Mary Sullivan

Dear Mother of Jesus and our Mother too,

we turn to you now, in this year that is new.

We pray to you daily, and offer you all,

Especially on this day your Solemnity falls.

As you brought us hope, through the birth of our Savior

Bring us His love.  Grant us this favor.

May this be the year that right from the start

We see the triumph of your Immaculate Heart.

Lead us to your Son.  To our sins, let us die.

Crush satan now with grace from on high.

Free us from distractions, free us from diversions,

Free us and our loved ones.  Bring forth conversions.

As you brought Christ to all, at the time of His birth.

Bring forth in our loved ones, their true value and worth.

May peace at last reign, in our hearts and on earth.

May our hearts be for Christ, a warm place of berth.

Pray for us, turn towards us with your gentle nod

On your Solemnity, dear Mother of God.

Bring forth your Son, for all to see,

That the Truth of Christ, may set us all free.

Baby Jesus in the manger, so precious and so new.

Mother Mary, could we hold Him, for just a moment or two?

Could we glimpse His peaceful face, and His cherub nose?

Could we maybe, for a minute, tickle Baby’s toes?

Could we hold Him holy Mary, hold Him for a while—

Perhaps spy on His baby face, a loving, tender smile.

Show us how dear Mother, to comfort Your Infant new.

Show us how to bring Him comfort, as only you know how to do.

We can comfort Baby Jesus, as we give Him adulation.

There are things that we can do for Him, which bring Him consolation.

We can follow what He said, hear what it is He taught.

We can give our life to Him, by Whom, at a price, our life He bought.

Is this true dear Mother Mary, could it be that maybe,

To hold His truths, within our hearts, is to gently hold your baby.

The Babe wrapped in swaddling, so soundly He slept

While Mary and Joseph, in their arms kept,

Our hope for the future, the peace for our lives,

The love that’s enduring, the joy from on high.

This gift to each one.  At last we could see

That Truth had come to set us all free.

This Christmas may not be a perfect rose-bed.

There are struggles and painful battles ahead.

Was that not how it was for the Infant that night,

Who came to teach us what’s wrong and what’s right?

If we feel less merry, than all of the rest.

If we’re feeling down, not feeling our best.

If we feel life has lost, a bit of its zest,

This Christmas can still be a Christmas that’s blessed.

We can feel the Infant’s warm love shining bright.

We can keep that warmth in our hearts and in sight.

We can ponder the silence of that first Christmas night.

We can cast off all fear, all worries and fright.

This Christmas our souls can align with His will.

We can take time to be quiet and still.

Our minds can be peaceful and freed from distress.

We can give Him our cares, discard all duress.

We can trust as Christ trusted, with Him as our guest.

As He rested with Mary, in God’s arms we can rest.

When the day is near over, and the lights have grown dim,

We can make time to be still with Him.

When we look to the Infant, with grace from above.

The Babe in the manger still brings us His love.

Zechariah and Elizabeth, both righteous in God’s eyes,

Observed the commandments, were advanced in years, and wise.

Through all their days of marriage, for a child they had longed.

But Elizabeth was barren.  Not one child had she borne.

Inside the sanctuary, incense there was to burn.

Zechariah saw an angel.  Something great he was to learn.

The angel said of fear, he ought to have none.

His prayer had been heard by God.  His wife would bear a son.

His son would be great.  So said the angel’s voice.

His son was to be named John. At his birth, many would rejoice.

Because of him, many hearts, for the Lord would yearn.

Through him many souls, to the Lord would turn.

He would drink no strong drink.  Nor would he drink of wine.

All these things would be fulfilled, in their proper time.

Lord, help us honor Your commands, let us make haste to pray.

Your time may not be our time.   We trust Your timing today.

Our loved ones belong to You.  In Your time they will flower,

Until then, we persevere.  We pray through each passing hour.

We wait, like Zechariah. Our patience is a must.

Your time is not our time, Lord.  In You, we place our trust.

Zechariah waited prayerfully for the birth of His Son.

We pray for a new birth in Christ for each of our loved ones.

Now is the time to awake from our sleep.

Our salvation is nearer than when we first believed.

The day is at hand, advanced is the night.

Let us throw off dark works, don armors of light.

For the flesh, we must now make no provision.

Instead try to see with the Lord’s holy vision.

Let us throw off all lust, and all promiscuity.

Discard rivalry and jealousy, in Him find our security.

Stay awake!  Keep watch! As in Noah’s days.

The Lord will return like a flood, mighty and raised.

Dear Father, awaken our loved ones sedate,

From the slumber they’re in, before it’s too late.

By the Holy Spirit, may they be filled with Your gifts,

Of joy and of peace, to mend all their rifts.

Wake loved ones from slumber, Give their souls a shake

Call to them now Lord: “O sleeper awake!”

(Rom. 13:11-14; Matt. 24:37-44)