~ 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

Advent Activities: {p,h,f,r,} Style

~ Capturing the context of contentment in everyday life ~

Every Thursday at Like Mother, Like Daughter

 

{pretty}

Cookie Exchange and Rosary Night...

 

{happy}

Youth Group Retreat...

 

 

{funny}

Wise Men ADVENTures...continue...

 

 

{real}

Parish Retreat for our CCD Program

 

 

 

We are finding much happiness in our Advent preparation.

 

Go to Like Mother, Like Daughter to find more contentment...

 

 

 

 

~ Our Lady of Guadalupe ~

 

A great sign appeared in the sky, a woman clothed with the sun, with the moon under her feet,

and on her head a crown of twelve stars”

~ Revelation 12:1 

 

Isn't she lovely?

 

I just love her.  The Patroness of the Americas.  This is the only apparition where Our Lady left an actual picture of herself! 

On December 12, 1531, her image was imprinted on the tilma (or cloak) of St. Juan Diego.  Now, nearly 500 years later, it is still perfectly preserved!

A miracle?

And so many interesting scientific discoveries surrounding this image...

Go ahead, search it.

 

 

Our Lady of Guadalupe, pray for us!

 

“Listen and let it penetrate your heart…do not be troubled or weighed down with grief. Do not fear any illness or vexation, anxiety or pain. Am I not here who am your Mother? Are you not under my shadow and protection? Am I not your fountain of life? Are you not in the folds of my mantle? In the crossing of my arms? Is there anything else you need?”

~* ~ Our Lady’s words to her servant Juan Diego ~*~

~ Westward leading, still proceeding ~

And so, the ADVENTures of the Wise Men continue...

 

Conferring with the kings & queens of different lands...

While the kings & queens exchange pleasantries,
the camel is weary and confides in the horse

 

We are looking for thy perfect Light...have you seen Him?

 

Day Four is spent on higher ground, making it easier to survey the land and seas...

 

Onward they travel...
Little do they know the potential danger of where they now stand.  Thankfully they are on their way before the "towers" catch fire!

The camelus dromedaries is found eating holly...they are famished.  Drom, as the camel is now called, is having a rough go...but he valiantly pushed forward.  As do the three wise men.


Wonder!  Is this the Mediterranean Sea?  Or the Sea of Galilee?  Or could it be...the Dead Sea?  Dun-dun-Duuuun!!!!

Stay tuned for more ADVENTures as the Wise Men search for the Truth...



Joining Jennifer over at Catholic Inspired for the FUN AND FABULOUS

 

 

~ St. Nicholas ~

As our Homeschool Group's First Friday Mass Coordinator, I thought it would be fun to celebrate the feast of St. Nicholas, who is the patron saint of children, with a festive flare.

So I visited this website and came up with some fun activities to help celebrate the occasion.

Some of the activities included:

ST. NICHOLAS GAMES & ACTIVITIES

St. Nicholas Coin Toss

Chocolate St. Nicholas craft

Nutter Butter St. Nicholas Cookie Decorating

St. Nicholas Guessing Game (adapted from Catholic Inspired)

Apple St. Nicholas

St. Nicholas roll-up

Coloring Table of St. Nicholas, St. Lucia & Our Lady of Guadalupe

St. Nicholas Story Time

CROZIER
St. Nicholas, Bishop of Myra, carried a crozier to be a shepherd for his people. 

Guess how many candy-cane “croziers’ are in the jar?

CROZIER
A hooked staff carried by a bishop; represents a shepherd's staff as the bishop is to be the shepherd of the people, as Jesus is the Good Shepherd. Again, a crozier is a general symbol for bishops, but unique to Nicholas among gift-givers.

~ +~+~+~

Life saver

for children
St. Nicholas, is a “Life saver”; he saved 3 children from the wicked inn keeper.

Guess how many “life savers’ are in the jar?

LIFE SAVER

FOR CHILDREN
Show Nicholas as the protector of children, from the story rescuing young children or students from the evil butcher or innkeeper. Usually three children are in the tub, but sometimes only two are present.

~ +~+~+~

sailors
when sailors were in a ‘crunch’, as the angry seas tossed their ship about for 2 days; good st. Nicholas prayed, bringing them safely to the harbor of myra.

Guess how many “crunches” are in the jar?

~ +~+~+~

animals
quick fact:  another st. Nicholas, st. Nicholas of tolentino, is know as a patron saint of animals. A studious, kind and gentle youth, at the age of 16 Nicholas became an Augustinian Friar.

Guess how many “animal cracker cookies” are in the jar?

~ +~+~+~

fish
the fish in the sea swam in the angry seas that tossed the sailors about, before st. Nicholas brought the boat to safety.

Guess how many “swedish fish” are in the jar?

~ +~+~+~

coins
st. Nicholas gave of his own ‘coins’ to help 3 young maidens pay for their dowry, sparing their lives from slavery.

Guess how many “coins” are in the jar?

~ +~+~+~

Advent is a time to reflect on the lord's coming.
December holds many opportunities to learn about him,
to know him,
through his saints and through his mother.

~ advent ~
Preparing our souls to receive Christ worthily.

Linking up to Equipping Catholic Families Saints Cele-Linky
&
Catholic Bloggers Network
~+~ Homeschooling & Liturgical Calendar ~+~

~ Guide Us to Thy Perfect Light ~

 

 

We three kings of Orient are
Bearing gifts we traverse afar.
Field and fountain, moor and mountain,
Following yonder star.

 

 

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

 

Born a king on Bethlehem's plain,
Gold I bring to crown Him again,
King forever, ceasing never
Over us all to reign.

 

  

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

 

 

Frankincense to offer have I.
Incense owns a Deity nigh.
Prayer and praising all men raising,
Worship Him, God on high.

 

Welcome...to our family's ADVENTures...

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

 

Myrrh is mine: Its bitter perfume
Breaths a life of gathering gloom.
Sorrowing, sighing, bleeding dying,
Sealed in the stone-cold tomb.

 

 

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

 

 

Glorious now behold Him arise,
King and God and Sacrifice.
Alleluia, alleluia!
Sounds through the earth and skies.

 

 

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

Joining Jennifer over at Catholic Inspired for the FUN AND FABULOUS

 

Linking up to Catholic Bloggers Network

 Monthly Link-Up Blitz

~ Family Journal ~