File:Virgin Mary Golgotha Hajdudorog.jpg
Greek Catholic icon depicting Mary, the Mother of Jesus. Iconostasis of the Greek Catholic Cathedral of Hajdúdorog, Hungary. Photo by Jojojoe

Opening Prayer: Jesus, Our Treasure by Ven. Bruno Lanteri

O, Jesus, you descended in the fullness of time from the royal throne; O you who are most desired of all. You came from the height of heaven to visit us, and we are overwhelmed with joy, for as soon as the eternal Father had seen you born in our flesh, he made the angels proclaim peace and grace to all of good will. Freeing us from all misery, the Father gave us his kingdom and filled us with all your good. Make our hearts open and able to hold so great a treasure. Amen.

Fruit of the Spirit: Chastity

Scripture: Psalm 51:10
Create in me a clean heart, O God, and put a new and right spirit within me.

Action for the Day: The greatest gift of Christmas is that God has made himself a sacrament; he has made himself visible in the humanity of his Son Jesus Christ. Jesus lived his life on earth with a vision of his Father. He has made himself humanly visible so that we might merit to also see as Jesus does, the pure Spirit and essence of God, the beatific vision. The virtue of chastity makes you whole. Holistic healing is what we all wish for; to be clean in the whole of our humanity, body, soul, and spirit. This is what chastity attains. To have the potential to see God as he is, is the mark of the great dignity of a human person. Today keep your eyes fixed on the beautiful Christmas images of the season. Give to God the gift of seeking to see him throughout the day in the face of his Son. Let the manger, the angels, the star, the Holy Family lift your vision to heaven.