Love does such things: God's Christmas gift to man

by M. Raymond

Fr. Raymond shares his reflections on the beautiful mysteries of Christmastide. God Himself calls out to us at Christmas, greeting us with the gift of His own Son, Jesus, the Saviour of men. Taking the word S-A-V-I-O-U-R, Fr. Raymond fashions a chapter for each letter, each representing an event of the Christmas season. He probes and proves God’s love for each and every one of us. In meditations on various mysteries from the Annunciation to the Hidden Life, he draws lessons for daily living that are timely and touching.

A book bursting with the boundless joy God wills for those who love Him, Fr. Raymond demonstrates that we cannot “put Christ back into Christmas” unless we put the Mass back in ChristMASS, for it is by the Mass that Christ actually became our Saviour. Love Does Such Things is the perfect book for Christmas and for every day of the year.

Genres: Catholic

136 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2000

About the author

Fr. Mary Raymond Flanagan, O.C.S.O.

Born Joseph David Flanagan in 1903, he grew up in Massachusetts. He joined the Jesuits in 1920, teaching at Holy Cross College from 1927 to 1930 and later serving as retreat master. In 1936, he joined the Order of the Cistercians of the Strict Observance (Trappists) at the cloister of the Abbey of Our Lady of Gethsemane in Kentucky where he received the name he is most know by today, Fr. Mary Raymond. He wrote twenty-two books as a Trappist, many dealing with the subject of how the laity could achieve sanctity.

Reviews

[Amy Gieser · Rating 5 out of 5]

I started reading this book halfway through advent and it was the best advent preparation ever. Before I was even halfway through I liked it so much I decided to gift it to all my family and in laws for Christmas. (Angelus Press had a $5 sale going :)
This is a book on meditation and not one of his biographies. But it is not a dry meditation at all. He gives so many new thoughts to meditate on the joyful mysteries. He draws many points up throughout each chapter and ties them all in at the end to conclude the chapter very well. The message of hope and encouragement throughout the whole book is very inspiring. I can’t wait to read his book on the Glorious mysteries for lent!

[Kami S · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was between a 3 and 4 star for me. Not nearly as captivating as the last Fr Raymond book I read. It still had many interesting aspects of the faith pertaining to Christmas time. I will probably read it again and try to use it more as a meditation book, as many of the points were very deep.