Category: CHRISTMASTIDE!

Posted in CHRISTMASTIDE!, FEASTS and SOLEMNITIES, MORNING Prayers, The WORD

Celebrating the CHRISTMAS SEASON – 25 December – Christmas Day

Posted on by AnaStpaul

Celebrating the CHRISTMAS SEASON – Christmas Day

Christmas is not the end of Advent. It is a real season of the Church year. We usually miss it because the consumer society that some of us live in has nothing to offer us, except for days to return gifts. Too often, within days after Christmas day, the decorations are down and it is over.Lorenzo Costa

This year, let’s try to really celebrate Christmas and the days that follow. Let’s enter a new Season, which has its own spirit and desires and graces.

Special Feasts begin the season and we continue the story, so that we enter more deeply into the story of Jesus’ coming to be one with our life, but also that we might enter more deeply into how Jesus comes this year to bless each of us.

CHRISTMAS DAY

“Lord, open my lips, and my mouth shall declare your praise.”

Daily Meditation:
All the ends of the earth have seen the saving power of God.

But to those who did accept him
he gave power to become children of God. John 1

We plan to celebrate the family Christmas morning, with our traditional customs,
perhaps with a Christmas tree gift sharing with the children.
When we come to church to celebrate our faith together,
there is a different feel than midnight Mass or even an early
morning Mass.
Still, the choir draws us in immediately.
We look at each other and smile and we see the bright eyes of
the elderly and single friends around the community.
We know why we are here, and it is easy to join in the singing.

Let us give thanks today. Let us repeat the sounding joy of a faith-filled Christmas.
Let us go forth to share glad tidings with our family and friends.
Let us help our Lord usher in an age of justice and peace,
beginning in our our hearts this day.

In times past, God spoke in partial and various way to our ancestors through the prophets;
in these last days, he has spoken to us through the Son. Hebrews 1

Closing Prayer:
This day feels so different already, dear Lord.
You promised the glory of this day by the birth of Jesus.
So humble, so simple, such a complete act of love.

Make me one of your people of the light
and help me to be faithful to your word.
I am filled with the joy of the world
and ask you to fill my heart
with a longing for your justice and peace.

My savior – you are here with me on this day,
bringing life to the waiting world.
Gloria in excelsis Deo!

May the Lord bless us,
protect us from all evil
and bring us to everlasting life, amen.

christmas-day

Posted in CHRISTMASTIDE!, FEASTS and SOLEMNITIES, MORNING Prayers

Thought for the Day – 25 December

Posted on by AnaStpaul

Thought for the Day – 25 December

On this day, the Church focuses especially on the newborn Child, God become human, who embodies for us all the hope and peace we seek. We need no other special saint today to lead us to Christ in the manger, although his mother Mary and Joseph, caring for his foster-son, help round out the scene.

But if we were to select a patron for today, perhaps it might be appropriate for us to imagine an anonymous shepherd, summoned to the birthplace by a wondrous and even disturbing vision in the night, a summons from an angelic choir, promising peace and goodwill. A shepherd willing to seek out something that might just be too unbelievable to chase after and yet compelling enough to leave behind the flocks in the field and search for a mystery.

On the day of the Lord’s birth, let’s let an unnamed, “non-celebrity” at the edge of the crowd model for us the way to discover Christ in our own hearts—somewhere between skepticism and wonder, between mystery and faith. And, like Mary and the shepherds, let us treasure that discovery in our hearts.

The precise dating in this passage sounds like a textbook on creationism. If we focus on the time frame, however, we miss the point. It lays out the story of a love affair: creation, the deliverance of the Hebrews from slavery in Egypt, the rise of Israel under David. It climaxes with the birth of Jesus. From the beginning, some scholars insist, God intended to enter the world as one of us, the beloved people. Praise God!

And a Holy and Happy Christmas to All!  May the Christ Child live in your hearts!

edward_burne-jones_star_of_bethlehemmy-christmas-wishes

Posted in CHRISTMASTIDE!, MORNING Prayers, QUOTES of the SAINTS

Quote/s of the Day – 25 December

Posted on by AnaStpaul

Quote/s of the Day – 25 December

“Celebrate the feast of Christmas every day,
even every moment in the interior temple
of your spirit, remaining like a baby in
the bosom of the heavenly Father,
where you will be reborn each moment
in the Divine Word, Jesus Christ.”

St. Paul of the Cross

“Meister Eckhart once said: ‘What good is it that Christ was born 2,000 years ago if he is not born now in your heart?’

“Lord, we do far too much celebrating your actual coming in our hearts. I believe in God, but do I believe in God-in-me? I believe in God in heaven, but do I believe in God-on-earth? I believe in God out there, but do I believe in God-with-us?

“Lord, be born in my heart. Come alive in me this Christmas! Amen.”

st-paul-of-the-cross

Posted in CHRISTMASTIDE!, MORNING Prayers, QUOTES of the SAINTS

One Minute Reflection – 25 December

Posted on by AnaStpaul

One Minute Reflection – 25 December

Mary gave birth to her first-born son and wrapped him in swaddling clothes and laid him in a manger…………Lk 2:7

REFLECTION – “The One who is seated on the throne of heaven is laid in a stable.
A God Who is beyond access is touched by the hands of human beings!”………………..St John Chrysostum

PRAYER – Heavenly Father, let me welcome Your Son as my Redeemer now. Then help to go to meet Him with confidence when He comes to be my Jude at the end of my earthly life. Lord Jesus, the Christ who came to us as a Babe, I love You! Amen

luke-2-7st-john-chrysostumone-minute-ref

Posted in CHRISTMASTIDE!, FEASTS and SOLEMNITIES, MORNING Prayers, PRAYERS of the SAINTS

Our Morning Offering – 25 December

Posted on by AnaStpaul

Our Morning Offering – 25 December

Nativity Prayer of St. Augustine

Let the just rejoice,
for theirJjustifier is born.
Let the sick and infirm rejoice,
For their Saviour is born.
Let the captives rejoice,
For their Redeemer is born.
Let slaves rejoice,
for their Master is born.
Let free men rejoice,
For their Liberator is born.
Let All Christians rejoice,
For Jesus Christ is born.

The Barbadori Altarpiece is a painting by Filippo Lippi, dated to 1438 (detail)

st-augustine-nativity-prayer-for-christmas-day

Posted in CHRISTMASTIDE!, FEASTS and SOLEMNITIES

25 December – The Solemnity of the Birth of Our Lord Jesus Christ

Posted on by AnaStpaul

25 December – The Solemnity of the Birth of Our Lord Jesus Christ

Traditional Bible Time From the Creation to The Birth of Jesus
On December 25 in the Latin Breviary’s Martyrology we have a very important time line in the birth of Our Lord Jesus Christ.

In the year 5199th from the creation of the world, when in the beginning’ God created the heavens and the earth.
In the year 2959th from the flood.
In the year 2015 from the birth of AbrahamIn the year 1510th from the going forth of the people of Israel out of Egypt under Moses.
In the year 1032th from the anointing of David as King.
In the 65th week according to the prophecy of Daniel.
In the 194th Olympiad.
In the 752th from the foundation of the city of Rome.
In the 42nd year of the reign of the Emperor Octavian Augustus.
In the 6th age of the world, while the whole earth was at peace, Jesus Christ, Himself Eternal God and Son of the Eternal Father, being pleased to hallow the world by His most gracious coming, having been conceived of the Holy Ghost, and when nine months were passed after His conception, (all kneel down) was born of the Virgin Mary at Bethlehem of Juda made Man, THE BIRTHDAY OF OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST was born according to the flesh.

The story begins with the simple lines of St Luke’s Gospel “And Joseph also went up from Galilee….to the city of David which is called Bethlehem.”  In Palestine, in the reign of Caesar Augustus, a homeless couple were driven underground to escape the night and the cold.  And there, in silence and wonder a child is born.  A child who was truly a human child but just as truly is God.  That is the mystery we celebrate today and it is belief in that mystery that makes us Christians.

Happy Birthday Jesus!

creation_allegory-of_zucchi-jacopo-jpg-1

noahs-ark_entering-the-ark_memberger-kaspar-the-elder-jpg-2abraham_parting-company-with-the-family-of-lot_victors-janivan-kramskoi-the-prayer-of-moses-before-the-israelites-passed-through-the-red-sea-1861-e1276316730207

davidgoliath

rome-burning

happy-birthday-jesus

Posted in CHRISTMASTIDE!, FEASTS and SOLEMNITIES, SAINT of the DAY

Saints and Feasts for 25 December

Posted on by AnaStpaul

Nativity of the Lord (Solemnity)
—
St Adalsindis of Hamay
St Alburga of Wilton
St Anastasia of Sirmium
Bl Artale
St Basilée of the Via Latina
Bl Bentivoglio de Bonis
Bl Diego de Aro
St Eugenia of Rome
St Fulk of Toulouse
Bl Jacopone da Todi
St Jovin of the Via Latina
Bl Maria Therese von Wüllenweber
Bl Matthew of Albano
Bl Michael Nakashima Saburoemon
Bl Nera
St Peter Nolasco
St Romulus of Berry
—
Martyrs of Nicomedia

Posted in CHRISTMASTIDE!, The WORD

The Meaning of the Christmas Wreath

Posted on by AnaStpaul

The Meaning of the Christmas Wreath

+Hail and blessed be the hour and moment in which the Son of God was born of the most pure Virgin Mary, at midnight, in Bethlehem, in piercing cold. In that hour vouchsafe, O my God! to hear my prayer and grant my desires, through the merits of Our Saviour Jesus Christ, and of His blessed Mother. Amen.

In the General Roman Calendar, this date is the last day of Advent, Christmas Eve, and also (beginning with the vigil Mass) is the first day of Christmas time. The liturgical texts express wholehearted confidence in the imminent coming of the Redeemer. There is much joyous expectation. Most families have their own observances, customs that should be preserved from generation to generation. Today is the last day of our Christmas Novena.

Throughout Advent we have seen how the preparation for Jesus’ coming became more and more precise. Isaiah, John the Baptist and the Virgin Mother appeared throughout the season announcing and foretelling the coming of the King. We learn today that Christ according to His human nature is born at Bethlehem of the House of David of the Virgin Mary and that according to His divine nature He is conceived of the Spirit of holiness, the Son of God and the Second Person of the Trinity.

The certitude of His coming is made clear in two images. The first is that of the closed gate of paradise. Since our first parents were cast forth from the earthly paradise the gate has been closed and a cherubim stands guard with flaming sword. The Redeemer alone is able to open this door and enter in. On Christmas Eve we stand before the gate of paradise and it is for this reason that Psalm 23 is the theme of the vigil:

Lift up your gates, O princes,
Open wide, eternal gates,
That the King of Glory may enter in. . . .

The opening of the eternal gates through
which the King of Glory may enter is indicated
by the wreath on the door of our homes at Christmastide.
The Advent wreath, which accompanied the family
throughout the season of preparation may be taken down.
The violet ribbons are removed and it is gloriously
decorated with white, red and gold.
It is then placed upon the door as a symbol
of the welcome of Christ into our city, our home and our hearts.
On Christmas Eve the whole house should be strewn with garlands
and made ready for the Light of the World.
The crib is set in a special place of honour,
for tonight the central figure of the Nativity scene is to arrive.

christmas-wreath

 

Posted in ADVENT, CHRISTMASTIDE!, NOVENAS

Christmas Novena to the Christ Child

Posted on by AnaStpaul

Christmas Novena to the Christ Child
DAY NINE – 24 December

The Birth Of Jesus In The Stable Of Bethlehem.

O Adorable Infant Jesus!
I should not have the boldness to cast myself at Your feet, if I did not know that You Yourself invites me to draw near You. It is I who by my sins have made You shed so many tears in the stable of Bethlehem. But since You have come on earth to pardon repentant sinners, forgive me also, now that I am heartily sorry for having spurned You, my Saviour and my God, who are so good and who have loved me so much.

In this night, in which You bestowest great graces on so many souls, grant Your heavenly consolation to this poor soul of mine also. All that I ask of You is the grace to love You always, from this day forward, with all my heart. Set me all on fire with Your holy love. I love You, O my God, who have become a Babe for love of me. Never let me cease from loving You ever more.

O Mary, Mother of the Babe who is God and my Mother, you can obtain everything from Your Son by your prayers. This is the only favour I ask of you
Do you pray to Jesus for me. Amen.

day-9-christmas-novena

Posted in CHRISTMASTIDE!, MORNING Prayers, QUOTES of the SAINTS, The WORD

Thought for the Day – 24 December

Posted on by AnaStpaul

Thought for the Day – 24 December

A CHRISTMAS REFLECTION

St Alphonsus Liguori

“A child is born to us, and a son is given to us” -Isa. 9:6

CONSIDER that after so many centuries, after so many prayers and sighs, the Messiah, whom the holy patriarchs and prophets were not worthy to see, whom the nations sighed for, “the desire of the everlasting hills,” our Saviour, has come;  He is already born and has given Himself entirely to us: “A child is born to us, and a son is given to us.”
The Son of God has made Himself little, in order to make us great.
He has given Himself to us, in order that we may give ourselves to Him.
He has come to show us His love, in order that we may respond to it by giving Him ours.
Let us, therefore, receive Him with affection.
Let us love Him and have recourse to Him in ill our necessities.
“A child gives easily,” says St. Bernard; children readily give anything, that is asked of them. Jesus came into the world as a child in order to show Himself ready and willing to give us all! good gifts: “The Father hath given all things into his hands.”
If we wish for light, He has come on purpose to enlighten us.
If we wish for strength to resist our enemies, He has come to give us comfort.
If we wish for pardon and salvation, He has come to pardon and save us.
If, in short, we desire the sovereign gift of divine love, He has come to inflame our hearts with it and, above all, for this very purpose, He has become a child and has chosen to show Himself to us worthy of our love, in proportion as He was poor and humble, in order to take away from us all fear and to gain our affections.
“So,” said St. Peter Chrysologus, “should He come who willed to drive away fear and seek for love.” And Jesus has chosen to come as a little child to make us love Him, not only with an appreciative but even a tender love.
All infants attract the tender affection of those who behold them- but who will not love, with all the tenderness of which they are capable, a God whom they behold as a little child, in need of milk to nourish Him, trembling with cold, poor, abased and forsaken, weeping and crying in a manger, and lying on straw?
It was this that made the loving St. Francis exclaim: “Let us love the child of Bethlehem, let us love the child of Bethlehem. Come, souls and love a God who has become a child and poor, who is so lovable and who has come down from heaven to give Himself entirely to you.”

let-us-love-the-child

Posted in CATHOLIC Quotes, CHRISTMASTIDE!, MORNING Prayers, QUOTES of the SAINTS

Quote/s of the Day – 24 December

Posted on by AnaStpaul

Quote/s of the Day – 24 December

“Christ is the Morning Star,
who, when the night of this world is past,
gives to His saints the promise of the light of life,
and opens everlasting day.”
– St Bede the Venerable

“It is Christmas every time you let God love others through you.”
-St Mother Teresa of Calcutta

“He was created of a mother whom He created. He was carried by hands that He formed. He cried in the manger in wordless infancy. He, the Word, without whom all human eloquence is mute.”  – St Augustine

st-bede-the-venerablechristmas-quotehe-the-word

Posted in ADVENT, CHRISTMASTIDE!, MORNING Prayers

Our Morning Offering – 24 December

Posted on by AnaStpaul

Our Morning Offering – 24 December

Nativity Prayer of St. Bernard of Clairvaux

Let Your goodness Lord appear to us, that we
made in Your image, conform ourselves to it.
In our own strength
we cannot imitate Your majesty, power and wonder
nor is it fitting for us to try.
But Your mercy reaches from the heavens
through the clouds to the earth below.
You have come to us as a small child,
but you have brought us the greatest of all gifts,
the gift of eternal love.
Caress us with Your tiny hands,
embrace us with Your tiny arms
and pierce our hearts with Your soft, sweet cries.
Amen

st-bernard-nativity-prayer

Posted in ADVENT, CHRISTMASTIDE!, NOVENAS

Christmas Novena to the Christ Child

Posted on by AnaStpaul

Christmas Novena to the Christ Child
DAY EIGHT – 23 December
The Life Of The Child Jesus In Egypt And In Nazareth.

O Jesus, my Saviour! When I consider how, for love of me, You spent thirty years of Your life hidden and unknown in a poor workshop, how can I desire the pleasures and honours and riches of the world? Gladly do I renounce all these things, since I wish to be Your companion on this earth, poor as You were, mortified and humble as You were, so that I may hope to be able one day to enjoy Your companionship in heaven. What are all the treasures and kingdoms of this world? You, O Jesus, are my only treasure, my only Good!

I keenly regret the many times in the past when I spurned Your friendship in order to satisfy my foolish whims. I am sorry for them with all my heart. For the future I would rather lose my life a thousand times than lose Your grace by sin. I wish never to offend You again but always to love You. Help me to remain faithful to You until death.

O Mary, you are the refuge of sinners, you are my hope. Amen.

large-blue-2

Posted in ADVENT, CHRISTMASTIDE!, MORNING Prayers, QUOTES of the SAINTS, SAINT of the DAY, The WORD

One Minute Reflection – 23 December

Posted on by AnaStpaul

One Minute Reflection – 23 December

On coming into the world, Jesus said ….. “”For I have come down from heaven, not to do My own will, but the will of Him who sent Me” (John 6:38).   By one offering He has forever perfected those who are being sanctified.

REFLECTION – Jesus Christ, the God-Man, was born in a manger and is spiritually reborn on the altar.  He suffered on Calvary and continues to offer Himself on the altar.

In His earthly life He spread His teaching and worked miracles among the crowds.  In the Eucharist, He spans the centuries and communicates Himself to all………..St John Chrysostum.

PRAYER – Heavenly Father, in contemplating the birth of Your Son in time and in the Eucharist, may I ever attain a new birth.  May I through love of You, give my all to my neighbour in true charity.  Help me to learn from St John of Kanty to live in humility and whom we ask for intercession. St John of Kanty, Pray for us! Amen

john-6-38131029691288fb5eb308d48c66351305st-john-kanty-pray

Posted in ADVENT, CHRISTMASTIDE!, NOVENAS

Christmas Novena to the Christ Child

Posted on by AnaStpaul

Christmas Novena to the Christ Child
Day Seven
Flight Of The Child Jesus Into Egypt.

Dear Infant Jesus, crying so bitterly! Yes, You have reason to weep in seeing Yourself persecuted by men whom You love so much. I, too, O God, have once persecuted You by my sins. But You know that now I love You more than myself and that nothing pains me more than the thought that I have so often spurned You, my sovereign Good.

Forgive me, O Jesus and let me bear You with me in my heart n all the rest of the journey that I have still to make through life, so that together with You I may enter into eternity. So often have I driven You from my soul by my sins. But now I love You above all things and I regret above other misfortunes that I have offended You. I wish to leave You no more, my beloved Lord. But You give me the strength to resist temptations. Never permit me to be separated from You again. Let me rather die than ever again lose Your good grace.

O Mary, my hope, make me always live in God’s love and then die in loving Him. Amen.

day-seven

Posted in ADVENT, CATHOLIC Quotes, CHRISTMASTIDE!, MORNING Prayers, The WORD

Thought for the Day – 22 December

Posted on by AnaStpaul
………If we examine Luke’s account of the birth of Jesus, we find very similar motifs to Matthew’s – Matthew tells us that Herod, having been duped by the Magi, furiously lashed out, ordering the murder of every boy in Bethlehem under two years of age. Not exactly the reaction of someone who is just delighted that the Christmas season has arrived!  Luke sets up his story as the tale of two rival Emperors: Caesar, the king of the world and Jesus, the baby king. While Caesar rules from his palace in Rome, Jesus has no place to lay his head; while Caesar exercises rangy power, Jesus is wrapped in swaddling clothes; while Caesar surrounds himself with wealthy and sophisticated courtiers, Jesus is surrounded by animals and shepherds of the field. And yet, the baby king is more powerful than Augustus – which is signaled by the presence of an army (stratias in the Greek) of angels in the skies over Bethlehem.

All four of the Gospels play out as a struggle, culminating in the deadly business of the cross, between the worldly powers and the power of Christ. For Jesus is not simply a kindly prophet with a gentle message of forgiveness; he is God coming in person to assume command. He is the Lord. And the entire New Testament couldn’t be clearer that his Lordship means that all those who follow a contrary rule – meaning, pretty much every one of us – are under judgment.

To be sure, the distinctive mark of Jesus’ Lordship is love, compassion, forgiveness and non-violence – but this is not the stuff of sentimentality and warm feelings. It is a provocation, a challenge, a call to conversion of the most radical kind

Bishop Robert Barron –  Why Christmas should bother everybody – December 15, 2016 –

ARE WE READY for the challenge?

birth-of-the-king

 

Posted in CHRISTMASTIDE!, MORNING Prayers, QUOTES of the SAINTS

Quote of the Day – 22 December

Posted on by AnaStpaul

Quote of the Day – 22 December

“Jesus was born in a cave in Bethlehem because, Sacred Scripture tells us, “there was no room for them in the inn.”
—I am not departing from theological truth when I say that Jesus is still looking for shelter in your heart.”

~~~St. Josemaria Escrivä

st-josemaria-escriva

Posted in ADVENT, CHRISTMASTIDE!, NOVENAS

Christmas Novena to the Christ Child

Posted on by AnaStpaul

Christmas Novena to the Christ Child

DAY SIX

God’s Mercy Revealed In His Coming Down From Heaven To Save Us.

O my Dear Redeemer! Where should I be now, if You had not borne with me so patiently but had called me from life while I was in the state of sin? Since You have waited for me till now, forgive me quickly, O my Jesus, before death finds me still guilty of so many offenses that I have committed against You. I am so sorry for having vilely despised You, my sovereign Good, that I could die of grief. But You cannot abandon a soul that seeks You.

If hitherto I have forsaken You, I now seek You and love You. Yes, my God, I love You above all else; I love You more than myself. Help me, Lord, to love You always during the rest of my life. Nothing else do I seek of You. But this I beg of You, this I hope to receive from You, all my love only for You.

Mary, my hope, pray for me. If you pray for me, I am sure of grace. Amen.

day-6-christmas-novena

Posted in ADVENT, CHRISTMASTIDE!, NOVENAS

Christmas Novena to the Christ Child Day Five – 20 December

Posted on by AnaStpaul

Christmas Novena to the Christ Child
DAY FIVE

The Life Of Sorrow Which Jesus Led From His Birth.

O Jesus, my sweet Love! I too have kept You suffering through all Your life. Tell me, then, what I must do in order to win Your forgiveness. I am ready to do all You ask of me. I am sorry, O sovereign Good, for all the offenses I have committed against You. I love You more than myself, or a least I feel a great desire to love You. Since it is You who has given me this desire, do You also give me the strength to love You exceedingly.

It is only right that I, who have offended You so much, should love You very much. Always remind me of the love You have borne me, in order that my soul may ever burn with love of You and long to please You alone. O God of love, I, who was once a slave of hell, now give myself all to You.
Graciously accept me and bind me to Yourself with the bonds of Your love. My Jesus, from this day and forever in loving You will I live and in loving Thee will I die.

O Mary, my Mother and my hope, help me to love your dear God and mine. This is the only favour I ask of you and through you I hope to receive it. Amen.

day5christmasnovena

Posted in ADVENT, CHRISTMASTIDE!, MORNING Prayers, QUOTES of the SAINTS

Quote of the Day – 20 December

Posted on by AnaStpaul

Quote of the Day – 20 December

“If we would please this Divine Infant,
we too must become children,
simple and humble;
we must carry to Him flowers of virtue,
of meekness, of mortification, of charity;
we must clasp Him in the arms of our love.”

~~~ St Alphonsus Liguori

st-alphonsus-christmas-quote