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Christ's baptism in the Jordan by John's hand is the baptism of the world. Every creature, every made thing is washed clean, made holy, and brought into a new creation. God's human creatures are given the freedom to follow Christ's example in baptism, or to continue as natural creatures until death.

“Where is the newborn king of the Jews? We saw his star at its rising and have come to do him homage.”

The Blessed Virgin Mary was a woman of a few words. In the gospel, she intervened on behalf of the married couple when they needed assistance. She simply said to Jesus “They have no wine”.

I grew up celebrating on this day the Mexican tradition of El Día de los Reyes Magos (The Day of the Wise Men). Whether at school or at home, we would cut a Rosca de Reyes (which is a cake like a Mardi Gras King cake), hoping not to get a toy of the baby Jesus in our slice, otherwise, whoever gets it will need to bring the tamales on February 2nd!

How are we able to see greater things in a world drowned in hedonism, defeatism, and nihilism?

John the Baptist was the teacher of his disciples and when he saw Jesus, he directed them away from himself, so they could meet Jesus. He points out the 'Lamb of God,' a name for Jesus that John uses to say that Jesus is the One they are ultimately looking for.

Parents know that a new born baby brings with him an indescribable sense of joy, peace and awe. New born babies have the magic of somehow connecting us with life, beauty, and wonder. Still, parents do not know what the future journey of their baby will be like.

“O God, whose Spirit in the first moments of the world’s creation hovered over the waters, so that the very substance of water would even then take to itself the power to sanctify.”

The LORD bless you and keep you! The LORD let his face shine upon you, and be gracious to you! The LORD look upon you kindly and give you peace!

John the Evangelist begins his Gospel account with a description of the Word of God and the creation of the universe and humankind. This Gospel is linked with the beginning of the first book of Genesis. The "Word of God" was a common expression among the Jews. God's Word in the Hebrew Scriptures is an active, creative, and dynamic word. "By the word of the Lord the heavens were made". "He sends forth his commands to the earth; and swiftly runs his command”.

The two stories proclaimed in today’s Gospel (Mt 2:13-15, 19-23) are part of Matthew’s introduction to who Jesus is, telegraphed into two chapters that include a genealogy and several stories surrounding his birth and the Holy Family’s experience of exile due to Herod’s murderous intentions toward their newborn child. Matthew’s intention is to parallel the story of Jesus with the story of Moses, God’s instrument of salvation for Israel, whom Moses leads from slavery to freedom and the Promised Land. This time, as the visit of the Magi attests, God’s Chosen are all people. Furthermore, God does not act through another, for in Jesus (“God saves”) is found Emmanuel (“God-with-us”).

Christmas time brings family members together from all walks of life. Not all family members necessarily get along. One of the issues I encounter in ministry are faithful Christians distressed over family members who have abandoned the faith. In many instances, I counsel people who experience a sense of personal failure because they are not successful in convincing their wayward family members to return to the Church. This is especially true with parents who have adult children no longer practicing their faith.

If Rachel lived in our generation, she may not be crying for her children. The reason for her lack of tears would not, for the most part, be insensitivity. Rather Rachel would not be weeping because it is quite possible that she, like many women today, would not have any children. The birthrate throughout most of the world has steadily declined over the last generation, much below what is required for replacement. African and some Muslim countries are generally exceptions to this rule.

We have merely begun celebrating one of the happiest events in our Christian tradition, the Birth of Jesus, when the Gospel of John reading for the day abruptly throws us into the middle of a crime scene involving a death and a robbery. Mary Magdalene has frantically reported to Peter and the disciple whom Jesus loved that Jesus’ body is missing: the tomb is empty, and “they” have taken it away. A shockingly bizarre contrast just three days into the Octave of Christmas!

It was the day after Christmas and all through the house there was not a present unopened, our hospitality worn out. The cards were half-read with the money half-spent the kids were still screaming and the parents needed to vent.

“An angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream and said, ‘Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary home as your wife, because what is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. She will give birth to a son, and you are to give Him the name Jesus, because He will save His people from their sins,” Matthew 1:20-21.

Though the readings of this final day of Advent are often overshadowed by the Christmas Vigil Mass that occurs later this evening, we should allow ourselves to rest in these final quiet moments of the darkness of Advent before the festivities begin. The readings and antiphons today evoke a strong image of light set to pierce the long darkness: for David, it is the darkness of war and uncertainty about his lineage continuing; for Zechariah, it is the darkness of Israel’s longing for a Messiah, trusting but not yet seeing what God has in store; and for us, it is the deep darkness of winter setting in, marked by the turmoil and anxiety in the world and in our daily lives.

Earlier in the Advent season, we heard of 2 Annunciations, one to Zechariah and one to Our Lady. Both Annunciations were delivering miraculous news, however, they were met with very different responses.

Mary says: “my soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord,” or in other versions we hear: “my soul magnifies the Lord.” Proclaiming God’s greatness or magnifying His name is why this beautiful canticle is called the Magnificat. Mary’s own soul reveals God’s greatness.

For the most part, Christmas is a time when family members get together. They visit one another. They share with one another their journey of life and their memories. During the visit they hear one another’s stories, they encounter one another. It is a time to see where they are coming from and where they are right now. They also talk about their dreams for their future. Being together brings a sense of joy.