The Christmas/Epiphany cycle offers us generous glimpses into the mystery of the birth and manifestation of Jesus. The story of the Magi comes at the end of these glimpses and rich reflections of the Christmas season. This story has caught the imagination of the Christian tradition for centuries.
December 23, 2019
Lord, all things are possible with You.
As we wait for the joyous coming
of Your Son, help me to know my inner truth
of love and goodness and manifest this totally
in my relations with others.
With Your help and guidance, make me
worthy to embrace the coming of Your Son.
December 22, 2019
Lord, You are Emmanuel, “God with us.”
Open the eyes and ears of my heart
that I may see Your presence in every person I meet,
and hear Your voice in the cry of the poor.
December 21, 2019
Everliving God, who strengthened
Your apostle Thomas with firm and certain
faith in Your Son’s resurrection:
Grant us so perfectly and without doubt
to believe in Jesus Christ, our Lord and our God,
that our faith may never be found
wanting in Your sight; through Him
who lives and reigns with You
and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.
December 20, 2019
Every generous act of giving
and every perfect gift are from above.
They come down from You, dear Father of Light.
You give birth to us by Your Word,
so that we might be born of a new creation.
Bless now these presents that we give and receive in joy
at the birth of your Son, our Lord Jesus Christ.
December 19, 2019
Lord, during this Advent season,
I give thanks and praise to You for the gift of life.
Teach me to be grateful for all that I experience –
the joys, challenges and grief.
Help me to throw off the bonds of selfishness and greed
and embrace the true meaning of the season.
December 18, 2019
I would like to share with you one of the most delightful Christmas presents that I have ever received. In the mission parish of Katase in Yokohama Diocese where I was stationed we had a special catechumenate class for couples where the wife was baptized, but the husband was not. Six couples came faithfully to the evening classes.
December 18, 2019
O God, help me to be a better person.
Make me prudent in my undertakings,
courageous in dangers, patient in afflictions,
and humble in prosperity.
Grand that I may be attentive at my prayers,
temperate at my meals,
diligent in my work,
and constant in my good resolutions.
December 17, 2019
O God,You brought Your Son, Jesus
into this world to teach us
the power of love and sacrifice.
Bless our tree
as a symbol of our celebration of Jesus' birth
and our gratitude for His sacrifice.
May the joy this tree brings
and the gifts we place under it
remind us of the many gifts You have given us.
We ask Your blessings upon our loved ones,
December 16, 2019
“The best and most beautiful things in the world cannot be seen or even touched – they must be felt with the heart.” This insight comes from the pen of Helen Keller who, though blind herself, inspired countless others gifted with sight to discover its truth in their own lives. I am one of them.
The Columbans are a society of missionaries, including priests and lay people, who minister to people of various cultures as a way of witnessing to the universal love of God.