Posted by Karen Zappavigna Hoogland | 0 Comments
Merry 3rd Day of Christmas

Merry 3rd Day of Christmas! When I look at the different Nativity sets I have I think about the Blessed Mother with Joseph as they welcomed the baby Jesus into this world. I think of Mary as she held her new baby knowing he was a precious gift from God given to save all of us. Amazing! The Blessed Mother had an inspiring faith in receiving the gift of Baby Jesus! It makes me consider: how can I...
Posted by Karen Zappavigna Hoogland | 0 Comments
Merry 2nd Day of Christmas

Merry 2nd Day of Christmas! Our family tradition – carried on from my mom – is to not put the tree or decor up until about a week before. No lights are lit until Christmas Eve. On Christmas Day we begin the 12 Days of Christmas. We leave everything up to be enjoyed through Epiphany on January 6th. I often leave our decorations up until the end of January With the darkness of this time of year, I...
Posted by Karen Zappavigna Hoogland | 0 Comments
Merry 1st Day of Christmas!

Merry 1st Day of Christmas! I have enjoyed sharing the meaning of “The Twelve Days of Christmas” for over a dozen years. It is one of my favorite carols and, like my mom, I have observed the 12 days of Christmas for as long as I can remember. I enjoy the tradition! This year we ended up not finishing our decorating until a few days ago. It has been a rough few months as we have the experienced...
Posted by Karen Zappavigna Hoogland | 0 Comments
Epiphany 2024 Observed

Epiphany Observed – Sun. Jan. 7, 2024 I rather like the years when the Christmas season is extended a bit because of how the dates fall. This year, Epiphany was observed by the Catholic churches in our area today, Sunday, January 7, 2024, rather than on January 6th. The image today is a photo I took today at my church, Sacred Heart Mission. For most of the Christmas season, the Wisemen were a bit off to the side...
Posted by Karen Zappavigna Hoogland | 0 Comments
Epiphany 2024

Epiphany – Sat. Jan. 6, 2024 And suddenly the star they had seen rising went forward and halted over the place where the child was. The sight of the star filled them with delight, and going into the house they saw the child with his mother Mary, and falling to their knees they did him homage. Then, opening their treasures, they offered him gifts of gold and frankincense and myrrh. Matthew 2:9-11 Holy Light of the Manifestations Today, January...