lifesitenews--2020-12-24--Merry Christmas from LifeSiteNews!

Merry Christmas from LifeSiteNews!

Every year on Christmas Eve , LifeSite publishes Christmas reflections written by our staff and contributors .
The year 2020 has been one of enormous growth for us and thus we are publishing far more Christmas reflections than in years past .
We encourage you to read these pieces , many of which are personal and all of which are thoughtful , as you celebrate Christmastide .
We have also included a link to a recap of 2020 by His Excellency Archbishop Carlo Maria Viganò .
LifeSiteNews will be taking a much-needed break to celebrate Christmas until January 4 , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ very merry Christmas !
‘ We are not alone ’ : A 2020 recap by Archbishop Viganò Feeling anxious this Christmas ?
It ’ s time to say ‘ Jesus , I trust in You ’ – Emily Mangiaracina The first Christmas was also uncomfortable and full of hardship – Dorothy Cummings McLean Where God reveals Himself to us in a Christmas under oppression – David McLoone The earthly and heavenly rituals of Christmas – Jeanne Smits Did Communism ever die ?
Our current crisis in light of Our Lady of Fatima – @ @ @ @ @ @ @ best dada ’ : The spirit of Christmas is marriage – Drew Belsky A look back at Pope Benedict XVI ’ s 2007 homily on ‘ the mystery of Christmas ’ in ‘ a polluted world whose future is at risk ’ – Raymond Wolfe 2020 was a year of clarity – about a lot of things – Claire Chretien Why midnight Mass is my greatest joy at Christmas – Michael Haynes A Christmas like no other in the USA : We are all activists now – Doug Mainwaring The miracle of Christmas @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and how my babies redeemed me – Tory Belsky Why I thank Baby Jesus for bringing me to work at LifeSite – Piero Maresca Christ ’ s birth teaches us to seek humility in all things , even when we ’ re personally attacked – Stephen Kokx In spite of this year ’ s trials , let ’ s rejoice with Our Lady this Christmas – Karolyn Heffernan Charity is growing cold in the world .
Jesus comes at Christmas to rekindle the fire – Lianne Laurence Lockdowns be darned !
Spend Christmas @ @ @ @ @ @ @ can not stop God visiting each of us this Christmas – Avery Qua COVID rules ruining your Christmas ?
Government interfered in celebration of first Christmas too – Pete Baklinski Contemplating the Incarnation of the Son of God with sacred art – Patrick Delaney Proof God ’ s in charge : How I got a new life in 2020 – Walter Willits A full cradle and an empty grave : Christmas is the opposite of abortion – Jonathon Van Maren

Dear readers, Every year on Christmas Eve, LifeSite publishes Christmas reflections written by our staff and contributors. The year 2020 has been one of enormous growth for us and thus we are publishing far more Christmas reflections than in years past. We encourage you to read these pieces, many of which are personal and all of which are thoughtful, as you celebrate Christmastide. We have also included a link to a recap of 2020 by His Excellency Archbishop Carlo Maria Viganò. LifeSiteNews will be taking a much-needed break to celebrate Christmas until January 4, 2021. We wish you all a very […]
Dear readers,
Every year on Christmas Eve, LifeSite publishes Christmas reflections written by our staff and contributors. The year 2020 has been one of enormous growth for us and thus we are publishing far more Christmas reflections than in years past. We encourage you to read these pieces, many of which are personal and all of which are thoughtful, as you celebrate Christmastide. We have also included a link to a recap of 2020 by His Excellency Archbishop Carlo Maria Viganò.
LifeSiteNews will be taking a much-needed break to celebrate Christmas until January 4, 2021. We wish you all a very merry Christmas!
2020 Christmas reflections
‘We are not alone’: A 2020 recap by Archbishop Viganò
Brothers in arms – John-Henry Westen
Feeling anxious this Christmas? It’s time to say ‘Jesus, I trust in You’ – Emily Mangiaracina
The first Christmas was also uncomfortable and full of hardship – Dorothy Cummings McLean
Where God reveals Himself to us in a Christmas under oppression – David McLoone
The earthly and heavenly rituals of Christmas – Jeanne Smits
Did Communism ever die? Our current crisis in light of Our Lady of Fatima – Dr. Maike Hickson
‘Best mama, best dada’: The spirit of Christmas is marriage – Drew Belsky
A look back at Pope Benedict XVI’s 2007 homily on ‘the mystery of Christmas’ in ‘a polluted world whose future is at risk’ – Raymond Wolfe
2020 was a year of clarity – about a lot of things – Claire Chretien
Why midnight Mass is my greatest joy at Christmas – Michael Haynes
A Christmas like no other in the USA: We are all activists now – Doug Mainwaring
The miracle of Christmas: How a baby redeemed the world and how my babies redeemed me – Tory Belsky
Why I thank Baby Jesus for bringing me to work at LifeSite – Piero Maresca
Christ’s birth teaches us to seek humility in all things, even when we’re personally attacked – Stephen Kokx
A skipped Christmas – Vicky Whisenant
In spite of this year’s trials, let’s rejoice with Our Lady this Christmas – Karolyn Heffernan
Charity is growing cold in the world. Jesus comes at Christmas to rekindle the fire – Lianne Laurence
Lockdowns be darned! Spend Christmas with your families – Anthony Murdoch
Lockdowns cannot stop God visiting each of us this Christmas – Avery Qua
COVID rules ruining your Christmas? Government interfered in celebration of first Christmas too – Pete Baklinski
In the desolate places – Heather Holmes
Contemplating the Incarnation of the Son of God with sacred art – Patrick Delaney
Born out of humility – Alejandro Rodriguez
Proof God’s in charge: How I got a new life in 2020 – Walter Willits
A full cradle and an empty grave: Christmas is the opposite of abortion – Jonathon Van Maren
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lifesitenews--2020-12-24--UK hospital removes food, water from unconscious Polish Catholic euthanasia victim on Christmas Eve

POLAND , December 24 , 2020 ( LifeSiteNews ) — The sister of a man effectively sentenced to death by euthanasia by an appeals court yesterday has reached out to LifeSiteNews to say that her brother was not as ill as has been reported .
During yesterday ’ s court session , it was stated that the man , known only as RS or P , was in a coma .
His sister rejects this statement .
“ He is not on a respirator , ” she wrote from Poland .
“ He is breathing on his own.
” There @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Kingdom on the name of all the parties in the case .
LifeSite was independently able to confirm the sister ’ s identity .
As LifeSiteNews reported yesterday , a middle-aged Polish man , publicly known only as “ RS ” or “ P ” and who suffered brain damage after a heart attack , is lying in hospital in England .
The hospital responsible for his care successfully petitioned a court for permission to discontinue life-sustaining treatment .
The patient ’ s wife of 17 years supports the hospital ’ s wish @ @ @ @ @ @ @ patient ’ s mother and sisters do not , citing RS ’ s deeply held pro-life Catholic beliefs .
RS ’ s sister told LifeSiteNews today that the hospital has now disconnected her brother ’ s water supply .
“ We asked the hospital to wait for Mama , so she could say good-bye , ” she wrote .
“ They didn ’ t wait.
” “ My brother was a very religious and conservative man , ” RS ’ s sister told LifeSiteNews via email .
“ He went to church and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a Catholic high school .
He went to [ the shrine at ] Częstochowa and to the Vatican .
He had a photo from a personal audience with Pope John Paul II , of which he was very proud.
” RS ’ s sister told LifeSiteNews that RS regretted that he could no longer receive the sacraments after marrying a woman had been married previously .
RS had considered possibilities for grounds for the annulment of his wife ’ s first marriage , the primary one being that she had been forced into @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , RS continued to go to Mass .
“ [ My sister-in-law ] herself said that [ RS ] went to church at least once a month , ” his sister wrote .
“ He couldn ’ t go more often because he worked a night shift.
” Meanwhile , RS ’ s sister insists that RS did not want to suffer the same fate as the late Alfie Evans .
She told LifeSiteNews that he had been “ outraged ” by Alfie ’ s fate .
“ [ My brother ] often @ @ @ @ @ @ @ outraged by the Alfie Evans case , ” she stated .
“ He did not agree that the courts and doctors could decide to pull the plug on someone .
He criticized the judges who sentenced Alfie to death.
” Ironically , one of the appeal courts justices who turned down a final appeal by Alfie Evans ’ father to continue his son ’ s life-sustaining treatment , Lady Justice King , was one of the two judges yesterday who turned down RS ’ s birth family ’ s application to appeal Justice @ @ @ @ @ @ @ treatment for RS .
RS ’ s sister told LifeSiteNews that she believed her sister-in-law was lying when she told the court that her brother “ would not want to be a burden.
” “ Really , she said herself that he was very pro-life , and that he had said once that if he was in a similar situation , everything should be done to save his life , ” she said .
“ That was compatible with his views.
” Like Alfie ’ s mother and father , RS ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ medical opinions that dying was in their loved one ’ s “ best interests.
” RS ’ s sister told LifeSiteNews that they had shown a neurologist a video of their brother , and he had told them that his condition might improve .
“ We can not have a normal consultation because the hospital does not allow us , ” she said .
“ He is not connected to a ventilator ; he is breathing on his own .
Yesterday they disconnected him from nutrition , despite us asking doctors if they @ @ @ @ @ @ @ arrive , so that she could say good-bye.
” RS ’ s sister said that the family wanted to take him back to Poland , but the hospital would not agree .
RS , who was born in Poland , has lived in the southwestern UK only since 2006 .
His sister , who still lives in Poland , characterized her brother as a caring family man who was overworked , both working a night shift and caring for his children at home .
She said his wife was not employed .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s wife had lied to the court about she and RS ’ s birth family not knowing each other and in saying that her mother-in-law was not interested in her children .
“ Mama always asked my brother about her grandchildren , and she was sorry she had little contact with them , ” the sister said .
Meanwhile , RS ’ s mother had made the acquaintance of RS ’ s wife and had met with her in their native Polish city .
She had been at her daughter-in-law 's family home @ @ @ @ @ @ @ grandson ’ s First Communion party .
RS ’ s sister had also met RS ’ s wife many times , including at RS ’ s father ’ s funeral .
She said that RS ’ s other sister had also been to RS ’ s wife ’ s family home many times and was godmother to RS ’ s son .
RS ’ s sister also stated that her sister-in-law was not interested in contacting RS ’ s birth family and that the marriage was not a happy one .
“ She @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , ” she said .
“ We don ’ t know why .
She also wouldn ’ t allow him to bring the children to see us.
” “ From my brother 's stories , I know that he was not happy with her , ” the sister continued .
“ She had strange , hysterical outbursts at [ RS ] and the children .
She fainted ‘ on demand ’ ( hyperventilating ) .
She would frighten the children with stories that she would run away , or she made scenes in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and the children kneel and apologize to her .
”

The man's parents and siblings fought to preserve the life of their beloved son and brother.
POLAND, December 24, 2020 (LifeSiteNews) — The sister of a man effectively sentenced to death by euthanasia by an appeals court yesterday has reached out to LifeSiteNews to say that her brother was not as ill as has been reported.
During yesterday’s court session, it was stated that the man, known only as RS or P, was in a coma. His sister rejects this statement.
“He is not on a respirator,” she wrote from Poland.
“He is breathing on his own.”
There is a publication ban in the United Kingdom on the name of all the parties in the case. LifeSite was independently able to confirm the sister’s identity.
As LifeSiteNews reported yesterday, a middle-aged Polish man, publicly known only as “RS” or “P” and who suffered brain damage after a heart attack, is lying in hospital in England. The hospital responsible for his care successfully petitioned a court for permission to discontinue life-sustaining treatment. The patient’s wife of 17 years supports the hospital’s wish to discontinue treatment. However, the patient’s mother and sisters do not, citing RS’s deeply held pro-life Catholic beliefs.
RS’s sister told LifeSiteNews today that the hospital has now disconnected her brother’s water supply. “We asked the hospital to wait for Mama, so she could say good-bye,” she wrote. “They didn’t wait.”
“My brother was a very religious and conservative man,” RS’s sister told LifeSiteNews via email.
“He went to church and received the sacraments. He studied at a Catholic high school. He went to [the shrine at] Częstochowa and to the Vatican. He had a photo from a personal audience with Pope John Paul II, of which he was very proud.”
RS’s sister told LifeSiteNews that RS regretted that he could no longer receive the sacraments after marrying a woman had been married previously. RS had considered possibilities for grounds for the annulment of his wife’s first marriage, the primary one being that she had been forced into the union by her mother. Meanwhiles, RS continued to go to Mass.
“[My sister-in-law] herself said that [RS] went to church at least once a month,” his sister wrote.
“He couldn’t go more often because he worked a night shift.”
Meanwhile, RS’s sister insists that RS did not want to suffer the same fate as the late Alfie Evans. She told LifeSiteNews that he had been “outraged” by Alfie’s fate.
“[My brother] often commented on political events. He was outraged by the Alfie Evans case,” she stated.
“He did not agree that the courts and doctors could decide to pull the plug on someone. He criticized the judges who sentenced Alfie to death.”
Ironically, one of the appeal courts justices who turned down a final appeal by Alfie Evans’ father to continue his son’s life-sustaining treatment, Lady Justice King, was one of the two judges yesterday who turned down RS’s birth family’s application to appeal Justice Cohen’s decision to stop life-sustaining treatment for RS.
RS’s sister told LifeSiteNews that she believed her sister-in-law was lying when she told the court that her brother “would not want to be a burden.”
“Really, she said herself that he was very pro-life, and that he had said once that if he was in a similar situation, everything should be done to save his life,” she said.
“That was compatible with his views.”
Like Alfie’s mother and father, RS’s mother and sisters didn't agree with medical opinions that dying was in their loved one’s “best interests.” RS’s sister told LifeSiteNews that they had shown a neurologist a video of their brother, and he had told them that his condition might improve.
“We cannot have a normal consultation because the hospital does not allow us,” she said.
“He is not connected to a ventilator; he is breathing on his own. Yesterday they disconnected him from nutrition, despite us asking doctors if they would hold back until my mother could arrive, so that she could say good-bye.”
RS’s sister said that the family wanted to take him back to Poland, but the hospital would not agree. RS, who was born in Poland, has lived in the southwestern UK only since 2006. His sister, who still lives in Poland, characterized her brother as a caring family man who was overworked, both working a night shift and caring for his children at home. She said his wife was not employed.
The sister also stated that her brother’s wife had lied to the court about she and RS’s birth family not knowing each other and in saying that her mother-in-law was not interested in her children.
“Mama always asked my brother about her grandchildren, and she was sorry she had little contact with them,” the sister said.
Meanwhile, RS’s mother had made the acquaintance of RS’s wife and had met with her in their native Polish city. She had been at her daughter-in-law's family home for the wedding and also for her grandson’s First Communion party. RS’s sister had also met RS’s wife many times, including at RS’s father’s funeral. She said that RS’s other sister had also been to RS’s wife’s family home many times and was godmother to RS’s son.
RS’s sister also stated that her sister-in-law was not interested in contacting RS’s birth family and that the marriage was not a happy one.
“She didn’t want to contact us,” she said. “We don’t know why. She also wouldn’t allow him to bring the children to see us.”
“From my brother's stories, I know that he was not happy with her,” the sister continued.
“She had strange, hysterical outbursts at [RS] and the children. She fainted ‘on demand’ (hyperventilating). She would frighten the children with stories that she would run away, or she made scenes in the street and made [RS] and the children kneel and apologize to her.”
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lifesitenews--2020-12-24--LifeSite wishes you a Merry Christmas!

LifeSite wishes you a Merry Christmas!

December 24 , 2020 ( LifeSiteNews ) – On behalf of all of us here at LifeSiteNews , I wanted @ @ @ @ @ families a happy and holy Christmas .
Please know that LifeSite will be back on @ @ @ @ @ taking a much needed break .
Until then , you can read all of the @ @ @ @ @ over the last several days , especially our annual Christmas reflections , which can be @ @ @ @ @ Many of our staff have contributed their own personal reflections this Christmas for you to @ @ @ @ @ be a blessing for you and your families !
Again , for all of us @ @ @ @ @ God bless you and may you have a happy and holy Christmas .

December 24, 2020 (LifeSiteNews) – On behalf of all of us here at LifeSiteNews, I wanted to wish you and your families a happy and holy Christmas.
Please know that LifeSite will be back on January 4th. We're taking a much needed break.
Until then, you can read all of the coverage we’ve produced over the last several days, especially our annual Christmas reflections, which can be read by clicking here.
Many of our staff have contributed their own personal reflections this Christmas for you to enjoy. May their writings be a blessing for you and your families!
Again, for all of us here at LifeSiteNews, may God bless you and may you have a happy and holy Christmas.
Follow John-Henry John-Henry is the co-founder and editor-in-chief of LifeSiteNews.com. He and his wife Dianne and their eight children live in the Ottawa Valley in Ontario, Canada. He has spoken at conferences and retreats, and appeared on radio and television throughout North America, Europe and Asia. John-Henry founded the Rome Life Forum an annual strategy meeting for pro-life leaders worldwide. He co-founded Voice of the Family and serves on the executive of the Canadian National March for Life Committee, and the annual National Pro-Life Youth Conference. He is a consultant to Canada’s largest pro-life organization Campaign Life Coalition, and serves on the executive of the Ontario branch of the organization. He has run three times for political office in the province of Ontario representing the Family Coalition Party. John-Henry earned an MA from the University of Toronto in School and Child Clinical Psychology and an Honours BA from York University in Psychology.
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lifesitenews--2020-12-24--A full cradle and an empty grave: Christmas is the opposite of abortion

Decemer 24 , 2020 ( LifeSiteNews ) – Each year , abortion groups celebrate the season by requesting donations and wishing everyone happy holidays .
It is always ironic to see the spiritual descendants of Herod twist themselves into knots to acknowledge Christmas without being too religious , but I suppose it is also understandable .
Nobody likes being left out , even those who spend the rest of the year dispatching God ’ s tiny gifts to the next world with scalpels and suction aspirators .
This year , one abortion worker attempted to get particularly festive by topping @ @ @ @ @ @ @ or a star , but with a set of serrated forceps used to clamp on baby limbs and destroy baby bodies .
But there are other reasons abortion groups have such a complicated relationship with Christmas .
Mary ’ s welcoming of an unexpected Child as a gift ( indeed , to the whole world ) is not the sort of story abortion activists wish to tell .
Indeed , every year around this time some of the angrier feticide fans post memes fantasizing about the Virgin Mary having an abortion , revealing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are nearly always inextricably intertwined .
Abortion ideology is predicated on the idea that we must not sacrifice for others , and the Christmas story is the ultimate rebuke to that idea .
There is also the fact that when the Word became flesh , God Himself became a pre-born child .
God became a zygote , an embryo , a fetus , and a baby .
It is unfathomable to our puny minds to understand how the Creator of the universe could have entered the world as a tiny , helpless Child @ @ @ @ @ @ @ nonetheless true .
When Elizabeth , carrying John the Baptist below her heart , met Mary the Mother of God , her child—then a fetus—leapt in the womb to greet his Saviour , also a child in the womb .
What are abortion activists to do with this story ?
Even the language abortion activists use reflects the fact that their worldview is antithetical to the Christmas message .
This is my body , broken for you , said the Savior .
My body , my choice—and we will sacrifice any who interfere @ @ @ @ @ @ @ activists .
The abortion worldview is merely a perverse inversion of the Gospel message , the triumph of selfishness and bloodshed over innocence and beauty .
They will deny it .
They try to dress up their message in the language of rights .
But the truth is incontrovertible .
The result of an abortion is a dead baby .
That is the point of abortion .
That is why people get them .
When abortion activists , who traffic in death , misery , and regret , wish everyone a happy holidays @ @ @ @ @ @ @ rings hollow .
The abortion industry is responsible for millions of empty places at millions of tables .
Their forceps and needles have stopped hearts and broken hearts , and the holiday season often reminds those who made this awful choice of those who are not with them .
Planned Parenthood and their abortion allies have it all wrong .
Success , to an abortion activist , is an empty cradle and a full grave .
The essence of the Christmas story is a full cradle and an empty grave .

Decemer 24, 2020 (LifeSiteNews) – Each year, abortion groups celebrate the season by requesting donations and wishing everyone happy holidays. It is always ironic to see the spiritual descendants of Herod twist themselves into knots to acknowledge Christmas without being too religious, but I suppose it is also understandable. Nobody likes being left out, even those who spend the rest of the year dispatching God’s tiny gifts to the next world with scalpels and suction aspirators. This year, one abortion worker attempted to get particularly festive by topping a Christmas tree not with an angel or a star, but with […]
Decemer 24, 2020 (LifeSiteNews) – Each year, abortion groups celebrate the season by requesting donations and wishing everyone happy holidays. It is always ironic to see the spiritual descendants of Herod twist themselves into knots to acknowledge Christmas without being too religious, but I suppose it is also understandable. Nobody likes being left out, even those who spend the rest of the year dispatching God’s tiny gifts to the next world with scalpels and suction aspirators. This year, one abortion worker attempted to get particularly festive by topping a Christmas tree not with an angel or a star, but with a set of serrated forceps used to clamp on baby limbs and destroy baby bodies.
But there are other reasons abortion groups have such a complicated relationship with Christmas. Mary’s welcoming of an unexpected Child as a gift (indeed, to the whole world) is not the sort of story abortion activists wish to tell. Indeed, every year around this time some of the angrier feticide fans post memes fantasizing about the Virgin Mary having an abortion, revealing that abortion advocacy and hatred of Christianity are nearly always inextricably intertwined. Abortion ideology is predicated on the idea that we must not sacrifice for others, and the Christmas story is the ultimate rebuke to that idea.
There is also the fact that when the Word became flesh, God Himself became a pre-born child. God became a zygote, an embryo, a fetus, and a baby. It is unfathomable to our puny minds to understand how the Creator of the universe could have entered the world as a tiny, helpless Child in the womb, but it is nonetheless true. When Elizabeth, carrying John the Baptist below her heart, met Mary the Mother of God, her child—then a fetus—leapt in the womb to greet his Saviour, also a child in the womb. What are abortion activists to do with this story?
Even the language abortion activists use reflects the fact that their worldview is antithetical to the Christmas message. This is my body, broken for you, said the Savior. My body, my choice—and we will sacrifice any who interfere with our lives, say the abortion activists. The abortion worldview is merely a perverse inversion of the Gospel message, the triumph of selfishness and bloodshed over innocence and beauty. They will deny it. They try to dress up their message in the language of rights. But the truth is incontrovertible. The result of an abortion is a dead baby. That is the point of abortion. That is why people get them.
When abortion activists, who traffic in death, misery, and regret, wish everyone a happy holidays, I suspect they know that it rings hollow. The abortion industry is responsible for millions of empty places at millions of tables. Their forceps and needles have stopped hearts and broken hearts, and the holiday season often reminds those who made this awful choice of those who are not with them. Planned Parenthood and their abortion allies have it all wrong. Success, to an abortion activist, is an empty cradle and a full grave. The essence of the Christmas story is a full cradle and an empty grave.
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lifesitenews--2020-12-24--New French law proposing sanitary dictatorship temporarily retracted

December 24 , 2020 ( LifeSiteNews ) — A draft law aiming to exclude Parliament from voting on sanitary crisis and emergency measures and to allow the government to place social restrictions on people who will not have received a vaccine was “ withdrawn ” in France within 24 hours of having been presented and included in the agenda of the National Assembly , according to a declaration by health minister Olivier Véran Tuesday evening on a televised news show .
The proposed law , which bears the signature of prime minister Jean Castex , set off a wave of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ COVID-19 crisis , politicians from several parties and some of the mainstream media joined those who are rejected as “ conspiracy theorists ” in slamming the government ’ s dictatorial tendencies and accusing it of lying .
The text would probably have gone unnoticed had it not been for the watchfulness of Marine Le Pen , head of the “ Rassemblement national ” ; her niece , Marion Maréchal , who is a former “ Front National ” deputy at the National Assembly ; and Florial Philippot , a former member of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a small right-wing party , “ Les Patriotes.
” All three tweeted their anger at the government maneuver that looks dangerously like the implementation of a “ green passport ” regarding COVID-19 : a kind of social credit system of Communist China fame by which ordinary citizens would be obliged to comply with government rules in order to travel , hold certain jobs , go to restaurants or bars , and so on .
The “ green passport ” idea was touted on Monday — on the same day that Castex submitted his @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the National Assembly , Valérie Six .
She gave the example of Israel , suggesting that following that country ’ s lead , France could give all vaccinated citizens a certificate that would allow them to “ enter cultural venues , restaurants , in a word to recover a normal life.
” Creating a “ green passport ” or requiring proof of vaccination would be the equivalent of present measures demanding that travelers from the U.K. to France present a negative COVID-19 test , commented one journalist attempting to downplay fears about @ @ @ @ @ @ @ no difference between being free of a virus and receiving a controversial genic therapy shot such as the anti-COVID-19 mRNA “ vaccines.
” Jean Castex ’ s law creating a “ lasting regime for sanitary crisis management ” would in reality establish a never-ending right for the government to take freedom-restricting measures in “ sanitary crises ” — one step away from the “ sanitary emergency ” it also aims to regulate — without institutional control .
The French Council of State had already greenlighted the text before it was presented to Parliament @ @ @ @ @ @ @ undue limitations to public liberties and accusations of abuse of power .
Under the “ crisis regime , ” preceding a possible sanitary emergency or following an effective one , a mere decree published by the government would allow the minister of health to order isolation and quarantines for people suspected of carrying an infectious disease .
The “ state of sanitary crisis ” would be decided for two months and would be renewable twice , and even beyond , provided that after six months of this situation , the government would present @ @ @ @ @ @ @ reasons for the prolongation .
Isolation and quarantine would take place at home or in a “ suitable place ” according to the choice of the patient — real or presumed — but the draft law provides for legal recourse , obliging a “ judge of liberties and detention ” who normally evaluates the correct application of prison sentences to examine demands of this new sort of detainees who wish to dispute their temporary removal from society .
This might be seen as a guarantee , but on the other hand , it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ disturbing light , likening them to forced detention .
Many other powers would be at the government ’ s hands in order to “ prevent the spread of an infection , ” such as fixing maximum prices for certain goods and requisitioning “ persons ” and “ goods.
” Under permanent “ sanitary emergency ” rules , applicable when a “ sanitary catastrophe ” imperils the health of the population , the government would also institute the emergency status , in this case for one month , by an executive decree without parliamentary @ @ @ @ @ @ @ required if it were to be renewed after such a time .
It is under this regime that the prime minister would be allowed to place restrictions on circulation of persons and vehicles and on access to public transport , ban people from leaving their homes , close meeting places and buildings receiving the public , prohibit assembly in the streets , and “ adopt any other measure limiting freedom of enterprise.
” This is where the law says the prime minister can submit the right of people to use means of transport @ @ @ @ @ @ @ engage in certain activities , to the presentation of a negative screening text or proof of curative or preventive treatment , including proof of vaccination .
As the law is worded , the prime minister could choose among these conditions .
This created outrage because Emmanuel Macron , the French president , has assured that the vaccine would not be compulsory .
Many see this mention of the vaccine as a possible prerequisite for travel , work , and leisure as a back-door way to oblige people to submit to the vaccine , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ according to recent polls , has no intention whatever of taking the COVID-19 shot .
Although the government has claimed that the law simply aims to codify and synthesize measures that have been taken during the past nine months of COVID-19 crisis , and to clarify who can do what in view of possible future sanitary catastrophes , the law clearly appears to favor a systematic power-grab in favor of the executive for an indefinite period .
This is especially worrisome in that the notion of a “ sanitary catastrophe ” is hardly @ @ @ @ @ @ @ listed in France were genuinely attributable to the Wuhan virus , that would mean there is less than a 1 in 10,000 risk of dying of the disease , and then only if one is very old or in very bad health .
The law would also allow public health authorities to collect sanitary data without patient consent , for “ anonymized ” use .
Political figures from the right and center-right , but also former members of the presidential LREM ( La République en marche ) party and at least one figurehead @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , protested vehemently against the text , underscoring the way in which the government is circumnavigating its promise not to oblige the French to take the COVID-19 “ vaccine.
” On Tuesday evening , less than 24 hours after Castex presented his law on Monday evening , the outrage was so widespread that the health minister , Véran , announced the government ’ s decision to backpedal .
Speaking on the public-funded news station LCI , he said : “ In the present context , when confidence is necessary for the French to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and because we are still in a state of sanitary crisis , because there is a curfew , the government will not propose this law to parliament before several months , before we will be out of this crisis [ . ]
...
It ’ s not the correct time .
I repeat : the anti-COVID vaccine will not be compulsory.
” It was a clear admission of defeat in the face of growing anger against COVID-19 measures .
While many citizens are visibly still under pressure from daily government fear-mongering reports in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Castex ’ s attempt to increase the tyrannical powers of the state is unprecedented .
The question now is to know whether Véran ’ s announcement was true .
Critics have published present screenshots of the National Assembly ’ s upcoming agenda from which the draft law has not been removed and would appear to come before the deputies by January .
To be sure , Parliament has gone into a short recess for the festive season , but Véran did say the withdrawal was temporary .
A former LREM member , a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ COVID-19 , National Assembly member Martine Wonner , tweeted on Wednesday : “ No trust at all because the inscription on the agenda of the Assembly is still effective at least until January 6th.
” She also noted that a controversial measure barring people from publishing un-blurred images of law enforcement officers that was originally included in a security law has also been removed , only to reappear in another law fighting “ separatism.
” “ They just do whatever , ” she said .
LifeSiteNews has produced an extensive COVID-19 vaccines resources @ @ @ @ @ @

The law was pulled after intense nationwide outrage, but French commentators are not confident that it is gone for good.
Analysis
December 24, 2020 (LifeSiteNews) — A draft law aiming to exclude Parliament from voting on sanitary crisis and emergency measures and to allow the government to place social restrictions on people who will not have received a vaccine was “withdrawn” in France within 24 hours of having been presented and included in the agenda of the National Assembly, according to a declaration by health minister Olivier Véran Tuesday evening on a televised news show.
The proposed law, which bears the signature of prime minister Jean Castex, set off a wave of outrage, and for once in the COVID-19 crisis, politicians from several parties and some of the mainstream media joined those who are rejected as “conspiracy theorists” in slamming the government’s dictatorial tendencies and accusing it of lying.
The text would probably have gone unnoticed had it not been for the watchfulness of Marine Le Pen, head of the “Rassemblement national”; her niece, Marion Maréchal, who is a former “Front National” deputy at the National Assembly; and Florial Philippot, a former member of the F.N. now at the head of a small right-wing party, “Les Patriotes.” All three tweeted their anger at the government maneuver that looks dangerously like the implementation of a “green passport” regarding COVID-19: a kind of social credit system of Communist China fame by which ordinary citizens would be obliged to comply with government rules in order to travel, hold certain jobs, go to restaurants or bars, and so on.
The “green passport” idea was touted on Monday — on the same day that Castex submitted his draft law — by a centrist member of the National Assembly, Valérie Six. She gave the example of Israel, suggesting that following that country’s lead, France could give all vaccinated citizens a certificate that would allow them to “enter cultural venues, restaurants, in a word to recover a normal life.”
Creating a “green passport” or requiring proof of vaccination would be the equivalent of present measures demanding that travelers from the U.K. to France present a negative COVID-19 test, commented one journalist attempting to downplay fears about the law, as if there were no difference between being free of a virus and receiving a controversial genic therapy shot such as the anti-COVID-19 mRNA “vaccines.”
Jean Castex’s law creating a “lasting regime for sanitary crisis management” would in reality establish a never-ending right for the government to take freedom-restricting measures in “sanitary crises” — one step away from the “sanitary emergency” it also aims to regulate — without institutional control. The French Council of State had already greenlighted the text before it was presented to Parliament, thus practically pre-empting future complaints regarding undue limitations to public liberties and accusations of abuse of power.
Under the “crisis regime,” preceding a possible sanitary emergency or following an effective one, a mere decree published by the government would allow the minister of health to order isolation and quarantines for people suspected of carrying an infectious disease. The “state of sanitary crisis” would be decided for two months and would be renewable twice, and even beyond, provided that after six months of this situation, the government would present a report to Parliament setting out the reasons for the prolongation.
Isolation and quarantine would take place at home or in a “suitable place” according to the choice of the patient — real or presumed — but the draft law provides for legal recourse, obliging a “judge of liberties and detention” who normally evaluates the correct application of prison sentences to examine demands of this new sort of detainees who wish to dispute their temporary removal from society. This might be seen as a guarantee, but on the other hand, it does put isolation and quarantine in a disturbing light, likening them to forced detention.
Many other powers would be at the government’s hands in order to “prevent the spread of an infection,” such as fixing maximum prices for certain goods and requisitioning “persons” and “goods.”
— Article continues below Petition — SIGN: Join petition calling for a stop to COVID vaccine testing in Europe Show Petition Text 16601 have signed the petition. Let's get to 17500 ! Thank you for signing this petition! Add your signature: Show Petition Text Country... State... Sign this Petition Concerns over the health and safety of the human test subjects in Pfizer's European COVID vaccine study have caused two eminent doctors to launch a petition calling for an immediate halt to those studies. On December 1, 2020, Dr. Michael Yeadon, an ex chief of research at Pfizer and Dr. Wolfgang Wodarg, a lung specialist and former department head of public health lodged an appeal to the EMA, the European Medicine Agency responsible for approving drugs across the EU, asking them to suspend the ongoing Pfizer/BioNtech COVID vaccine study on BNT162b (EudraCT number 2020-002641-42). LifeSite is joining Drs. Yeadon and Wodarg in their call for an immediate suspension of this study and we are encouraging people to co-sign their petition to the EMA which is to be found in the petition section on this page. Please SIGN and SHARE this important petition, and then please contact the EMA at the address listed below, in the 'For More Information' section. In their application to the EMA, Drs. Yeadon and Wodarg give the following reasons why the Pfizer study could pose dangers to the health and safety of the study participants: First, the doctors say that the study design must be improved as the highly inaccurate PCR test is currently being used to detect the presence of COVID in the study participants. This means that the efficacy of the vaccine is in doubt. The doctors recommend changing from the PCR test to Sanger sequencing.
Second, and more important, the doctors advocate animal testing of the vaccine to exclude the possibility of the risks to the life and health of human participants from known side-effects of other similar studies on corona viruses. These side-effects can include: an exaggerated immune response when the subject comes into contact with the "real world" virus; possible infertility of an "indefinite duration" for women; severe allergic responses to polyethylene glycol which is contained in the mRNA vaccine being tested by Pfizer; and, other latent, serious side effects which, because of the short duration of the study, may only become known well after the conclusion of the study. Because of these unacceptable risks to the life and health of the Pfizer/BioNtech COVID vaccine study participants, we are joining with Drs. Yeadon and Wodarg as co-signers of their petition to the European Medicine Agency, asking for an immediate halt to these studies. Thank you for SIGNING and SHARING, today! And, after you have signed this petition, please send the sample email in the section below to the official European Medicine Agency email: [email protected] FOR MORE INFORMATION: Actual Petition Text (pdf): https://2020news.de/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/Wodarg_Yeadon_EMA_Petition_Pfizer_Trial_FINAL_01DEC2020_EN_unsigned_with_Exhibits.pdf Sample Email: Subject: Please act on the petition of Dr. Wodarg and Dr. Yeadon and stay the Phase III clinical trial(s) of BNT162b Dear Sir or Madam, I am hereby co-signing the petition of Dr. Wodarg and Dr. Yeadon to support their urgent request to stay the Phase III clinical trial(s) of BNT162b (EudraCT Number 2020-002641-42) and other clinical trials. The full text of the petition of Dr. Wodarg and Dr. Yeadon can be found here: https://2020news.de/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/Wodarg_Yeadon_EMA_Petition_Pfizer_Trial_FINAL_01DEC2020_EN_unsigned_with_Exhibits.pdf I hereby respectfully request that EMA act on the petition of Dr. Wodarg and Dr. Yeadon immediately. Regards, [Your name] **Photo Credit: Shutterstock.com Hide Petition Text Sign this Petition
Under permanent “sanitary emergency” rules, applicable when a “sanitary catastrophe” imperils the health of the population, the government would also institute the emergency status, in this case for one month, by an executive decree without parliamentary control, while a law would be required if it were to be renewed after such a time.
It is under this regime that the prime minister would be allowed to place restrictions on circulation of persons and vehicles and on access to public transport, ban people from leaving their homes, close meeting places and buildings receiving the public, prohibit assembly in the streets, and “adopt any other measure limiting freedom of enterprise.”
This is where the law says the prime minister can submit the right of people to use means of transport, or to access certain places and engage in certain activities, to the presentation of a negative screening text or proof of curative or preventive treatment, including proof of vaccination. As the law is worded, the prime minister could choose among these conditions.
This created outrage because Emmanuel Macron, the French president, has assured that the vaccine would not be compulsory. Many see this mention of the vaccine as a possible prerequisite for travel, work, and leisure as a back-door way to oblige people to submit to the vaccine, although roughly half the French population, according to recent polls, has no intention whatever of taking the COVID-19 shot.
Although the government has claimed that the law simply aims to codify and synthesize measures that have been taken during the past nine months of COVID-19 crisis, and to clarify who can do what in view of possible future sanitary catastrophes, the law clearly appears to favor a systematic power-grab in favor of the executive for an indefinite period.
This is especially worrisome in that the notion of a “sanitary catastrophe” is hardly well defined. If all COVID-19 deaths listed in France were genuinely attributable to the Wuhan virus, that would mean there is less than a 1 in 10,000 risk of dying of the disease, and then only if one is very old or in very bad health.
The law would also allow public health authorities to collect sanitary data without patient consent, for “anonymized” use.
Political figures from the right and center-right, but also former members of the presidential LREM (La République en marche) party and at least one figurehead of the Socialist Party, Arnaud Montebourg, protested vehemently against the text, underscoring the way in which the government is circumnavigating its promise not to oblige the French to take the COVID-19 “vaccine.”
On Tuesday evening, less than 24 hours after Castex presented his law on Monday evening, the outrage was so widespread that the health minister, Véran, announced the government’s decision to backpedal. Speaking on the public-funded news station LCI, he said: “In the present context, when confidence is necessary for the French to take the vaccine by free choice, and because we are still in a state of sanitary crisis, because there is a curfew, the government will not propose this law to parliament before several months, before we will be out of this crisis[.] … It’s not the correct time. I repeat: the anti-COVID vaccine will not be compulsory.”
It was a clear admission of defeat in the face of growing anger against COVID-19 measures. While many citizens are visibly still under pressure from daily government fear-mongering reports in the mainstream media, the reaction to Castex’s attempt to increase the tyrannical powers of the state is unprecedented.
The question now is to know whether Véran’s announcement was true. Critics have published present screenshots of the National Assembly’s upcoming agenda from which the draft law has not been removed and would appear to come before the deputies by January.
To be sure, Parliament has gone into a short recess for the festive season, but Véran did say the withdrawal was temporary.
A former LREM member, a vocal critic of lockdowns and lies around COVID-19, National Assembly member Martine Wonner, tweeted on Wednesday: “No trust at all because the inscription on the agenda of the Assembly is still effective at least until January 6th.” She also noted that a controversial measure barring people from publishing un-blurred images of law enforcement officers that was originally included in a security law has also been removed, only to reappear in another law fighting “separatism.” “They just do whatever,” she said.
LifeSiteNews has produced an extensive COVID-19 vaccines resources page. View it here.
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lifesitenews--2020-12-24--A look back at Pope Benedict XVI’s 2007 homily on ‘the mystery of Christmas’ in ‘a polluted world wh

A look back at Pope Benedict XVI’s 2007 homily on ‘the mystery of Christmas’ in ‘a polluted world whose future is at risk’

December 24 , 2020 ( LifeSiteNews ) – “ The time came for Mary to be delivered , ” said Pope Benedict XVI , beginning his midnight MMass homily on the Feast of the Lord ’ s Nativity with St. Luke ’ s account of Christmas .
“ And she gave birth to her first-born son and wrapped him in swaddling clothes , and laid him in a manger , because there was no room for them in the inn ” ( Lk 2:6f. )
.
“ These words touch our hearts every time we hear them , ” the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the kind of interior preparation , the kind of love with which Mary approached that hour .
The brief phrase : ‘ She wrapped him in swaddling clothes ’ allows us to glimpse something of the holy joy and the silent zeal of that preparation , ” he continued .
Throughout his Christmas sermon , the third of his pontificate , Benedict XVI especially celebrated the light given with the Birth of Christ , which “ shines from the stable for all times ” against “ the darkness of a closed world.
” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ maternal love of Mary and the fidelity of Saint Joseph , the vigilance of the shepherds and their great joy , just as in Matthew we encounter the visit of the wise men , come from afar , so too John says to us : “ To all who received him , he gave power to become children of God ” ( Jn 1:12 ) .
There are those who receive him , and thus , beginning with the stable , with the outside , there grows silently the new house , the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The message of Christmas makes us recognize the darkness of a closed world , and thereby no doubt illustrates a reality that we see daily .
Yet it also tells us that God does not allow himself to be shut out .
He finds a space , even if it means entering through the stable ; there are people who see his light and pass it on .
Through the word of the Gospel , the angel also speaks to us , and in the sacred liturgy the light of the Redeemer enters @ @ @ @ @ @ @ or “ wise men ” – the light and its message call us to set out , to leave the narrow circle of our desires and interests , to go out to meet the Lord and worship him .
We worship him by opening the world to truth , to good , to Christ , to the service of those who are marginalized and in whom he awaits us .
The stable becomes a palace – and setting out from this starting-point , Jesus builds the great new community , whose key-word the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ birth : “ Glory to God in the highest , and peace on earth to those whom he loves ” – those who place their will in his , in this way becoming men of God , new men , a new world .
Gregory of Nyssa , in his Christmas homilies , developed the same vision setting out from the Christmas message in the Gospel of John : “ He pitched his tent among us ” ( Jn 1:14 ) .
Gregory applies this passage about the tent to the tent of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ out and weak , exposed everywhere to pain and suffering .
And he applies it to the world today , through the abuse of energy and its selfish and reckless exploitation ?
Anselm of Canterbury , in an almost prophetic way , once described a vision of what we witness today in a polluted world whose future is at risk : ‘ Everything was as if dead , and had lost its dignity , having been made for the service of those who praise God .
The elements of the world were oppressed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the abuse of those who enslaved them for their idols , for whom they had not been created ’ ( PL 158 , 955f. )
.
Thus , according to Gregory ’ s vision , the stable in the Christmas message represents the ill-treated world .
What Christ rebuilds is no ordinary palace .
He came to restore beauty and dignity to creation , to the universe : this is what began at Christmas and makes the angels rejoice .
In the stable at Bethlehem , Heaven and Earth meet .
Heaven @ @ @ @ @ @ @ this reason , a light shines from the stable for all times ; for this reason joy is enkindled there ; for this reason song is born there… .
Heaven does not belong to the geography of space , but to the geography of the heart .
And the heart of God , during the Holy Night , stooped down to the stable : the humility of God is Heaven .
And if we approach this humility , then we touch Heaven .
Then the Earth too is made new .
With the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ set out , during this Holy Night , towards the Child in the stable !
Let us touch God ’ s humility , God ’ s heart !
Then his joy will touch us and will make the world more radiant .
Amen .
On the purported eve of the “ Great Reset , ” and amid a “ general rehearsal for the establishment of the kingdom of the Antichrist , ” we can take heart in the fact that it is God alone who “ builds the great new community ” – @ @ @ @ @ @ @ themselves to be drawn by Christ ’ s love and so become one body with him , a new humanity .
”

December 24, 2020 (LifeSiteNews) – “The time came for Mary to be delivered,” said Pope Benedict XVI, beginning his midnight MMass homily on the Feast of the Lord’s Nativity with St. Luke’s account of Christmas. “And she gave birth to her first-born son and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn” (Lk 2:6f.). “These words touch our hearts every time we hear them,” the pontiff remarked. “We can imagine the kind of interior preparation, the kind of love with which Mary approached that hour. The brief […]
December 24, 2020 (LifeSiteNews) – “The time came for Mary to be delivered,” said Pope Benedict XVI, beginning his midnight MMass homily on the Feast of the Lord’s Nativity with St. Luke’s account of Christmas. “And she gave birth to her first-born son and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn” (Lk 2:6f.).
“These words touch our hearts every time we hear them,” the pontiff remarked.
“We can imagine the kind of interior preparation, the kind of love with which Mary approached that hour. The brief phrase: ‘She wrapped him in swaddling clothes’ allows us to glimpse something of the holy joy and the silent zeal of that preparation,” he continued.
Throughout his Christmas sermon, the third of his pontificate, Benedict XVI especially celebrated the light given with the Birth of Christ, which “shines from the stable for all times” against “the darkness of a closed world.”
Just as in Luke we encounter the maternal love of Mary and the fidelity of Saint Joseph, the vigilance of the shepherds and their great joy, just as in Matthew we encounter the visit of the wise men, come from afar, so too John says to us: “To all who received him, he gave power to become children of God” (Jn 1:12). There are those who receive him, and thus, beginning with the stable, with the outside, there grows silently the new house, the new city, the new world. The message of Christmas makes us recognize the darkness of a closed world, and thereby no doubt illustrates a reality that we see daily. Yet it also tells us that God does not allow himself to be shut out. He finds a space, even if it means entering through the stable; there are people who see his light and pass it on. Through the word of the Gospel, the angel also speaks to us, and in the sacred liturgy the light of the Redeemer enters our lives. Whether we are shepherds or “wise men” – the light and its message call us to set out, to leave the narrow circle of our desires and interests, to go out to meet the Lord and worship him. We worship him by opening the world to truth, to good, to Christ, to the service of those who are marginalized and in whom he awaits us. The stable becomes a palace – and setting out from this starting-point, Jesus builds the great new community, whose key-word the angels sing at the hour of his birth: “Glory to God in the highest, and peace on earth to those whom he loves” – those who place their will in his, in this way becoming men of God, new men, a new world. Gregory of Nyssa, in his Christmas homilies, developed the same vision setting out from the Christmas message in the Gospel of John: “He pitched his tent among us” (Jn 1:14). Gregory applies this passage about the tent to the tent of our body, which has become worn out and weak, exposed everywhere to pain and suffering. And he applies it to the world today, through the abuse of energy and its selfish and reckless exploitation? Anselm of Canterbury, in an almost prophetic way, once described a vision of what we witness today in a polluted world whose future is at risk: ‘Everything was as if dead, and had lost its dignity, having been made for the service of those who praise God. The elements of the world were oppressed, they had lost their splendour because of the abuse of those who enslaved them for their idols, for whom they had not been created’ (PL 158, 955f.). Thus, according to Gregory’s vision, the stable in the Christmas message represents the ill-treated world. What Christ rebuilds is no ordinary palace. He came to restore beauty and dignity to creation, to the universe: this is what began at Christmas and makes the angels rejoice. In the stable at Bethlehem, Heaven and Earth meet. Heaven has come down to Earth. For this reason, a light shines from the stable for all times; for this reason joy is enkindled there; for this reason song is born there…. Heaven does not belong to the geography of space, but to the geography of the heart. And the heart of God, during the Holy Night, stooped down to the stable: the humility of God is Heaven. And if we approach this humility, then we touch Heaven. Then the Earth too is made new. With the humility of the shepherds, let us set out, during this Holy Night, towards the Child in the stable! Let us touch God’s humility, God’s heart! Then his joy will touch us and will make the world more radiant. Amen.
On the purported eve of the “Great Reset,” and amid a “general rehearsal for the establishment of the kingdom of the Antichrist,” we can take heart in the fact that it is God alone who “builds the great new community” – “the community of those who allow themselves to be drawn by Christ’s love and so become one body with him, a new humanity.”
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lifesitenews--2020-12-24--Charity is growing cold in the world. Jesus comes at Christmas to rekindle the fire

“ In the mystical triad of faith , hope and charity , it is obvious that Christmas stands for charity , and among the more fortunate , for faith .
Equally obviously , the New Year may well stand for hope.
” - G.K. Chesterton December 24 , 2020 ( LifeSiteNews ) – What can one say about Christmas , that most luminous and joyful feast , and not , in the waning days of 2020 , get mired in the foul quagmire of the coronavirus crisis and its attendant miseries and controversies , or to use another metaphor , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ?
In the last few weeks , the line that ’ s been running in a loop in my head is not one from an Advent tune , or a merry Christmas carol , or of St. Luke ’ s sublime recounting of Our Savior ’ s birth .
Rather I hear Christ ’ s words regarding the last days , which many people think , understandably , may be well upon us now : “ Because iniquity will abound , the charity of the many will grow cold ” ( Matthew 24:12 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ many will grow cold ” : what a stark phrase , a glimpse of the abyss of hell , the utter absence of mercy .
One can not help but think that Our Lord ’ s description is for these very days , for who can deny that love has grown so cold that many are predicting that society will soon become unable to function , and collapse into warring factions ?
Michael Warren Davis , the editor of Crisis Magazine , recently wrote an essay titled “ Charity or Death , ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to mending the seemingly irreparable cultural rift in the United States that could lead to ongoing political violence is for Christians to take seriously Our Lord ’ s command to love our enemies .
And what of the divisions now rending of the Catholic Church ?
As goes the Church so goes the world .
Or , as a former LifeSiteNews editor put it , fundamentally , the only path forward in restoring the world to Christ is by fostering the purification of the Church .
I do not know if this is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , priest against bishop , priest against the faithful , faithful against priest , bishop , and each other over the extent of cooperation , or collusion if you will , with the state , which bears directly on access to the sacraments , particularly Holy Mass and the reception of Holy Communion , although , of course , this crisis has only made abundantly more apparent the already long existing afflictions and troubles in the Church .
But for Catholics , who believe that the Church is apostolic — or in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is “ taught , sanctified , and guided by the apostles until Christ ’ s return , through their successors in pastoral office , the college of bishops , ‘ assisted by priests , in union with the successor of Peter , the Church ’ s supreme pastor , ’ — the question of the obedience owed to ecclesial authority is fundamental , and so much weightier than for Protestants .
Nor did I think that “ and the charity of many will grow cold , ” might refer to me .
And @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the cardinal ordered the churches shut and locked in March , I am not sure how things would have gone for me had I not , providentially , heard Fr .
Chad Ripperger , exorcist and founder of the Doloran Fathers , put in perspective .
He said at the time that if a bishop directed his priest not to hear confessions except in the case of imminent death , one couldn ’ t expect him to disobey his bishop to hear one ’ s confession .
However , if one ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ would have an obligation , regardless of what his bishop said , to hear your confession and give you absolution.
” Similarly , when it comes to last rites , the priest would “ have the obligation to give the last rites , because his obligation is the person ’ s salvation over his own physical well-being.
” Fr .
Ripperger advised Catholics in these times to pray more , make a spiritual communion daily , develop a spiritual life especially when the sacraments are not available , and particularly to pray for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ admittedly “ a bit too quick to be overly compliant , or to be overly cautious , rather than being more moderated in their judgment about what can and can not be allowed ” because “ of their compromised situation as a result of the whole pedophilia scandal and the civil authority stepping in.
” “ This is a good opportunity for the people to realize if they don ’ t pray for the bishops on a regular basis , they can ’ t expect them to behave well , ” he said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , and a number of bishops have shown great diligence in issuing detailed instructions on observing coronavirus restrictions .
So far , in this archdiocese , where the government has imposed a cap of ten people for indoor and outdoor gatherings , public Masses remain cancelled , but the churches are open for private prayer .
But that brings us to the essential beauty and consolation of Christmas : no matter how dark it is and bereft we seem to be , the feast will come , and we will celebrate that night @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a light in our darkness ; when Our Redeemer was born in Bethlehem , and heaven and nature and all the angels sang .
And it is because of this that we can pray in confidence that with His grace , our charity will not only never grow cold but will burn always as bright and clear as the Christmas star .

'No matter how dark it is and bereft we seem to be, the feast will come, and we will celebrate that night long ago when Eternal Love came as a light in our darkness'
“In the mystical triad of faith, hope and charity, it is obvious that Christmas stands for charity, and among the more fortunate, for faith. Equally obviously, the New Year may well stand for hope.” – G.K. Chesterton
December 24, 2020 (LifeSiteNews) – What can one say about Christmas, that most luminous and joyful feast, and not, in the waning days of 2020, get mired in the foul quagmire of the coronavirus crisis and its attendant miseries and controversies, or to use another metaphor, ignore the elephant in the global room?
In the last few weeks, the line that’s been running in a loop in my head is not one from an Advent tune, or a merry Christmas carol, or of St. Luke’s sublime recounting of Our Savior’s birth.
Rather I hear Christ’s words regarding the last days, which many people think, understandably, may be well upon us now: “Because iniquity will abound, the charity of the many will grow cold” (Matthew 24:12).
“And the charity of many will grow cold”: what a stark phrase, a glimpse of the abyss of hell, the utter absence of mercy.
One cannot help but think that Our Lord’s description is for these very days, for who can deny that love has grown so cold that many are predicting that society will soon become unable to function, and collapse into warring factions?
Michael Warren Davis, the editor of Crisis Magazine, recently wrote an essay titled “Charity or Death,” in which he said the first step to mending the seemingly irreparable cultural rift in the United States that could lead to ongoing political violence is for Christians to take seriously Our Lord’s command to love our enemies.
And what of the divisions now rending of the Catholic Church? As goes the Church so goes the world. Or, as a former LifeSiteNews editor put it, fundamentally, the only path forward in restoring the world to Christ is by fostering the purification of the Church.
I do not know if this is that purification: bishop pitted against bishop, priest against bishop, priest against the faithful, faithful against priest, bishop, and each other over the extent of cooperation, or collusion if you will, with the state, which bears directly on access to the sacraments, particularly Holy Mass and the reception of Holy Communion, although, of course, this crisis has only made abundantly more apparent the already long existing afflictions and troubles in the Church.
But for Catholics, who believe that the Church is apostolic — or in the words of the Catechism, that she is “taught, sanctified, and guided by the apostles until Christ’s return, through their successors in pastoral office, the college of bishops, ‘assisted by priests, in union with the successor of Peter, the Church’s supreme pastor,’ — the question of the obedience owed to ecclesial authority is fundamental, and so much weightier than for Protestants.
Nor did I think that “and the charity of many will grow cold,” might refer to me. And yet, I was so wrathful when the cardinal ordered the churches shut and locked in March, I am not sure how things would have gone for me had I not, providentially, heard Fr. Chad Ripperger, exorcist and founder of the Doloran Fathers, put in perspective.
He said at the time that if a bishop directed his priest not to hear confessions except in the case of imminent death, one couldn’t expect him to disobey his bishop to hear one’s confession. However, if one’s death was imminent, “the priest would have an obligation, regardless of what his bishop said, to hear your confession and give you absolution.”
Similarly, when it comes to last rites, the priest would “have the obligation to give the last rites, because his obligation is the person’s salvation over his own physical well-being.”
Fr. Ripperger advised Catholics in these times to pray more, make a spiritual communion daily, develop a spiritual life especially when the sacraments are not available, and particularly to pray for their bishops, many of whom are admittedly “a bit too quick to be overly compliant, or to be overly cautious, rather than being more moderated in their judgment about what can and cannot be allowed” because “of their compromised situation as a result of the whole pedophilia scandal and the civil authority stepping in.”
“This is a good opportunity for the people to realize if they don’t pray for the bishops on a regular basis, they can’t expect them to behave well,” he said.
And now we are approaching Christmas, and a number of bishops have shown great diligence in issuing detailed instructions on observing coronavirus restrictions.
So far, in this archdiocese, where the government has imposed a cap of ten people for indoor and outdoor gatherings, public Masses remain cancelled, but the churches are open for private prayer.
But that brings us to the essential beauty and consolation of Christmas: no matter how dark it is and bereft we seem to be, the feast will come, and we will celebrate that night long ago when Eternal Love came as a light in our darkness; when Our Redeemer was born in Bethlehem, and heaven and nature and all the angels sang.
And it is because of this that we can pray in confidence that with His grace, our charity will not only never grow cold but will burn always as bright and clear as the Christmas star.
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lifesitenews--2020-12-24--In spite of this year’s trials, let’s rejoice with Our Lady this Christmas

December 24 , 2020 ( LifeSiteNews ) – The birth of my first baby wasn ’ t exactly fun .
I labored for 24 hours and ended up having to get a C-section in the end .
The pregnancy wasn ’ t a cup of tea either .
Back aches , swollen feet , you name it .
The toll that your body takes on to create a human being can be hard to deal with at times .
There is , however , the spirit of excitement for what is to come .
For some reason , I look @ @ @ @ @ @ @ I brought a child into this world and honestly , I believe that God gives mothers a special grace to turn the struggles of childbirth into happiness .
Upon reflection of the experience of Christ ’ s mother and her experience with pregnancy and birth I feel an appreciation for the gift that God gave to Mary .
She didn ’ t experience any of the normal pains of original sin which includes childbirth .
( I ’ d like to think that includes pregnancy as well . )
She must have felt @ @ @ @ @ @ @ were struggles .
I couldn ’ t imagine being thrilled about traveling on a donkey at nine months pregnant .
But , imagine carrying the savior of the world in your womb , knowing that he would redeem all of humanity .
What immense bliss she must have felt !
It is true that her labor pains came later on Calvary , but God gifted her with that moment in time when she and St. Joseph could look upon the Christ child with happiness and peace .
With the trust that Mary had @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , she must have had incredible peace and joy within her .
Not only did she get to experience joy but she got to hold joy itself which is Christ as a baby .
I can ’ t think of a more fitting way for the Savior to come into the world .
This past year hasn ’ t been the best in regards to normality of life and events .
These events and trials of 2020 can be considered as the labor pains that we had to get through before we could @ @ @ @ @ @ @ us at Christmas .
Imagine if we set aside those pains and , like Mary , just focus on the joy of Christmas .
There seems to be no better way to welcome Christ into our heart during the Christmas season .

December 24, 2020 (LifeSiteNews) – The birth of my first baby wasn’t exactly fun. I labored for 24 hours and ended up having to get a C-section in the end. The pregnancy wasn’t a cup of tea either. Back aches, swollen feet, you name it. The toll that your body takes on to create a human being can be hard to deal with at times. There is, however, the spirit of excitement for what is to come. For some reason, I look back on those moments with fondness because I brought a child into this world and honestly, I believe that […]
December 24, 2020 (LifeSiteNews) – The birth of my first baby wasn’t exactly fun. I labored for 24 hours and ended up having to get a C-section in the end. The pregnancy wasn’t a cup of tea either. Back aches, swollen feet, you name it. The toll that your body takes on to create a human being can be hard to deal with at times. There is, however, the spirit of excitement for what is to come. For some reason, I look back on those moments with fondness because I brought a child into this world and honestly, I believe that God gives mothers a special grace to turn the struggles of childbirth into happiness.
Upon reflection of the experience of Christ’s mother and her experience with pregnancy and birth I feel an appreciation for the gift that God gave to Mary. She didn’t experience any of the normal pains of original sin which includes childbirth. (I’d like to think that includes pregnancy as well.) She must have felt so much joy. Yes, there were struggles. I couldn’t imagine being thrilled about traveling on a donkey at nine months pregnant. But, imagine carrying the savior of the world in your womb, knowing that he would redeem all of humanity. What immense bliss she must have felt!
It is true that her labor pains came later on Calvary, but God gifted her with that moment in time when she and St. Joseph could look upon the Christ child with happiness and peace. With the trust that Mary had in God and His plan for her, she must have had incredible peace and joy within her. Not only did she get to experience joy but she got to hold joy itself which is Christ as a baby. I can’t think of a more fitting way for the Savior to come into the world.
This past year hasn’t been the best in regards to normality of life and events. These events and trials of 2020 can be considered as the labor pains that we had to get through before we could experience the happiness and joy that awaits us at Christmas. Imagine if we set aside those pains and, like Mary, just focus on the joy of Christmas. There seems to be no better way to welcome Christ into our heart during the Christmas season.
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A skipped Christmas

December 24 , 2020 ( LifeSiteNews ) – This time last year was very challenging for my family .
As I wrote earlier this fall , my mom had just been taken from us suddenly in a car wreck and my eldest son ( at that time seven ) was recovering from injuries sustained in the crash .
None of us felt like decorating or baking cookies or celebrating much of anything .
So , we packed up our RV , put Mom 's mini-Christmas tree up as our decoration , and drove off into the wild .
We spent @ @ @ @ @ @ @ fishing , having bonfires , and just being together .
We took a break from grief and rested in the wonders of God 's creation .
This break from our heartache was perfect for last year .
But now that the raw edge of grief has worn down a bit , we realized that we missed Christmas .
It feels like it has been forever since we enjoyed the sounds , smells , and anticipation of this blessed season .
And we have determined to really soak it all in this year .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ going on in the world .
We ca n't do all that we would like – no caroling at the nursing home or baking cookies for the neighbors .
But we are trying to focus on what we can do and the ways we can enjoy Christmas with family and friends .
We set up a big Christmas tree that holds all of our ornaments and my mom 's .
( She also collected nativity sets , so we have about a dozen of those around the house . )
And her mini-tree @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Christmas cheer .
For the first time , we set up a nativity in the front yard to share the reason for the season with all who pass by .
All my normal Christmas baking recipes are floating around in my head , and the kids are counting the days to Christmas .
Some of you may feel like skipping Christmas this year .
And that is okay .
Some of you may feel forced to because of all the restrictions you are under .
And some of you , like us , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for having missed out last year .
No matter which place you find yourself , it is my hope and prayer that each of you are able to take a break from the grief and stress and anxiety of this year .
To rest in the amazing miracle that is the birth of Christ .
To keep your eyes fixed on that precious baby lying in a manger .
To let Him fill you up .
And then in whatever way you can , spread that joy to others .
May this time @ @ @ @ @ @ @ whatever God will ask of us in the new year .

December 24, 2020 (LifeSiteNews) – This time last year was very challenging for my family. As I wrote earlier this fall, my mom had just been taken from us suddenly in a car wreck and my eldest son (at that time seven) was recovering from injuries sustained in the crash. None of us felt like decorating or baking cookies or celebrating much of anything. So, we packed up our RV, put Mom's mini-Christmas tree up as our decoration, and drove off into the wild. We spent a week hiking in the mountains, fishing, having bonfires, and just being together. We […]
December 24, 2020 (LifeSiteNews) – This time last year was very challenging for my family. As I wrote earlier this fall, my mom had just been taken from us suddenly in a car wreck and my eldest son (at that time seven) was recovering from injuries sustained in the crash. None of us felt like decorating or baking cookies or celebrating much of anything. So, we packed up our RV, put Mom's mini-Christmas tree up as our decoration, and drove off into the wild. We spent a week hiking in the mountains, fishing, having bonfires, and just being together. We took a break from grief and rested in the wonders of God's creation.
This break from our heartache was perfect for last year. But now that the raw edge of grief has worn down a bit, we realized that we missed Christmas. It feels like it has been forever since we enjoyed the sounds, smells, and anticipation of this blessed season. And we have determined to really soak it all in this year.
It is challenging with all that is going on in the world. We can't do all that we would like – no caroling at the nursing home or baking cookies for the neighbors. But we are trying to focus on what we can do and the ways we can enjoy Christmas with family and friends. We set up a big Christmas tree that holds all of our ornaments and my mom's. (She also collected nativity sets, so we have about a dozen of those around the house.) And her mini-tree is gracing our kitchen with some extra Christmas cheer. For the first time, we set up a nativity in the front yard to share the reason for the season with all who pass by. All my normal Christmas baking recipes are floating around in my head, and the kids are counting the days to Christmas.
Some of you may feel like skipping Christmas this year. And that is okay. Some of you may feel forced to because of all the restrictions you are under. And some of you, like us, may need to go over the top for having missed out last year. No matter which place you find yourself, it is my hope and prayer that each of you are able to take a break from the grief and stress and anxiety of this year. To rest in the amazing miracle that is the birth of Christ. To keep your eyes fixed on that precious baby lying in a manger. To let Him fill you up. And then in whatever way you can, spread that joy to others.
May this time of reflection and rest strengthen us for whatever God will ask of us in the new year.
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lifesitenews--2020-12-24--Feeling anxious this Christmas? It’s time to say ‘Jesus, I trust in You’

December 24 , 2020 ( LifeSiteNews ) – Many of us — Americans especially — have been hanging on the edge of our seat the past several weeks , anxiously hoping and fervently praying that Trump ’ s re-election will ultimately be recognized amid the sea of election fraud , so that we can hang on to some shreds of freedom .
In a worldly sense , hope for a kind of safe harbor of freedom , in whatever way is still possible during this “ scandemic , ” may indeed hinge upon the final outcome of the American Presidential @ @ @ @ @ @ @ thus poised for a global tyranny with an airtight iron grip , made possible by unprecedented surveillance and control technology .
Even more disturbing , the majority of our Church ’ shepherds seem to have forgotten the Church ’ s Divine mission , and have already shown themselves ready to suspend our spiritual lifeblood , the Mass and the Sacraments , at the “ threat ” of mild virus .
And this is just one of the latest and most egregious symptoms of what Bishop Athanasius Schneider describes as the Church ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ which was set in motion with the tampering of Her liturgy , and the watering down and twisting of Her doctrine .
We can recognize the movements of evil beneath it all .
We know that what Satan really wants is not so much our physical oppression or death as the death of our souls .
Every movement of government oppression , of new-church “ COVID-19 measures , ” of Church closures , of the retreat of our clergy , aims to drag down our souls – and could potentially drag them into @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to this fact , because it will help us to discern what we must do , and where we must focus our energy at this time .
It will help us discern the effort we need to take to attend Mass and confession , whenever it is available ; how we should talk to our priests ; what we should pray for ; what we should work for .
The greatest battle we now face is the battle of keeping the flame of our devotion to God alight , and our hope alive @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hope for salvation , while the devil does everything he can to tempt us to distraction , anxiety , sloth , and despair .
What if the attack on the Church — and on our souls — continues to intensify ?
What do we do if the anti-church completes a total eclipse of the true Church ?
What do we do to continue to receive the Sacraments , to hear the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass ?
What if there isn ’ t a priest available ?
What if our fervor is already @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a way , is remarkably simple .
As our spiritual battle intensifies , we must keep our eyes fixed on the Christ Child , from whose loving countenance we will draw confidence , and the courage to keep hope even in our sinfulness , while the hour is late and usual supports are stripped away .
During this time , the greatest battle we may face is the interior one in which we are tempted , because of our sin , to keep distance from our Lord , not to run back to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as we recognize our sin .
There may be times when we need to keep before our eyes the image of the gentle and merciful Christ Child to melt our hearts , especially when our sin weighs heavy on us .
As Dr. Robert Stackpole , STD , notes , “ ... devotion to the Christ Child deepens our trust in God , because we know we have nothing to fear from a God who would stoop so low as to become a little child for us .
What repentant sinner can possibly @ @ @ @ @ @ @ All-seeing , Thrice Holy God , if He gives Himself to us in weakness and helplessness , with the smiles and tears of an infant ?
He disarms our fear of His justice with His littleness.
” St. Thérèse of Lisieux wrote that God ’ s love is a “ merciful love that delights in stooping down to our miseries in order to deliver us from them ... Once we realize that God is merciful Love , we go to Him with confidence .
In its turn , ‘ confidence leads to love.
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ Complete Spiritual Doctrine of St. Therese of Lisieux , 1961 , p.73 ) We must deepen our trust in God and His mercy not only by fixing our gaze on the Christ Child , but by becoming like Him .
“ St .
Bonaventure reminds us that “ a child finds its delight with other children , with flowers , and to be in the arms [ of his parents ] .
” According to the website Catholic Tradition , “ The Saint 's meaning is , that if we would please this @ @ @ @ @ @ @ children , simple and humble ; we must carry to Him flowers of virtue , meekness , of mortification , of charity ; we must clasp Him in the arms of our love.
” This is what St. Thérèse of Lisieux so beautifully articulates as the way of spiritual childhood , which , I dare say , is one of our great weapons during this time .
Learning from the Christ Child total filial dependency , confidence , and poverty in particular , is needed now more than ever - both in matters @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Even as we act to prepare for the coming times and provide for our families , we must become totally dependent upon God our Father , asking Him and confidently expecting from Him all that we need .
Christ wants to swiftly put an end to your anxiety , and replace it with trust in Him , and the peaceful assurance that no matter what happens , He will give you what you need .
It may be material provisions , but it also may simply mean supernatural strength to endure whatever @ @ @ @ @ @ @ we must keep our eyes fixed on Christ and not on the storm around us , as Christ Himself taught us : “ And Peter going down out of the boat , walked upon the water to come to Jesus .
But seeing the wind strong , he was afraid : and when he began to sink , he cried out , saying : Lord , save me .
And immediately Jesus stretching forth his hand took hold of him , and said to him : O thou of little faith , why @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 14 : 29-31 ] It can be really helpful also to look back upon our life and think of the many times God came through for us and helped us weather the storms of our lives , whether the trials were physical , emotional , or spiritual .
When anyone in my family used to worry out loud about something around my grandfather , he would masterfully shut us down right away .
He would tell us simply , “ Don ’ t worry about it , ” or “ The Blessed Mother @ @ @ @ @ @ @ mix the gentle assurance that God has our back no matter what .
And he got the message across instantly and clearly : God doesn ’ t want us to entertain anxiety for even a second .
When he told us not to worry , his words drew power from the life he lived with total trust in God ’ s Providence , and with his heart in Heaven .
My grandfather lived his life with true filial trust in God his Father , who he prayed to as “ Abba , Daddy @ @ @ @ @ @ @ his life .
When we feel anxiety creeping up — no matter what the reason — let us say , “ Jesus , I trust in You !
” And beg God for the gift of trust in Him , and for true contrition and hope .
Much anxiety comes from the fear of loss , or from the loss of gifts in our lives that is already taking place .
So along with our hope and trust , this is an opportunity to practice poverty of spirit – and we may then @ @ @ @ @ @ @ fill our lives and our hearts .
The more that is stripped away — as businesses are throttled , freedoms are suppressed , and we become increasingly isolated and fragmented — the more we must cling to God .
We can take courage from the Christ Child and the Holy Family , whose hearts were totally consumed with the love of God .
Could Christ have given an example any more powerful than by being born among the animals , having been rejected from every human shelter of Bethlehem ?
Let us love @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , strength , and mind , our Lord Jesus Christ .
We will be ready for anything that comes our way .

To weather current storms, we have no choice but to beg God for the gift of trust in Him
December 24, 2020 (LifeSiteNews) – Many of us — Americans especially — have been hanging on the edge of our seat the past several weeks, anxiously hoping and fervently praying that Trump’s re-election will ultimately be recognized amid the sea of election fraud, so that we can hang on to some shreds of freedom.
In a worldly sense, hope for a kind of safe harbor of freedom, in whatever way is still possible during this “scandemic,” may indeed hinge upon the final outcome of the American Presidential election. Never has the world been thus poised for a global tyranny with an airtight iron grip, made possible by unprecedented surveillance and control technology.
Even more disturbing, the majority of our Church’ shepherds seem to have forgotten the Church’s Divine mission, and have already shown themselves ready to suspend our spiritual lifeblood, the Mass and the Sacraments, at the “threat” of mild virus.
And this is just one of the latest and most egregious symptoms of what Bishop Athanasius Schneider describes as the Church’s state of “spiritual collapse,” which was set in motion with the tampering of Her liturgy, and the watering down and twisting of Her doctrine.
We can recognize the movements of evil beneath it all. We know that what Satan really wants is not so much our physical oppression or death as the death of our souls. Every movement of government oppression, of new-church “COVID-19 measures,” of Church closures, of the retreat of our clergy, aims to drag down our souls – and could potentially drag them into hell.
We must remain wide awake to this fact, because it will help us to discern what we must do, and where we must focus our energy at this time. It will help us discern the effort we need to take to attend Mass and confession, whenever it is available; how we should talk to our priests; what we should pray for; what we should work for.
The greatest battle we now face is the battle of keeping the flame of our devotion to God alight, and our hope alive. That is, the virtue of hope for salvation, while the devil does everything he can to tempt us to distraction, anxiety, sloth, and despair.
What if the attack on the Church — and on our souls — continues to intensify? What do we do if the anti-church completes a total eclipse of the true Church? What do we do to continue to receive the Sacraments, to hear the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass? What if there isn’t a priest available? What if our fervor is already growing cold?
The answer, in a way, is remarkably simple. As our spiritual battle intensifies, we must keep our eyes fixed on the Christ Child, from whose loving countenance we will draw confidence, and the courage to keep hope even in our sinfulness, while the hour is late and usual supports are stripped away.
During this time, the greatest battle we may face is the interior one in which we are tempted, because of our sin, to keep distance from our Lord, not to run back to Him with a contrite heart as soon as we recognize our sin.
There may be times when we need to keep before our eyes the image of the gentle and merciful Christ Child to melt our hearts, especially when our sin weighs heavy on us.
As Dr. Robert Stackpole, STD, notes, “…devotion to the Christ Child deepens our trust in God, because we know we have nothing to fear from a God who would stoop so low as to become a little child for us. What repentant sinner can possibly cringe in fear before the Almighty, All-seeing, Thrice Holy God, if He gives Himself to us in weakness and helplessness, with the smiles and tears of an infant? He disarms our fear of His justice with His littleness.”
St. Thérèse of Lisieux wrote that God’s love is a “merciful love that delights in stooping down to our miseries in order to deliver us from them…Once we realize that God is merciful Love, we go to Him with confidence. In its turn, ‘confidence leads to love.’” (Jamart, O.C.D., Complete Spiritual Doctrine of St. Therese of Lisieux, 1961, p.73)
We must deepen our trust in God and His mercy not only by fixing our gaze on the Christ Child, but by becoming like Him.
“St. Bonaventure reminds us that “a child finds its delight with other children, with flowers, and to be in the arms [of his parents].”
According to the website Catholic Tradition, “The Saint's meaning is, that if we would please this Divine Infant, we too must become children, simple and humble; we must carry to Him flowers of virtue, meekness, of mortification, of charity; we must clasp Him in the arms of our love.”
This is what St. Thérèse of Lisieux so beautifully articulates as the way of spiritual childhood, which, I dare say, is one of our great weapons during this time. Learning from the Christ Child total filial dependency, confidence, and poverty in particular, is needed now more than ever – both in matters of the body and of the soul.
Even as we act to prepare for the coming times and provide for our families, we must become totally dependent upon God our Father, asking Him and confidently expecting from Him all that we need.
Christ wants to swiftly put an end to your anxiety, and replace it with trust in Him, and the peaceful assurance that no matter what happens, He will give you what you need. It may be material provisions, but it also may simply mean supernatural strength to endure whatever must be endured.
Here too, we must keep our eyes fixed on Christ and not on the storm around us, as Christ Himself taught us:
“And Peter going down out of the boat, walked upon the water to come to Jesus. But seeing the wind strong, he was afraid: and when he began to sink, he cried out, saying: Lord, save me. And immediately Jesus stretching forth his hand took hold of him, and said to him: O thou of little faith, why didst thou doubt?” [Matt 14: 29-31]
It can be really helpful also to look back upon our life and think of the many times God came through for us and helped us weather the storms of our lives, whether the trials were physical, emotional, or spiritual.
When anyone in my family used to worry out loud about something around my grandfather, he would masterfully shut us down right away. He would tell us simply, “Don’t worry about it,” or “The Blessed Mother will handle it.” His tone would mix the gentle assurance that God has our back no matter what. And he got the message across instantly and clearly: God doesn’t want us to entertain anxiety for even a second.
When he told us not to worry, his words drew power from the life he lived with total trust in God’s Providence, and with his heart in Heaven. My grandfather lived his life with true filial trust in God his Father, who he prayed to as “Abba, Daddy,” even until the end of his life.
When we feel anxiety creeping up — no matter what the reason — let us say, “Jesus, I trust in You!” And beg God for the gift of trust in Him, and for true contrition and hope.
Much anxiety comes from the fear of loss, or from the loss of gifts in our lives that is already taking place. So along with our hope and trust, this is an opportunity to practice poverty of spirit – and we may then make even more room for God to fill our lives and our hearts.
The more that is stripped away — as businesses are throttled, freedoms are suppressed, and we become increasingly isolated and fragmented — the more we must cling to God.
We can take courage from the Christ Child and the Holy Family, whose hearts were totally consumed with the love of God. Could Christ have given an example any more powerful than by being born among the animals, having been rejected from every human shelter of Bethlehem?
Let us love with all of our heart, soul, strength, and mind, our Lord Jesus Christ. We will be ready for anything that comes our way.
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