Lighting the way.

Lectionary: 187
Reading 1
Responsorial Psalm
Gospel
St. Lucy

Today's feast day is of St. Lucy, a young virgin martyr. She is depicted as the bringer of light, the light of Christ of course, and her feast day happens just before the winter solstice which is the shortest and darkest day of the year. She is the patron saint of eyes because according to legend, she plucked out her eyes when a would-be suitor admired them.
One more thing: I can see why St. Lucy's feast day is of such importance right in the middle of Advent. Before the days of constant light, people spent much of their time before Christmas in darkness. St. Lucy serves to remind us, as John the Baptist does, that Christ is coming and bringing the light that shines through all darkness. I think today we will eat by candlelight to remind myself and the children that Christ is our light.
Prayer: Father in heaven, thank you for the light of your Son! Thank you for the enlightenment by the saints as they point us toward Jesus. Help me to share this light with my children, and to let the light of the reason for Christmas shine through the material desires of our culture. In Jesus' name I pray, Amen. St. Lucy, pray for me.