As 2014 comes quickly to a close, I thought it would be worthwhile to reflect on the Scriptures and on our lives, on the state of the world and on our mission to help Our Lord Jesus to save souls and to create peace.

Where will you be this year at Christmas?

On the night that Our Holy Saviour came into the world, the world was asleep to the greatness of what was happening. There was no room for the Holy Family in the Inn and the Blessed Mother of Our Lord had to give birth in the place where the animals were being kept. The Angels did not enter the Inn to announce the arrival of Our Saviour, because the hearts of the people were preoccupied with things other than God.

Christmas, for many people, is a time of parties, but do the festivities give glory to God? Many will encourage you to have a drink, relax, have some fun, don’t worry, enjoy! Ok, but let’s remember the Words of St. Paul and exercise appropriate prudence and caution.

“Let us behave decently, as in the daytime, not in carousing and drunkenness, not in sexual immorality and debauchery, not in dissension and jealousy.” Romans 13:3

What will you be wearing at Christmas or on New Year’s eve?

Men may be less worried about “what to wear”, but many women, especially, are deceived in believing that we need to invest in fancy clothes, elegant hairstyles and pretty shoes. How much money will we spend on all these things?

God uses St. Peter to remind us of the true source of beauty:

“Your beauty should not come from outward adornment, such as elaborate hairstyles and the wearing of gold jewelry or fine clothes. Rather, it should be that of your inner self, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is of great worth in God’s sight.” 1 Peter 3:3-4

Ladies – here’s a thought for you…Instead of spending a lot of money on a new dress, new shoes and a new hairstyle for New Year’s eve, give the money to a good cause and give it all for the glory of God and then we can rejoice in knowing that we are allowing God to help us to become more beautiful in His eyes!

Who will you be with at Christmas? What will you be doing?

Perhaps if you are reading this post, you already understand that sexual immorality is a great sin. Unfortunately sexual immorality characterizes the world we live in, and the big problem is that the path of sexual promiscuity does not lead to heaven. Falling in the arms of the wrong person and “casual sex” is what the devil wants people to engage in. God, on the other hand, wants to give us partners that we can love passionately and build a life with, not lust for a moment in time and then forget. God wants to give our lives purpose. He wants to fulfill our hearts with the tenderness and depth of His love. We are to be holy temples for Him. God will dwell in us, if we choose to embrace His commandments and live to give Him glory.

“Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your bodies.” 1 Corinthinians 6: 19-20

“Work hard to enter the narrow door to God’s Kingdom, for many will try to enter but will fail.” Luke 13:24

If we are truly Christians, people of God and disciples of Our Lord Jesus we will be praying for all souls this Christmas, especially those most in need of God’s mercy.

Where will we be? We will be praising and worshiping and giving God thanks in His house, the Church. We will be in prayer, in communion with God and with one another loving, serving, giving and receiving.

What will we be wearing? We will be wearing the light of Our Lord Jesus and allowing that light to illumine our hearts and our minds, our lives and our relationships.

Who will we be with? We will be with God. We will strive to see Him in those around us, as we try to be patient and reconcile with those we have differences with.

What will we doing? “…But as for me and my household, we will serve the LORD.” Joshua 24:15  We will receive Our Holy Lord in the Blessed Sacrament, the Holy Eucharist and give thanks for His presence in our hearts and lives.

May the Holy Spirit open your heart and your mind to embrace God’s will and give Him glory, today and always!