Prayer to St. Nicholas

Father, hear our prayers for mercy, and by the help of Saint Nicholas keep us safe from all danger, and guide us on the way of salvation. Grant this through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever.

Amen.

MERRY CHRISTMAS TO ALL

Peace of Christ.

Twas the Night Before Christmas

As we near Christmas let us remember our service men and women.

Twas the Night Before Christmas

Twas the night before Christmas, he lived all alone,

in a one bedroom house made of plaster and stone.

I had come down the chimney with presents to give

and to see just who in this home did live.

I looked all about, a strange sight I did see;

no tinsel, no presents, not even a tree.

No stocking by the mantle, just boots filled with sand,
and on the wall pictures of far distant lands.
With medals and badges, awards of all kinds,
a sobering thought came to my mind.

For this house was different, so dark and so dreary;
the home of a solider now I could see clearly.
The soldier lay sleeping, silent, alone,
curled up on the floor in this one bedroom home.
The face was so gentle, the room in such order,
not how I pictured a United States Soldier.
Was this the hero of whom I'd just read,
curled up on a poncho, the floor for a bed?

I realized the families that I saw this night,
owed their lives to these soldiers who were willing to fight.
Soon round the world the children would play,
and grownup would celebrate a bright Christmas Day.
They all enjoyed freedom each month of the year
because of the soldiers like the one lying here.
I couldn't help wonder how many lay alone,
on a cold Christmas Eve in a land far from home.
The very thought brought a tear to my eye
as I dropped to my knees and started to cry.
The soldier awakened and I heard a rough voice,

"Santa, don't cry, this life is my choice;
I fight for freedom, I don't ask for more.
My life is my God, my country, my Corps."

The soldier rolled over and soon drifted to sleep.
I couldn't control it; I continued to weep.
I kept watch for hours, so silent so still,
and we both shivered from the cold evening's chill.
I didn't want to leave on that cold, dark night,
this guardian of honor so willing to fight.
Then the soldier rolled over, and with a voice soft and pure,
whispered, "Carry on Santa, It's Christmas Day. All is secure."
One look at my watch and I knew he was right,

"Merry Christmas my friend, and to all a good night."

Semper Fi!

Peace of Christ to ALL

Prayer for the Family

O God of goodness and mercy, to Thy fatherly guidance we commend our family, our household and all our belongings. We commit all to Thy love and keeping; do Thou fill this house with Thy blessings even as Thou didst fill the holy House of Nazareth with Thy presence.

Keep far from us, above all else, the blemish of sin, and do Thou alone reign in our midst by Thy law, by Thy most holy love and by the exercise of every Christian virtue. Let each one of us obey Thee, love Thee and set himself to follow in his own life Thine example, that of Mary, Thy Mother and our Mother most loving, and that of Thy blameless guardian, Saint Joseph.

Protect us and our house from all evils and misfortunes, but grant that we may be ever resigned to Thy divine will even in the sorrows which it shall please Thee to send us. Finally give unto all of us the grace to live in perfect harmony and in the fullness of love toward our neighbor. Grant that every one of us may deserve by a holy life the comfort of Thy holy Sacraments at the hour of death. O Jesus, bless us and protect us.

O Mary, Mother of grace and of mercy, defend us against the wicked spirit, reconcile us with Thy Son, commit us to His keeping, that so we may be made worthy of His promises.

Saint Joseph, foster-father of our Savior, guardian of His holy Mother, head of the Holy Family, intercede for us, bless us and defend our home at all times.

Glory be to the Father, glory be to the Son, glory be to the Holy Ghost!

Amen.

Peace of Christ to ALL