December 25, Nativity of the Lord

Forever I will sing the goodness of the Lord.-- Psalm 89:2

Mass readings: Vigil: Isaiah 62:1-5 / Acts 13:16-17,22-25 / Matthew 1:1-25 or 1:18-25; Midnight: Isaiah 9:1-6 / Titus 2:11-14 / Luke 2:1-14; Dawn: Isaiah 62:11-12 / Titus 3:4-7 / Luke 2:15-20; Day: Isaiah 52:7-10 / Hebrews 1:1-6 / John 1:1-18 or 1:1-5,9-14

A Gift for Jesus

Father Murphy was upset; the statue of the baby Jesus was missing from the nativity scene. It was determined young Johnny Gallagher had taken the Infant for a ride in his new red wagon. When the pastor asked the lad to explain, he simply said, ''Father, all through Advent I prayed for a wagon and when it arrived on Christmas I figured Jesus should get the first ride.'' Johnny understood the need to give something special to Our Lord.

Today we give gifts to family, friends, and others we love, but what can we give to Jesus? He wants and deserves us to be the best person we can be. May this be our gift to the newborn King.

Prayer: Jesus, thank You for coming to save me from sin.