You're going to be. Welcome to the Saturday Examine. Christmas is generally thought of as a time of innocence when we abandon our adult cynicism and world weariness and return to simpler

childhood memories. Yet this week's readings are about very grown-up themes of rejection, violence, and the struggle

to keep on hoping in the face of darkness.

What has your experience been of immersing yourself in these readings?

If you haven't prayed with the reading this week, just bring to mind whatever darkness you are facing at the moment.

How have you experienced it this week? Oh, And then. You're not going to be. And The very familiarity of the Christmas story can make it hard to approach it with fresh imagination and a new perspective.

Have you had any sense of being invited to grow this week?

In what sense?

Or have the readings or experiences of the week, perhaps dug up painful thoughts or memories, or your struggle with faith itself. What might help you to grow in faith, hope and love. I'm going to Oh, Wednesdays reading invites us to enter into the Fellowship of Faith in Jesus and to

share the joy that lies at the heart of it. How did you find yourself responding to that invitation? You're not going to be here. And then You're going to be. Oh, You're going to be. The story of the presentation of Jesus in the temple speaks of a sword piercing Mary's heart. It also names Jesus as a sign of

contradiction. Have you experienced him in this way?

What contradictions need to be resolved in your life. Oh, Oh, Have there been particular graces that you have found yourself asking for this week?

Or a desire to thank God for the gift of the Christ child?

Take some time to reconnect with your desires, hopes, and gratitude. The You're going to. Oh, You're going to do. Oh, Amid all the busyness of Christmas, God invites us to ponder the words of scripture in our hearts

and to dream great dreams as Mary and Joseph did.

Take time now to say what is in your heart to God, asking for whatever grace seems to be drawing you. And then I'm going to be. Glory. Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit.

As it was in the beginning, is now and ever shall be, world without end,

on that. Amen. You're going to.