From my childhood I often heard about the name St. Joseph since my father chose the name Joseph as he received his baptism as an adult. He said he loved the name because he also loved the Blessed Virgin Mary just from the catechism. Being from the pastoralists, he was not so keen. Perhaps he did like the name Joseph and Mary and nothing more. However, this name for me remained in my heart as a child. But after entering into lots of challenges in my journey to religious life, I did not know who to tell my desire.

I grew up in the shadow of the Appalachian Mountains, in the State of West Virginia, USA. My father was a coal miner, and it was a constant struggle for him to keep us supplied with the thing that most people take for granted. My parents were proud people who made their own way. Saints standing piously with hands folded in prayer meant little to them. Life was about doing what had to be done on a daily basis.

do not be afraid to take Mary… having conceived by the Holy Spirit she will bear a son whom you are to call Jesus

As we journey through Advent and accompany Mary to Bethlehem where she will soon give birth to her Son, the holy One of God, we cannot think of her without Joseph. Joseph is her husband who lovingly protects and provides for her in every way and is united with her as one.

1 John 2:12-17; Luke 2:36-40

“Let the heavens be glad and the earth rejoice.” Thus says today’s Psalm. So, too, says our hearts in this Christmas season! For a people who have walked in darkness, have seen a great light. We bask this day in the after glow of Christmas. It is the light we gravitate towards on these dark days of winter.

Anna, like Simeon, was part of that people shrouded in darkness; but her faith in the faithfulness of God, prepared Anna for her encounter with her salvation in the person of the child Jesus. Disciplined by prayer and vigil, on seeing Jesus she immediately began to give thanks to God, who was faithful to his covenant and sent the messiah to those “looking for the redemption of Jerusalem.”

1 John 2:3-11; Luke 2:22-35

Whoever says he is in the light, yet hates his brother, is still in the darkness. 1 John 2

The parents of Jesus took him up to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord,
just as it is written in the law of the Lord. Luke 2

We are just four days after Christmas and the first reading challenges us. Who among us, in our experience of Christmas, didn't have some difficult experience with someone? It is almost inevitable each year that Christmas time can become a very stressful time. Christmas often gathers us with family and friends. Sometimes the most difficult relationships of our lives come together. Alcohol - intended as a traditional holiday element to add "cheer" - can make everything much worse. A word was said meanly. An old wound was re-opened. Someone was going through a hard time and was coping very badly. I re-discover how much someone really drives me crazy. As a result, I can understand the challenge of the First Letter of John: I want to be in the Light that is Jesus, but at the same time, there is somebody that I really hate or really resent or simply can't stand to be around, and that places me still in the darkness.

1 John 1:5—2:2; Matthew 2:13-18

‘A voice was heard in Ramah,
wailing and loud lamentation,
Rachel weeping for her children;
she refused to be consoled, because they are no more.’

“Herod!” says the Office of Readings, “you slay those little ones because fear in your heart slays you.”  It was a penetrating psychological insight from an early Christian writer.  Aggression is a manifestation of fear.  But how is it that it looks just the opposite of fear?  Why, because it is the repression of fear.  If a person has not faced his own fear he will project it onto others and fight it there.  If he hasn’t fought the war within he will fight it without.  And of course (because it is all about fear) he will pick the easiest target.  Even school children discover it: deep down, bullies are cowards.

Luke 2:22-40

The Feast of the Holy Family is connected to Christmas. At Christmas what we’re celebrating is the beginning of God’s final move in the history of salvation. The world is to be redeemed through the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. Christ isn’t just a human being, though, Christ is also truly divine: Christ is fully and truly human and fully and truly God. Therefore, if it’s Christ’s death and resurrection that will redeem us and Christ is both human and divine, then in order for this to happen God had first to come into the world as a human being and that’s what we celebrate at Christmas.

Sarah Brightman - When a child is born

Saint Stephen's Day, December 26th is the Feast of St. Stephen in Western Christianity. It is observed as the second day of Christmas holidays in several countries.

In commonwealth countries, the day after Christmas day is a holiday but known as Boxing Day. In some countries, the day after Christmas Day may also be known as the 'Second Day of Christmas' or the 'Day after Christmas'.

'O Holy Night' - King's NHS Virtual Choir

2020 challenged everyone at King’s in ways we hadn’t imagined. Together, and supported by amazing volunteers and donors, we met this challenge face on. This song is our way of saying “Thank you” to everyone who has supported us through this most incredible year, and remembering those who sadly passed away.