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December 25, 2006
A Christmas Reflection
We hope you all have a blessed and joyful Christmas!
Christmas is about love. The love God has for his children. It points to the ultimate truth of how "God so loved the world that He gave His only Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life." (Jn.3:16)
As Our Lady laid Jesus in the manger, she and St. Joseph adored the infant Jesus and the love of God swept over the world. Darkness no longer reigned. It was dispelled and "the true light that enlightens everyman (came) into the world." (Jn 1:9)
Christmas is more than a special time to get together with family members, exchange gifts or attend parties. Christmas is a time when every follower of Christ, who is the "way, the truth and the life;" (Jn.14:6) becomes aware of the simple truth that the "Word became flesh and dwelt among us" (Jn.1:14) in order to "…save his people from their sins." (Mt.1:21)
We are all sinners but God would not have his children remain in sin. Why? Because He loves us and wanted us to experience His love in the person of His Son, Jesus Christ. As St. John says in his first epistle, "If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us." (1Jn.1:8). In other words, we are sinners, whether we like it or not. Because we are all sinners is the very reason Jesus took on our human nature and became one of us.
This is precisely what makes Christmas so beautiful and holy. Christmas is not about warm, fuzzy feelings as we gaze upon a representation of the Nativity, but it is about Christ who came to redeem us and save us, simply because He loves us.
From Christmas, until the feast of Epiphany, I encourage you to reflect upon the infant Christ lying in the manager. What you will recognize in this glorious and heavenly event, is the love of God, for He desires not the, "death of the wicked,"(Ex.33:11) but "…that (we) may have life, and have it abundantly." (Jn.10:10)
God bless and Merry Christmas!
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December 11, 2006
Gift Ideas: Catholic Fiction
Here are some books of Catholic fiction that I have enjoyed.
At first the storyline seemed a bit unbelievable but as I got into it I couldn't put the book down until I found out what happened!
I'm not usually into "End Times" books but this one swept me away as I followed the adventures of the holy, yet quirky, Fr. Santos as he fights the power of Satan.
Arms of Love by Carmen Marcoux
Of course, I am always eager to recommends this favorite Catholic novel! (Free shipping in December if you order from RoL!)
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