Stations of Christmas
  
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During Lent, the Church gives us the "Stations of the Cross", allowing us to reflect on the events of Holy Week.
Perhaps these "Stations of Christmas" can remind us of the events leading to the wonderful miracle of the Lord's birth.
Why not use them as a basis for your family prayer during the Christmas season?
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 Opening Prayer
Lord Jesus, the miracle of Your Nativity has inspired Christians for generations. Inspire us now with the beautiful story of Your
birth. Help us to clear our minds of the concerns of the day and fill us with the peace and hope of Advent.
Amen
First Station: The Annunciation
For centuries, the Jewish people had prayed for a Messiah. Age after age, their hopes were met with disappointment. Yet they kept
faith. At last, in a small Judaean town, an angel of God asks a young Jewish girl to carry within her the hope of her nation. Mary
accepts God's call and changes the course of her life to take on the role of the Mother of God.
Heavenly Father, just as Mary accepted life-changing challenges
when she opened herself to Your call, so I know I may have to do the same. Help me to remember her courage and be comforted by it. May I
always be open to Your challenges.
Amen
Second Station: The Visitation
Now Mary, having accepted the Lord's call, finds herself in a most lonely situation. Only she knows what has happened to her. The
magnitude of this news is enough to cause her to doubt even her own senses. Yet God in His goodness left her a word of comfort. Her
cousin Elizabeth has also been blessed by God's grace; she has conceived a child in her old age. Mary sets off to see this miracle, so
similar yet to different from her own. On her arrival, Mary is rewarded with the reassurance that God has indeed called her.
God in Heaven, may I never lose heart. I know that if I but do
Your will, You will give me strength and means to carry it out. And should I waver in my faith, may I be strengthened by the signs and
miracles, large and small, You provide along the way.
Amen
Third Station: Joseph's Vision
Joseph now finds himself caught up in the faith decision of his future wife, Mary. Confronted with her condition, he must respond.
Like many of us, he responds in a worldly way. He will divorce Mary quietly. But God intervenes. An angel comes to Joseph in a dream to
reassure him that what has happened is the work of God. Joseph makes his own faith decision and takes Mary as his wife.
Lord, many times we are alone in our decision to accept Your
will. Even family and friends may turn away. Remind us that we are never alone, and give us faith that You will always help us to carry
out Your Will.
Amen
Fourth Station: The Journey
The "Flight into Egypt" depicted above, typifies the "Journey to Bethlehem".
Now Joseph and Mary are confronted with another obstacle. Rome has ordered a census. Joseph must travel to Bethlehem to register
his new family. Mary, heavy with Child, must go with him. They spend their nights outside in the cold desert air, yet they know nothing
can happen to this special Child. God's presence will guide them along the way. With loving patience, they set out for Bethlehem, the
city long prophesied as the birthplace of the Messiah.
Father, at times we are surprised by the twists and turns of
life. Give us the patience of the Holy Family to realize that no matter where our lives lead, You will be waiting at the end
of our journey.
Amen
Fifth Station: Arrival in Bethlehem
At last Mary and Joseph arrive in Bethlehem, now bustling with travelers. Tired and dusty from the trip, they search for lodging.
Mary says they must hurry, for her Baby will be born this night. But no one has room to take them in.
Holy God, disappointments are so hard. We cannot understand
why we must endure hardship, even when we try to do Your Will, or why favor seems to go to those less deserving. Help us to remember
that even our disappointments can serve to give You glory.
Amen
Sixth Station: The Manger
As despair closes in on the Holy Family, the innkeeper tells them of the stable where they are welcome to stay. Here Mary can find
a warm, private place to delivery her Baby. They make their way to the stable, where horses, cattle, and other animals become their
lodging companions. Mary may rest from the journey.
Loving Father, may we always be open to Your kindness. Help us
to accept Your gifts at face value, to realize that You always give us what is best for us. May we be grateful for the gifts given in
Your love.
Amen
Seventh Station: The Nativity
Now is the most important moment of Mary's life, and she must face it alone; just as her Son would face His moment of truth some
thirty years later. The holy Son of God is born in a stable. As the animals look on, God performs His greatest miracle. The promise of
salvation, dreamed of for thousands of years, is accomplished by a loving God and a poor girl in a stable.
Holy Lord, as we sit in awe of Your blessed Nativity, we are
shaken by the wonder of Your glory and Your meekness. Having so humbled Yourself, help us not to be caught up in our own importance.
Remind us of the great things that are accomplished when we are perfectly submissive to Your will.
Amen
Eighth Station: The Heavenly Choir
 
Unaware of the miracle happening that night, shepherds keep watch over their sheep. Suddenly their familiar night sky is filled
with glorious angels singing divine praises. The angels reassure the shepherds. They have come with good news. God has sent them a Savior.
When the angels vanish, the shepherds are left in wonderment. If the Savior has come, why didn't God send His angels to the king or the
high priests? Yet they seek to confirm the truth of the angel's words, the strange tale of a Baby in a manger.
Father, the splendor of Your glory is beyond us. What can we
possibly give You that approaches it? May we always be willing to give our all, just as the shepherds abandoned their worldly possessions
to seek the Christ Child.
Amen
Ninth Station: The Shepherds' Visit
Mary and Joseph, alone for the first time with the Baby, look with pride at what God has entrusted to them. They hear calls of
greeting. Going to the stable entrance, Joseph sees shepherds asking to see the Baby. Joseph does not want the privacy or safety of his
family invaded. The shepherds tell of the angels, and Joseph's heart is softened. They enter timidly and, upon seeing what the angels
had proclaimed, fall to their knees to worship their Messiah.
Dear Father, often I want only to be left alone, but the world
floods in. My life is awash with distractions. Help me to remember that my purpose in this life is not to centre upon myself but to look
outward and proclaim the Word of Your Son's holy mission.
Amen
Tenth Station: The Star
In the East, men search the night sky as they have done so many nights before, looking for a sign. Why, we cannot know. They see a
new star rise. Researching ancient writings, they learn of a King to be born to the Jews. They pack their belongings and prepare gifts
for the new King. On their journey, they pay their respects to Kind Herod. The wicked Herod slyly ask the Magi to return news to him of
the Child's whereabouts. The Magi set off again to follow the star.
Lord of all, the star of Bethlehem teaches us that Your Word
and Your love have no limits. As the Magi searched the night sky for a sign they did not fully understand, so I search patiently for
those times You come into my life and give me direction.
Amen
Eleventh Station: The Epiphany
More visitors to the stable. These are in fine dress and speak in a foreign tongue. They explain who they are and why they have
come, and Joseph allows them to enter. They fall to their knees at the sight of Jesus. How ironic to see these visitors, so different
from the shepherds, react in such a similar fashion. The Magi offer gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh. Then they are gone. Before
they return to Herod, God warns them to return by another route.
Holy God, as the magi humbled themselves before You, may I
always do the same. May I also be willing to spread Your Word to peoples of all lands. For all people, great and small, are humbled in
Your presence.
Amen
Closing prayer
Thank you, Lord Jesus, for this time together. Just as
the Father used Mary to bring You into this world, help us to use this time to bring Your message into the world. May we never forget
the love You have for all of us, and may we never forget to share that love with others as You shared Yourself with us.
Amen
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