December 26
Day 25: Daily Gracelines: ADVENTure with Mary
Theme: The third Sunday of Advent is all about JOY. The third week of Advent begins on Guadete Sunday. We are reminded of His birth and coming, and we await rejoicing!
Grace: I pray for the grace of joy as I await my Lord! Regardless of what happens this week, I will rejoice in God.
Reflection: "Mankind is a great, an immense family...This is proved by what we feel in our hearts at Christmas."
- Pope John XXIII
Challenge: How can you love your family better during this Christmas season? How can you love better your extended family, the family of God as well?
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“. . .
Be filled with the Spirit, addressing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and playing to the Lord in your heart.” (Ephesians 5:18-19)
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December 25
Day 24: Daily Gracelines: ADVENTure with Mary
Theme: The third Sunday of Advent is all about JOY. The third week of Advent begins on Guadete Sunday. We are reminded of His birth and coming, and we await rejoicing!
Grace: I pray for the grace of joy as I await my Lord! Regardless of what happens this week, I will rejoice in God.
Reflection:
O holy night! The stars are brightly shining,
It is the night of our dear Saviour's birth.
Long lay the world in sin and error pining,
Till He appear'd and the soul felt its worth.
A thrill of hope, the weary world rejoices,
For yonder breaks a new and glorious morn.
Fall on your knees! O hear the angel voices!
O night divine, O night when Christ was born;
O night divine, O night, O night Divine.
Led by the light of Faith serenely beaming,
With glowing hearts by His cradle we stand.
So led by light of a star sweetly gleaming,
Here come the wise men from the Orient land.
The King of Kings lay thus in lowly manger;
In all our trials born to be our friend.
He knows our need, to our weaknesses no stranger,
Behold your King! Before Him lowly bend!
Behold your King, Before Him lowly bend!
Truly He taught us to love one another;
His law is love and His gospel is peace.
Chains shall He break for the slave is our brother;
And in His name all oppression shall cease.
Sweet hymns of joy in grateful chorus raise we,
Let all within us praise His holy name.
Christ is the Lord! O praise His Name forever,
His power and glory evermore proclaim.
His power and glory evermore proclaim.
- O Holy Night by John Sullivan
Challenge: Ponder the holy moment of Christ's birth when the Word was made flesh and dwelt among us. What does it mean to you this year? How will you carry Jesus Christ anew in your heart throughout 2019?
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December 24
Day 23: Daily Gracelines: ADVENTure with Mary
Theme: The third Sunday of Advent is all about JOY. The third week of Advent begins on Guadete Sunday. We are reminded of His birth and coming, and we await rejoicing!
Grace: I pray for the grace of joy as I await my Lord! Regardless of what happens this week, I will rejoice in God.
Reflection: "O Jesus, I ask only for peace -- peace and, above all, love that is without measure or limits." - St. Therese of Lisieux
Challenge: This reflection from St. Therese reminds us that "perfect love casts out fear." Our Lady was the perfect example of perfect love. Ask her to show you where you need to love more? Who do you need to forgive so that you might experience fully the peace of Christ on Christmas day?
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St. Francis adoring the Christ Child (Fabrizio Santafede 1560-1623)
A well-researched biography of Saint Francis of Assisi must of necessity resound with the same two overriding themes: his deep, intense love for and devotion to his Savior, Jesus Christ; and his commitment to a radical living out of his Master’s example of poverty.
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ST asks:
"What do you know about 'mindfulness meditation.'™ Is it okay for hospitals to be using it on patients?"
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December 23
Day 22: Daily Gracelines: ADVENTure with Mary
Theme: The third Sunday of Advent is all about JOY. The third week of Advent begins on Guadete Sunday. We are reminded of His birth and coming, and we await rejoicing!
Grace: I pray for the grace of joy as I await my Lord! Regardless of what happens this week, I will rejoice in God.
Reflection: "Mother of mercy and of hope obtain for the men and women of the third millennium the precious gift of peace; peace in hearts and families, in communities and among peoples; peace above all for those Nations where people fight and die every day.
Obtain that every human being of every race and culture may encounter and accept Jesus, who came down to earth in the mystery of Christmas to give 'His' peace to us.
O Mary, Queen of Peace, give us Christ, the world's true Peace!"
- St. John Paul II
Challenge: Where do you need more peace in your life? Ask the Child Jesus to grant you the precious gift of His peace this Christmas.
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December 22
Day 21: Daily Gracelines: ADVENTure with Mary
Theme: The third Sunday of Advent is all about JOY. The third week of Advent begins on Guadete Sunday. We are reminded of His birth and coming, and we await rejoicing!
Grace: I pray for the grace of joy as I await my Lord! Regardless of what happens this week, I will rejoice in God.
Reflection: "With Christ joy is constantly born anew." - Pope Francis
Challenge: What can you do to today to prepare your heart more deeply to receive the joy of the Child Jesus on Christmas Day?
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December 21
Day 20: Daily Gracelines: ADVENTure with Mary
Theme: The third Sunday of Advent is all about JOY. The third week of Advent begins on Guadete Sunday. We are reminded of His birth and coming, and we await rejoicing!
Grace: I pray for the grace of joy as I await my Lord! Regardless of what happens this week, I will rejoice in God.
Reflection: "One filled with Joy preaches without preaching." -St. Teresa of Calcutta
Challenge: What is the underlying meaning of this quote? Do you believe that you are truly filled with joy based on your interactions and encounters with others? Do you "preach without preaching"? Today, ask our Lord to open your heart to a greater outpouring of joy, and await His lovely gift.
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With World Youth Day 2019 just one month away, pilgrims are being asked to prepare for this pilgrimage the best way possible – with prayer.
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