Hand-Maid With Love: Christmas

Showing posts with label Christmas. Show all posts

Friday, December 18, 2015

Past Years ~ Present Year

I have loved my old faithful artificial tree that has given my family much happiness and glow over the PAST YEARS...

However, this year, I had a strong desire to GO (real) GREEN....

Christ + Mass = CHRISTMAS

A very blessed Christmastide to my family, my friends, and all mankind...

May the joy and peace of the Christ Child remain in your heart and soul, forever.

The gift that keeps on giving.

"For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life." ~ John 3:16

Wednesday, December 24, 2014

O Holy Night: Christmas Eve 2014

Silent night, holy night

All is calm, all is bright

Round yon Virgin Mother and Child

Holy Infant so tender and mild

Sleep in heavenly peace

Silent night, holy night!
Shepherds quake at the sight
Glories stream from heaven afar
Heavenly hosts sing Alleluia!
Christ, the Saviour is born
Christ, the Saviour is born

Silent night, holy night

Son of God, love's pure light

Radiant beams from Thy holy face

With the dawn of redeeming grace

Jesus, Lord, at Thy birth

Sunday, January 5, 2014

~ That Same Star ~

~ EPIPHANY OF THE LORD ~

And by the light of that same star,

Three wise men came from country far;

To seek for a king was their intent,

And to follow the star wherever it went.

This star drew nigh to the north-west,

O'er Bethlehem it took its rest,

And there it did both stop and stay,

Right over the place where Jesus lay.

Then entered in those wise men three,

Full reverently upon the knee,

And offered there, in his presence,

Their gold and myrrh and frankincense.

Then let us all with one accord,

Sing praises to our heavenly Lord;

Who with the Father we adore

And Spirit blest for evermore.

Merry Christmas & Blessed Epiphany of the Lord

Wise Men Journey Initial Days - Guide Us to Thy Perfect Light

Wise Men Journey Days Three - Six: Westward Leading, Still Proceeding

Wise Men Journey Days Seven - Fourteen: Bearing Gifts

Final Wise Men Adventure link-up at Catholic Inspired

Monday, December 23, 2013

~ Bearing Gifts ~

Keeping it simple, however, things get hairy at times.

Recognizing baby Jesus as the Messiah, the Three Kings traveled thousands of miles to worship Him.

They were persistent. Following a star that would lead them to the Holy Babe.

Guided by a wondrous star, the magi doggedly sought the Light.

Carrying their gifts of great symbolism, they doggedly pushed forward.

Gold for a king.

Incense for a priest.

Myrrh, used to anoint the dead.

Drom relies on straw (in more ways than one) to give him strength and stamina

Quite the expedition.

The star is leading them to Bethlehem. In Hebrew, Bethlehem means House of Bread. Hmmm.

They were from the East.

They were, the Magi.

Stopping a bit from the treacherous journey,
they leave an impression in some places.

When they saw the star, they were overjoyed.

O star of wonder, star of night,
Star with royal beauty bright,
Westward leading, still proceeding,
Guide us to thy perfect Light.

View previous travel days here and here

Joining Catholic Inspired
Wise Men ADVENTURE Link-Up

Saturday, November 30, 2013

~ CHRISTmas Presence: Keep Christ in Christmas 2013 Edition ~

"I’m participating in the KEEP CHRIST in CHRISTMAS Blog Link-Up 2013

sponsored by the Catholic Bloggers Network.

Be sure to visit as many links as possible,

listed at the bottom of this post.

~ + ~ + ~ + ~

There are certain cues that can help turn our focus away from the busyness of life and the distractions of secular...let's call them "temptations". Even if you are not prone to the allurements of the "Holiday Season", you could find yourself retreating to the point of missing out on the opportunity to evangelize. And we are all called to evangelize. As Catholics, by the very nature of our baptism, we are called to evangelize. Yes and Amen.

Remember, the New Evangelization. The USCCB sum it all up, better than I ever could, here.

So what are these 'cues'?

In our church, we see the Liturgical colors change. From the green (the Holy Ghost,
life, eternal hope) of the Ordinary Time, to the color of purple (penance
humility, melancholy), during our season of Advent.

In my home, I put away the pretty autumn décor and slowly replace with Christmas items...Yes, Christmas. Although, Christmas does not officially begin until December 25th, I use the Advent season to prepare for the coming of Christ.

So, out come the nativity scenes, and the Advent Calendars, and the Advent books....
Even the Christmas tree will make its appearance, while we wait to 'light' the tree until Christmas Eve (or during a short reprieve for both Gaudete Sunday and the Mother's Rosary & Cookie Exchange).

Christmas music is limited (sans choir practice in preparation for Christmas) during Advent.

Our Christmas Tree is certainly Keeping Christ in Christmas. Borrowing from last years post...here are some thoughts on the Christmas Tree:

I thought, since we call it a CHRISTmas Tree, that we should at least have ornaments that represent CHRIST on our tree. Sound reasonable?

That would still include all the sweet little ornaments that my children have made over the years...and the thoughtful gifted ones from family and friends.
At first, I started rotating some of the older and more sentimental ornaments...we've accumulated quite a few ornaments over the past 22 years (and those that we brought to the marriage - so, if you think about it, that's about 96 years of combined accumulation!! yikes). We've lost some along the way...the count declined some at around the toddler years...no surprise there.

Over the recent years, we have been collecting Christmas ornaments that are *CHRISTmas* themed...so, no snowman, ballet slippers, reindeer, or mouse ornaments - cute as they are. We keep those *type* ornaments (that we already own) for sentimental reason, but have really been enjoying finding and adorning our tree with Christ-like ornaments. Truly helping us to keep Christ in Christmas.

All things CHRISTmas.

And, since I LOVE angels, and have quite the collection of angel ornaments, they are also included in the tree décor.
Also, (and more importantly) since God has used good angels, as part of our Messianic history (as messengers and such), and are heavenly creatures - spiritual beings created by God, to serve and adore God and are our guardians; They, too, have a place on our Christmas tree. Besides, it was the angel Gabriel that announced the incarnation of our Lord to Mary...therefore, it's appropriate to include angels.

Hark! the herald angels sing,
“Glory to the newborn King!”

Angel proclaiming the Good News!

Advent traditions that we love to keep include the Jesse Tree.
Again, borrowing from one of last years Advent post:

~ Maranatha! ~

~ Come, O Christ the Lord! ~

We used these Advent candles last year.
I think we can get another 32+ hours of burning out of them. :o)

Several years ago, we switched over to use this ornament-style for our Jesse Tree,
from the Paper Dali.

Hand-made with love...

My children colored, cut and laminated them. We, then, punched a hole at the top and tied a purple ribbon on. Then, after the daily reading, we hang the "ornament" on the "tree".

We have tried a variety of Jesse Tree styles over the years...this one stuck. And so, here we are.

Simple and Sweet

"I am the Root of Jesse and David's Son, The radiant Star of morning and God's own Light."

Wishing you a very blessed and fruitful Advent Season....as we prepare for His coming.

~ Come, O Christ the Lord! ~

This year, in order to feed this mama's soul, I will visit Jenny's A Catholic Woman’s Advent Devotional, specifically for women.

All the while, I make sure to teach, remember and enjoy some of the Feast Days within the Advent season. For instance (again, borrowing from the archives):

On the vigil of St. Nicholas' feast day...

The girls didn't need to be reminded to put their slippers out by the fireplace.

Conductor...needed reminding. :o)

The slippers were placed by the fireplace...in anticipation of *three golden coins*.

On Dec. 6th - the actual feast day:
After morning Mass, we hurried home to continue our St. Nicholas tradition...

Ta-da...

~ Peppermint Hot Chocolate ~

There are so many wonderful ideas when preparing for the coming of Christ; just remember to keep it simple. Don't try and do all the Advent ideas, which can be overwhelming. Use only what works for you and your family as your present situation allows.
I am always grateful for all the wonderful blogs that share their family traditions and activities. I am also appreciative of the time spent organizing link-ups like the KEEP CHRIST in CHRISTMAS Blog Link-Up.
It is encouraging and helpful in so many ways. Please share one of your favorite Advent traditions or activities in the comment box...

One last thought from me (mostly to myself), remember to
Prioritize:
Faith, Family, then Fun. You will find that you will accomplish much more by keeping Christ in the center of whatever you choose as an Advent 'activity'.

Holy Mass
Daily Spiritual readings
Simple Devotions
Choose one. Nourish, first, your soul...the rest will follow.
Your peace will evangelize to your family, friends and beyond...

Wishing you a very

HAPPY AND HOLY ADVENT & CHRISTMAS...REMEMBER: