Christmas

Jesus is real. His grace is real. He’s not sitting up there somewhere, watching to see if you can figure it all out on your own. He’s chosen to descend, to be your brother, to walk with you and face your deepest fears and failures with you. Resist the temptation to be a practical atheist. Don't just believe in God - live as if you believe. Sometime over the next few weeks, go to Confession and open your heart to Him. Let Jesus make a difference and be part of your daily reality.
 
Readings at this Mass: Is 42:1–4, 6–7 | Acts 10:34–38 | Lk 3:15–16, 21–22 

All of life is an epiphany - a revelation. Your very life is a gift from God, and none of us caused ourselves to come into being. When we embrace our role in God’s divine story and don’t fight against it, then we can see that everything - our lives and abilities, our world, our relationships - are a gift from Him. Give yourself away for God’s purposes. If it helps, put a sticky note on your bathroom mirror which says, "Life is not about you. It’s about God." Then, see what happens.
 
Readings at this Mass: Is 60:1–6 | Eph 3:2–3a, 5–6 | Mt 2:1–12 

We honor Mary because she was given the gift to be the mother of Jesus - and he was the Son of God. It is right that we call Mary "the Mother of God", and we honor Jesus when we honor her. We don't confuse the honor we give her with the worship give to her Son. If we love Jesus, then we should honor all whom He loves. That includes Mary, his mother - the Mother of God.

We can make our home like the Father’s house if we make prayer the center in our home and family life. This week, formulate a plan to set aside some time nightly for prayer together, offering thanks and praises to God, asking for the strength to overcome whichever crisis comes your way and affects your family. Then put this praying plan into action, and discover the peace and grace that follows from uniting as a family unit in God.
 
Readings at this Mass: Sir 3:2–6, 12–14 | Col 3:12–21 | Lk 2:41–52

In our world that’s often shrouded in darkness, remember that the incarnation of Christ was the match that changed everything. And despite our own struggles, God can quietly strike a spark in our hearts that ignites hope and light. And our mission is to carry His light into the world. So during this Christmas season, ask yourself: ‘Where can I bring Christ’s light?’ Be that person through whom God can strike a spark that will ignite hope and light to those in darkness.

This weekend's homily title is meant to be playful, but there is a point here. To be desirable, attractive, special - that's one of those deep desires of the human heart we all experience. In the end, the more we try to manufacture our own acceptance and attractiveness, the more we’re bound to be frustrated. Conversely, the more we open our hearts to God and His embrace, the more attractive we become. True loveliness isn’t found in how we look; it comes from loving God and letting Him love us.

There is only one person in Jesus who has two natures: fully God and fully Man. This is why we honor Mary as the Mother of God, and doing so leads us to her Son, our Lord. As he was born under the law to ransom those under the law, we now are the adopted sons and daughters of God. So glorify, praise, and give thanks to God always that He, through Christ, has intimately opened for us a way to be His children, made possible through the cooperation of Mary, the Holy Mother of God.

God gives us the virtues of contemplation, obedience, humility, and love to create harmony within our families. Consider how you are living out these virtues in your own family. In what ways could you improve and grow to create a more loving environment for your family?