Study of the Readings
ed. by
Joyce Ann Zimmerman,
et al
• Words, Phrases
• To the point
• First Two Readings
• Experience
Dennis
Hamm, SJ
It takes a Covenant to Raise a Family
No family in first-century Palestine lived disconnected from their network of relatives, and more important, their family life was lived as part of the larger family life of Israel’s covenant life with God.
John Kavanaugh, SJ
In the Christmas narratives, ordinary people like shepherds and travelers are the messengers of God, not just angels, and certainly not the power-brokers of nations.
John J. Pilch
The Middle Eastern family is enormous and quite extended. It is highly probable that they had relatives in Bethlehem and that all the inhabitants of Nazareth were members of Jesus’ extended family.
He lies in a manger, yet he rocks the whole world. He is bound with swaddling bands, yet he breaks the bonds of sin.
Reginald H. Fuller
Where there is a wholesome respect for God and his will, human relationships do stand a better chance of being well ordered and harmonious.