Merry Christmas!

May you and your family enjoy a blessed and peaceful Christmas. Thank you for taking this journey with us. We hope you found a few treats along the way to enhance your Advent experience.

Praise God! A Savior is born to us this day!

One Day to GO!

We are only hours from the awaited time! Today let's contemplate those shepherds who played such an important part in the story that is about to unfold.

Think about a time when you struggled with a question or problem. After trying several complex solutions, you realize the answer is obvious. We often have a way of making easy things hard. Our minds send us in many directions when the answer is right before our eyes. Many of us share the tendency to "overthink".

Imagine if the shepherds in the Christmas story had done the same thing. An angel appeared and told them a Savior was born and waiting in a manager. What was their first reaction? They could have suspected the vision was a trick. They could have believed they had imagined the whole thing. They might have argued for hours over what really happened. They could even have quietly agreed to ignore the whole thing and save themselves the embarrassment of appearing foolish.

But they did none of these. The shepherds, despite their simple understanding of God, or perhaps because of it, willingly followed the words of an angel. They did not let doubt make things hard. The result was that they were the first humans to look upon the face of God.

What an amazing gift!

What are the simple truths God is blessing you with this Christmas? How might you let go of stubbornness, insecurity, fear, and doubt in order to see and receive them?

The hour is near. Open your heart and believe!

  

 

 

 

A Wintery Treat with 2 Left

With only two days till Christmas, enjoy a few scenes and words on winter.

In the depth of winter

I finally learned 

that there was in me

an invincible summer.

Albert Camus

 After all, the Earth must wait for spring.

No angel ever changed the pace of time.

Goodness is still tucked away below,

Empty as a field asleep in snow,

Like iron in the harshness of that clime

As God is born in frozen Bethlehem.

                                  © Nicholas Gordon

I wonder if the snow loves the trees and fields,
that it kisses them so gently?
And then it covers them up snug, you know,
with a white quilt;
and perhaps says,
"Go to sleep, darlings, till summer comes again."

Lewis Carroll, Alice's Adventures in Wonderland & Through the Looking-Glass

"I love to watch the fine mist of the night come on,
The windows and the stars illumined, one by one,
The rivers of dark smoke pour upward lazily,
And the moon rise and turn them silver. I shall see
The springs, the summers, and the autumns slowly pass;
And when old Winter puts his blank face to the glass,
I shall close all my shutters, pull the curtains tight,
And build me stately palaces by candlelight."

Charles Baudelaire, Les Fleurs du Mal

3!!!

Today we celebrate the Fourth Sunday of Advent. In this week's Gospel, we read an account of the birth of Jesus from Matthew. The interesting thing about this telling of the story is that it focuses on Joseph.

We've heard the Christmas story so many times we tend to gloss over the details, most assuredly the ones about the quiet, ordinary man who was just planning a simple married life. Then suddenly, out of nowhere comes life-altering, earth-shaking news. The woman he loves and trusts is pregnant and has quite the story to tell about it. Without the benefit of hindsight, you can imagine Joseph did not take the news with great joy and excitement.

Consider the implications from his side. Small town gossip is not a new thing. Accepting Mary would likely sentence him to a life-time of eye-rolling and jokes. Add to this the heartache he must have felt believing the person he loved had betrayed him. You can see why he might opt for a quiet escape. Lucky for us, the story doesn't end here.

Joseph experienced his own Annunciation. An angel appeared in a dream and filled him in on the divine plan. Once again we are awed by a miracle . . . . Joseph said yes, too!

As we head into this final week of Advent, here are a few lessons we can take away from Joseph's story.

1. Joseph was a model of trust. He was willing to change the entire course of his life based on the words of an angel. Now that's faith! Trust and faith are things we struggle with in our world today. There are certainly many examples to prove us right in our doubt. But trusting in God also means opening ourselves to one another. After all, it's hard to love someone you don't trust. 

Here are a few small ways to work on building trust and faith in your everyday life:
• ask God daily for an open heart
• open yourself and share your feelings with a family member or trusted friend
• be willing to delegate the holiday work. 

2. Joseph was a model of obedience and humility. He was willing to follow God even if it meant letting go of his own beliefs about what his life should be. 

Here are some ways to think about obedience and humility in your life:
• focus on being loving, not on being right
• allow yourself to accept help
• delegate and then let go
• ask someone how you can be of help to them and then follow through
• don't commit to more than you are capable of doing with a loving heart and a positive attitude. 

3. Joseph was a model of courage and perseverance. He took a risk and faced uncertain challenges willingly.  

Here are some ideas for living courageously and persisting:
• face a problem you've been avoiding
• apologize to someone you have hurt
• try again to connect with a family member or long lost friend
• talk with someone about your faith. 

4. Joseph was a model of compassion and care. He made his family the center of his life. 

Here are some thoughts on how you might be compassionate and caring:
• do something unexpected for a friend or family member
• smile at store clerks and thank them for their work
• turn off the car radio and talk to the people you are driving
• have breakfast with a family member
• ask someone how they are and really listen to their answer.

Think about Joseph as you go through your day. Consider what other lessons this quiet figure might be waiting to share with you.

Just 4 More . . .

Today is the first day of winter and officially the shortest day of the year. It seems appropriate on a day when the sun shows itself the least for us to meditate a bit more on light.

Enjoy an adaptation of Fr. Joachim's reflection taken from Let the Children Come Cycle A.

I have traveled many places in my life, and most of these trips were by airplane. When I have the opportunity to sit by the window, I am in awe of the sight of Earth below me. On one particular trip, I flew at night from Zambia, Africa to London, England. I did not expect to see much since we traveled mostly through darkness. But in mid-flight, the captain instructed passengers to look out the window.

I lifted the small shade and was greeted by the city of Cairo, Egypt. The view of three hundred square kilometers covered in lights was dazzling! I stared in awe at this beautiful sight. I had expected darkness, but was surprised by light.  

People have lived in this city for over 6,000 years. It has played an important role in the history of the world and the history of our religion. This was the place from which Moses led the Israelites out of slavery toward God's promised land.

God spoke to Moses from the burning bush and called the Israelites to decision and responsibility. They would no longer be slaves, but their journey would not be easy. In order to reach their promised land, they needed to get up and move! God required action. He also gave the people help and hope. He guided them through the desert and provided for their needs. It was his Light that brought this wandering nation out of slavery.  

We are not so different from these early Israelites. We are also wandering. We also have been called. Jesus is our Light, too. He calls us out of the slavery of sin and invites us to be part of a community of believers. Sometimes our journey is hard, but he never leaves us alone.

As we come near the end of this Advent season, let us remember the many images of light that have guided us and helped us celebrate Jesus' presence in our lives. We can call on these images when we feel the darkness surround us. Each day we reflect on his words, talk to him in prayer, and follow his example, his Light grows brighter. May we continue to find ways to make it shine for all to see. 

Only 5 Left!!

As we approach the last weekend before Christmas, what a better time to gather as a family for a great holiday movie. What movies have special meaning to your family? I remember as a kid enjoying "Holiday Inn" on Christmas Eve, and who doesn't tear up during the final scene of "It's a Wonderful Life"?

Another of my personal favorites is "White Christmas." While most people know the movie for it's namesake song, the following song from the movie has always been my personal favorite. It reminds me to put aside the things of this world that cause me to worry and instead to count my blessings and thank God for the many wonderful people who make life such a gift.

Enjoy this treat! Take some time with family this weekend to make a list of "must-see" holiday movies. Then pop some popcorn, light the fire, and snuggle in together to enjoy!





BONUS CONTENT!
The song "White Christmas" is the best selling Christmas song of all time. It is considered simple by musical standards, just 54 words and 67 notes. But did you know it was not originally written for the movie that bears it's name? Instead it was composed to be part of a musical revue about the holidays that eventually became the movie "Holiday Inn." The song was first sung by Bing Crosby on a radio show sponsored by the Kraft Company. The program aired on Christmas Day, 1941 just eighteen days after the attack on Pearl Harbor.

A Sunny 6

Walk into the produce section of any grocery store this time of year and you are likely to find yourself surrounded by citrus. Here in the Midwest, the bright orange and yellow delicacies are a welcome distraction from the cold and white of our wintry landscape. For many, this healthy dose of Vitamin C also brings memories of the prized orange you would find tucked into the toe of your stocking on Christmas morning.

There are various explanations for how citrus and Christmas became linked. One theory draws on the tradition of Saint Nicholas.  After hearing some poor maidens were to be sold into slavery because their family was too poor to pay their dowry for marriage, Saint Nicholas is said to have tossed gold coins through the window of their home. His generous gift saved their lives and their virtue. The oranges have become a symbol of that act and a reminder to be generous and giving to those in need.

A practical connection reaches back to a time when transporting goods was difficult due to less sophisticated methods of food storage, preservation, and distribution. Items like citrus were very hard to come by, especially in cold climates. Their scarcity made them quite a precious and valuable gift. Receiving an orange at Christmas was a rare treat indeed.

Perhaps today the bright colors and burst of freshness are enough to make them a special treat. They serve as a reminder that even in the cold, shortened days of winter, a sweet, warm, and bright summer is just around the corner.

Why not treat yourself and someone you care about
to a little taste of sunshine today?

A Mere 7 to GO!

Today's treat is a reflection written by Fr. Joachim Tyrtania, a good friend and writing partner. Father served as a missionary priest in Zambia, Africa for six years. The following excerpt is taken from our family Advent and Christmas Meditation series. I think it speaks beautifully to the importance of family together time, especially in an age when so much pulls us apart.

I first arrived at the Mambwe Mission late one November night in 1987. Upon my arrival, one of the resident priests started a generator to produce some electricity. That evening we had light for less than one hour. After the long flight from my home country of Poland, I was too tired to notice. The exciting trip and the new places and faces had exhausted me. I slept well in the pitch black of the African night.

I awoke the next morning to a world unlike any I had known before. The sights, sounds, and smells were as amazing as the stillness. I soon recognized this new kind of quiet came from the lack of electricity. There was no buzzing or humming around me! I soon learned electricity was scarce in the African bush. We owned a small generator at the mission. It was powered by fuel, and we ran it only an hour or two each evening. Once when our generator broke, we had no electricity for more than a year!

I soon discovered what I once would have thought of as a hardship was actually a great blessing. The lack of electricity forced us to turn our attention away from the distractions of the outside world and towards interactions with each other. We had unlimited and undisturbed conversations. We read, talked, listened, and prayed together. I noticed this same behavior in each of the villages I visited around the mission. Each evening after supper, all generations met around a common fire. They talked and shared stories passing tribal traditions from old to the young.

I imagine life in Jesus' time was very much the same. Families gathered together around a fire with everyone listening and learning from each other. This is the way Bible stories were told and retold. Family life was the center of the community, just as it was for those of us living in the Mambwe Mission.

The African people taught me so much. They understand the power of family ties. Our family members are our first teachers and our first friends. They tell us where we have been and who we are, and they help us find directions for who we will be. Family is the electricity that lights our path.

When I returned home from Africa, I made a commitment to frequently turn off the things that power my world and plug into the people who power my life.

                                                        excerpt from Let the Children Come, Cycle C 

How might you plug into your family during the remainder of this Advent season? What habits can you begin building to carry you and your loved ones into the new year?

 

 

A Melodious 8!

Don't you just love all the photo Christmas cards you receive this time of year? It's a great way to catch up with old friends and distant relatives. We see loved ones, especially the little ones, grow and change right before our eyes. Those smiling, shining faces shared with us make the well-wishes ever more personal.

Today I'd like to share my virtual version of one of those photo cards. The following song is performed by one of my beautiful children and her friends. I hope you enjoy it and feel the warm greeting with which it is sent.

And Then There Were 9

I had the pleasure of spending last evening in the company of wonderful friends. What a better topic to ponder today than the blessing of true friendship. In a season where so much is focused on gifts, the most precious are companionship, kinship, fellowship, and the love shared among friends. We inherit our families. We choose our friends. I believe both relationships are inspired by the hand of God.

Today my heart is full. I hope you, too, have the opportunity to raise a glass and share a laugh with those who choose to walk through life with you.

In the words from that most treasured of Christmas movies,

"Remember, no man is a failure who has friends."

“When we honestly ask ourselves which person in our lives mean the most to us, we often find that it is those who, instead of giving advice, solutions, or cures, have chosen rather to share our pain and touch our wounds with a warm and tender hand. The friend who can be silent with us in a moment of despair or confusion, who can stay with us in an hour of grief and bereavement, who can tolerate not knowing, not curing, not healing and face with us the reality of our powerlessness, that is a friend who cares.” 

― Henri J.M. Nouwen, Out of Solitude: Three Meditations on the Christian Life

10!!

Today is the Third Sunday of Advent. The rose colored candle is lit to symbolize our joy that Christ's coming is near. With three candles burning, we sense light has won out over darkness. As you walk through this day, here are few thoughts for reflection on the topic of Joy.

Celebration is not just a way to make people feel good for a while; it is the way in which faith in the God of life is lived out, through both laughter and tears. Thus celebration goes beyond ritual, custom, and tradition. It is the unceasing affirmation that underneath all the ups and downs of life there flows a sold current of joy. ... Joy can be caught neither in one feeling or emotion nor in one ritual or custom but is always more than we expect, always surprising, and therefore always a sign that we are in the presence of the Lord of life. 

We might be tempted to dismiss this as wishful thinking or blissful dreaming, but those who have tasted the joy I speak about know how real it is, and those who have met truly joyful people also have no doubt about its reality.

                                                                              ~Henri Nouwen, Lifesigns

If we are truly in love with Christ and if we sense how much he loves us, our heart will 'light up' with a joy that spreads to everyone around us. 

               ~Pope Francis, from his visit to Brazil's Shrine of Our Lady of Aparecida, July 14, 2013

What brings you joy? Spend time today experiencing that joy and letting it shine over all those you meet.

11 is Yummy!

Today I'm baking cookies. What about you?

I mean, who doesn't love a good Christmas cookie? Poll your friends, and you'll likely discover quite a wide variety of "favorites." Thinking about your own list, you might also notice many of the best loved come from the cultural heritage passed on by your family. Reality is that food is a big part of how we connect. Food is often the center of times we celebrate, grieve, encourage, and remember.

I know many of the recipes I'm using are written on cards given by my mother, who copied them from her mother or aunt, who received them from her mother. I can only imagine the chain going on and on. Sharing these traditions keeps us in touch with who we are and where we come from. In a time when we easily become "disconnected" by the business and busy-ness of our lives, it's nice to think that a simple cookie can help us pause and remember.

What's your favorite Christmas cookie? What memories make it special?

If you find yourself feeling a little adventurous, maybe you'd like to try adding a new tradition to the mix this year. The following website lists favorite Christmas cookies from different countries all over the world. Do a little browsing and see if any get your taste buds tingling. Who knows, this might be the beginning of a brand new "favorite" in your household!

Christmas Cookies by Country (with Recipes!)

BONUS CONTENT!

Sometimes it isn't the cookie, the but packaging that becomes the holiday memory. The classic Animal Crackers were introduced to the American public in 1902 by the National Biscuit Company (now Nabisco) and marketed as a seasonal item. The brightly-colored box (not the cookies) was promoted as a Christmas tree ornament. This is the reason for the mysterious string attached to the top of the box!

With 12 Comes . . .

At this time of year, I always seem to be drawn more closely to Mary, not just the idyllic, statuesque image we see in churches and stained glass, but more the flesh and blood new mother. I imagine her looking into the face of her new baby for the first time. I think about her feeling of delight and awe at his first smile, her moments of anxiety over his first steps. I consider what she must have felt when it came time to send Jesus out into the world. Did she secretly wish she could have kept him safely in her arms? 

Mary was certainly set apart by God. But she was also a mother, like any mother, who loved her child. I believe she felt Jesus' joy twofold and experienced his pain a thousand times over. I also believe there must have been times when she questioned her abilities and her worthiness. She must have desired to be the best and do the best for the family she loved. 

Perhaps you've heard the song titled "Breath of Heaven," or "Mary's Song." The words tell of an imagined prayer from Mary to God. In it we hear how Mary might have expressed her human fears and doubts about the task she had accepted. 

Do you wonder, when you watch my face, if a wiser one should have had my place. But I offer all I am, for the mercy of your plan. Help me be strong. Help me be. Help me.

I am brought to tears each time I listen. As a mother, it speaks to all the doubts and fears I have about whether I am worthy enough for the life I've been given. I hear echoes of my own prayers, God, do you know who I really am? Am I the best person for them? Do I have what they need? But whether you're a parent or not, hasn't there been a time when you've raised your eyes to God and wondered why he put you in a particular place for a particular purpose. Am I worthy? Am I strong? What can I possibly offer?

I don't know if Mary had these kinds of questions or doubts, but thinking she might have gives me hope. It reminds me that faith is not an assurance that I will have all the answers, or even any answer at all. Faith is having the courage to step out into the unknown and believe that God sees the road, even when I do not. Mary took that step. In fact, Mary took that leap, down the path and over the edge of a cliff. The conception of Jesus at the Annunciation was certainly miraculous, but another miracle took place that day. Mary said, Yes!

Another line from "Mary's Song" is

I am waiting, in a silent prayer. I am frightened, by the load I bear. In a world as cold as stone, must I walk this path alone? Be with me now. Be with me now.

I take comfort in the thought that even though the world may seem cold, I truly never walk alone. God is always at my side, holding me together and giving light to my darkness. Through Mary's yes, God's plan was fulfilled. I know he is calling me, too. Am I ready to say, yes? Will I have the faith to walk even when the path seems quite cold and lonely? I hope so.
As I do, I pray . . .

Help me be strong,
Help me be,
Help me.

13 . . .

Have you noticed how putting ornaments on the Christmas tree is a lot like looking through the pages of an old family album. Each one you hang comes attached with a flood of memories. I must admit my absolute favorite ornaments are the ones my children have made. I especially enjoy the photo ornaments from each year. As time passes, I look more and more forward to seeing their tiny smiling faces surrounded by all that glitter. (And let's face it, what kid in elementary school didn't think they looked so much cooler smiling out of those cardboard stars or snowmen when "MORE GLITTER" was involved!)



I also really love the ornaments we made together as a family. Those craft projects to fill a Saturday afternoon have become such a sweet reminder of togetherness. Only now do I realize that time together is truly the most treasured and hardest gift to find.

What story do the ornaments on your tree tell? How many memories do you unwrap as you hang each delicate trinket? As we reach the halfway point in our little virtual Advent calendar, I wish you happy decorating and the warmest of thoughts and happiest of remembrances.

14 And Counting

Did you know that the Nativity scene was not a part of the Christmas tradition until the 13th century? St. Francis of Assisi (the namesake of our new pope) popularized this visual sign of Christ's birth. The idea came to him after seeing a manger when visiting Bethlehem. Francis decided to create such a crib and make it a part of the celebration of Midnight Mass. In the year 1223, he shared his plan with Pope Honorius III, who approved of the idea.

St. Francis then found the ideal spot for his display. He located a small cave near the mountainside town of Greccio, Italy and began preparations. He made a crib, filled it with hay, and had an ox and ass stand beside the manger. He also had figures to represent the Virgin Mary, Joseph, Jesus, and the shepherds. At an appointed time, people from the nearby town arrived carrying torches and candles.

St. Francis knelt before the crib and prayed silently. He was overcome with love and filled with a wonderful happiness. After this event, devotion to the crib and the Nativity spread. Today, a crib representing the birthplace of Jesus is brought into the church at the beginning of Midnight Mass. It is displayed until the Epiphany as a way to remind us all of the mystery of the Incarnation.

Do you have a Nativity scene in your home over the Christmas season? Are there any special memories attached to the tradition for your family?

Some people collect these scenes. Here are some that reach the level of fine art!

This is considered possibly the largest hand carved olive wood Nativity scene ever created. Made in the Holy Land by artisan Jeries Facouseh, it is almost 5 feet tall and over 6 feet wide. The price, $23,900.00.

The Church of Sts Cosma and Damiano in Italy possesses one the largest Nativity scenes in the country. Originally commissioned by Charles III of Naples, this was the first scene to include detailed figurines of people from real life. Six master woodcarvers were said to have spent over forty years crafting this piece of art, which is on display all year. The city of Rome bought the scene in the 1930s and fully restored it to its current grandeur. 

Every year, the Historical Museum in the city of Krakow, Poland  organizes the Krakow Nativity Scene Competition. Nativity scenes made by children and young people appear side by side with those crafted by old masters and competition winners. In addition to the Nativity, artisans also construct beautifully ornate replicas of the city's churches. Actual sizes of the competition nativities will range from small enough to fit inside a matchbox to several meters high.

Nativity excerpt from Let the Children Come Cycle B published by Bound By Grace Press.

For A Little Something Different, 15

Last week we shared a beautiful song that spoke of cherished memories we feel during the holidays for the ones we love.

Today, for something completely different. . . here's a little song about an overlooked group who may or may not be feeling a little oppressed during this season. (This one's just for fun! :))

Hug an Elf!

16 to Go!

Are you sending Christmas cards this year? If so, you're in good company. Turns out 45% of all cards sent are Christmas Cards. Did you ever wonder where that tradition started?

The custom of sending Christmas Cards began in 1843 in the UK. A government employee named Henry Cole was trying to entice people to use the new "Public Post" system. This system made it possible (and affordable) for the average person to send mail. Prior to the introduction of the "Pubic Post" only the rich could afford to share news in this way.

So Cole came up with an idea. He and his friend John Calcott Horsely worked together to design the first Christmas Card. It was a tri-fold card with the outer layers showing people giving food to the poor and the inner image featuring a family enjoying Christmas dinner together.

The custom caught on and as the printing process improved the cards became more accessible to the average person. By the early 1900s, Christmas card giving had spread across Europe and became particularly popular in Germany. By 1875 affordable Christmas cards reached the United States, as well. The tradition has grown by leaps and bounds ever since. Last year, in fact, 1.5 billion holiday cards were sent in the U.S. alone. That's a lot of cheer!

Henry Cole probably never imagined what a sensation he was creating with his simple idea to popularize public mail. He likewise would never have imagined the fate of one of those first cards that he sent to his own grandmother. At the time, the card would have cost him about 8 cents. Recently it was sold at auction for a hefty $35,800.

It's unlikely any of us will be investing that heavily in our holiday wishes this year. But that doesn't mean the cards we send won't have great value to the loved ones
who receive them. You never know who might be feeling low and in need of a little extra love. Your card could serve as the perfect medicine.

Remember also to take time to enjoy the cards you receive. They are tangible reminders that someone, somewhere is thinking about you. And that . . . is priceless!

A Peaceful Walk to 17

Today is the Second Sunday of Advent. On this day we light the second violet candle on the Advent Wreath. This candle is called the Candle of Peace. It symbolizes the prophets who foretold of Christ's coming.

This week the world lost a man who was perhaps one of the greatest peace-seekers of our time. Nelson Mandela not only spoke of peace, he modeled it. His words are a beautiful gift and perfect reflection for this Sunday.

It was during those long and lonely years that my hunger for the freedom of my own people became a hunger for the freedom of all people, white and black. I knew as well as I knew anything that the oppressor must be liberated just as surely as the oppressed. A man who takes away another man's freedom is a prisoner of hatred, he is locked behind the bars of prejudice and narrow-mindedness. I am not truly free if I am taking away someone else's freedom, just as surely as I am not free when my freedom is taken from me. The oppressed and the oppressor alike are robbed of their humanity.

When I walked out of prison, that was my mission, to liberate the oppressed and the oppressor both. Some say that has now been achieved. But I know that that is not the case. The truth is that we are not yet free; we have merely achieved the freedom to be free, the right not to be oppressed. We have not taken the final step of our journey, but the first step on a longer and even more difficult road. For to be free is not merely to cast off one's chains, but to live in a way that respects and enhances the freedom of others. The true test of our devotion to freedom is just beginning.

I have walked that long road to freedom. I have tried not to falter; I have made missteps along the way. But I have discovered the secret that after climbing a great hill, one only finds that there are many more hills to climb. 

~Nelson Mandela

Mr. Mandela's time on earth has ended. It is up to us now to climb those hills. In what ways can you be a peacemaker in your world this week? Is there someone you need to forgive in order to bring peace to your own heart?

Only 18 To Go

Sometimes the sweetest of all memories are those we have of our loved ones during the holidays. What songs did mom hum as she baked all those cookies? What did her famous coffee cakes taste like, the ones she and dad had to bake together because they involved so many steps? What was the scent of that drugstore perfume you bought for Grandma every year? How did she smile as she sprayed it on making you believe she had never had such a luxurious or extravagant gift? What movie made your little brother or sister light up like the Christmas star?

The answer to this last question brings a smile to my face, even after all these years. Enjoy this clip from my little brother's favorite childhood Christmas movie. May it warm your heart as much as it still does mine.

"Brothers In Our World" from Jim Henson's Emmet Otter's Jug-Band Christmas. :)

19 . . . Have You Checked Your Shoes?

Today is the Feast of St. Nicholas. Odds are you know a little something about this saint who is said to be the forefather of Santa Claus. But did you know that today all around Northern Europe, children are waking up and eagerly checking their shoes!

Traditionally in this area of the world, St. Nicholas visits children on his feast day filling a pair of their shoes (which they leave outside their door) with treats and gifts. Naughty children might expect lumps of coal instead. Sound familiar? In fact, the American Christmas tradition of stockings comes from this very European custom.

Nicholas was a bishop in the fourth century. He was born in the ancient region of Lycia, an area located on the southern Mediterranean coast. He lived for a time in the Holy Land, but returned to his birthplace of Myra, which is today Demre, Turkey. Nicholas came from a wealthy family. He wanted to use his privilege to help others. He became a monk and was later appointed bishop. He always gave generously to those in need, often making his gifts in secret.

To Nicholas, it was especially important to be aware of those around him. He listened, watched, and was ready to act when people were most in need. Nicholas lived his life very much "in the moment."

It's great that this feast comes at the beginning of our Advent season. It puts some perspective on things and serves as a reminder that we are celebrating more than just one day at the end December. We are acknowledging a way of living that centers on compassion and awareness of others. We are finding ways to give of ourselves and bring joy and love to others.

In the spirit of St. Nicholas, find a way to treat someone else today. Be aware of those around you who might need a little pick-me-up. Maybe a simple smile and bit of conversation, maybe an unexpected cup of coffee or lunch. Trust your instincts. You'll know who needs you. Just listen, watch, and be ready to act in the moment.

Happy St. Nicholas Day!

Good St Nicholas,

Help us prepare for the miracle of the coming of Jesus.Help us not to be blind to the gifts of getting ready.

Help us be sincere in the greetings we send and receive, with love and prayer.

Kind St. Nicholas, protect us from shoppers’ fatigue, stress, overspending, yet help us to be kind and generous of heart to all, especially those who are alone, poor and fearful.

May our celebration of your feast lead others to see the true meaning of giving and receiving and to guide all people to the greatest of all gifts:  Jesus Christ, prince of peace and child of Mary, Our Lord and only saviour.

– From the St. Nicholas Society

For more info on Saint Nicholas, visit the St. Nicholas Center website.

On to 20!

The weather in the Midwest for the month of December is a virtual potpourri. It may be 57 and sunny on Wednesday, fog covered and drizzling by Friday, and snowing with a high of 18 by Sunday. While the changes are a constant source of frustration in regard to outwear choices and commuting, it also tends to create some really beautiful and interesting images to help us ponder God's creation. What store sells gifts that will ever match the beauty and majesty just beyond your door?

For your treat today, step outside and notice the splendor of December, wherever you live. Walk or drive around your neighborhood. Notice the way the buildings look on the near and distant horizon. Feel the wind blowing and listen to the sounds it creates as the last of the leaves tumble and dance around. Experience the many surprises nature has waiting for you to unwrap.

Here are a few from the world around me.

21 . . .Sniff . . .Sniff

For today's treat, we suggest you close your eyes and indulge in some of the smells of Christmas. You may chuckle at the silliness of this idea, but smell is a powerful piece of the seasonal puzzle. The sense of smell is strongly linked to memory. A sudden whiff of a particular scent can transport you to another time and place. Never is this more evident than with the many smells we associate with Christmastime.

Interestingly enough, our response to fragrances is deeply personal. The experiences we have in life greatly impact our reactions to particular smells. In effect, our favorite smells choose us, we don't choose them.

Here is a list of ten scents popularly associated with the season. How many whisk you back to footie jammies and visions of reindeer on the roof?

10. Eggnog

9. Oranges

8. Cloves

7. Wood-burning fire

6. Mulled Wine

5. Sugar Cookies

4. Peppermint

3. Pine

2. Gingerbread

1. And researchers have actually done studies to determine the most "Christmas-y" smell is . . . cinnamon!

So light a scented candle, bake some holiday cookies, or take a walk through a Christmas tree lot. Enjoy not only the smells, but the wonderful memories they bring along. And remember, the smells around you now will serve as guides back to the beautiful memories you make with your family today.

Bonus content :)

For those science-y amongst you, researchers continue to investigate whether the spices commonly used in making gingerbread (namely cloves, nutmeg, anise, cinnamon, and mace), when combined and baked emit properties similar to amphetamines. In other words, that dose of Christmas cheer you feel after enjoying a gingerbread cookie may be as much pharmaceutical as nostalgic. For the whole story, enjoy the following 2005 abstract from the Prague Medical Report. (There's also some pretty cool historical stuff in there too!)

Christmas Gingerbread (Lebkuchen) and Christmas Cheer – Review of the Potential Role of Mood Elevating Amphetamine-like Compounds Formed in vivo and in furno

22 . . .

Music is one of the most beautiful ways to connect with the season. This song recalls the power of sharing moments with those we love. Enjoy the gentle harmonies of the Good Lovelies.

23 Days to Go

When listing unpleasant aspects of the holiday season, "crowds of people" will usually appear somewhere near the top of everyone's list. We battle crowds in malls, fight lines at the grocery store, and jockey traffic while traveling and finding parking spaces.

So it may seem odd that for the Day 23 Advent Calendar "treat" we're suggesting you find a crowd and place yourself firmly in the middle of it. But, SURPRISE, that's exactly what we have to offer today.

We invite you to find a holiday-related event in your community and join in on the fun. How about a tree lighting ceremony, a Christmas concert, or caroling activity? Or maybe locate a seasonal craft fair or visit a living Nativity. 

Why, you ask, would we want you to make such an effort? Because there is something holy about standing shoulder to shoulder with your neighbor and sharing in a tradition. There is prayer in the sounds of many voices, some in tune, most not, lifting up the words of well-known songs committed to memory decades before. There is beauty in the knowing nods, the commiserating grins reminding us we are not alone. We are part of a community, people who feel and worry and love and hurt the same as we do.

BUT, there is one trick to this Advent treat. You are not allowed to become a critic. Let's face it, chances are unless you live in a great metropolis, the event you are attending will be fraught with technical difficulties. The microphones won't work, the lights may not switch on cue, the band will be cold and maybe playing in an impossible key, but all these things are part of the charm. They remind us there really is no "perfect" Christmas experience. These imperfections are actually gifts themselves. They force us to be fully alive in the moment. They guide us to look beyond the easy and superficial and to find the divine, the little "wows" that make it all unique and worthwhile.

"The third great prayer, Wow, is often offered with a gasp, a sharp intake of breath, when we can't think of another way to capture the sight of shocking beauty or destruction, of a sudden unbidden insight or an unexpected flash of grace. "Wow" means we are not dulled to wonder."
            ~Anne Lamott from Help, Thanks, Wow: The Three Essential Prayers

What is your "wow" moment of the day? Have fun finding it!

If you find yourself at a tree lighting, here are a few cool facts to throw around and impress your friends.

Thomas Edison's assistant, Edward Johnson, came up with the idea of electric lights for Christmas trees in 1882. Johnson was the first to use these lights on his tree just three years after the lightbulb was invented. The event was covered by reporters from the Detroit Press and Tribune. The tree lights were hand wired in red, white, and blue. The lights flashed alternately while the tree rotated. One might call Mr. Johnson the "Clark Griswold" of his day!

The rest is history. Christmas tree lights were first mass-produced in 1890. Unfortunately for those early decorators, the lights were so expensive they were more commonly rented than bought. Think about this as you pop into any discount retailer and wander past the massive selection of Christmas lighting design options. Remember to give a little nod to their creator, Edward Johnson.

Source: Bill and George Nelson's Antique Christmas Lights Museum. For more information, see OldChristmasTreeLights.com.

Day 24 . . . The Countdown Begins

Today is the first day of December. It is also the first Sunday of Advent. We lift the door on our Advent calendar and also light the first candle on our Advent Wreath.

Both traditions help us mark the passage of time toward a much anticipated event, and both remind us to reflect on the specialness of each day.

This week, the first purple candle on the Advent Wreath symbolizes Hope. What a great way to start our journey, with hope! Hope is the spark calling us to desire something more, something better.

And isn't that how we start most Decembers? We are hopeful this will be the best holiday season ever. We hope for good weather and beautiful shared family time. We hope everyone will get along and be happy. 

What are you hoping for this season? Jot down a few of your most heartfelt desires and wishes. Keep them close and use them as a guide throughout December. When things start getting crazy, pull out your list and center yourself on what matters most.

Just to make you smile, here are some unique ways people have found to countdown days till Christmas. 

1. LEGO® currently makes three different Advent Calendars. Each year a new edition is released featuring micro-builds, minifigurines, and other surprises behind the doors of a specially designed box. But buyer beware, they sell out quickly!

LEGO® City Advent Calendar

LEGO® Friends Advent Calendar

LEGO® Star Wars Advent Calendar 

2. The tech savvy can't be left out of the fun. Many Apps exist to mark off the time to the big event. Here are a couple free ones.

Nativity Advent 2013

by Ile Aux Fraises

Android users can build their own virtual Nativity Scene with a new character added each day.

Christmas Advent Calendar

by MagicSolver.com Ltd.

A special gift awaits IPhone and IPad users each day with fun, interactive activities.

3. This one is hard to believe. In 2010, Porsche released a very limited Advent Calendar (they made 5, one for every continent on which the German manufacturer does business). It stood nearly two metres and was made of brushed aluminum. Windows for each day opened upon touch and included such extravagant items as a Porsche Design P'6910 Indicator watch in rose gold, an individually customizable Porsche Design kitchen, a custom-made motor yacht, and sunglasses made of 18-carat gold. The price tag for this calendar . . . $1 million.

4. Finally, one company wants to make sure grownups don't feel left out of the nostalgia. Master of Malts makes a Whisky Advent Calendar. The Premium version rings in at a whopping $410!

Happy Counting!

Thoughts for the First Sunday of Advent

This weekend marks the beginning of Advent. Father Joachim has shared a reflection to help get you thinking about the season and this Sunday's Gospel. Stop by the Bound By Grace Press website to read his thoughts.

Father Joachim's Thoughts on the First Sunday of Advent.


While you're there, browse our store to check out the Family Advent Meditation Set, our beautiful PrayerMark Bookmarks, and the Saint Therese Sacrifice Beads.

Advent is Coming!

Remember when counting the days to Christmas included opening the little doors of those cardboard Advent calendars? Each morning you anticipated the tiny chocolate treat waiting on the other side. Sure it was great fun to know opening doors brought you one day closer to the big event, but didn't each little surprise make the waiting an event of its own?

Getting older, it's more likely you mark December's calendar by crossing off shopping days or counting toward the arrival of bills in the mail. Certainly not the same as looking forward to a sweetly-shaped, milk chocolate bite. It's no wonder the season seems to fly by faster and faster each year.

Advent is a beginning, a time of preparation filled with anticipation. With the remembrance of Christ's birth we are given a chance to renew ourselves each year. Why have we allowed this season to translate into a time of such great stress and anxiety? What if you could harness some of the excitement and magic you felt as a child?

We're offering you a simple gift this Advent season, an invitation to pause for a moment in the waiting and experience the joyous little moments of life. Like those sweet treats you remember from childhood, we invite you to take a minute to open a door (or browser window), discover a surprise, and savor a treat for your heart, mind, and soul.

Join us here, starting December 1, for a virtual Advent calendar. You'll find a little something to make you smile, or think, or feel all warm and fuzzy inside. Give it a try. You may find yourself looking forward to the wait!

Who says you can't still experience Christmas like a child...

...and who says you can't buy yourself one of those little cardboard Advent calendars, too?

Happy Easter!

This is the day the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad.

Have a blessed and happy Easter!

He is Risen!

This is the day the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad.

Good Friday

Father, into your hands, I commend my Spirit.

My God,
We feel the pain of Christ's last moments. We stand beneath the Cross with His mother and loved ones at our side. We are struck empty by the loss. In this moment, we imagine that nothing can ever fill us again. Death is an ending. But because of this Cross, death is also a beginning. We stand ready to be filled by the living waters made possible through Your selfless sacrifice. By conquering death. You offer eternal life.
Amen.
~from Stations of the Cross 

Father, into your hands, I commend my Spirit.

To Lead, To Serve

Our blessing cup is a communion with the Blood of Christ.

Today is about service and servant leadership. It's about a willingness to care for those around you. It's
about being humble enough to take the lowliest of positions in a group or organization, even (and especially) when you are in charge. It's about not calculating every cost in return for your reward. It's about leading by example. It's about living your vocation in all facets of your life.

What message are you sending others about your beliefs? How do people know you? What do they say of you when you are not around?

The answers to these questions can be eye-opening. They speak volumes about the way you live your life. Remember in the midst of reaching your goals, paying your bills, making a name for yourself, you are also making a life. This is the only chance you have to live it.

Every precious moment is an opportunity. What will you make of yours today?

It is difficult for us to comprehend that we are liberated by someone who became powerless, that we are being strengthened by someone who became weak, that we find new hope in someone who divested himself of all distinctions, and that we find a leader in someone who became a servant. It is beyond our intellectual and emotional grasp. We expect freedom from someone who is not as imprisoned as we are, health from someone who is not as sick as we are, and new directions from someone who is not as lost and confused as we are.  

... But it is not said of Jesus that he reached down from on high to pull us up from slavery, but that he became a slave with us. God's compassion is a compassion that reveals itself in servanthood. Jesus became subject to the same powers and influences that dominate us, and suffered our fears, uncertainties, and anxieties with us. Jesus emptied himself. He gave up a privileged position, a position of majesty and power, and assumed fully and without reservation a condition of total dependency. Paul's hymn of Christ does not ask us to look upward, away from our condition, but to look in our midst and discover God there.
~ by Henri Nouwen from Compassion

Our blessing cup is a communion with the Blood of Christ.

Hello God, It's Me

Lord, in your great love, answer me.

Prayer is not always easy. Sometimes it flows freely like an internal monologue running stream of consciousness through our minds. Other times we sit in silence without words to express our deepest feelings and greatest needs. In both cases, we desire to be heard.

At times, we all hear only the echo of our prayers. But that doesn't mean God isn't listening. Sometimes our greatest challenge is having a mature faith, one that doesn't merely expect wishes to come true or lists checked off. God always answers, though not always in the ways we expect. Answers are more often subtle leadings toward a certain path.

Imagine prayer like a conversation with God meant to deepen our relationship. As in any relationship, there are times when we will communicate well and times when it will be a frustrating task. The important lesson is to never stop trying.

Pray often. Pray openly. Pray honestly. Pray God's will be done. Pray without exception and without expectation.

What are you praying for today?

The wonderful thing about praying is that you leave a world of not being able to do something, and enter God's realm where everything is possible. He specializes in the impossible. Nothing is too great for His almighty power. Nothing is too small for His love. 

Just imagine a little child crying because an old doll has broken. She takes it to her father. Would her daddy say, "My dear child, throw it away; that old doll isn't worth a penny." No, on the contrary, he will say, "Come here, my child. Daddy will try to repair the doll."
Why on earth would such a big man take such a silly old doll seriously? Because he sees it through the eyes of the little one. And because he loves his little one. And in the same way God sees your problems through your eyes because He loves you. And nothing, nothing is too small for His love. Just tell Him anything. 

~by Corrie Ten Boom from Stand at the Door and Knock

Lord, in your great love, answer me.