Embers December 2025

As we prepare this Advent to celebrate the Birth of Jesus, our theme for December is For a child is born to us, a son is given us (Is 9:5). The Annunciation to the Shepherds by Dutch painter Nicolaes Berchem (1622-1683) depicts the angel of the Lord announcing the good news to humble shepherds, watching over their flock. We suggest A Mary Christmas by Kathleen Carroll and Cardinal Joseph Zen’s Advent Reflections to help with your preparation. If you don’t have one already, make or buy an Advent wreath. Lighting an additional candle each week answers the question from little ones, “When is Christmas coming?” It is also important to pray for the souls in Purgatory and don’t be afraid to wish people a Merry Christmas!

The ancient tradition of singing the “O” antiphons with Evening Prayer Dec. 17-23 uses ancient biblical imagery to anticipate and long for the coming of the Messiah. Read more about them here.

Our Lady of Loreto (Dec. 10) coincides with the 100th anniversary of the Five First Saturdays Devotion, which Sister Lucia said was an important part of the message of Fatima. After obtaining the indulgence for yourself, continue to do so, if you can, for the salvation of souls. You can read more about it here. We recommend two important books on Fatima, A Pathway under the Gaze of Mary by the Carmel of Coimbra and “Calls” from the Message of Fatima by Sister Lucia dos Santos. God chose a humble, uneducated ten year old shepherdess to bring this critical message to the Church and the whole world.

Our Lady of Good Counsel Retreat House in Waverly, Nebraska is hosting a silent retreat for Catholic healthcare professionals, given by Sr. Mary Diana Dreger, OP, March 20-22, 2026. The theme is “The Word of the Word: Intimacy with Jesus through His Gospels.“ Women have the option to start March 19. First priority is for physicians until Jan 1. Go here to register and for more information.

Our monthly CMA ZOOM Prayer Group will meet Saturday, December 13 at 2:00 PM EST. Come join us and bring your intentions.

St. Nicholas (Dec. 6), a fourth century saint and Greek bishop of Myra, fasted on Wednesdays and Fridays, and gave away his inheritance to prevent three young girls from being sold into prostitution by their father, who could not provide dowries for them, prefiguring the tradition of Santa Claus. He condemned Arianism at the Council of Niceae in 325.

The Solemnity of The Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary (Dec. 8) is a Holy Day of Obligation and the Patronal Feastday of the U.S. Pope Pius IX declared this a dogma of the Church in 1854 with Ineffabilis Deus.

St. John, Apostle and Evangelist (Dec. 27) was present with his brother James and Peter for all of the major events in Christ’s public ministry. He was the only apostle who stood at the foot of the Cross, where Jesus entrusted him with the Blessed Mother. He was the only apostle who was not martyred, although his enemies tried!

Pope St. Sylvester I (Dec. 31), elected Pope in 314, was the first to reign after the legalization of Christianity by Emperor Constantine. He began construction of the Basilica of St. Peter over a temple dedicated to Apollo and over the tomb of St. Peter, as well as building other major churches in Rome.

As we approach the end of the year we recommend Visions of Heaven, Hell and Purgatory by Bob and Penny Lord, The Four Last Things: Death, Judgment, Hell, Heaven by Fr. Martin von Cochem, OSEC and Catholicism: A Journey to the Heart of the Faith by Bishop Robert Barron.

A very Merry Christmas to you and your family!

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