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Vigil Mass
Vigil of the Nativity or Christmas Eve[1]
CHRISTIAN, for the love of Christ, and for thine own
salvation, occupy thy mind, during this holy night, with holy thoughts and
aspirations, in order to make thyself worthy of all the graces which Christ
will grant thee on His coming. Consider how St. Joseph and the Blessed Virgin
Mary, in obedience to the edict of Caesar, and in perfect submission to the
will of God, went to Bethlehem, and, finding no room there, at last entered an
open stable, where they were content to stay. Does not the Son of God deserve
all our love when He thus humbled Himself for us? Tender Him your heart as an
abode, in the following
Prayer of the Church.
O God, Who givest us joy by the annual expectation
of our redemption, grant that we may securely see Him coming as our Judge Whom
we joyfully receive as our Redeemer, Our Lord Jesus Christ, Thy
Son, Who livest and reignest with Thee forever. Amen.
Nativity of our Lord,
or Christmas
CHRISTMAS brings before us the happy day on which, in the
fulness of time, Jesus Christ, our Savior and Redeemer, was born of the ever
blessed and immaculate Virgin Mary, in the stable at Bethlehem.
Why does every priest
say three Masses on this day?
1. To give thanks to
the ever-blessed Trinity, Who cooperated in the incarnation of Jesus Christ.
2. To honor the three-fold birth of Jesus Christ: His eternal birth in the bosom of His heavenly Father; His temporal birth of His virgin Mother; and His spiritual birth in our hearts, which He occupies by His grace.
Why is the first Mass
celebrated at midnight?
The first Mass is
said at midnight to remind us that before Jesus Christ was born the world was
without the true light, and lay in darkness and the shadow of death. Again, it
was in the night that He was born; and both His temporal and eternal births are
mysterious truths, incomprehensible to our understanding.
Why is the second
Mass celebrated at daybreak?
The second Mass is
celebrated at daybreak because the birth of Christ brought light to the
gentiles, whose salvation was then nigh, and because, according to tradition,
it was about that hour that the shepherds came to see and adore the new-born
Savior.
Why is the third Mass
celebrated at daylight?
The third Mass is
said at daylight because Christ dispersed the darkness of ignorance, and
appeared as the Light of the world (John i. 9; Is. Ix. 8).
OF THE FIRST MASS.
The Introit of the
first Mass reminds us of the eternal birth of Jesus Christ: “The Lord hath said
to Me, Thou art My Son, this day have I begotten Thee” (Ps. ii. 7); “Why have
the gentiles raged, and the people devised vain things?” (Ps. ii. 1.)
Prayer.
O God, Who hast made
this holy night shine forth with the brightness of the true Light, grant, we
beseech Thee, that we may enjoy His happiness in heaven, the mystery of Whose
light we have known upon earth. Amen.
EPISTLE. Titus ii. 11-15.
Dearly Beloved: The
grace of God our Savior hath appeared to all men, instructing us that, denying
ungodliness and worldly desires, we should live soberly, and justly, and godly
in this world, looking for the blessed hope and coming of the glory of the
great God and Our Savior Jesus Christ, Who gave Himself for us, that He might
redeem us from all iniquity, and might cleanse to Himself a people acceptable,
a pursuer of good works. These things speak, and exhort, in Christ Jesus our
Lord.
How did the grace of
God appear to all men?
Through the
incarnation of His Son, Whom, in His infinite love, He made like unto us, to be
our brother and teacher, that we might become children and heirs of God, and
co-heirs with Jesus Christ.
What does Christ
teach us by His incarnation?
That we should
abandon impiety, infidelity, injustice, and worldly desires, and love God, and
our neighbor, though he be our enemy, for God’s sake. The incarnation also
shows the dignity and greatness of man, for as God gave His only Son for our
redemption, we thereby perceive the worth of man in the sight of God.
What does the Apostle
mean by worldly desires?
He means by them
carnal and sensual desires and lusts, such as impurity, drunkenness, avarice,
and such like. Christ teaches us to renounce these by the poverty, patience,
fasting, and innumerable privations of His life.
How do we live
soberly, justly, and piously?
We live soberly when we use temporal goods according to the intention and will of God, and to supply our necessary wants; we live justly when we desire for, and render to, our neighbor what, by the example of Christ, we are bound to; we live piously when we give God His due honor, love Him above all things, and love all men, in Christ, for His sake.
GOSPEL. Luke ii.
1-14.
At that time there went out a decree from Caesar
Augustus, that the whole world should be enrolled. This enrolling was first
made by Cyrinus the governor of Syria: And all went to be enrolled, everyone
into his own city. And Joseph also went up from Galilee out of the city of
Nazareth into Judea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem: because
he was of the house and family of David, to be enrolled with Mary his espoused
wife, who was with child. And it came to pass, that when they were there, her days
were accomplished, that she should be delivered. And she brought forth her
first-born Son, and wrapped Him up in swaddling-clothes, and laid Him in a
manger: because there was no room for them in the inn. And there were in the
same country shepherds watching, and keeping the night-watches over their
flock. And behold an angel of the Lord stood by them, and the brightness of God
shone round about them, and they feared with a great fear. And the angel said
to them: Fear not: for behold I bring you good tidings of great joy, that shall
be to all the people; for this day is born to you a Savior, Who is Christ the
Lord, in the city of David. And this shall be a sign unto you: You shall find
the infant wrapped in swaddling-clothes, and laid in a manger. And suddenly
there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly army, praising God, and
saying: Glory to God in the highest: and on earth peace to men of good will.
Why did Caesar
Augustus publish a decree that all the Roman subjects should be enrolled?
The immediate reasons
of Caesar are not known
to us, but the result shows that it was done by the special providence of God,
for Joseph and Mary were thus obliged to go to Bethlehem, and so the prophecy
of Micheas, that the Messias should be born there, was fulfilled.
Why is Christ called the first-born Son of Mary?
Because she had no
child before Him; and, moreover, having no other after Him, He is also the only
begotten of His blessed Mother, as He was the first-born and only begotten of
His heavenly Father (Heb. i. 6).
Why was the Savior of
the world born in a stable?
To show, from His
very birth, that He had not come to establish a splendid worldly kingdom, but a
kingdom of grace, justice, and peace, and to lead us to imitate His example of poverty,
humility, and contempt of the world.
Why was the birth of
Christ first announced to the poor shepherds, and not to the high priests?
To show that God does not distribute His graces through respect for persons: He exalts the humble and humbles those who exalt themselves. The angels for joy praised God, and sang, “Glory to God in the highest,” that is, “Praise and thanks to our heavenly Father for sending His only-begotten Son for the salvation of men, “and on earth peace” that is, prosperity, happiness, salvation, and blessing “to men of good will.” Learn from the angels to be thankful for all the benefits which God bestows upon thy neighbor, and then you also will partake of them. In particular, thank God to-day for the inexpressible benefit of the incarnation of Jesus Christ.
December 25 Thursday-The Nativity of the Lord (Christmas) Mass at Dawn
Nativity of Our Lord, Or Christmas.[2] Sunrise
OF THE
SECOND MASS.
The Introit of this Mass reminds us of the temporal birth of Our Savior in Bethlehem. A light shall shine upon us to-day, for Our Lord is born to us, and He shall be called Wonderful, God, the Prince of peace, the Father of the world to come, of Whose reign there shall be no end” (Is. ix. 6). “The Lord hath reigned, He is clothed with beauty; the Lord is clothed with strength, and hath girded Himself” (Ps. xcii. 1).
Prayer.
Grant, we
beseech Thee, Almighty God, that we who are filled with the new light of Thy
incarnate Word, may show forth in our works what faith displays in our mind.
Through the same Jesus Christ our Savior. Amen
EPISTLE.
Titus iii. 4-7.
Dearly
Beloved: The goodness and kindness of God our Savior appeared: not by the works
of justice which we have done, but according to His mercy He saved us, by the
labor of regeneration, and renovation of the Holy Ghost, Whom He hath poured
forth upon us abundantly, through Jesus Christ our Savior: that, being
justified by His grace, we may be heirs, according to hope, of life everlasting
in Christ Jesus our Lord.
What does
St. Paul teach us in this epistle?
He teaches
us what God has done and is doing that we may have eternal life, and why He
does it. Not by our own merits, but according to His mercy, He has saved us by
holy Baptism, for we were conceived and born in sin. Let us show by our lives
that we are renewed by the Holy Ghost, and animated by the hope of life
everlasting.
Why did not
God have mercy on the fallen angels?
This is a
mystery which should heighten our love to God, but should also fill us with
fear and trembling, for if we do not use the goodness and kindness of God to
our advantage our punishment will be severer than that of the fallen angels.
GOSPEL.
Luke ii. 15-20.
At that time the shepherds said one to another: Let us go over to Bethlehem, and let us see this word that is come to pass, which the Lord hath showed to us. And they came with haste: and they found Mary and Joseph, and the infant lying in the manger. And seeing, they understood of the word that had been spoken to them concerning this child. And all that heard wondered: and at those things that were told them by the shepherds. But Mary kept all these words, pondering them in her heart. And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God, for all the things they had heard and seen, as it was told unto them.
How could
the shepherds know that the new-born child was the Savior of the world?
The angels
had given them a sign: “You shall find the infant wrapped in swaddling-clothes,
and laid in a manger,” and seeing, they believed, fell on their knees, and
adored the child. They then praised God for the graces they had received, and
made known what they had heard and seen to others.
What do we
learn from Mary in this gospel?
That we should ponder the divine truths in our hearts, and, by this heavenly nourishment, strengthen and preserve our souls in spiritual life.
Rachel’s corner
· Indulgences for Praying the Divine Office on Christmas Day
· do a personal eucharistic stations of the cross.
· Actor Humphery Bogart born; 1899
o Wake up to the smell of freshly baked pumpkin pie on National Pumpkin Pie Day. Start your day by indulging in a delicious slice for breakfast. Get into the festive spirit by decorating your living space with Christmas decorations – lights, stockings, and ornaments. Take a stroll through a local park, admiring the autumn foliage and maybe collect some colorful leaves for a DIY Christmas wreath.
o For lunch, prepare a cozy meal of roasted vegetables and a slice of leftover pumpkin pie. In the afternoon, watch a classic Christmas movie or listen to some holiday music while sipping on hot cocoa. If you’re feeling crafty, try your hand at making homemade ornaments or Christmas cards to send to loved ones.
o As the day winds down, consider volunteering at a local shelter or food bank to spread some holiday cheer. End the day with a warm slice of pumpkin pie by the fireplace, reflecting on the joy of the season. Remember, it’s the little moments that make the holidays special.
Best Place to Visit for Christmas
Durango, Colorado
I took a trip to Western-flavored Durango this month and found the historic mountain town transformed into a snowy alpine escape, with skiing at nearby Purgatory Resort, festive shopfronts, and cozy small-town vibes framed by the snowy San Juan peaks. Seasonal events added to the magic, from the creative Festival of Trees & Wreaths to the lively Noel Night filled with shopping and live music.
I drove six hours from Denver and stayed at the charming 4-star General Palmer Hotel, spending my days riding the nostalgic Polar Express on the Durango & Silverton Railroad, skiing fresh powder on Hesperus Hill’s blue runs at Purgatory, and wandering beneath twinkling downtown lights. Just note that snow isn’t always guaranteed early in the month!
Location: Southwestern Colorado, Mountain West USA | Vibe: snowy alpine escape | Avg temp: 14 to 23
My personal highlights…
- Gorging on smoky tempeh tacos and washing them down with a crisp, citrusy Checkered Future IPA at the laid-back, music-inspired Ska Brewing Company.
🇮🇸 Keflavík, Iceland
– Glacial Endurance & Eucharistic Light
A week of frontier endurance, Eucharistic clarity, civic resilience, and military recreation
Day 1 – Fri, Dec 26 – Arrival & Base Orientation
Lodging: Navy Gateway Inns & Suites – Keflavík ($65–$95/night)
Evening walk in Keflavík harbor
Orientation at NATO/US rotational fitness center
Day 2 – Sat, Dec 27 – Glacial Anchors & Recreation
Morning visit to Hallgrímskirkja (Reykjavík’s civic anchor)
Afternoon Outdoor Rec trip: Golden Circle (Þingvellir, Gullfoss, Geysir) (~€60)
Evening bowling or intramural sports via MWR Iceland
Day 3 – Sun, Dec 28 – Sunday Mass & Civic Witness (Feast of the Holy Family)
Sunday Catholic Mass at Landakot Cathedral (Reykjavík Catholic parish): 11:00 AM (Landakot Cathedral)
Afternoon civic witness in Reykjavík – National Museum and Saga Museum
Evening resilience: base community center family activities
Day 4 – Mon, Dec 29 – Civic Resilience & Fitness
Excursion to Snæfellsnes Peninsula – civic witness in fishing villages and volcanic landscapes
Afternoon workout at base fitness center
Dinner: Icelandic lamb stew
Day 5 – Tue, Dec 30 – Fortress Witness & Outdoor Rec
Visit Reykjavík’s old fortifications and Harpa civic center
Outdoor Rec trip: glacier hike on Sólheimajökull (~€80, gear included)
Evening bowling league
Day 6 – Wed, Dec 31 – New Year’s Vigil & Civic Witness
New Year’s Eve Mass at Landakot Cathedral: 7:00 PM (Landakot Cathedral)
Civic witness: Reykjavík fireworks and bonfire traditions
Evening vigil with candlelight at Keflavík quarters
Day 7 – Thu, Jan 1 – Solemnity of Mary, Mother of God
Holy Day Mass at Landakot Cathedral: 11:00 AM (Landakot Cathedral)
Festive meal: Icelandic roast lamb with rye bread and skyr pairing
Ritual Act: Pour wine into a chalice, light a candle, and name one fortress that became mercy
Evening film pairing: The Secret Life of Walter Mitty (Icelandic landscapes as civic witness)
🔑 Key Notes
Lodging: NGIS Keflavík is the quarters hub; limited rooms, book early for holiday season.
Outdoor Rec: Golden Circle, glacier hikes, and hot springs are highlights.
Fitness: Base fitness center open daily; intramural sports and bowling leagues available.
Masses: Sunday and Holy Day Masses at Landakot Cathedral anchor the week (Dec 28, Dec 31, Jan 1).
December 25 Thursday-CHRISTMAS Mass during the Day
Genesis, Chapter
9, Verse 2
FEAR and dread of you shall come upon all the animals of the earth and all the birds of the air, upon all the creatures that move about on the ground and all the fishes of the sea; into your power they are delivered.
Copilot’s Take
On Christmas Day, the words of Genesis 9:2 remind us
that God entrusted humanity with dominion over creation, not as a license for
excess but as a call to stewardship. The story of manna and quail in the desert
shows that God provides for our needs while teaching us trust, moderation, and
gratitude—daily bread, not hoarded abundance. In the Incarnation, Christ enters
our human condition, dignifying both labor and rest: six days of earnest effort
crowned by a holy day of worship and joy. Christmas Mass during the day becomes
the perfect union of work and leisure, appetite and restraint, dominion and
stewardship. Today, we are invited to labor in the Lord’s vineyard, share our
portion with thanksgiving, and rest in His glory, for only through this rhythm
of work and worship do we find true peace.
Nativity of Our Lord, Or Christmas.[3] Full Daytime
OF THE THIRD MASS.
The Introit of the
third Mass reminds us of the spiritual birth of Christ in our hearts. “A child
is born to us, and a son is given to us, and the government is upon His
shoulder, and His name shall be called the Angel of great counsel” (Is. ix. 6).
“Sing ye to the Lord a new canticle, for He hath done wonderful things” (Ps. xcvii.1).
Prayer.
Grant,
we beseech Thee, almighty God, that the new birth of Thine only begotten Son in
the flesh may deliver us, who are held by the old bondage under the yoke of sin.
Amen.
EPISTLE. Heb. i. 1-12.
God, Who at sundry
times and in divers manners spoke in times past to the fathers by the prophets,
last of all in these days, has spoken to us by His Son, Whom He hath appointed
heir of all things, by Whom also He made the world : Who being the brightness
of His glory, and the figure of His substance, and upholding all things by the
word of His power, making purgation of sins, sitteth on the right hand of the
Majesty on high: being made so much better than the angels, as He had inherited
a more excellent name than they. For to which of the angels hath He said at any
time: Thou art My Son, to-day have I begotten Thee? And again: I will be to Him
a Father, and He shall be to Me a Son? And again, when He bringeth in the
first-begotten into the world, He saith: And let all the angels of God adore
Him. And to the angels indeed He saith: He that maketh His angel’s spirits, and
His ministers a flame of fire. But to the Son: Thy throne, O God, is forever
and ever: a scepter of justice is the scepter of Thy kingdom. Thou hast loved
justice and hated iniquity: therefore God, Thy God hath anointed Thee with the
oil of gladness above Thy fellows. And: Thou in the beginning, O Lord, didst
found the earth: and the works of Thy hands are the heavens. They shall perish,
but Thou shalt continue, and they shall all grow old as a garment. And as a
vesture shalt Thou change them and they shall be changed: but Thou art the
self-same, and Thy years shall not fail.
Meditation.
How magnificently
does this epistle set forth the kindness and love of God the Father, Who, for a
teacher, has given us, not a prophet, but His only Son! how beautifully does it
prove the divinity of Christ, since God has begotten Him from all eternity, and
created the heavens and earth through Him, Who is always the same, and His
throne forever and ever! Learn, O Christian soul, from this epistle, how much
thou art obliged to love God, to trust Him, and to follow Christ thy example,
for without imitating Him thou canst neither belong to His elect, nor have part
in His redemption.
Aspiration.
O heavenly Father, I thank Thee with my whole heart, for having spoken to us through Thy only begotten Son, Whom Thou hast made better than the angels. I will, O Father of mercy, listen to Him with gratitude, and use His sublime teachings for the perfect enlightenment of my mind and heart.
GOSPEL. John i. 1-14.
In
the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.
The same was in the beginning with God. All things were made by Him and without
Him was made nothing that was made. In Him was life, and the life was the light
of men; and the light shineth in darkness, and the darkness did not comprehend
it. There was a man sent from God whose name was John. This man came for a
witness, to give testimony of the light, that all men might believe through
him. He was not the light, but was to give testimony of the light, that was the
true light which enlighteneth every man that cometh into this world. He was in
the world, and the world was made by Him, and the world knew Him not. He came
unto His own, and His own received Him not. But as many as received Him, He
gave them power to be made the sons of God; to them that believe in His name.
Who are born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of
man, but of God. And THE WORD WAS MADE FLESH, and dwelt among us; and we saw
His glory, the glory as it were of the only begotten of the Father, full of
grace and truth.
·
What does St. John mean by the “Word”?
He means the Son of God, Who is called the Word of the
Father, because He was begotten as the word is produced from the thought, but
in a manner more beautiful and mysterious. In His divine nature He is one with
the Father; but in person distinct from Him; as the word spoken is at the same
time one with Him Who speaks, and yet distinct from Him. He is also called the
Word because it is through Him that the Father has declared to us His will.
·
What is the meaning of, “in the beginning was the Word”?
It means that at the beginning of the world the Son of
God already was, and, therefore, was begotten of His Father from all eternity.
Thus, at the beginning of his gospel St. John teaches Christ’s eternity,
divinity, and equality with the Father.
· What is the meaning of, “all things were made by the Word”?
That the Son of God, Himself true God, with the Father
and the Holy Ghost, created all things that were made, both visible and
invisible, in perfect order and beauty (Prov. viii. 30).
·
What is the meaning of, “in Him was life”?
That, as the living God, He was the source and
fountain of all life.
·
How was the “Life the light of men”?
The Eternal Son, Who was the life, was also the light
of men, because He was the Truth to enlighten them with the knowledge and love
of God, that, avoiding sin and ignorance they might walk with safety in the way
of salvation.
·
In what sense are we to understand the words, “and the
light shineth in darkness, and the darkness did not comprehend it”?
Christ made known the true knowledge of God to men who
were in spiritual darkness, that is, in error and ignorance, but they would not
receive His holy teaching. This is still the case with those who,
notwithstanding the preaching of the Gospel, Will not believe, and particularly
with those hardened sinners who will not return to God, although He pours upon
them the light of His grace to move them to penance.
·
Who is meant by “him who came to bear witness of that light”?
St. John the Baptist, who endeavored by his preaching
to prepare the Jews for the coming of Christ, and who testified before the
whole world that He was the expected King and Messiah.
· How are we made children of God?
By the grace which we receive in holy Baptism.
·
What is to be understood by, the Word was made flesh?
We are to understand by it that the Word was not
changed into human nature, but that He became incarnate by the Holy Ghost, of
the Virgin Mary, and was made man, uniting in one person the two natures,
divine and human. He was the Godman, Who walked among men thirty-three years,
marking every step by favors and benefits. He assumed, says St. Leo, the nature
of man, who was to be reconciled to God, in order that Satan, the author of
death, might be overcome by that same nature which he had before conquered; and
thus, Our Lord and Savior vanquished our most cruel enemy, not in majesty, but
in humility.
·
What
is the meaning of, “and we saw His glory, the glory of the only begotten of the
Father”?
The evangelist hereby indicates that he and his fellow
apostles were permitted to see the glory of the Godman; for instance, on Mount Tabor;
in His miracles; in His glorious resurrection and ascension. Thus, they saw Him
and knew that He was the true Son of God, the fountain of all good, from which
all receive life, and light, and grace (John i. 16).
Aspiration.
O
God, Father in heaven, Who, in the form of an amiable child, hast given to us
poor sinners this past night Thy only begotten Son, born of the immaculate
Virgin Mary, to be our Mediator and Redeemer, we thank Thee with all our hearts
for this inexpressible grace, and beseech Thee, of Thy goodness, to preserve in
us the perpetual memory of it, that, in all our adversities and temptations, we
may have comfort and consolation, with strength to love, serve, and praise
Thee, in holiness and purity, until the last hour of our lives. Amen.
Christmas Octave[4]
Embedded within the Christmas season is an “octave”–a period of eight
days–celebrated from Christmas day to January 1st. Three primary octaves reside
on the Church calendar: Christmas, Easter, and Pentecost, like a season within
a season. The Christmas Octave feast days mark important clarifications on the
doctrine of Christ’s divinity and humanity.
·
Today, December 25, The Nativity of Our Lord,
Christmas (Holy Day of Obligation) On December 25th, Catholics around the world
will celebrate The Nativity of Our Lord Jesus Christ which is the Birth of
Jesus. This is based primarily on the two accounts in the Gospels of Luke and
Matthew. The Canonical Gospels of Luke and Matthew describe Jesus being born in
Bethlehem, in Judea, to a Virgin Mother named Mary.
The Nativity of Jesus
demonstrates the basic doctrines of the Incarnation of Jesus as God made Man,
in fulfillment of the Divine Will of God, undoing the damage caused by the fall
of the first man, Adam. This is the crux of why we celebrate Christmas: because
it allowed us to receive God’s grace through His Son on a human level. There is
nothing we can do to earn salvation. Yet, God offers His Son as the ultimate
sacrifice for our sake.
·
Tomorrow, December 26, St. Stephen the
First Martyr
St.
Stephen is the patron saint of deacons. He lived life as one of the seven
deacons appointed by the Apostles to perform charitable acts to the poor and
work great wonders and signs among the people. However, certain members of the
Synagogue came forward and debated with Stephen. They could not withstand the
wisdom and the spirit with which he spoke (Acts 6:8-10). The crowds dragged him
out of the city where they stoned him to death.
In the
same way, each and every Christian is called to bear witness to Jesus Christ,
which does not necessarily mean shedding blood. Being a witness means we are to
be living testimonies of our faith.
·
Friday, December 27, St. John the
Evangelist
On December 27, we celebrate St. John the Evangelist. He is the same John who was the only Apostle at Calvary, who laid his head on Our Lord’s chest and through his Gospel shows us how to live in the manner of Christ.
St. John was a fisherman who
was called while mending his nets to follow Jesus. With James his brother and
Simon Peter, he was one of the witnesses of the Transfiguration. At the foot of
the cross, Jesus entrusts His Mother to his care. John was exiled to the island
of Patmos under Emperor Domitian, but lived to an old age.
He wrote the fourth Gospel,
three Epistles and the Apocalypse (Revelation). His passages on the Word, who
by His Incarnation became the light of the world and life of our souls, are
among the most well-known of the New Testament.
·
Saturday, December 28, The Holy Innocents
The liturgy on December 28
calls us to reflect on the Holy Innocents who were the children under age 2 who
were slaughtered by the tyrant Herod. Herod feared one of them might be the
newborn rival king, Jesus (Mt 2:16-18). In our era, abortion continues to
murder millions of innocents. Click to read more about the landmark case Dobbs
vs. Jackson and how the fight to end abortion continues today.
·
Sunday, December 29, St. Thomas Becket
A London-born clerk to the
Archbishop of Canterbury, Thomas studied canon law abroad and was ordained a
deacon. His support of Henry II’s claim to England’s throne led to his
appointment as royal chancellor. However, he and the king clashed over many issues,
notably the jurisdiction of ecclesiastical courts.
This led to Thomas fleeing
to France for six years; soon after his return, Henry’s wish to be rid of this
troublesome prelate led to Thomas’ murder by four knights. St. Thomas Becket is
a patron saint of Roman Catholic Diocesan Clergy.
·
Monday, December 30, The Holy Family of
Jesus, Mary and Joseph
This feast is significant because it reveals God’s love for family life. The Father allowed His Divine Son to live this life and, as a result, elevated family life to a place within the Trinity. The holiness of the Holy Family reveals to us that every family is invited to share in God’s Divine life and to encounter ordinary daily life with grace and virtue.
The general breakdown of the
family, however, at the end of the past century and at the beginning of our
own, prompted the popes, especially Leo XIII, to promote the observance of this
feast. They did this with the hope that it might instill into Christian
families something of the faithful love and the devoted attachment of the
family of Nazareth.
Read more about Pope Leo
XIII who instituted the Feast of the Holy Family and read his encyclical On
Christian Marriage. You can also check out the Vatican’s page of Papal
documents on the Family.
·
Tuesday, December 31, Pope St. Sylvester I
Pope St. Sylvester I became
Pope immediately after Constantine ended the persecution of Christians. He
oversaw the first era of peace on earth. Pope Sylvester supported the Council
of Nicea in 325 where the Church proclaimed Jesus as both human and divine,
consubstantial with the Father. He approved the Nicene Creed, still recited at
every Sunday Mass.
·
Wednesday, January 1, 2025, Solemnity of
Mary, Mother of God (Holy Day of Obligation)
On this final and actual
Octave day, the Church celebrates the Solemnity of Mary, Mother of God. This is
a holy day of obligation on which we honor the role of Mary in the salvation
history of mankind. The Gospel reading this day (Lk 2:16-21) announces that the
child carried by Mary was circumcised. He was given the name Jesus on the
eighth day after his birth.
Pope Paul VI, in his
apostolic exhortation Marialis Cultus, called the Solemnity of Mary “a fitting
occasion for renewing adoration of the newborn Prince of Peace, for listening
once more to the glad tidings of the angels (Luke 2:14), and for imploring from
God, through the Queen of Peace, the supreme gift of peace.”
Each of these feast days
within the Octave continues the joys of Christmas Day and helps us in our
attempt to understand the mystery of the Incarnation.
Octave of Christmas - The First Day[5]
The
purest of Virgins gave us our God, who was this day born of her, clothed in the
flesh of a Babe, and she was found worthy to feed him at her Breast: let us all
adore Christ, who came to save us.
Ye
faithful people, let us all rejoice, for our Savior is born in our world: this
Day there has been born the Son of the great Mother, and she yet a pure Virgin.
O
Queen of the world, and Daughter of a kingly race! Christ has risen from thy
womb, as a Bridegroom coming from the bride-chamber: He that rules the stars
lies in a Crib. — Antiphon from the ancient Church of Gaul
·
Day One activity (Christmas
Drama)
·
Day One recipe (Breton
Nut Bread)
Christmas Customs[6]
Christmas
Greeting
The
popular American greeting "Merry Christmas" is generally taken as a
wish for a joyful feast, but in reality, it has a different meaning.
"Merry" originally meant "peaceful or blessed," not jocular
or happy; it was an adjective for heavenly serenity, not earthly mirth. The
phrase, "Merry England," for example, referred to the spiritual
character of the country. And in the carol, "God rest you merry
gentleman," the word "merry" does not refer to
"gentleman." Rather, it should be read, "God rest you merry,
gentleman," -- "that is, God rest you peacefully, gentleman."
Pageants
Like other high points of the liturgical year, Christmas was the occasion of devout mystery plays,
dramas held in church after Mass which explained the meaning of the mystery being commemorated. By the late Middle Ages these plays had become elaborate pageants, public entertainment (usually held outside the church on a movable stage) that consisted of various scenes from history or legend.
Gift Giving
Many Americans
may be surprised to learn that the Christmas custom of exchanging gifts does
not always occur on Christmas morning. In some countries, the Feast of St.
Nicholas (December 6) is the traditionally preferred date, while in France --
for adults at least-- it is January 1st. Still other countries, such as Italy,
imitate the Magi by presenting their gifts on the Feast of the Epiphany.
(Epiphany is also the day when gifts are exchanged in the Eastern churches.)
Finally, some areas of Europe exchange their gifts on Christmas Eve before or
after attending Midnight Mass. The giving of gifts may also be spread over the
duration of Christmas (hence, the carol, "The Twelve Days of
Christmas:" see below). December 26, for example, is called Boxer Day in
England and Canada because on this day the poor boxes of the church were
emptied by the priest and their contents distributed to the needy. The day
after Christmas has thus become a traditional day for giving gifts to servants
or to one's paperboy, mailman, barber, etc. In some places, some of the gifts
are withheld on Christmas to be given on Epiphany. This has the advantage of
prolonging children's delight in receiving presents, as opposed to
over-saturating them on Christmas Day.
Plants
It is only
fitting that the season celebrating the Flower that comes from the root of
Jesse (Is. 11.2) should be so strongly associated with various plants, some of
which are included below:
Holly:
Why do we deck the halls with boughs of holly? Simple but profound in its symbolism, holly represents two sacred events: the revelation of God's Holy Name to Moses on Mt. Sinai and the Crucifixion of our Lord. On the one hand, the prickly leaves and red berries of holly call to mind the burning bush from which Yahweh spoke; on the other they symbolize the Crown of Thorns and the drops of Blood shed by our Lord during His Passion. The point seems to be that in order to recognize the infant in the manger as the Godman, one must look backward to His self-revelation in sacred history and forward to His saving action on the Cross.
Mistletoe: Mistletoe was considered to be a powerful and
sacred healing agent by the Druids. It was considered so sacrosanct, in fact,
that enemies who met under it were forced to lay down their arms, embrace each
other, and vow not to fight until the following day. When England became
Christian, mistletoe was retained as a token of good will and friendship (along
with the custom of kissing under the mistletoe), while its association with
healing was transferred to Christ, whom the Advent hymn for Vespers calls the
"Cure for a sick world" (languidi mundi Medela).
Ivy: Ivy was originally banned from Christmas
celebrations because of its pagan associations with bacchanalia. It took
several centuries for the distaste of this symbolism to wear off, but when in
the Middle Ages it finally did, its natural qualities could be appreciated
anew. Seeing in its desperate clinging to rock an allegory for human dependence
on divine strength, Christians made ivy became a popular Christmas symbol, as
well as a favored indoor plant year-round.
Laurel (Bay): Whereas ivy suffered from
its pagan meaning, laurel benefited. As the ancient Roman symbol of victory,
laurel became the first plant to be used as a decoration for the newborn King.
The Christmas wreath hung on our doors also comes from this symbolism. The
Romans considered wreaths symbols of victory and celebration, placing them on
their doors when an occasion merited it.
Rosemary:
As a Christmas symbol, rosemary is almost as old as laurel. An ancient legend, explaining the reason for its use at Christmas time, states that when the Holy Family was fleeing to Egypt Mary stopped along the way, washed Jesus' tiny clothes, and spread them out to dry on a rosemary bush. Since then God has rewarded the bush with a pleasing fragrance.
Poinsetta: The most recent addition to the Christmas
plant pageant is the glorious poinsettia from Central America or, as it is
called in Mexico, the flower of Holy Night. It is of no consequence that the
plant's flaming red "petals" are actually its leaves; the poinsettia
is a perfect reminder of the fiery star that led the wise men to Bethlehem.
The Christmas
Carol, "The Twelve Days of Christmas"[7]
The singing of hymns and carols, even in an age which has lost the ability to sing, remains a fixed and cherished part of Christmas. Unfortunately, we cannot adequately examine the vast history or catalog of Christmas songs. Instead, we will focus on one famous but misunderstood Christmas carol. Most holiday revelers do not realize that the popular carol, "The Twelve Days of Christmas," is actually a hidden catechism for Catholics. From 1558 to 1829 the Catholic Church was persecuted in England, making the transmission of the faith from one generation to the next exceedingly difficult. One solution was to veil the basic tenets of the faith in the symbols of a song. If caught, a Catholic could claim that it was merely an innocuous ditty, or even, if pushed, a Protestant catechism (since most of the song's teachings were also shared by the Reformers).
Here are the
verses of the song, followed by its meaning:
The Twelve Days of Christmas
On the first day of Christmas, my true love gave to me, a partridge in a pear tree.
On the second day of Christmas, my true
love gave to me, two turtle doves and a partridge in a pear tree.
On the third day of Christmas, my true
love gave to me, three french hens, two turtle doves, and a partridge in a pear
tree.
On the fourth day of Christmas, my true
love gave to me, four calling birds, three french hens, two turtle doves, and a
partridge in a pear tree.
On the fifth day of Christmas, my true
love gave to me, five golden rings, four calling birds, three french hens, two
turtle doves, and a partridge in a pear tree.
On the sixth day of Christmas, my true
love gave to me, six geese-a-laying, five golden rings, four calling birds,
three french hens, two turtle doves, and a partridge in a pear tree.
On the seventh day of Christmas, my true
love gave to me, seven swans-a-swimming, six geese-a-laying, five golden rings,
four calling birds, three french hens, two turtle doves, and a partridge in a
pear tree.
On the eighth day of Christmas, my true
love gave to me, eight maids-a-milking, seven swans-a-swimming, six
geese-a-laying, five golden rings, four calling birds, three french hens, two
turtle doves, and a partridge in a pear tree.
On the ninth day of Christmas, my true
love gave to me, nine ladies dancing, eight maids-a-milking, seven
swans-a-swimming, six geese-a-laying, five golden rings, four calling birds,
three french hens, two turtle doves, and a partridge in a pear tree.
On the tenth day of Christmas, my true
love gave to me, ten lords-a-leaping, nine ladies dancing, eight
maids-a-milking, seven swans-a-swimming, six geese-a-laying, five golden rings,
four calling birds, three french hens, two turtle doves, and a partridge in a
pear tree.
On the eleventh day of Christmas,
my true love gave to me, eleven pipers piping, ten lords-a-leaping, nine ladies dancing, eight maids-a-milking, seven swans-a-swimming, six geese-a-laying, five golden rings, four calling birds, three french hens, two turtle doves, and a partridge in a pear tree.
On the twelfth day of Christmas, my true
love gave to me, twelve drummers drumming, eleven pipers piping, ten
lords-a-leaping, nine ladies dancing, eight maids-a-milking, seven
swans-a-swimming, six geese-a-laying, five golden rings, four calling birds, three
french hens, two turtle doves, and a partridge in a pear tree.
The Carol's Meaning
·
My true love = God
·
Me = every baptized person, the Church
·
A Partridge in a pear tree = The Word made
flesh, Jesus Christ (The portrayal of Christ as a mother partridge is inspired
by his lament: "Jerusalem! Jerusalem! How often would I have sheltered
thee under my wings, as a hen does her chicks, but thou wouldst not have it
so..."). The pear tree signifies the wood of the manger (and also
of the cross), while the fruit reminds us of the reason for the Incarnation:
God's desire to save us from the sin introduced by Adam's and Eve's consumption
of the fruit from the Tree of the Knowledge of good and evil. The fruit also
reminds us of the Tree of Life in the midst of the Garden.
·
Two Turtle Doves = The two parts of
the Sacred Scriptures [Old and New Testaments]
·
Three French Hens = The three
theological virtues, given from God and poured into our hearts [Faith, Hope,
and Charity]
· Four Calling Birds = the four Gospels/Evangelists [Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John]
·
Five Golden Rings = The first five Books of the Old
Testament, the "Pentateuch" [Genesis, Exodus, Numbers, Leviticus, and
Deuteronomy]
·
Six Geese a-Laying = The six days of
creation
1st Day: Creation of light and its separation from
darkness
2nd Day: Creation of the firmament and division of the
waters
3rd Day: Collection of waters (sea) and formation of
dry land (earth); creation of plants according to their own likeness
4th Day: Creation of heavenly bodies in the firmament
(sun, moon, and stars)
5th Day: Creation of sea creatures and winged fowl
from the waters
6th Day: Creation of cattle, creeping things, and
beasts from the dry land; creation of mankind, male and female
·
Seven Swans a-Swimming = the seven gifts
of the Holy Spirit
1.
wisdom
2.
understanding
3.
counsel
4. fortitude
5.
knowledge
6.
piety
7.
fear
of the Lord
Also, the seven sacraments of the Catholic faith
[Baptism, Confirmation, Holy Eucharist, Penance, Extreme Unction, Holy Orders,
and Matrimony]
- Eight Maids
a-Milking
=
the eight Beatitudes [Mt. 5.3-12]
1.
Blessed
are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
2.
Blessed
are the meek: for they shall possess the land.
3.
Blessed
are they that mourn for they shall be comforted.
4.
Blessed
are they that hunger and thirst after justice: for they shall have their fill.
5.
Blessed
are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy.
6.
Blessed
are the clean of heart: they shall see God.
7.
Blessed
are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God.
8.
Blessed
are they that suffer persecution for justice' sake: for theirs is the kingdom
of heaven.
- Nine Ladies
Dancing
= the nine choirs of angels (in ascending order)
1. Angels
2. Archangels
3. Virtues
4. Powers
5. Principalities
6. Dominations
7. Thrones
8. Cherubim
9. Seraphim
- Ten Lords
a-Leaping
= the Ten Commandments
1. I am the Lord thy God; thou shalt not have strange
gods before me.
2. Thou shalt not take the name of the Lord thy God in
vain.
3. Remember that thou keep holy the Sabbath day.
4. Honor thy father and mother.
5. Thou shalt not kill.
6. Thou shalt not commit adultery.
7. Thou shalt not steal.
8. Thou shalt not bear false witness against thy
neighbor.
9. Thou shalt not covet thy neighbor's wife.
10. Thou shalt not covet thy neighbor's goods.
- Eleven Pipers
Piping
=
the eleven faithful apostles [Simon Peter, James the Great, John, Simon
(the Zealot), Jude (a.k.a. Thaddeus), Andrew, James the Less, Matthew,
Phillip, Bartholomew, and Thomas]
- Twelve
Drummers Drumming = the twelve articles of the Apostle's Creed
1. I believe in God, the Father almighty, Creator of
Heaven and earth.
2. And in Jesus Christ His only Son our Lord:
3. Who was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the
Virgin Mary,
4. Suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died,
and was buried.
5. He descended into Hell; on the third day He rose
from the dead.
6. He ascended into Heaven, sitteth at the right hand
of God the Father almighty.
7. From thence He shall come to judge the living and
the dead.
8. I believe in the Holy Spirit,
9. The Holy Catholic Church, the Communion of Saints,
10. The forgiveness of sins,
11. The resurrection of the body,
12. And life everlasting. Amen.
The
"Twelve Days of Christmas" is still an excellent expression of joy in
the Incarnate Lord and a well-rounded summary of the life of Faith. And, by
giving us something on which to meditate for each day, it is also an ideal way
to spend the twelve days of Christmas. It even reminds us (by virtue of its
history) of the cost many generations had to pay in order for us to receive the
Good News we celebrate during this holy season.
20
Christmas Movies[8]
The
following movies have been evaluated by the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops
according to artistic merit and moral suitability. The reviews include the USCCB rating, the
Motion Picture Association of America rating, and a brief synopsis of the
movie.
Browse
your TV listings, video store shelves, or your movie service website to find
one of these classic gems and recent favorites to share with your family.
The Shop
Around the Corner (1940)
Delightful romantic comedy set in a Budapest department store where two clerks (James Stewart and Margaret Sullavan) nurture a mutual dislike of the other while each exchanges love letters with a lonely heart’s pen pal until ultimately discovering they have been corresponding with each other. Director Ernst Lubitsch treats the workaday friction between the clerks with some wry humor while building sympathy for both, then brings them together in an emotionally satisfying conclusion that has charmed viewers ever since. Romantic complications. (A-II) (NR)
The
Bells of St. Mary's (1945)
Director
Leo McCarey's sequel to "Going My Way" (1944) pulls out all the
emotional stops in a sugary confection that takes happy-go-lucky Father
O'Malley (Bing Crosby) to a poor parish with a crumbling school run by
overworked Sister Benedict (Ingrid Bergman). Though their conflicting
views on education have less to do with the plot than the chasm between their
personal relations, Bergman's shining performance as the idealistic nun is
still worth watching. Sentimental yet warm picture of Catholic life in an
age of innocence. (A-I) (NR)
It's a
Wonderful Life (1946)
Seasonal
favorite about the joys and trials of a good man (James Stewart) who, facing
financial ruin on the eve of Christmas, contemplates suicide until his guardian
angel (Henry Travers) shows him how meaningful his life has been to those
around him. Director Frank Capra's unabashedly sentimental picture of
mainstream American life is bolstered by a superb cast (including Lionel
Barrymore as a conniving banker) and a wealth of good feelings about such
commonplace virtues as hard work and helping one's neighbor. Young children may
find the story's dark moments unsettling. (A-II) (NR)
The
Bishop's Wife (1947)
A debonair, smartly tailored angel (Cary Grant) uses his heavenly powers to help the neglected wife (Loretta Young) of a busy Episcopalian bishop (David Niven) renew her husband's ministry to those in need rather than in raising the money for a new cathedral. Director Henry Koster's sentimental Christmas fable has the virtue of a good script, sincere performances and some amusing moments with Grant's angelic powers and Monty Wooley as a softhearted old cynic. Most of the family will find it charming entertainment. (A-II) (NR)
Miracle
on 34th Street (1947)
Familiar
seasonal favorite follows a department store Santa (Edmund Gwenn) as he strives
to convince a lonely little girl (Natalie Wood) that he's the genuine article,
despite the objections of her rigidly pragmatic mother (Maureen O'Hara) and a
court trial that hinges on the U.S. Post Office. Director George Seaton's
amusing romantic fantasy has its sentimental moments while spreading a
reasonable amount of holiday cheer, largely due to Gwenn's charming performance
as Kris Kringle. Problems of single parenthood. (A-II) (NR)
Three
Godfathers (1948)
After
robbing a bank, an outlaw trio (John Wayne, Pedro Armendariz and Harry Carey
Jr.) pause to help a dying woman (Mildred Natwick) deliver her infant son on
Christmas Eve, then take the babe with them as they are pursued across a desert
wasteland. Dedicated by director John Ford to Western actor Harry Carey, Sr.,
the story may be unabashedly sentimental, and the action romanticized, but its
lyrical images and religious resonances celebrate the myth of the Old West and
its rugged heroes with good hearts. Off-screen suicide of one of the
principals. (A-II) (NR)
Come to
the Stable (1949)
Sentimental but amusing picture from Clare Booth Luce's story of two French nuns (Loretta Young and Celeste Holm) trying to establish a hospital in New England with some help from an eccentric artist (Elsa Lanchester) and a cynical songwriter (Hugh Marlowe). Director Henry Koster gets some smiles from the nuns' adapting to American ways and the bemused reactions of the locals to the newcomers' otherworldly simplicity, with mostly heartwarming results. Unpretentious, generally high-minded fun. (A-I) (NR)
A
Christmas Carol (1951)
This
British version of the Dickens' classic has worn well over the years
principally because of Alistair Sim's zestful performance as Scrooge, the old
humbug whose transformation into a loving human being is a pleasure to
behold. Director Brian Desmond Hurst's period piece does well with its
19th-century London setting and the ghostly visitations are done simply but
with considerable flair. The result is dandy family viewing. (A-I)
(NR)
White
Christmas (1954)
Cheerful
but synthetic musical comedy about two World War II veterans (Bing Crosby and
Danny Kaye) who use their popularity as entertainers to make a success out of
the winter resort opened by their wartime commander (Dean Jagger). Directed by
Michael Curtiz, the post-war feel-good plot is less memorable than Kaye's
clowning and Crosby's crooning of the title song among other Irving Berlin
numbers originally written for the earlier, better "Holiday Inn"
(1942) pairing Crosby with Fred Astaire. While not a classic, it offers some
good family entertainment. (A-I) (NR)
A
Christmas Story (1983)
Adapted from Jean Shepherd's nostalgic piece of whimsey, "In God We Trust, All Others Pay Cash," the movie re-creates what it was like to be a boy (Peter Billingsley) yearning for a genuine Red Ryder air rifle for Christmas in the Midwest of the 1940s. Director Bob Clark gets some good performances from Darren McGavin and Melinda Dillon as the understanding parents and the period atmosphere is nicely conveyed win what is essentially a warm celebration of a more innocent, less sophisticated America. A few vulgar syllables. (A-II) (PG)
The
Fourth Wise Man (1985)
Adaptation
of Henry Van Dyke's vintage short story "The Other Wise Man," tells
of a fourth Magi (Martin Sheen) who is delayed in following the star to
Bethlehem, then finally catches up with it in Jerusalem some 33 years later in
an encounter which fulfills his life's search for truth. Produced by Paulist
Father Ellwood Keiser and directed by Michael Rhodes, the 72-minute
dramatization effectively amplifies the religious dimension of the original
while adding some light humor from Alan Arkin as the Magi's servant. Family
entertainment with the universal theme of bettering oneself by helping others. (A-I)
(NR)
Prancer
(1989)
Sweet-natured
Christmas story about a spirited 8-year-old farm girl (Rebecca Harrell) who
cares for an injured reindeer believing it is one of Santa's team. While this
"E.T." clone may have its fill of cranky adults and earnest moments,
John Hancock's direction has a feel for rural community life that will please
older viewers while younger ones will love the reindeer and the praise lavished
on the spunky heroine for revitalizing the town's Christmas spirit. (A-I)
(G)
The
Muppet Christmas Carol (1992)
In this
sprightly version of Charles Dickens' ``A Christmas Carol,'' Muppets Kermit,
Miss Piggy, the Great Gonzo, Rizzo the Rat and Fozzie Bear have incidental
roles as Michael Caine portrays skinflint Ebenezer Scrooge, who is visited by
the spirits of Christmas Past, Present and Future so he can learn the true
spirit of Christmas. Director Brian Henson retells the holiday classic with
delightful musical numbers, though with less frenzied fun than the usual Muppet
outings. (A-I) (G)
The Polar Express (2004)
Visually captivating,
animated fantasy -- in which Tom Hanks plays five separate roles -- about a
doubting young boy who is whisked away on Christmas Eve aboard a magic train
bound for Santa's village in the North Pole. Based on the children's novel by
Chris Van Allsburg, director Rob Zemeckis' hauntingly beautiful fairy tale
celebrates childlike wonder and -- though secular in tone -- imparts a
profoundly faith-friendly message about the importance of believing in things
that can't be seen. (A-I) (G)
Christmas
with the Kranks (2004)
Delightful
yuletide comedy about a Chicago couple (Tim Allen and Jamie Lee Curtis) who
boycott Christmas after their daughter leaves home to join the Peace Corps,
sparking unforeseen reactions from their militantly merry neighbors (led by Dan
Aykroyd). The film is based on the novella "Skipping Christmas" by
John Grisham. Director Joe Roth delivers a dose of holly-jolly fun that is, by
turns, extremely funny and poignantly tender, and its warmhearted message of
selflessness, family and coming together as a community clearly embodies the
truest spirit of the season. Some suggestive humor, comic violence and mildly
crude language. (A-II) (PG)
The
Nativity Story (2006)
Dramatization
of the New Testament birth narratives from the Annunciation to the birth of
Jesus, focusing on the relationship between Mary (Keisha Castle-Hughes) and
Joseph (Oscar Isaac) and their arduous trek from Nazareth to Bethlehem, with
subplots tracking the journey of the three Magi and the efforts of King Herod
(Ciaran Hinds) to prevent the prophecy of a messiah from coming to pass. A
composite of the Gospels of Matthew and Luke, embroidered with apocryphal
traditions and the imagination of the filmmaker, the Bible story gets the
prestige treatment in director Catherine Hardwicke's artful, reverent and
affecting retelling, with soulful performances from an excellent international
cast -- including Shohreh Aghdashloo as Elizabeth -- and impressive production
design. Mike Rich's screenplay manages to flesh out Mary and Joseph while
remaining faithful to Scripture, poignantly suggesting the humanity beneath the
halos. Some violent images. A-I (PG)
Joyeux
Noel (2006)
Intensely
moving World War I tale of soldiers -- Scottish, French and German -- who
spontaneously agree to a cease-fire on the Western front on Christmas Eve as
they hear carols wafting from the enemy's trenches, intermingle and bond on a
humanistic level, to the eventual disdain of their superiors. Writer-director
Christian Carion's film, inspired by true events, is sensitively acted (by an
international cast including Guillaume Canet, Daniel Bruhl and Benno Furmann)
and conveys a powerful message about the senselessness of war, while there is
an admirable religious underpinning in the character of a dedicated Anglican
priest (Gary Lewis) who brings everyone together for a liturgy on that special
night. Partially in English, partially subtitled. Battlefield violence with
death, some profanity and crude language, discreet husband-wife bedroom scene. (A-II)
(PG-13)
Fred
Claus (2007)
Generally
funny yet bittersweet tale of a sad-sack Chicago repo man (Vince Vaughn) who
travels to the North Pole to help his younger, more popular brother, St.
Nicholas (Paul Giamatti), at Christmas, while a devious efficiency expert
(Kevin Spacey) threatens to shut down the elves' toy factory. Underneath the
laughs, Dan Fogelman's script is a surprisingly resonant take on sibling
rivalry, with lots of heart-tugging sentiment, and solid messages about family,
self-esteem, forgiveness and ultimately redemption. Under David Dobkin's deft
direction, there's sharp work by the leads and the classy supporting cast
(Miranda Richardson, Rachel Weisz, Kathy Bates and John Michael Higgins). Mild
innuendo, an implied premarital living arrangement, a suggestive costume, and
some crass humor and expressions. (A-II) (PG)
A
Christmas Carol (2009)
Lavish,
well-crafted but frequently eerie 3-D animated adaptation of Charles Dickens'
classic 1843 novella in which miserly misanthrope Ebenezer Scrooge (voice of
Jim Carrey) is urged to change his ways by the tortured specter of his late
business partner (voice of Gary Oldman) and by the ghosts of Christmas Past,
Present and Yet to Come (all voiced by Carrey). Though free of objectionable
content, and unabashed about the Christian context of its conversion story,
writer-director Robert Zemeckis’ largely faithful retelling features images and
special effects likely to disturb the most sensitive youngsters. (A-I)
(PG)
Bible in a
Year Day 177 Return, O Israel
Fr. Mike shortly touches on David's honest prayer in Psalm 109 before diving
into the unending love God has for his people. As we continue to journey
through our readings, we will begin to see the words of the prophets come to
fruition as those who return to the Lord in faith will experience his undying
love and forgiveness, despite their unfaithfulness. Today's readings are 2
Kings 9, Hosea 11-14, and Psalm 109.
Daily Devotions
·
Unite in the work of the Porters of St. Joseph
by joining them in fasting: Today's Fast: The
sanctification of the Church Militant.
·
Religion in the
home: Preschool for December
·
Offering to the sacred heart of Jesus
·
Rosary
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