"The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; those who dwelt in a land of deep darkness, on them a light has shined."
Isaiah 9:1
"And the angel said to them, 'Do not be afraid; for behold, I bring you good news of great joy which will be for all the people; for today in the city of David there has been born to you a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. This will be a sign for you: you will find a babe wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.” And suddenly there appeared with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host, praising God and saying,
'Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among men with whom He is pleased.'
When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, 'Let us go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has made known to us.'
So they left in haste, and found Mary and Joseph and the baby, who was lying in a manger. After they had seen the Child, they spread the message that they had received about Him. and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them.
And Mary treasured up all these things, and pondered them in her heart."
Luke 2:10-19
"Lost friend, lost child, lost parent, sister, brother, husband, wife, we will not so discard you. You shall hold your cherished places in our Christmas hearts, and by our Christmas fires; and in the season of immortal hope, and on the birthday of immortal mercy, we will shut out nothing."
Charles Dickens, What Christmas Is As We Grow Older, Household Words, 1851
“Man has places in his heart which do not yet exist— and into them enters suffering, so that they may have life.”
Léon Bloy
“Love endures everything, love is stronger than death, love fears nothing. Help me, Lord, that my eyes may see all with mercy, so that I may never suspect or judge from appearances, but look deeper for what is good and beautiful in others' souls, and then come to their aid. Let all my nothingness be drowned in the ocean of your mercy.”
Maria Faustyna Kowalska
"What does the modern world know of love, with its light touching of the surface of love. It has never reached down into the depths, to the misery and pain and glory of love which endures to death and beyond it. We have not yet begun to learn about love. Now is the time to begin, to start afresh, to use this divine weapon."
Dorothy Day, The Catholic Worker, June 1946
"And there was no room for them in the inn."
Make room for them in your hearts.
"Fear not, little flock, for your Father delights to give you welcome into His Kingdom."
Luke 12:32
"And so, God bless us, every one!"
Charles Dickens, A Christmas Carol
