There’s a space in the beauty of Creation that only you can fill.

There’s a difference in the world that only you can make.

There’s a particular calling that can only be answered through your will.

There’s a valuable story to be written and told only through your voice.

There’s a process of forgiveness that frees others, which can only happen through your transformative journey of healing.

There’s a particular cross that only you can embrace and bear.

There’s a life of prayer that always awaits for your soul to kneel.

There’s a dance, that the spirit of God gracefully longs to direct your steps in.

There’s a song waiting to be sung through your spirit as it rises to Him.

There’s a love to be shared only through your self-gift.

All you once were, all you presently are, and all you are yet to be, are deeply seen as precious in the eyes of Him, of whom you are lovingly His.

In light of all this, finally, let us try to reflect upon how Jesus himself is a gift to us!

An unconditional love permeates God’s every act. This is expressed in His self-love as a gift to humanity – in Jesus – the wounded healer, the faithful lover – but it is also expressed in all of life that strives to live, it is expressed in a joy that points to more joy, it is expressed in the silence of a world that doesn’t need to exist but continues to, it is expressed in the cries of an infant who breathes fresh air for the first time, it is expressed in the Sacrament of Confession, through which God forgives and heals each bleeding wound perfectly, it is expressed even in pain, since pain (our distaste for it) reminds us of our real home, a home that is free of pain, free of death.

This Christmas, therefore, let us allow the one who has experienced each wound, to heal us, let us allow the one who, against all odds, continued to love, to really love us. Let us be born anew, as more healed, more loving, more human. As Meister Eckhart asked, “what good is it for me if Mary gave birth to the son of God 1400 years ago, and I don’t give birth to God’s son in my person and my culture and my times?”.

We are all meant to be “other Mary’s”. By God’s grace and guidance, we can all birth divinity!

Read More –

The Difference Jesus Makes in my Life – Universe of Faith

Lord I Need You, Where Are You? – Universe of Faith

Is Jesus Fully Human? – Universe of Faith

The post A Letter To You, This Christmas! appeared first on Universe of Faith.

Christmas Message 1

For Unto Us A Child Is Born…
This Christmas let Jesus be the Child within you.
This coming year let Him lead you to what is pure, simple and true.

Fr Paul Chetcuti SJ

Christmas Message 2

The Lord ensures the victory of love
even if our love is so fragile
and fragmented
and even tainted.
Happy Christmas!

Christmas Message 3

Christmas happened because Mary,
a ‘single’ mum, chose
to give birth to a
problematic child.
He turned out to be
God himself.

Paul Chetcuti SJ

Christmas Message 4

“Christmas reminds us
how much God has cared.
He sent his own Son
love and hope to be shared.

Our wish for this Christmas
from us unto you,
is that your hope is restored
and your love’s built anew.”
Merry Christmas!

Christmas
the silence of presence
the light bouncing off silken twigs
the transparency of inner light
the preciousness of fleeting gold
the tenderness of fragile life
the buried grain that soars so high
the formless joy that fills all space
the morning birth that kills the night
singing of hope and trust and love
silently loud, weakly strong
hidden yet seen
a woman, a man, a child
a He… a She… a Me
JESUS the GIFT

Fr Paul Chetcuti SJ

Christian Christmas messages for Facebook

Read more:
– Christmas Faith Quotes By Famous People
– Top Popes’ Christmas Quotes

The post Christian Christmas Messages for Facebook appeared first on Universe of Faith.

A selection of known and less known Christmas prayers and poems from the Christian and Catholic tradition.

1. A CHRISTMAS PRAYER by Robert Louis Stevenson

“Loving Father, help us remember the birth of Jesus, that we may share in the song of the angels, the gladness of the shepherds, and the worship of the wise men.

Close the door of hate and open the door of love all over the world. Let kindness come with every gift and good desires with every greeting. Deliver us from evil by the blessing which Christ brings, and teach us to be merry with clear hearts.

May the Christmas morning make us happy to be Thy children, and the Christmas evening bring us to our beds with grateful thoughts, forgiving and forgiven, for Jesus’ sake. Amen.”

2. A SIMPLE CHRISTMAS PRAYER by Fr Paul Chetcuti SJ

Christmas is
A gift received to be given,
A life received to be lived,
A time for greatness to be found in smallness,
For the Divine to seek a home in the human,

Dear Jesus, this Christmas my prayer is
that I open my fragile smallness
to the Greatness of the Gift
so as to become part of the Gift.

3. A PRAYER FOR CHRISTMAS TIME by Fr Mattat al-Miskin

“If for us the experience of (your) infancy is so difficult, it is not so for you, O Son of God.

If we stumble along the way that leads to communion with you because of your smallness, you are capable of removing all the obstacles that prevent us from doing this.

We know that you will not be at peace until you find us in your likeness and with this (same) smallness.  Allow us today, O Son of God, to draw near to your heart.

Grant that we may not consider ourselves great in our experiences.  Grant us instead to become small like you, so that we can draw near to you and receive from you abundant humility and meekness.

Do not deprive us of your revelation, the epiphany of your infancy in our hearts, so that with it we can heal all our pride and all our arrogance.

We greatly need for you to reveal in us your simplicity, by drawing us, and indeed the Church and the whole world, to yourself.  Our world is weary and exhausted, because everyone is vying to see who is the greatest.

There is a ruthless competition between governments, churches, peoples, within families, from one parish to another: Who of us is the greatest?

The world is festering with painful wounds because of this great illness: Who is the greatest?

But today we have found in you, O Son of God, our one medicine.  We, and the whole world, will not find salvation or peace unless we go back to encounter you anew in the manger of Bethlehem.

Amen.”

Read more:
– Top Popes’ Christmas Quotes
– The Love Of Christmas In Famous Christmas Characters

The post Christmas Prayers and Poems appeared first on Universe of Faith.

Difference 1 – “Jesus Gives Me Energy & Meaning”

“In my life it makes the difference of finding the energy to go the extra mile when my energies are long gone… to forgive and not brood…to hope. Without the love and companionship of Jesus my life and work would lose their meaning. Because he became one like me, there is nothing in my human life that cannot relate me to Him… in my pains and joys I find His love! The Eucharist is Living Presence that renews and enkindles my life.”
Alda Anastasi, Homeopath from Malta

Difference 2 – “I Feel Blessed”

“When I get up each morning to the sound of nature followed by my childrens’ voices, laughter & fights, I feel them as a blessing that God has granted me.
Who am I to deserve this?
Believing in Him gives me courage to face the day.
Knowing that He’s there to watch over us puts my mind at rest.”
Claudia Cini , Author from Malta

Difference 3 – “My Belief In Him Allows Me To Keep Calm”

“Due to the hurried life we are living it is very easy to forget Jesus in our daily life, however when I do stop to reflect on the day I have ahead of mine and how best I should live it, Jesus immediately springs to my mind.
My belief in Him allows me to keep calm and also to carry out my duties in the best way possible.”
Cyril Spiteri Staines, Lecturer from Malta

Difference 4 – “Jesus Gives Me Positivity”

“My belief in Jesus gives me the courage to face my everyday challenges,
knowing that He is with me at all times.
I look at life positively,
because I know that everything I look at,
has been planned out by Him.”
Dawn Powell, Video Editor from Malta

Difference 5 – “Jesus Formed Me Into A Better Person”

“Jesus is what has formed me to be in who I am today.
Perfect? Absolutely not!
Trying to letting Him forming me into a better person, everyday.
Whilst hoping to help others discover Him and themselves.
It is a treasure worth living for.”
David Dye, Lab Technician from Malta

Difference 6 – “Jesus Gives Me Constant Companionship”

“God is a constant companion, whose guiding hand is often unseen, and yet, His presence give peace and certainty at all times, even in the most adverse of circumstances.
While I may not be perfect, and easily distracted,
I am called to love unconditionally, and in seeking to do so, I emulate Jesus whose sacrifice delivered me into God’s Grace.
Steven Mifsud, Programme Officer from Malta

Difference 7 – “Jesus Gives Me Inner Tranquility”

“Believing in Jesus in my daily life makes a great difference to my well-being. This belief in Jesus, God the Son made Man for us, fills me with peace in a turbulent world – my inner tranquility is untouched by all the unpleasant episodes I witness around me. I feel His love protecting me and, I acknowledge that without God in focus, life would have been much worse. He is the light in the darkness.”
Maria Cordina, Retired Administrator from Malta

Difference 8 – “He Challenges My Selfish ways”

“I realise that there is nothing but truth in Jesus’ words. He has changed my life (in a good way of course!) so dramatically. I love living for him now, and how he keeps on challenging me to love others unselfishly the way he loved us. I believe in Jesus because even the “bad times”; are not that bad only because I know Jesus is there and is providing.”
May, Student from the United States

Difference 9 – “I Know That I Am Loved”

“The difference Jesus makes in my life is that each day and in all situations, I know that I am loved unconditionally in very special ways.”

Antoinette Boutros, Psychotherapist from Lebanon

Send us what difference Jesus makes in your life on hello@universeoffaith.org

Read more:
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Watch:

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Holy Family Sculpture – Mary in her final stages of pregnancy

The person who commissioned this Holy Family sculpture, wanted to have Mary touch her pregnant belly. Indeed, if there’s one thing most pregnant women have in common, it’s touching, rubbing or patting their growing belly possibly as a way to feel close to the baby inside. Mary is here seen in her final stages of her pregnancy. Indri says: “I wanted to emphasise pregnancy and the fact that in this moment Mary could do nothing but take care of the one she carried.”

Holy Family Sculpture – Joseph, the caring father

Besides this touching motion, Indri also tries to create other actions in something which is static. A quick look at the figure of St Joseph will immediately show us his concern for Mary, in Indri’s words: “I wanted to portray St Joseph as a caring figure. You can see that with one hand he is trying to support Mary distressed before birth, with the other he is trying to give direction to the tired donkey, which has somehow lost its route. At the same time because of his age he is also helping himself with a stick.”

The donkey, the third figure in the sculpture, is tired with the toil, so much so, that he is losing his sense of direction.

In the picture above we can see the clay sculpture before being fired in the oven at a temperature of 1200 degrees celsius. In the picture below we can see the change in colours when turned into ceramic material.

Indri has experimenting with art since his childhood years. He studied at Targa Gap Mosta Art School and at the University of Malta. He has various artworks in both Churches and private collections. You can see more of Indri’s art work here.

Read more:
– Isaac Warrington – Art About The Human Being, Spirituality And The Environment
– Christmas Faith Quotes By Famous People

The post Holy Family Sculpture – By Indri Attard appeared first on Universe of Faith.

Jesus –

Love is the small baby Jesus.
Love humbles itself.

Mary –

Love is that young girl Mary, who believed in the words of the angel and said “yes” to the call. Love believes and obeys.

Joseph –

Love is Saint Joseph who accepted what he could not understand. With love we realise that there are things we can never understand.

Elizabeth –

Love is Elizabeth who feels so happy when she hears the good news of her relative. Love is not jealous but rejoices in the good that happens to others.

Jesus’ parents –

Love is Mary and Joseph who kept knocking on the doors. Love keeps trying and remains steadfast till the end in spite of difficulties.

The Inn-Keeper –

Love is the inn-keeper who, in spite of his limited resources, made room for Mary and Joseph, by offering the very last space he had left. This was good enough. Love gives from the little she has.

The Wise Men –

Love is the magi who despite their wisdom, trusted in a sign they met along the way. Love notices the signs along the journey of life, trusts in them and walks forward accordingly.

The Shepherds –

Love is the shepherds who despite their simplicity of life, believed and went to adore Jesus. Love is simple. Love believes and adores.

The Cow & The Donkey –

Love is the cow and the donkey, the lesser ones who protected and warmed the little baby. Those who love do not say I am not good enough but know that God can use them to do great things.

Simeon –

Love is old Simeon whose heart was made complete as soon as he saw Jesus being presented at the temple. Love fills the void, gives rest to the heart and knows God. Simeon recognised God as he had been waiting for the him!

 Us –

Love is you and me. With Jesus in our hearts, we can make a difference in each others’ lives.

Published: December 2017

Read more:
– Top Popes’ Christmas Quotes
– Feeling Insecure – Love As The Greatest Security

The post The Love of Christmas in Famous Christmas Characters appeared first on Universe of Faith.

WAY 1: Move from Bethlehem to the cave of Bethlehem

The cave where Jesus was born was a little spot in the busy town of Bethlehem full of hustle and bustle during the census. Spend some time during advent in silence so that in your own cave you will listen to your deeper self, away from the fast-moving routine of your life.

WAY 2: Be aware that it is God’s pleasure to be with man

God the creator, the infinite and the all-knowing became part of a weak humanity. Christmas bridges this gap. Spend some time in front of a crib and reflect on the fact that, as St George Preca put it: “It is God’s pleasure to be with us men and women .

WAY 3: Add a prayer as you light the candle wreath

Whether on your own or in your family say a short prayer and ask to be prepared for Christmas as you weekly light the next candle on the advent wreath.

WAY 4: Commit yourself to give something to nature

We need to extend our sense of solidarity also to nature, when nature suffers the poor suffer the most as Pope Francis told us in his letter On Care for Our Common Home. Participate in a clean-up, re-use or change a habit to make it more environmental friendly.

WAY 5: Become more real and less virtual

Make an effort during this Christmas time and give attention to the people around you. Give time and attention especially to your family members and members of the extended family and those people you know might be alone.

WAY 6: Fuel up with a short daily reflection or Bible reading

Find an already existing resource which you can easily follow to become more spiritually equipped this Christmas.

Article compiled by Suzanne Vella & the Society of Christian Doctrine of Malta, also known as MUSEUM.

Read more:
– What Is The Real Story Of Saint Nicholas/Santa Claus?
– Christmas in Malta – What’s On at the Society of Christian Doctrine – MUSEUM

The post Spiritual Christmas – Ways to Celebrate appeared first on Universe of Faith.

Street Demonstration With Baby Jesus, Also Known As The Children’s Procession

Demostrations today have a connotation with protest but Fr George simply wanted “to demonstrate baby Jesus in the streets to remind the people about the true meaning of Christmas, he did not want it to be a procession. But why would he do that in 1921, when the Maltese were still very religious I asked? “He was already seeing that some were actually celebrating Christmas simply as a matter of culture and tradition. He wanted to remind the people that Christmas is about Jesus.” Ruben said.

Prize Giving At Christmas

As a reward for making an effort to participate in faith formation classes along the year, children and young teens are awarded a gift such as a crib, a holy statue or a book depending on the age. Gifts are done by the Society of Christian Doctrine members themselves, some of who start working on the cribs in summer. Ruben explained: “We are trying to make an effort to re-use material which is available rather buy new stuff as a sign of respect towards the environment. We hope that these statues will also serve as a reminder of Christian values and virtues when they grow up, not just nostalgia. The original idea was that Fr George wished that every family, especially the poor ones, will have a Christmas crib in their home.

Christmas Novena

Just like the Christmas Novena held in parishes around Malta, nine days before Christmas every museum will start a programme on the Christmas theme with children instead of the normal faith formation classes during which videos, plays and various methods are used: “While in the young classes emphasis is put on knowing the Christmas story, the older classes usually explore a theme eg: justice … seen in the poor and the rich of those times, Herod’s attitudes, the inn-keeper, escaping to Egypt etc. Ruben described.

The Society of Christian Doctrine members daily attend a one hour formation class for themselves prepared from members to members. During these nine days follow a special programme entitled School of Bethlehem. Ruben explained how: “The members gather in front of the statue of Baby Jesus and reflect on themes like – Christ’s humanity, poverty, divinity, obedience, human nature, God’s providence, God’s loyalty, God’s mercy, gentleness, silence, patience and human dignity are explored and enjoyed during this time.

Christmas is a very special time of the year at the Society of Christian Doctrine as Fr George was fascinated by the greatness of God and very much aware of the weaknesses of the human person. In the Christmas event, the Incarnation, he saw a bridge between this greatness and this weakness. He was fully convinced that it is “God’s pleasure to be with us men and women .

Read more:
– Spiritual Christmas – Ways To Celebrate

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Nicholas –  The man who loved to help in secret

The man behind today’s figure of Father Christmas or Santa Claus was born in the 3rd century modern-day Turkey. Nicholas was born in a wealthy family and in his early years he was brought up by his parents to be a devout Christian. Sadly his parents died when he was only a teenager. Subsequently, he went to live with his uncle who was a priest. Responding to Christ’s radical call to “give everything and come follow me”, he gave away his inherited wealth. Because of his zeal in adhering to his faith, he spent a number of years in prison under the Roman Emperor Diocletian who ruthlessly persecuted Christians. After his release from prison, he became renowned for his generosity to those in need, his love for children, his concern for those who suffer injustice, as well as for his care for sailors.

Nicholas, the real Santa Claus, tried to give his help secretly. He didn’t want any attention or to be thanked. A number of years after his imprisonment had passed and he was appointed to become the Bishop of Myra. His concern for his flock went beyond religious regard. When Myra was affected by famine he negotiated with some sailors who were coming from Egypt, and bought wheat for the people so that no one went hungry. He helped many, young and old, who were in trouble. All his life Nicholas showed people how to love God and care for others.

The custom of giving presents in a stocking at Christmas time originates from Nicholas

In St Nicholas’ days, there was a rich man, who had fallen on hard times. Since the man could not afford a dowry for his three daughters, they were bound to a life of slavery or prostitution as they would remain unmarried, and unable to earn a living in any other way. It is said that St Nicholas heard of the family’s plight, and secretly delivered gold to the family right before each daughter came of age. St Nicholas, the real Santa Claus wanted to keep his charity a secret. So each time he dropped a sack full of gold down the chimney, it landed in the girl’s stocking, which was hanging on the fireplace mantel to dry.

From St Nicholas to Santa Claus

After Nicholas died, the people told stories of the good and kind things Nicholas had done. Sailors spread these stories about St Nicholas wherever they went. There were stories about his special care he had for children, saving the innocent from injustice, providing food during time of famine and calming the seas. As people heard about the good and kind St Nicholas, they wanted to imitate him. Since the liturgical feast of St Nicholas falls during the Advent period, for these past 1000 years St Nicholas has become associated with Christmas. In recent centuries, the custom of children receiving gifts on the eve of St Nicholas’ day originated, particularly in Northern European countries. The devotion towards St Nicholas was so strong that the tradition to this day, in a number of European countries with a predominant Protestant tradition.

1822 – Saint Nicholas in Poetry

An early and famous poem, called, A Visit From St Nicholas was written by Dr. Clement Clarck Moore for his own six children. This poem is also known by its first line ”Twas the Night Before Christmas”.

‘Twas the night before Christmas, when all through the house
Not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse;
The stockings were hung by the chimney with care,
In hopes that St Nicholas soon would be there; …

1864 – Saint Nicholas in Song

In 1864, Benjamin Hanby wrote the song “Up on the House Top” which was probably inspired by Dr. Clement Clarck Moore poem.

“Up on the house top, click, click, click,
Down through the chimney with good Saint Nicholas…

1920’s – Saint Nicholas in Advertising

Since the 1920’s Santa Claus was depicted in cartoon art in a bright red suit. He became entrenched in the social imagination as a jovial character after his image was used by a beverage company to endorse its drink as being the solution for ‘a thirst for all seasons’. Other businesses’ were quick to follow, using the jovial Santa Claus to advance the commercial emphasis that dominates Christmas today.

However, symbols of the real Santa were also used such as the crimson or deep purple characteristics colours of bishop’s robes, the bishop’s crozier (a shepherd’s hooked staff), the mitre (a bishop’s pointy hat), and a book symbolising the Sacred Scriptures. Other symbols related to the stories about him include, a ship or anchor, hanging the stockings by the fireplace and candy canes.

Suggestion for gifts for children

It is recommended that parents or helpers of St Nicholas buy small presents for children and help them appreciate these gifts rather than buying big presents or having the children ask for a particular present which they would like.

Thank you to Professor Adrian Gellel for the historical details in this article.
For further reading and other stories about St Nicholas visit: St Nicholas Centre

Published: December 2016
Updated: December 2018

Read more:
– Parent-Child Faith Sharing Ideas By Bishop Mario Grech
– Top Popes’ Quotes About Christmas

The post The Real Santa Claus – Saint Nick’s Story From His Birth till Today appeared first on Universe of Faith.

Quote 1 – Queen Elizabeth 2nd

“It is true that the world has had to confront moments of darkness this year but the Gospel of John contains a verse of great hope: “The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome”. There are millions of people lighting candles of hope in our world today. Christmas is a good time to be thankful for them, and for all that brings light to our lives.”
Queen Elizabeth 2nd, Christmas message, 2015

Quote 2 – Saint George Preca

“The first lesson which Christ gave to the world was silence and showed that through silence the Kingdom of God enters the heart of man.”
Saint George Preca, The School of Betlehem

Quote 3 – Saint Oscar Romero

“We must not seek the child Jesus in the pretty figures of our Christmas cribs. We must seek him among the undernourished children who have gone to bed at night with nothing to eat, among the poor newsboys who will sleep covered with newspapers in doorways.”
Saint Oscar Romero

 Quote 4 – Dr David L. McKenna

“Jesus was fully human. To us, humanity means frailty and failure; hence, our dilemma. We need a God who is beyond us and yet one with whom we can identify. That was God’s intention in the Incarnation. In Jesus, God put himself into a real man who might have lived next door.
Dr David L. Mc Kenna

Christmas quotes by famous people

Read more:
– Top Popes’ Human Dignity Quotes
– Top Pope Francis Quotes About Global and Local Human Solidarity

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