A short reflection quoted in Archbishop Charles Chaput’s blog:
“We can have this mentality around Christmas. ‘Get more. Get merrier.’ And the stores and Internet are filled with the products that are filling people’s homes, all for the sake of getting happier. All so someone can know you love them because the price tag says so….
How would they react if they were told that there is one thing that will make them merriest, and it is free?
Would parents flock to the Cathedral if they learned that the priest is giving away the greatest gift of all starting at midnight, and doing it again at certain times listed in the bulletin? Would children leave their gifts under the tree for an hour longer if they could sit in the place of their spiritual rebirth and see a life-size scene of the first Christmas? Maybe the person in the advertisement can take off the virtual reality set and actually look at the world and see the love that is offered on that day.
The radio channels have been reminding us that this is ‘The Most Wonderful Time Of The Year.’ But one of my favorites is hearing George Michael sing, ‘Last Christmas, I gave you my heart,’ and thinking that maybe this year, entering the Church at midnight this Christmas Eve, and going up to the altar to receive Our Lord in the Blessed Sacrament, ‘This year…I’ll give it to someone special.'”
Our Lord comes and greets us with a new Christmas every time we go to Mass; so too, every time we pray. He eagerly awaits your Christmas joy as you encounter Him every time. So continue your joyous Christmas prayer by worshiping in the quiet of your home using this blog as a guide.
As you enter into this time of worship take a moment to pause and offer your heart to Christ. Allow His Spirit to flow over you and rest in the joy that your Savior has come.
To aid your worship, below are three simple steps and a set of Christmas songs that will help you ponder what a miracle it is that the Word has become Flesh.
I recommend setting aside half an hour in order to enter deeply into prayer and receive what the Lord has for you. Turn off the ringer on your phone and get a pen and paper (for Steps 2 and 3).
Step 1:
Begin in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Recognize that you are in his presence! Begin to praise him. Between songs, let your own words of worship flow out in English and/or in tongues.
Joyful, Joyful We Adore Thee – by Go Fish
God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen – Mercy Me
O Come All Ye Faithful – Casting Crowns
It Came Upon A Midnight Clear – Maranatha
Step 3:
Respond to what the Lord said or did in Step 2. What will you do with what he has just given you? How can you thank him? Writing down your response will help you to remember it and to act on it.
Enjoy your time of worship. This is what Jesus came for – to be with you.
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For more worship songs, see past year’s DIY Praise & Worship: Christmas Edition II or DIY Praise & Worship: Christmas Edition.
Bonus Songs:
You’re Here – Francesca Batistelli
Noel – Lauren Daigle
By Hannah Stroup, CTK’s Clerical Assistant
