Today's Topics:

1) Gospel - Lk 1:67-79 - Zechariah his father, filled with the Holy Spirit, prophesied, saying:

“Blessed be the Lord, the God of Israel; for He has come to His people and set them free. He has raised up for us a mighty Savior, born of the house of his servant David. Through His prophets He promised of old that He would save us from our enemies, from the hands of all who hate us. He promised to show mercy to our fathers and to remember His holy covenant  This was the oath He swore to our father Abraham: to set us free from the hand of our enemies, free to worship Him without fear, holy and righteous in His Sight all the days of our life.  You, my child, shall be called the prophet of the Most High, for you will go before the Lord to prepare His way, to give His people knowledge of salvation by the forgiveness of their sins. In the tender compassion of our God the dawn from on high shall break upon us, to shine on those who dwell in darkness and the shadow of death, and to guide our feet into the way of peace.”

Bishop Sheen quote of the day

2) Hero of the Year - We are now down to the final four: FBI whistleblower Marcus Allen, Cardinal Raymond Burke, Kansas City Chiefs kicker, Harrison Butker, and Vice President-elect, JD Vance, and another true Catholic hero NOT being considered, Bishop Joseph Strickland - Who will be CatholicVote’s 2024 Hero of the Year? You decide!

VOTE NOW

3) Pope Benedict XV called for a Christmas truce during WWI

http://www.churchpop.com/2014/12/25/pope-christmas-truce/

4) The candy cane’s secret: Unveiling the Christian meaning behind this ancient Christmas treat

https://www.churchpop.com/the-candy-canes-secret-unveiling-the-christian-meaning-behind-the-ancient-christmas-treat/