" There is only one God, brethren, and we earn about him only from sacred Scripture. It is therefore our duty to become acquainted with what Scripture proclaims and to investigate its teachings thoroughly. We should believe them in the sense that the Father wills, thinking of the Son in the way the Father wills, and accepting the teaching he wills to give us with regard to the Holy Spirit. Sacred Scripture is God's gift to us and it should be understood in the way that he intends: we should not do violence to it by interpreting it according to our own preconceived ideas." St. Hippolytus

How important it is that we regularly read and reflect of God's word! Some say that it is difficult to understand what they read. Pray for God's wisdom when we read and reflect on the Sacred writings. There is much wealth in the word of God that is given to us to lift us up, to deepen our relationship with God, to show us the path to holiness, to point out our sins, and to direct our thoughts to what is good, pleasing and perfect according to God's will. If you are looking for a Christmas gift back to Jesus for all he has given and done for you, give him the decision to read and reflect on the scriptures more. It is his word to us. In accepting it and applying it will be our response to him.