THIRD WEEK OF ADVENT
SAINTS OF THE DAY – FEAST DAY ~ DECEMBER 17, 2024
SAINT ANDREW’S CHRISTMAS NOVENA
[The Saint Andrew’s Christmas Novena prayer below is traditionally prayed 15 times a day from November 30, the Feast of Saint Andrew, through Christmas Eve.]
THE LITURGICAL YEAR IN THE CATHOLIC CHURCH [Please see link to this article below]
THE SAINTS: WHO ARE THEY AND HOW ARE THEY CANONISED? [Please see link to the article below]
PURGATORY: WHAT IS PURGATORY? [Please see link to this article below]
THE HOLY ROSARY: WHAT IS THE HOLY ROSARY AND WHY DO WE PRAY THE HOLY ROSARY? [Please see link to this article below]
*CHRISTMAS NOVENA AND THE “O ANTIPHONS” OF ADVENT – DECEMBER 16 – 24: This Christmas Novena starts on December 16th [Christmas Novena Link Below]
THE “O ANTIPHONS” OF ADVENT
The “O Antiphons” are prayed for 7 days in preparation for Christmas: December 17–23.
Greetings and blessings, beloved family and Happy Tuesday of the Third Week of Advent!
We pray for the safety and well-being of our Holy Father, Pope Francis as he celebrates his 88th birthday today!
On this Special Feast day, through the intercession of our Blessed Mother Mary and the Saints, we pray for God’s grace and mercy and for the safety and well-being of our children and for peace in our family and the whole world and we continue to remember the souls of the faithful departed and the souls in Purgatory. Eternal rest grant unto them, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon them. May their gentle souls and souls of all the faithful ù peace with our Lord Jesus Christ… Amen 🙏 ✝️🕯✝️🕯✝️🕯
“Blessed are those who have died in the Lord; let them rest from their abors for their good deeds go with them.” ~ Rev 14:13
PRAYER FOR THE DEAD: In your hands, O Lord, we humbly entrust our brothers and sisters. In this life, you embraced them with your tender love; deliver them now from every evil, and bid them eternal rest. The old order has passed away: welcome them into paradise, where there will be no sorrow, no weeping or pain, but fullness of peace and joy with your Son and the Holy Spirit forever and ever. Amen🙏
Watch “Holy Mass from the National Shrine of the Divine Mercy” | December 17, 2024 |
Watch “Holy Mass and Holy Rosary| on EWTN on YouTube” | December 17, 2024 |
Pray “Holy Rosary for Peace with Pope Francis” | LIVE Basilica of St. Mary Major | October 6, 2024 |
Pray “Holy Rosary Novena From Lourdes” | December 17, 2024 |
Pray “The Chaplet of Divine Mercy in song”| December 17, 2024 |
Pray “Holy Rosary ALL 20 Mysteries VIRTUAL🌹JOYFUL🌹LUMINOUS🌹SORROWFUL🌹GLORIOUS” oùn YouTube |
Memorare Chaplet | Prayer in Difficult Times (Powerful Prayer) |
Today’s Bible Readings: Tuesday, December 17, 2024
Reading 1, Genesis 49:2, 8-10
Responsorial Psalm, Psalms 72:3-4, 7-8, 17
Gospel, Matthew 1:1-17
THE LITURGICAL YEAR IN THE CATHOLIC CHURCH | https://dailyreflectionswithphilomena.com/2024/12/03/the-liturgical-year-in-the-catholic-church/
THE HOLY ROSARY: WHAT IS THE HOLY ROSARY AND WHY DO WE PRAY THE HOLY ROSARY? | https://dailyreflectionswithphilomena.com/2024/11/21/the-holy-rosary-what-is-the-holy-rosary-and-why-do-we-pray-the-holy-rosary/
THE SAINTS: WHO ARE THEY AND HOW ARE THEY CANONISED? | https://dailyreflectionswithphilomena.com/2024/11/01/the-saints-who-are-they-and-how-are-they-canonised/
PURGATORY: WHAT IS PURGATORY? | https://dailyreflectionswithphilomena.com/2024/11/15/purgatory-and-limbo/
CHRISTMAS NOVENA: DECEMBER 16 – 24: Pray the Christmas Novena for 9 consecutive days starting today, December 16th. This novena is prayed in conjunction with the “O Antiphons,” of Advent shown below.
(CHRISTMAS NOVENA PRAYERS – Pray More Novenas – Novena Prayers & Catholic Devotion
https://www.praymorenovenas.com/christmas-novena)
(How to pray the ‘Christmas Novena’ that’s been said for 300 years | Catholic News Agency ~ https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/253090/how-to-pray-the-300-year-old-christmas-novena)
(Holy Christmas novena, here’s a YouTube link ~ https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLE9MVQgdDD0PoX0Hnyl4SIeHQVE1I1jqJ)
The link below is Magnificat Novena to the Holy Child Jesus, December 16 -24
(Novena to the Holy Child Jesus ~ https://editionsmagnificat.com/flipbooks/en/christmas-novena/index.html)
CHRISTMAS NOVENA PRAYERS: Today, December 17th is Day Two of the Christmas Novena and the beginning of the octave of Christmas. Today marks the second part of Advent, the beginning of the O Antiphons. The O Antiphons are seven precious jewels of our Catholic Liturgy, counting down the last seven days before Christmas with building anticipation. Because each antiphon begins with an “O” this group of antiphons are called ‘O Antiphons.’ Dating back to the fourth century, these antiphons address Christ with seven magnificent Messianic titles that are based on the Old Testament prophecies and types of Christ. The titles are: O Sapientia (Wisdom); O Adonai (Lord and Ruler); O Radix Jesse (Root of Jesse); O Clavis David (Key of David); O Oriens (Dawn of the East); O Rex Gentium (King of the Gentiles) and O Emmanuel (God With Us). Put in reverse order: Emmanuel, Rex, Oriens, Clavis, Radix, Adonai, and Sapienta, the first letters of these Messianic titles spell out the Latin words ERO CRAS, meaning, “Tomorrow, I will come.” The antiphons sum up in excellence the longing of our Redeemer, and we echo the prayers of the Old Testament faithful by also begging Him to “Come!” (please refer to the Christmas Novena and O Antiphons daily novena prayers below)
DECEMBER 17: 1ST O ANTIPHON – O WISDOM (O SAPIENTIA)
O Wisdom, O holy Word of God, you govern all creation with your strong yet tender care. Come and show your people the way to salvation.
1st O Antiphon Symbols: All-Seeing Eye and the Lamp
Come, and teach us the way of prudence.
O Wisdom, who came from the mouth of the Most High, reaching from end to end and ordering all things mightily and sweetly, Come, and teach us the way of prudence.
The “all-seeing eye” represents the all-knowing and ever-present God. During the late Renaissance, the eye was pictured in a triangle with rays of light to represent the infinite holiness of the Trinity. The lamp is a symbol of wisdom taken from the parable of the wise and foolish virgins in Matthew 25. Recommended Readings: Proverbs 8:1-12
CHRISTMAS NOVENA: DECEMBER 16 – 24: This Christmas Novena starts on December 16th. Pray the Christmas Novena for 9 consecutive days starting today, December 16th. This novena is prayed in conjunction with the “O Antiphons,” of Advent shown below. These prayers can be used during the Novena of Christmas, or at any other time. Please pray this novena as a preparation for the coming of our Lord on Christmas!
The link below is Magnificat Novena to the Holy Child Jesus, December 16 -24
(Novena to the Holy Child Jesus ~ https://editionsmagnificat.com/flipbooks/en/christmas-novena/index.html)
CHRISTMAS NOVENA ~ DAY TWO
OPENING PRAYER (for each day of the novena): Hail, and blessed be the hour and moment At which the Son of God was born Of a most pure Virgin At a stable at midnight in Bethlehem In the piercing cold At that hour vouchsafe, I beseech Thee, To hear my prayers and grant my desires (Mention your intentions here) Through Jesus Christ and His most Blessed Mother. Amen🙏
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
O Lord, Word of God, You, whose glory is complete, came to us in perfect humility as a child in the womb. Your love for us and Your humility is unsurpassed and brings us to our knees in prayer and worship.
Your incarnation forever changed the world. Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit, as it was in the beginning is now and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.
O Lord, infant Jesus, grant us great humility! You gave us the model of perfect humility in your incarnation, life and death. We pray for a greater Humility this Christmas. We also pray for these intentions… (State your intentions here)
May Your Holy Will be done in my life and with these intentions. We pray that the work of salvation that Your first coming began will reach fulfillment in each of us.
Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit, as it was in the beginning, is now and ever shall be, world without end. Amen. In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen 🙏
‘O Antiphons’
From Dec. 17 to 23, the liturgy uses seven short prayers that have special richness and importance. Known as the “O antiphons” or the “greater antiphons,” these prayers compress and express the Old Testament Messianic hope for Christ. These antiphons are read each day at vespers and are used as the alleluia verse of the Advent Masses.
Each antiphon is a mosaic of biblical references, collected and written in a style called anthological. The unknown author of these beautiful prayers lived around the sixth or seventh century. The author chose seven titles whose first letters are S-A-R-C-O-R-E. Read in reverse order, these letters form the two Latin words “ero cras,” meaning “Tomorrow I shall be.”
Note: A poetic translation of the “O antiphons” from the original Latin is used in this edition.
Day Two ~ December 17
Scripture reading: Genesis 49:2, 8–10
Consideration: When we read Scripture and yearn for the coming of the divine, powerful Wisdom who will teach us how to live throughout our life, we think of Mary, the humble Mother of God who always waited upon the Lord as his handmaid.
Let us pray: Father, you spoke, and your Word became man, born of the Virgin Mary. Christ humbled himself to share our human nature. We humble ourselves before the child and ask for faith and love.
Antiphon: O Wisdom eternal, proceeding from the mouth of the Most High, you reach from end to end and order all things mightily and sweetly; come now to direct us in the way of holy prudence. (cf. Sir 24; Wis 6-9)
Magnificat
Intercessions: Christ our Redeemer, your law is a light to our path; — teach us always to walk in the light of your law.
Coming Savior, dawn on us in radiant beauty, — so that we may receive you with loving devotion at your birth.
God of Jacob, you desire that all might be saved; — bring all people safely into the kingdom of heaven.
Lord of nations, show us your glory and give us true faith and love; — protect us from harm and let us live in peace with each other.
Lord of ages, you desired to become one like us; — may the revelation of your humanity free us from our sinfulness.
CLOSING PRAYER (To be said after the intercessions each day of the novena): Let us pray. Come to live among us, Lord, so that we may always receive your forgiveness and mercy. Jesus our king, clothed in a robe of flesh, give us love, wisdom, and understanding at your birth. Reveal to us the mystery of your life, then send us forth to reveal your Word over all the earth. You who live and reign with God the Father in the unity of the Holy Spirit, world without end. Amen 🙏
December 16: O Shepherd that rulest Israel, Thou that leadest Joseph like a sheep, come to guide and comfort us.
Recite one Our Father, one Hail Mary, and one Glory be.
December 17: O Wisdom that comest out of the mouth of the Most High, that reachest from one end to another, and orderest all things mightily and sweetly, come to teach us the way of prudence!
Recite one Our Father, one Hail Mary, and one Glory be.
December 18: O Adonai, and Ruler of the house of Israel, Who didst appear unto Moses in the burning bush, and gavest him the law in Sinai, come to redeem us with an outstretched arm!
Recite one Our Father, one Hail Mary, and one Glory be.
December 19: O Root of Jesse, which standest for an ensign of the people, at Whom the kings shall shut their mouths, Whom the Gentiles shall seek, come to deliver us, do not tarry.
Recite one Our Father, one Hail Mary, and one Glory be.
December 20: O Key of David, and Sceptre of the house of Israel, that openeth and no man shutteth, and shutteth and no man openeth, come to liberate the prisoner from the prison, and them that sit in darkness, and in the shadow of death.
Recite one Our Father, one Hail Mary, and one Glory be.
December 21: O Dayspring, Brightness of the everlasting light, Son of justice, come to give light to them that sit in darkness and in the shadow of death!
Recite one Our Father, one Hail Mary, and one Glory be.
December 22: O King of the Gentiles, yea, and desire thereof! O Corner-stone, that makest of two one, come to save man, whom Thou hast made out of the dust of the earth!
Recite one Our Father, one Hail Mary, and one Glory be.
December 23: O Emmanuel, our King and our Law-giver, Longing of the Gentiles, yea, and salvation thereof, come to save us, O Lord our God!
Recite one Our Father, one Hail Mary, and one Glory be.
December 24: O Thou that sittest upon the cherubim, God of hosts, come, show Thy face, and we shall be saved.
Recite one Our Father, one Hail Mary, and one Glory be.
THE “O ANTIPHONS” OF ADVENT
The “O Antiphons” are prayed for 7 days in preparation for Christmas: December 17–23. For those familiar with the Liturgy of the Hours, these are the antiphons used with the Magnificat each day. They are based on Isaiah’s prophecies and reveal the different titles given to the Messiah.
O Sapientia (O Wisdom) Isaiah 11:2–3; 28:29
O Adonai (O Lord) Isaiah 11:4–5; 33:22
O Radix Jesse (O Root of Jesse) Isaiah 1:1; 11:10
O Clavis David (O Key of David) Isaiah 9:6; 22:22
O Oriens (O Rising Sun) Isaiah 9:1
O Rex Gentium (O King of the Nations) Isaiah 9:5; 2:4
O Emmanuel (God with us) Isaiah 7:14
The “O Antiphons” link below:
http://stannesepiscopal.net/o-antiphons/
Since each antiphon is short, it is helpful to spend time reading it each day, pondering it and praying it meditatively throughout the day as a way to make immediate spiritual preparation for Christmas.
December 17: O Wisdom (O Sapientia)
O Wisdom, O holy Word of God, you govern all creation with your strong yet tender care. Come and show your people the way to salvation.
December 18: O Lord and Ruler (O Adonai)
O sacred Lord of ancient Israel, who showed yourself to Moses in the burning bush, who gave him the holy law on Sinai mountain: come, stretch out your mighty hand to set us free.
December 19: O Root of Jesse (O Radix Jesse)
O Flower of Jesse’s stem, you have been raised up as a sign for all peoples; kings stand silent in your presence; the nations bow down in worship before you. Come, let nothing keep you from coming to our aid.
December 20: O Key of David (O Clavis David)
O Key of David, O royal Power of Israel controlling at your will the gate of heaven: come, break down the prison walls of death for those who dwell in darkness and the shadow of death; and lead your captive people into freedom.
December 21: O Radiant Dawn (O Oriens)
O Radiant Dawn, splendor of eternal light, sun of justice: come, shine on those who dwell in darkness and the shadow of death.
December 22: O King of the Nations (O Rex Gentium)
O King of all the nations, the only joy of every human heart; O Keystone of the mighty arch of man, come and save the creature you fashioned from the dust.
December 23: O Emmanuel (God with us)
O Emmanuel, king and lawgiver, desire of the nations, Savior of all people, come and set us free, Lord our God.
SAINT ANDREW PRAYER
Beginning on the Feast of St. Andrew (November 30th), the following beautiful prayer is traditionally recited fifteen times a day until Christmas. This is a very meditative prayer that helps us increase our awareness of the real focus of Christmas and helps us prepare ourselves spiritually for the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.
“Hail and blessed be the hour and moment in which the Son of God was born of the most pure Virgin Mary, at midnight, in Bethlehem, in piercing cold. In that hour vouchsafe, O my God! to hear my prayer and grant my desires, [here mention your request] through the merits of Our Saviour Jesus Christ, and of His blessed Mother. Amen.”🙏
THE ADVENT WREATH: THIRD WEEK PRAYER The joyful Sunday in Advent (known as “Gaudete”) is represented by rose (or pink) instead of the penitential purple color. Each night during the third week the mother of the family lights the pink, as well as the two previously burned purple candles, after the following prayer has been said.
LEADER: O Lord, we beg Thee, incline Thy ear to our prayers and enlighten the darkness of our minds by the grace of Thy visitation. Through Christ our Lord. ALL: Amen🙏
(The three candles are allowed to burn during the evening meals of the third week.)
SAINTS OF THE DAY: WIDOW AND DEACONESS OF CONSTANTINOPLE; SAINT JOHN OF MATHA, RELIGIOUS AND SAINT JOSE MANYANET Y VIVES, PRIEST
Today, we celebrate the Memorial of Saint Olympia of Constantinople, Widow and Deaconess; Saint John of Matha, Religious and Saint Jose Manyanet y Vives, Priest.
SAINT OLYMPIAS, WIDOW AND DEACONESS OF CONSTANTINOPLE: St. Olympias was a pious, charitable, and wealthy disciple of St. John Chrysostom, born between 360-365 into a wealthy noble family in Constantinople. Her father (Secundus or Selencus) was a “Count” of the empire. One of her ancestors, Ablabius, filled the consulor office in 331, and was also praetorian prefect of the East. Her parents died when she was quite young, orphaned as a child but left her an immense fortune. She was given over to the care of Theodosia by her uncle. In either 384 or 385 she married Nebridius, Prefect of Constantinople but was left a childless widow soon after. She refused several offers of marriage, was consecrated a deaconess by Nectarius, Bishop of Constantinople (381-97) and with several other ladies founded a community. She built beside the principal church of Constantinople a convent, into which three relatives and a large number of maidens withdrew with her to consecrate themselves to the service of God.
She was so generous in her almsgiving, that her good friend and spiritual guide/mentor, St. John Chrysostom took her under his direction when he became the Bishop of Constantinople in 398. She established a hospital and an orphanage and gave shelter to monks. When Chrysostom was exiled, Olympias supported him in every possible way, and remained a faithful disciple, refusing to enter into communion with his unlawfully appointed successor. St. Chrysostom encouraged and guided her through his letters. St. Olympias was also exiled, she spent the last years of her life beset by illness and persecution but comforted by St. Chrysostom from his place of exile. She died in exile in Nicomedia on July 25, 408 less than a year after the death of St. Chrysostom. After her death she was venerated as a saint.
Saint Olympia, Widow and Deaconess of Constantinople ~ Pray for us 🙏
SAINT JOHN OF MATHA, RELIGIOUS: St. John was born at Faucon, in the year 1160. After theological studies at Paris, he earned his Doctorate and was ordained a priest. During his first Mass he resolved, through an inspiration, to rescue Christian slaves from the Muslims. Before starting such a venture, John wanted to spend time in prayer, and he thus joined the hermit Felix of Valois. St. John told Felix of his plan to rescue Christian slaves, and Felix offered to join him. Around 1197, they went to Rome to seek papal approval. Innocent III approved their plans to found the Order of the Most Holy Trinity and declared John the first superior general.
In the year 1201, one hundred and eighty-six slaves were redeemed in Marocco. The following year, St. John went to Tunis where one hundred and ten more slaves were redeemed. On one occasion the Muslims damaged John’s ship so badly that it seemed all on board would perish, but John used monk’s habit to form sails and all landed safely. John eventually died at Rome in 1213, and his cult was approved in 1655.
PRAYER: God, You showered heavenly gifts on St. John. Help us to imitate his virtues during our earthly life and enjoy eternal happiness with him in heaven. Amen🙏
SAINT JOSE MANYANET Y VIVES, PRIEST: St. Jose Manyanet y Vives was born on January 7, 1883 in Catalonia, Spain. At the age of five, José’s mother dedicated him to the Virgin Mary, and later entered the seminary while still a youth. He was ordained in 1859 and served as the secretary of the bishop of Urgell, the seminary librarian, and the chancery administrator before responding to the call to found two religious congregations. He founded the Congregation of the Sons of the Holy Family in 1864, and the Missionary Daughters of the Holy Family of Nazareth 10 years later, both dedicated to the education and protection of the Christian family, as well as education and parish ministry.
He also founded several schools and centers, encouraged devotion to the Holy Family, and wrote many books on issues surrounding the family and spiritual guidance. Also, in the cultural ambit he worked for the construction of the Servant of God Antonio Gaudí’s masterpiece, the Temple of the Holy Family in Barcelona, Spain. He suffered from physical illnesses all his life, particularly due to two open wounds in his sides for the last 16 years of his life. He died on December 17, 1901 in Spain. He was Beatified on November 25, 1984 by Pope John Paul II and Canonized on May 16, 2004 by Pope John Paul II.
Saint Jose Manyanet y Vives ~ Pray for us 🙏🏽
SCRIPTURE REFLECTIONS:
Bible Readings for today, Tuesday of the Third Week of Advent | USCCB | https://bible.usccb.org/daily-bible-reading
Gospel Reading ~ Matthew 1:1-17
“The genealogy of Jesus Christ, the son of David”
“The book of the genealogy of Jesus Christ, the son of David, the son of Abraham. Abraham became the father of Isaac, Isaac the father of Jacob, Jacob the father of Judah and his brothers. Judah became the father of Perez and Zerah, whose mother was Tamar. Perez became the father of Hezron, Hezron the father of Ram, Ram the father of Amminadab. Amminadab became the father of Nahshon, Nahshon the father of Salmon, Salmon the father of Boaz, whose mother was Rahab. Boaz became the father of Obed, whose mother was Ruth. Obed became the father of Jesse, Jesse the father of David the king. David became the father of Solomon, whose mother had been the wife of Uriah. Solomon became the father of Rehoboam, Rehoboam the father of Abijah, Abijah the father of Asaph. Asaph became the father of Jehoshaphat, Jehoshaphat the father of Joram, Joram the father of Uzziah. Uzziah became the father of Jotham, Jotham the father of Ahaz, Ahaz the father of Hezekiah. Hezekiah became the father of Manasseh, Manasseh the father of Amos, Amos the father of Josiah. Josiah became the father of Jechoniah and his brothers at the time of the Babylonian exile. After the Babylonian exile, Jechoniah became the father of Shealtiel, Shealtiel the father of Zerubbabel, Zerubbabel the father of Abiud. Abiud became the father of Eliakim, Eliakim the father of Azor, Azor the father of Zadok. Zadok became the father of Achim, Achim the father of Eliud, Eliud the father of Eleazar. Eleazar became the father of Matthan, Matthan the father of Jacob, Jacob the father of Joseph, the husband of Mary. Of her was born Jesus who is called the Christ. Thus the total number of generations from Abraham to David is fourteen generations; from David to the Babylonian exile, fourteen generations; from the Babylonian exile to the Christ, fourteen generations.”
In today’s Gospel reading from the Gospel of St. Matthew, as we begin the Octave of Christmas gives an account of the genealogy of Jesus. The readings today relate much more to the birth and childhood of Jesus. The alleluia verses are a series of beautiful Advent prayers, each of which is worth making our own this Advent season. The genealogy of Jesus with its list of uncommon names may strike us as an unusual Gospel reading. Why include it in the lectionary at all? Yet, it reminds us very forcibly of the humanity of Jesus. Yes, we believe that Jesus was the Son of God, but He was also a son of Abraham and a son of David. He belonged to the people of Abraham’s God, the people of Israel. Through Joseph, His father, He was a descendant of King David. Jesus was deeply rooted in the Jewish world and tradition. His family tree was a Jewish family tree. His Scriptures were the Jewish Scriptures. When God became human, he did so among a particular people, in a particular place, at a particular time in history. Yet, God sent His Son into the world for all peoples, for every place and for all future time. Jesus, now risen Lord, is to be found among us, in this place, in this time. When God sent His Son into the world it was for everyone, in every time and place. The child Jesus was born not just to Mary and Joseph of Nazareth two thousand years ago, but to each one of us today. That is why we celebrate the birth of this child as good news for us. Christmas is the time when we give thanks to God for the greatest gift He could have given us, the gift of His very self, the gift of His Son, who is light from light. Having given such a wonderful gift, God will never take it back. Because of the birth of Jesus to Mary and Joseph, we have all been eternally graced and we are called to live out of that grace.
Our first reading from the ending of the Book of Genesis, details the final moments of Jacob, the father of all the Israelites, who was also known as Israel. He was then dying in the land of Egypt after having been reunited with his long-lost son Joseph and enjoying the last years of his life being surrounded by his families, by his many sons and their children. And in this part of the Book of Genesis, it was told that Israel, before he passed away gathered all of his family and blessed his sons with various blessings and prayers. And today in particular, the emphasis and focus is placed upon Judah, one of the sons of Israel and the blessings he received. The house and tribe of Judah had indeed been blessed by God wonderfully and Israel himself had foreseen what God would do for His people and all mankind through this house of Judah, as one day, God would send His Saviour, the Saviour of the whole world through Judah and his descendants, through David, the great King of Israel, who hailed from the tribe of Judah, and to whom God had promised that his kingdom and his house would sit on the Throne of Israel forever. All these promises and reassurances were known to the people of God, who therefore longed for the fulfilment of the Lord’s many promises and words, all of which would indeed come true through Jesus Christ, the One Whom we are all celebrating about this upcoming Christmas time and season, the true reason for Christmas and its great joy.
As we reflect on the words of the Sacred Scriptures today as we enter this period of one week to the date of Christmas Day, we enter into this deeper time of solemn preparation for the Christmas celebration, a period when we deepen our spiritual preparation and contemplation as we are getting ourselves ready to celebrate the true joy of Christmas, the coming of Our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ into this world, the salvation and eternal life which He has promised to all of us, His beloved people. During this period and time, traditionally the ‘O’ Antiphons are sung in the Church, contemplating upon everything that God had done for our sake, all that He has shown us out of love by the sending of His Son, to fulfill the promises and reassurances He had made to us about our salvation and liberation from sin and death. As we approach ever closer to the coming of the joyful and glorious Christmas season, are we truly ready to celebrate Christmas in its true meaning, significance and joy? Are we willing and capable of focusing ourselves and our rejoicing on the Lord, and be the ones to proclaim the salvation and joy in Christ by our proper celebrations and readiness in our Christmas preparations? All of us as Christians are God’s holy and beloved people, and how we celebrate Christmas will be important as amidst all the much secularised and commercialised celebrations of Christmas, the true meaning and joy of Christmas can easily be lost amidst all the distractions and glamorous rejoicing that do not centre themselves on Christ. Let us all therefore renew our commitment to the Lord in this remaining time we have been given this season of Advent so that all of us may truly be prepared and ready, and use this chance and time that has been given to us well so that we may truly rejoice this upcoming Christmas season with the right focus on Christ, and proclaiming to all the joy we have received through His coming into this world, Christ, Our Lord and Saviour, He Who has shown us all the perfect manifestation of the love of God, and through Whom all of us have received the assurance of eternal life and true joy with God. May our Advent journey and preparations be truly fruitful and blessed by God, now and always. May God in His infinite grace and mercy, grant us His grace and bless us all in our every good endeavours, our efforts, actions and works, and bless our Advent preparations and observances. May all of us have a truly blessed and fruitful Advent. Amen🙏
DEVOTION OF THE MONTH OF DECEMBER:
MONTH OF THE IMMACULATE CONCEPTION: The month of December is dedicated to the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary. Chosen before time to be the Mother of God Incarnate, Jesus Christ, God created Mary perfect and full of grace, preserving her from the stain of Original Sin. Mary Immaculate is the most beautiful fruit of the work of redemption accomplished by her Son, thereby making her the perfect model of holiness for all Christians.
https://www.catholicculture.org/culture/liturgicalyear/overviews/months/10_1.cfm
THE POPE’S MONTHLY INTENTIONS FOR 2024: FOR THE MONTH OF DECEMBER – FOR PILGRIMS OF HOPE: We pray that this Jubilee Year strengthen our faith, helping us to recognize the Risen Christ in our daily lives, and that it may transform us into pilgrims of Christian hope.
https://www.usccb.org/prayers/popes-monthly-intentions-2024
PRAYER FOR PEACE ~ POPE FRANCIS:
Lord God of peace, hear our prayer!
Prayers for Peace | https://mycatholic.life/catholic-prayers/prayers-for-peace/
PRAYER INTENTIONS: Through the intercession of our Blessed Mother Mary and all the Saints during this special season of Advent, we humbly pray for God’s grace and mercy as we prepare for the coming of Our Lord Jesus Christ. Praying for hope, faith, love, joy and peace in our world today, as we face these incredibly challenging times. We pray for our children and children all over the world, we pray for their health, safety and well-being, we particularly pray for those who have no one to care for them and those who are terminally ill, we pray for God’s Divine healing upon them. We pray for all parents, all mothers, wives, those going through challenges in their marriages, Victims of verbal and spousal abuse, and we pray for peace, love and unity in our families and our world. Every life is a gift. We pray for God’s deliverance from impossible causes or situations. For all widows and widowers. And we continue to pray for our Holy Father, Pope Francis, the Bishops, the Clergy, and all those who preach the Gospel. We pray for Vocation to the Priesthood and Religious life. We particularly pray for all Youths and all Seminarians. For the Church, for persecuted Christians, for all the innocent who suffer violence due to political or religious unrest, for the conversion of sinners and Christians all over the world. Amen 🙏
Let us pray:
My precious Lord, I thank you for coming to dwell among us, and I thank you for this Advent season in which I am able to prayerfully ponder all that You have done for me. Please make this last week before Christmas a time of true preparation in which I prayerfully ponder the amazing reality of Your Incarnation. May this last week of preparation not be wasted but, rather, used as a foundation for a glorious and prayerful celebration of the holy gift of Christmas. Jesus, I trust in You ~ Amen 🙏
Save Us, Savior of the World. Most Sacred Heart of Jesus and Most Precious Blood of Jesus, Our Lord Jesus Christ, King of the Universe….have mercy on us. Our Blessed Mother Mary, Saint Olympia of Constantinople, Saint John of Matha and Saint Jose Manyanet y Vives ~ Pray for us🙏
Thanking God for the gift of this day and praying for justice, peace, love and unity in our families and our world and for God’s Divine Mercy and Grace upon us all.
We pray for the safety and well-being of all those traveling during this season of Christmas. Have a blessed, safe, and grace-filled 3rd Week of Advent 🙏
Blessings and love always, Philomena💖
Daily Reflections | https://dailyreflectionswithphilomena.com/
Foundation | https://gliopiepehe.org
Sir G.L.I Opiepe’s Health and Education Foundation |