Christmas, the Birthday of Our Lord Jesus Christ

Christmas, the Birthday of Our Lord Jesus Christ

– December 25th

When the time had come in which the Son of God was to become man for love of us, His mother Mary and St. Joseph had to leave this home in Nazareth and go to Bethlehem. The reason for this journey was that the Roman Emperor wanted to count the number of his subjects, and so every Jewish family had to go to the city of their ancestors. Since Mary and Joseph belonged to the royal family of David, they had to go to David’s city of Bethlehem. The Emperor had made the law, but it served to fulfill God’s plan, for in the Holy Bible, it was written that the Savoir was to be born in Bethlehem.


It was a slow, hard journey for our Blessed Mother over the mountainous country to Bethlehem, but she knew she was doing God’s will and she was happy thinking of her Divine Son soon to be born. When Mary and Joseph reached Bethlehem, they found that there was no place for them to stay. At last, they had to go into a cave, where the breath of an ox and a donkey kept them warm. There in that rough stable, the Son of God was born on Christmas Day. His Blessed Mother wrapped Him in swaddling clothes and laid Him in a manger. Our Lord chose to be born in such poverty so that we would learn not to desire riches and comforts.


The very night in which Jesus was born, God sent His angels to announce His Birth. The angels were not sent to the Emperor or the King, nor even to the learned doctors and chief priests. They were sent to poor, humble shepherds who were watching their flocks on the hillside near Bethlehem. As soon as they heard the angels’ message, these good, simple men hurried to adore the Savior of the world. Then they went home giving praise and glory to God.


The great Patriarchs and Prophets of the Old Testament had been comforted by the thought that someday the Savior would come into the world. Now that He had come, all good men rejoiced. Christ came for all of us. The Bible says: “God so loved the world that He sent His only-begotten Son.” If those who lived in the hope of His coming were happy, how much more ought we to rejoice! We have His teachings, His Church, and Jesus Himself on our altars. Christmas is the time when we realize more than ever how much God loves us!


Today I will offer myself to Baby Jesus with all my heart.



The Birth of Jesus

Now it came to pass in those days, that a decree went forth from Caesar Augustus that a census of the whole world should be taken. This first census took place while Cyrinus was governor of Syria. And all were going, each to his own town, to register.

And Joseph also went to Galilee out of the town of Nazareth into Judea to the town of David, which is called Bethlehem – because he was of the house and family of David – to register, together with Mary his espoused wife, who was with child. And it came to pass while they were there, that the days for her to be delivered were fulfilled. And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.




The Shepherds at the Crib


And there were shepherds in the same district living in the fields and keeping watch over their flock by night. And behold, an angel of the Lord stood by them and the glory of God shone round about them, and they feared exceedingly.


And the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy which shall be to all the people; for today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you, who is Christ the Lord. And this shall be a sign to you: you will find an infant wrapped in swaddling clothes and lying in a manger.” And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying, “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among men of good will.”


And it came to pass, when the angels had departed from them into heaven, that the shepherds were saying to one another, “Let us go over to Bethlehem and see this thing that has come to pass, which the Lord has made known to us.”


So they went with haste, and they found Mary and Joseph, and the babe lying in the manger. And when they had seen, they understood what had been told them concerning this child. And all who heard marvelled at the things told them by the shepherds. But Mary kept in mind all these things, pondering them in her heart. And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all that they had heard and seen, even as it was spoken to them.
-Luke 2:1-20

The Meaning of the Candy Cane

The Meaning of the Candy Cane

The fascinating story behind the candy cane...

The birth, ministry, and death of Jesus Christ are signified through the elements of the candy cane.

JESUS CHRIST is...our Good Sheperd (staff shape) ~ 1 Pt. 5:4our Rock (hard candy) ! ~ 1 Cor. 10:4our Sinless Savior (white) ~ 2 Cor. 5:21our Sacrifical Lamb (red) ~ Eph. 1:7

The STRIPES symbolize pain inflicted upon Jesus before his death on the cross and a bold Stripe to represent the blood He shed for mankind.

The three stripes can also represent the power and presence of the Trinity (the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost).

The smell and taste of PEPPERMINT relate to the Herb hyssop.

Pslams 5:17 states, "Purge me with hyssop and I shall be clean, wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow.

"The candy can is meant to be shared - broken into pieces for all to share.

That reminds us of Jesus' words,"This is my body which is broken for you" (1 Cor. 11:24)

What a sweet way to share the Gospel!

And you just thought it was good candy!

Purification of the Blessed Virgin

Purification of the Blessed Virgin - February 2nd


Forty days after Jesus was born, Mary and Joseph brought Him to the Temple to be Presented to the Lord; that was the Law of God and they obeyed it perfectly.


While they were in the Temple, Mary also fulfilled another ceremony of the Hebrew Law. After the birth of their children, all mothers were suppose to go to the Temple for the ceremony called the Purification. Our Blessed Mother really did not have to fulfill this ceremony, because she was all pure. She went anyway, to teach us to be humble and obedient.


A holy old priest of the Temple named Simeon learned from God that the Infant Jesus was the Savior. With what joy he held Mary’s Son in his arms! Then inspired by God, he told her that she would have to suffer much. He was talking about the terrible pain our Blessed Mother would feel when Jesus died on the Cross.


The Feast of the Presentation and the Purification remind us that we belong to God, first of all. Because He is our Father and Creator, we owe Him our loving obedience.


In imitation of the Blessed Mother, let us cheerfully obey the rules laid down by our parents and teachers.

The Epiphany of Our Lord

The Epiphany of Our Lord – January 6th


The Epiphany is the Feast of the visit of the Magi to the Infant Jesus. The Magi were three wise Kings from the East, who made a long trip to adore the King of Kings. When they saw a very unusual star in the sky, they knew that our Savior had been born in Palestine, and they set out to find Him. They did not listen to those who tried to discourage them, and they did not mind making the long, hard journey. The three Kings trusted God to lead them by His star.


When they found Jesus with His Mother, Mary, they knelt down and adored Him. Worshipping, they offered Him precious gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh. Afterwards, the Magi returned home with their hearts full of joy. They had seen and adored the Son of God.


Let us often visit Jesus in church and receive Him in Holy Communion, even if we have to get up early or walk a long way. In return, Jesus will fill our hearts with joy and give us many graces.

Feast of the Holy Name of Jesus

Feast of the Holy Name of Jesus - Sunday Occurring Between January 1 And 6 Otherwise On January 2 -

The Church reveals to us the wonders of the Incarnate Word by singing the glories of His name.

Among the Jews a child was named when he was circumcised, and for this reason the Church repeats to-day the Gospel appointed for the feast of the Circumcision giving particular emphasis to the final sentence: “His name was called Jesus, which was called by the angel before He was conceived in the womb.” *The name of Jesus means Savoiur and “there is no other name under heaven,” says St. Peter, “given to men, whereby we must be saved” (Epistle). “In the name of Jesus,” says St. Bernard, “the lame walk, the blind see, the deaf hear.” This name of Jesus, “a remedy for our souls, sweet to the lips like honey, tuneful to the ear, gladness to the heart,” should be often on our lips here below if we desire to have the joy of seeing our names written in heaven under His glorious Name (Postcommunion).

The origin of this feast goes back to the sixteenth century when it was already celebrated by the Franciscan Order. In 1721 Innocent XIII extended its observance to the whole world. Bd. Pius X fixed it at the present date.

There is an indulgence of 300 days for the pious invocation of the Holy Name of Jesus or Mary; plenary once a month for daily recitation under the usual conditions; plenary also at the moment of death under the usual conditions, for the invocation with the lips, or at least in the heart, with an act of acceptance of death as a punishment for sin.

* The angel of the Lord being sent by God to Mary, told her: “Thou shalt bring forth a Son and thou shalt call His name Jesus.” (St. Luke, 1. 31). Again: “Behold the angel of the Lord appeared to him (Joseph) in his sleep, saying: “Joseph, Mary thy wife shall bring forth a Son and thou shalt call His name Jesus” (St. Matt. 1. 20-21).

The Infant Jesus of Prague

The Infant Jesus of Prague



O Infant Jesus,


Have Mercy on Us!


The More You Honor Me, The More I Will Bless You


Feast Day: Replaces the Feast of the Holy Name, Sunday occurring between January 1 and 6 otherwise on January 2


Devotion to The Infant Jesus of Prague


DEVOTION TO THE Infant Jesus of Prague is devotion to the Child Jesus. It is veneration of the Son of God, Who in the form of an infant chose a stable for a palace, a manger for a cradle and shepherds for worshippers. Our Savior grants special graces to all who venerate His Sacred Infancy. The image of the Child Jesus known as the “Infant Jesus of Prague” was in reality of Spanish origin. In the 17th century, this beautiful statue was brought to Bohemia by a Spanish princess whose mother had given it to her as a wedding gift. This noble lady, in turn, presented the image to her daughter. When the latter’s husband died in 1623, she resolved to spend the remainder of her days in works of piety and charity. She was particularly generous to the Carmelite priests and brothers of Prague who, after Emperor Ferdinand II, their founder, had removed his residence to Vienna, fell into such utter destitution that at times they had scarcely enough to eat. Accordingly, she presented her beloved statue to the religious with these prophetic words: “I hereby give you what I prize most highly in this world. As long as you venerate this image, you will not be in want.” Her prediction was verified. As long as the Divine Infant was venerated, God showed Himself as a kind helper through His Son, and the community prospered both spiritually and temporally. But when the devotion to the Infant was relaxed, God’s blessing seemed to depart from the house. For many years this statue has been enshrined on a side altar in the Church of Our Lady of Victory in the city of Prague. It is of wax and is about nineteen inches high. It is clothed in a royal mantle and has a beautiful jeweled crown on its head. Its right hand is raised in blessing; its left holds a globe, signifying sovereignty. So many graces have been received by those who invoke the Divine Child before the original statue that it has been called “The Miraculous Infant Jesus of Prague.” We read the following in an old book printed in Kempt: “All who approach the miraculous statue and pray there with confidence receive assistance in danger, consolation in sorrows, aid in poverty, comfort in anxiety, light in spiritual darkness, streams of grace in dryness of soul, health in sickness and hope in despair.” In thanksgiving for the numerous graces and cures received, the miraculous statue at Prague was solemnly crowned on the Sunday after Easter, in 1665. What is said of the original statue may be applied also to images of the “Little King” which are venerated the world over. From small beginnings, this devotion has grown to great proportions. The Divine Child attracts an ever-increasing number of clients, who appeal to Him in every need.



POWERFUL NOVENA TO THE INFANT JESUS


For Cases of Urgent Need
(In cases of great urgency, a novena of nine hours may be made instead of nine days. The prayers should, if possible, be repeated at the same time every hour for nine consecutive hours.)


O JESUS, Who hast said, “Ask and you shall receive, seek and you shall find, knock and it shall be open unto you,” through the intercession of Mary, Thy most holy Mother, I knock, I seek, I ask that my prayer be granted.
(Mention your request)


O JESUS, Who hast said, “All that you ask of the Father in My Name He will grant you,” through the intercession of Mary, Thy most holy Mother, I humbly and urgently ask Thy Father in Thy Name that my prayer will be granted.
(Mention your request)


O JESUS, Who hast said, “Heaven and earth shall pass away, but My word shall not pass away,” through the intercession of Mary, Thy most holy Mother, I feel confident that my prayer will be granted.
(Mention your request)


Prayer of Thanksgiving for Graces Received from the Infant Jesus


I prostrate myself before Thy holy image, O most gracious Infant Jesus, to offer Thee my most fervent thanks for the blessings Thou hast bestowed upon me. I shall incessantly praise Thine ineffable mercy and confess that Thou alone art my God, my helper and my protector. Henceforth my entire confidence shall be placed in Thee! Everywhere I shall proclaim aloud Thy mercy and generosity, so that Thy great love and the great deeds which Thou dost perform through this miraculous image may be acknowledged by all. May devotion to Thy holy infancy increase more and more in the hearts of all Christians, and may all who experience Thine assistance preserve with me in showing unceasing gratitude to Thy most holy infancy, to which be praise and glory forever. Amen.



You may also find the little novena above and a rosary novena to the Infant Jesus of Prague at: http://thesaintsprayers.blogspot.com/2007/10/devotion-to-infant-jesus-of-prague.html

The Circumcision of Our Lord

The Circumcision of Our Lord – January 1st

On the eight day after His birth, Jesus was brought to the temple by Mary and Joseph to be circumcised. Circumcision was a painful religious ceremony performed on Jewish boys eight days after they were born. On that day they also received their name, and they became members of God’s Chosen People. St. Luke tells us: “And after eight days were accomplished, that the Child should be circumcised, His name was called Jesus, which was called by the Angel, before He was conceived in the womb.” The holy name of Jesus means “Savior,” and it is the sweetest and most powerful name.

Mary was not bound to bring Jesus to the temple, but out of her great love and respect for the Law of Moses, she did.

Jesus shed the first drops of His blood for our salvation in His circumcision. In His great love for us, He came on this earth to save us from our sins and show us the way to Heaven and happiness.

When we are told to do something hard today, let us think of how Jesus and Mary obeyed. Then we will do it well for love of Jesus, and it will bring us a great reward in Heaven.