A Few Brief Thoughts for Christmastime

The Rite of Consecration to a Life of Virginity reminds us in its suggested homily about the connection between the vocation of virginity and the wonder of the Incarnation:

“…When the fullness of time had come, the almighty Father showed, in the mystery of the incarnation, his love for this great virtue [of virginity]. In the chaste womb of the Blessed Virgin Mary, by the power of the Holy Spirit, the Word was made flesh, in a marriage covenant uniting two natures, human and divine.”

With each passing year, I’m coming to understand more and more how we consecrated virgins should savor the Christmas season as an especially spiritually nourishing time for us. The brief but beautiful Christmas season, from the Octave of Christmas through the feast of the Epiphany, gives us the time and liturgical “space” to envelope ourselves in the great truth of God’s spousal love for His people.

During this time, I think it’s good for us to reflect on how consecrated virginity, although it may seem fruitless in the eyes of the world (or even to our own eyes in some of our more difficult moments), is truly meant to be a state wherein we are specially blessed to encounter God in a privileged way, so that in us He can show forth His love and presence to the world that longs for Him. The coming New Year gives us a chance to resolve to embrace and live out the indescribable mystery of this love ever more fully.

My warmest Christmas greetings to all my sisters in Christ around the world!