My Holiday Journal

Just a note

2010-08-22T18:28:00.000-07:00

Just thought I'd let anyone reading this blog might want to know that my main blog can be found at WHAT'S NEW AT MY HOUSE http://onyama.blogspot.com/

JUNE 2010

2010-06-01T18:37:00.001-07:00

JUNE 2010

The June Birth Flower is the Rose

Birthstone is: The Pearl

By her who is this month was born
No gem save Pearls shall be worn
They will ensure her constancy
True friendship and fidelity.

The alternate birthstone for June is the Alexandrite. A yellowish or brownish green in color, this gemstone has the unique characteristic of changing color to a red hue when exposed to a glowing light source, such as candlelight. Because of this quality, it has been characterized by poets as "an emerald by day, a ruby by night. It is a rare and expensive gemstone, symbolic of joy and good fortune

Characteristics of the Gemini

Inquisitive, Clever, Adaptable, Lively & Communicative

JUNE 5 REMEMBRANCE DAY FOR OUR LITTLE PUMPKIN BORN JUNE 5, 2006

JUNE 14 FLAG DAY

JUNE 18 DD AND DS#3 BIRTHDAYS

JUNE 20 FATHERS DAY

JUNE 21 FIRST DAY OF SUMMER

JUNE 26 WILD STRAWBERRY FULL MOON

MAY 2010

2010-04-30T07:36:00.001-07:00

THE MERRY MONTH OF MAY 2010

MAY 2ND Be Kind to Animals week begins
MAY 3RD Our Angel's Birthday
MAY 3RD Ma at DS#6's
MAY 7TH AND 8TH Ma at the camper
MAY 9TH Mothers Day
MAY 10TH Ma at DS#6's
MAY 10TH DDIL#5'S Birthday
MAY 12TH DSIL'S Birthday
MAY 15TH ARMED FORCES DAY
MAY 16TH Little Lad's Baptism
MAY 18TH DS#3 and his wife's anniversary
MAY 22ND DS#4's Birthday
MAY 26TH The full FLOWER Moon
MAY 31ST Memorial Day

APRIL - 2010

2010-03-31T16:33:00.001-07:00

APRIL SHOWERS

Life is not a highway strewn with flowers,

Still it holds a goodly share of bliss,

When the sun gives way to April showers,

Here is the point you should never miss.

Though April showers may come your way,

They bring the flowers that bloom in May.

So if it's raining, have no regrets,

Because it isn't raining rain, you know, (It's raining violets,)

And where you see clouds upon the hills,

You soon will see crowds of daffodils,

So keep on looking for a blue bird, And list'ning for his song,

Whenever April showers come along.

And where you see clouds upon the hills,

You soon will see crowds of daffodils,

So keep on looking for a blue bird, And list'ning for his song,

Whenever April showers come along.

APRIL

APRIL 1^ST APRIL FOOL’S DAY

APRIL 2^ND GOOD FRIDAY

April 3^rd OUR FAMILY EASTER CELEBRATION

APRIL 4^th EASTER SUNDAY

APRIL 7 DINO BOY’S BD

April 12^th GD#1’S BD

APRIL 15 DS#2’S BD

INCOME TAX DUE

APRIL 16^th CAMPING SEASON BEGINS

April 19 Both of my Sisters’ BDs

22 EARTH DAY

23 ARBOR DAY

APRIL 30^TH Our Sunshine Boy’s BD

APRIL FOOL

As a rule man’s a fool, always

Wanting what it’s not. When it’s hot

He wants it cool, when its cool

He wants it hot.

MARCH 2010

2010-02-28T08:02:00.001-08:00

First a little note about February..

28 Our little Lucky guy was born, ma’s 13^th grandbabe

The 3 Petals on the Shamrock stand for

Good Luck,

Good Health,

And Happiness

MARCH 2010

We welcome a new family member this month!

1 Happy 207^th Birthday Ohio

8 Ma’s Birthday

14 Daylight Savings Time Begins – set clocks ahead 1 hour

14 DDIL#6’s Birthday

15 IDES OF MARCH – the Buzzards return to Hinckley, Ohio

17 ST. PATRICK’S DAY

19 Swallows arrive at the Mission of San Juan Capistrano, CA after 6000 mile journey

20 FIRST DAY OF SPRING!

27 DS#4 AND HIS WIFE’S ANNIVERSARY

28 PALM SUNDAY

29 FULL CROW MOON

31^st Ma’s official date for retirement…I’ll still be working through the first full week of April, but this is over and beyond…I’m really retired…

March roars in like a lion so fierce,
the wind so cold, it seems to pierce.

The month rolls on and Spring draws near,
and March goes out like a lamb so dear

FEBRUARY 2010

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The February born will find
Sincerity and peace of mind;
Freedom from passion and from care,
If they the Pearl (also green Amethyst) will wear

FEBRUARY 2010

02 Ground Hogs Day

07 Super Bowl Sunday

12 Lincoln’s Birthday

14 Valentines’ Day

15 Presidents’ Day

19 Our Prince Charming’s Birthday

22 George Washington’s Birthday

28 The Full SNOW Moon

If I could give you the stars
I'd gather them inside my heart
I'd wrap them in love
And brighten your day
...with starlight

JANUARY 2010

2009-12-30T17:28:00.001-08:00

JANUARY 2010

1 HAPPY NEW YEAR

3 EPIPHANY OF THE LORD

FEAST OF THE 3 KINGS

4 ‘MA’ GOES BACK TO WORK

5 TWELFTH NIGHT

8 ‘MA’ HAS ½ DAY OFF – APPOINTMENT WITH THE SOCIAL SECURITY OFFICE TODAY

11 OUR PRETTY LADY’S BD

18 MARTIN LUTHER KING DAY

20 DS #6’S BD

20 OUR ‘PRINCESS’ BD

23 MID POINT OF WINTER

Psycholologists call this the most depressing day of the year: gloomy weather, bills due, resolustions fail.

29 OUR STAR’S BD

30 The full WOLF MOON

The Planet Mars is a morning star all this month

DECEMBER 2009 - BEGINNING OF JANUARY 2010

2009-11-30T14:01:00.000-08:00

DECEMBER 2009 AND THE BEGINNING OF JANUARY 2010

The seasons of Advent and Christmas

2 Long Night Full Moon

December 5th & 6th: Set out your shoes this evening! St. Nicholas is coming! We read the traditional stories about St. Nicholas . After the Advent Wreath ceremony, we all set our shoes on the hearth. What will St. Nicholas leave this year?

7 Pearl Harbor Day

December 8th: The Feast of the Immaculate Conception

12 Poinsettia Day

12 Hanukkah

December 13th: Feast Of St. Lucy!

19 Our Family CHRISTMAS Feast Day

21 Winter begins at 12:47 pm

The Christmas Tree:

I don't turn on the lights of the tree at night, until the Advent Wreath candles have been lit, The tree will be left up, along with the Nativity sets until the day after Epiphany. After all…that’s when the Christmas officially ends!

December 25^th: Alleluia! Christ our Savior is born! Alleluia!

Christmas Day: A joyful feast in the afternoon…and the season continues!

December 26th: The Feast Of Stephen.

26 Boxing Day

27 The Holy Family of Jesus, Mary and Joseph

December 28th: The Feast Of the Holy Innocents. We remember all the holy innocents on this day, particularly the littlest victims of abortion.

31 New Years Eve – A time for reflection

31 Night of the Blue Moon

The blue moon is not blue it is the second full moon in any one month—the next will be on August 31, 2012

January 1st marks the great Solemnity of Mary, Mother Of God.

The journey continues with Epiphany, on

January 6th. The Wise Men have journeyed to take their place before the Holy Infant. We sing We Three Kings and thank God for the greatest gift of the Christmas Season.

We end our Christmas celebration the following Sunday as we commemorate the Baptism of Our Lord.

a very sad day...

2009-11-06T06:10:00.001-08:00

Thanks to our Sugar at the SugarShack blog for this tag that does really say it all.

NOVEMBER 2009

2009-10-31T07:33:00.001-07:00

November woods are bare and still; November days are clear and bright;Each noon burns up the morning's chill,The morning's snow is gone by night.

Source: Helen Hunt Jackson

It's time to talk turkey, think about pilgrims, reminisce on childhood holiday memories, do some thanksgiving crafts, and above all reflect on God's blessings and bounty.

November Flower: Chrysanthemum

November Birthstone: Topaz

November is...

Aviation History Month, Good Nutrition Month, Jewish Book Month, National Alzheimer's Disease Month, National Diabetes Month, National Epilepsy Month, National Hospice Month, National Pepper Month, National Stamp Collecting Month, and Peanut Butter Lover's Month,
NOVEMBER 2009

1 ALL SAINTS DAY

1 DAYLIGHT SAVINGS TIME ENDS

2 FULL BEAVER MOON

2 ALL SOULS DAY

3 ELECTION DAY

11 VETERANS DAY

12 DDIL#1’S BIRTHDAY

22 REMBERANCE DAY FOR MY LITTLE GRANDSON

21 OUR FAMILY THANKSGIVING FEAST

26 THANKSGIVING DAY

27 BLACK FRIDAY (VACATION DAY FOR MA)

28 REMBERANCE DAY FOR MY DDH

30 ST. ANDREWS DAY

OCTOBER - 2009

2009-09-29T17:57:00.001-07:00

There is no season when such pleasant and sunny spots may be lighted on,

and produce so pleasant an effect on the feelings, as now in October.
Nathaniel Hawthorne

October's birthstone is the opal. The opal is thought to have the power to predict illness. This is because the opal responds to heat. If you are sick your temperature increases before signs of illness appear. The increased body heat causes the opal to lose its shine, leaving it dull and lacking color. It is also said that the opal will crack if it is worn by someone who was not born in October.

Its birth flower is the calendula

3 Our Sweetheart’s 7th birthday
4 Full HUNTER or FALLING LEAVES Moon
· Most deer – auto collisions occur from October thru December
9 Ma has a half day of vacation
10 FALL FESTIVAL at the Campground
12 Columbus Day!
16 Ma has another half day of vacation
17 WINTERIZED AND CLOSE UP CAMPERS
31 Halloween

· Halloween Lady bugs
PUMPKIN colored with black spots are entering homes to spend the winter.

They are harmless and will benefit your garden next spring.

Just before the death of flowers,

And before they are buried in snow,

There comes a festival season

When nature is all aglow.

Author Unknown

September - BACK TO SCHOOL PICTURES

2009-09-03T16:12:00.001-07:00

I've received pictures of some of my grand babes going back to school this year. It is such an exciting time for everyone. 3 are missing in the pictures and I'm hoping to get them later on but for now I'll put the ones in that I have.

This is DS#3's children waiting for the school bus

This is our Angel - aren't her dimples cute...they do run in the family

This is our Star - sporting new glasses for the first time this year.

They make him look so grown up !

This is our Angel and Star with their little brother at this time last year.

So very sadly he is not with us this year. He is among the little blessed ones in heaven now

and we do miss him so.

This is DS#1's 3 children

Our Sweetheart, Prince Charming and Our Princess

Here are DS#4's boys-I call them the Sunshine Boys as they are always smiling

Our 'Little Ray' of Sunshine didn't start school til later in the week and still has his PJ's on

My Sunshine Boy at Back to School Night

DS#4 and Our Sunshine Boy the first day of school

Both of boys with their dad

I'm so very proud of all of them. Their parents are just the greatest too!

SEPTEMBER - 2009

2009-08-31T14:31:00.001-07:00

By all these lovely tokens

September days are here,

With summer's best of weather

And autumn's best of cheer.
Helen Hunt Jackson

SEPTEMBER

4 FULL HARVEST MOON
7 LABOR DAY
11 Ma’s vacation day
11 DS#1 and DDIL#1 Anniversary
11 PATRIOTS DAY
Remembering 9-11-01
13 GRAND PARENTS DAY
16 DDIL#4 Birthday
17 ‘ Little Ray’s’ Birthday
18 Rosh Hashanah
19 National Talk Like a Pirate Day
21 FEAST OF ST. MATHEW
Apostle and Evangelist
22 Fall Equinox begins at 5:19 pm
25 Ma’s vacation day
27 Yom Kippur
29 FEAST OF ST. MICHAEL
GABRIEL, AND RAPHAEL Archangels

Abundant crop of acorns today (St. Michaels Day) forecast a hard winter

September symbols - September's flower is the morning-glory. Sapphire is the gem.

The breezes taste

Of apple peel.

The air is full

Of smells to feel-

Ripe fruit, old footballs,

Burning brush,

New books, erasers,

Chalk, and such.

The bee, his hive,

Well-honeyed hum,

And Mother cuts

Chrysanthemums.

Like plates washed clean

With suds, the days

Are polished with

A morning haze

John Updike, September

AUGUST - 2009

2009-08-03T06:23:00.000-07:00

Whilst August yet wears her golden crown,

Ripening fields lush- bright with promise;

Summer waxes long, then wanes, quietly passing

Her fading green glory on to riotous Autumn

Michelle L. Thieme, August's Crown

AUGUST 2009
5 THE FULL MAISE (CORN) MOON
7 MA’S VACATION DAY
9 DS # 5’S BIRTHDAY
11 LEDGENDARY ‘DOG DAYS’ END
13 THE NEWLY WEDS ANNIVERSARY
16 DDIL#3’S BIRTHDAY
21 MA’S VACATION DAY
24 CICADES ARE SINGING
29 DS#1’S BD
29 MA’S LONG HOLIDAY WEEKEND BEGINS

FROM MY MAXINE CALENDAR FOR AUGUST

IF EACH DAY IS A GIFT,

I’D LIKE TO KNOW WHERE TO RETURN MONDAY’S

JULY - 2009

2009-06-30T14:18:00.000-07:00

JULY

The special flower for July is the water lily.The ruby is the gem for July.

If the first of July be rainy weather,

It will rain, more or less, for four weeks together.

English Proverb

3RD MA’S VACATION DAY
4TH INDEPENDENCE DAY- HAPPY 233RD BIRTHDAY AMERICA
7TH THE FULL THUNDER MOON
8TH DS#5 AND HIS WIFES’ANNIVERSARY
12TH DD AND HER HUBBY’S ANNIVERSARY

JUNE - 2009

2009-06-01T13:51:00.001-07:00

Happiness is as a butterfly which when pursued, is always beyond our reach, but which, if you will sit down quietly, may alight upon you .

Nathaniel Hawthorne

JUNE CALENDAR

June 5 Memorial of Our Pumpkin’s Birthday

June 5 Vacation Day for Ma

June 7 The Wild Strawberry Full Moon

June 13 Our Princess’ Dance Recital

June 14 Flag Day

June 18 DD and DS#3’s Birthdays

June 21 Father’s Day

June 21 First Day of Summer

June 23 Happiest Day of the Year: sunshine, extended daylight
Flowers in blooms

June 26 Vacation Day for Ma

Interesting trivia for our area

On an average we have:

We have 67 clear days
97 Partly cloudy days
201 Cloudy days

MAY CALENDAR - 2009

2009-04-29T02:15:00.001-07:00

Now the bright morning-star,

Day’s harbinger,

Comes dancing from the East,

and leads with her

The flowery May, who from her green lap throws

The yellow cowslip and the pale primrose.

Hail, bounteous May, that dost inspire

Mirth, and youth, and warm desire!

Woods and groves are of thy dressing;

Hill and dale doth boast thy blessing.

Thus we salute thee with our early song,

And welcome thee, and wish thee long.

John Milton, Song on a May Morning, 1660

MAY

MAY 3RD OUR ANGELS BD
MAY 7 NATIONAL DAY OF PRAYER
MAY 8TH, THE NEW FLOWER MOON
MAY 10 DDIL#5’S BD
May 10 Mothers Day

May 11th - Ohio’s only hummingbird (the ruby-throated)
often appears this week

MAY 12 DSIL’S BD
MAY 16 ARMED FORCES DAY
MAY 18 DS#3 AND HIS WIFE’S ANNIVERSARY
MAY 22 DS#4’S BD
May 23-25 Memorial Day camping
May 25th Memorial Day

The first Memorial Day was in 1866, honoring Civil War Veterans

May 31 – Pentecost Sunday

I have my own version of the rain dance,
First I wash my car…

From my Maxine calendar for May

CELEBRATING EASTER - 2009

2009-04-08T17:52:00.001-07:00

For I remember it is Easter morn,

And life and love and peace are all new born

Alice Freeman Palmer

Easter – A Time of Hope
The story of Easter in the Bible is about Jesus Christ and the miracle of his rising from death itself.
Easter is the most important celebration in the Christian year (it’s even bigger than Christmas). It is a time when you let go of the old and step into the new
The ability to find hope, to see a shaft of sunlight even on the darkest days comes, for Christians, from the certainty that Christ is risen
Hoping means believing, having faith in a better future, and being willing to work to achieve it

Easter is actually a seven-week season called Eastertide. It is a period of fifty days beginning at sundown on the eve of Easter Sunday and lasting for six more Sundays until Pentecost. Thus Easter includes fifty days and a week of Sundays. The season of Easter is framed around a sequence of events in the life of Jesus. In this case, it commemorates the time that Jesus spent with his disciples following the resurrection, prior to his ascension. Tradition holds that Jesus "ascended" to God on the 40th day after the resurrection. On the church calendar this day, always a Thursday, is referred to as Ascension Day.The season officially ends on Pentecost Sunday. This holiday celebrates the presence of the Holy Spirit in the life of the Church and indeed, the world
Jesus told his listeners to look, really look, at the flowers in the fields, to feast on their beauty—and to celebrate life. He taught that life flows from death. A sparrow falls to earth, and God notices. A seed is buried in the earth, and dies, so that a plant may grow strong to nourish life. And, if weeds and wheat grow together, he told us, don’t worry about it

This is a time hope.

Bits and Pieces on Easter
By authors unknown by me but certainly appreciated.

THE EASTER LILY

The Easter Lily

The white lily, the symbol of the resurrection, is the special Easter flower. Rabbits and colored eggs have come from pagan antiquity as symbols of new life. Easter Monday egg rolling, a custom of European origin, has become a tradition on the lawn of the White House in Washington, D.C.
The white lily stands for purity. Artists for centuries have pictured the angel Gabriel coming to the Virgin Mary with a spray of lilies in his hand, to announce that she is to be the mother of the Christ child. The lily is also the sign of the Resurrection. The lovely white Madonna lily was used for years as the Easter lily. It often failed to bloom in time for Easter, however, and so Bermuda lilies were substituted.
The legend is told that when the Virgin Mary’s tomb was visited three days after her burial, it was found empty save for bunches of majestic white lilies. Early writers and artists made the lily the emblem of the Annunciation, the Resurrection of the Virgin: the pure white petals signifying her spotless body and the golden anthers her soul glowing with heavenly light.…

THE DOGWOOD TREE

At the time of the crucifixion, the dogwood had reached the size of the mighty oak tree. So strong and firm was the wood that it was chosen as the timber for Jesus' cross.
To be used for such a cruel purpose greatly distressed the dogwood. While nailed upon it, Jesus sensed this, and in his compassion said. "Because of your pity for my suffering, never again shall the dogwood tree grow large enough to be used for a cross. Henceforth, it shall be slender, bent, and twisted, and its blossoms shall be in the form of a cross–two long and two short petals.
In the center of the outer edge of each petal will be the print of nails. In the center of the flower, stained with blood, will be a crown of thorns so that all who see it will remember

CELEBRATING APRIL BIRTHDAYS!

2009-04-06T15:28:00.001-07:00

April 7th

The first birthday this month is our Dino Boy . He is such a dear little boy and loves dinosaurs and learning about animals of all kinds.

April 12th

Is the birthday of my oldest grand child and I have no pictures of her to share as I’ve not seen her in a long time. She lives with her mother out of state and too far for me to visit.

This also would have been my departed mother’s birthday and this year the 12th is also Easter.

April 15th

DS#2’s Birthday!

He has a birthday that no one in the US would forget because it’s also when our Income Taxes are due.

April 19th

Both of my sisters were born on this date 2 years apart. They are both younger than me and it’s been my pleasure for sure to be their big sister.

April 30th

Our ‘Sunshine Boys’ birthday. He has the best smile in the world and loves to laugh too. When he was younger, his dad would call me up just so I could hear him laugh. He always brightens my day.

May the dear Lord Bless you all on your birthdays and always.

Love,

'ma'

APRIL - 2009

2009-03-29T13:06:00.000-07:00

APRIL SHOWERS

Life is not a highway strewn with flowers,

Still it holds a goodly share of bliss,

When the sun gives way to April showers,

Here is the point you should never miss.

Though April showers may come your way,

They bring the flowers that bloom in May.

So if it's raining, have no regrets,

Because it isn't raining rain,

you know, (It's raining violets,)

And where you see clouds upon the hills,

You soon will see crowds of daffodils,

So keep on looking for a blue bird,

And list'ning for his song,

Whenever April showers come along.

APRIL CALENDAR

APRIL 1ST APRIL FOOL’S DAY

APRIL 3RD CAMPING SEASON BEGINS

APRIL 4TH OUR FAMILY EASTER CELEBRATION

APRIL 5TH PALM SUNDAY

APRIL 7 DINO BOY’S BD

APRIL 9TH THE FULL WILD GOOSE MOON

PASSOVER

APRIL 10TH GOOD FRIDAY

April 12th GD#1’S BD

APRIL 12TH EASTER SUNDAY

APRIL 15 DS#2’S BD

INCOME TAX DUE

APRIL 17TH MA'S VACATION DAY

April 19 Both of my Sisters’ BDs

22 EARTH DAY

24 ARBOR DAY

APRIL 30TH Our Sunshine Boy’s BD

APRIL FOOL

As a rule man’s a fool, always
Wanting what it’s not. When it’s hot
He wants it cool, when its cool
He wants it hot.

My Birthday - March 8th, 2009

2009-03-06T16:19:00.001-08:00

CELEBRATING ANOTHER YEAR OF BLESSINGS

Every day we are given the opportunity to remake ourselves and to remake this world. No matter what our age we have the potential to grow and learn and change. No matter what our age, we have the potential to give and teach and enlighten.
Never stop making birthday wishes

MY BIRTHDAY PRAYER

I don’t want to grow old God. I don’t want any part of it. But since I have no power to stop the clock, my prayer is this: Let me age with grace.

Show me the way, God. Be with me. Grant health to my body and clarity to my mind. Give me strength. Help me to overcome my vanity. Teach me to combat self-pity. Don’t allow me to become set in my ways. Shield me from isolation and from loneliness.

May the love of my family and friends be my reward for all the struggles of my youth.Let all the blessings of age emanate from me. Let wisdom flow from my mouth, let compassion flow from my heart, let acts of kindness flow from my arms, let faith flow from my soul, let joy shine forth from my eyes.

Amen

MARCH - 2009

2009-02-27T16:53:00.000-08:00

MARCH

1 First Sunday of Lent
7 Ma’s Birthday celebration with the ’babe’s
8 Second Sunday of Lent
8 Ma’s Birthday
8 Daylight Savings Time Begins – set clocks ahead 1 hour
14 DDIL#6’s Birthday
15 IDES OF MARCH – the Buzzards return to Hinckley, Ohio
15 Third Sunday of Lent
17 ST. PATRICK’S DAY
19 Swallows arrive at the Mission of San Juan Capistrano, CA after 6000 mile journey
20 FIRST DAY OF SPRING!
22 Fourth Sunday of Lent
27 DS#4 AND HIS WIFE’S ANNIVERSARY
29 Fifth Sunday of Lent

March roars in like a lion so fierce,

the wind so cold, it seems to pierce.

The month rolls on and Spring draws near,

and March goes out like a lamb so dear

February 25th, 2009 - Lent Begins

2009-02-24T17:02:00.000-08:00

Lent is a season of soul-searching and repentance.
A season for reflection and taking stock.

It's spring-cleaning for the soul!

first step to clearing my heart and mind of clutter,

I arrange a quiet prayer corner in which to talk to God. I find a suitable place in my home and stock it with a Bible, a notebook, pens. When we take time for God, we are refueled

clearing my surroundings of clutter
If the only meaning of life was food, clothes or work, how meaningless it would be. Lent is a wonderful time to remind myself that God’s presence is what gives life meaning.

Clearing the clutter out of my work life

In a culture where what we do is valued above who we are, listening to God is sadly neglected. I will pray about the excess doing; about busy-ness, stress, and workaholism

Clearing Unforgiveness from my heart

If I am unwilling to forgive, this acts like a dam that blocks the flow of God’s grace. I will take time to consider whether there is anyone whom I need to forgive

Cleaning the clutter of worry from my mind
I pray that I will trust God no matter what

Decluttering my relationship with God
I will pray for patience and the willingness to wait

In the early days of the Church lent was a preparatory time for Easter when the faithful rededicated themselves and where converts were instructed in the faith and prepared for baptism.

We imitate the 40 days of Jesus’ withdrawal into the wilderness for 40 days.

Carnival and Mardi Gras - February 23rd and 24th

2009-02-22T14:54:00.000-08:00

Carnival begins February 23rd this year. It is the two days before Ash Wednesday. Carnival includes Fasching, the Feast of Fools. Monday, the 23rd, is known as Shrove Monday, also called Rose Monday, the Monday before Lent. The word "shrove" comes from "shrive," meaning "the confessions of sins" -- something done in preparation for Lent

The word carnival comes from the Latin words meaning farewell to meat

Mardi Gras

Mardi Gras" means "Fat Tuesday."

For Christians, Mardi Gras is the last day to indulge before Ash Wednesday, which starts the sober weeks of fasting that come with Lent. Mardi Gras was formally known as Shrove Tuesday. Mardi Gras is a traditional holiday celebrated in many of the southern states of the USA, the most famous which takes place in New Orleans, Louisiana.

Mardi Gras came to New Orleans in 1699 when early explorers celebrated this French Holiday on the banks of the Mississippi River. Today people celebrate with parades and masquerade balls where they dress up in costumes. The official colors for Mardi Gras are purple, green, and gold.

In 1872 Rex, the King of Carnival, chose these colors to stand for the following: Purple stands for justice, green for faith, and gold for power.

VALENTINES DAY 2009

2009-02-13T17:35:00.001-08:00

VALENTINES DAY is more than hearts and flowers.

Maybe this Holiday exists to beat the Winter Blues…

The lives of the saints are an important part of our heritage; their stories tell us who we are and how we're expected to behave. February 14 feast actually commemorated two Valentines: the first a beloved Christian priest rounded up in Claudius the Goth's persecution (269 A.D.) and beheaded outside Rome; the other a bishop of Terni, about 60 miles from Rome, beheaded in another purge a few years later

Maybe we can come up with some ideas for rescuing Valentine from the candy counter and Patrick from behind the bar. this is exactly what the saints are supposed to do—lead us to God

One website cites the legend of Charles, duke of Orleans, as the person who sent the first Valentine card to his wife in 1415 while he was imprisoned in the Tower of London. Luckily, the duke was eventually freed and lived to celebrate Valentine's Day with his wife for many decades.

The secret marriage story is often cited as the credible start of Valentine's Day.
Legend has it that Valentine was a third-century priest in Rome who defied Emperor Claudius II's decision to outlaw marriage for young men. Claudius believed single men were better soldiers. Valentine believed the decree to be unjust and married couples in secret ceremonies. When the practice was discovered, Valentine was put to death.

Another legend contends that Valentine actually sent the first valentine greeting himself from prison. Valentine was said to have fallen in love with a young girl, perhaps his jailer's daughter, when she visited him during his captivity. It is alleged that before Valentine was executed, he wrote her a letter signed "From your Valentine," the expression commonly used in Valentine cards today

St. Valentine no longer has anything to do with Valentine’s Day.
Take a moment to think about why Americans now spend more than a billion dollars on this mid-February day of love

Love doesn’t exactly have much to do with the money we spend trying to express it

I LOVE YOU ALL!

Happy Valentines Day!

February 2009

2009-02-01T14:11:00.000-08:00

The February born will find

Sincerity and peace of mind;

Freedom from passion and from care,

If they the Pearl (also green Amethyst) will wear

FEBRUARY

2 Ground Hogs’ Day
8 Spring Begins in Florida Everglades

and moves steadily northward at 15 miles per day
9 Full ‘Snow’ Moon
11 Swallows leave Goya, Argentina on 6000 mile

flight to San Juan Capistrano, CA
12 Lincoln’s Birthday
14 Valentines Day
16 Presidents’ Day
19 Prince Charming’s Birthday
22 Washington’s Birthday
25 Ash Wednesday (Lent Begins)

Every gardener knows that under the

cloak of winter lies a miracle ...

a seed waiting to sprout,

a bulb opening to the light,

a bud straining to unfurl.

And the anticipation nurtures our dream.

Barbara Winkler

More January Birthdays

2009-01-24T18:23:00.000-08:00

Lots of January Birthdays to celebrate !

Here is DS#6 with 1 of DD's dogs and one of DS#5's dogs- the picture was taken when we celebrated January birthdays last year.

Our Prince Charming's birthday is in February but we take advantage of all being together and celebrate his birthday in January too. DDIL#1' s mom also has a January birthday and our Princess and DS#6 share the same day in January for their birthdays .

The picture was taken last year at DS#1's house

Our Star has the last birthday of January. Here he was last summer doing one of his favorite things.

And here is Our Star with a nice smile for everyone

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU ALL!

May the dear Lord bless you today and always.

I'll see them all next weekend for this years celebration.

2009-01-10T11:16:00.000-08:00

It is our ' Pretty Lady's' birthday January 11th

Here she is with her brother last July when we did some sight seeing during their visit

She was helping out her younger cousin - Our 'Sunshine Boy' while waiting for dinner

She informed me that she is already 6.

Grand'ma' says Happy 7th Birthday to you today!
May the dear Lord Bless You
Today and Always!

For Epiphany - January 4th, 2009

2009-01-03T16:42:00.000-08:00

To help celebrate the Epiphany of our Lord, I collected the following bits and pieces to record in my journal. I like to reflect on the importance of this day.

The Three Kings

by Henry Wardsworth Longfellow

Three kings came riding from far away,

Melchior and Gaspar and Balthasar,

Three wise men out of the East were they,

and they traveled by night and they slept by day,

For their guide was a beautiful, wonderful star,

The star was so beautiful, large and clear,

That all the other stars of the sky,

became a white mist in the atmosphere,

And by this they knew that the coming was near,

Of the Prince foretold in the prophecy.

Three caskets they bore on their saddle bows,

Three caskets of gold with golden keys,

Their robes were of crimson, silk with rose,

Of bells Pomegranates and frivolos,

Their turbans like blossoming almond trees,

And so the three kings rode into the West,

Through the dusk of night, over hill and dell,

And sometimes they nodded with beard on breast,

And sometimes they talked as they paused to rest,

With the people they met at some wayside well.

"Of the child that is born," said Balthasar,

"Good people I pray you tell us the news,

For we in the East have seen this star,"

And have ridden fast and have ridden far,

To find and worship the King Of The Jews."

And the people answered, "You ask in vane,

We know of no king but Herod

The Great." They thought the wise men were men insane,

As they spurred their horses across the plane,

Like riders in haste who can not wait.

And when they came to Jerusalem, Herod

The Great who had heard this thing,

Sent for the wise men and questioned them,

And said, "Go down unto Bethlehem,

and bring me tidings of this new king."

So they rode away and the star stood still,

The only one in the gray of morn, Yes it stopped, it stood still,

Of its own free will, Right over Bethlehem on the hill.

The City Of David where Christ was born.

And the three kings rode through the gate and the guard,

Through the silent street till their horses turned,

And nayed as they entered the great in-yard,

But the windows were closed and the doors were barred,

And only a light in a stable burned.

And cradled there in the scented hay,

In the air made sweet by breath of kine,

The little child in the manger lay,

The child that would be King one day,

Of a kingdom not human but divine.

His mother, Mary of Nazareth,

Sat watching beside his place of rest,

Watching the even flow of his breath,

For the joy of life and the terror of death,

Were mingled together in her breast.

They laid their offerings at his feet,

The gold was their tribute to a king,

The frankincense with its odor sweet,

Was for the priest, the Paracleet,

The myrrh for the body's burring.

And the mother wondered and bowed her head,

And sat as still as a statue of stone,

Her heart was troubled yet comforted,

Remembering what the angel had said,

Of an endless rain and of David's throne.

Then the kings rode out of the city gate,

With a clatter of hoofs and a proud array,

And they went not back to Herod The Great,

For they knew his malice and feared his hate,

And returned to their homes by another way

PRINCIPALS OF THE THREE WISEMEN

First seeking and worshipping the Son of God was their highest priority. The wise men were seekers. They had a passion to follow this new star and discoverfor themselves where this “new” king might be. For them it was a long, tough,taxing journey. It took many months and more resources than we can even imagineto find their way. At the same time they had a sense of gratitude for the way inwhich God intervened in the world. Having reached their goal they returned homewith a new sense of appreciation for the wonder of God

The more we seek and search, the more we discover the scope of God’s creation. The more we seek themore we uncover the vastness of His love for each of us, His love for you and Hislove for me!

Second The wise men humbled themselves and paid tribute to the Christ child!They paid respect to the Christ child! They paid love to the Christ child. Theygave and presented gifts to the Christ child! Now lest you think that these were thetypes of presents purchased at the Bethlehem Wal-Mart, please remember that theseweren’t token items, they were extremely precious and rare.

God received the very best that they couldoffer. Therefore when we make a decision that requires a sincere effort we will feel goodabout that decision because we are able to give it our all.

First we seek and secondwe make a commitment only when we can give our very best effort, our bestoffering!

3. They allowed God time to work!A very wise man once told me that major decisions need a waiting period. We haveto apply all our strength, but then give God a chance to work. The answer willcome. Or at least new evidence, new information will emerge that will enable us tomake a sound decision

As we begin this journey, I believe we can remember the journey of the wise menand apply these three principles to ourselves. To be seekers and not sitters.To base our decisions not on what we can get out of it, but rather what we can giveto it.and finally:to give God time to work on our behalf!

The Golden Carol Of The Three Kings

Melchior, Balthazar And Gaspar

We saw the light shine out afar,

On Christmas in the morning,

And straight we knew Christ's Star it was,

Bright beaming in the morning,

Then did we fall on bended knee,

on Christmas in the morning,

And praised the Lord, who'd let us see

His glory at its dawning.

Oh! Every thought be of His name,

On Christmas in the morning,

Who bore for us the grief and shame,

Affliction's sharpest scorning.

And may we die, when death shall come,

On Christmas in the morning,

And see in Heav'n, our glorious home,

The Star of Christmas morning.

Old English Carol

After Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, during the time of King Herod, Magi from the east came to Jerusalem and asked, 'Where is the one who has been born king of the Jews? We saw his star in the East and have come to worship him.

Matthew 2:1

We are familiar with the song that begins, "On the first day of Christmas my true love sent to me a partridge in a pear tree." But did you ever wonder why they sang about 12 days of Christmas, when we only celebrate one? It is because there is a tradition that there are 12 days between Christmas Day and Epiphany, which is considered to be the day on which the three Wise Men came to worship Jesus.

It used to be the custom to celebrate the 12 days by giving a gift on each day, rather than placing all the gifts under the Christmas tree. I imagine that today we are much too impatient for that.

But it would be wonderful to continue to celebrate Christ's unselfish love for others long after Christmas Day is over. We don't have to do that with actual gifts, but we can give even better gifts -- "love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control" (Galatians 5:22).

Wouldn't it be a magnificent world if all of us did that?

Almighty Father, thank you for your gifts to us. Show us ways to pass these gifts on to others throughout all the days of the year. Amen.

http://www.ourprayer.org

The mystery of this feast goes far deeper than the imagery of three kings following the star. It celebrates in mystical poetry the bursting of divine life through death-bound human existence.

Three wise men from the East are led by the star over Bethlehem to recognize the King of Kings in a little baby. An astounding mystery is proclaimed today: two natures are made anew. The Divine becomes human: what God was, God remains; what God was not, God takes on, suffering neither confusion nor division. Alleluia!

Go now in the light that surrounds us, the light of the Child of Bethlehem. Place your hope in him; rest in his peace; receive his love; celebrate him with joy!

The legend of the Three Wisement

Melchior, the King of Ind, Balthazar, the King of Chaldea and Jasper, the King of Jasper were glad to be informed of the sacred Christmas Star by their astronomers. They lived thousands of miles away, yet they saw the Star that was prophesized about, at the same time. Since they knew that Star was there to inform them about the newborn King and Lord of Jews, they decided to go and search for Him and worship Him.

Unbeknownst to each other at the time, they set out on their path with rich gifts for the baby and trains of mules, camels and horses, accompanied by several people to assist them during the journey. The Star acted as a faithful guide and shone brightly all the way for each of the Kings and his people. It even stopped where they halted and started moving again when they wanted to continue their journey.

There was peace throughout the world at the time of Christ's birth, so the gates of the cities and towns were readily opened for the new visitors. The royal appearance of the Three Wise Men was enough to win them respect, awe and admiration of the people on the way. Star showed them the easiest way to Bethlehem as they meandered over hills, waters, valleys, plains and forests without much difficulty. It was only at Jerusalem, where the clouds hid their divine Star; Kings met and greeted each other with great reverence and joy and learned that they had common pursuit.

So, they decided to travel together for rest of the way.They inquired in Jerusalem about the whereabouts of the Christ, as the Star was lost to them. Herod was alarmed on hearing of the three royal personages arriving in his kingdom and inquiring about the newborn King of Jews. He invited them to his palace and guided them to Bethlehem, requesting them to contact him when they have found the Child. The Three Wise Men set out again.

Once they were out of Jerusalem, the Star again appeared and they followed it to Bethlehem. Its brightness increased as they reached the Holy Child and at the sixth hour of the day, they reached Bethlehem. However, they were not little surprised when the Star stood light in all its glory and brightness over a lowly stable. The radiance of the divine Star made it look like a second Sun in the sky.

First, Melchior went in the stable. He was an old man and found a wise old man of his age full of knowledge there. Balthazar, the middle-aged man, entered the stable to find a man of his own age who looked quite calm and peaceful meditating there. Jasper, the youngest of the three, found a man in his youth full of passion inside the stable. Then, they entered together to find Virgin Mary and Baby Jesus and they wept with joy and reverence.

They came with great gifts but the sight of the Holy Child so awed them that they gifted Him the first gifts that came in their hands from the treasure.Melchior drew out a round apple of gold and thirty gilt pennies; Balthazar offered incense and Jasper offered myrrh to the Child. They traveled back to their kingdoms together without going back to Herod, heeding the advice of the angel they dreamt that night. At the Hill of Vaws in Ind, they made a fair chapel to worship the Child and decided that it was to be the place of their burial.

Then, they took leave of each other and went to their own kingdoms with gladness in their hearts

May all who come to your door encounter Jesus in the heart of your home

God is shining forth

in the most unwanted

and unsuspected places

On my calendar for January 2009

2009-01-01T10:47:00.000-08:00

The Blessed Virgin Mary the Mother of God

May He who hears our every prayer

Keep you in His loving care-

And may you feel His presence near

Each day throughout the coming year.

Helen Steiner Rice

JANUARY 2009

National Blood Donor Month
National Braille Literacy Month
National Hobby Month
Hot Tea Month
National Oatmeal Month
National Soup Month

1ST NEW YEARS DAY
4TH CELEBRATION OF THE EPIPHANY OF THE LORD-
THREE KINGS DAY (actual date is the 6th)
11TH PRETTY LADIES BIRTHDAY
19th MARTIN LUTHER KING’S BIRTHDAY (celebrated on the third Monday)
20TH DS#6 AND OUR PRINCESS’ BIRTHDAYS
29TH OUR STAR’S BIRTHDAY
31st STROLL DAY (Stroll for Epilepsy)

Start the New Year off
On the right foot
That way, the left one
Is still free for kicking butt

From my 2009 Maxine calendar

CHRISMAS EVENING - 2008

2008-12-25T14:26:00.001-08:00

THE WONDER OF A CHILD

"Daddy," she said, her eyes full of tears,

"Will you talk to me and quiet my fears?

Those bad boys at school are spreading a lie'

Bout the impossibility of reindeer that fly.

There's no Santa Claus, they say with a grin,

There's not one now and never has been."

"How can one man take all those toys?

To thousands of girls and boys?

But I told them daddy, that they were not right,

That I would come home and find out tonight.

Mama said wait until you get home

Please tell me now that I was not wrong."

Her daddy looked at her questioning face

And puffed his pipe while his frantic mind raced.

He had put this thing off as long as he could,

He had to think fast and it better be good.

Whispering a prayer, he began with a smile,

"Well climb on my lap, dear, let's talk a while."
"Remember at church how we learned to pray,

Asking God to take care of us each day?

And you know how we say grace before each meal?

To this same God whom we know to be real

Though we never see Him,

we know He is there

Watching his children with such loving care."

"God started Christmas a long time ago

When He gave us His son to love and to know.

A spirit of giving came with that birth,

And God's generosity filled the whole earth.

Man had to name this spirit of giving

Just as He names all things that are living."

"The name Santa Claus came to someone's mind

Probably the best name of any to find

There is, you can see, and I think it quite clear,

Truly a Santa who visits each year.

Spirits like God, whom we never see

He enters the hearts of your mother and me."

"Each year at Christmas for one special night

We become him and make everything right.

But the REAL spirit of Christmas

is in you and in me,

And I hope you are old enough now to see

That as we believe and continue to give,

Our friend Santa Claus will continue to live."

author unknown

MERRY CHRISTMAS EVERYONE!

Sunday - December 21st, 2008 - 4th Sunday of Advent

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The fourth candle of Advent is the Candle of Love.
It's light is meant to remind us of the love that God
has for us.

Jesus shows us God's perfect love. He is God's love
in human form. The bible says that God so loved the
world that he gave his only Son, so that whoever
believes in him should not perish, but have eternal
life.

During these last days before Christmas, the Church reminds us that Jesus’ coming is the fulfillment of God’s promises, not only to Israel but to the whole human race as well

Remember that all human history changed with these events, but outwardly nothing seemed to change. Joseph and Mary got married; Joseph continued to work in his carpentry shop; Mary kept house. We, too, have our ordinary day-to-day tasks to perform. But let us not miss the miracle of Jesus’ coming or all the miracles going on around us every day

On this last Sunday of Advent, we quietly reflect on the mystery. We rest in awe, in wonder, at how our God entered our world and came to be with us. We pause to receive the gift offered us: that the Spirit of God will open up our lives and that Jesus will really come into our hearts.
May we have watchful hope today, believing what the Lord promises us. Let us pray today, that we might be God's servants, that we might be instruments of God's love for our families and all we serve this week

Go for a ride tonight and view all the colorful Christmas lights. See them as if you have never viewed such wonder before. Allow the lights to shine in your soul and give back to God any pain or hurt you harbor in your heart

2008-12-17T17:11:00.000-08:00

O ANTIPHONS

The “O Antiphons” refer to seven special antiphons that are recited (or chanted) preceding the Magnificat (the name given to Mary’s prayer found in Luke 1:46 -55) during Vespers (Evening Prayer). They are used during a special period of Advent preparation known as the Octave before Christmas, Dec. 17-23.

The "O Antiphons" were first used by the Church in the 8th and 9th centuries. They are based on various titles used for the Christ in Scripture and incorporated into antiphons. In these "O Antiphons" the Church expresses her deep longing for the coming of the Messiah. The “O” antiphons are used in the popular Advent hymn

O Come, O Come, Emmanuel

December 17 - O Wisdom

Today marks the first day of the "O" antiphons

As we enter into the closing days of Advent, one can almost hear the choirs in the churches singing O, Come, O Come, Emmanuel, the song which is a welcome to the coming of Christ in our midst as we prepare to celebrate His birth. This song is composed from an old prayer form called the "O Antiphons" which are part of the Liturgy of the Hours

Wisdom cried aloud in the street, in the open square, she raises her voice...
Proverbs 1:20

The Advent hymn O Come, O Come, Emmanuel is based on the "O Antiphons" and was written sometime during the 9th Century. The hymn begins with the last antiphon.

O come, o come, Emmanuel,

And ransom captive Israel,

That mourns in lonely exile here,

Until the Son of God appear.

O WISDOM, who came from the mouth of the Most High, reaching from end to end and ordering all things mightily and sweetly: COME, and teach us the way of prudence. Amen.

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.

O come, O Wisdom from on high,
who orders all things mightily;
to us the path of knowledge show,
and teach us in her ways to go.

Rejoice! Rejoice!
Emmanuel shall come to you, O Israel.

Amen

2008-12-14T05:34:00.000-08:00

Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, ever faithful to your promises and ever close to your Church: the earth rejoices in hope of the Savior's coming and looks forward with longing to his return at the end of time.
Prepare our hearts and remove the sadness that hinders us from feeling the joy and hope which his presence will bestow, for he is Lord for ever and ever.
May the Lord bless us, protect us from all evil and bring us to everlasting life. Amen.

The Third Sunday of Advent offers us more of the promise. The words used by the prophet Isaiah to describe God's vindication are the ones Jesus points to as describing his own mission: The spirit of the Lord GOD is upon me, because the LORD has anointed me; he has sent me to bring glad tidings to the poor, to heal the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives and release to the prisoners, to announce a year of favor from the LORD and a day of vindication by our God

Today is “joy” Sunday; we light the pink candle in the Advent wreath; we sing songs of joy. This week, remember that Jesus has won the victory; we have nothing to fear

Today is called Gaudete Sunday because the word means rejoice. The Prophet Zephaniah tells the people that the Lord will rejoice over them in gladness, and renew them in love.

The joy of the Church today is in the coming of Jesus – once and every day – to bring us peace and joy and gladness and love.

In the Gospel of John we are told that John the Baptist has come to testify to the Light, but he is not the Light. Jesus is the Light of the World for whom we wait during Advent

May this Advent season help us welcome Jesus, the Emmanuel and the Wonder Worker, with all our hearts and lead us toward the “New Earth” promised to us

Our vulnerability can become our strength. Our role as a Christian community is to “cheer up the fainthearted, support the weak and be patient with everyone.”

We begin this third week of Advent asking to feel the joy that comes from knowing our Lord's coming to us is near. In these precious days ahead, we are praying, longing, hoping in the background of our everyday lives.
His mission is to the poor, the brokenhearted, prisoners and captives. His mission is for us. It is "good news," full of healing, liberty and release. We can smile today as we imagine the freedom he has won for us and how liberating it will be to live it, with him, for others. It is right to give our God thanks and praise.

Decorate your front door today. Let the world know that they are welcome in your house and that the birth of Christ is celebrated there

A BLESSING FOR THE CHRISTMAS ORNAMENTS

2008-12-09T17:42:00.000-08:00

Each Christmas ornament tells a story and carries a blessing.

To counter the typical frantic rush of the season, let the Christmas tree stand bare for a week and then bless the ornaments while placing them on the tree. This is a good way to observe how Advent is a time of anticipation and longing

Have each family member choose a favorite ornament and hold it. Select someone or ask someone to volunteer in leading the following blessing

God, we ask you to bless these ornaments. Each one of these represents a thread in the tapestry of our family's life together. We gather today to be mindful of how you have been present with us through all our days. We know that you are present with us now as our family story continues to unfold. Help us to see one another as precious and dear, to treat one another with tenderness and care, and to enjoy and celebrate the joy that each one of us brings to the family. We ask you this in a spirit of memory and celebration.

After the blessing, your family might take time to share stories connected to some favorite ornaments

The ornaments upon our tree

Have secrets of their own,

Of other trees and Christmases

That each of them have known.

The chipped ones hung upon our trees

Before the children came;

The elves were bought for our first son

Who gave them each a name;

Our daughter made the paper rings

When she was only three;

And we all picked out the angel

That crowns our Christmas tree.

They're all different shapes and colors,

But we know and love them all.

And if they could only speak,

What joys they could recall.

By Kay Andrew

2nd Sunday of Advent, December 7th, 2008

2008-12-06T19:10:00.000-08:00

The prophet Isaiah wrote,

See, I am sending my messenger ahead of you, who will prepare your way; the voice of one crying out in the wilderness:

'Prepare the way of the Lord, make his paths straight.'

Mark 1:2-3

And John, the messenger of God, proclaimed to all the people who came to him in the wilderness that they must repent of their sins and be baptized. Many people heard his message, repented, and were baptized in the river Jordan.

It has become our custom to prepare for the birth of the Messiah by decorating our cities and homes, hanging lights inside and out, singing of Frosty the Snowman and Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer, and measuring the quality of our Christmas morning by the number of gifts we receive on Christmas morning.

This is your chance at a fresh start, to make things right with God. That is John the Baptist’s message – the message of the Saint of Second Chances. And like second chances, he doesn’t necessarily appear when or how we expect him to

Light the second candle on the Advent wreath.

As we light this second candle in preparation for the coming of the Messiah, perhaps we need to listen again to John the Baptizer's message, preparing the way of the Lord:

. . . make straight the paths
. . . repent of your sins
. . . be baptized
. . . and live holy lives devoted to God.

Come, Lord Jesus, come.

Amen

Since Jesus’s death, we now also have the hope of his return, the Second Advent

After he had said this, he was taken to heaven. A cloud hid him so that they could no longer see him. They were staring into the sky as he departed. Suddenly two men in white clothes stood near them. They asked, “Why are you men from Galilee standing here looking at the sky? Jesus, who was taken from you to heaven, will come back in the same way that you saw him go into heaven.

Acts 9-11

God, who gives the light of the sun to the earth, and who gave us your Son Jesus, who is the Light of the World, grant us the light of understanding in this blessed season. May our rejoicing over hope fulfilled in the past prepare us for confidence in your future promises.

Thank you that we have seen the great hope of humanity fulfilled in Jesus’ coming. We rejoice in the promise of the hope of his return, and of going to be with him for eternity.

Listen to the Saint of Second Chances – and take hold of every one that comes your way. The dark days of December,
after all, are not an ending. As Mark reminds us, they are the beginning

St. Nicholas - The Advent Saint

2008-12-03T17:23:00.000-08:00

St. Nicholas – An Advent Saint

Advent is the time when Christians prepare to greet Christ—who came as a babe in a manger, who comes into our lives each day, and who will come again at the end of time. Advent is the time when people of faith are most at odds with the culture.

The church calls people to focus on getting ready to receive Christ—preparing hearts and lives to make room for Jesus, to live as he would have us live. It is a time of longing, not fulfillment. Quiet reflection, not celebration.

The culture, however, is already in a time of festivity, unable or unwilling, to wait and contemplate and prepare for the real festival. It is not easy to observe Advent without being pulled prematurely into Christmas.

How does St. Nicholas fit into all of this? He is an Advent because his December 6th always falls in early Advent (Advent begins four Sundays before Christmas). However, Nicholas is a good Advent saint for more important reasons than the date of his special day. Whatever he did, and it is said that he did many kinds of amazing things, may not be as important as the way he did it.

Nicholas became so popular because he was a faithful follower of Jesus Christ. His life clearly reflected the way each one of us is called to show God's love to others, especially those in need.

Celebrating St. Nicholas on his day in Advent brings a bit of fun and festivity into homes, churches, and schools. His small treats and surprises help keep the spirit of good St. Nicholas, especially when stories of his goodness and kind deeds are told and ways to express his care for those in need are sought.

Saint Nicholas helps us remember Christmas is a feast of love, hope, kindness and generosity.

Yes, Nicholas is a good Advent saint.

O CHRISTMAS TREE

2008-12-02T17:29:00.001-08:00

With the celebration of Advent each year, everything old can be new again. Each year gives ourselves and our family an opportunity to remember and anticipate the celebration of the birth of Jesus on Christmas morning

Blessing the Christmas tree is a fun way to begin the Christmas season. You may bless the tree as soon as you put it up, or you can wait until after you have decorated it. When you are ready to do the blessing, gather everyone around the tree and designate someone to lead the following prayer

Loving God, we stand before you once again. We stand here ready to celebrate the birth of your son, Jesus

Have everyone extend a hand in a gesture of blessing

Bless this tree, this sign of life and freshness and perseverance in our midst. It stands as a reminder that you are born anew in us each day. Bless our family and friends as we celebrate this joyous season. Keep us safe in our travels, kind in our conversations, and gracious in our giving and receiving. We ask you this in confidence, because we know you love us

Join in singing a favorite Christmas carol, such as

O Christmas Tree

O Christmas tree, O Christmas tree!

How are thy leaves so verdant!

Not only in the summertime,

But even in winter is thy prime.