Whenever I read the genealogy of Christ in Matthew, I always think the same thing “just get to the point!” That may sound bad, but why shouldn’t we just get to the point? Doesn’t it all end with Jesus?  

Readings for today: https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/121724.cfm  

By Jose Zamora 

Whenever I read the genealogy of Christ in Matthew, I always think the same thing “just get to the point!” That may sound bad, but why shouldn’t we just get to the point? Doesn’t it all end with Jesus?   

I hope I’m not the only one who feels this way, maybe you have felt this way in some moment of your life where you just wanted to skip all the boring unnecessary painful waiting and just get to the point. While this would be ideal, we would miss the joy of waiting (and many other things) that prepare us to receive and appreciate God’s blessings. I know in my own experience I have felt the frustration and anxiety of not knowing what my purpose or vocation is in this life. I still feel this way at times, but I now find joy in waiting and trusting in God’s plan for my life.  

What is an area in your life where God may be calling you to be patient? How can you find joy in waiting?  

Jose Zamora is the leader of the young adult ministry and a sacristan. He is currently pursuing a bachelor’s degree in religion at Saint Leo university. 

The Coming of Gleeful Magic and Peaceful Miracle.  

Readings for today: https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/121624.cfm 

By Chris Appleyard

My children are grown, but this season still fills me with anticipation, which I find more and more in the perennial symbols of the season. Looking back at my childhood Christmases, it was always less about the gifts and much more about the coming of something special represented in the symbols; the tree glowing with lights, the creche with the empty manger, the jolly old man whose only job is to make children happy, and ultimately, the anticipation of magic making a visit to our house. These were the sights, sounds, smells and experiences that held us in wonder.  

Watching my kids enter the family room I relived the magic. Their eyes scanned the tree in a moment of almost non-comprehension then immediately traveled over to the table where they had set out the cookies and milk for Santa. They were gone! He is real, he was here, and he liked our food. It was pure glee, and it was magical.  

I still lovingly, sometimes frantically, decorate. The decorations, the symbols, create living memories of the gleeful magic that made invisible reality visible. Nowadays during Advent, I spend most evenings sitting quietly surrounded by these symbols that again make the invisible, visible. What once represented gleeful magic now represents a miracle of love about to be relived. I sit content with the peace of knowing that though I can see him, but not yet, I behold him very near.  

Yesterday was Laudate Sunday, be joyful, he is near. If you haven’t already, take some time in the quiet of evening, to sit among all the beautiful symbols and consider both the magic and the miracle that, in the now of eternity, he came, he is coming, here is here, he lives in you, he shares with you and he will come again when we will behold him as he is. 

Chris Appleyard coordinates and teaches in our program that prepares adults to be received into the Catholic Church.