As your journey with the Holy Family brings you moments from Bethlehem, I hope that, at some point during this worldly-hijacked holy season, you can find some quiet, really quiet time with the Incarnate Lord.

Let’s praise God for the gifts that He’s given us this past year. Then, at the manger-side, we can prayerfully ask for an increase in spiritual gifts so that we might love this Infant Savior to the fullest.

There is so much that may be unsettling right now. Try to remember that fear, confusion, sadness, etc. does not come from Our Lord.

The good news is that God’s generosity cannot be outdone; nor does He let anything go to waste. God can use our sufferings, our uncertainty, and our frustrations for our salvation.

The Father also wants to lift us out of desolation into freedom!

I pray that each of us receive the gifts of detachment and deliverance from whatever disturbs our spirits.

“Rejoice in the Lord always. I shall say it again: rejoice!

Your kindness should be known to all. The Lord is near.
Have no anxiety at all, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, make your requests known to God.

Then the peace of God that surpasses all understanding will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.

Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is gracious, if there is any excellence and if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.

Keep on doing what you have learned and received and heard and seen in me. Then the God of peace will be with you.”

Philippians 4:4-9

As Christmas approaches, please pray for me as I pray for you!

[img: Adoration of the Magi by Florentine painter Giotto di Bondone (1267–1337). The Star of Bethlehem is shown as a comet above the child. Giotto witnessed an appearance of Halley’s Comet in 1301.]