2022 Advent and Christmas Reflections

The Scriptural Rosary vol. 4: Luminous Mystery

 2022 Advent and Christmas Reflections

TABLE OF CONTENTS
Introduction Page 3

The First Sunday of Advent Page 4

The Second Sunday of Advent Page 5

The Third Sunday of Advent Page 6

The Fourth Sunday of Advent Page 7

The Solemnity of the Nativity of the Lord Page 8

The Feast of the Holy Family of Jesus, Mary, and Joseph Page 9

The Solemnity of Mary, the Holy Mother of God Page 10

The Solemnity of the Epiphany of the Lord Page 11

Seasons and Feasts Resources Page 12

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 2022 Advent and Christmas Reflections
The Scriptural Rosary vol. 4: Luminous Mystery
Dear Family,

Advent is a journey to Bethlehem, a journey to the Infant Jesus.

While this season is often marked with pre-Christmas busyness – baking, buying,
wrapping – let’s not waste this blessed opportunity, this special time of grace that
the Good Lord has given us.

If we spend a few minutes every day of Advent in prayer and reflection, our
Christmas will be so much richer, and we will rejoice with the angels who
proclaimed, “Glory to God in the highest and on earth peace to those on whom his
favor rests” (Luke 2:14).

This Advent, Jesus will work in our lives when we open to Him any area of darkness
we find within us. No matter what is in the past, no matter the pain we have, Jesus
will come to us and heal our wounds. For nothing is impossible with God.

So, I ask that you join me this Advent, as we seek the Lord of all creation who came
to us as a Baby. He loves us more than we can ever imagine and wants to
transform us with that love. We only have to be willing to accept the invitation.

May God bless you this Advent and always.

In Christ,

Fr. Joseph Mary Wolfe, MFVA

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 2022 Advent and Christmas Reflections
Sunday, November 27, 2022
The First Sunday of Advent

Today’s Readings
Reading I: Isaiah 2:1-5
Psalm: 122:1-9
Reading II: Romans 13:11-14
Gospel: St. Matthew 24:37-44

On this first Sunday of Advent, the Gospel reading points us to the Second Coming of Jesus.
Before delving into the Incarnation – Jesus’ First Coming – we look at His return.

Since we don’t know which day the Lord will come, we must stay awake and aware, always
striving to live our lives in a state of grace. Each of us has a choice to make, a choice with
eternal consequences, a choice with or without Jesus. No one can make the decision for us.

And it’s not just a one-time decision. Each day we are to renew our love and trust in Him. Are we
serving Him now with our thoughts and actions? Do we seek His will, His plans and purposes,
to be accomplished in us throughout the day?

This Advent, for those of us who are able, we should try to visit the Confessional. Whether it
has been five weeks or fifty years, Our Lord is patiently waiting for us to go to Him, to ask His
forgiveness, and to benefit from the graces He so wants to give us.

Mother Angelica once said, “The whole Advent season is about merciful love. We look upon
God’s Infinite Mercy and know He finds such joy in coming to us, and that He finds joy in
forgiving us.”

As we are now at the beginning of Advent – and the liturgical year – we have a fresh start, an
opportunity to grow in the love of Our Savior. “Don’t miss the opportunity!”

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 2022 Advent and Christmas Reflections
The Scriptural Rosary vol. 4: Luminous Mystery
Sunday, December 4, 2022
The Second Sunday of Advent

Today’s Readings
Reading I: Isaiah 11:1-10
Psalm: 72:1-2, 7-8, 12-13, 17
Reading II: Romans 15:4-9
Gospel: St. Matthew 3:1-12

On this second Sunday of Advent, in the Gospel reading, we hear about Jesus’ cousin, Saint
John the Baptist. From the time that John was in the womb, he recognized the Lord (see Luke
1:41). As an adult, he prepared the way for Jesus, with preaching and baptisms.

Today, let’s reflect on the words of Saint John the Baptist: “[Jesus] must increase; I must
decrease” (John 3:30). Advent is a graced time of making Jesus more and more the love of
our hearts and the center of our lives, while humbly acknowledging that anything good in us
comes from Him.

The Lord is the Divine One, and we glorify, worship and adore Him. Like the pearl of great price,
we are to seek Him with the intensity of deep love. St. Francis of Assisi prayed, “My God and
My All!”

It is also important to point others to Him, just as Saint John the Baptist did, serving others
with our time, gifts, and love, which pleases the Lord. Saint Teresa of Kolkata once said, “At
this Christmas when Christ comes, will He find a warm heart? Mark the season of Advent by
loving and serving the others with God’s own love and concern.”

As we continue our journey this Advent, let’s walk with Saint John the Baptist: decreasing, by
growing in humility, and pointing toward the Lord with our words and actions, showing others
His goodness and love.

May Saint John the Baptist help us prepare our own hearts for the joy of Christmas.

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 2022 Advent and Christmas Reflections
Sunday, December 11, 2022
The Third Sunday of Advent

Today’s Readings
Reading I: Isaiah 35:1-6, 10
Psalm: 146:6-10
Reading II: St. James 5:7-10
Gospel: St. Matthew 11:2-11

Today, Gaudete Sunday, is a day for rejoicing. Jesus’ Coming at Christmas is only two weeks
away!

Imagine the Blessed Mother’s anticipation that she felt deep in her heart as she was expecting
the Lord. As the celebration of Christmas draws near, we can sit with the Blessed Virgin,
awaiting, with her, for the Lord’s coming at Christmas.

After the miraculous conception by the overshadowing of the Holy Spirit, Mary sang her
Magnificat with the Child Jesus present in her womb. Let us, with her, ponder the Incarnation
and sing our own Magnificat to the unborn Jesus for the marvelous things He has done for us,
too!

Today, we can rejoice that the Lord came to earth after many centuries of prophecies. We
can rejoice that He lived among us for 33 years, teaching us about the Kingdom of God. We
can rejoice that He died on the Cross and rose again on the third day, opening the doors of
Heaven for each one of us. And we can rejoice because He continually gives us His Body and
Blood in order to remain with us all days until the end of the world (see Matthew 28:20).

Today, we can thank Jesus for each one of these gifts and, along with Mary, “ponder them in our
hearts.”

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 2022 Advent and Christmas Reflections
The Scriptural Rosary vol. 4: Luminous Mystery
Sunday, December 18, 2022
The Fourth Sunday of Advent

Today’s Readings
Reading I: Isaiah 7:10-14
Psalm: 24:1-6
Reading II: Romans 1:1-7
Gospel: St. Matthew 1:18-24

Today is only one week until the joyous celebration of the Nativity of the Lord!

In the first reading today, we hear the prophecy of Isaiah, “The virgin shall conceive, and
bear a son, and shall name him Emmanuel.” (Isaiah 7:14). This is only one of the hundreds of
prophecies that Jesus fulfilled in His lifetime.

Throughout the Old Testament, we see Jesus alluded to time and again. For centuries, the
Israelites were waiting for the Messiah – waiting and hoping.

We can never allow the events recounted in Sacred Scripture to become commonplace and
taken for granted. The Bible tells us that God became Man. The Lord of the universe came to
earth for us, and He wants a relationship with each one of us.

He’s not like a distant ruler living from afar. No, the Lord knows each one of us personally
and calls us to be friends with Him in our daily lives. He loves us personally and teaches us
personally. Are we listening to the Beloved’s Voice that speaks to us through the Sacred texts?
Are we entering into this dialogue of love?

Every moment of our lives, we are invited by the Lord to grow closer to Him. During this final
week of Advent, let’s open our hearts by telling Him of our Faith in His goodness, our Hope and
confidence in His promises, and of our love for Him who has loved us so greatly. May this last
week of Advent prepare us well for the celebration of our Savior’s birth.

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 2022 Advent and Christmas Reflections
Sunday, December 25, 2022
The Solemnity of the Nativity of the Lord

Today’s Readings
Reading I: Isaiah 52:7-10
Psalm: 98:1-6
Reading II: Hebrews 1:1-6
Gospel: St. John 1:1-18 or 1:1-5, 9-14

Merry Christmas, Family!

Today, we celebrate the blessed Incarnation of Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. As we have
prepared our hearts over the past few weeks, we can now rejoice – as Mary and Joseph did –
in the birth of the Baby Jesus.

We often speak of the warmth of Christmas, the beautiful feeling of love that comes with this
season. This warmth comes from the Light of the World, Jesus Christ, Who shines on each one
of us.

In its essence, Christmas is a love story. Jesus loves us so dearly that He came to earth,
emptied Himself, and culminated His love on the Cross (see Philippians 2:7).

Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI said,

God has done everything; he has done the impossible: he was made flesh.
His all-powerful love has accomplished something which surpasses all
human understanding: the Infinite has become a child, has entered the human
family. And yet, this same God cannot enter my heart unless I open the door to him.

Have we opened the door to the Lord? God loved us first, and we must respond to Him with
our love.

As we start this season of Christmas today, let’s tell Jesus how much we love Him. Let’s
approach Him in prayer, seek Him in the Sacraments, and be ready to tell others about the
blessings that He pours on each one of us.

May this Christmas Day bring us closer to the Heart of the Baby Jesus, and may the warmth
of His love permeate our souls.

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 2022 Advent and Christmas Reflections
The Scriptural Rosary vol. 4: Luminous Mystery
Sunday, December 30, 2022
The Feast of the Holy Family of Jesus, Mary, and Joseph

Today’s Readings
Psalm: 128:1-5
Reading II: Colossians 3:12-21 or 3:12-17
Gospel: St. Matthew 2:13-15, 19-23

Today, the Church celebrates the Holy Family of Nazareth. On this day, we can reflect on the
words of Saint Josemaría Escrivá:
[The Nativity] was the moment God chose to show the extent of his love for men,
by giving us his own Son. And God’s will is fulfilled in the simplest, most ordinary of
circumstances: a woman who gives birth, a family, a home. The power of God and his
splendor come to us through a human reality to which they are joined.

As we think about the Holy Family today, we find a beautiful example as we interact with our
own families.

When we are tempted to be impatient, unkind, or critical, we can imitate the love and patience
of the Holy Family. When we are worried about our family, we can ask for the Holy Family’s
intercession. When we are estranged – or simply far away – from our family, we can ask Jesus,
Mary, and Joseph to comfort us

Mary and Joseph knew the pain of being separated from Jesus when He was missing for
three days. Mary knew the pain of seeing her Son in agony. Jesus knew the pain of seeing His
Mother’s anguish as she stood at the foot of the Cross.

Their love for one another was – and is – very real. While we might struggle with certain family
members, the Holy Family can help us to be better mothers, fathers, sons, daughters, sisters,
and brothers.

So, today, let’s ask Jesus, Mary, and Joseph to show us how to love our families more fully.

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 2022 Advent and Christmas Reflections
Sunday, January 1, 2023
The Solemnity of Mary, the Holy Mother of God

Today’s Readings
Reading I: Numbers 6:22-27
Psalm: 67:2-3, 5-6, 8
Reading II: Galatians 4:4-7
Gospel: St. Luke 2:16-21

Today, which marks the beginning of 2023, is a significant day on the liturgical calendar. The
Church has chosen the first day of each new year as a day to honor and celebrate the Mother
of Our Lord.

Mary was present throughout the life of Jesus, from the first moment of His miraculous conception
to His death on the Cross and Glorious Resurrection and the outpouring of the Holy Spirit. She
is with the Church, His Mystical Body, from beginning to end, as well. In praying the Holy Rosary
we take her hand and ponder these things with her, and she leads us to Jesus.

We, ourselves, experience peace as we “ponder” the mysteries of Jesus “in our hearts” with
Mary (see Luke 2:19 and 2:51). For this reason, we might want to decide this year to pray the
Holy Rosary more often. When we meditate on the lives of Jesus and Mary, it helps us to grow
in love and to better understand the Mysteries of the faith.

Mary is your mother and mine. As a loving mother, she wants the best for each one of us.
She wants us to be happy and safe. She wants us to be comforted and loved. Most of all, she
wants us to grow ever closer to her Beloved Son.

As we reach out to Mary, she always points us to Jesus. So, on this first day of the year, let’s
ask Mary to lead us and to “show us the blessed fruit of thy womb, Jesus.”

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 2022 Advent and Christmas Reflections
The Scriptural Rosary vol. 4: Luminous Mystery
Sunday, January 8, 2023
The Solemnity of the Epiphany of the Lord

Today’s Readings
Reading I: Isaiah 60:1-6
Psalm: 72:1-2, 7-8, 10-13
Reading II: Ephesians 3:2-3, 5-6
Gospel: St. Matthew 2:1-12

Today, the Solemnity of the Epiphany, is the last day of our reflections.

The Magi – according to tradition, Balthasar, Melchior, and Caspar – journeyed very far to find
the Child Jesus. Do we seek Jesus with this same intensity?

Jesus wants us to find Him in everything. Every day, He wants us to grow in the awareness of
His loving Presence and providence in all of the circumstances of our lives.

Jesus calls us to holiness, to closeness with Him. He reaches out, taking us by the hand, to a
relationship with Him, leading us to eternal life.

The Magi did not only seek the Lord, but they also FOUND Him, and then they gave Him
meaningful presents. However, we might ask, what do we have of any value to offer God?
Echoing the words from “In the Bleak Mid-winter,” we can say, “What can I give Him, poor as
I am? If I were a shepherd, I would bring a lamb; if I were a Wise Man I would do my part. Yet
what I can I give Him? Give my heart.”

Today, as a gift to the Lord, we can offer Him our hearts, our minds, our wills. We can rejoice
in having found Him, and with the Wise Men adore Him in our hearts.

Throughout our Advent and Christmas reflections, we have been seeking to better know and
love the Lord, our Beloved One who always loves us FIRST: this day, this moment, always!
Thank you for joining me on this journey. May God bless you throughout 2023, and may the
Baby Jesus always live in your heart.

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 2022 Advent and Christmas Reflections

Seasons & Feasts Resources

Advent

Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary

Our Lady of Guadalupe

The Nativity of the Lord

The Holy Innocents

The Holy Family of Jesus, Mary and Joseph

Mary, the Holy Mother of God

The Epiphany of the Lord

The Baptism of the Lord

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 2022 Advent and Christmas Reflections
The Scriptural Rosary vol. 4: Luminous Mystery
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