Dear God, Help me remember my baptism and stay close to You every day. Bless me and Protect me with Your love. Amen
When most people think about where God is, they look to the sky or point to a mountaintop. God is on high, right? But the reality of the incarnation flips that vision upside down. Christ dwelt among us. God came to the lowest of places to meet us in our brokenness and heal our sin.
Did you know the spot where Jesus was baptized in the Jordan River is literally one of the lowest places on earth? That can’t be an accident. It reminds us that even when we are at our lowest point—a medical diagnosis, marital issues, problems with our children, job loss—God is right there alongside us. He doesn’t want us to walk these trials alone. Hear the words God spoke at Christ’s baptism. They are meant for you, too: “You are my beloved son…you are my beloved daughter…with whom I am well pleased.” If you find yourself in a low place right now, take it to the Lord. He’s already there next to you. God bless you, Chris Stefanick Real Life Catholic
Advent—a celebration of the three comings of Christ:
History – Birth of Jesus 2025 years ago.
Present – Mystery-
In our families, in our church, in our teachers, etc.
In Sacraments through the Holy Spirit: Eucharist, Reconciliation, Baptism, Confirmation, Anointing of the Sick, Matrimony and Holy Orders
Future—Majesty- The second coming at the end of time as a King
(referenced in the Book of Revelations)
Jesus’ comings in history, mystery, and majesty!
Advent
FIRST WEEK OF ADVENT
O Jesus Christ, Emmanuel, come and dwell with us.
Desire of nations; gift to every generation, Come make your home with us.
All nations are waiting for you,
Indians and Eskimos are waiting for you,
People in Gettysburg are waiting for you,
People in New York are waiting for you,
People in Mexico are waiting for you,
People in Peru are waiting for you,
People in _________________ are waiting for you,
Jesus, come to us. Amen
Annunciation, Visitation and Birth
A long time ago, in the town of Nazareth, lived a young woman named Mary. She was engaged to be married to Joseph, who was a carpenter.
One day, while Mary was at home, an angel suddenly appeared. Before Mary could say anything the angel told Mary that she was favored by God, and that God was with her.
Mary was surprised. She was trying not to be afraid, but she had never seen an angel before.
The angel quickly tried to reassure Mary. “Do not be afraid!” the angel Gabriel said. “God has found favor with you. You will have a baby boy, and are to give him the name Jesus.”
Mary was confused; she was not yet married to Joseph, so how could she have a baby? The angel thought that this might concern Mary so he said, “The Holy Spirit will perform a miracle, and because of this your baby will be called the Son of God.”
To Mary’s surprise, the angel had more exciting news: “Even your cousin Elizabeth is going to have a son in her old age. Many thought that she couldn’t have children, but she is already pregnant. Nothing is impossible with God.”
Mary couldn’t believe what she was hearing; she didn’t know what to say. She realized that she was trembling, and knelt down. When she was finally able to speak she said, “I am the Lord’s servant, and I hope everything you have said will come true.”
Then the angel disappeared, and Mary was left alone.
Zechariah was a priest in the Bible who, with his wife Elizabeth, was old and childless. One day, while Zechariah was in the temple, the angel Gabriel told him that they would have a son named John, who would prepare people for the coming of the Lord. Because Zechariah doubted, he became unable to speak until John was born, and then he joyfully praised God. John, later known as John the Baptist, grew up to be filled with the Holy Spirit and fulfilled the angel’s prophecy.
Mary went 90 miles to Judea to visit her pregnant cousin Elizabeth and her husband Zachariah. When Mary greeted Elizabeth, the baby in Elizabeth’s womb leaped for joy. Elizabeth, filled with the Holy Spirit, blessed Mary and her unborn child. Mary then sang a prayer called the Magnificat, praising God for his greatness. Mary stayed in Bethany for 3 months helping Elizabeth while she was pregnant. Mary returned home to Nazareth
Soon after, Joseph found out that Mary was going to have a baby. Joseph was confused and upset by this, but an angel came to him in a dream and said, “Joseph do not be afraid to take Mary as your wife. The child Mary is going to have is God’s son, and you are to give him the name Jesus.”
When Joseph woke up he remembered what the angel had said. He knew that everything was okay, and he wasn’t upset anymore.
In those days, the government decided to take a cenus which counted everyone that lived in that area of the world. So Joseph had to take Mary to his home town of Bethlehem to register. It took Mary and Joseph a long time to get to Bethlehem. It was 100 miles away. This was very tiring for Mary because she was soon going to have a baby.
When they reached the town, all the hotels were full and there was nowhere that they could stay. Finally, someone felt bad for them and offered them a place to stay.
The Bible doesn’t say for sure where they stayed but most people think that they stayed in a small barn where animals were kept. In any case, doesn’t it seem strange that Jesus, the King of the Jews wasn’t born in a fancy palace or even a hospital?
Mary and Joseph were thankful that they at least had a place to lie down. It was warm, and there was plenty of straw to lay on.
That night an exciting, wonderful thing happened: Mary and Joseph had a baby! But this wasn’t just any baby, he was Baby Jesus! The creator of the whole world, the King of Kings, and the one who would save the world.
The little baby boy fell asleep in Mary’s arms. She wrapped him in cloths and laid him in a manger on some clean straw.
It is really important to tell somebody if someone is hurting you or touching your private parts, even if you feel scared or embarrassed you need to be very, very brave and tell someone. There are so many people to tell, Moms, Dads, Grannies, Grandpas, Aunties, Uncles, Teachers, Cousins, Neighbours, parents of your friends, police, nurses and many more people around you. Now if you tell and people don’t believe you, they might even tell you to keep it a secret – but then you go and tell someone else. If they don’t believe you – then you tell someone else and you keep on telling till someone listens to you. Don’t ever, ever give up!!
