Christmas Novena-- Day 3

Today is day 3 of The Christmas Novena.


Don't forget to post your intentions by clicking here.

Vigil of the Nativity or Christmas Eve

O Christian, for the love of Christ, and for thine own salvation, occupy thy mind, during this holy night, with holy thoughts and aspirations, in order to make thyself worthy of all the graces which Christ will grant thee on His coming. Consider how St. Joseph and the Blessed Virgin Mary, in obedience to the edict of Caesar, and in perfect submission to the will of God, went to Bethlehem, and, finding no room there, at last entered an open stable, where they were content to stay. Does not the Son of God deserve all our love when He thus humbled Himself for us? Tender Him your heart as an abode, in the following.

Prayer of the Church.

O God, Who givest us joy by the annual expectation of our

redemption, grant that we may securely see Him coming as our

Judge Whom we joyfully receive as our Redeemer, Our Lord

Jesus Christ, Thy Son, Who livest and reignest with Thee for

ever. Amen.

--Goffine's Devout Instructions

Warning: The Advent Virus

The Advent Virus . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Anonymous via email

WARNING……WARNING: ADVENT VIRUS

Be on the alert for symptoms of inner Hope, Peace, Joy and Love. The hearts of a great many have already been exposed to this virus and it is possible that people everywhere could come down with it in epidemic proportions. This could pose a serious threat to what has, up to now, been a fairly stable condition of conflict in the world.

Some signs and symptoms of The Advent Virus:

• A tendency to think and act spontaneously rather than on fears based on past experiences.
• An unmistakable ability to enjoy each moment.
• A loss of interest in judging other people.
• A loss of interest in interpreting the actions of others.
• A loss of interest in conflict.
• A loss of the ability to worry. (This is a very serious symptom.)
• Frequent, overwhelming episodes of appreciation.
• Contented feelings of connectedness with others and nature.
• Frequent attacks of smiling.
• An increasing tendency to let things happen rather than make them happen.
• An increased susceptibility to the love extended by others as well as the uncontrollable urge to extend it.
  

Please send this warning out to all your friends. This virus can and has affected many systems. Some systems have been completely cleaned out because of it.

*       *       *       *       *       *       *

Thanks to Father Brian Cavanaugh, TOR, of the Franciscan University in Steubenville, Ohio for his kind permission to use "The Advent Virus" which appears on his website "Apple Seeds"®.

Some Book Suggestions for Advent and Christmas

Here are seven book suggestions you might enjoy during the Advent and Christmas seasons. All are available at Barnes & Noble.

*       *       *       *       *       *       *

Liturgy of the Hours: Advent and Christmas Season, Vol. 1

This first volume of the official English edition of the Divine Office, for use during the Advent and Christmas Seasons, contains the translation approved by the International Committee on English in the Liturgy.

*       *       *       *       *       *       *

Christmastide: Prayers for Advent Through Epiphany from The Divine Hours 

The Divine Hours is the first major literary and liturgical reworking of the sixth-century Benedictine Rule of fixed-hour prayer. Making primary use of the Book of Common Prayer and the writings of the Church Fathers, The Divine Hours is also a companion to the New Jerusalem Bible, from which it draws its Scripture readings.

*       *       *       *       *       *       *

Advent and Christmas Wisdom from St. Francis of Assisi

Advent and Christmas Wisdom from St. Francis of Assisi gives readers a momentary cease in the holiday chaos, allowing daily meditation. It is essential in today's postmodern culture to remember the true purpose of Advent--the preparation for and celebration of the coming of Jesus.

*       *       *       *       *       *       *

Advent and Christmas Wisdom from Pope John Paul II: Daily Scripture and Prayers Together with Pope John Paul II's Own Words

Who better to guide us through Advent and Christmas than the beloved Pope Hohn Paul II!

*       *       *       *       *       *       *

Advent and Christmas with the Saints

The Advent and Christmas season is a time of anticipation and preparation, celebration and joy. Beginning with the first day of Advent and continuing through the twelve days of Christmas, Advent and Christmas With the Saints guides readers to an experience of closeness with God. Words of devotion and excitement fill each page, from the pens of such luminaries as Francis of Assisi, Therese of Lisieux, and many, many others.

*       *       *       *       *       *       *

Advent and Christmas Wisdom from Padre Pio: Daily Scripture and Prayers Together with Saint Pio of Pietrelcinas Own Words

Scripture, prayers, and the words of one of the most beloved priests and saints of the twentieth century.

*       *       *       *       *       *       *

Advent of the Heart: Seasonal Sermons and Prison Writings, 1941-1944

Fr. Alfred Delp was a German Jesuit priest who was imprisoned in Berlin.  At the time of his arrest, he was the Rector of St. Georg Church in Munich. Accused of conspiring against the Nazi government, he was arrested in 1944, tortured, imprisoned, and executed on Feb 2, 1945. While in prison, Fr. Delp was able to write a few meditations found in this book, which also includes his powerful reflections from prison during the Advent season about the profound spiritual meaning and lessons of Advent, as well as his sermons he gave on the season of Advent at his parish in Munich. These meditations were smuggled out of Berlin and read by friends and parishioners of St. Georg in Munich.