, “How will this be?” She doesn’t try to delay or change God’s plan, she places her full trust in Him, just as she does with that life-changing “let it be done to me according to your word.”
God has a beautiful plan of salvation for our marriage. He has prepared a unique, one-of-a-kind adventure for my husband and me, so that together we may reach heaven and enjoy His Presence and Love forever. He has dreamed something great for us from all eternity, but He doesn’t want to impose it on us. On the contrary, He wants our yes to make it happen. Gently, He asks us: Do you want to welcome My plan of redemption for your marriage?
And how do I respond? What is our response to God’s plan? Do I prefer my own plan, with my own criteria, reasons, and sense of security? Or do I trust You, Lord? Here I am, your servant; let it be done in me according to your will. 

Applied to married life:

Alfie: The doctor confirmed that what I have is a degenerative disease. And I keep thinking, after all these years of working so hard to raise the kids, just now that things were finally calming down and we could start enjoying life a bit… this really sucks.
Annie: But we’re together, right?
Alfie: Yeah, but why is this happening to us now?
Annie: And when do you think would be the right time? Alfie, that’s not the question. The real question is: How are we going to face this? First of all, we need to thank God for everything He’s given us all these years. Don’t you think?
Alfie: Yes, you’re right. We’ve been really blessed, and we’ve received so many graces.
Annie: And next, we need to see how we’re going to offer this new season to God. We have to accept that what He allows is what’s best for us, even if we don’t understand it right now. We have to trust Him. To unite our sacrifice with His, so that it has redemptive value for us, for our children, for the rest of our family, and for others too. To carry it with joy, because if the Lord allows it, it’s part of His plan, and He wants to bring something very good out of it for us. Don’t you think?
Alfie: Carry it with joy? That feels impossible.
Annie: Of course it’s possible. I know couples who are going through similar situations. They’re offering it to the Lord, and it’s becoming a source of conversion for others. And they’re happy! What really matters is knowing what the Lord wants from us in this situation, and doing it, fulfilling His will.
Alfie: You’re right, my love. We have to trust God’s plan for us.

Annie: Then let’s live this trial to the fullest! together… in the Lord!

 

 

Mother,

teach us to always say Yes, like you, to God’s plan, even when we don’t understand it. Blessed and glorious are you, Mother! May the Lord be praised forever!

Becoming mute? Reflection for marriages. Luke 1:5-25

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From the Gospel according to Luke 1:5–25

In the days of Herod, King of Judea,there was a priest named Zechariah of the priestly division of Abijah; his wife was from the daughters of Aaron, and her name was Elizabeth. Both were righteous in the eyes of God, observing all the commandments and ordinances of the Lord blamelessly. But they had no child, because Elizabeth was barren and both were advanced in years.
Once when he was serving as priest in his division’s turn before God, according to the practice of the priestly service, he was chosen by lot to enter the sanctuary of the Lord to burn incense.Then, when the whole assembly of the people was praying outside
at the hour of the incense offering, the angel of the Lord appeared to him, standing at the right of the altar of incense. Zechariah was troubled by what he saw, and fear came upon him.
But the angel said to him, “Do not be afraid, Zechariah, because your prayer has been heard. Your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son,
and you shall name him John. And you will have joy and gladness, and many will rejoice at his birth, for he will be great in the sight of the Lord. He will drink neither wine nor strong drink. He will be filled with the Holy Spirit even from his mother’s womb, and he will turn many of the children of Israel to the Lord their God. He will go before him in the spirit and power of Elijah to turn the hearts of fathers toward children and the disobedient to the understanding of the righteous, to prepare a people fit for the Lord.”

Then Zechariah said to the angel, “How shall I know this? For I am an old man, and my wife is advanced in years.” And the angel said to him in reply, “I am Gabriel, who stand before God. I was sent to speak to you and to announce to you this good news. But now you will be speechless and unable to talk until the day these things take place, because you did not believe my words, which will be fulfilled at their proper time.” Meanwhile the people were waiting for Zechariah and were amazed that he stayed so long in the sanctuary. But when he came out, he was unable to speak to them, and they realized that he had seen a vision in the sanctuary. He was gesturing to them but remained mute. Then, when his days of ministry were completed, he went home.After this time his wife Elizabeth conceived, and she went into seclusion for five months, saying, “So has the Lord done for me at a time when he has seen fit to take away my disgrace before others.”

 

Becoming mute?

Faced with the words of the Angel, Zechariah doubts the good news that is communicated to him. And because of that lack of faith, he becomes mute until the day of the presentation of his son. In this same situation, the Virgin Mary does not doubt; her question is meant to understand how it will happen, since she is a virgin and is betrothed to Joseph. She thus reveals her faith and her purity. Spouses, what is our attitude? That of Zechariah, or that of Mary?

 

Applied to married life

Louise: Hi love, how are you? You look awful… did something happen to you?
Owen: Oh Louise, you have no idea what a terrible day I’ve had! I didn’t call you to tell you because I didn’t even know what to say…
Louise: Oh wow, I’m so sorry. If you like, shall we put the children to bed and talk once they’re asleep?
Owen: Yes, please. Thank you very much.
Louise: Come on, let’s sit down now and you tell me. What happened?
Owen: My boss called me into his office and, without any hesitation, told me they’re firing me. Things aren’t going well and I’m no longer needed at the company. Imagine how I felt, I wasn´t expecting this. After everything I’ve devoted to this job, they fire me without any consideration… and at Christmas.
Louise: I’m so sorry. I know how hard that must have been for you. What would you like us to do?
Owen: I’d like us to pray together for a little while, to see if the Lord helps me see how we can face this situation.
Louise That sounds wonderful. (After the couple’s prayer)
Owen: Louis, the Lord has shown me that this situation can be a blessing for our family and that I must trust in His Providence.
Louise: Yes, Owen, it has given me a lot of peace too. I’m sure He has a better plan for us.
Owen: I’ll take advantage of these days at home to spend time with the children and with you. You are my priority. And I’ll start looking at job openings, and we’ll ask Him to lend us a hand.
Louise: Blessed and praised be the Lord, who loves us so much and takes such good care of us. 

Mother,

You are our model and guide in faith and in prayer; help us to see the provident hand of Your Son in every moment of our lives. We love you, Mother!