Despite the fact that the rest of the world has already moved on, the Feast of the Baptism of the Lord is what really brings the Christmas season to a close! And Jesus’ Baptism should remind each one of us that we, too, belong to God – that we are chosen and beloved. It should remind us that every baptized person has the Spirit of God dwelling within us… even if we don’t always act that way! So, let’s change how we act! Let’s strive to be righteous, to be a light to the world, to bless the Lord at all times, and to do good. But how do we manage to do all of that?

This week's readings:
Gospel – Matthew 3: 13-17
1st Reading – Isaiah 42: 1-4, 6-7
Psalm 29
2nd Reading – Acts 10: 34-38

• (00:00:00) - Introduction & Prayer
• (00:01:21) - Gospel & Explanation
• (00:17:10) - First Reading & Explanation
• (00:28:41) - Psalm & Explanation
• (00:30:33) - Second Reading & Explanation
• (00:37:51) - Closing & Credits

Our modern culture has moved on! The Christmas season is over, decorations have been taken down, and stores are full of merchandise for football playoffs, the Olympics, and Valentine’s Day. The Church, however, has a different message. The Christmas season continues with this week’s Gospel which tells us the story of Wise Men from the east who left behind home, family, and security to search for a king led by a star in the night sky. Even though our journey wouldn’t be as difficult as theirs, would we be willing to risk our homes, our safety, and our lives to search diligently for Jesus? And upon finding him, would we allow ourselves to be changed by the experience?

This week's readings:
Gospel – Matthew 2: 1-12
1st Reading – Isaiah 60: 1-6
Psalm 72
2nd Reading – Ephesians 3: 2-3a, 5-6

• (00:00:00) - Introduction & Prayer
• (00:01:55) - Gospel & Explanation
• (00:21:02) - First Reading & Explanation
• (00:31:33) - Psalm & Explanation
• (00:35:52) - Second Reading & Explanation
• (00:44:17) - Closing & Credits

Every year, we are reminded of the perfection of the Holy Family: Jesus is the Son of God, Mary was conceived without sin, Joseph is a model of faith and obedience… but despite their perfection, even the Holy Family faced adversity. Our families can’t match their holiness, but we can learn from their example! There are plenty of things that will make us better people, better married couples, better parents, and better children. So, what are those things and how do we become better?

This week's readings:
Gospel – Matthew 2: 13-15, 19-23
1st Reading – Sirach 3: 2-6, 12-14
Psalm 128
2nd Reading – Colossians 3: 12-21

• (00:00:00) - Introduction & Prayer
• (00:01:50) - Gospel & Explanation
• (00:16:23) - First Reading & Explanation
• (00:31:56) - Psalm & Explanation
• (00:34:05) - Second Reading & Explanation
• (00:54:25) - Closing & Credits

Merry Christmas! Today, the Savior is born and God’s peace has come to reign upon the earth! My wish for you is that your holiday be filled with joy, laughter, smiles, love, and happiness.

The Christmas Gospels offer us many important lessons about the person of Jesus – who he is, what his heritage is, and how his birth came about. In the midst of our Christmas joy, we still need to ask ourselves who Jesus is to each one of us? Is he important to us beyond this day, this week, this season? And are we willing to take the time to get to know him better – to invite him into our hearts, our homes, and our lives?

The Christmas Gospel for Mass During the Day:
John 1: 1-18

• (00:00:00) - Introduction & Prayer
• (00:02:24) - Information about the Gospels
• (00:04:10) - Gospel for Mass During the Day from John
• (00:06:56) - Gospel Explained
• (00:26:09) - Closing & Credits

Merry Christmas! Today, the Savior is born and God’s peace has come to reign upon the earth! My wish for you is that your holiday be filled with joy, laughter, smiles, love, and happiness.

The Christmas Gospels offer us many important lessons about the person of Jesus – who he is, what his heritage is, and how his birth came about. In the midst of our Christmas joy, we still need to ask ourselves who Jesus is to each one of us? Is he important to us beyond this day, this week, this season? And are we willing to take the time to get to know him better – to invite him into our hearts, our homes, and our lives?

The Christmas Gospel for Mass at Dawn:
Luke 2: 15-20

• (00:00:00) - Introduction & Prayer
• (00:02:20) - Information about the Gospels
• (00:04:07) - Mass at Dawn Gospel from Luke
• (00:05:07) - Gospel Explained
• (00:11:49) - Closing & Credits

Merry Christmas! Today, the Savior is born and God’s peace has come to reign upon the earth! My wish for you is that your holiday be filled with joy, laughter, smiles, love, and happiness.

The Christmas Gospels offer us many important lessons about the person of Jesus – who he is, what his heritage is, and how his birth came about. In the midst of our Christmas joy, we still need to ask ourselves who Jesus is to each one of us? Is he important to us beyond this day, this week, this season? And are we willing to take the time to get to know him better – to invite him into our hearts, our homes, and our lives?

The Christmas Gospel for Mass at Midnight:
Luke 2: 1-14

• (00:00:00) - Introduction & Prayer
• (00:02:11) - Information about the Gospels
• (00:03:55) - Gospel for Mass at Night from Luke
• (00:06:08) - Gospel Explained
• (00:14:30) - Closing & Credits

Merry Christmas! Today, the Savior is born and God’s peace has come to reign upon the earth! My wish for you is that your holiday be filled with joy, laughter, smiles, love, and happiness.

The Christmas Gospels offer us many important lessons about the person of Jesus – who he is, what his heritage is, and how his birth came about. In the midst of our Christmas joy, we still need to ask ourselves who Jesus is to each one of us? Is he important to us beyond this day, this week, this season? And are we willing to take the time to get to know him better – to invite him into our hearts, our homes, and our lives?

The Christmas Gospel for the Vigil:
Matthew 1: 1-25

• (00:00:00) - Introduction & Prayer
• (00:02:21) - Information about the Gospels
• (00:04:10) - Vigil Gospel from Matthew
• (00:08:31) - Purpose of the Genealogy
• (00:11:32) - Tamar Explained
• (00:13:25) - Rahab Explained
• (00:14:44) - Ruth Explained
• (00:17:56) - Uriah's Wife Explained
• (00:19:42) - Mary (briefly) Explained
• (00:20:50) - Genealogy Facts & Figures
• (00:23:30) - Nativity Explained
• (00:28:58) - Closing & Credits

On this final Sunday of Advent, we hear an angel tell Joseph, in a dream, that he should take Mary, his betrothed who is already pregnant with a son, into his home since this fulfills a prophecy in Scripture. The faith required to undertake that mission, in the stark light of day, is astounding. We, too, are just days away from welcoming that same Jesus into our divided world, but do we have the purity of heart to do so? Paul reminds us that we are all called to belong to Jesus… that we are all called to be saints… but are we willing?

This week's readings:
Gospel – Matthew 1: 18-24
1st Reading – Isaiah 7: 10-14
Psalm 24
2nd Reading – Romans 1: 1-7

• (00:00:00) - Introduction & Prayer
• (00:02:01) - Gospel & Explanation
• (00:12:49) - First Reading & Explanation
• (00:19:15) - Psalm & Explanation
• (00:21:33) - Second Reading & Explanation
• (00:32:43) - Closing & Credits