The Most Wonderful Time of the Year// Father Byrd’s Christmas Letter

“To celebrate the [Christmas]  season we have to prepare for the season,” Father Jerry Byrd (first Sunday of Advent homily on Nov. 27, 2022)   Please find Father Jerry Byrd’s Christmas Letter to you about how to prepare for this  “most wonderful time of the year,” by focusing on the essential elements of the Christmas season.   The Most Wonderful … Read More

Advent and the Jesse Tree // Catholic Christmas Traditions

Jesse Tree, Advent, stained glass, Chartes Cathedral, France

The Jesse Tree helps prepare us for Advent by journeying through the people on Jesus’s family tree. We find all the broken traits of humanity in Christ’s family tree — that birthed the most pure Saviour of the world. Many of them are  troubled characters. Some of them are amazing and steadfast. All of them played a role to bring … Read More

Advent Begins with Christmas Anticipation // A Prayer

Christmas anticipation prayer

The Christmas Anticipation Prayer places us at the “hour and moment” when Christ was born. The prayer reminds us of St. Ignatius’ method of meditation. St. Ignatius taught us to place ourselves in the Gospels, as if we were actually there. Then he asks us to see what Christ tells us, how we would respond, and what we desire. The … Read More