The Nativity of Our Lord and the Feast of the Holy Family

So many of the great figures of our Advent preparations, John the Baptist, Mary, and Joseph, have served as examples of self-sacrifice, faith and obedience to God's Word. These are people who heard the Word of God, whispered, dreamed and shouted into their lives and were moved to respond. They underline for us just how important it is that we do not simply sit back, and enjoy the celebrations, good-will and peace that the Nativity of our Lord and King has heralded in, but that we actively and concretely respond to the Word whose birth we have just witnessed.

Today, on this Feast of the Holy Family, a feast which highlights how the family of Jesus can serve as a model for all struggling Christian families, we are invited to gaze upon our Lord, held in faith and hope by Mary and Joseph our two great models of faith in action and pray for the courage to respond in kind.

A great part of our Christian tradition is celebrated in the days and the feasts of the Christmas season. The liturgies and feasts of Christmas are integral to complete acquaintance with the entire rich deposit of faith. The liturgies of the Christmas season celebrate and emphasize each of the primary, essential truths of Christianity and Catholicism.

Now that you have spent time spiritually preparing for the coming of Christ in your heart at
Christmas, where in life do you most need Christ to come down? What in your life is in most
need of God’s salvation? If Christmas also celebrates those who have witnessed to Christ
through martyrdom, can you name some small ways that you have been a similar witness? In
what way have you taken up the cross for the sake of the Gospel in your lifetime? How
would you say you have exemplified John the Baptist’s insistence that he must decrease so
Christ could increase. In what way have you become less in order for God to become all in
all? In what way is your heart prepared for the coming of Christ this Christmas?

DECISION FOR CHANGE: What one bothersome behavior or attitude might God be calling
you to change in preparation for Christmas? What one spiritual activity are you willing to
engage in as Christmas draws near? Have you remembered the poor in your Christmas giving?



Prayers For Our Families

A Prayer for the Family

Jesus, our most loving redeemer,
You came to enlighten the world
with your teaching and example.
You willed to spend the greater part of Your life
in humble obedience to Mary and Joseph
in the poor home of Nazareth.
In this way, You sanctified that family,
which was to be an example for all Christian families.

Graciously accept our family,
which we dedicate and consecrate to You this day.
Be pleased to protect, guard, and keep it
in holy fear, in peace,
and in the harmony of Christian charity.
By conforming ourselves to the Divine model
of Your family,
may we attain to eternal happiness.
New St. Joseph People's Prayer Book


A Prayer for a Child's Return to the Faith

Dear Lord,
You became Man, suffered, and died
to win salvation for all souls.
Look graciously on the soul of my child
who has drifted away from You and the Faith.
Grant him/her your grace
to see the error of his/her ways
and return to the fold of Your care.

Teach me to stay close to him/her
during this trying time
and strive to convert him/her by action and prayers
more than by words that may antagonize.
Sacred Heart of Jesus, I trust You
to do everything to bring my child back to You
New St. Joseph People's Prayer Book

Peace and God Bless