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Lucy Ricardo
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Pray for Christian Unity

I'm late on this one this year. This is (almost "was") the Week of Christian Unity. Jesus' Holy Will is for Christians to be one body in Him.

May they all be one, just as, Father, you are in me and I am in you.

~John 17:21

Let us join Our Lord in prayer "that they all may be one."

A Man of God

Here is part of a speech that Pope Benedict XVI *would* have given to a Roman university had leftist protests not prevented it:

What does the Pope have to do or say in a university? He certainly should not try to impose in an authoritarian manner his faith on others, which can only be freely offered. ...it is his task to keep alive man’s responsiveness to the truth. Similarly he must again and always invite reason to seek out truth, goodness and God, and on this path urge it to see the useful lights that emerged during the history of the Christian faith and perceive Jesus Christ as the light that illuminates history and helps find the way towards the future.

Wow. Their anti-Catholic prejudice prevented them from hearing wise words of a learned professor and man of God.

Adoration

One thing I ask of the LORD,

this is what I seek:

that I may dwell in the house of the LORD

all the days of my life,

to gaze upon the beauty of the LORD

and to seek him in his temple.

~Psalm 27

Special Intention--PRAISE UPDATE!!

Update: DS and I went to the hospital this afternoon to visit Father Sigfried. We got there just as he was coming out of recovery for gallbladder surgery. Miraculously, we were able to see him and speak with him. When he saw ds was there, he immediately raised his hand and made the sign of the cross in blessing. Medically, he had been responding to medicine, but they decided to take his gallbladder out anyway. They had originally planned on transporting him to Hershey medical center, but it was a blessing that he could stay in Gettysburg where parishioners could be there for him. God's hand has certainly been in this situation from the first.



I would like to ask you all to please pray for our pastor, Fr. Sigfried. We just found out this morning that he has been in intensive care at Gettysburg hospital for a week with an inflammation/infection of the pancreas.

He is a late vocation; he's been a priest for only 9 years and is in his early 60's. He really has a heart for Christ, especially in the Blessed Sacrament.

(He's pictured here on the left.)

Have a cup of tea!

As you can see from my sidebar, January is national hot tea month.

Ok, its 65 degrees out there today, but, hey, tea is good for you and warms you through and through.

I thought I'd post a picture of my new tea pot that dh and I got last weekend. I've already used it a few times and am trying not to crack it with boiling water.

It's nice nice to have a beautiful tea pot to use.

Follow the star

Epiphany memories

Ah, Epiphany.

Seventeen years ago today, my dh and I were in Redeemer Lutheran Church in Baltimore, watching our 2 year old son carry the Baby Jesus up the aisle for his day care Epiphany pageant. (The director had wisely decided to postpone any "Christmas" festivities until Epiphany so as not to overwhelm the little ones. The "twos" could come in their footy pajamas.)

The teacher told us that the child who was supposed to carry up the Baby Jesus (a teddy bear wrapped up in a baby blanket) chickened out at the last minute, so our son volunteered. Of course, at 19, he remembers none of this. But each Epiphany, we remember how proud we were.

To us, he may as well have been inaugurated president of the United States.

An election year whine

I haven't written about politics in a long time, but its getting to be that time again and I am realizing something about myself.

I'm getting tired of feeling that, as a pro-life person, I *have* to vote for a Republican just because the party has a "pro-life" platform. I feel like I'm being backed into a corner in every election, and that I can't make a real decision as to whom to vote for--I just have to vote knee-jerk Republican down the line. I also feel like the Republican party knows that many of us feel we have to vote Republican because of our pro-life views, and they are taking advantage of that.

I am a fairly "traditional" type of Catholic. But I feel like religion in general, has become nothing more than a "buzz word" in party politics at this point. Both parties know that there is a "religious" vote, and they try to say all the right things to gain it.

I'm not automatically endeared with a candidate who talks about wanting to *make* America a "Christian Nation". I think America should be a nation that abides by its own first amendment. I think we should learn to be *respectful* and not just "tolerant" of each other's beliefs. Let there be manger scenes, menorahs and Kwanzaa candles in public places, for goodness sake! It won't kill us! We need to stop being so offended by the fact that other people have a set of beliefs that they follow that just might be different from our own.

It's ok. It's allowed. This is America.

A candidate's religion *should* certainly guide his politics, in spite of what JFK insisted he would (or wouldn't) do. But a president has to take the good of the entire country into account in each action he or she takes. The president of the United States is not a religious leader and shouldn't use religion as a way to run ripshod over the will of the people. The president of the United States is elected, and he or she should never forget that for a minute.

I do not want the United States to become a religion-free nation. I want our religion to influence who we are as individuals and who we are as a people. But I don't think I want religion to influence politics in quite the way it has been doing lately.

I am also having misgivings about the dynastic aspect of the U.S. presidency--Bushes and Clintons, both. I don't think I'd vote for a ticket right now with Jeb Bush on it just because of that. And, I wouldn't vote for Hillary under any circumstances.

I want someone new. I want someone with vision. I want someone with spark. I want someone with integrity and sanity.

Which saint will choose you in 2008?

Stop over at Angela's new blog, "Where Angels Go" and put a request in her comment box for a patron saint to be drawn for you for the year 2008. She is taking over for Seminarian Matthew at "A Catholic Life", who had to abandon blogging while in the seminary.

The tradition is that the saint chooses you. My saint this year is Saint Julie Billiart, who is French and was known for her cheerfulness--certainly something to ask her to intercede for on my behalf. Two of her most famous quotes are, "Oh, qu'il est bon, le bon Dieu" which means, "Oh, how good is the good God" and "Never let the peace of your heart be disturbed by anything in the world."




Also, Divine Mercy blog has a new name and an additional focus. While still promoting devotion to the Divine Mercy, the blog will now focus on Saint Therese of Lisieux, The Little Flower, and will be called, Saint Therese's Roses.


All the angels
and all the Saints,
pray for us!

Feast of Mary, Mother of God

Today is the feast of the Theotokos--Mary the Mother of God. Since Jesus was *always* God, and his Divine nature was always present at every moment, then Mary, indeed is the Mother of God, and the Bearer of God--Theotokos.

Prayer to the Theotokos
by Scheme-hieromonk St. Nilus of Sora Skete

All-merciful Virgin Theotokos, Mother of compassions and love for mankind, my most beloved hope and aspiration! 0 Mother of the most sweet and most desired Savior, Who exceedeth every love, Jesus Christ, the Lover of mankind and my God, the Light of my darkened soul! I, the exceeding sinful and hopeless one, fall down before thee, to thee I make my prayer, 0 well-spring of compassion, Virgin Mary, who didst bear the Abyss of compassion and Depth of mercies and love for mankind: Have mercy on me, have mercy on me, I painfully cry to thee; have mercy on me who am all in wounds, who have fallen among brutish thieves and who am, alas!, stripped naked of the garment in which the Father clothed me. Wherefore I lie stripped of every good deed, my wounds stinking and festering before my madness. My Mistress, Theotokos, look down on me, I humbly pray thee, with thy merciful eye and despise me not, who am all in darkness, all in filth, all immersed in the mire of passions, terribly fallen and unable to stand. Do thou take pity on me and grant me a helping hand, lift me up out of sinful depths, 0 my Joy! Deliver me from them that surround me; make thy face to shine upon thy servant; save the perishing, cleanse the filthy, raise up the terrible fallen: for thou canst do all things, as thou art the Mother of God Almighty. Pour forth on me the oil of thy compassion and grant me to overflow the wine of compunction, for I have acquired thee as truly the only hope in my life; turn thou not away from me who flee to thee, but behold my grief, 0 Virgin, and the longing of my soul and accept this prayer and save me, 0 thou the Mediatress of my salvation. Amen.

Wishing you all a new year filled with God's love!

Two new link categories

It seems I can't get away from adding new links. I'm just destined to have them go on and on into eternity!

I've added two new categories.

First, DIY/Indie/Make it yourself. There are links there for making/redesigning your own clothes, crafts, household items and even technology. I love the idea of being able to adapt what you have (or something that can be gotten for free or cheap). As Gary Larsen said in the Far Side cartoon which was painted on my RA's door in college, "We don't have to be just sheep!"


Speaking of sheep, the second category is one I will leave up well after the Christmas Season ends: Creche/Manger Scene Links. I am thrilled to know that there are groups dedicated to constructing, preserving and enjoying manger scenes. I wish I could leave up my manger scenes all year...

Ave Maria for Peace

I've neglected my Ave Maria for Peace posts and thought I should put one up today in light of the tragic assasination of Benazir Bhutto of Pakistan. This Ave Maria is by Angelica Sepe and features footage of Mother Teresa and of India. Please pray for peace in that region of the world.

Today's Holy Innocents

Today is the feast of the Holy Innocents--the boys between birth and age 2, slain by King Herod's men in the bible. Herod was threatened by the idea that the Christ Child had been born in Bethlehem, as promised in Scripture, and that He would overthrow Herod and become king.

Today, children, babies, are once again seen as threatening burdens and not the blessings that they are. People are told that sex is a right and a need, whether or not they are married, and that some simple things will take the "risk" out of it and make it "safe".

Contraception is seen as fool proof if used correctly. It is not. There are user and method failures for all types of contraception. What happens then? Abortion becomes the "solution". "No one will know. Its just a blob of cells," women are told.

Women are being fooled into buying the idea that there is such a thing as consequence-free sex. What this really means is that women are becoming *more* clearly sexual objects than they ever were in the past. There is no longer a need for men to commit, either to marriage or even to a career, because sex is now viewed as being a basic need innately without consequences.

It is seen as a fault and weakness if a woman has sex and, *gasp*, manages to conceive a child. Honeymoon babies are seen as tragic "mistakes" and couples who wish to have more than one, or two children at the most, are ridiculed and put down, often by members of their own family.

It is truly counter cultural today to decide that sex belongs within marriage, if for no other reason than that sex tends to produce babies who need a stable environment in which to be raised. In order for men to step up to the plate and care for their children, women need to demand stable, marital commitment from them before sex ever takes place.

So, on this feast of the Holy Innocents, think of just who our "holy innocents" are today: those children who are called "mistakes"--those children who are killed merely because their parents are not brave enough to face the fact that they exist.

Does Christmas Depress You?

I came across a post on Unam Sanctuam Catholicam that I think goes a long way towards explaining the common feeling of angst and depression that comes to many during the Christmas Season.

Before I go into anything that Boniface has said, let me point out one thing at the start: Christmas *is* a SEASON (which should be lived year 'round, really). Christmas is NOT a "day." I turn on my Sirius Christmas channel today to hear that they are back to Chopin and away from anything Christmas. That is so sad. No wonder people get depressed at Christmas. It is hyped up by the media from October onward, made into a mad frenzy of consumerism, and tossed away the day after, like every expensive consumable we have worked so hard to purchase that is supposed to bring us happiness.

This lack of lasting happiness is shown in many secular Christmas songs. Boniface, of Unam Sanctam Catholicam points out that many of today's nostalgically favorite secular Christmas songs were written in the post World War II era of the 1940's and '50's, and sing longingly of a past that was beginning to become out of reach for many in those days, and is gone completely for us today. The idea of many generations coming to a family farm for Christmas ("Home for the Holidays") or riding through drifts of snow in a sleigh pulled by horses wearing bells ("Jingle Bells") makes Christmas into nothing more than a nostalgic look back at something that is long gone. Even "White Christmas" assumes that an uncontrollable winter weather event (with apologies to Al Gore) is what *makes* it Christmas. Without Christ, humanity has gone back to seeking joy and happiness where it doesn't exist--in things; in gifts and possessions; in the weather; in lifestyles mostly gone.

I shudder to think what our more "modern" Christmas songs are telling us. "Grandma Got Run Over By a Reindeer"? "Santa Baby"? Christmas, like Christianity in general is now something to be put down and made fun of, like the picked-on kid at school.

As Boniface says, "this secular Christmas music exposes how bankrupt our culture is..."

Oh.

No wonder we're depressed.

If we don't celebrate the birth of Christ, we are forced to celebrate "Blatant Consumer Day", or perhaps, "Depressing Nostalgia Day", by shopping until we drop and then running to the stores the next day to take it all back, because its not what we wanted.

Take a look, in contrast, at Christmas Hymns.

Good Christian Men, rejoice, with heart and soul and voice!

Joy to the world, the Lord is come! Let earth receive her King. Let every heart prepare Him room, and Heaven and nature sing.

O come, all ye faithful, joyful and triumphant! O come ye, O come ye, to Bethlehem. Come, and behold Him, born the King of angels. O come, let us adore Him!

Angels we have heard on high, sweetly singing o're the plains. And the mountains in reply, echoing their joyous strains. Gloria in excelsis deo!

Hark, the herald angels sing! Glory to the newborn King! Peace on Earth and mercy mild. God and sinners reconciled. Joyful all ye nations rise. Join the triumph of the skies. With angelic hosts proclaim, Christ is born in Bethlehem.

That's what Christmas is all about. That is what brings joy to the heart, no matter what type of nostalgic lifestyle you may or may not be presently practicing.

Joy comes first, through Christ. What we do for others, is an outgrowth of our love for Him, which comes from His love for us.

What Christmas is all about

Hat tip to Cyg.

Have a Holy Nativity!

O Come, O Come, Emmanuel!

Today's O Antiphon is the familiar, O come, O come, Emmanuel of Advent.

“O Emmanuel, king and lawgiver, desire of the nations, Savior of all people, come and set us free, Lord our God.” Isaiah had prophesied, “The Lord himself will give you this sign: the Virgin shall be with child, and bear a son, and shall name him Emmanuel.”

O Come, O King of Nations

Today's O Antiphon:

“O King of all the nations, the only joy of every human heart; O Keystone of the mighty arch of man, come and save the creature you fashioned from the dust.” Isaiah had prophesied, “For a child is born to us, a son is given us; upon his shoulder dominion rests. They name him Wonder-Counselor, God-Hero, Father-Forever, Prince of Peace.” (9:5), and “He shall judge between the nations, and impose terms on many peoples. They shall beat their swords into plowshares and their spears into pruning hooks; one nation shall not raise the sword against another, nor shall they train for war again.” (2:4) .

What Holiday Food Are You?

You Are a Trifle

No doubt, you have many intricate layers. But deep down, you're a little squishy.

What Holiday Food Are You?

I didn't know I was that sophisticated! ;)

O Radiant Dawn

“O Radiant Dawn, splendor of eternal light, sun of justice: come, shine on those who dwell in darkness and the shadow of death.” Isaiah had prophesied, “The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; upon those who dwelt in the land of gloom a light has shown.” (9:1).

Jesus is our Light. Jesus is the Dawn. Jesus is our Hope.
Hat tip for the beautifully haunting video to Catholic Fire.

O Come, O Key of David

Today's O Antiphon:

“O Key of David, O royal Power of Israel controlling at your will the gate of Heaven: Come, break down the prison walls of death for those who dwell in darkness and the shadow of death; and lead your captive people into freedom.” Isaiah had prophesied, I will place the Key of the House of David on His shoulder; when he opens, no one will shut, when he shuts, no one will open.” (Isaiah 22:22), and “His dominion is vast and forever peaceful, from David’s throne, and over His kingdom, which he confirms and sustains by judgment and justice, both now and forever.” (9:6).

Jesus fulfills and reflects Isaiah's prophesy by giving Peter "the keys to the kingdom of heaven. What you bind on earth shall be bound in Heaven. Whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed in Heaven." (Matthew 16:19)

Christmas Lights!

Ok, it's time for our annual "Christmas Lights and Display Contest." Fittingly, this year's pic (chosen by me after surfing YouTube) is HarrellChristmas' entry from December 20, 2006 set to the music from A Charlie Brown Christmas entitled, "Christmas is Coming." Enjoy!

Another Christmas Quiz

You Are a Bright Christmas Tree

For you, the holidays are all about fun and seasonal favorites. You are into all things Christmas, even if they're a little tacky.

What Christmas Tree Are You?

Oh yeah! I'd have Christmas stuff up till at least February if I could!

Bishop Sheen

In honor of my mom and all of her generation who sat around the tv set watching Bishop Sheen. He is now on the way to being declared a saint.

O Come, O Flower of Jesse's Stem

Today's O Antiphon:

“O Flower of Jesse’s stem, you have been raised up as a sign for all peoples; kings stand silent in your presence; the nations bow down in worship before you. Come, let nothing keep you from coming to our aid.” Isaiah had prophesied, “But a shoot shall sprout from the stump of Jesse, and from his roots a bud shall blossom.” (11:1), and A On that day, the root of Jesse, set up as a signal for the nations, the Gentiles shall seek out, for his dwelling shall be glorious.” (11:10). Remember also that Jesse was the father of King David, and Micah had prophesied that the Messiah would be of the house and lineage of David and be born in David’s city, Bethlehem (Micah 5:1).

O Come, O Lord of Might

Today's O Antiphon talks about the Lord giving the tablets of the law to Moses on Mount Sinai.

“O sacred Lord of ancient Israel, who showed yourself to Moses in the burning bush, who gave him the holy law on Sinai mountain: come, stretch out your mighty hand to set us free.” Isaiah had prophesied, “But He shall judge the poor with justice, and decide aright for the land’s afflicted. He shall strike the ruthless with the rod of his mouth, and with the breath of his lips he shall slay the wicked. Justice shall be the band around his waist, and faithfulness a belt upon his hips.” (11:4-5); and “Indeed the Lord will be there with us, majestic; yes the Lord our judge, the Lord our lawgiver, the Lord our king, he it is who will save us.” (33:22).

Jesus said, Do not think I have come to abolish the law, but to fulfill it. (Matthew 5:17)

O Come, O Wisdom From On High

Today is the start of the traditional O Antiphons, short verses recited or sung before the Magnificat during Vespers (Evening Prayer). The O Antiphons cover the special preparation period known as the octave before Christmas.

O Antiphon for December 17

“O Wisdom, O holy Word of God, you govern all creation with your strong yet tender care. Come and show your people the way to salvation.” Isaiah had prophesied, “The spirit of the Lord shall rest upon him: a spirit of wisdom and of understanding, a spirit of counsel and of strength, a spirit of knowledge and fear of the Lord, and his delight shall be the fear of the Lord.” (11:2-3), and “Wonderful is His counsel and great is His wisdom.” (28:29).

RIP Dan Fogelberg

Dan Fogelberg, '70's musician, lost his battle with prostate cancer on Sunday.

He died at his home in Maine.

He was 56.

May he rest in peace.

Gaudete Sunday--in a cappella

Today's weather here this morning was icy on the trees, but the streets were passable, so we went to church as usual.

When we got in church we realized that there was no electricity. That meant no organ. We quickly chose alternative chant-like hymns in place of the ones that were rather organ-dependent that we thought we were going to sing.

Father comes to church, lights candles and we sing the Mass. It wasn't as obviously "upbeat" as one might expect for Gaudete Sunday, but, after all, it *is* still Advent. It was quietly joyful, like Our Lady must have been in anticipating the Birth of her Savior.

I thought it was wonderful, frankly. Even my husband, the organist, admits that "we should do this on purpose every once in a while."

Which movie is your Christmas most like?

Your Christmas is Most Like: A Charlie Brown Christmas

Each year, you really get into the spirit of Christmas. Which is much more important to you than nifty presents.

What Movie Is Your Christmas Most Like?

Comfort food

Today we went to a local diner, The Avenue. I had an unusual dish called Cincinnati Chili which consisted of spaghetti topped with chili topped with cheddar cheese topped with bacon. Mmmmmm!

Next time I'll try the deep fried dill pickles!

Be not afraid

In a homily during Advent of 2003, John Paul II, reiterated the importance of hoping and not fearing.

"Fear not, I will help you. (Isaiah 41:13). God's promise, echoed by the Prophet was entirely fulfilled in the birth of Jesus at Bethlehem. For this reason, we need not fear. The season we are living of Advent encourages us to hope."

The editor of Advent and Christmas Wisdom from Pope John Paul II, suggests that we "identify what it is that (we) most fear" and "give it to the Christ Child today."

We can humbly approach the manger and ask the Christ Child to protect us as He was protected in all His poverty and need.

The Second Week in Advent

Today, the readings talk about peace. Isaiah says that when the Messiah comes,

Then the wolf shall be a guest of the lamb, and the leopard shall lie down with the kid; the calf and the young lion shall browse together, with a little child to guide them. The cow and the bear shall be neighbors, together their young shall rest; the lion shall eat hay like the ox. The baby shall play by the cobra’s den, and the child lay his hand on the adder’s lair. ~Isaiah 11

Paul prays for the the Roman believers to be at peace with each other.

May the God of endurance and encouragement grant you to think in harmony with one another. ~Romans 15

Lest we get discouraged about the apparent lack of peace among Christians, the Gospel bluntly tells us how this is to be achieved. John the Baptist warns us to,

“Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand!" and "produce good fruit as evidence of your repentance." ~Matthew 3

That's it. Unless we actually repent and turn away from our sinful human nature, there will *be* no peace.

The Immaculate Conception

Today is the Feast of the Immaculate Conception, which refers to the fact that Mary, Mother of Christ, was preserved from any stain of sin from the moment of her conception in the womb of her mother, Anne.

Many might ask if this means that the Catholic Church holds that Mary was never in need of, or indeed, received, salvation. Mary, like all of humanity, was in need of salvation by Jesus Christ, through no work of her own. Catholics, like all Christians, believe that "by grace are you saved, through faith" (Ephesians 2:8).

Mary had faith from the very beginning. Mary's "yes" was the means through which God the Father chose to send His Son into the World. Unlike us, God is outside of time. He has always known that this young girl from Nazareth would (and from His divine perspective, already did) accept Christ, not only into her soul, but into her very body as well. How could Mary *not* be saved?

Mary's acknowledgement of God as her savior is preserved for all time in the Magnificat prayer from the Gospel of Luke, chapter 1, verses 46-55.

My soul magnifies the Lord,
And my spirit rejoices in God my Savior.
For He has regarded the low estate of His handmaiden,
For behold, henceforth all generations shall call me blessed.
For He who is mighty has done great things for me,
and holy is His name.
And His mercy is on those who fear Him
from generation to generation.
He has shown strength with His arm:
He has scattered the proud
in the imagination of their hearts.
He has put down the mighty from their thrones,
and exalted those of low degree.
He has filled the hungry with good things;
and the rich He has sent empty away.
He has helped His servant Israel, in remembrance of His mercy;
As He spoke to our fathers, to Abraham and to His posterity forever.

Christmas Meme

1. Wrapping paper or gift bags? Gift bags or pre-decorated boxes. I am a notoriously sloppy wrapper.

2. Real tree or artificial? Small artificial with fiber-optic lights. Easy, pretty. One bulb.

3. When do you put up the tree? I usually put up the tree sometime around "Gaudete Sunday"--the third Sunday in Advent--the "rose" Sunday.

4. When do you take the tree down? It stays up until at least Epiphany. I'd keep it up longer if DH wouldn't fuss so much about it.

5. Do you like eggnog? As long as it doesn't have alcohol in it.

6. Favorite gift received as a child? Hmmm....I don't know about "favorite", but I do remember one year when my sister and I got matching "twin" dolls, which was fun. Also, one year we got Crissy and Velvet dolls whose hair would lengthen if you pushed a button on their tummy and pulled out their pony tails!

7. Do you have a Nativity scene? Yes, we have a couple nativity scenes. We have one from DiGiovanni (see picture) but with a larger, handmade stable and a larger angel, one from St. Croix that is made of clay and breaks every year (Christmas time = glue-gun time!) and a plastic one I got ds when he was little.

8. Hardest person to buy for? I think guys are hard to buy for.

9. Worst Christmas gift you ever received? Hmmm...I'm not sure I want to go there.

10. Mail or email Christmas cards? Snail mail, although the number of cards I receive gets smaller by the year. I'm starting to think the whole thing will die out in a few years. Kind of makes me sad.

11. Favorite Christmas Movie? "A Christmas Carol," 1951 version will ALWAYS be the best. I also like "A Charlie Brown Christmas." Both of those were made back when Christmas specials could actually talk a little about...shhhh.....Christ!!!!!

12. When do you start shopping for Christmas? Sometimes I start to shop in the fall, if I see things I think people will like.

13. Have you ever recycled a Christmas present? I'm sure I have sometime. I may even this year.

14. Favorite thing to eat at Christmas? That's a good question. I like Christmas cookies and candy canes.

15. Clear lights or colored on the tree? Colored, fiber-optic, that twinkle. DH likes "blinkies". I always thought that blinky lights were reserved for the doctor's office, which we spent quite a bit of time in during Christmas when I was a kid.

16. Favorite Christmas song. "Lo, How a Rose 'Er Blooming." It's even nice in German.

17. Travel at Christmas or stay home? Well, we travel for the Christmas season. Sometimes it's on Christmas Day proper and sometimes it's not.

18. Can you name all of Santa’s reindeer. Yep.

19. Angel on the tree top or a star? Angel. Always an angel.

20. Open the presents Christmas Eve or morning? Normally Christmas morning, but sometimes DH remembers that his family opened one on Christmas Eve and we do that too.

21. Most annoying thing about this time of year? Spending money. The materialism. Ungrateful people.

Sixty-six years ago

Happy Saint Nicholas Day!!

Happy Saint Nicholas Day to everyone!! Celebrating Saint Nicholas Day is almost as diverse as Christmas itself, with traditions in no less than 33 different countries, from Aruba, to Greece to Turkey.

St. Nicholas was born in what is now Demre, Turkey between 260 and 280. Two sources corroborate the story that Nicholas was nominated by popular acclaim to be bishop of Myra, in Turkey, while still a layman.

Three ancient accounts tell of his providing dowries for girls too poor to marry who were destined to be sold into slavery. The most ancient and reliable story of Nicholas involves him going to the port of Andriaki to settle some unrest there. On the way back, townspeople stopped him and told him of three innocent men condemned to die via beheading. Nicholas went to the place of execution, grabbed the sword away and freed the men.

Saint Nicholas was a great example of an early Christian living out the life of peace, justice and mercy as taught by Our Lord in a world of confusion and violence. He is a great example for us who strive to live the Gospel today.

It's snowing! :)

Ok. It's not snowing any more. :( But I can't resist this graphic.

Preparing our Hearts for the Birth of Christ

Today's Gospel reading is from the cure of the Centurion's servant. After asking Jesus to cure his servant, the Centurion replies to Jesus' request to cure the man in person.

“Lord, I am not worthy to have you enter under my roof; only say the word and my servant will be healed."
~Matthew 8:6

We are indeed unworthy of Christ's love. We are not, in and of ourselves, worthy to have Christ enter into our hearts. But He does. And not by anything we do.

Jesus will never force us to accept His love, though. We must accept it with our own God-given free will. We must prepare our hearts to receive Him, for He said,

"When the unclean spirit has gone out of a man, he passes through waterless places seeking rest, but he finds none. Then he says, 'I will return to my house from which I came.' And when he comes he finds it empty, swept, and put in order. Then he goes and brings with him seven other spirits more evil than himself, and they enter and dwell there; and the last state of that man becomes worse than the first."

~Matthew 12:43-45

In order to welcome Christ in our hearts, we must not only be "swept clean", we must "earnestly desire the greater gifts" (1 Corinthians 12:31). We must never be complacent about loving Christ and must strive after the higher virtues, for that is what we are called to do as Christians.

In some households, there is an Advent tradition symbolizing the spiritual preparation we must do to grow as Christians. The family puts out an empty manger, symbolizing the waiting for the Christ Child to come into our hearts. The manger must be made comfortable for Our Lord, so, for each time a family member practices a Christian virtue such as patience or kindness, they may place a piece of straw (or sometimes yarn) into the manger to prepare it for the Baby Jesus on Christmas.

"And I will give them one heart, and put a new spirit within them. And I will take the heart of stone out of their flesh and give them a heart of flesh."
~ Ezekiel 11:19

This is what me must do in our own hearts daily. Pray to receive Christ in your own heart this Christmas.

As it is written in Isaiah the prophet: "Behold, I am sending my messenger ahead of you; he will prepare your way. A voice of one crying out in the desert: 'Prepare the way of the Lord, make straight his paths.'"

~Mark 1:2-3

The First Sunday of Advent

Although I am less than the least of all God's people, this grace was given me: to preach to the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ, and to make plain to everyone the administration of this mystery, which for ages past was kept hidden in God, who created all things. His intent was that now, through the church, the manifold wisdom of God should be made known to the rulers and authorities in the heavenly realms.
~Ephesians 3:9-10

Dearest Brothers and Sisters: With today's first Sunday of Advent, a new liturgical year begins. The Church takes up her journey again, and invites us to reflect more intensely on the mystery of Christ, a mystery that is always new and that time cannot exhaust. Christ is the Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end. Thanks to Him, the history of humanity proceeds as a pilgrimage toward the fulfillment of the Kingdom which he inaugurated with His Incarnation and victory over sin and death.

~John Paul II, Angelus address, December 2, 2001
From Advent and Christmas Widsom from Pope John Paul II


I think mystery is a good way to approach Advent. To see God and His salvation through the eyes of a newborn child is a challenge that is especially difficult in these modern cynical times. During Advent, we are called to search for God anew and make room for Him in our hearts.

Oh God, cure me of my cynicism

and help me to see you

through new born eyes.

Thought for the day