Step #1: Lectio / ReadClick the link below or open your Bible to the passage and read through the reading at least once, paying attention to what is happening in the text. Step #2: Meditatio / MeditateUse the following meditation to help you reflect more deeply on the Scripture (you may want to read the passage again). Merry Christmas! There's a bunch of readings for today, depending on which Mass you go to, but the one that we're looking at now is from the Letter to Titus, which is the 2nd Reading if you attend Mass during the day. Titus is a friend of St. Paul's, and this letter is a letter of encouragement and support from one friend to another. What a beautiful reminder this is for each of us today on Christmas, the day our Savior has been born. He comes "because of his mercy" to save us from our sins and to give us the hope and the joy of eternal life. Overall, this is the hope and the freedom that the great celebration of Christmas offers: the freedom to become heirs to eternal life. Through Christ, we have had the Holy Spirit poured upon us, not because of anything we have done, but simply because God loves us and chooses to save us. In the Gospels we hear of the shepherds making haste; what a beautiful example that is for each one of us to also make haste this Christmas to rush to our Savior. We don't make haste to do anything, as Paul reminds Titus, because Jesus didn't come because of anything we did. We also don't make haste because there is a limited amount of God's grace and Holy Spirit offered, because, as Paul tells us, this grace has been poured out "richly." No, we make haste to birth of our Savior because it is at this birth that God saves us through Jesus Christ, giving us the bath of rebirth and making us heirs. And so today, let us make haste. Not in the sense of busyness, hustle, or bustle, because we have enough of that going on. No, we make haste to rush to the still and the quiet of manger scene to find peace and rest in the stillness of that moment. Today the kindness and the generous love of our God have appeared in Jesus Christ. Make time today to stop, to be still, and to make haste with your heart to that moment where Mary is presenting the newborn Christchild to the world and let her present Him to you. Be renewed in the richly poured out Spirit of God, the Spirit of mercy which entered the world on that silent night and now longs to enter with haste into each one of our hearts. Step #3: Oratio / PrayThese questions are to be used to talk to God; have a conversation with the Lord about these questions and what is going on in your heart as you pray today. After a month of waiting, we are celebrating Jesus's birth! How will you make haste to the manger today? Today is so busy, family, lots of food, presents. Why is it important to find time for silence? How does God want to renew you this Christmas? Step #4: Contemplatio / ContemplateIn this step, you listen. Stop talking, let God speak to your heart. You may repeat one of these short phrases to focus your mind on the Lord. "Oh come let us adore Him." "For today in the city of David a savior has been born for you who is Messiah and Lord." "Make haste to the manger." Step #5: Actio / ActIn light of today's reading and your time spent in prayer with the Lord, what concrete action or actions will you take to let this encounter with Lord bear fruit in you today? Today, make haste to the manger. Find a quiet spot in your house, (your room, by the nativety set, by the tree etc.) and take some time and in silence. Sit and be still. Smartphone Lock ScreenThe following image is here for you to save and use as a background or lock screen on your smartphone or device to help you carry today's Lectio Divina with you the rest of the day.  Today's prayer was prepared by Jason Theobald, Director of Youth Ministry at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Huntley, IL.
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