Jesus of Nazareth is the reason why we are gathered here this afternoon, on the first Sunday of Advent. Jesus of Nazareth asks our strife-torn world, our polarized nation, our far-flung Diocese, our Gallatin County, our new parish, and all of us to make a place in the cold stable of our hearts for the Prince of Peace to be born anew at Christmastide.

The Messenger invited young people in every parish to write a Prayer for Christmas. The first three entries were selected as exemplary among their classmates. Then other notable prayers were added. More will be on the Messenger web site: bellevillemessenger.org Following are some of the prayers we received.

At Christmas, as in every Sunday, we profess with a clear and transparent faith: “For us men and for our salvation he came down from heaven: and by the Holy Spirit was incarnate of the Virgin Mary, and became man” (Nicene Creed). En la Navidad como cada Domingo confesamos con fe clara y transparente según el Credo de la Iglesia: “Por nosotros, los hombres, y por nuestra salvación bajó del cielo, y por obra del Espíritu Santo … .