Although I'm grateful for all of the blessings that I have received, I'll be glad to have 2011 behind me. I guess, for me, starting from a clean slate gives me hope. It gives me some encouragement that times will get better and this dark cloud that has been hanging over me will give way to some clearer skys!
I'm not going to pretend that everything is hunky-dory. I can't. But I can see some improvement over the last few days. For one thing, the weather has been cooler. Not as cool as I'd like it to be...but as cool as it's going to get for Florida. I'm not exactly sure why the weather is so intimately connected to my mood...but it is.
I thought I would share with you two things that I've come across lately that has really uplifted my mood.
1. I love liturgical calendars. Sanctus Simplictus has a wonderful example (along with down loadable resources) that you can make yourself! Although the new Liturgical Year started a few weeks ago....it's still a good way to start off the year!
2. I found a new free app for my phone called....Google Sky Map! I spent about an hour outside last night just checking out the sky. The brightest star out last night turned out to be a planet instead....it was Jupiter! What an awesome tool! I even used it today (even though I can't see any stars)....you will love this app!
Anyway, thank you all for your support, your loving kindness, you comments and suggestions, and mostly, your prayers and your friendship.
Have a wonderful, safe and happy new year!
Saturday, December 31, 2011
Wednesday, December 28, 2011
Holy Innocents
For those of you who read this blog and are not Catholic, today is the feast day of the "Holy Innocents". As the Gospel of Matthew goes, when King Herod learned from the Magi that the king of the Jews had been born...he got a little worried! Clearly, he didn't want to lose his power to another king, so, he ordered the killing of all the children of Bethlehem up to the age of two in hopes of getting rid of this New Born King.
According to the Church, these children were declared martyrs because they died for Jesus Christ.
Frankly, this has always been a portion of Holy Scripture that I avoid. Can you imagine the horror that these mothers went through? What a scene of carnage it must have been. The painting below gives me a vision of what that day might have been like.
I think it goes to show, even back then, just how threatened people were by Jesus. Some days, I don't think much has changed. Nowadays, there is an attitude of denial...you know...if you don't talk about Him...don't make a big deal about Him....or just completely ignore Him...then He really doesn't exist....right? Didn't humankind learn anything from past history?
You can take the name of Christ out of anything you want...off of our currency, out of the celebration of his birth, out of Federal buildings, out of the Pledge.....but it doesn't change His existence. It doesn't change who He is. It doesn't change His Majesty or His Holiness. God is who He is...the Creator of everything and everyone. Deny Him all you want, it isn't going to get you anywhere.....literally.
The painter is Andrea Delitio, an Italian Renaissance artist. They say he was born in Abruzzo, Italy...although there is some debate. The painting lives in the Basilica of Santa Maria Assunta and it is said that it was completed in 1481.
In the bottom center of the painting, there is a mother with her dead child in her lap. She is looking up into the heavens with her hands to her chest. She looks to be pleading with heaven....asking "Why?"
At 46 years old, I still do not understand why God allows certain things to happen to people....especially to the innocent.
In 2011, I lost 6 friends to cancer. Why? Why did they die and why was I allowed to live? There are so many jerks in this world....so many evil people. Why do the good ones get cancer and not them? Doesn't it make sense to rid the world of evil and allow those loving, Godly people to live long, happy, disease free lives?
I'm so tired of it all. Seriously. Why does there have to be martyrs? Why can't we all be Saints?
According to the Church, these children were declared martyrs because they died for Jesus Christ.
Frankly, this has always been a portion of Holy Scripture that I avoid. Can you imagine the horror that these mothers went through? What a scene of carnage it must have been. The painting below gives me a vision of what that day might have been like.
I think it goes to show, even back then, just how threatened people were by Jesus. Some days, I don't think much has changed. Nowadays, there is an attitude of denial...you know...if you don't talk about Him...don't make a big deal about Him....or just completely ignore Him...then He really doesn't exist....right? Didn't humankind learn anything from past history?
You can take the name of Christ out of anything you want...off of our currency, out of the celebration of his birth, out of Federal buildings, out of the Pledge.....but it doesn't change His existence. It doesn't change who He is. It doesn't change His Majesty or His Holiness. God is who He is...the Creator of everything and everyone. Deny Him all you want, it isn't going to get you anywhere.....literally.
In the bottom center of the painting, there is a mother with her dead child in her lap. She is looking up into the heavens with her hands to her chest. She looks to be pleading with heaven....asking "Why?"
At 46 years old, I still do not understand why God allows certain things to happen to people....especially to the innocent.
In 2011, I lost 6 friends to cancer. Why? Why did they die and why was I allowed to live? There are so many jerks in this world....so many evil people. Why do the good ones get cancer and not them? Doesn't it make sense to rid the world of evil and allow those loving, Godly people to live long, happy, disease free lives?
I'm so tired of it all. Seriously. Why does there have to be martyrs? Why can't we all be Saints?
Tuesday, December 27, 2011
St. John the Evangelist
No matter what I do, I can't seem to get out of this funk I'm in. There are moments when I feel like I might be peeking my head out of the hole, but the feeling doesn't last long. Before I know it, I'm back down in the depths of it, in total darkness.
Even in the midst of this situation, I keep looking for a way out. I can't seem to get the Saints (NOT as in New Orleans the football team....but the martyred kind) out of my mind. Somehow, I'm being drawn to them. I already have my favorites....St. Padre Pio, Blessed John Paul II, St. Agatha, St. Anne, St. Monica...etc. But, I feel like I need to go deeper...towards the lesser known or less studied Saints. I feel as though there is something there for me. In addition, I feel as though I'm being drawn to the ancient iconic images. I honestly have no idea why.
Since I have nowhere else to go, and because I feel as though I'm lost....I'm going to lean in the direction that I feel I'm being lead. For those of you who know me...and love me, will you please go with me?
Today, December 27th is the Feast Day of St. John the Evangelist. I learned something about him that I did not know....or I think I knew but just never focused on: He was the only one who did not abandon Jesus at the moment of crucifixion. He remained near the cross. Then, of course, Jesus entrusted the care of His Mother, Mary to John's care.
He stayed. He watched. He experienced the suffering and death of Jesus up close and personal. Where did everybody else go? Why didn't they stay? Why did John stay? What did he think about as he watched the Master submit to the will of God? I wonder if at any time he regretted his decision to become a disciple of Jesus. I also wonder if while watching Jesus hang there, did he lose faith in Him? Did he wonder if he had been following a kook all this time?
Still, in spite of what he was thinking....or what he was feeling, he stayed put! This is what I need to keep inside my heart. It doesn't matter what my head is thinking....or what my heart is feeling....God has NOT left me! Even though I feel abandoned....He is here, in the midst of this depression. He SEES me. I matter to Him!
In my reading about St. John, I found that he is the protector of booksellers, writers, theologians, artists, templars, stationers, and typographers. He is also invoked against false friends.
This is a painting by Pedro Berruguete (a Spanish early Renaissance artist) from 1485. It hangs in the convent of Saint Thomas in Avila, Spain (now a museum). St. John is almost always depicted as a youth with an eagle and a book.
I don't know any details about the painting. I can only assume that he is writing his Gospel...or perhaps his visions from the island of Patmos (Revelation).
Even in the midst of this situation, I keep looking for a way out. I can't seem to get the Saints (NOT as in New Orleans the football team....but the martyred kind) out of my mind. Somehow, I'm being drawn to them. I already have my favorites....St. Padre Pio, Blessed John Paul II, St. Agatha, St. Anne, St. Monica...etc. But, I feel like I need to go deeper...towards the lesser known or less studied Saints. I feel as though there is something there for me. In addition, I feel as though I'm being drawn to the ancient iconic images. I honestly have no idea why.
Since I have nowhere else to go, and because I feel as though I'm lost....I'm going to lean in the direction that I feel I'm being lead. For those of you who know me...and love me, will you please go with me?
Today, December 27th is the Feast Day of St. John the Evangelist. I learned something about him that I did not know....or I think I knew but just never focused on: He was the only one who did not abandon Jesus at the moment of crucifixion. He remained near the cross. Then, of course, Jesus entrusted the care of His Mother, Mary to John's care.
He stayed. He watched. He experienced the suffering and death of Jesus up close and personal. Where did everybody else go? Why didn't they stay? Why did John stay? What did he think about as he watched the Master submit to the will of God? I wonder if at any time he regretted his decision to become a disciple of Jesus. I also wonder if while watching Jesus hang there, did he lose faith in Him? Did he wonder if he had been following a kook all this time?
Still, in spite of what he was thinking....or what he was feeling, he stayed put! This is what I need to keep inside my heart. It doesn't matter what my head is thinking....or what my heart is feeling....God has NOT left me! Even though I feel abandoned....He is here, in the midst of this depression. He SEES me. I matter to Him!
In my reading about St. John, I found that he is the protector of booksellers, writers, theologians, artists, templars, stationers, and typographers. He is also invoked against false friends.
This is a painting by Pedro Berruguete (a Spanish early Renaissance artist) from 1485. It hangs in the convent of Saint Thomas in Avila, Spain (now a museum). St. John is almost always depicted as a youth with an eagle and a book.
I don't know any details about the painting. I can only assume that he is writing his Gospel...or perhaps his visions from the island of Patmos (Revelation).
Sunday, December 25, 2011
Bittersweet
I'm happy today! The kids have each told me several times that this was the "best Christmas ever"!!
I'm glad that my Bah Humbug attitude didn't affect them. That was the most I could hope for.
Nathan served at Midnight Mass! He did a wonderful job and I'm so proud of him. He was very nervous! I had to convince him that the church was so packed full of people, that no one would really notice if he made a mistake.
As I sit here with my family, ignoring the little itty bitty pieces of wrapping paper still on the floor...and watching Elf for the umpteenth time this week, I'm struck by how empty I still feel. Joy never did reach me this year. I guess that's OK. A desert is a desert....even if it occurs during the Christmas season. Perhaps God is preparing me for something major...something life changing. It just might be that this spiritual dryness is needed. I know (with my intellect) that God is there and has never left me. However, spiritually, I haven't been this separated from Him before. I feel abandoned. I feel alone.
I'm not sure that anyone understands. Why do I feel this way? Why am I so depressed? Why am I acting like this when I am so blessed? How can I be so ungrateful. God has given me so much and yet, I complain...I'm not satisfied...I'm empty.
If I could, I would blink and make it all go away! All of it back into it's neat boxes...the tree taken down, all the decorations gone. Leaving no evidence of the joy that is supposed to be in my heart right now.
Still, it's good to know that God's goodness and grace come to us...no matter how we're feeling. I'm thankful that His love for me is not based on my emotions or my mental health at any given moment. He was born over 2000 years ago IN SPITE of my depression and whining (that he most assuredly knew would be here) this Christmas of 2011!
The kids are asleep on the couches (Olivia on the floor) and Dan is asleep in his chair. I think I will cut another slice of rum cake and call it a night.
I hope and pray that all of you have had a terrific Christmas and that the JOY of the season left something for you under the tree!
I'm glad that my Bah Humbug attitude didn't affect them. That was the most I could hope for.
Nathan served at Midnight Mass! He did a wonderful job and I'm so proud of him. He was very nervous! I had to convince him that the church was so packed full of people, that no one would really notice if he made a mistake.
As I sit here with my family, ignoring the little itty bitty pieces of wrapping paper still on the floor...and watching Elf for the umpteenth time this week, I'm struck by how empty I still feel. Joy never did reach me this year. I guess that's OK. A desert is a desert....even if it occurs during the Christmas season. Perhaps God is preparing me for something major...something life changing. It just might be that this spiritual dryness is needed. I know (with my intellect) that God is there and has never left me. However, spiritually, I haven't been this separated from Him before. I feel abandoned. I feel alone.
I'm not sure that anyone understands. Why do I feel this way? Why am I so depressed? Why am I acting like this when I am so blessed? How can I be so ungrateful. God has given me so much and yet, I complain...I'm not satisfied...I'm empty.
If I could, I would blink and make it all go away! All of it back into it's neat boxes...the tree taken down, all the decorations gone. Leaving no evidence of the joy that is supposed to be in my heart right now.
Still, it's good to know that God's goodness and grace come to us...no matter how we're feeling. I'm thankful that His love for me is not based on my emotions or my mental health at any given moment. He was born over 2000 years ago IN SPITE of my depression and whining (that he most assuredly knew would be here) this Christmas of 2011!
The kids are asleep on the couches (Olivia on the floor) and Dan is asleep in his chair. I think I will cut another slice of rum cake and call it a night.
I hope and pray that all of you have had a terrific Christmas and that the JOY of the season left something for you under the tree!
Thursday, December 22, 2011
Wednesday, December 21, 2011
FAIL!
I flew off the handle tonight at Olivia! I blew the situation way out of proportion. I yelled, needlessly. I popped her on the behind, sent her to her room and then....if you can believe it....I demanded an apology from HER!
What is wrong with me? Do you ever have days where you feel like you are the worst parent in the world? Do you ever have days where you feel like God made a huge mistake in allowing you to cooperate with Him and bring forth life? Do you ever feel like your children would be better off with someone else as their mother? Or, am I the only one?
On second thought.....don't answer that.
I was too tired and too lazy to make dinner when I got home from work today. I had an attitude because Dan got home much earlier than me...and he didn't plan dinner. When I got home, he sauntered off to a meeting at church. Who the heck has a meeting for the spring talent show on December 21st????? I get tired of being the only one who clearly has two working hands. It really ticks me off. So, instead of sacrificing my own wants and needs for my family (like normal moms do everyday)....my kids fended for themselves. They had sliced cheddar cheese and crackers....a cereal bar and a frozen waffle (one plain, one with butter and sugar, and the other with peanut butter). They had water to drink!
Yup! That's "mother of the year" material, don't you think?
Epic FAIL!
What is wrong with me? Do you ever have days where you feel like you are the worst parent in the world? Do you ever have days where you feel like God made a huge mistake in allowing you to cooperate with Him and bring forth life? Do you ever feel like your children would be better off with someone else as their mother? Or, am I the only one?
On second thought.....don't answer that.
I was too tired and too lazy to make dinner when I got home from work today. I had an attitude because Dan got home much earlier than me...and he didn't plan dinner. When I got home, he sauntered off to a meeting at church. Who the heck has a meeting for the spring talent show on December 21st????? I get tired of being the only one who clearly has two working hands. It really ticks me off. So, instead of sacrificing my own wants and needs for my family (like normal moms do everyday)....my kids fended for themselves. They had sliced cheddar cheese and crackers....a cereal bar and a frozen waffle (one plain, one with butter and sugar, and the other with peanut butter). They had water to drink!
Yup! That's "mother of the year" material, don't you think?
Epic FAIL!
Tuesday, December 20, 2011
Rays of Light
My days are dark. The last two days have been particularly bad. The thing is....I can't really put my finger on the reason. All I know is I have to push away the urge to cry. Today at work, I cried most of the day. I finished off the box of Kleenex that was on my desk. Those that asked about why my nose and my eyes were red, I simply said I had a cold. One of my co workers asked me if I was OK....I told her that I was but I felt like I was hiding something from her. I just wish I knew what I was hiding.
Nathan is spending the night with Dan's sister, so after work, we took the girls out to dinner and then to Target to use a gift card. On the way home, God gave me a tiny glimpse of light for brief few minutes.....As we were driving home through one of the historic districts here in town...admiring all the pretty Christmas lights, the girls broke out in song in the backseat. In perfect harmony we heard them sing, "Immaculate Mary, your praises we sing. You reign now in heaven with Jesus our King. Ave, Ave, Ave Maria....Ave, Ave, Maria!"
Of all the songs they could have chosen to sing...they sang THAT one! Thank you, God, for small mercies!
We are home now. The girls are in bed and Dan and I are watching "The Bishop's Wife". I feel safe and secure here in my house...sitting in my chair with all my favorite things around me. It seems strange to me that this is basically the only place I am not anxious anymore. I'm becoming a home-body. It's the only place that I feel like me.
Why is this silly darkness following me? Have you seen the commercial for the anti depressant medication? You know, the animated one where the dark hole keeps following the lady? Or the magazine ad where the dark coat keeps following her? I could have written that. Seriously. It's as though all the things I hate...all the things that bother me or all the things I don't like about myself are closer to me now than they've ever been. I want it to go away. I'm tired of being followed...swallowed up.
In any event, God allowed a little ray of light tonight with my girls singing that song! I'm thankful. Oh, and by the way, I do NOT take Abilify and I am in no way advocating it just because I identify with their ads. Abilify is an anti psychotic drug. I may be depressed...but I am NOT psychotic! Just so you know!
Nathan is spending the night with Dan's sister, so after work, we took the girls out to dinner and then to Target to use a gift card. On the way home, God gave me a tiny glimpse of light for brief few minutes.....As we were driving home through one of the historic districts here in town...admiring all the pretty Christmas lights, the girls broke out in song in the backseat. In perfect harmony we heard them sing, "Immaculate Mary, your praises we sing. You reign now in heaven with Jesus our King. Ave, Ave, Ave Maria....Ave, Ave, Maria!"
Of all the songs they could have chosen to sing...they sang THAT one! Thank you, God, for small mercies!
We are home now. The girls are in bed and Dan and I are watching "The Bishop's Wife". I feel safe and secure here in my house...sitting in my chair with all my favorite things around me. It seems strange to me that this is basically the only place I am not anxious anymore. I'm becoming a home-body. It's the only place that I feel like me.
Why is this silly darkness following me? Have you seen the commercial for the anti depressant medication? You know, the animated one where the dark hole keeps following the lady? Or the magazine ad where the dark coat keeps following her? I could have written that. Seriously. It's as though all the things I hate...all the things that bother me or all the things I don't like about myself are closer to me now than they've ever been. I want it to go away. I'm tired of being followed...swallowed up.
In any event, God allowed a little ray of light tonight with my girls singing that song! I'm thankful. Oh, and by the way, I do NOT take Abilify and I am in no way advocating it just because I identify with their ads. Abilify is an anti psychotic drug. I may be depressed...but I am NOT psychotic! Just so you know!
Saturday, December 17, 2011
Jubilee Shalom Duggar!
You know, I can sit here and boo-hoo all I want about how the Christmas Spirit has eluded me this year, or, I could buck up....get a back bone and decide NOT to allow the enemy to ruin my joy. So what if I only go through the motions....all the motions of preparation for Christmas are good, they are needed and they are necessary. They are part of who I am, part of my heritage, part of my faith. Traditions help to make us who we are. Whether or not I "feel" anything, I still need to carry on my traditions for my family. These are the things they will remember about Christmas and hopefully pass on to their own families.
A priest once told me that if I have been hurt by someone, I need to FORGIVE them. He said that it doesn't really matter if I want to forgive them or if I "feel" like I've forgiven them. I still need to SAY it and DO it! The emotions...or feelings, will come later. So what I'm hoping is that by saying....doing and going through the motions, the feelings of the Christmas Spirit will come later.
Earlier today, I was also thinking about the Duggars and how they just lost their 20th baby. I may have lost (or never cultivated) the festive attitude of the season that I'm used to, but compared to what they have lost....well, let's just say I feel a little ashamed.
The Duggars have truly been a beacon of light in this ever darkening culture. Having experienced miscarriages myself, I know the grief....the sadness that they feel. Even still, they continue to encourage others and share of themselves openly an honestly.
Jim Bob and Michelle have published a tribute to their daughter, Jubilee Shalom Duggar. I share it here to remind us all how precious life is....how even the smallest of souls matter to God....how what seems impossible to overcome.....can be with joy!
Yes, this is actually Michelle holding her baby's hand.
Jubilee Shalom Duggar from John Andersen on Vimeo.
A priest once told me that if I have been hurt by someone, I need to FORGIVE them. He said that it doesn't really matter if I want to forgive them or if I "feel" like I've forgiven them. I still need to SAY it and DO it! The emotions...or feelings, will come later. So what I'm hoping is that by saying....doing and going through the motions, the feelings of the Christmas Spirit will come later.
Earlier today, I was also thinking about the Duggars and how they just lost their 20th baby. I may have lost (or never cultivated) the festive attitude of the season that I'm used to, but compared to what they have lost....well, let's just say I feel a little ashamed.
The Duggars have truly been a beacon of light in this ever darkening culture. Having experienced miscarriages myself, I know the grief....the sadness that they feel. Even still, they continue to encourage others and share of themselves openly an honestly.
Jim Bob and Michelle have published a tribute to their daughter, Jubilee Shalom Duggar. I share it here to remind us all how precious life is....how even the smallest of souls matter to God....how what seems impossible to overcome.....can be with joy!
Yes, this is actually Michelle holding her baby's hand.
Jubilee Shalom Duggar from John Andersen on Vimeo.
Wednesday, December 14, 2011
Unintentional Blogging Break
It seems I've somehow stumbled into an Advent blogging break. To tell you the truth, I don't really know what's going on with me. I'm having a hard time finding the Spirit of Christmas. Each year it comes and goes faster and faster! Frankly, I'm still stuck somewhere between Halloween and Thanksgiving.
I feel depressed and somewhat overwhelmed. Everything seems to be a chore. Every morning when I wake up, I try to think of something to blog about...but nothing comes. I thought putting up the tree would bring that festive feeling....nope. I didn't feel much like decorating the rest of the house like I usually do. But, I did it anyway. Mostly for the kids but also in hopes that it would bring a better mood....nope. Even the creche (although empty) brings me no solace right now.
There is no joy in my house. That is really a tragedy given the circumstances. Three years ago, I was begging God for my life. Today, I have my life, but I'm not satisfied. How's that for ungratefulness? I feel like such a sorry excuse for a human being...a wife...and mother. I have so much, yet I'm not happy.
I'm dreading the Christmas program at school tomorrow night. I had to search the local Kmart with a fine toothed comb looking for a red top and black bottoms for Amelia. You'd think there would be tons of red at Christmas...right? Wrong! Apparently the colors this year are pink, black, and purple. I managed to dig out a red sweater (this is Florida....no need for sweaters) out of the sale bin...and some black leggings. She still needs shoes but we don't get paid until Friday and the funds have dried up. So, I guess I'll stuff her size 13 feet into a size 12 shoe.
Olivia is covered...I've got her dress and some shoes. She really needs a pair of red socks....but again...NO RED at Kmart. I'll try Walmart in the morning.
Nathan....well, his part of the program calls for a costume that his teachers described as a "military angel"! Yes, you read that right. A military angel. I'm at a total loss with this one. A friend has an army jacket that we can borrow....but I have no idea how to make him an angel. He refuses to wear his sister's fairy wings. I don't blame him.
Anyway...to me, this is all nonsense. I wish I could just go to sleep and wake up in January. Just two more days and the kids are out until January 3rd. I'm not even excited for that.
Have you every wanted to just get in the car and drive....anywhere? Have you ever wanted to just disappear...to a place where no one knows you...where you can be alone with your own thoughts and have no one bugging you? Have you ever wanted to be left alone.....for there to be no expectations of you?
I'm tired. Going to bed.
I feel depressed and somewhat overwhelmed. Everything seems to be a chore. Every morning when I wake up, I try to think of something to blog about...but nothing comes. I thought putting up the tree would bring that festive feeling....nope. I didn't feel much like decorating the rest of the house like I usually do. But, I did it anyway. Mostly for the kids but also in hopes that it would bring a better mood....nope. Even the creche (although empty) brings me no solace right now.
There is no joy in my house. That is really a tragedy given the circumstances. Three years ago, I was begging God for my life. Today, I have my life, but I'm not satisfied. How's that for ungratefulness? I feel like such a sorry excuse for a human being...a wife...and mother. I have so much, yet I'm not happy.
I'm dreading the Christmas program at school tomorrow night. I had to search the local Kmart with a fine toothed comb looking for a red top and black bottoms for Amelia. You'd think there would be tons of red at Christmas...right? Wrong! Apparently the colors this year are pink, black, and purple. I managed to dig out a red sweater (this is Florida....no need for sweaters) out of the sale bin...and some black leggings. She still needs shoes but we don't get paid until Friday and the funds have dried up. So, I guess I'll stuff her size 13 feet into a size 12 shoe.
Olivia is covered...I've got her dress and some shoes. She really needs a pair of red socks....but again...NO RED at Kmart. I'll try Walmart in the morning.
Nathan....well, his part of the program calls for a costume that his teachers described as a "military angel"! Yes, you read that right. A military angel. I'm at a total loss with this one. A friend has an army jacket that we can borrow....but I have no idea how to make him an angel. He refuses to wear his sister's fairy wings. I don't blame him.
Anyway...to me, this is all nonsense. I wish I could just go to sleep and wake up in January. Just two more days and the kids are out until January 3rd. I'm not even excited for that.
Have you every wanted to just get in the car and drive....anywhere? Have you ever wanted to just disappear...to a place where no one knows you...where you can be alone with your own thoughts and have no one bugging you? Have you ever wanted to be left alone.....for there to be no expectations of you?
I'm tired. Going to bed.
Tuesday, December 6, 2011
Happy St. Nicholas Day!
God, we pray that through the
intercessions of St. Nicholas
you will guide and protect our children.
Keep them safe from all harm
and help them grow to become
loving disciples of Jesus in your sight.
Give them strength to always mature
into deeper faith in you,
and to keep alive joy in your creation.
Through Jesus Christ Our Lord. Amen.
intercessions of St. Nicholas
you will guide and protect our children.
Keep them safe from all harm
and help them grow to become
loving disciples of Jesus in your sight.
Give them strength to always mature
into deeper faith in you,
and to keep alive joy in your creation.
Through Jesus Christ Our Lord. Amen.
Monday, December 5, 2011
Our Advent
I should be more prepared for it. It comes at the same time every year, but it always takes me by surprise! It's as if I go to bed on Halloween....and the next thing I know, I wake up and it's Advent already! How does that happen? Didn't we just do this?
Oh well. I love this time of year and I'm just glad it's here. I was somewhat ahead of the game this time, though. I actually didn't pack away the advent wreath like usual. Every single year I say to myself, "Nancy, DON'T pack away the Advent Wreath...you'll need that sooner than any of the other decorations". And every single year, I pack it away. Then, I have to go digging through all six boxes and it's always in the last one I try! Not this time. Haha!....I just put on the shelf in my closet and was able to go right to it! Whew! That was a load off my mind.
There are so many wonderful ways to celebrate the season of Advent. I've spent hours reading blogs and visiting special websites. I've copied, bookmarked, and printed tons of ideas. I wish I had the time and money to try them all. The thing is, if I did try them all...or...did more than I do....I might miss the meaning of these special activities. It's taken me many years to realize that I can't do everything! I want our family to grow in faith and love as we anticipate the birth of the Savior!
As my kids get older, it's harder to keep them focused on anything but what's under the tree on Christmas morning. They are kids that live in a world that is very "me" focused and full of all the material things you could possibly dream of. As Catholics, it's my job to understand and teach my children that while we live "in" the world, we are not "of" it. Setting limits and making decisions ahead of time really helps.
Even as an adult, I can easily become overwhelmed. When I take my focus off of Christ, my 3 page list of things to get done...remains just that...things to be done. When I focus on EMMANUEL, God WITH us....I can then enjoy the preparation and the traditions. I still have my list of things to do, but I can do them with a sense of anticipation and a sense of purpose.
We do very few things for Advent...but they are meaningful and the kids love them. We added one new thing this year and the jury is still out on whether or not we will make it an annual part of our season. Here's what we do:
1. Advent Wreath: This is the second year in a row we are using real candles for our wreath. In the past, we've used a fabric one that worked just fine. We light the candle each night and read a short meditation. We've allowed Nathan the privilege of lighting it! It allows him to feel important as an up and coming "man" of the house and the girls look at him in "awe" as he maneuvers the lighter.
2. Advent Calendar: It's tradition in our family that my mother-in-law bring us an Advent Calendar.
While we love to open the window and see the symbol or read the scripture passage...there was always a fight as to which one of the kids was going to open the door. You've got to know that in my house EVERYTHING is a competition! So, to combat the arguing, I found these calendars on sale at Hobby Lobby! I bought 3 so that everybody had there own. As a matter of fact, these actually have pieces of chocolate behind the doors! I also bought one without the chocolate....just because I thought the picture was gorgeous!
3. Jesse Tree: This is the one thing that we added this year! I've always wanted to have a Jesse Tree but I've just never taken the time. About two weeks ago, I found a pattern for the ornaments that really looked easy and doable for me! Once I printed them out, added the backing, colored them and then got the laminated, it was easy. I found the pattern here. Since these pictures were taken, I've also punched holes at the top and used ribbon for hanging. I've decided not to have a separate tree....we'll just hang them on our Christmas tree.
Oh well. I love this time of year and I'm just glad it's here. I was somewhat ahead of the game this time, though. I actually didn't pack away the advent wreath like usual. Every single year I say to myself, "Nancy, DON'T pack away the Advent Wreath...you'll need that sooner than any of the other decorations". And every single year, I pack it away. Then, I have to go digging through all six boxes and it's always in the last one I try! Not this time. Haha!....I just put on the shelf in my closet and was able to go right to it! Whew! That was a load off my mind.
There are so many wonderful ways to celebrate the season of Advent. I've spent hours reading blogs and visiting special websites. I've copied, bookmarked, and printed tons of ideas. I wish I had the time and money to try them all. The thing is, if I did try them all...or...did more than I do....I might miss the meaning of these special activities. It's taken me many years to realize that I can't do everything! I want our family to grow in faith and love as we anticipate the birth of the Savior!
As my kids get older, it's harder to keep them focused on anything but what's under the tree on Christmas morning. They are kids that live in a world that is very "me" focused and full of all the material things you could possibly dream of. As Catholics, it's my job to understand and teach my children that while we live "in" the world, we are not "of" it. Setting limits and making decisions ahead of time really helps.
Even as an adult, I can easily become overwhelmed. When I take my focus off of Christ, my 3 page list of things to get done...remains just that...things to be done. When I focus on EMMANUEL, God WITH us....I can then enjoy the preparation and the traditions. I still have my list of things to do, but I can do them with a sense of anticipation and a sense of purpose.
We do very few things for Advent...but they are meaningful and the kids love them. We added one new thing this year and the jury is still out on whether or not we will make it an annual part of our season. Here's what we do:
1. Advent Wreath: This is the second year in a row we are using real candles for our wreath. In the past, we've used a fabric one that worked just fine. We light the candle each night and read a short meditation. We've allowed Nathan the privilege of lighting it! It allows him to feel important as an up and coming "man" of the house and the girls look at him in "awe" as he maneuvers the lighter.
2. Advent Calendar: It's tradition in our family that my mother-in-law bring us an Advent Calendar.
While we love to open the window and see the symbol or read the scripture passage...there was always a fight as to which one of the kids was going to open the door. You've got to know that in my house EVERYTHING is a competition! So, to combat the arguing, I found these calendars on sale at Hobby Lobby! I bought 3 so that everybody had there own. As a matter of fact, these actually have pieces of chocolate behind the doors! I also bought one without the chocolate....just because I thought the picture was gorgeous!
3. Jesse Tree: This is the one thing that we added this year! I've always wanted to have a Jesse Tree but I've just never taken the time. About two weeks ago, I found a pattern for the ornaments that really looked easy and doable for me! Once I printed them out, added the backing, colored them and then got the laminated, it was easy. I found the pattern here. Since these pictures were taken, I've also punched holes at the top and used ribbon for hanging. I've decided not to have a separate tree....we'll just hang them on our Christmas tree.
4. Christmas Countdowns: Although the following little activities are technically "Advent Calendars", I call them countdowns because there is no scripture reading involved. These are just a couple of fun things that I've found through the years that make it exciting for the kids. The first picture is of a freebie from Simple Schooling. They are currently doing a series called "The 12 Days of Freebies". The second photo is of a magnet nativity scene. Each day you put out a new piece.
Another tradition we have is that we purchase a new family ornament every year! I usually get them at large annual Christmas craft show called Christmas Made in the South! This is the ornament that I chose for 2011:
We also love handmade ornaments. I made this cross several years ago. I bought a kit and as it turned out, these ornaments were much harder to make than I thought. So a dear friend finished them for me. This is the only one I made! And this year I found a coloring book with these stained glass looking pages. We used markers instead of crayons. I think they turned out nice!
Happy 2nd week of Advent, my friends!
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