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Babies, Bongos and Remembering Dad
Although it is a week into January, this Christmas season keeps on giving! My “present” this Epiphany week came not from the Three Wise Men but instead came from our two grandsons when they were visiting with their parents (our son, Jeff, and his wife, Kristi) as we celebrated Jeff’s birthday. Several weeks before Christmas, I was at my parents old house and discovered that my dad’s old bongo drums were in danger of either getting thrown out...
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Advent Begins!
Symbolizing eternal hope, the wreath goes ’round and ’round, And where it starts or ends cannot be found. Woven of things that grow – for life, and hung for holiday delight, The wreath must be left in place From Advent through Twelfth Night. ~Unknown Today is the first day of Advent – a time of anticipation, darkness and preparation. While we are shopping for the perfect gifts, baking the delicious cookies, cleaning and decorating the house, let...
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Now, the Work of Christmas Begins
When the song of the angels is stilled, When the star in the sky is gone, When the kings and the princes are home, When the shepherds are back with their flocks, The work of Christmas begins ~Howard Thurman Today, at Mass we read about the Baptism of Christ Jesus. This is the time when I usually take down our Christmas decorations and pack them away until the coming December. It is usually a very sad time for me,...
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Epiphany
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...
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Epiphany: The Wise Guys Arrive!
January 6 marks The Epiphany, also known as the “Holy Light of the Manifestations.” The Epiphany recalls the visit of the Magi, the three wise men, to the Christ Child in Bethlehem. It is also about the revelation of the Jesus Christ to everyone who is in darkness. This day is a reminder that anyone can choose to follow the light of Christ, to follow in his ways and share His love with those around them. The...
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On the Twelfth Day of Christmas
Why 12 Drummers Drumming on the Twelfth Day of Christmas? The 12 drummers represent the twelve articles of the Apostles’ Creed. Apostles’ Creed (New translation for Catholic Church, effective Nov. 2011) I believe in God, the Father almighty, Creator of heaven and earth, and in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord, who was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the Virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate,was crucified, died and was buried; he descended into hell; on the third day he rose again from the dead;...
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On the Eleventh Day of Christmas
Why Eleven Pipers Piping on the Eleventh Day of Christmas? The eleven pipers represent the eleven faithful apostles: Simon Peter, James the Great, John, Simon (the Zealot), Jude (a.k.a. Thaddeus), Andrew, James the Less, Matthew, Phillip, Bartholomew, and Thomas. On the Twelfth Day of...
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On the Tenth Day of Christmas
Why Ten Lords a leaping on the Tenth Day of Christmas? The ten lords represent the Ten Commandments. It is always a good time to have a refresher on that list, so here it is: 1. I am the Lord thy God; thou shalt not have strange gods before me. 2. Thou shalt not take the name of the Lord thy God in vain. 3. Remember that thou keep holy the Sabbath day. 4. Honor thy father and...
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On the Ninth Day of Christmas
Why ladies dancing on the Ninth Day of Christmas? The nine ladies dancing represent the nine choirs of angels. Here they are in ascending order: Angels Archangels Principalities Powers Virtues Dominations Thrones Cherubim Seraphim On the Tenth Day of...
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On the Eighth Day of Christmas
Why maids a-milking on the Eighth Day of Christmas? This is to recall the eight Beatitudes (Matthew 5:3-12) Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are the meek: for they shall possess the land. Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted. Blessed are they that hunger and thirst after justice: for they shall have their fill. Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy. Blessed are the...
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On the Seventh Day of Christmas
Why Seven Swans a-swimming on the 7th Day of Christmas? Seven Swans a-Swimming represent the seven gifts of the Holy Spirit: Wisdom Understanding Counsel Fortitude Knowledge Piety Fear of the Lord The seven swans also represent the seven sacraments of the Catholic faith: Baptism Confirmation Holy Eucharist Penance Extreme Unction Holy Orders Matrimony On the Eighth Day of...
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On The Sixth Day of Christmas
Why Six Geese a-laying on the Sixth Day of Christmas? Six Geese a-Laying represent the six days of creation: 1st Day: Creation of light and its separation from darkness 2nd Day: Creation of the firmament and division of the waters 3rd Day: Collection of waters (sea) and formation of dry land (earth); creation of plants according to their own likeness 4th Day: Creation of heavenly bodies in the firmament (sun, moon, and stars)5th Day: Creation of sea creatures...
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On the Fifth Day of Christmas
Why Five Golden rings on the Fifth Day of Christmas? Five Golden Rings are symbolic of the Pentateuch, the first five Books of the Old Testament: Genesis, Exodus, Numbers, Leviticus, and Deuteronomy. He who has not Christmas in his heart will never find it under a tree. ~Roy L. Smith On the Sixth Day of...
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Holy Innocents
A voice was heard in Ramah, sobbing and loud lamentation; Rachel weeping for her children, and she would not be consoled, since they were no more. Matthew 2:18 December 28 (in some communities, December 29) is remembered as the Feast of the Holy Innocents. This commemorates King Herod’s order to kill all boys in Bethlehem, and the nearby area, who were aged two years or less. Herod had learned of the birth of Jesus from the Magi, the...
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On the Fourth Day of Christmas
Why four Calling Birds on the Fourth Day of Christmas? Four Calling Birds represent the four Gospels and Evangelists: Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John. Christmas waves a magic wand over this world, and behold, everything is softer and more beautiful. ~Norman Vincent Peale On the Fifth Day of...
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On the Third Day of Christmas
Why Three French Hens on the third day of Christmas? The three hens represent the three theological virtues of Faith, Hope and Charity. These were given from God and poured into our hearts. The three hens are also symbolic of the Holy Trinity: Father, Son and Holy Spirit. On the Fourth Day of Christmas...
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On the Second Day of Christmas
Why Two Turtle Doves on the second day of Christmas? The two doves represent the two parts of the Bible: Old Testament and New Testament. On the Third Day of Christmas...
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On the First Day of Christmas
There is a misconception that the twelve days of Christmas are those days that lead up to December 25. Not true! Today, Christmas Day, is the first day of Christmas! The 12 days go through the Feast of the Epiphany, also known as “Twelfth Day.” In the olden, golden days, the twelve days of Christmas were a period of joyful prayer and a rest from unnecessary labor. Christmas tree lights would be lit and families would gather around...
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Fourth Sunday of Advent
Most blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb. Luke 1:42 I love the gospel reading used in today’s Mass. From the book of Luke, the reading is about Mary’s visit with Elizabeth; both women are pregnant – Mary with Jesus and Elizabeth with John (the Baptist). Every time I have heard or read these verses, I have always wondered about the very human element of those involved. Certainly, these two unborn babies would...
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Third Sunday of Advent
Father, I trust in your love. Teach me the way of surrender, the way of peace. The readings from today are about bringing everything to God, carrying for those in need and the hope and the promise of the coming Savior, Jesus Christ. In the wake of the shootings at the Sandy Hook School, in Newtown, Connecticut, these ideas seem particularly timely. People discuss how this could happen and what could have been done to prevent it from occurring....
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Second Sunday of Advent
Father, I want to hear your voice today. Open my ears, so that I can here you; Open my heart, so that I can embrace you. On December 9, 2012, I had the privilege of participating in the Rite of Acceptance with Kristi. The Mass was offered at Holy Trinity Church, where she and my son, Jeff, have been attending. Our entrance into the Mass was quite dramatic. Following the Introductory Rites, the teens in our RCIA group...
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First Sunday of Advent
O come, O come, Emmanuel And ransom captive Israel That mourns in lonely exile here Until the Son of God appear Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel Shall come to thee, O Israel. Today marks the first Sunday of Advent, that time when the colors in the church are a violet purple shade, the Advent wreath adorns the side altar, the Giving Tree is prominently displayed and we begin to prepare for the celebration of the birth of Jesus. Earlier this...