This is the movement of the Holy Family.

Welcome to our daily Rosary meditation.

Let's begin in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit.

Amen.

Let's call to mind all those we've promised to pray for.

This is the first Sunday of Advent. I have an icon of the

nativity, the birth of Jesus in my little chapel at home.

Jesus lies in the manger in the cave of Bethlehem in the center of the scene. Yes, it was a cave that served as a barn.

The baby Jesus is surrounded by Mary and Joseph, the Magi, the Shepherds, and the angels.

Oh yes, we can't forget the animals, the ox and the ass and the sheep, all the usual suspects.

Christmas Day is the moment when all these characters see for the first time what they've always long for.

They see God. Now take away all the characters and leave the manger empty.

Put Mary and Joseph back in Nazareth, with Jesus in her womb,

place the magi back somewhere in Iran or Iraq, ancient Persia.

Put the Shepherds, well, who knows where the shepherds were, put

them with the sheep somewhere, and put the angels back in heaven.

And what do they all have in common? A longing for God that caused

them to set out for Bethlehem to the cave to find Jesus. That is what Advent is all about. Advent is not a time to

sit back and wait. It's the time to set out on a journey to seek Jesus, fueled by a longing for God. Our Father who art in heaven, hallow would be your name?

Thy kingdom come, thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven.

Give us to stay our daily bread and forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against

us and lead us not into temptation but deliver us from evil, amen.

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