Preparing the Way of the Lord (Advent Thoughts, part II)

Since God put us here on earth to know, to love and to serve Him, what can I do to get to know Him better? Here are some books that could be helpful as I ponder His loving face:

The Dawn of the Messiah

Perhaps the story of Christ's birth has become almost too familiar. We've heard the story so many times that it fails to shock us: the appearances of the angel, a virgin giving birth, a child placed in a manger, the arrival of shepherds and magi.

Today's reader, unfamiliar with the ancient Jewish world, misses the significance of many details in the Gospel accounts of the birth of the Messiah. This book bridges the gap, explaining the original context of every line and detail in the biblical stories. Sri not only helps readers understand an earlier and pivotal time and place, he also brings them to a deeper understanding of the great mystery of God's entry into the world as one of us.

The Essential Advent and Christmas Handbook

This reader-friendly companion provides everything Catholics need for a richer experience of the Advent and Christmas seasons. Whether readers wish to follow a traditional, contemporary, or family program of devotion and prayer for Advent and Christmas, this all-in-one resource will be a treasured guidebook.

The Essential Advent and Christmas Handbook covers a wide range of topics including:
Morning and evening prayer services
A short history of Advent
The preparatory nature of Advent
Traditional hymns and symbols of Christmas
Traditional Christmas practices
A Christmas novena
Daily Christmas meditations
Family meal prayers for the holiday season


The Magnificat Advent Companion 2006

Advent is the sacred season of anticipation and expectation in which we prepare for the coming of our blessed Savior. To live Advent is to live in an awareness of a Presence that changes our lives. The Magnificat Advent Companion is a rich spiritual guide that will accompany you daily through the 4 weeks of this holy season. It provides original daily reflections based on the Scriptures of the Mass for each day of Advent written by some of the finest Catholic writers in the world. In addition, it offers superb essays, devotions, prayers, and other liturgical and spiritual aids to guide and enrich the reader's experience of Advent. This invaluable booklet will bring you ever closer to the Infant King.


Advent and Christmas With the Saints

The Advent and Christmas season is a time of anticipation and preparation, celebration and joy. Beginning with the first day of Advent and continuing through the twelve days of Christmas, Advent and Christmas With the Saints guides readers to an experience of closeness with God. Words of devotion and excitement fill each page, from the pens of such luminaries as Francis of Assisi, Therese of Lisieux, and many, many others.

This book is arranged for use on every day of the Advent and Christmas seasons. Each day's reflection begins with a scriptural quotation, continues with a thought from the writings of that day's featured saint, and concludes with a prayer for the day. The daily passages of Advent and Christmas With the Saints offer profound and spiritually enriching food for the journey, drawing us closer to the joy of welcoming the Savior into our lives and cultivating a renewed appreciation of the Advent and Christmas seasons.

Approaching Christmas

In the rush before Christmas, it is easy to forget that the very preparations themselves—decorations, music, gifts and meals—are a wonderful opportunity to prepare for the Lord. This book will help the readers to discover, through lyrical prose and masterpiece art, the spiritual scope of the season’s festivities, and restore the wonder of Christmas to their hearts.



Advent, Christmas and Epiphany in the Domestic Church

This is an illustrated book full of wonderful activities for children and families to help them better understand and celebrate the Advent, Christmas and Epiphany seasons. This large size, spiral-bound volume is the perfect book to help families learn together and share the joys of this happy time of the liturgical year.

Filled with a variety of family activities, saints' celebrations and crafts, this book has something for everyone in the family. Family activities include making an Advent wreath, a Jesse Tree with all its symbols, cloth Nativity figures, words for singing 21 Advent and Christmas songs, recipes for special cakes and breads and more. Also included are stories of special saints for the season with activities and prayers. Finally, it offers numerous craft activities including cross stitching Christmas patterns, making gift boxes, table-top and Christmas tree angels, table runners, and many coloring pages.

A Letter From Jesus

I received this in an email from a friend, and thought it was worth thinking about. Please feel free to comment.

Dear Children,

It has come to my attention that many of you are upset that folks are taking

my name out of the season. Maybe you've forgotten that I wasn't actually

born during this time of the year and that it was some of your predecessors

who decided to celebrate my birthday on what was actually a time of pagan

festival. Although, I do appreciate being remembered anytime.

How I personally feel about this celebration can probably be most easily

understood by those of you who have been blessed with children of your own.

I don't care what you call the day. If you want to celebrate my birth, just

GET ALONG AND LOVE ONE ANOTHER. Now, having said that, let me go on.

If it bothers you that the town in which you live doesn't allow a scene

depicting my birth, then just get rid of a couple of Santas and snowmen, and

put in a small Nativity scene on your own front lawn. If all my followers

did that, there wouldn't be any need for such a scene on the town square

because there would be many of them all around town.

Stop worrying about the fact that people are calling the tree a holiday

tree, instead of a Christmas tree. Your Christmas tree should be on your

wall all year long, it's called a Crucifix. It was I who made all trees.

You can, and may remember me any time you see any tree. Decorate a grape

vine if you wish: I actually spoke of that one in a teaching explaining who

I am in relation to you and what each of our tasks were. If you have forgot

that one, look up John 15: 1 - 8.

If you want to give me a present in remembrance of my birth, here is my wish

list. Choose something from it.

1. Instead of writing protest letters objecting to the way my birthday is

being celebrated, write letters of love and hope to soldiers away from home.

They are terribly afraid and lonely this time of year. I know, they tell me

all the time.

2. Visit someone in a nursing home. You don't have to know them personally.

They just need to know that someone cares about them.

3. Instead of writing George complaining about the wording on the cards his

staff sent out this year, why don't you write and tell him that you'll be

praying for him and his family this year. Then follow up with, "It will be

nice hearing from you again."

4. Instead of giving your children a lot of gifts you can't afford and they

don't need, spend time with them. Tell them the story of my birth, and why I

came to live with you down here. Hold them in your arms and remind them that

I love them.

5. Pick someone that has hurt you in the past and forgive him or her.

6. Did you know that someone in your town will attempt to take their own

life this season because they feel so alone and hopeless? Since you don't

know who that person is, try giving everyone you meet a warm smile -- it

could make the difference. Also, you might consider supporting the local

Hot-Line: they talk with people like that every day.

7. Instead of nit-picking about what the retailer in your town calls the

holiday, be patient with the people who work there. Give them a warm smile

and a kind word. Even if they aren't allowed to wish you a "Merry

Christmas," that doesn't keep you from wishing them one. Then stop shopping

there on Sunday. If the store didn't make so much money on that day, they'd

close and let their employees spend the day at home with their families.

8. If you really want to make a difference, support a missionary, a priest,

a brother, or sister, one who takes my love and good news to those who have

never heard my name. You may already know someone like that.

9. Here's a good one. There are individuals and whole families in your town

who not only will have no "Christmas" tree, but neither will they have any

presents to give or receive. If you don't know them (and I suspect you

don't), buy some food and a few gifts and give them to Catholic Charities,

the Marines, the Salvation Army or some other charity which believes in me

and they will make the delivery for you.

10. Finally if you want to make a statement about your belief in and loyalty

to me, then behave like a Christian. Don't do things in secret that you

wouldn't do in my presence. Let people know by your actions that you are one

of mine.

I LOVE YOU.

Love, Jesus

P.S Don't forget: I am God and can take care of myself. Just love me and

do what I have told you to do. I'll take care of all the rest. Check out the

list above and get to work -- time is short. I'll help you, but the ball is

now in your court; And do have a most blessed Christmas with all those whom

you love and remember.

So much for a weekly blog! (and Advent thoughts)

Well, here we are, finishing up week 12 of our homeshooling effort. Two more weeks and we're free for the rest of Advent and Christmas. As the Christian Year ends with the Feast of Christ the King tomorrow (I started writing this on Saturday -oops) and we begin the new Year with Advent, I rededicate myself to posting at least once a week (unless I'm out of town ;)).

As we approach Advent, I once again ponder the miracle of the birth of the Savior. Twenty centuries later, we still celebrate His First Coming. There are parties and decorations, gifts for each other and lighted trees. All this I love and look forward to, but what gift do I have for my Savior on His birthday? I have bought or made all the gifts for family and friends, and even wrapped them on a good year, but am I prepared for His Second Coming? What if He actually came to one of the parties we give in His honor? Would He be pleased with what He sees? Would I actually welcome Him or would I rather He didn't come?

Well, He is coming, so what can I do to prepare? What can I do to help those in my care to prepare? Prayer is a good place to start. I don't have to buy any special equipment or do anything except turn to God in humility. Remember ACTS:

Adoration - I love You, Lord.
Contrition - I am sorry for the wrong I have done and the good I have left undone.
Thanksgiving - I thank You for everything You have given me.
Supplication - Please give me what I need to get to heaven, as well as what I need to do Your will here on earth.

I will blog more on this subject later this week.

Pray for Priests

This morning at Mass, Father gave an impassioned plea for our prayers for priests. He talked about praying for vocations and how sad it is that the parish will only be able to have a communion service during the week because all the priests will be on retreat. He talked about how incredible the sacrifice of the Mass is and that that's the priests number one responsibility.

I can only add that the sacrament of Holy Orders isn't just for men! The men who answer God's call to the priesthood are there for all of us. Without them, we can't live our lives as Catholics! Without them, there is no Mass, no Eucharist, no "source and summit" of our Faith! Without them, Jesus isn't present in the tabernacle! We need them, so we must do our part and AT THE VERY LEAST pray for their perseverance and faithfulness.

I am going to put a Pray For Our Priests Car Magnet on my vehicle. I hope that when you see one of these, you will stop and say a Hail Mary for our Blessed Mother's dear sons. Better yet, put one on your car, too!

Week 2 Begins

We began our second week of homeschooling today. We're not burned out yet! YAY!!

Seriously, we are enjoying our adventure very much. My 1st grader, Margaret, is picking up reading really well, and just loves math. Lucy, my 2nd grader, is looking forward to her First Confession and First Communion in the spring.

Andrew, 4, likes going off by himself and building things with Lego, and Anne, 3, likes to color. Susan, 2, also likes to color, but likes to eat crayons more. Peter, 6 months, likes to nurse and be held more than anything, which makes it imperative that I get our school supplies out before school begins every day!

What I am working on this week is using my time wisely so that the house stays in good order and the dishes and laundry don't get out of control in the midst of our studies. I need to figure out the best time to do these things, and then do them at those times instead of wasting time doing things I could do later (like surf the 'net, for example).

I actually already know when the best times for these things are. I just need to do them at those times before I get sidetracked by something else. In order for that to happen, I need to start a load of laundry as soon as I come out of my room, dressed and ready for the day, before the kids get up. Then I need to head to the kitchen and put away the clean dishes from the dishwasher, and start making breakfast.

In order for that to happen, the night before I will have had to put the dishes into the dish washer, treated any stains on the laundry and put the load I will wash in the hamper next to the washing machine, planned the next day's school activities, and decided what clothes I am going to wear.

This will be easy once i get into the habit. Right now, I don't do these things in order, so it is hard to remember what needs doing, especially when a certain 2-year-old is standing next to me as I try to type, whining about wanting a snack over and over again.

So - right now I will get the kids a snack (it is snack time, after all), and then I will see about getting the clean dishes put away so I can put today's breakfast and lunch dishes into the dish washer. We have already finished with school for today, so the kids can watch Black Beauty which we borrowed from the library yesterday! Tonight i will treat the stains on the clothes that are waiting next to the wash basin, and tomorrow morning I will rise up early with a prayer in my heart and start the day more wisely.

Older than Adam

Lucy (7) after reading to the little ones about the Creation out of the children's Bible: "Okay. Who can tell me who the very first people were?....Annie?"

Annie (3), looking up from her doll house: "Grandma?"

Silly Book Meme

1. Grab the book closest to you...NO cheating!
2. Open to page 123
3. Scroll down to 5th sentence.
4. Post text of next 3 sentences on blog-and name of book and author
Tag 3 people (that will be the hardest part!)

The Faith Explained by Leo J. Trese

"Before going any further, perhaps we should recall what the word 'virtue' means. In religion virtue is defined as a 'habit or permanent disposition which inclines a person to do good and to avoid evil.' For example, if you have the habit of always telling the truth, then you have the virtue of veracity or truthfulness."

Tag! You're it. Mary Poppins Not, Danielle, Amy, Sr. Lorraine, and YOU!

What's Your Name?

I just ran over to Barb's via Lori's. They are wondering about how we come up with our blog names. Are the names puns? Do they convey something about us or something we admire?

My blog's name comes from the Kyrie we pray during Mass. (Kyrie Eleison, Christe Eleison, Kyrie Eleison: Lord Have Mercy, Christ Have Mercy, Lord Have Mercy), and the fact that I love kittens. Kitty Eleison has become my nom de plume (or nom de Internet at least - heehee). It is a prayer as well as a silliness, but I hope it is not seen as disrespectful to God, because it isn't meant to be!

Go to Barb's and leave a link to your blog!

Help Needed: Spiritual Adoption

I am asking you for help, and I would like you to pass this along to everyone you can think of who would be willing to pray for our priests.

How any times do we see our priests leading their congregations astray? How many times do we complain to each other about it? Does complaining about it help the priest in any way (I mean talking about his problems to others - not asking him directly what is going on or offering help). How many times do we actually pray for our poor priests? When we DO pray, do we ask God to change the priest or make him go away so that life would be easier for us? Or do we humbly throw ourselves at His feet asking for forgiveness for the times we have felt superior to these servants that God has chosen for us? We cannot live without the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass, and the Mass cannot exist without our priests.

I am spiritually adopting a priest of my acquaintance, and intend to pray and sacrifce for him for the rest of my life. I will not go into specific details, but I will say that he desperately needs prayers. I am asking that you join me in sacrificing and praying for this man of God for as long as you feel called to do so. I also encourage you to adopt your own pastor or priest friends, because, you know, they can always use our prayers!

Tithing

Whenever we run into financial difficulties, we are faced with the temptation to cut back or keep our tithe. After all, we are helping a family in need, right?

But this seems to leave God's Providence out of the picture. If we say we trust in God, but keep back part of what is His to begin with, are we not lying (and stealing)?

I am renewing my dedication to giving my tithe faithfully every month. Please pray for me!

Letter to the Pope

No, I am not going to post an open letter to the Holy Father here. But I was wondering what YOU would write to His Holiness Pope Benedict XVI if you had the opportunity. What would you tell him of your prayers, works, joys & sufferings? Would you ask him for anything? What concerns for your famiy, parish, job, diocese or country would you express to him?

My BOY Overheard at the Breakfast Table

4-year-old Andrew: "Mommy, am I the hungriest person here?" (as he eats yet another pancake after everyone else has left the table.)

To 4-month-old Peter: "Someday you’ll be as hungry as me!"

To me: "Mommy, did I eat sure a lot?"

And as soon as he has swallowed his last bite of breakfast, before he has even put his fork down: "Mommy, can I have a snack?"

Rules of Etiquette

Today my 7-year-old daughter Lucy handed me a list of rules she made up for her sister's upcoming birthday. I thought that many of these rules would benefit society at large, so I will start educating the masses by posting the list here (I have corrected spelling so that the masses may be educated more easily):

Margaret's Birthday Rules
1) Don't stick out your tongue
2) Only one dessert per person, including adults
3) Don't spit! No mean faces
4) Don't say the cake is ugly
5) Don't make personal remarks
6) You shall not touch the Queen's stuff against her will
7) Don't hit the Queen
8) Bow before the Queen!
9) Don't bow sideways backwards
10) Don't kick the Queen out of her throne
11) Don't flick the Queen
12) Don't spank he Queen
13) Don't take any of the Queen's stuff home
14) Don't ask to watch TV!

Punishment:
Be arrested
Time out
Sit in the car
Can't watch the Queen open presents

Homeschooling Carnival 27 is up!

Go here for this week's Carnival of Homeschooling!

What's your Home School's name?

Do you have a name for your home school? I have been homeschooling for 2 years now, but haven't pinned down "the" name for what we're trying to do here. I love St. Therese, and much of what we do is modeled after her "Little Way," but I don't know if my boys would like a name reflecting this as much as my girls might. What are the names of YOUR home schools and why? OR, if you have chosen to remain nameless, why?

Overheard in the Bathtub

Andrew (4) is in the tub, making bubbles with a squeeze toy: "Mommy, look! I can easily kill the bad guys. I am thundering them. Watch me throw a bomb at them."

Me: " "

None of my 4 girls would imagine that bubbles coming from a bath toy were a weapon of mass destruction (well, maybe my almost-2-year-old would destroy the bathroom by splashing it).

Where I'm From

I found this and thought it would be interesting to try it. And interesting exercise in remembering your childhood & adolescence. Where are YOU from?

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

I am from Dorothy Hammil haircuts, from Otter Pops and Star Wars.

I am from the big brick house my father built, from the musty old house of our poverty, and the windy house of our love. From the white house with the picket fence and the lemon tree, the 619 house, and the Wong's house.

I am from the California Poppy, the pink desert primrose, and the dust; from the Texas Bluebonnet, the pecan tree, and the humidity; from the Colorado Columbine, the lilac and the snow. I am from the Rose.

I am from Midnight Mass and unplanned Sundays, from Grandma and Grandpa, from Abuelito and Abuelita, from Borobia & Bodenhammer.

I am from giving till it hurts and praying till it stops hurting.

From "te lo haran tus hijos" and "you can't chew gum and walk at the same time."

I am from Christ Crucified. From Feasts and Fasts, sin and sorrow for sin, loneliness and love.

I'm from Spain, Portugal, Germany, England & Scotland; from spaghetti & Ragu and Enchiladas Suizas.

From the hiding of priests and clandestine marriages in Abuelita's basement, the stone bridge Thomas Skelton Hutchinson built in Scotland, and Tommy's ability to pick up any musical instrument and play it well.

I am from lost heirlooms, memories of long dinners and conversations at my grandmother's table, from the clown blanket Aunt Toni made for me, and the graduation dress my Mother made for my sister, the blue linen Confirmation dress she made for me, and the smocked dresses she made for my daughters.

I am a child of God and hope someday to return Home.

COOKIE!

You Are a Chocolate Chip Cookie

Traditional and conservative, most people find you comforting. You're friendly and easy to get to know. This makes you very popular - without even trying!

What Kind of Cookie Are You?

These seem to be great qualities for a mother to have. But you know, it struck me that these "blog things" with quizes that give you fun results are all soothers. I can't imagine one saying "You are a rotten apple and everyone hates you." It is nice to think I am a "chocoate chip cookie" but I can't just be content knowing most people find me comforting. What if my husband or children don't? Then my comforting nature means nothing, since my husband and children are my vocation, not "most people." My cookie status teaches me nothing about how to be what I ought to be. It does not challenge me to be a better cookie or even see any faults I might have (the chocolate chip cookie, in my opinion, is the best just as it is, and does not need any improving). I know it is just a game, but this is blog is supposed to be my spiritual exercise, so bear with me.

Anyway, I am craving a cookie right now so I have to go find something to distract me before I give in!

Corpus Christi

Today I have been perusing other blogs, looking at pictures of Pope Benedict XVI's Corpus Christi procession in Rome. Then I saw pictures of like processions in different countries. I hope the US will have some this weekend, but I am sad to think that we might not. Jesus Christ our Lord gave His very LIFE for us, and are we too embarrassed to walk among our neighbors showing the world that we love Him? Or don't we believe that He is here with us in the Holy Eucharist? What a gift God has given us! We can receive our Lord every day if we want to, and yet we ignore Him all week, and can't even acknowlege in public that He is God. If your parish, diocese or archdiocese is having a procession in honor of our Lord, please post about it here! If there are pictures, please post a link. I would love to see them.

I thought I was a Hobbit

To which race of Middle Earth do you belong?

Numenorean
Take this quiz!




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