
Episode 27: Blessed Mother Mary
"In the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent from God to a city of Galilee named Nazareth, to a virgin betrothed to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David. And the virgin’s name was Mary. He came to her and said, “Greetings, O favored one, the Lord is with you!” But she was greatly troubled at the saying, and tried to discern what sort of greeting this might be. The angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. ...And Mary said, “Behold, I am the servant of the Lord; let it be done to me according to your word.” And the angel departed from her." Luke Chapter 1: verses 26 – 38.
I said YES…… Wait! Gabriel! Don’t leave! …..And, just like that, I was to become the mother of God’s only begotten son, Jesus.
I know nothing about being a mother! I am still a child myself. But God sees something in me. He trusts me. So I must trust in him. God doesn’t give us anything that isn’t within our capacity. I could have said no. I could have asked for details…or made conditions. But that’s not how love and trust works, so I said YES. If God believes in me, then I am ALL IN!
God wants to get inside your heart. Your bold YES to him will allow you to do great things in his name. Don’t hesitate. Just say “YES, Lord!” God’s plan for you is even greater than anything you can imagine. You just have to say, “YES!”
This Advent, pray for Mary’s intercession that you will love God, your family, your friends, and everyone you meet. Pray that, like Mary, you will put all your trust in God. Love without limits. Love without conditions. Love without restrictions. We will never be perfect, but that’s okay. God loves us and is always willing to forgive. Once you love others with a pure heart, you will start to understand the depths of God’s love for you.
God our Father, we thank you for choosing Mary to be the Mother of our Lord, and our mother too! We are amazed at her “yes” to you. We know how much we sometimes struggle to say yes to your plan. So, we are thankful that she gave you a generous yes without any conditions. Please help us to do the same this Christmas and to welcome Jesus, your Son, into our hearts. Amen!
Prayer Starter for Parents
Even the youngest of our kids have the capacity and power to say "Yes" to God. At first, it's a small yes, maybe not very different from the yes they give when you offer them a snack or ask them if they want to do something. But as they get older, their power to choose grows and so does their "Yes" to God. On this final day of Advent, with Christmas Eve just hours away, pray with your kids today in a way that teaches them and encourages them to give their "Yes" to God just like Mary did.
Here's a simple way to pray with them today:
Start by praying through the Scripture we used for today's podcast (above):
"In the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent from God to a city of Galilee named Nazareth, to a virgin betrothed to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David. And the virgin’s name was Mary. He came to her and said, “Greetings, O favored one, the Lord is with you!” But she was greatly troubled at the saying, and tried to discern what sort of greeting this might be. The angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. ...And Mary said, “Behold, I am the servant of the Lord; let it be done to me according to your word.” And the angel departed from her." Luke Chapter 1: verses 26 – 38.
Then, with your children, offer a decade of the Rosary, meditating on the mystery of the Annunciation: pray one Our Father, ten Hail Marys, and one Glory be. (If you've never really prayed the Rosary or want to learn more about it, here's a great link.) As you pray, let your heart and mind keep the image of Mary and the Angel Gabriel before you... Think and pray about Mary's "yes" to God. As you pray, ask Mary to intercede and pray for you and your kids, that each of you might offer your own "Yes" to God. Let each one of the prayers be your way of giving your own new "Yes" to God.
When you say "Yes" to God, it gives him more room to work in your heart. The Holy Spirit really comes to you in a new way! What does God want to do in you as you open your heart to him? How will he work through you today because of your "Yes"? What good fruit will he bear this Christmas because of your new "Yes" to him?! Every time we say "Yes" to God he is able to do more in us and through us. Just like Mary, he wants us to bring Jesus into the world. How will he do that through you this Christmas because of your "yes" to him? This is exciting and amazing stuff!
Dec 24, 2021
4 min

The Cave Where Jesus Was Born, Episode 22 (12/20/2021)
Dec 19, 2021
4 min

Episode 2: Simeon
"Now there was a man in Jerusalem, whose name was Simeon, and this man was righteous and devout, looking for the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was upon him. And it had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he should not see death before he had seen the Lord's Christ. And inspired by the Spirit he came into the temple; and when the parents brought in the child Jesus, to do for him according to the custom of the law, he took him up in his arms and blessed God and said, 'Lord, now let your servant depart in peace, according to your word; for my eyes have seen your salvation which you have prepared in the presence of all peoples, a light for revelation to the Gentiles, and for glory to your people Israel.'" Luke 2:25-32
My name is Simeon and I am a simple Jewish man. What is that one thing in the world you have always wanted to see? There are so many amazing things! Soaring mountains, crystal clear tropical waters, exotic animals, ancient buildings that are thousands of years old… so, so many things.
While there are so many things one can see in this life, all I have wanted is to see God! I have wanted to see Him face to face! And guess what? Just the other day, I know that I saw Him. His name is Jesus which means ‘God saves’. I even got to hold Jesus for He is just a little baby.
My Jewish ancestors and I have been waiting and waiting for the promised coming of God’s Holy One who will be a king and savior. We have desired to see this promised Savior more than anything else, even more than all the wonders of the world and the universe! Why? Because He will be God with us! Because God keeps His promises, I have believed that I shall see Him with my own eyes. And now that I have, there is nothing more that I want.
When we see the presence of God in our lives, there is nothing else that will satisfy us like Him. This Advent, learn from me: a relationship with Jesus is the one necessary thing we need; everything else will fall into place!
Dear Lord, one day we will see you face to face. What an amazing, joyful day that will be. But even now you make Yourself known to us. During this Advent season, help us prepare ourselves prayerfully so that our eyes and hearts may be open to seeing you in our lives, even now as we await that moment when we will see You, Lord, face to face in Heaven.
Prayer Starter for Parents
Did you know that in Heaven we will really be able to see God face to face? St. John writes: "We shall be like him, for we shall see him as he is." (1 John 3:2) St. Paul wrote about heaven saying: "For now we see in a mirror dimly, but then face to face." (1 Corinthians 13:12) This gift of being able to see God as he is, face-to-face, is something that only God can make happen. But he does! He really will give all those in heaven the capacity to see him. The Church calls this contemplation of God in his heavenly glory "the beatific vision". That's a fancy way of saying that our ability to see God face to face will be the cause of our complete happiness and blessedness:
"How great will your glory and happiness be, to be allowed to see God, to be honored with sharing the joy of salvation and eternal light with Christ your Lord and God, . . . to delight in the joy of immortality in the Kingdom of heaven with the righteous and God's friends." (St. Cyprian)
Today, as you begin your prayer time with your kids, teach them or remind them that we really believe this is true! What do they think about being able to see God face to face? What do they think it will be like? Far greater or more beautiful than the most beautiful sunset, or starry night, or anything that we've ever seen that takes our breath away!
Here's part of a Psalm you can pray with your kids today, to help them express a desire and longing to see God face to face:
One thing I ask of the Lord;
this I seek:
To dwell in the Lord’s house
all the days of my life,
To gaze on the Lord’s beauty,
to visit his temple.
“Come,” says my heart, “seek his face”;
your face, Lord, do I seek!
Do not hide your face from me;
I believe I shall see the Lord’s goodness
in the land of the living.
Psalm 27: 4,8,9,13
Dec 18, 2021
3 min

Episode 20: One of the Wise Men from Afar
"When they saw the star, they rejoiced exceedingly with great joy. And going into the house, they saw the child with Mary his mother, and they fell down and worshiped him. Then, opening their treasures, they offered him gifts, gold and frankincense and myrrh. And being warned in a dream not to return to Herod, they departed to their own country by another way." Matthew Chapter 2: verses 11-12
Throughout my life, I have seen so much beauty, especially in creation. The beauty of the earth… the beauty of the seas… the beauty of the air… The beauty of the animals, of the flowers; the beauty of the mountains and of the skies, the sun and the moon and the stars!
Tonight, I gaze upon this one particular star. Never before have I seen this star, but it shines so brightly! How could I have ever missed it? “Why are you so beautiful? How did you come to be this way,” I ask the star. The star seems to respond to me, “Yes, I am beautiful. I am this way because I was made by God. Join me in praising God the Creator of the Heavens and the Earth.”
I have spent my life studying the earth and the skies. Every new discovery points to a Marvelous Mystery. This Mystery is the Creator, the Artist, God! I adore Him! I know that he made everything, even me. He is Awesome!
The new, radiant star continues to dance as if it is praising God and asking me to follow it. I must follow it! “Star above me, shining so brightly! I will join you in praising the Lord of Heaven and Earth!”
This Advent, let the beauty of creation point you to God and lead you to Jesus, the one who made all things. Whether it’s the stars in the sky, the snowflakes that fall, or the cold wind that blows, let the beauty of everything that God made lead you back to him!
Lord Jesus, you are mighty God, Prince of Peace, the Lord of all creation. Help me to see the many ways you make yourself known to me especially in your great gift of creation, in the great gift of my family members and friends, and in your sacraments, especially the gift of your Body and Blood in the Eucharist. Help me, like this Wise Man, to acknowledge You and pursue you with great faith and trust. Amen.
Prayer Starter for Parents
"This Advent, let the beauty of creation point you to God and lead you to Jesus, the one who made all things." All creation, everything God made, reflects his glory! All of creation, in its own way, gives glory and praise to God. From the tiniest bug to the biggest of stars, everything God made is a reflection of his great beauty and glory. the Bible knows this and teaches us how to join all of creation in praising God!
Today, as you take time to pray with your kids and teach them how to pray, here's a great prayer from Scripture that teaches us to join with all of creation in blessing and praising God. You can use this as a litany with your kids. One person reads the regular text while your kids respond to the italicized words "Bless the Lord." It's a bit long, so you may want to shorten it if your kids are young. But as you pray through it, encourage them to think about all of the different parts of creation that are blessing and praising God. What would they add in? What part of creation most inspires them? This is a symphony and each part of creation is like its own instrument, offering its own song of praise to God!
Here's a way you can start your prayer together:
Lord God, we thank you for the beauty of all creation! Teach us, through all you have made, to see your eternal beauty. Help me to see the many ways you make yourself known to me especially in your great gift of creation, in the great gift of my family members and friends, and in your sacraments, especially the gift of your Body and Blood in the Eucharist. Help me, like this Wise Man, to acknowledge You and pursue you with great faith and trust.
Bless the Lord, all you works of the Lord;
Praise and exalt him above all forever.
Angels of the Lord, bless the Lord;
You heavens, bless the Lord;
All you waters above the heavens, bless the Lord.
All you hosts of the Lord; bless the Lord.
Sun and moon, bless the Lord;
Stars of heaven, bless the Lord.
Every shower and dew, bless the Lord;
All you winds, bless the Lord.
Fire and heat, bless the Lord;
Cold and chill, bless the Lord.
Dew and rain, bless the Lord;
Frost and cold, bless the Lord.
Ice and snow, bless the Lord;
Nights and days, bless the Lord.
Light and darkness bless the Lord;
Lightning and clouds, bless the Lord.
Let the earth bless the Lord;
Praise and exalt him above all forever.
Mountains and hills, bless the Lord;
Everything growing from the earth, bless the Lord.
You springs, bless the Lord;
Seas and rivers, bless the Lord.
You dolphins and all water creatures, bless the Lord;
All you birds of the air, bless the Lord.
All you beasts, wild and tame, bless the Lord;
Praise and exalt him above all forever.
You sons of men, bless the Lord;
O Israel, bless the Lord.
Priests of the Lord, bless the Lord;
Servants of the Lord, bless the Lord.
Spirits and souls of the just, bless the Lord;
Holy men of humble heart, bless the Lord.
Daniel 3:57-87
Dec 17, 2021
3 min

Episode 19: Augustus Caesar
"In those days a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be registered. This was the first registration when Quirinius was governor of Syria. And all went to be registered, each to his own town. And Joseph also went up from Galilee, from the town of Nazareth, to Judea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and lineage of David, to be registered with Mary, his betrothed, who was with child." Luke Chapter 2: verses 1 - 6
I am Augustus, the great emperor of Rome! There has never been an empire as great or as vast as mine. I am the one who decreed that there should be a census so that we could count every person. I wanted to know exactly how many people we ruled over and how many people we had conquered.
But I never imagined that God would use my census to fulfil his promise that the Messiah, Jesus, would be born in Bethlehem. I thought I was great! But God must be even greater that he could use my census to make sure that Joseph and Mary were in Bethlehem at just the right time.
During my life as emperor, I brought peace by crushing all our enemies. But this newborn King has come to bring a different, greater peace. During these days of Advent learn from me: there is a deeper and better peace that only the great God, Jesus, can bring. Let him fill your hearts with his peace this season!
Lord Jesus, help me to understand that it is in knowing you, loving you, and following you as your disciple that I find joy and peace. Life isn’t about the clothes I wear or how many sports I play or the games and toys that I have. These are good things, but they are not as important as you, Jesus. Only you can give lasting peace and joy to my heart. Help me to make you the center of my life by daily prayer and good deeds like loving my parents and siblings and being generous and kind to my neighbors. Amen.
Prayer Starter for Parents
Jesus came to bring us peace! Not just a peace on the outside (like the kind of peace we think of when everything is perfect and just the way we like it...) He came to give us peace on the inside, deep in our heart. It's the peace that comes when we are right with God and we know he's taking care of us, even if everything seems to be falling apart. Sometimes we try to force peace by making everything around us just the way we want it or like it. That's what Caesar Augustus tried! But then we spend all of our time and energy trying to control everything and it never really works. It's like playing a never-ending game of Whack-a-Mole as we try to beat down everything we don't like. There's no peace in that! The peace that Jesus came to give us is different. It's a deeper peace that doesn't depend on external circumstances. It's a peace in our hearts that comes from God alone.
Slowly pray through these verses with your kids during your prayer time today, to help them hear God's promise of peace:
Luke 2:14 “Glory to God in the highest
and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.”
John 14:27 "Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give it to you. Do not let your hearts be troubled or afraid."
Psalm 4:9 "In peace I will lie down and fall asleep,
for you alone, Lord, make me secure."
Psalm 29:11 "May the Lord bless his people with peace!"
And when we welcome this peace, it brings us contentment in every situation. Pray through these words of St. Paul:
"Rejoice in the Lord always. I shall say it again: rejoice! Your kindness should be known to all. The Lord is near. Have no anxiety at all, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, make your requests known to God. Then the peace of God that surpasses all understanding will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus... I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do all this through him who gives me strength." (Philippians 4:4-7,12-13)
Lord Jesus, King of Peace, come and bring your peace to our hearts today. Even when things aren't the way we would like it, help us to experience your peace in our hearts. Help us to know that we can be at peace even in situations that are hard or difficult. Only you can bring us this peace. Only you can give our hearts a peace that is beyond all understanding. Please give each of us and our whole family your gift of peace this Christmas. Amen.
Dec 16, 2021
3 min
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