A Prayer for Help against Sinning

Who will set a guard over my mouth, and upon my lips an effective seal, That I may not fail through them, that my tongue may not destroy me?

LORD, Father and Master of my life, permit me not to fall by them!

Who will apply the lash to my thoughts, to my mind the rod of discipline, That my failings may not be spared, nor the sins of my heart overlooked..........................

The Birth of Jesus

At that time the Emperor Caesar Augustus issued a decree for a census of the whole world to be taken. This first census was taken while Quirinius was governor of Syria. Everyone went to his own town to be registered. Joseph too set out from Nazareth of Galilee....

The Canticle of Zechariah

His father Zechariah, filled with the Holy Spirit, sang this Canticle: “Blessed be the Lord, the God of Israel, for he has come and redeemed his people. He has raised up for us a mighty Saviour in the house of David his servant, as he promised throughhis prophets of old, salvation from our enemies and from the hand of those who hate us....

The Birth of John the Baptist

 When the time came for Elizabeth, she gave birth to a son.  Her neighbors and relatives heard that the Lord had shown her such great mercy and they rejoiced with her. When on the eighth day they came to perform the circumcision of the child, they wanted to name him Zechariah after his father.  But his mother said, “Not so; he shall be called John.”  said to her, “No one in your family has that name;”  and they asked the father by means of signs for the name he wanted to give. ....

Mary's song of Praise

And Mary said: “My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord, “ my spirit exults in God my savior!  He has looked upon his servant in her lowliness, and from now on all generations will call me blessed. ‘ The Mighty One has done great things for me, . Holy is his Name! From age to age his mercy extends to those who live in his presence. ...