Your Monday Hug for Dec 8, 2025: Too Many Temptations
Happy Monday, my Friend!
As we continue our journey through Advent, this week’s reflection is a gentle reminder to stay focused on Christ and resist temptations - even minor ones.
While many times this is difficult, with Mary in our hand (via our rosary), and Christ by our side, we can succeed. Today, as we celebrate the Feast of the Immaculate Conception, we’re reminded that Mary was preserved from sin so she could say “yes” fully and freely. She shows us that with God’s grace, we too can turn away from even the smallest temptations and choose what leads us closer to Him.
This second week of Advent we are invited to focus on the Jesus's peace that we are offered each week in mass, and every single day too.
So I hope you take a moment now, to watch this week's video reflection, and spend some time with God afterwards, sharing whatever comes and listening for whatever he provides, even if it's just silence and stillness. Maybe that's just the kind of peace you needed today! ;)
Watch the Video
Too Many Temptations
Excerpt from Hugs: Daily Inspirations for Women, 2005
"Don't let evil get the best of you; get the best of evil by doing good." - Romans 12:21 MSG
Because our world is filled with temptations, we confront them at every turn. Some of these temptations are small-eating a second piece of chocolate cake, for example. Too much cake may not be good for the bodies God has entrusted to our care. But two pieces of cake will not bring us to our knees. Other temptations, however, are not so benign.
Your body is a marvelous creation. Your task, as a thoughtful woman, is to treat your body with the care it deserves.
Today you will be tempted to do things that are detrimental to your physical, emotional, or spiritual health. One of the best ways to beat the temptation is to counter it with some positive action. When you do, you'll show that you are wise-and you'll be blessed.
"Do not fight the temptation in detail. Turn from it. Look only at your Lord. Sing. Read. Work." - Amy Carmichael
Untying the Knots Within – One Step of Faith at a Time
As we continue through Advent, allow this week’s theme to gently nudge you back toward God whenever distractions pull at your attention. Temptations rarely show up loudly; more often they arrive quietly, asking us to choose comfort over trust, immediate gratification over peace, or self-reliance over God’s grace. But each small choice to turn back toward Him unties a knot within your heart and frees you to move forward in faith.
- Mini Prayer: Mary, conceived without sin, pray for me today. Help me turn from temptation and toward your Son with a peaceful, trusting heart.
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Quiet Practice: Take one minute of silence. Breathe in slowly and say, “Lord, give me Your peace.”
As you exhale, say, “Lord, remove what pulls me from You.” -
Saint Companions this week:
- Mary, as we celebrate her Immaculate Conception (Dec 8): Today we celebrate that Mary was conceived without original sin, prepared by God to be a pure vessel for Christ. Ask her to help you choose grace over temptation, just as she did.
- St. Juan Diego (Dec 9): Patron of Indigenous peoples and humility. He reminds us that God works through the lowly and the willing. Ask him to help you hear God’s voice even when you feel unnoticed.
- Our Lady of Guadalupe (Dec 12): She appeared to draw hearts back to her Son with tenderness and mercy. Ask her to guide you gently toward deeper trust, courage, and devotion.
- Product Tip: Hang your Pocket Rosary on your closet doorknob or a lamp beside your bed as your reminder to thank God before you step into the rest of the day.
Gifts to Inspire Reflection This Week:
Let the prayers on each knot of these rosaries help you resist temptations that don’t serve your peace - and remember that every prayer is an act of caring for your soul by giving praise to God for His gifts.
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Radiant Light Pocket Rosary - Let it inspire you today as we honor Mary’s Immaculate Conception. Just as her Immaculate Heart is always ready to guide us toward purity, peace, and obedience, this rosary can become your daily reminder that Mary walks with you, helping you see God’s light in every situation. |
| Our Lady of Guadalupe Traveler's Pocket Rosary - Let it remind you, like St. Juan Diego, that no matter who you’ve been or where you’re going, Mary always leads you gently back to Jesus. She appeared to Juan Diego to show that God sees the lowly, loves the forgotten, and invites every heart into His family. Praying with this rosary can help you carry that same reassurance and courage into your daily journey. |
Browse all handcrafted rosaries here →
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Let’s pray …
Lord,
As I move into this second week of Advent, please keep my heart focused on your peace and the graces you continually give to me. Help me resist any temptation and counter it with a positive action.
Amen.
Walking with you in faith,
Kathleen
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