Nov 29.pub

Isaiah 9:1-6

Psalm 96:1-2, 2-3, 11-12, 13

Titus 2:11-14

Luke 2:1-14

Summary

As I gathered my sheep, they seemed different from past nights. I thought

that maybe it was due to the many travelers who had passed by on their way

to the city of their birth. This was being done because of the census.

Reflection (Ignatian)

We were on our way to join the rest of the shepherds in the hills around the

city.

We found a spot with the other shepherds and I was ready to begin my

night’s vigil of watching the sheep. For you see, I am young and have been a

shepherd for only a short time. This was my first time to join the other

shepherds who live in the hills around the city.

As the night continued, I noticed a very bright star. A star that I do not re-

member seeing. I asked one of the others and he said that it had appeared a

few months back and seemed to be right over the city.

As we were talking, an angel of the Lord appeared with His glory all around.

I was frightened! The angel said, “Do not be afraid: for behold, I proclaim to

you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. For today in the

city of David a savior has been born for you who is the Messiah and Lord.

And this will be a sign for you: you will find an infant wrapped in swaddling

clothes and lying in a manger.”

I and the other shepherds gathered our flocks and began to head towards

town to look for the manger we had been told about.

When we arrived at the edge of the city we began to look in the caves where

many animals were kept. As I entered one cave, I found a man and his wife

who had just given birth to their son. I retold the story of what had hap-

pened to me earlier that evening. The lady smiled as I talked.