The Gospel of Luke

Chapter 2

"In those days a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that the whole world should be enrolled. This was the first enrollment, when Quirinius was governor of Syria. So all went to be enrolled, each to his own town. And Joseph too went up from Galilee from the town of Nazareth to Judea, to the city of David that is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and family of David, to be enrolled with Mary, his betrothed, who was with child. While they were there, the time came for her to have her child, and she gave birth to her firstborn son. She wrapped him in swaddling clothes and laid him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn. Now there were shepherds in that region living in the fields and keeping the night watch over their flock. The angel of the Lord appeared to them and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were struck with great fear. The angel said to them, "Do not be afraid; for behold, I proclaim to you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. For today in the city of David a savior has been born for you who is Messiah and Lord. And this will be a sign for you: you will find an infant wrapped in swaddling clothes and lying in a manger." And suddenly there was a multitude of the heavenly host with the angel, praising God and saying: "Glory to God in the highest and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests." When the angels went away from them to heaven, the shepherds said to one another, "Let us go, then, to Bethlehem to see this thing that has taken place, which the Lord has made known to us." So they went in haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the infant lying in the manger. When they saw this, they made known the message that had been told them about this child. All who heard it were amazed by what had been told them by the shepherds. And Mary kept all these things, reflecting on them in her heart. Then the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen, just as it had been told to them."

MERRY CHRISTMAS TO ALL

Peace of Christ.

The Noël of Pious Souls

Do you see this dear infant

In this stable so poor?

He is Lord the Almighty,

All powerful, True,

All crowns must adore Him

For His Hands hold us all!

This Child, the God of Armies!

This dear infant, so tiny,

In silence, He speaks.

Everything in the stable

Reveals Who He is.

His poverty tells us

His Love is extreme.

All is summed up in this:

How much we are loved!

The poor ox and the ass

This stable and cloths

Are choristers chanting

The praises of God.

Love this good little King,"They tenderly sing.

Tender Jesus, your plan

I now see it so clear!

You are born in this stable

To find a home in my heart.

Then enter it now

And let your glory find rest!

To be conquered by this Child,
O victory sweet!

Amen.

Saint Louis de Montfort

MERRY CHRISTMAS TO ONE AND ALL

Peace of Christ.

A Prayer For Priests

A Prayer For Priests

Keep them, I pray You, dearest Lord,

Keep them, for they are Thine -

Your priests whose lives burn out before

Your consecrated shrine.

Keep them, for they are in the world,

Though from the world apart;

When earthly pleasures tempt, allure,

Shelter them in Your Heart.

Keep them, and comfort them in hours

O loneliness and pain,

When all their life of sacrifice

For souls seems but in vain.

Keep them, and O remember, Lord,

They have no one but Thee,

Yet they have only human hearts,

With human frailty.

Keep them as spotless as the Host,

That daily they caress;

Their every thought and word and deed,

Deign, dearest Lord to bless.

--Amen--