Christ Jesus, I offer my gifts to you...

Matthew 2: 1-12
Adoration: Christ Jesus, I offer my gifts to you...
Intercession: Holy Spirit, reveal to [me or N._____] the gifts [I have, he/she has] to offer God...
 
What do I have to offer the Christ Child? Like the magi, who left their own kingdoms to travel a great distance to greet ‘the little Lord Jesus’ in a stable in Bethlehem, I can leave behind my own ‘kingdoms’ and offer gifts of self, soul and body to God.  Instead of grasping it to myself, I can offer Christ my gold –all  that I am and all that I have –to be used for his purposes in the redemption of humanity.  Rather than fixating my strength on fulfilling my own needs and desires, I can instead offer Jesus the frankincense of my prayers of mercy for, and with, others and  live them out in each thought, word and deed, as he did with his life. And instead of drowning in despair and self-pity, I can offer the myrrh of my sins, sorrows and sufferings to Christ Jesus for his work of salvation in the world.  Christ Jesus, I offer my gifts to you.
O come, let us adore him, Christ the Lord ... (Adeste Fideles)  

The sun (the Son) shining brightly on everything ... calls us. He says, “Come, become human.  Cease to be alone.  Begin to love. Begin to get involved with others. Begin to love your neighbour.”
Catherine Doherty, In the footprints of Loneliness

www.gospelmysteryoftheday.ca  
Soli ad gloriam dei