Week Four: Stable

Sr. Miriam reads this prayer for families from St. John Paul II:

“Lord God, from you every family in heaven and on earth takes its name. Father, you are Love and Life. Through your Son, Jesus Christ, born of woman, and through the Holy Spirit, fountain of divine charity, grant that every family on earth may become for each successive generation a true shrine of life and love. Grant that your grace may guide the thoughts and actions of husbands and wives for the good of their families and of all the families in the world. Grant that the young may find in the family solid support for their human dignity and for their growth in truth and love. Grant that love, strengthened by the grace of the sacrament of marriage, may prove mightier than all the weaknesses and trials through which our families sometimes pass. Through the intercession of the Holy Family of Nazareth, grant that the Church may fruitfully carry out her worldwide mission in the family and through the family. We ask this of you who is life, truth, and love, with the Son and the Holy Spirit. Amen.”

Have you ever wondered why Jesus was born in a stable? Sr. Miriam reflects on how the stable is a metaphor for your heart. You might think there is no way Jesus could be born in a stable or in your heart or in your family. But Sr. Miriam assures us that Jesus wants to be in your heart and in your family even in the midst of woundedness and selfishness. He desires to be in your family to heal all of you. Whatever your family situation, the Holy Family invites you to the stable this Christmas, to hold the infant Jesus, to sit with Mary and Joseph in the middle of the night, and to experience the healing power of the love and mercy of God.

What would you like God to do for your family this Advent and Christmas? Tell the Lord what your family needs. The Lord wants wholeness and communion for all of you. Let Christ’s light shine in the stable of your heart this Christmas!

• Purchase a copy of Behold today! — Let the Holy Family be your light through Advent as you receive the healing power of Christ. In this beautiful guided journal for prayer and meditation, Sr. Miriam James Heidland, SOLT—author of the bestselling book Restore—will walk with you as you explore familial wounds with the help of Jesus, Mary, and Joseph. Behold features stunning original art by Josiah Henley of Heart of IESVS. Free weekly companion videos, a downloadable discussion guide, and other resources make this book perfect for parish-wide, individual, and book club use leading up to Christmas.
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