Tag Archives: christmas

Feast of the Lord’s Baptism: Homilies, Images, Slides and Videos

Leave a reply

The following are homilies, photos, multimedia slides and videos you might find useful for your celebration of the Feast of the Lord’s Baptism (Year C). This Feast commemorates the baptism of Jesus in the Jordan River by John the Baptist. It is observed on the first Sunday after Epiphany and it brings to an end the season of Christmas.

READINGS

FIRST READING: Is 42:1-4, 6-7 or Is 40:1-5, 9-11
PSALM: Ps 29:1-2, 3-4, 3, 9-10
SECOND READING: Acts 10:34-38 or Ti 2:11-14; 3:4-7
GOSPEL: Lk 3:15-16, 21-22

HOMILIES

  • The Commitment of Baptism [www.bible.claret.org]
    In lining up for baptism by John like a sinner, Jesus set aside all exemption for himself. He also lined up with someone who would be martyred for his convictions. Jesus would also die for his convictions. This was a commitment to a nonviolent struggle that would win salvation for all. While this commitment was horrific it also had its consolation.Read more…
  • He will Baptize You with the Holy Spirit and Fire [dailyscripture.net]
    John preached a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins (Luke 3:3). Why did Jesus, the Sinless One, submit himself to John’s baptism? In this humble submission we see a foreshadowing of the “baptism” of his bloody death upon the cross. Jesus’ baptism is the acceptance and the beginning of his mission as God’s suffering Servant. He allowed himself to be numbered among sinners. Jesus submitted himself entirely to his Father’s will. Out of love he consented to this baptism of death for the remission of our sins. Do you know the joy of trust and submission to God? Read more…
  • The Baptism of the Lord: A Mission from God [www.st.ignatius.net]
    We Christians believe that life is not just a matter of biology. Life is not just a matter of survival. Life is not just a matter of chance. We Christians believe that life, authentic life, consists in serving God by making the Presence of Jesus Christ a reality in the lives of others. That is why we embrace the work of the Lord until the last day we live. That is why each stage of our lives presents us with a challenge, a new way to serve the Lord. Read more…
  • Baptism of the Lord [www.catholicmatters.com]
    We are convinced that getting to heaven is more important than getting all the treasures and pleasures this earth has to offer. But do we always live up to these convictions, are we true Christians the seven days of the week? In our work, in our speech, in our dealings with others, in our family life are we truly following Christ and his teaching? Is my way of life, my daily conduct, such that it would cause a non-Christian to say: “That man has something noble and sensible about him, that man is concerned with the things that really matter; that man has an inward peace and sense of security which I have not got, a sense of peace and security which comes not from the things of this world. I must find out what it is and get it for myself?” Read more…

IMAGES

To view and download their full size versions, please click on the images or the names of the artists.


The Baptism of Jesus by Loci Lenar


Icon of the Theophany by Andycoan


Baptism of Jesus by Ray Boone


Jesus’ Baptism by Rbrucemontgomery

SLIDE PRESENTATION

The following presentation can be downloaded here.



VIDEO

The first video can be downloaded here. The second video below can be downloaded from this link.



How to Make Christmas Merry and Meaningful

1 Reply

In his recent Christmas Vigil homily, Pope Benedict XVI said: “Time given to God and, in his name, to our neighbour is never time lost. It is the time when we are most truly alive, when we live our humanity to the full.” To make Christmas truly merry and meaningful we must find time to praise God and be of service to others. Here are some suggestions on how to spend your time and yourself to help those in need.




1. SERVE those who feel unwanted, unloved and uncared-for.
2. PRAY for peace. Pray for others. Pray often.
3. INSPIRE others to be faithful to their commitments.
4. GIVE generously, without expecting anything in return.
5. LIVE your life in such a way that you become a living witness of God’s compassion.
6. HELP bring some moments of peace and comfort to a hurting friend or neighbor.
7. SHARE your most important possession to someone who truly needs it.

Merry Christmas

1 Reply

Merry Christmas to all of you! Let us pray that this Christmas we may treasure Jesus in our hearts and let His Word bear fruits of peace and love. May we welcome Jesus into our life and respond readily when He commands us. And may we put our hearts into things that truly matter: love, service and generous sharing.

Image source: http://www.flickr.com/photos/midiman/317538043/

5 Simple Ways to Make Your Parents Feel Loved this Christmas

Leave a reply

Christmas is about sharing love, multiplying joy and doing good things for other people. For some people this means going to an orphanage to donate goods or to some other place where there are people in dire need. You can also live out the spirit of the Season without spending a fortune or without leaving your own home. Here are five simple ways to make your parents feel loved and special this Christmas.

1. Cook for them

2. Pray with them and for them

3. Do all the household chores

4. Take them to a place they want to visit

5. Let them know you truly love them. And mean it.

Feast of the Holy Family: Homilies, Images, Slides and Videos

Leave a reply

The following are homilies, photos, multimedia slides and videos you might find useful for your celebration of the Feast of the Holy Family (Year C). This Feast, which usually falls on the Sunday after Christmas, is a liturgical celebration in honor of Jesus of Nazareth, his mother, the Blessed Virgin Mary, and his foster father, Saint Joseph, as a family. For more info about the Feast of the Holy Family, please click here.

READINGS

FIRST READING: Sirach 3:2-6, 12-14 or 1 Samuel 1:20-22, 24-28
PSALM: Ps 128:1-2, 3, 4-5
SECOND READING: Colossians 3:12-21 or 3:12-17 or 1 John 3:1-2, 21-24
GOSPEL: Lk 2:41-52

HOMILIES

  • Fear, Family and Christmas [www.bible.claret.org]
    If we want Christ to be born in our families we should try to give each other the most important gift of all. It does not cost much. It does not need a wrapper. It is the most genuine sign of love. It is to just simply listen to one another from the heart without any defensiveness. It takes time to learn to do this. Just make a start. Read more…
  • Did You Not Know that I Must Be in My Father’s House [dailyscripture.net]
    What binds families together? Jesus came to show us the way to the Father’s house in heaven – a way of unconditional love and unity, peace and harmony, trust and submission as members of God’s family. Read more…
  • Holy Family: Being a Holy Family [www.st.ignatius.net]
    Perhaps, on Christmas Day more than most other days we sense the Presence of the Lord in our families. Perhaps, on Christmas Day more than most other days we realize that we have been given the gift of being a Holy Family. Perhaps, on Christmas Day more than most other days we realize that the center of the Holy Family is Jesus Christ, whether that Holy Family was Mary and Joseph’s, or whether that Holy Family is your family. Read more…
  • Feast of the Holy Family [www.catholicmatters.com]
    Children : your duty in the family is to love, honor and obey your parents. And your model is none other than Jesus of Nazareth who, though he was God, made himself subject to Joseph and Mary. He who was God, has set you an example which you must follow. Your obedience will never be as perfect as his but it can and should be as perfect as you can make it. Be a comfort and a consolation to your parents. Remember always what they have done for you in your infancy when you could not help yourself. Remember what they have done and are still doing for you in order to fit you to take your place in this life and in the next. Read more…

IMAGES

To view and download their full size versions, please click on the images or the names of the artists.


Jesús, la Virgen y San José by Barandalla


The Birth of Jesus by Patrick Q


Holy Family by Anny Purls


A Loving Father by Barandalla

SLIDE PRESENTATION

The following presentation can be downloaded here.


VIDEO

The video below is about uniting people from different cultures and continents. The Feast of the Holy Family presents a challenge for all people to work for peace, wholeness, and unity – to turn the world into one family. The video can be downloaded from this link.


The core message of the video below is that “it is always better when we’re together.” The Feast of the Holy Family is a call for families to grow together in faith and love for God. The video can be downloaded from this link.



Christmas: Homilies, Images, Slides and Videos

Leave a reply

The following are homilies, photos, multimedia slides and videos you might find useful for your celebration of Christmas (Year C). The word Christmas originated from the Middle English Christemasse and Old English Cristes mæsse, which means “Christ’s Mass”. For more info about the origin and meaning of Christmas please click here.

HOMILIES

  • The Contrary God [www.bible.claret.org]
    John traces the origins of Jesus back to His Being with God. God speaks and the Word becomes flesh. The Son pitches his tent amongst us, he becomes flesh, takes human form. The emphasis, in John’s account, is not so much on the contrariness of God as on his dependability. God had promised and now God keeps his word, or rather speaks his Word and that speaking makes Him present amongst us. One of the greatest compliments that we can give to another human being is to say that they are people of their word. Today, we celebrate that God, “Filled with enduring love,” has kept his word. Read more…
  • The Shepherds Praised and Glorified God for All They Had Heard and Seen [dailyscripture.net]
    Why was it necessary for the Word of God to become flesh? We needed a savior who could reconcile us with God. Throughout the ages Christians have professed the ancient Nicene Creed: “He became man for our sake and for the sake of our salvation.” The eternal Word became flesh for us so he could offer his life as an atoning sacrifice for the sins of the world through the shedding of his blood on the cross. The Word became flesh to show us the infinite love and tender mercy of God for us sinners. Read more…
  • Christmas: He Enters Our World To Draw Us Into His Presence [www.st.ignatius.net]
    And shepherds and Kings, and pagans and Jews are drawn into the Presence, the Presence in Bethlehem. And, we, whether we be rich or poor by the world’s standards, whether we be weak or powerful by the world’s standards, we are drawn into His Presence. We are drawn into His Presence, and are drawn away from all that rejects His Presence. We are separated from the emptiness of a world that rejects God. We are called away. We are called to holiness; for to be holy is to be separate for the Lord. Read more…
  • Christmas: Midnight Mass [www.catholicmatters.com]
    All we can do is to say from our heart a humble, thank you God, and to resolve to have the sense to avail ourselves of this almost incredible offer. We are “God’s friends.” He has called us so, then let us do our best to retain this friendship than which there is nothing greater for us on earth or in heaven. If we do, and if we do the little he asks of us, he will do his part; he will give us our share in the eternal happiness the Incarnation has won for us. Read more…

IMAGES

To view and download their full size versions, please click on the images or the names of the artists.


Star of Wonder by c.a.muller


Baby Jesus by Jekobjoz


Talia by DaisyCat77


Baby Jesus Mosaic by Ildarabbit


Mary and Jesus by Barandalla

SLIDE PRESENTATIONS

The following presentation can be downloaded here.

VIDEOS

The first video shows that Jesus is the real focus of the Christmas celebrations. It can be downloaded here. The second video shows the story of Jesus’ birth and it can be downloaded from this link.



Interactive Storybook Tells the Real Story of Santa Claus

Leave a reply

You probably call him Santa Claus, Kris Kringle, Babbo Natale, Gaghant Baba, Saint Nick or Father Christmas. But did you know that the story of this legendary bearer of gifts to children is patterned after the life a Christian Bishop?

The name of the Bishop is Nicholas. He was born in the third century in a place that is known today as Turkey. He became the personification of the spirit of Christmas because he dedicated himself to giving his wealth to the poor and needy. You can read his complete story in interactive storybook format by clicking here.