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As we approach the solemnity of Christmas tomorrow, we would do well to ask the Holy Spirit to help us enter into the mystery we are celebrating. Implicit in the glory of the birth of Christ, is His death. It is already present, as it has been since His conception in the womb of Mary, in His flesh.

A season of joy, to be sure. A season of wonder, most definitely. A season of magnanimity, most assuredly. For this is the season that proves God's love for us. His Son has been sent for one mission, and one mission only, to pour Himself out for us. 

The Incarnation is the Redemption begun. It is consummated at the conception and culminated at the crucifixion. As we gaze upon the Christ Child lying in the creche, how can we ignore that He is already on the bed of wood?

It is this we celebrate: that in the midst of our depravity, God sent His Son in the fullness of time, born of a woman (Gen. 3:15; Gal. 4:4). It is in this that we find cause for rejoicing.

Carol Houselander, an English author of the last century, asks us to focus our attention on this reality during the Advent season. It is not too late to ponder the cause of our joy in these last hours before Christmas day.

Writing in Reed of God, Houselander offers us these words for meditation and contemplation. She invites us to consider the role of the Virgin Mary, Mother of God, as we consider the coming of the Christ Child:

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O come, O come, Emmanuel,

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“With his humility went a rare and childlike simplicity

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“We should go to prayer with

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An eight-year old boy from Owasso, Oklahoma made headlines by opting to forgo a traditional birthday party in lieu of staging a Toys for Tots drive for needy children.

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Yes, you and your family can enjoy the holidays - including the food - without gaining weight, just by following these simple tips.

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Commentary by Susan Brinkmann, OCDS

Well, it's December 21, 2012, the day many believe the world will end along with the Mayan calendar. So if you haven't seen any signs that the earth's rotational axis has shifted, or seen the start of the fiercest solar storm in recorded history, or caught a glimpse of the never-seen-before planet Nibiru hurtling toward earth, chances are this day will pass as quietly as yesterday.

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The following letter was written by the sister of Father Luke Suarez, a newly ordained priest who is serving at St. Rose of Lima parish in Newtown,Connecticut. She is asking the faithful to send their prayers and Christmas greetings of support to these priests as they struggle to minister to the residents of their shattered community.

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In yesterday's blog, we discussed the necessity of evangelization in the modern world and why this call applies in a special way to the lay faithful.

But the question remains, how do we effectively communicate the Catholic faith in the world today? This remains a challenge especially given the competing voices in today's market place of ideas.

Indeed, secularism and relativism have captivated the mindset of the culture. However, St. Paul reminds us in 2 Timothy 4 that our mission is to preach the Gospel "in season and out," and the reality is you and I have been chosen by God to do so in our day and time. And, in the end, truth is on our side.

Following are four steps that help us share the faith with others.

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“…after daring to approach your most loving heart

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