Mary Sullivan

The angel Gabriel, by God to Mary, he was sent.

Mary’s town was Nazareth so to Nazareth he went.

Mary was a mild woman, one of little fame.

She was betrothed to a man, and Joseph was his name.

In Nazareth, in this small home, this very humble place,

The angel told Mary that she was full of grace.

For Mary was a lowly woman, it was God whom she adored.

The Lord was with Mary. And Mary with the Lord.

Mary by the angel’s words, was really troubled greatly.

One might suspect perhaps she even feared for her safety.

She stopped to ponder just what kind of greeting this might be.

But Mary was told by the angel, not to be afraid, for in reality,

God was very pleased with Mary, for to God, Mary had been bound.

By her humble obedience, Mary had God’s favor found.

The angel said she’d bear a Son.  This was the angel’s claim

He would be Son of the Most High.  Jesus would be his name.

He would rule over Jacob’s house.  The angel helped Mary see,

He would have the throne of David, and great would He be.

The child would be Holy, the Son of God utmost.

And Mary would be overshadowed by the Holy Ghost.

The angel then told Mary, something else quite new;

her cousin Elizabeth, in old age, was with child too.

Elizabeth once barren, was now in the sixth month,

for her who’d never borne a child, no child even once.

For our God can overcome all things, for God there is no obstacle.

For our good and loving God “nothing is impossible.”

Mary, to all of this, in honor of the God whom she adored

Proclaimed to the angel: “…I am the handmaid of the Lord.”

Dear Father up in heaven, may we say “yes” to You.

In a new way this Advent, all sin may we eschew.

May we follow Mother Mary, so humble and so pure,

May we put You first in all things, be the One Whom we adore.

Father, we pray for daughters.  And we pray for sons.

May they say “Yes” to You.  May it be Your race they run.

May they hear the voice of angels.  To sin become resistant.

May they seek Christ this Christmas.  May all find Him as an Infant.

May we follow the light of Christ, in all we say and do.

May we prepare a special place, in our hearts for You.

Earth has no sorrow, which heaven cannot heal (Saint Thomas More)

The wounds may go down deep, the sorrow be unreal;

We pray for healing of our loved ones; as on our knees we kneel.

It all may be astounding, seem so crazy and surreal,

Yet it helps to remember, lest we lose our Christmas hope and zeal,

Earth has never met a sorrow, which heaven cannot heal.

Whoever comes to truth,

who seeks to truth unite,

Will find himself enlightened,

by the light of life.

Jesus came to testify,

to truth and to the light.

That all might believe through Him,

and do what is right.

Dear Jesus, come as Infant,

So humble and so pure.

May the Infant child be the One

Who we love and adore.

Come close to loved ones through their days,

and through all their nights.

Come close at Christmas, Jesus,

Bring to each a new light.

God born as humble Babe,

Human infnat in the flesh.

May loved ones’ hearts be touched by Yours,

When they see You, in the creche.

(John 1:7,9, John 3:19-21; Psalm 80)

Here comes our God,

He comes with vindication,

He comes forth to save us all,

To grant us all salvation.

We will see in all His majesty,

The splendor of the Lord,

The Lord who is Almighty,

The Lord we have adored.

Parched lives will give birth to joy,

When hearts can but make room,

For our Lord to enter.

Then barren lives will bloom.

May loved ones’ lives prepare to bloom,

Bloom with many flowers.

May those we love, grow in faith.

At this decisive hour.

May feeble hands be made strong.

Firm be made the knees, now weak,

May it be Your heart, our loved ones look to,

Your will, our loved ones seek.

Eyes once blinded by grave errors,

By the dark stain of sin,

May they now see the truth,

Through truth, Your victory win.

Sin owns not the final word—

Nor is it the last story.

May wounded hearts, once slain by sin,

Be healed for Your glory.  Amen +

Dear Lady of Guadalupe,

We ask of you this day,

Touch with grace, our loved ones’ hearts.

They’re lost and gone astray.

As you converted millions

And brought them to your Son.

Make haste, convert our loved ones,

That Christ’s victory may be won.

A miracle is what we need,

Like that on Tepeyac Hill.

Your Son can do miracles,

Restless hearts He stills.

Stay close dear Blessed Mother,

Do not from them depart,

As flowers bloomed in winter,

Help Christ’s love bloom in their hearts.

Heal their souls Dear Mother,

Help them know God’s love.

Send graces Blessed Mother.

Send help from above.

Let God’s light shine upon them,

From His majestic throne.

Protect them Blessed Mother.

Bring each of our loved ones home.