Christmas Eve and the Gift We Cannot Earn: On Christmas Eve, the Church prays at an empty manger and cries out, Come Lord Jesus. Christ comes with a gift that cannot be created or earned. Salvation is freely given by God out of love.

The Holy Family and God’s Plan for Life: The Feast of the Holy Family reveals God’s plan for receiving, protecting, and nurturing human life. Family is the first place where life is welcomed and defended.

From the Crib to the Cross: The Witness of Saint Stephen - The joy of Christmas is followed immediately by the martyrdom of Saint Stephen. The crib leads to the cross. Christmas calls you to total fidelity to the truth and love found in Christ.

Fellowship as the Fruit of Christmas: The Feast of Saint John teaches that fellowship flows from Christmas. Communion with Christ strengthens communion with one another and deepens commitment to defending human life.

Christmas Is Light, Abortion Is Darkness: Christmas brings the light of Christ into the world. Abortion represents darkness. Today’s reading reveals the prolife meaning of Christmas and the victory of life over darkness.

Christmas and Easter: The second reading makes clear that Christmas is ordered toward Easter. Christ comes for both Jews and Gentiles, and His birth leads directly to His saving sacrifice.

Preparing for the Lord Through Desire and Repentance: The first reading shows that preparing for the coming of the Lord involves more than repentance alone. It also involves desire. Advent forms your heart to long for Christ and to remove anything that blocks that desire as Christmas approaches.

Born of a Virgin: Isaiah prophesied that Jesus would be born of a virgin. This prophecy speaks not only about Mary, but about the Church and about you. God calls you to total devotion.

The Magnificat: Mary’s Magnificat summarizes the entire Gospel. It reveals the power, mercy, and justice of Christ’s coming and shows you how God changes the world through humility.

God's Signs of Christmas: As the Gospel reading shows us, God accompanied the coming of Christ with many special signs to alert his people to the significance of Christmas.