A Palestinian Christian prays in the Church of Nativity on Christmas Eve in Bethlehem, West Bank. CNS photo/Debbie Hill ...read more

Fireworks light up the night sky near a giant Christmas tree along a bay walk in Palawan, Philippines, Dec. 1, 2011. The Philippines, a mainly Roman Catholic country, is known for its rich pageantry around the Advent and Christmas season. CNS photo/Romeo Ranoco, Reuters ...read more

Last week we saw that the reason why we need mercy is because we are sinners. St. Paul tells the Ephesians, “we were by nature children of wrath, like the rest of mankind. But God, who is rich in mercy, out of the great love with which he loved us, even when we were dead ...read more

Children touch the wings of a man dressed as an angel as he holds a sign reading “Christmas with Jesus is happiness” in Ciudad Juarez, Mexico, Dec. 13, 2011. Members of the Christian church Psalm 100 regularly dress as angels holding signs with religious messages for people to read. CNS photo/Jose Luis Gonzalez, Reuters ...read more

St. Mary’s Cathedral is illuminated by a 246-foot projected Lights of Christmas display Dec. 13, 2012 in Sydney. CNS photo/Tim Wimborne, Reuters ...read more

Bishop Martin Igwemezie Uzoukwu of Minna, Nigeria, walks near the coffins of some of the victims of a 2012 Christmas bombing at St. Theresa Catholic Church in Madalla, Nigeria, during a funeral for the victims. CNS photo/Afolabi Sotunde, Reuters ...read more

Children dressed as angels arrive to re-enact a Nativity scene during Christmas celebrations in 2011 in Sarajevo, Bosnia-Herzegovina. CNS photo/Dado Ruvic, Reuters ...read more

A Missionary of Charity nun chats with refugee children at Christmas lunch at the refugee camp at G Udaigiri, India. CNS photo/Anto Akkara ...read more

So far we’ve looked at two things that must be present for mercy to take place, we’ve seen the direct relationship between mercy and love and forgiveness. We’ve also looked at why we are being invited to “walk through the door” of mercy this year. This week and next, as we celebrate Christmas and the beginning ...read more

Children dressed as angels take part in a Christmas festival in the streets of Managua, Nicaragua, Dec. 21, 2008. CNS photo/Oswaldo Rivas, Reuters ...read more