My Family Prayer Book

 2022-Jan-2: The Epiphany of the Lord Welcome - Who shall we pray for today ... Opening prayer Heavenly Father, thank you for bringing us together today to study your Word. Help us to find the true meaning of your mysteries. May your peace be in our hearts, your grace be in our thoughts, your love be in our words and your joy be in our souls. May your Spirit guide us, your words bring us your peace, your shield protect us, your wisdom arm us, wherever you may lead us. Through Jesus Christ, our Lord, Amen. Significance of Feast of the Epiphany:  Up until the 4th century, Christmas or Jesus’ birth was celebrated on January 6 (it still is in most parts of the Orthodox Church around the world). However, in 325 AD Emperor Constantine (the first to convert to Christianity through the influence of his mother Saint Helena) moved the observance of Christmas in the Western Church to December 25, the day of the Sol Invictus or the Unconquered Sun. Epiphany (from the Greek ' epiphaneia ' ...

 Dec-28: Feast of the Holy Innocents During the Octave of Christmas, we celebrate a particular feast day on December 28th: the Feast of the Holy Innocents.  Also known as Childermas, it commemorates the children slaughtered by the barbaric King Herod whose goal was to kill the Christ Child and preserve his own power.  The Holy Innocents died in Christ's stead so that He could die in ours. " A voice is heard in Ramah, weeping and great mourning, Rachel weeping for her children and refusing to be comforted, because they are no more. [Jeremiah 31:15]" The Story of the Holy Innocents Herod the Great, named King of Judea by Mark Anthony, was unpopular with his people because of his cozy connections with the occupying Romans and his religious indifference. He curried favour by renovating the Second Temple in Jerusalem, overseeing the expansion of the Temple Mount and building the military complex at Masada. But he was deeply insecure and fearful of any threat to...