Beads of Joy Blog II (2025)

December 23 His Name Is John Readings: Malachi 3:1-4, 23-24 / Luke 1:57-66 Reflection Elizabeth gives birth. The neighbors and relatives rejoice with her; the barren woman has borne a son! Eight days later, they gather for the circumcision and naming ceremony. Everyone assumes the baby will be named Zechariah after his father. But Elizabeth speaks up: "No. He will be called John." The relatives protest: "But there is no one among your relatives who has this name!" They turn to Zechariah for the final decision. Remember, Zechariah has been mute for nine months because he doubted Gabriel's announcement. He asks for a writing tablet and writes, " His Name is John ." Immediately, his mouth opens, and his tongue is freed, and he begins praising God. The neighbors are filled with awe. Fear comes upon them all. Throughout the hill country of Judea, people ask, "What, then, will this child be? For surely the hand of the Lord was with him." John...

December 22 My Soul Proclaims The Greatness of the Lord! Readings: 1 Samuel 1:24-28 / Luke 1:46-56 Reflection Hannah stands in the temple at Shiloh with her young son Samuel. Years ago, she was barren and heartbroken, crying out to God for a child while others mocked her grief. She made a vow: "O LORD of hosts, if you look with pity on the misery of your handmaid, and give me a son, I will give him to the LORD for as long as he lives." God heard her prayer. She conceived Samuel. And now, true to her word, she brings him to the temple to dedicate him to God's service for life. "I prayed for this child, and the LORD granted my request," she tells Eli the priest. "Now I, in turn, give him to the LORD; as long as he lives, he shall be dedicated to the LORD." Then she prays one of the most beautiful prayers in Scripture, a song of thanksgiving that Mary will echo centuries later. Fast forward to Luke's Gospel: Mary has just arrived at Elizabeth'...

December 21 Emmanuel: God With Us Readings: Isaiah 7:10-14 / Psalm 24 / Romans 1:1-7 / Matthew 1:18-24 Reflection Today, all three readings converge on one stunning reality: Emmanuel. God with us. Isaiah prophesies it seven centuries before it happens: "The virgin shall conceive and bear a son and shall name him Emmanuel." Paul proclaims it as the fulfillment of all God promised: the Gospel about His Son, "descended from David according to the flesh, but established as Son of God in power according to the Spirit of holiness through resurrection from the dead, Jesus Christ our Lord." And Matthew shows it happening: Joseph wrestling with Mary's pregnancy, receiving the angel's message in a dream, waking up to obey what God commanded. All three readings circle the same mystery: God becoming human, heaven touching earth, the infinite entering the finite. Four days until Christmas. Four days until we celebrate Emmanuels birth. But today we celebrate Emmanuel ...

December 20 Behold, I am the Handmaid Readings: Isaiah 7:10-14 / Luke 1:26-38 Reflection King Ahaz faces a crisis. Enemies surround Jerusalem. Isaiah the prophet tells him, "Ask for a sign from the LORD your God, make it as deep as the netherworld or as high as the sky!" But Ahaz refuses: "I will not ask! I will not tempt the LORD!" It sounds pious, but it's actually faithless. Ahaz doesn't want a sign because a sign would require him to trust God instead of his own political schemes. Isaiah responds with exasperation: "Is it not enough for you to weary men, must you also weary my God? Therefore, the Lord himself will give you this sign: the virgin shall conceive and bear a son and shall name him Emmanuel." God with us. Even when we refuse to ask, God gives. Even when we turn away, God is present. Seven centuries later, that prophecy unfolds in a young girl's room in Nazareth. The angel Gabriel appears to Mary: "Hail, full of grace! Th...