Thursday of the First Week of Advent
The Light of Gratitude
“Saint Paul invites us to prepare for the coming of the Lord by assuming three attitudes: constant joy, persevering prayer and continual thanksgiving,” the Pope said. “Joy, prayer and gratitude are three attitudes that prepare us to live Christmas in an authentic way.” -Pope Francis
Scripture:
Isaiah 26:1-6
Matthew 7:21, 24-27
Reflection:
Dr. Griena Knight-Davis, Ed.D., is the Principal of Holy Family Catholic Academy in Birmingham, Alabama. She is a lifelong parishioner at St. Mary’s Parish in Fairfield, Alabama.
A Prayer of Thanksgiving & Gratitude
Father in Heaven, Creator of all,
and source of all goodness and love,
please look kindly upon us
and receive our heartfelt gratitude
in this time of giving thanks.
Thank you for all the graces
spiritual and temporal:
our faith and religious heritage,
our food and shelter, our health,
the love we have for one another,
our family and friends.
Dear Father, in Your infinite generosity,
please grant us continued graces
and blessing throughout the coming year.
We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,
who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit,
one God, forever and ever. Amen.
-Gretchen Filz
Call to Action:
Buy Ethical Trade Christmas gifts at Catholic Relief Service. Ethical Trade means people will get a fair price for their labor and materials and no forced labor. https://ethicaltrade.crs.org/