Peace and blessing on this Fourth Day of Christmas! The Christmas dust is settling in our home. We are having a wonderful holiday with family and friends. With the hustle, bustle and wonderment of four kids and many visiting cousins, we feel blessed beyond measure (and perhaps slightly deficient in sleep). I am thankful that our Christmas season has been filled with great joy. I have been reminded several times over the past month, however, that the Christmas season is... Read more
Each year, my children choose a name from a hat and buy a gift for one sibling. We choose the name on the first Sunday of Advent and they plan the gifts, whispering and scheming and wrapping. Opening Secret Santa gifts is their favorite part of Christmas morning, no matter what else is under the tree, bikes or skis or huge marble run sets, somehow the package of markers from your big sister is the best gift you get. I... Read more
She will bear a son and you are to name him Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins. All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had said through the prophet: “Behold, the virgin shall be with child and bear a son, and they shall name him Emmanuel, which means ‘God is with us.'” Matthew 1: 21-23 Read more
It was Christmas Eve Mass a handful of years ago. We were “running late”, which meant we arrived with only 45 minutes to go until the service and the place was a total madhouse. Alas, we were shuttled away from our sanctuary to the illustrious gym space, where the second mass was being held for the overflow. It was a fine Mass and I tried keeping a positive attitude, despite being 6 months pregnant and in discomfort. Thanks to the... Read more
I really enjoyed this song. My husband and kids did too. Very moving. In these last fews days of preparation for Christmas remember to always be aware of the presence of Christ. When you run out of scotch tape at the 11th hour, when you are standing in a yet another long line at the food store, when you burn your last batch of Christmas cookies — be aware of the presence of Christ. Emmanuel means God is with us.... Read more
We ran out of diaper wipes on one of several snow days last week. (What’s with the Antarctic weather in the mid-Atlantic, by the way?) I made my way through the snow to the nearby grocery store for a 3-package bag of wipes, which lasted approximately overnight, then the snow kept falling and I was forced to resort to wet paper towels and baby soap for diaper changes. Sub-par. My Christmas came Monday, when the Wells Fargo wagon was a-comin’ down... Read more
“The Other Stocking” by G.K. Chesterton This is taken from the facebook page of the American Chesterton Society, and was originally published in a paper in London in 1903. What has happened to me has been the very reverse of what appears to be the experience of most of my friends. Instead of dwindling to a point, Santa Claus has grown larger and larger in my life until he fills almost the whole of it. It happened in this way.... Read more
I have been thinking a lot lately about keeping the presence of God this Advent and Christmas. Amidst all the busyness and the short dark days, how can I remember that we are preparing to celebrate the Light of Love which pierced the darkness so many years ago? How can I take consolation in that when I am worried or grieving, especially when others around me seem happier or more fulfilled? St. Josemaria Escriva taught his friends to greet Our... Read more
With Christmas Day just a little over a week away, all of us are asking the question, “What are you wishing for this Christmas?” If you were to ask my children, they would say that they are wishing for a marble run, a 4D puzzle, and a Mulan doll. My husband would probably mention something technology-related, and we would both probably say that we would love to have a date night that doesn’t involve holiday parties and school concerts! All... Read more
I’m very embarrassed to say that my daughter saw our nativity for the first time yesterday. Also, our second purple candle on the Advent wreath had yet to be lit, and our first one is almost gone because I left it burning on accident one night the first week after saying our prayer around the Advent wreath (which, as an aside, we’ve done twice). All of this does not bode well for our first Advent as parents, nor does it... Read more
Building Cathedrals
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