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Season of Emmanuel is a simple and practical lectionary-based
guide for enriching the Advent and Christmas seasons. Kay Murdy provides
historical notes, spiritual commentaries, reflection questions and prayers
based on the daily Scripture readings to prepare you for the threefold
coming of the Lord — his coming in flesh at this birth, his coming at the
end of time and his daily coming in the Word and Spirit into your heart.
Reviews
“Kay Murdy is a natural teacher, a crystal-clear writer and a prayerful
person. All three of these gifts come together beautifully in Season of
Emmanuel. The result is an ideal resource — indeed, a
treasure.”
— Mark Link, SJ, Loyola University, Chicago
“Each scriptural reflection is insightful and thought-provoking. The
gems of wisdom in this book will make preparation for the birth of Jesus a
truly joy-filled experience.”
— Barbara Shlemon-Ryan, Be-Loved Ministry, Brea, Calif.
“In reading through Season of Emmanuel, I am struck by the
author’s simple clarity and deep wisdom. It is obvious that Kay Murdy
has not only studied these words of Scripture but also lives them herself.
Through her wholesome approach, Kay gently invites the reader into the
transforming interplay between the Scripture and one’s life. The
results are liberating! This book will indeed touch many new people and
become like a good friend in times of darkness and doubt.”
— The Rev. Jim Clarke, Archdiocese of Los Angeles
About the Author
Kay Murdy, a master catechist, is currently co-coordinating a Catholic Bible
Institute co-sponsored by the Los Angeles Archdiocesan Office of Religious
Education and Loyola Marymount University. She has completed biblical
studies work at both Orange Catechetical Institute and Loyola Marymount
University. She writes and lectures on the topics of Scripture,
lectionary-based catechesis and women’s spirituality.
Table of Contents
Acknowledgments
Introduction
Season of Advent
First Sunday of Advent (A)
First Sunday of Advent (B)
First Sunday of Advent (C)
Monday of First Week of Advent
Tuesday of First Week of Advent
Wednesday of First Week of Advent
Thursday of First Week of Advent
Friday of First Week of Advent
Saturday of First Week of Advent
Second Sunday of Advent (A)
Second Sunday of Advent (B)
Second Sunday of Advent (C)
Monday of Second Week of Advent
Tuesday of Second Week of Advent
Wednesday of Second Week of Advent
Thursday of Second Week of Advent
Friday of Second Week of Advent
Saturday of Second Week of Advent
Third Sunday of Advent (A)
Third Sunday of Advent (B)
Third Sunday of Advent (C)
Monday of Third Week of Advent
Tuesday of Third Week of Advent
Wednesday of Third Week of Advent
Thursday of Third Week of Advent
Friday of Third Week of Advent
Fourth Sunday of Advent (A)
Fourth Sunday of Advent (B)
Fourth Sunday of Advent (C)
Weekday of Advent (December 17)
Weekday of Advent (December 18)
Weekday of Advent (December 19)
Weekday of Advent (December 20)
Weekday of Advent (December 21)
Weekday of Advent (December 22)
Weekday of Advent (December 23)
Weekday of Advent (December 24)
— Morning Mass
Immaculate Conception (December 8)
Season of Christmas
Christmas—Mass of the Vigil (ABC)
Christmas—Mass at Midnight (ABC)
Christmas—Mass at Dawn (ABC)
Christmas—Mass during the Day (ABC)
Second Day in Octave of Christmas (December 26)
Third Day in Octave of Christmas (December 27)
Fourth Day in Octave of Christmas (December 28)
Fifth Day in Octave of Christmas (December 29)
Sixth Day in Octave of Christmas (December 30)
Seventh Day in Octave of Christmas (December 31)
Sunday in Octave of Christmas, Holy Family (A)
Sunday in Octave of Christmas, Holy Family (B)
Sunday in Octave of Christmas, Holy Family (C)
Octave of Christmas, Solemnity of Mary, Mother of God (ABC)
Christmas Weekday before Epiphany (January 2)
Christmas Weekday before Epiphany (January 3)
Christmas Weekday before Epiphany (January 4)
Christmas Weekday before Epiphany (January 5)
Christmas Weekday before Epiphany (January 6)
Christmas Weekday before Epiphany (January 7)
Epiphany (ABC)
Baptism of the Lord (A)
Baptism of the Lord (B)
Baptism of the Lord (C)
Index of Lectionary References
Following is the introduction from Season of Emmanuel. All rights
reserved. Copyright © 1996, Resource Publications, Inc.
Introduction
The Advent-Christmas-Epiphany season that we celebrate as Christians is
not just an observance of events that happened long ago. It is not a
sentimental birthday of the “baby Jesus.” Nor is the season
exclusively future oriented, watching and waiting for the coming of the
exalted Christ at the end of time. The season is a celebration of
God’s self-disclosure in Jesus Christ, the eternal
Emmanuel—God who was with the people in the past and who is with
us now and for all time to come. In Jesus, God’s love is made visible.
Everything
Jesus said, did, and suffered reveals God’s love to us. The season
takes its meaning from Christ’s passion, death, resurrection,
ascension and sending of the Spirit. For three hundred years the church
celebrated no other aspect of Christ than this paschal mystery. Our
Christmas celebration takes its meaning from this mystery. The crib, the
cross, and the crown are closely connected.
Advent is a time of joyful anticipation of the realization of God’s
promise. It is a grace-filled season of new hope, new life, and new love.
There is a sense of urgency in Advent that wakes us up from our
complacency. Advent should challenge us to prepare ourselves and our
world for the full coming of the kingdom of peace and justice.
Christmas is a time to celebrate the fulfillment of God’s promise, the
one who took flesh in the womb of the Virgin Mary. The child is given the
name “Jesus,” meaning “God is with us” to save
us from our sins. Christ is born so that we might be reborn to a life of grace.
Christmas is the affirmation of Emmanuel, who is always present to his
people. Our celebration is about more than the birth of a child; it is about
the salvation of the world.
Christmas challenges us to live the kind of life that God’s kingdom
demands now, with hope and promise for tomorrow. Christmas is not just a
day but a season that lasts twelve days. It continues through Epiphany and
ends with the Baptism of the Lord, a celebration of God’s faithfulness
manifested to the whole world in Jesus Christ. Epiphany means a
“recognition” of or “insight” into a reality of
something. Epiphany is about a journey and the one who guides our quest
to uncover the full meaning of Christ in our lives: the gift of God’s
love revealed through the Word, prayer, worship, and sacrament. For those
who have the eyes to see, it is a time to perceive the signs of Christ’s
presence here and now—the ordinary and extraordinary appearances
of the Lord in a star in the night sky, in strangers and visitors from afar, in
families and loved ones, in light and life, in bread, wine and water, in
Spirit and grace.
As we exchange gifts with our loved ones, we must also prepare ourselves
for the true gift of God’s love. Do we accept God’s gift with
gratitude? Do we proclaim the good news to others? How can we become
more joyful, hopeful, faithful lovers of ourselves, God, and others? Are we
watching and preparing for Christ’s coming now and at the end of
time? The preface for Advent reminds us to “Watch for the
day” so that our hearts may be “filled with wonder and
praise” when the Lord comes. Christ’s coming will only be
recognized by those who are alert to his appearance every day. May this
season of Emmanuel fill you with the Lord’s abiding presence.
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