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3

Buy or make an Advent wreath. Bless it and light the first purple candle each night this week.

4

Develop a new prayer to say before each evening meal during Advent. Write it down and say it every year during Advent.

5

Offer your parish a Christmas gift of your time, talent or treasure. Describe it in a Christmas card that you send to your pastor.

6

Show love on St. Nicholas' Day by being generous with your time, patience, or money. Make at least one generous act today.

7

Pray any time you have to wait today. Keep your prayer simple and begin with praise.

8

In honor of Mary's Immaculate Conception, attend Mass and pray a Rosary.

9

Attend Confession today to ready your soul for the grace of Christ's birth!

10

Light two purple candles in the Advent Wreath each night this week.

Sing
O' Come,
O' Come Emmanuel.

11

Include in your Christmas card, a note about the blessings you have received this year. It will be a witness to God's love.

12

In honor of Our Lady of Guadalupe, place a rose in a vase and pray a Hail Mary whenever you notice it.

13

Spend some time today examining your life for areas needing repentance.

14

Put a lamp or an electric candle in a window to welcome the Christ Child. Light it each night until Christmas Day.

15

Today, think about all of the Biblical accounts of God's merciful treatment of sinners.

16

Even if you live alone, put up and decorate a Christmas tree.

17

Light two purple candles and the pink one for Joy.

Look for one new thing at Mass today that you haven't noticed before.

18

The presence of Jesus in our lives speaks of our hope in God's mercy and love. Today, list your reasons for hope in the future.

19

Take a moment today to listen to Christmas carols as a joyful symbol of the season.

20

Designate or decorate a special candle as your "Jesus candle." Light it to remind you of the light Jesus brings.

21

Set up your Nativity scene or Creche. Picture yourself in the scene and think about how you would act if you were there.

22

Gather some friends and neighbors and go Christmas caroling at a nursing home or homeless shelter.

23

The holidays can be a lonely time for anyone who is alone. Today, offer someone companionship.

24

Light all four candles in the wreath tonight.

Reread today's Gospel reading, Luke 1:39-45.

25

Read the story of Jesus' birth in Luke 2:1-20.

26

In honor of St. Stephen, patron of soldiers, pray for the safety of all those serving in the armed forces.

27

Think of the Holy Family's flight into Egypt and pray for all people forced to flee their homes.

28

In remembrance of the feast day of the Holy Innocents, pray for the victims of abortion.

29

Ask for forgiveness from someone you have hurt in the past year. Offer it to one who has wronged you.

30

In your New Year's resolutions, include one to pray more, receive the Sacraments, or do something that will help you increase in holiness.

31

Celebrate the feast of the Holy Family by gathering with family or close friends for a special meal.

... For unto you is borm this day, in the city of David, a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. (Luke 2:11)

"In those days, a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that the whole world should be enrolled. This was the first enrollment, when Quirinius was governor of Syria. So all went to be enrolled, each to his own town. And Joseph too went up from Galilee from the town of Nazareth to Judea, to the city of David that is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and family of David, to be enrolled with Mary, his betrothed, who was with child. While they were there, the time came for her to have her child, and she gave birth to her first son. She wrapped him in swaddling clothes and laid him in a manger, because there was no room at the inn." (Luke 2:1-7).