Read or listen to this Sunday’s Mass readings here.

• Isaiah 9:1-6
• Titus 2:11-14
• Luke 2:1-14

Note: There are several Scripture reading options for the various Christmas liturgy times.
 

The Pauline family had enjoyed a full day.  Hillary had played hard with her new toys.  Now, she was ready for bed.  She had brushed her teeth but left her dirty clothes on the floor.

“Hillary, pick up those clothes and put them where they belong,” said Mrs. Pauline.  “Good night, Hillary, Merry Christmas.  I love you and so does Jesus,” Mom said, giving her a hug and a kiss.

Daddy came into Hillary’s bedroom to pray with her.  They knelt together and thanked God for His wonderful gift to us – His Son, Jesus.  Hillary asked God to bless everybody.

“Okay, Young Lady, hop into bed,” said Dad.  She climbed into bed, and Mr. Pauline bent down, pulling the blanket up to Hillary’s chin.  “And here’s your new teddy bear.”  Hillary’s big wide eyes looked sad.

“What’s the matter, Hillary?” asked Dad.

“We can’t go to the store now, it’s too late,” Hillary cried.  “And I wanted to get a gift for Jesus!”

“You don’t have to go to the store to get a gift, you have the best gift in the whole world right here,” Dad reassured her.

Hillary stopped crying and looked around her room for what the best gift could be.

“Should I give Him my new teddy bear?” she asked, holding on to it tightly.

“Oh, I see something else God would much rather have,” replied Dad.

Hillary wondered if she could give Him something of Lucy’s but decided that wouldn’t be right.

“I don’t know … I don’t know.  Does He like candy?” asked Hillary, with tears welling up in her eyes again.

“I don’t think so.  Do you want me to tell you what God wants most of all?” asked Dad.

“Yes,” said Hillary, who stopped crying so she could hear.

“You are the most important, most special to God,” said Dad gently.

“But how can I give me to God?” asked Hillary.  “I can’t reach Him.”

Mr. Pauline continued, “Because God is all powerful, we just speak the words, and He does the rest.”

“What words?” asked Hillary. 

“I’ll say them, and you can repeat them after me,” said Dad.

“Lord, I give myself to You,” Dad began. 

“Lord, I give myself to You,” said Hillary.

“My whole heart,” he said. 

“My whole heart,” mimicked Hillary.

“And my whole mind,” Dad continued. 

Hillary responded, “And my whole mind.”

“And my whole body.” 

“And my whole body.”

“I am Yours, Lord,” said Dad. 

“I am Yours, Lord,” repeated Hillary, with a smile on her face.

“There!  I know God is very happy with His present, Hillary,” said Dad, giving his daughter a big hug.  Now, close your eyes and have a good night’s sleep.”

“Good night, Hillary,” Dad whispered as he kissed her cheek.

“Good night, Daddy,” said Hillary.

“For today in the city of David

a savior has been born for you

who is Messiah and Lord.”

(Luke 2:11)

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Why was Hillary sad?

Can we give gifts to God?

What do you want to give to God?

Would you prefer a print a copy of this story?

Our mission is to help parents respond to the Church’s call to be “the first and foremost educators of their children” and to help families grow in the transforming love of God by understanding and living our beautiful Catholic Faith!

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• Help Father dress for Mass with our Priest Paper Doll.
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