1/1/19: Solemnity of Mary, Mother of God: The Shepherds Went in Haste to Bethlehem

On this Octave Day of Christmas, we celebrate the Mother of God. Today's Gospel starts off with the simple yet profound narrative, "The shepherds went in haste to Bethlehem". These simple, hungry souls went quickly to Bethlehem, which in Hebrew means "House of Bread". What an apt description of us when we come--hungry, poor, and needy--to Mass to encounter there and be fed by the One who calls Himself the "Bread of Life".