God “desires all to be saved” (1 Tim. 2:4). There is no exception to this divine rule (though some people work against God’s desire and exclude themselves from such salvation). This season of Advent is about Christ coming into all, each, and every aspect of our lives and into the whole of creation. It is about Him bringing the saving power of God to every created reality. Thus, today’s collect speaks of salvation “to all the ends of the earth.”

Consider that important reality: salvation is offered and extended to everyone. This means it is offered even to the enemies of God, who may well reject it but who are nonetheless loved by the Father. It also means that it is offered to those people in my life that I don’t like, that I find difficult, or who have hurt me. Think of the tough family member, the politician that irks me, the priest who changed something, the person who harmed me in the past. Even these are meant to be saved by Christ.

Do I, however, treat such people with this in mind—treating them with the respect and dignity that are theirs in Christ? Or do I shun them, speak or think against them, and act as though they were beyond saving? If the latter be the case, I am the one in need of salvation right now—I need conversion—lest my hard heart keep me away from loving God and this person! Such lack of love can end disastrously.

As today’s collect is the first this season to mention the Nativity, perhaps today is the day to let go of old grudges and angers—to ask God for the graces of conversion and forgiveness, both for myself and others. Then, with those heart-hardening things gone, we truly “may look forward in joy to the glorious Nativity of Christ,” and celebrate it well, with renewed love, when it does come.

Reflection Questions

• How do I treat those I consider my enemies, as well as those who have truly worked against me in any way?
• Do I pray for those who hurt me? Do I pray often for the grace to forgive like Christ?
• Do I pray for the conversion of the enemies of God and the Church? Do I pray for my own conversion?
• Am I joyfully preparing for the celebration of Christmas?

The Cristeros Rule of Life

As Cristeros, we dedicate ourselves to a a life of true devotion to Jesus through Mary, particularly in the form of Our Lady of Guadalupe. Our Lady of Guadalupe, Pray for Us.

We begin our days with a Morning Offering dedicating our day:

O Jesus, through the Immaculate Heart of Mary, I offer you my prayers, works, joys and sufferings of this day, in union with the holy sacrifice of the Mass throughout the world, for the remission of my sins, for the intentions of my family and friends, and in particular for the intentions of the Holy Father. Amen.

At a high or low point during the day, we pray to the Holy Spirit, handing over our accomplishments or sufferings:

Come Holy Spirit, fill the hearts of thy faithful, and enkindle in us the fire of thy love, send forth thy spirit and we shall be created, and though shall renew the face of the earth. Amen.

At some point each day, on our own or with our family or friends, we pray to our Mother Mary in the form of Guadalupe, giving all that we have and are to Jesus through Mary by reciting one of the following:

• A daily Rosary, focusing on the Fruits of the Mystery.
• The Hail Holy Queen

Every night before we go to sleep, by ourselves or with our wife, we pray a nightly examine using the ACTS formula:

• Adoration: We adore you and Christ and we bless You, because by Your Holy Cross, You have redeemed the world.
• Contrition: Ask God for forgiveness for all the times you have sinned or fallen short that day,
• Thanksgiving: Thank God for all the gifts he has given you that day, including the grace for those moments you have acted virtuously and towards the Good.
• Supplication: We ask God for his blessings that night and the next day, either with particular requests or in general, and end with a prayer dedicating ourselves to Him through Our Lady of Guadalupe: All that we have and all that we are, we give to your hands Jesus, through the heart of Mary, your blessed mother. Amen. Our Lady of Gudalupe, Pray For us.  

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