If You’re Discouraged This Christmas, You Are Not Alone

[@catherinehines1471]

I am longing for the belief, the love for the church that I had as a child. Please pray for me. I’m 76.

[@johnduffy6546]

You have my love and prayers

[@rhwinner]

No better way than making a visit to the Infant in the Manger. Just a short visit will refresh you 🙂

[@juliel531]

Go sit with Jesus in Adoration. Let Him speak to you.

[@annmarek3989]

It’s almost like going through a life passage in the Church… like when I knew it was time to retire when my ideas, suggestions were considered outdated and ineffective. So maybe just being in His presence is enough? I’m 75

[@JackLizHuber]

Today is the one year anniversary of my 42 year old son taking his own life. What crushed me the most was his feeling of no hope. I talked to him for 4 days trying to encourage him to seek help. I knew he was in a very dark place mentally. He was, like me, born and raised Catholic. I know he believed in the Lord. I pray everyday that he is at peace.

[@adrianachafino1643]

My kids and I just became pretty much homeless yesterday and I am so broken. Please pray for better days for all of us. 🙏😔

[@JorgePradoLopez]

I just turned 46, Dec 24th, I'll be homeless as of March 01,2025. Dating a woman that' divorced, but still married through church she lives in Mexico and I live in USA and I've always wanted to marry through church and have children and Sunday We had a conversation and she told me I'm old to have children in polite manner, and it dawned on me that is true and I'm broken to think I'll never have kids as she has 3 daughters and I can't break up with her because she says I'm her everything and I don't want to break her heart. I feel my live is been shattered.

[@CatherineLaceySmith]

😢❤️❌❌❌🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏

[@Audiophile979]

I'm completely alone this Christmas, luckily, I have Jesus Christ, so I am never truly alone.

[@susanelainebrown5436]

Wishing you a wonderful Christmas, you are so blessed … I am alone today too, so from me to you - Merry Christmas, much love and blessings!

[@ruthortega5822]

There are many people who are alone this Christmas. Merry Christmas! We are never truly alone because we have Jesus in our life.

[@DiscipleofChrist33]

Merry Christmas, I love that Christ is always with us.. I’m sure someone is thinking of you today and would love to see you also 🙏

[@2new2this]

​@@ruthortega5822🙏

[@2new2this]

🙏

[@juanjunay8054]

I'm 40, broken, lonely, no goals in life. I appreciate this message for today, spending christmas like this is very hard.

[@VictoriaJones-b1m]

You aren’t alone. Hold on. You are cared for, sending my love and prayers 😽🙏

[@lrangele2590]

Merry Christmas Our Lord is with you😊

[@kristinking5899]

You are the perfect blank canvas for God to create a masterpiece with!! There is nothing holding you back from following Him then, just allow God in, allow yourself to receive His love and trust Him. Praying for you

[@ReinventingRogerOsorio]

God bless you, brother - you are not alone. Take this special day to think of what matters to you, what means something to you, and focus there to find goals that move you.

[@JOSEGONZALEZ-e3v3z]

Hey man. I've been there. It's a tough time. I've gone to church and sitting there and thinking what's the point. But then I see everyone else there. God exist. He will bring us joy and help find him in small things in our life.

[@mrmres]

"The LORD is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit." (Psalms 34:18)

[@Jennifer-gr7hn]

I love this one! It also helped me evaluate where I may be part of why I'm lonely...we have to have humility and do the work too. I had a lot of hardships and very broken abused life as a sensitive, caring child bullied constantly by people in and outside the family, including the lack of protection from spineless teachers, family, etc, and people didn't believe me. The patterns followed me through adulthood. I'm not saying focus on psychology, BUT I am saying to anyone reading this, understanding is important. Jesus for the love, virtue, courage to face hard things, and our will to do the work with humility so that we don't become comfortable as victims.

[@angelesantana9413]

AMÉN 😇😃 🙏🏼 💖 ✝️ Thank you for sharing this Bible verse... I really needed to read this message of hope right now. God bless you, Merry Christmas season, and Happy New Year 😇😃🌟🙏🏼🎉🌞

[@annmarek3989]

@@Jennifer-gr7hn praying that your days of “treading water to survive “ are behind you. Wishing you many days of peace-filled years.

[@alantinoalantonio]

Thank you. 😞🕊️

[@jenlovesjesus]

Father Mike, thank you for this. This is my first Christmas alone. My father died in 2023, and my mom is in a nursing home for rehabilitation. I have siblings, but we are estranged. I needed this. ❤ God bless you.

[@sheilaquatro5409]

Me too. Dad passed this year, mom and siblings are estranged. Very disappointing. 😢 but my faith will get me through this, I'm so sure of it. 🙏❤️

[@tamarakonczal6350]

Living with discouragement is so hard. I have dealt with depression and anxiety so many times. It's a wave. Please pray for those of us who experience this. We live in great pain.

[@kelkabot]

I am right there with you. Something that gives me strength is that our Catholic faith helps us makes sense of, or at least make use of, our suffering. St. John Paul II said Our Lord extends to us a particle of His cross so that we may have the great privilege of helping Him sanctify and redeem the world. Sending you love. I’ll pray a Hail Mary for you right now!

[@Adeian]

Father you don't know how much I needed to hear this today...

[@brieyesh]

i am discorauged, please pray for me!

[@binxd4216]

I was discouraged with the Luthern church, and I left. I was having a really bad Christmas last year. I was called to the Catholic church. I didn't realize until I became Catholic this last Easter, that I didn't leave the church, I left God. So glad to be back with God again and the community of St. Monicas Catholic Church. ❤

[@tumbleweed2180]

For some people, life may never get better than bad. Your life was a gift. Help others less fortunate. Be glad for what you have and thank God for every day.

[@kilroy4103]

Fr. Mike Schmitz you simply are the best. This was my first Christmas without my Dad, he passed away this past January due to complications from Dementia. It was very hard for my mother because they just celebrated their 59th Wedding Anniversary 5 months before he passed. My Mom went into confession last week and for her penance the priest told her to think about 3 people who makes you happy. I think she told me it was my father, me and my sister. And afterwards she felt so much better and actually happy for the first since January. God cares and God loves.

[@Robin-d6y3j]

Thank you Father Mike, I sent food to three homes today, so people would have something to eat and enjoy. I am a widow, but I am not alone. God is with me everyday. He has brought me through the hard times. I look forward to the future to continue my story. 🙏🏻

[@Jennifer-gr7hn]

Service, with love. Amen! I'm sorry you lost your spouse. I never had one, so it's been hard for decades, but I do love and was blessed to be a nurse for a long time where I was able to be with those who were lonely. Until I died and couldn't do it anymore as I was left with out medical help when I was in critical need. Still healing but as you said, the Lord brings us through hard times. To have and lose is hard, to never have had, is hard. I pray we all serve each other with empathy, compassionate, patience and love. Well said, dear one

[@user-oi4pp3sr6q]

This went to the heart Fr Mike and got me teary too

[@starrynnnn]

Never been so discouraged as this year’s Christmas, witnessing my family slowly falling apart 💔 But, during the Christmas eve mass, a voice says that the birth of Jesus is also the birth of hope in my heart. Merry Christmas!! 💖

[@angelanyanjong5089]

Hugs

[@mother8696]

I live deep into the WV hills. After all the celebrations, I took my annual Christmas walk with my now elderly Golden Retrievers. (I’m old) . As I crossed our bridge, out of nowhere and from everywhere neighbors drove thru and for some reason stopped. Oh what a special time… In one precious hour we connected. We exchanged ‘“ Merry Christmas” greetings, someone played some music off their 4 wheeler .. one candle of mine became two then three, the children chucked rocks and for one precious hour we connected and all went home covered in the embrace of Our Savior

[@Jennifer-gr7hn]

it was part of the plandemic 2019, but people quickly forget, but it started even before that, with 'smart' tech and antisocial media...many also don't want to admit or see. You're far from alone and I myself had distance from a family member who was actively harming my parents and I - she was the one enabled, but I still love her. I love every one. I just had to learn to hate myself less and to start loving myself. What a journey is this life! it's a teacher, and if we're willing to learn and have the humility to face hard things, we will see God even more clearly and know the love of Jesus all the more, helping others along the way.

[@rivaldoausindien]

stay strong! I'll pray for you. I'm just a teen and I too witness things going wrong in my fam, but hey.....in Christ our Lord, we have hope. Take courage❤☦

[@Elena-kc3vw]

For all those alone - May the Holy Spirit enlighten you, guide you, console you, and strengthen you. May you truly feel Emmanuel - God is with us. ❤

[@madcountryrunner]

Thank you Fr. Mike. For some reason I woke up Christmas Eve morning with a feeling of hopelessness. I don't know why but I felt that something bad was going to happen, and God was tired of me... and maybe I am not going to be saved in the end. I ended up getting in the car and driving to the adoration chapel. I sat with our Lord for an hour and 15 mins. praying and keeping watch with him. When I walked out I felt relief like a burden had been lifted. Today on Christmas morning I woke up feeling joy for my family and the Lords great mercy. I just want everyone out there struggling with life to not lose hope. Stay close to our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ even if you think its to hard or you're not good enough. Never give up on Him... He will never give up on you! God bless Fr. Mike and peace and love to everyone this Christmas.

[@spinstercatlady]

I wake up with those awful "gloom and doom" forebodings sometimes as well. I've found that the best way to deal with them is to "pray it away" (as you did). ❤

[@donaldakosior9840]

Feeling sad this Christmas afternoon because my daughter and grandchildren are so far away, until I thought to myself, this is not me, this is a evil one trying to ruin my day, so I said l know you evil one , leave me now, I belong to Jesus, and I asked the Holy Spirit to come into me, and I felt peace in my heart. Merry Christmas 🙏

[@Hazi64]

When I struggle with dark thoughts, become stuck. Then I will pray, ask the Lord and the comfort., comes. 🙏🙏

[@kristinaflaschner2109]

I love your prayer. Thank you for sharing❤ those

[@drogden8368]

Thank you, Father Mike; I needed to see this today as I am very discouraged right now. I converted to the Catholic Church this year at the Easter Vigil and I am still receiving a lot of resistance from my wife who says she's a believer but never goes to church and is jealous of the time I spend at my Parish. Father Mike, your videos here along with the work you do on the Catechism in a Year have been a huge help and I sincerely appreciate what you're doing. God Bless you!

[@joyhess305]

You should check out "a severe mercy". Your comments about your wife sound just like the couple in the book.

[@drogden8368]

@ is that a book or something on KZbin?

[@AuroraB-74]

I am very discouraged this year. As always Fr. Mike, your words of encouragement are a blessing and help keep me going. God Bless You!

[@pattisiedlicki]

Thank you so much for this, Father Mike! I love Joshua 1:9: “Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or discouraged, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.” Wishing you, Father, and all my brothers and sisters a Blessed Christmas!🙏

[@lilykearns6430]

Merry Christmas all! Please pray for my sweet unborn baby. I’m 16 weeks along and suffering haemorrhages due to a health condition. Baby is miraculously doing well despite my bleeding. Please pray that I’ll be healed and that my baby can make it far enough to live outside of the womb. God Bless you all! My name is Lily and my girl is names Colette. Thank you!!

[@laurenlooolll]

Prayers for the both of you, God bless💕

[@chideraakpa3312]

Divine healing upon you in Jesus' name. Amen

[@2new2this]

🙏

[@steelmongoose4956]

Praying for you both.

[@paulinendawula]

JESUS WHO HAS COME TO BE WITH US, IS WITH YOU AND THE BABY. Jesus , Mary and Joseph," I love you, save souls , save the consecrated and the Unborn"

[@anaquila8173]

I use to tell my son that God is with us all the time! He died at 17

[@tgeetoo9451]

I’m sorry. ❤

[@itinerantpatriot1196]

Merry Christmas to the world. For those who feel alone, forgotten, know that God is with you, even if it's hard to see right now. He never gives up on us, please don't give up on Him.

[@itinerantpatriot1196]

@@markantonelli53 Every night I set aside a few minutes before my night prayers to have a conversation with God. It's very informal. Tonight I will include you in our talk and ask for the Holy Spirit to make His presence known to you. Letting God in is simple, but I get it, it can seem hard. Maybe start with a simple conversation with God, a talk between friends. Every long journey starts with a small step. Take care brother and Merry Christmas from a friend you haven't met yet.

[@steelmongoose4956]

I’ve been discouraged for a while now, but God is showing me reason to hope.

[@msavarise8348]

I may have to play this everyday to remind me that someone cares… Praying for everyone that needs to hear these words!! Thank you for this message today Father Mike…Merry Christmas!! 🐶❤️🎄🙏

[@Goretti8201]

So beautiful, Fr. Mike - and so timely. I love the thought that God's heart is so moved with compassion for our loneliness and discouragement that he says, "Here.... I'm sending you my Son. He will never leave you, abandon you, hurt you, use you, lie to you, or stop loving you. He will always be with you, and nothing can separate you from his love." That is the true essence of Christmas and reason for joy!

[@TizzyLisch]

Fr. Mike, the way the Holy Spirit works through you is something to behold. Merry Christmas, everyone.

[@rbs0648]

I never questioned my faith, but for decades, I was a lazy Catholic who had a extremely limited relationship with Jesus. I rarely went to Mass, and even skipped going during Christmas. God sent his Holy Spirit, that brought me back to the church four years ago. I now strive to be a better Catholic Christian.

[@MsRocko99]

Fr. Mike, Pls. Pray for my son, Justin, and myself, his mother, Diane, from Canada. He has abandoned me. I am alone for Christmas, and discouraged! Thank you, Fr. Mick 🙏🙏🙏

[@thisgirl5933]

Said a prayer for you.

[@MsRocko99]

@ thank you sooo much! 🙏🙏🙏

[@Kevin5279]

@@MsRocko99 you are in my prayers. The Lord will do the best we can hope

[@MsRocko99]

Thank you! 🙏🙏🙏

[@MsRocko99]

Thanks to all, God bless you all, prayers answered! 🙏🙏🙏

[@GLDPVET]

It's sad that so many are discouraged and alone in Christmas.

[@definit1on119]

Jesus Christ son of God have Mercy on me a sinner.

[@Kevin5279]

I have been suffering discouragement for several years now. This is as if God sent me here to your video. God bless you Father and have a Blessed Christmas

[@briankelly85]

pray, hope and don't worry.

[@Kevin5279]

@briankelly85 Amen. It means a lot to me

[@divermike8943]

I feel as you do. Been discouraged after lossing my girlfriend to diabetes suddenly several years ago. Lost others since and forced into retirement recently. Looking back, God was there with me for all of it. Stay close to God. Pray and also listen.🙏

[@Kurdishboy2698]

Please Catholic and orthodox friends, pray for my Kurdish people🟥☀️🟩 in this holy day and whenever you pray the rosary. Thank you. Pray for Kurduya(Kurdistan).

[@HulkRampage]

🙌✝️🇻🇦

[@DiscipleofChrist33]

Thank you Kurdish friends for being kind to the Chaldeans and Assyrians, will pray for your people 🙏

[@Kurdishboy2698]

@@DiscipleofChrist33 they are most persecuted by sunni arabs and turkmens, but they hate us the most🤣 they claim Kurds persecute them while anything bad happens they immediately take refuge in Kurdistan, and they say there is no Kurdistan! they say those lands is assyria and belongs to them😊 generally we Kurds are punch bag of everyone😆

[@Kurdishboy2698]

@@DiscipleofChrist33 they are mostly persecuted by sunni arabs and turkmens yet they hate us the most😂 they say there is no Kurdish land and all is assyria and belongs to them! And they say we bother them the most, yet every time anything bad happens, they take refuge in Kurdistan😊 we Kurds are generally punch bag of everyone😆

[@trlevan316]

May the peace of Christ be upon you, my dear friends. 🙏

[@texas2step266]

What a blessing, Father. I've been through Christmases of discouragement, and many more of hope and joy. My husband and I were separated for five years, (the reappearance of his high school girlfriend triggered his previously undiagnosed bipolar disorder,) and I hated the holidays then. By the grace of God, I managed to cling to hope, often by the skin of my teeth, and forgive injury, ask forgiveness for any pain I caused, and believe in the permanence of our Catholic marriage. God reunited us, 17 years ago, and in just over three months, we'll celebrate our 50th anniversary. There were days I was angry at God, or felt abandoned, but He never left us, and when I asked for grace, it was poured out.

[@xtremelyr4nd0m]

I was just talking to a friend about this... it's the Jubilee year of hope and I don't know if I've ever been this hopeless before.

[@mother8696]

Hang on.. help is coming

[@tamarakonczal6350]

Beloved. Praying.

[@dbl0fluff]

How I needed this today. Depression and discouragement have weighed heavily upon me for 10 years. I know I am not alone and God hears me but sometimes I wish I could just hear him whisper in my ear.

[@iamfilipinas]

Sometimes he whispers in the things that we know. may you be comforted❤

[@AnNguyenpilgrim]

Thank you, Father. Listening to you, there's something appeared in my mind: Before Christmas, the name of God is I AM. Since Christmas, the name of God is I AM HERE WITH YOU. This thought brings me such peace. Merry Christmas, everyone.

[@44esta44]

That is so good! Thank you!

[@matthewvelazquez2013]

Fr. Mike is a truly holy priest. God bless him.

[@FieldArrow-s7v]

Im so discouraged and exhausted with thank you father for this 🙏🙏 ❤ 😢 pray for me

[@norwolf4765]

Merry Christmas to everyone on here!

[@ruthortega5822]

Merry Christmas to you!

[@StAlphonsusHasAPosse]

Hope you have a merry Christmas as well

[@debbiekotch6006]

A wonderful life. a classic. Thank you for being here for me for us. This Christmas was very hard, I lost my son. it's been a year. I felt alone.

[@heidimeigs5192]

I am very sorry to hear about your loss. 😢💔

[@simple_naildesigns]

So sorry for your loss 🙏

[@MissBlp]

Hello friends, I am currently in the process of receiving a diagnosis for a painful chronic and progressive illness. I have recently started showing interest in praying the rosary and finding peace with God’s presence there. Please keep me in prayers that this illness will not stop me, or define me. I’d love to be healed, but I know God’s will is above all. I am currently struggling with having hope for the future. Any advice would be lovely!

[@suemayes591]

I have NEVER liked that movie because I have felt as George did for most of my life. I can be in a crowded room and be absolutely alone. I do believe in God. I have always asked if He could pick me out of a crowd; am I that important to Him? This video, Fr. Mike has helped a little. Thank you and God bless you.

[@fenrislyulf8861]

I always think of Psalm 42 when I get discouraged. This year I am completely without family, living in a place which has caused me great trauma, but with the help of God I do not feel alone. I am constantly reminded to seek the Lord no matter what is happening. Sometimes that is really hard but necessary. Thank you, Father Mike. Merry Christmas.

[@sm-cs4yp]

Merry Christmas everyone❤❤ Thank you Fr.Mike for this important message. For anyone watching who feels lost and lonely, please know that God loves you and you are worthy. 🌺🫶🏻I offer up my peace to everyone this holy Christmas Day✝️

[@LoriYork]

Merry Christmas Father Mike. Thank you for the blessing you have been on my life and millions of those you will never know. We all pray for you and have hearts full of gratitude for the gift that you are to our broken world. You give us hope. Our humble thanks is yours.

[@margokupelian344]

God bless you for what you said and how you said it. It was beautiful. Fr. Mike is precious. 🙏

[@mikek2130]

That you Fr. Mike, I certainly needed to be reminded this morning. God Bless us all!!

[@44esta44]

I am so tired of discouragement.....

[@Robert_Stewart_McD]

This message is uncannily accurate for me today. Thank you for giving me hope that better days are to come 🙏

[@jamesriga1104]

Father thank you for this video I needed this. Today Christmas Day of 24 it's the 12th anniversary of my oldest son's death and my fourth fourth Christmas without my wife. They say God reaches out to us to others. You're delivering a message I needed to hear . Can I say blessings to you thank you made my Christmas Day a lot better Jimbo

[@josephmulka]

Merry Christmas!!! 🎄

[@maryotoole8946]

Now, I want to watch the movie “It’s A Wonderful Life” and pay attention to that line, “It’s worse. He is discouraged.” Thank you, Father Mike, for your informative, inspiring and thoughtful homilies and videos. We are blessed by you and your gifts! Merry Christmas! 🙏🏻🎄❤️

[@marys_fiat]

Mary Christmas, Fr. Mike! 💙 Your ministry has been a blessing in my life and I am sure to many others. Have a blessed Christmas season 🙏🏼✨

[@TALynch]

I need this...grateful to you Father Mike. 😢

[@thisgirl5933]

Hopeless at 51 due to brain injury, anhedonia, and stupid life choices. So dead inside I couldn't even decorate for Christmas. I just want to be a better mom for my teen kids.

[@TJ1920]

discouraged I pray that I will never become that discouraged There is always hope You are not alone Emanuel God is with us Something that bears repeating

[@KCS704]

Father Mike, Thank you so much for this message. I really needed this message on this Christmas morning and in general lately. God Bless you and your works Father Mike! They are reaching God’s people. Pray for us and Merry Christmas!

[@claudiasteffanie]

Merry Christmas, Father Mike. 🎄Thank you for all that you do to spread God's love and mercy to His people. ❤

[@panicman10-g9v]

i'm almost 58 and it's a wonderful life is my all time favorite Christmas movie and watch it even if it's not Cchrisstmas . Such a timeless uplifting movie that everyone should watch. Love the ending , always makes me cry

[@yoli5779]

Very discouraged here. I have applied to a lot of jobs for the past 3 years and all I get are rejections for not having the experience, I've been unemployed for 6 months. I went to school, received my BA and I wrongfully thought it was a stepping stone towards a better and brighter future. God knows I've been trying. I even got rejected for an internship for not having experience. I long for a great, rewarding career in a museum, for bigger goals, but somehow I am not given an opportunity to move forward.

[@cy7025]

Father Mike, you always make me cry! I have been feeling despair. Our adult sons don’t practice their Catholic faith and our grandchildren are not baptized. I have given up all hope. I really needed to hear your words.

[@davidvalle3068]

This video just made me realize that I am discouraged. At least I'm in a state of grace.

[@joyhess305]

Thank you, Father Mike. I always enjoyed Christmas so much, but as the years have passed the family changes. This year it's just me and my dad. My mom is gone, and my kids all live far, and I miss them terribly. This year has just been rough. Thank you for your words of encouragement.

[@JenniferMiller-sx1xn]

God Bless you all. ❤🙏🏼 We may feel alone at times but Jesus is always with us. Im praying for all of you . May God continue to bless Father Mike.

[@b8akaratn19]

Oh, thank you for putting this one out earlier in the day 😅 i am among those feeling alone, here, TOTALLY APPRECIATED this. Blessings for a peaceful Christmas, Ascension Folks, Duluth Folks, Fr. Mike who's awesome, and You, seeing this. 😊 🎄⛄🙏💙❣️🎁 And thank you, God & Mary, for bringing us Jesus & the Holy Spirit. ...if I look at it that way, yay, i already feel a bit less alone. 👋

[@francistan6694]

Merry and peaceful Christmas, our dearest Fr. Mike. May our gracious Lord continue to bless you with good health, drive and strength to share all these wonderful teachings with everyone of us around the world. Thank you very much.

[@ConvincedofChristianity]

Merry Christmas, Father Mike and Ascension! I always appreciate your insight and vulnerability

[@Fatima-ul6nt]

THANK YOU FR MIKE!!! I wish everyone would know God's love. 🙏

[@Slim_Strawhat300]

I was looking forward to my first Catholic Christmas after converting from protestantism. I missed out on Holy Communion two days ago because of a funeral and I've been extremely sick since that afternoon. I barely made it to Mass this morning and have not enjoyed this wonderful season at all

[@maryleekennedy5896]

The holidays are very hard for people seniors who struggle so hard. Loneliness, trying to put food on table, just to survive. I can't buy presents and put food on table.

[@wisegalny7604]

Prayers can be a wonderful gift to others. I am praying for God's Will for everyone and for you in particular right now. I believe God uses each one of our circumstances to draw us closer to Him, to draw our hearts closer to His, for each scare to make us run into His open arms for each of His consolations to build our trust in Him to be stronger, more complete than ever before. God bless you, dear one. He's right here with us.

[@lorifontaine]

Hi Mary Lee. I'm lonely too--YOU are my gift. We're on this site, watching a video with Fr. Mike, TOGETHER, with Angels smiling around us. God led me to read some comments which I usually avoid, but here we are. Please accept a hug from Canada. It will get better. We never walk alone.

[@kelkabot]

Lori Fontaine, your words are so beautiful. Thank you. Hugs.

[@mariawoodspersonaldevelopment]

Emmanuel! God is with us. Such an awesome reminder. Thank you Father Mike. Whatever you're going through, be encouraged. This too shall pass. Merry Christmas and God's blessings and comfort to everyone

[@MarissaMonroe-t8s]

Please pray for me Father Mike! My DIL is constantly trying to destroy me, and makes seeing my grandchildren difficult. My husband and I tried talking to her and my son, but it made things worse. I sense Evil in her! 🙏🙏🙏

[@katiemacnish8575]

Great message. So many people in such difficult situations but no matter what we have to hang on to Jesus. It’s all we have. Merry Christmas to you and yours and May you be greatly blessed in this coming New Year. 😇🙏💕

[@flameofthewest6196]

Thank you Fr Mike. I'm so discouraged right now. I've lost 2 of my best friends, one from self neglect (obesity) and the other is slowly destroying themselves from brain injuries and alcohol. The last 4 years have been awful, and its still not over for me. Both my friends had plenty of time to change thier ways but stubbornly refused any help. I hope that God will take care of them and me.

[@neil2763]

What an amazing message Father Mike. I’m not Catholic but I always watch your videos as I often hear God speak to me through you. Merry Christmas to you, all at Ascensions presents and everyone reading here.

[@animula6908]

I’m praying for everyone. We are all ravaged by the same curses in our society at this time, so these comments just prove we aren’t going through it alone. I’m praying the litany of trust for everyone, especially our clergy and ministers, the despairing, the discouraged, and the lonely. May God strengthen each of us to minister to each other’s needs, and in the midst of our weakness may he remind us that he really does the work for all of us, so our weakness won’t stop his goodness! ❤ 🙏🏻

[@Archuarchu11]

Praying from many days to overcome attachments and distractions! pls pray

[@danashantz6666]

Merry Christmas Father Mike. You’re in my prayers as are my brothers and sisters in Christ. Merry Christmas everyone.

[@JoeyD386]

Thank you for this message, Father Mike. I lost my job December 11th. The company I worked for exploited a loophole to not pay me my last paycheck. Unemployment says I can't file a claim until Jan 5, the food stamps benefits said they can take up to 60 days to process our application. I'm struggling to pay my family's bills, and now I'm even having to go to food pantries to get help to feed my family. I feel like a LOSER for not being able to provide. Like this is punishment for all my sins and even though I want to ask for help, I feel ashamed because I've asked God before and I always revert back to the sinful person. I'm not worthy of His love, mercy, and grace, so to hear this message gives me hope. Whoever read this, please pray for me. I need it more than you'll ever know.

[@carolinelandein246]

Praying for you. 🕊️We are a l l undeserving of God‘s love, are a l l sinners and are still invited and embraced to lean into it and to trust it. Jesus died for you and for me. If you believe in Him: You are not alone. ❤

[@jeannemammen4213]

Do not give up hope! We are praying for you! Emmanuel- God is with you🙏🏻

[@God_my_Savior]

Merry CHRISTmas Father Mike and all! Our King is born, i am never alone because i have God with all the time. Praised be Jesus Christ now and forever ❤️✝️🛐

[@yolandabogarin9932]

Merry Christmas Fr. Mike! It’s a wonderful life is also my favorite Christmas movie. Thank you for your sacrifice. Have a beautiful and blessed day.🎄🕊️🎁

[@eiradubellay8217]

Thanks so much for this, Father Mike. I think many of us needed to hear this message. May the Lord bless you and the Ascension Presents team! Remember friends, He is with us. He is here.

[@ZoraHoldings]

Merry Christmas Ascension Family❤❤

[@aracelygarcia9550]

Praying for the Holy Land and our brothers and sisters in Palestine 🇵🇸 and Lebanon 🇱🇧 and all places where there is strife. Oh Lord, make haste to help them, your children in Palestine. 🙏💔🙏🇵🇸🙏💔🙏

[@rhwinner]

Yes, and let's not forget the children in Israel as well.

[@PollyannaTragic]

Please pray for the conversion of my daughter Beth who is very unhappy and suffers anxiety, and just doesn’t realize the healing power of our Lord!

[@leamarie6039]

Happy Christmas Father Mike and to all the Ascension Staffs ❤❤❤Been a follower since 2015. God bless you always in your mission

[@KristinaCawley-n1f]

Merry Christmas, Father Mike!! I pray you are not discouraged, but encouraged. This was such a beautiful message. And It's A Wonderful Life is great. ^.^ 🥰

[@michellemoore5605]

Thank you for this today Father Mike. This was needed. God bless and have a very Merry Christmas

[@MVPerry]

Really needed this video thank you for all you do Father Mike and Accession Presents

[@marymitchell1700]

Merry Christmas, Fr. Mike! Thank you for such a moving and uplifting homily on these difficult times of our world. I wish you many blessings and joy in your life, for all you do for so many of us! God bless you.🕊️💕🎄

[@sgomez1527]

Merry Christmas everyone! It is a true blessing to have you here ⭐️

[@mike.williams1999]

I don't know why nobody is talking about the book Your Life Your Game by Keezano. I read it last year, and it’s an excellent Catholic religious book. It beautifully shows how connecting with God and building meaningful relationships can lead to spiritual growth and success in both your personal and professional life. A must-read. God bless ❤️🙏🏼

[@kelkabot]

Thank you for sharing.

[@gracedelia8540]

God bless you Father Mike and thank you for such a beautiful message. Merry Christmas!

[@corinezein8374]

Amen and Amen 🙏 Just what I needed !!! Thank you Father Mike. I felt so empty yesterday night. Emmanuel 💜 hearing it from you again this morning is such a CONFIRMATION 🙌💫💪

[@mackattacka]

Thank you so much Fr. Mike. It does in a way feel unfitting to approach the Christmas season with the word discouragement, but unfortunately it is the reality for many. It’s been a tough year for me, just full of some good things but also discouragement in a certain part of my life and feeling stuck. Many times this year that were supposed to be times of spiritual fulfillment were times of disappointment and situations of just people unknowingly aggravating wounds and just feeling a bit like a wayfarer in my parish, not really able to relate as a childless couple in a sea of families. So it’s been hard to end this year with joy despite the successes and joys that did happen throughout. Thanks for taking the time to think of those who may be struggling in this time and to reach out.

[@HyllustheBarbarian]

Merry Christmas, my brothers and sisters on Christ. He's here!

[@rabies5179]

Veni veni Emmanuel Father Mike, there are no words. Thank you, thanks be to God.

[@alinebedros4223]

Merry Christmas Fr. Mike and all Ascension people! Thank you for all that you do. ❤️

[@EricaOats]

Happy Christmas everyone! 🎄