The Four Masses of Christmas

Hi, this is Fr. Rocky with another Advent Inspiration. Why do so many people go to Mass on Christmas?  Because no one wants to miss the opportunity to share in the Good News that a Savior has been born for us to save us from our sins. That’s really good news and gives everyone hope. Christmas is …

How long is the Christmas Season?

St. Emeric’s Church on the near west side of Cleveland would leave the beautiful Christmas decorations up until February 2, a full forty days after Christmas. Hi, this is Fr. Rocky, with another Advent Inspiration. The Christmas decorations inside of St. Emeric’s Catholic Church were so beautiful…

Silent Night

Does your family have Christmas traditions? Hi, this is Fr. Rocky with another Advent Inspiration. I think every family should have its own Christmas traditions, passed down from generation to generation. It’s one way of fulfilling the Fourth Commandment, “To honor your mother and father.” I hav…

Gaudete Sunday

I remember how the crowds rejoiced and cheered when the helicopter carrying St. John Paul II approached the stadium. Hi, this is Fr. Rocky with another Advent Inspiration. It was World Youth Day in Denver in 1993, and Mile High Stadium was overflowing with young people. Suddenly, on the far side …

Christ Was Laid in a Manger

Do you know what a manger is? Hi, this is Fr. Rocky with another Advent Inspiration. When Christ was born, he was wrapped in swaddling clothes and laid in a manger. But what is a manger? A manger is a wooden implement you’d find in a barn where hay is placed so the cows can eat it. The word “man…

The Nativity Scene

What do you call it?  The Nativity scene?  The manger? Or the crèche? Hi, this is Fr. Rocky with another Advent Inspiration. No matter what you call it, you have to have one inside the house and outdoors on your front lawn to remind all passersby what Christmas is all about. When you go to your C…

Stocking over the Fireplace

How do we know that Jesus was born on December 25?

How do we know Jesus was born on December 25th? Hi, this is Fr. Rocky with another Advent Inspiration. Everyone knows that Christ was born on Christmas Day, December 25th, but how do we know that? That’s an important and fascinating question, and I’ve spent the past twenty years searching for the…

The Christmas Tree

O Christmas tree, O Christmas tree, how lovely are your branches! Hi, this is Fr. Rocky with another Advent Inspiration. Everyone loves a Christmas tree, and no two trees are the same. Growing up in my family we would put up the tree around December 13, the Feast of Santa Lucia and the ancient fe…

Do you have a favorite Christmas carol?

Do you have a favorite Christmas carol? Hi, this is Fr. Rocky with another Advent Inspiration. There must be hundreds of Christmas carols, from many countries and in many languages. St. Josemaría’s favorite is in Spanish, and it’s based on a beautiful medieval tradition of providing shelter for t…