How to Celebrate Christmas When Life Is Hard

Have you ever heard the song "I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day"? Have you listened to the lyrics carefully? It's not exactly the blissful naiveté of "Deck the Halls". It's much more real and raw than that.

Today, Fr. Mike is here to remind us that although "hate is strong and mocks the song of peace on earth, good-will to men," the truth is that "God is not dead, nor doth He sleep; the wrong shall fail, the right prevail, with peace on earth, good-will to men."

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[pinkpaprika]

During the worst Christmas of my life, I thought of all the hardships Mary had to go through just to give birth to Jesus. This gave me the courage to hold on and make it through the worst.

[fam]

At the darkest time, God reminds us of His Light.

[Elainemom]

Life is hard for sure. The last couple have been rough. God please forgive me my sins so I can see you in eternity.

[VeronicasVeil]

Wow wow wow…….I never knew all of this…….8 years ago on Oct 28 my son took his own life in the military - 6 months after the death of his baby boy from a rare, fatal genetic disorder in infants. Both were our “onlys” - that first Christmas I lay on the couch in despair listening to an organist on EWTN play Christmas carols all over the world. It was soothing and I wondered if I would ever recover. 8 years later “I know my Redeemer liveth and that He will rise on the last day” - and my son is saved, my grandbaby is a saint and I am redeemed. Thank you, Father, for this profound message. Peace on earth, good will to men AMEN

[gustabeumer]

I remember Christmas when I was young. There were no presents. We went to church and had a big family meal. It was a day for thanksgiving and family.

[vny]

Been the worst year of my life. Constant health troubles coupled with many other things have made it unbearable. Thanks for this most relevant video - Merry Christmas

[MA-vzmu]

I have spent the past 5 days crying. Just crying. Family problems, past hurts, betrayal, painfully alone with no one to talk to….I know God just led me here to hear you Father. I needed to hear what you had to say, and it’s given me hope. I just needed to be reminded what a loving God we have. Thank you Father, now it feels like Christmas….

[COcatholicgal]

2023 has been the hardest year of my life, this messsage brought tears to my eyes. Thank you Father Mike!

[iDuh]

My 1 year old son Teddy recently got diagnosed with a rare and aggressive cancer. It's been devastating watching him be in pain and hope it'll pass soon. Please pray for a miraculous healing for Teddy. We have our faith in God to get us through this.

[Judy-gs]

I have a son and my granddaughter visiting, my son is clearly either addicted or severely mentally sick . The verbal abuse is horrible. I prayed for my family to be together this Christmas but for this? They were raised Catholic, I’m praying the next 2 days I find some joy or love in their hearts. More importantly to keep my peace

[rruiz]

Amen!!!! Thank you Father Mike for this reminder! I am a mother of two young children, recently diagnosed with cancer, and although this Christmas seemed soooo different, I thank our Lord for all this 2023 has brought, even this cancer diagnosis because it has brought me closer to our Heavenly Father! As I sat this Christmas feeling a bit lonely, as if it didn’t matter to others what disease I had and what I was going through, God reminds me day in and day out, that I matter to him, that he is here for me, that I should be more compassionate with others as others don’t known my true feelings, to value the little things…so yes, Christmas may be hard for some, sad for many, and lonely to a lot of people, but Jesus Christ was born because our Lord loves us soo unconditionally!

[lorrainecox]

Fr. Mike, i have thought of you and your family often as you prepare to celebrate your first Christmas without your Mom. She will have the most glorious Christmas ever. Never would we wish that away from her. It still doesn't remove the sting of loss, so console yourself with the bazillion sweet memories you have of her. Just think how much more powerful her prayers are for you, her priest son, who is a target of the devil because he is leading untold souls to God. May God continue to bless you and your family

[tonygasperson]

My wife is dying from stage 4 breast cancer she home now under hospice care. She still fighting but this is the hardest thing I have ever experienced in my life. Today is Christmas which is her most favorite holiday. I see post from years ago show her and our kids together. It crushes me.

[Bernadette]

Wooh. I needed this. Grieving the loss of my parents hard this year and every moment feels impossible right now to smile and feel joy, but as a Christian, I must hold onto hope. Thank you, Fr. Mike. This is so necessary.

[daninspiration]

For Christmas don’t dwell in what we don’t have or what we can no longer do because of illness and financial stress, but focus on what we still have and what we can still do. Life becomes much more joyful and rich.
God bless all
Have a Mary+Christ+mass

[rommelflores]

This year has been a painful challenging times. Lost a job due to redundancy, one part time job that the boss didn't paid my last work, he just run away and one job offer that was rescinded. These 3 failures put me to uncharted waters. Still Christmas is here and I believe good things will come soon with God's grace and time.

[cdmc]

My heart goes out to all of you that are going through hurt, pain and health problems. I can tell you, it will get better. I know because when we feel heartache and lost please know it gets better. May God bless each of you as he has me. I thank Him everyday.

[mohammedziauddin]

Praise to you Lord Jesus Christ. . . I pray for the homeless, hungry, mentally ill, the lonely, the disenfranchised, those in prison, those who suffer in war, those who deal with poverty, those who suffer for the Love of the Gospel, especially those who live in Islamic & Idolatry lands. . .peace on earth and good will to man. . .to us a Savior is born. . .Praise to you Lord Jesus Christ. 🙏🙏🙏🙏💗💗💗💗✝️✝️✝️✝️

[emilybaylor]

Has Father Mike commented on the genocide on Palestine!?! And the Christmas festivities in Bethlehem, Palestine being cancelled? As an Arab Catholic, I’m feeling so isolated and alone in the Christian community feeling like everyone is ignoring what is happening in the birthplace of Jesus!! And how Catholic Palestinians are being murdered and targeted intentionally in Gaza 😢 we cannot forget about them, and must pray for them! Would love for you to post a video Father Mike to raise prayers, like the Pope has commented

[maureenhayes]

Praying for everyone here who is suffering this Christmas, please know I love you, but more importantly God loves you so much he died so you could live forever. Hold on, have hope and joy in HIM even if your heart is breaking, you’re in pain, etc. . . I can’t promise you that everything will be alright here, but I can promise God can make it right in the next. Sending my love and hugs.