Please enjoy this brief reflection...and stick around for some Christmas gift ideas.

Christmas is a time to encounter the incomprehensible love which Jesus Christ has for mankind. It was His gift of Himself, surpassing the other gifts that He already entrusted to us as our Creator, which is the marvel that steals our attention every year when the Church guides her children to look upon the most amazing miracle of the Incarnation: the Christ Child in the arms of the Blessed Virgin Mary.

St. Alphonsus Liguori said (in a forthcoming book for Christmas - stay tuned!) that God, like a skilled hunter, saved the best arrow for the last shot when hunting for our love. He sought to wound us with His love by these arrows. This final and best arrow came after all other possible overtures, through Creation and through repeated covenants, in which He demonstrated His love for man. One thing only remained, this last and best arrow: the Incarnation of the Son of God, in which God entrusted Himself to man, to endear man to finally love Him in return!

In imitation of our Redeemer, we are therefore filled with a holy desire to give ourselves to Him as completely as He gave Himself to us – and to open our arms wide to embrace Him, the newborn King, innocent and humble and beautiful and full of mercy!

Let this be your prayer for this Christmas, a gift you ask of Him: "set within my heart the same fire of love for You, my God, which burns in Your Heart for me."

Further, in imitation of our Redeemer, we are filled with the desire to give good things to those whom we love: our family and friends.

It is with this in mind that I would like to turn your attention to the many works which Slaying Dragons Press has brought to print in the last seven years. There are books for each and every member of the family!

Let’s take a look at some that are lesser-known:

The Life of St. Alphonsus Liguori: a masterful reprint about a most excellent life! St. Alphonsus was not a mere Bishop who simply wrote lots of books. He was a brilliant lawyer, disillusioned by the world, who surrendered himself completely to Christ in his early twenties. He became a priest and a missionary preacher to the poor and forgotten, converting countless souls by his holiness and a gift for preaching that was a sure sign of God’s favor. He was so renowned in these gifts that the Holy Father pressured him constantly to become a Bishop, which St. Alphonsus finally accepted after years of resistance. His Order (The Redemptorists) was constantly persecuted, he was plagued with severe health problems, yet persevered in works of holiness until the age of ninety-one. A moving and inspiring book, on sale: nearly 40% off! Great for all who love to read!

Exorcising Halloween: a new release by Charles D. Fraune in which the true Catholic identity of Halloween is presented in great depth and historical context. Halloween has always been Catholic – all pagan attachments are efforts to tear down what is celebrated as a triduum, a three-day long observance of some of the most sacred realities of the Catholic Faith. It is just and right to celebrate what is also called Allhallowtide – but it must be celebrated properly. This book will help you understand what is pagan, what is Catholic, what is superstitious, and what is pious and uplifting to the soul! A great book for college-aged and above!

Slaying Dragons – Prepare for Battle: perhaps the only “spiritual warfare workbook” on the market. This was written by Charles D. Fraune after many requests for a “study guide” for Slaying Dragons. However, it is much more than a study guide: it is a companion book to Slaying Dragons, a study guide, a spiritual warfare resource manual, a spiritual warfare journal, a workbook, etc. It has two parts: One – twelve Chapters on different themes of the spiritual life, each containing two unique prayers written by the author, verses from Sacred Scripture and selections from Slaying Dragons, reflections and meditations, reflection prompts, thought-provoking questions, lined sections for journaling, and more; Two – carefully selected resources and prayers for all aspects of the spiritual life and spiritual warfare. This book is great for college-aged and above, and for parish study groups!

The Most Powerful Saints in Exorcisms: a recent and very uplifting release by Charles D. Fraune and Patrick O’Hearn, and the only one not published by Slaying Dragons Press. This one was picked up by Sophia Institute Press! When people ask me which of my spiritual warfare books I recommend they read first, the answer is always Slaying Dragons, because it addresses so many topics relevant for the spiritual life. Now, I add, “After that, get this one.” This book also addresses so many aspects of the spiritual life, but specifically regarding the Saints: who they are, how they became Saints, what Saints can do, why, and in what ways. It is extremely relevant information for all Catholics. A great book for college-aged and above! Perhaps a great gift for Dad!

A Christian’s Rule of Life: one of the masterpieces from St. Alphonsus Liguori and part of the “Slaying Dragons Press Classics” series. This book is what it says: the Rule of Life for Christians written by one of the great Doctors of the Church. From whom else should we seek to understand what is essential in the spiritual life…and why? This edition also includes Darts of Fire (a series of meditations on the Passion of Christ, written and used daily by St. Alphonsus Liguori), as well as two summary sections of the wisdom of this Saint, compiled by Charles D. Fraune. This book is great for high-school and up! Even middle-schoolers who are intelligent readers would love this book.

Our Lady of Sorrows: this is St. Alphonsus at his best! These reflections are so moving and stirring - they will change your understanding of the love that filled the heart and soul and mind of our Blessed Mother. Further, they will stir within your heart a deeper love for Our Lord, a deeper appreciation for what He suffered, and a deeper understanding of how fully Our Lady joined her Divine Son in His sorrowful work of Redemption.

Get your copies today from Slaying Dragons Press! Please also consider, in this time of gift-giving, supporting this apostolate financially. You can add an extra contribution to your order or visit this page for other ways to support this work.

Pax Christi,
Charles