Seasons come and seasons go.
In this ever-changing world we live in, there is one thing that never changes.
As women, we are forever busy.
No matter what time of year it is, busy-ness seems to be our call-sign.
For all the good being busy affords us, if we are not careful, we can simply get caught up in life's seasons and not pay them too much attention.
Every time of year has its special quality; many holidays and months become special to us with each passing year.
Birthdays and vacations mean so much to us; there are always moments to celebrate.
Yet, there is one time of year which, to me, is unmatched by any other.
That time is Advent.
My favorite time of year.
In these four short weeks leading up to Christmas there is a time to reconnect with ourselves as women, and with our families, with our traditions, and with our homes.
Advent is so much a family time, but because of all the frenzy we have created for ourselves, what with shopping, baking, wrapping, decorating, and all the activities surrounding Christmas, oftentimes, Advent passes quietly un-noticed.
Yet, it is in the quiet that we find Advent.
That's the reason it is special to me, because it's essence is in the waiting.
In order to fully immerse ourselves in this essence, this beauty, we do indeed, need to take a good hard look at all our busy-ness and to come to the very center of Advent.
That center is Mary, our Blessed Mother.
We must listen as Mary listened, and we must be open to all the joys that this holy season grants to us, through Mary's example.
After all, if Mary had not listened, and listened well,would we even have Christmas to celebrate? What, then, can we really do to bring Advent into our homes? First, we must listen as Mary did, and, secondly, in so doing, we will be open to the joys of this season.
For it is in recognizing Advent, that we as faithful members of Christ's church renew our desire for his second coming.
Celebrating the traditions of Advent is so very easy to do!Many time-honored practices can be incorporated into our daily lives; so many ways in which to focus our energy upon the One whom we are truly awaiting in the Christmas season.
One of my most prized possessions is an old Advent calendar, which I have had since I was a child.
Although the poem that goes along with it has long since disappeared, and a few of the windows show signs of age, this calendar takes center-stage on my kitchen hutch every year! Engage your children in opening the windows every day as you include a special reading or prayer that they can recite.
Make a Mary candle.
Any white or cream-colored pillar candle will do.
Paint in red, the "Chi-Rho" symbol, a large "P" with a small "x" drawn through its stem onto the candle.
Cover the candle with blue and white handkerchiefs, symbolizing Mary carrying Jesus in her womb.
Uncover your Mary candle and keep it lit during meal times, and explain that by lighting our candle,we are waiting for the birth of Jesus, who is the Light of the World.
Have an empty manger.
Explain to your family that all acts of kindness or sacrifice done in honor of the Baby Jesus as a birthday present, will result in them receiving a piece of straw, which can be placed in the manger.
Then, on Christmas morning, the baby Jesus is placed there, so the manger needs to be as "comfortable" as possible!In so doing, you can explain how Jesus is the most special gift to the whole world at Christmas, and how He truly is the reason for the season.
Spend a whole day Christmas baking.
Decide on some special recipes, maybe a few that have been passed down to you,and gather the children in the kitchen for some of life's sweetest memories! Along with spilt flour and sugar, you will always have a tender interlude of cookies and breads that were made with love! And the best part of this, is that your family will always remember as well! There is a beautiful Mexican tradition, called the "Posadas" which takes place from December 16 to the 24th.
Gathering in the living room in front of the crècheor manger, the father leads his family in reciting a rosary.
Then most of the family takes part in a candlelight procession through the home, with two children carrying the statues of Jesus and Mary.
Some family members remain in the living room to recite the litany of the Blessed Virgin, while those in the procession respond from wherever they are in the home to each verse, "Pray for us.
" The little procession stops at each door in their home, asking to be admitted, as the Holy Family searched for shelter a long, long time ago.
Only the last door will be open to them, the door to the room where the procession began.
Upon returning once again to the living room, the statues are placed in the manger again, and hymns are sung.
What beautiful little traditions to introduce to our homes and to our families!For it is in giving of these little things, that will result in wonderful impressions for our children to pass on in time.
It is in the "little things" that most of life's precious memories are made.
"Besides this you know what hour it is, how it is full time now for you to wake from sleep.
For salvation is nearer to us now than when we first believed;" Rom 13:11.
In Advent, in our "new year", let us all grow closer to Jesus by drawing closer to Mary, by giving to our families; not just in our time and in our endeavors, but through our example and in our love.
Through the example of Mary, and through Mary's love, we have been given the greatest gift of all.
So, who better to listen to, if not our Mother.
In this ever-changing world we live in, there is one thing that never changes.
As women, we are forever busy.
No matter what time of year it is, busy-ness seems to be our call-sign.
For all the good being busy affords us, if we are not careful, we can simply get caught up in life's seasons and not pay them too much attention.
Every time of year has its special quality; many holidays and months become special to us with each passing year.
Birthdays and vacations mean so much to us; there are always moments to celebrate.
Yet, there is one time of year which, to me, is unmatched by any other.
That time is Advent.
My favorite time of year.
In these four short weeks leading up to Christmas there is a time to reconnect with ourselves as women, and with our families, with our traditions, and with our homes.
Advent is so much a family time, but because of all the frenzy we have created for ourselves, what with shopping, baking, wrapping, decorating, and all the activities surrounding Christmas, oftentimes, Advent passes quietly un-noticed.
Yet, it is in the quiet that we find Advent.
That's the reason it is special to me, because it's essence is in the waiting.
In order to fully immerse ourselves in this essence, this beauty, we do indeed, need to take a good hard look at all our busy-ness and to come to the very center of Advent.
That center is Mary, our Blessed Mother.
We must listen as Mary listened, and we must be open to all the joys that this holy season grants to us, through Mary's example.
After all, if Mary had not listened, and listened well,would we even have Christmas to celebrate? What, then, can we really do to bring Advent into our homes? First, we must listen as Mary did, and, secondly, in so doing, we will be open to the joys of this season.
For it is in recognizing Advent, that we as faithful members of Christ's church renew our desire for his second coming.
Celebrating the traditions of Advent is so very easy to do!Many time-honored practices can be incorporated into our daily lives; so many ways in which to focus our energy upon the One whom we are truly awaiting in the Christmas season.
One of my most prized possessions is an old Advent calendar, which I have had since I was a child.
Although the poem that goes along with it has long since disappeared, and a few of the windows show signs of age, this calendar takes center-stage on my kitchen hutch every year! Engage your children in opening the windows every day as you include a special reading or prayer that they can recite.
Make a Mary candle.
Any white or cream-colored pillar candle will do.
Paint in red, the "Chi-Rho" symbol, a large "P" with a small "x" drawn through its stem onto the candle.
Cover the candle with blue and white handkerchiefs, symbolizing Mary carrying Jesus in her womb.
Uncover your Mary candle and keep it lit during meal times, and explain that by lighting our candle,we are waiting for the birth of Jesus, who is the Light of the World.
Have an empty manger.
Explain to your family that all acts of kindness or sacrifice done in honor of the Baby Jesus as a birthday present, will result in them receiving a piece of straw, which can be placed in the manger.
Then, on Christmas morning, the baby Jesus is placed there, so the manger needs to be as "comfortable" as possible!In so doing, you can explain how Jesus is the most special gift to the whole world at Christmas, and how He truly is the reason for the season.
Spend a whole day Christmas baking.
Decide on some special recipes, maybe a few that have been passed down to you,and gather the children in the kitchen for some of life's sweetest memories! Along with spilt flour and sugar, you will always have a tender interlude of cookies and breads that were made with love! And the best part of this, is that your family will always remember as well! There is a beautiful Mexican tradition, called the "Posadas" which takes place from December 16 to the 24th.
Gathering in the living room in front of the crècheor manger, the father leads his family in reciting a rosary.
Then most of the family takes part in a candlelight procession through the home, with two children carrying the statues of Jesus and Mary.
Some family members remain in the living room to recite the litany of the Blessed Virgin, while those in the procession respond from wherever they are in the home to each verse, "Pray for us.
" The little procession stops at each door in their home, asking to be admitted, as the Holy Family searched for shelter a long, long time ago.
Only the last door will be open to them, the door to the room where the procession began.
Upon returning once again to the living room, the statues are placed in the manger again, and hymns are sung.
What beautiful little traditions to introduce to our homes and to our families!For it is in giving of these little things, that will result in wonderful impressions for our children to pass on in time.
It is in the "little things" that most of life's precious memories are made.
"Besides this you know what hour it is, how it is full time now for you to wake from sleep.
For salvation is nearer to us now than when we first believed;" Rom 13:11.
In Advent, in our "new year", let us all grow closer to Jesus by drawing closer to Mary, by giving to our families; not just in our time and in our endeavors, but through our example and in our love.
Through the example of Mary, and through Mary's love, we have been given the greatest gift of all.
So, who better to listen to, if not our Mother.
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