Margaret tagged me.
1. Favorite devotion or prayer to Jesus?
The Jesus prayer ("Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on me, a sinner.")
Also, a novena of Holy Communions.
2. Favorite Marian devotion or prayer?
The Rosary and the Memorare.
3. Do you wear a scapular or medal?
A brown scapular medal. And I wear a crucifix that looks like this. I rarely wear any other necklace.
4. Do you have holy water in your home?
Yes.
5. Do you ‘offer up’ your sufferings?
Yes. I remember, after coming into the Church, the first time I was conscious of wasting some minor suffering. I'd had the stomach flu for two days, and at the end of the second day, it struck me that instead of moaning about how rotten I felt, I could have been offering up every bit of it. I felt so selfish and foolish. It was a turning point.
6. Do you observe First Fridays and First Saturdays?
No, not as consistently as I'd like to. It's on the goal list. First Saturdays are often our family confession days, though.
7. Do you go to Eucharistic Adoration?
Yes. It keeps me sane.
8. Are you a Saturday evening Mass person or Sunday morning Mass person?
Sunday morning.
9. Do you say prayers at mealtime?
Yes.
10. Favorite Saint(s)?
Oh, my goodness. How much time do we have?
St. Mary Magdelene, my confirmation saint. St. Teresa of Avila. St. Therese, for her gifts of roses. St. John of the Cross. St. Francis de Sales. St. Jane de Chantal. St. Bonaventure. St. Francis of Assisi. St. Teresa Benedicta of the Cross. St. Cecilia. St. Catherine of Siena. St. Bernard of Clairvaux. Shall I stop?
No ... one more ... Papa John Paul the Great.
11. Can you recite the Apostles Creed by heart?
Oh, my, I should hope so.
12. Do you usually say short prayers (aspirations) during the course of the day?
Yes ... I try to stay in constant touch ... I need it so much.
13. Bonus Question: When you pass by an automobile accident or other serious mishap, do you say a quick prayer for the folks involved?
Yes. If I forget, Ramona reminds me. This habit has become so familiar to her that she will often include in our nightly prayers, "And for all the people who needed sirens today."
And one more bonus question (Helen’s, I believe): If you could visit any of Our Lady’s apparition sites, which one would you choose?
Lourdes.
And now ... I tag you.
Saturday, December 30, 2006
Betsy's Nativity Story poster
I took Anne and Betsy to see "The Nativity Story" yesterday.
They loved it.
Last night, before bedtime, Betsy tried 19 times to draw a donkey with which she was pleased. On the 20th donkey attempt, she was finally happy with what she saw, and the rest flowed forth.
This is the poster they got to take home from the theater, and is what Betsy used as a model for her drawing. (I'm so delighted by her picture!)Tonight, they performed a play about the events. Anne was a noble Joseph, Betsy a lovely Mary, and Ramona played the part of an angel coming to Joseph in a dream.
"Joseph!" she said. "Get up! You can take Mary back to Nazaro now. And here, eat this waffle!"
It's not just their pictures that delight me. They're delightful people to be with on a daily basis. I am far too blessed.
Friday, December 29, 2006
Charlotte's Web -- my take on the movie
No, scratch that.
You don't need my take, because the wonderful Steven Greydanus has pointed out everything -- yes, everything -- that I thought and felt about the film, from its mild charm to its flaws. Read his review here.
He touches on all my thoughts. Now, I can just point people to this review, and say, "That! What he said!" (Except for watching the cartoon again. I don't care much for the cartoon version, so we'll head straight back to the book.)
You don't need my take, because the wonderful Steven Greydanus has pointed out everything -- yes, everything -- that I thought and felt about the film, from its mild charm to its flaws. Read his review here.
He touches on all my thoughts. Now, I can just point people to this review, and say, "That! What he said!" (Except for watching the cartoon again. I don't care much for the cartoon version, so we'll head straight back to the book.)
Christmas, Christmas everywhere
Hat tip to Alice for directing me to Julie's blog today. The pictures from their Christmas Around the World are incredible!
Ramona practices the essentials of being a mommy
Me: I'll be right back down, sweetie. I'm going to grab another cup of coffee.
Ramona: Mommy, would you bring me a cup of water to be my coffee?
Me: Sure ... Do you want it in a coffee cup?
Ramona: Yes. So, it won't have a lid. Carry it carefully!
Ramona: Mommy, would you bring me a cup of water to be my coffee?
Me: Sure ... Do you want it in a coffee cup?
Ramona: Yes. So, it won't have a lid. Carry it carefully!
Thursday, December 28, 2006
Feast of the Holy Innocents
When [the Magi] had departed, behold, the angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream and said, "Arise, take the young child and His mother, flee to Egypt, and stay there until I tell you; for Herod is going to search for the child to destroy Him."When he arose, he took the young child and His mother by night and departed into Egypt. He stayed there until the death of Herod, that what the Lord had said through the prophet might be fulfilled, "Out of Egypt have I called My Son." When Herod realized that he had been made a fool of by the Magi, he became furious. He ordered the massacre of all the boys in Bethlehem and its vicinity two years and under, in accordance with the time he had ascertained from the Magi.
Then was fulfilled what had been said through Jeremiah the Prophet: "A voice was heard in Ramah, sobbing and loud lamentation; Rachel weeping for her children, and she would not be consoled, for they were no more." ~~ Matt. 2:13-18
Today the Church is honoring the innocent children slaughtered at Herod's hand, the martyrs who died for Christ without even knowing of Him in this life. For a beautiful commentary, see today's reading, at Universalis, from a sermon of St Quodvultdeus.
I also can't help but think of the holy innocents who are killed each day through abortion. St. Quodvultdeus wrote:
" You destroy those who are tiny in body because fear is destroying your heart. You imagine that if you accomplish your desire you can prolong your own life, though you are seeking to kill Life himself "
and in these few, powerful words reached the core of "the issue." The issue, all too often, is fear. Fear drives women to abortion: fear of one's own failure, fear of the responsibility of parenthood, fear of financial problems, fear of the father of the baby (do you know how many abortions are coerced? See links such as this article at The Eliot Institute , although be forewarned that it is difficult reading.)
A woman considering abortion imagines that if she "accomplishes her desire" she can "prolong her own life" -- in other words, she believes, as Herod did, that removing the child from the picture will erase the problem.
But the child, like Jesus, cannot simply be removed. Jesus is Life Himself. The child in the womb, so intimately connected to his mother (even to a mother who does not want to acknowledge the connection) is a connection to Life. Removing the child does violence not only to the innocent baby's body but to the mother's relationship with Life Himself. She becomes a modern-day Herod, driven by a fear that destroys her heart.
A post-abortive woman, if she doesn't reject the act and repent, will sink ever more deeply into a defense of it, to the point of irrationality. But, if she turns back to the Lord, He can and will restore her heart, her life and her connection to Him.
There is hope. There is healing. And all the saints in heaven, including the Holy Innocents, are praying for it.
For more on the aftermath of abortion, see The Eliot Institute, Rachel's Vineyard, Hope After Abortion, The National Office of PostAbortion Reconciliation and Healing, and Operation Outcry and the blog, After Abortion.
Also, for a beautiful shrine dedicated to children who have died unborn, see The Shrine of the Holy Innocents.
(This post is repeated from last year on this feast day.)
Tuesday, December 26, 2006
A Christmas to remember
We had a beautiful Christmas Eve.
The day went so smoothly. We had attended the vigil Mass Saturday evening, for the fourth Sunday of Advent, so we slept in a little (well, everyone but Ramona and me.) We completed last-minute preparations (Atticus always seems to end up wrapping presents on Christmas Eve) and made a couple of desserts.
There was no last-minute racing around in order to be ready for Christmas Eve Mass, at which my daughters would sing with the choir. We were even ready early, in time for me to snap a few pictures at a leisurely pace.
We were at Mass quite early, so that we could have our choice of seats (close to the choir, of course) but for an hour, Ramona happily played with the stickers and looked at books. She was an angel throughout Mass, and Anne and Betsy looked so sweet and lovely to me as they sang my favorite Christmas carols.
We drove home the long way, taking a tour of lights, and had our traditional, delicious appetizers for dinner.
All day long, I'd had a profound sense of peace and calm. I kept expecting something to rattle me (the picture-taking session? Often a culprit ....) but as the evening continued on, nothing did. What was wrong with me? There are usually several great irritations that surround "big days" and yet, this year something was different.
Even being up most of the night with poor, so-excited-she-couldn't-sleep, and then-sick-feeling Betsy (who had a stomach cramp that was so bad we actually considered an ER visit at one point) did not take away my sense that everything was as it should be. (And, I should note, the ER turned out to be unnecessary and by morning she felt normal again and had a great Christmas day, thank goodness.)
In all of this, I realized something.
I realized that I was actually practicing what I preach.
I saw that I was indeed keeping things in their proper perspective and that the only thing that mattered was the coming of the Christ Child, both on this night, and two-thousand years ago. None of the external trappings mattered. And, in reflecting back on the day, I could see that there were minor irritations here and there, but that I didn't really feel them as such. It seemed to me that I'd been objectively dealing with them, the way one might do the dishes or scrub a floor. Things just need to be attended to, and so we do them. But, I hadn't allowed anything to unsettle the peace that had settled deeply in my soul.
And so, I can honestly say that it was not a perfect Christmas. And ... it was perfect in every way.
The day went so smoothly. We had attended the vigil Mass Saturday evening, for the fourth Sunday of Advent, so we slept in a little (well, everyone but Ramona and me.) We completed last-minute preparations (Atticus always seems to end up wrapping presents on Christmas Eve) and made a couple of desserts.
There was no last-minute racing around in order to be ready for Christmas Eve Mass, at which my daughters would sing with the choir. We were even ready early, in time for me to snap a few pictures at a leisurely pace.
We were at Mass quite early, so that we could have our choice of seats (close to the choir, of course) but for an hour, Ramona happily played with the stickers and looked at books. She was an angel throughout Mass, and Anne and Betsy looked so sweet and lovely to me as they sang my favorite Christmas carols.
We drove home the long way, taking a tour of lights, and had our traditional, delicious appetizers for dinner.
All day long, I'd had a profound sense of peace and calm. I kept expecting something to rattle me (the picture-taking session? Often a culprit ....) but as the evening continued on, nothing did. What was wrong with me? There are usually several great irritations that surround "big days" and yet, this year something was different.
Even being up most of the night with poor, so-excited-she-couldn't-sleep, and then-sick-feeling Betsy (who had a stomach cramp that was so bad we actually considered an ER visit at one point) did not take away my sense that everything was as it should be. (And, I should note, the ER turned out to be unnecessary and by morning she felt normal again and had a great Christmas day, thank goodness.)
In all of this, I realized something.
I realized that I was actually practicing what I preach.
I saw that I was indeed keeping things in their proper perspective and that the only thing that mattered was the coming of the Christ Child, both on this night, and two-thousand years ago. None of the external trappings mattered. And, in reflecting back on the day, I could see that there were minor irritations here and there, but that I didn't really feel them as such. It seemed to me that I'd been objectively dealing with them, the way one might do the dishes or scrub a floor. Things just need to be attended to, and so we do them. But, I hadn't allowed anything to unsettle the peace that had settled deeply in my soul.
And so, I can honestly say that it was not a perfect Christmas. And ... it was perfect in every way.
On the feast of Stephen
Monday, December 25, 2006
A blessed, happy and holy Christmas to you all
In those days a decree went out from Caesar Augustus
that the whole world should be enrolled.
This was the first enrollment,
when Quirinius was governor of Syria.
So all went to be enrolled, each to his own town.
And Joseph too went up from Galilee from the town of Nazareth
to Judea, to the city of David that is called Bethlehem,
because he was of the house and family of David,
to be enrolled with Mary, his betrothed, who was with child.
While they were there,
the time came for her to have her child,
and she gave birth to her firstborn son.
She wrapped him in swaddling clothes and laid him in a manger,
because there was no room for them in the inn.
Now there were shepherds in that region living in the fields
and keeping the night watch over their flock.
The angel of the Lord appeared to them
and the glory of the Lord shone around them,
and they were struck with great fear.
The angel said to them,
“Do not be afraid;
for behold, I proclaim to you good news of great joy
that will be for all the people.
For today in the city of David
a savior has been born for you who is Christ and Lord.
And this will be a sign for you:
you will find an infant wrapped in swaddling clothes
and lying in a manger.”
And suddenly there was a multitude of the heavenly host with the angel,
praising God and saying:
“Glory to God in the highest
and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.”
~ ~ The Gospel of Luke, 2:1-14
that the whole world should be enrolled.
This was the first enrollment,
when Quirinius was governor of Syria.
So all went to be enrolled, each to his own town.
And Joseph too went up from Galilee from the town of Nazareth
to Judea, to the city of David that is called Bethlehem,
because he was of the house and family of David,
to be enrolled with Mary, his betrothed, who was with child.
While they were there,
the time came for her to have her child,
and she gave birth to her firstborn son.
She wrapped him in swaddling clothes and laid him in a manger,
because there was no room for them in the inn.
Now there were shepherds in that region living in the fields
and keeping the night watch over their flock.
The angel of the Lord appeared to them
and the glory of the Lord shone around them,
and they were struck with great fear.
The angel said to them,
“Do not be afraid;
for behold, I proclaim to you good news of great joy
that will be for all the people.
For today in the city of David
a savior has been born for you who is Christ and Lord.
And this will be a sign for you:
you will find an infant wrapped in swaddling clothes
and lying in a manger.”
And suddenly there was a multitude of the heavenly host with the angel,
praising God and saying:
“Glory to God in the highest
and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.”
~ ~ The Gospel of Luke, 2:1-14
Saturday, December 23, 2006
Early Christmas presents
Some gifts don't come in packages.
They are, instead:
moments of discovery,
days of delight,
true love expressed as a gift of time,
unexpected phone calls.
A gift from my children: Breakfast with the dolls. (Ramona's doll clearly opting
for the more casual,
trough-style approach to her meal.)
A gift from Atticus:
He took the children out for a couple of hours this morning so that I could do whatever I wanted. Whatever I wanted. After I did what I needed to do with kids' presents, my plans involved coffee, reading, catching up at 4Real, and making a hat for Ramona, with one of these, to which I just may get addicted.
A gift from Margaret:
She called me. Eeek!
I was delighted.
My day of gifts was complete.
for my sister
I love you I love you I love you I love you I love you I love you I love you I love you I love you I love you I love you I love you I love you I love you I love you I love you I love you I love you I love you I love you I love you I love you I love you I love you I love you I love you I love you I love you I love you I love you I love you I love you I love you I love you I love you I love you I love you I love you I love you I love you I love you I love you I love you I love you I love you I love you I love you I love you I love you I love youAnd I'm so blessed to have you.
Merry Christmas, K. and J.!
Next year's Advent files
Tweaking the Jesse Tree
A couple of years ago, I thought I'd accomplished the last tweak on our Jesse Tree and that it had reached "final version" status. I had put together a list of Scripture readings, we'd made salt dough ornaments to match each passage, and I'd finally settled on using an old, 4' artificial tree (which had been sitting in the storage shed for a few years) as the Jesse Tree.
Then I found this book. I had picked it up from the library last year, too late in the season to begin using it, but had promised myself to give it another chance this year. My ten year old loved it. She loves the "story within the story" and the relationship between the old carpenter and the little boy. The only trouble was that the ornaments we already have don't match all the symbols in the book.
No problem! Salt dough is easy to come by ... it is loved by all.
For more Jesse Tree options for your "tweak files", see this thread at 4Real, or this one.
Or, for super-simple, check out this page (forwarded to me from a local homeschool support group) for some downloadable, user-friendly ornaments that are already colored and ready-to-go.
O Antiphon House
Katherine's O Antiphon House became a parade of homes and I can't wait to do this with my kids next year. What a gorgeous way to display and discuss each day's antiphon as Christmas approaches.
A couple of years ago, I thought I'd accomplished the last tweak on our Jesse Tree and that it had reached "final version" status. I had put together a list of Scripture readings, we'd made salt dough ornaments to match each passage, and I'd finally settled on using an old, 4' artificial tree (which had been sitting in the storage shed for a few years) as the Jesse Tree.
Then I found this book. I had picked it up from the library last year, too late in the season to begin using it, but had promised myself to give it another chance this year. My ten year old loved it. She loves the "story within the story" and the relationship between the old carpenter and the little boy. The only trouble was that the ornaments we already have don't match all the symbols in the book.
No problem! Salt dough is easy to come by ... it is loved by all.
For more Jesse Tree options for your "tweak files", see this thread at 4Real, or this one.
Or, for super-simple, check out this page (forwarded to me from a local homeschool support group) for some downloadable, user-friendly ornaments that are already colored and ready-to-go.
O Antiphon House
Katherine's O Antiphon House became a parade of homes and I can't wait to do this with my kids next year. What a gorgeous way to display and discuss each day's antiphon as Christmas approaches.
Ramona on the science of Pooh Bear, and on being nice
Pulling a bit of fluff from the top of her stuffed Pooh Bear's fraying head, she said, "Mommy ... we call this brain tissue."
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
A couple of days ago, Ramona asked for help zipping her jeans.
"Zip it, Mommy!" she said.
Then, on reflection, she added, "I mean the clothes-kind of 'zip it' ... not the [and at this, she pinched her thumb and forefinger together, and pulled them across her lips] mean kind of 'zip-it.' That would be a mean kind of 'zip-it', but I mean the other kind."
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
A couple of days ago, Ramona asked for help zipping her jeans.
"Zip it, Mommy!" she said.
Then, on reflection, she added, "I mean the clothes-kind of 'zip it' ... not the [and at this, she pinched her thumb and forefinger together, and pulled them across her lips] mean kind of 'zip-it.' That would be a mean kind of 'zip-it', but I mean the other kind."
Friday, December 22, 2006
Advent prayers for twin babies
Please storm Heaven for Mary Ellen's twin babies, who are very sick with RSV.
And, prayers for their mommy and daddy, too.
And, prayers for their mommy and daddy, too.
Things overheard
Anne-with-an-e, upon looking into the manger that is supposed to be filled, soft and comfortable for Baby Jesus by Christmas morn:
"Oh, no! There isn't much straw in here for Jesus! We'd better be nice to each other!"
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
I was reading The Best Christmas Pageant Ever to the girls. I read a description of the Herdman children, and, not wanting Ramona to hear anything untoward, I decided to spell s-m-o-k-e, but then said "cigars."
She looked up from her coloring book and said, "Smoke? They smoke?"
Betsy, Anne and I all looked at her, wide-eyed. She smiled crookedly and shrugged. "How do I come up with this stuff?" she said.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
Ramona was awake before five a.m. today. I snuggled in with her, to convince her that she was still tired and that it was far too early for her to be awake.
"But I'm not tired, Mommy," she whined.
"I know, " I conceded, "but I am."
"Okay," she said. "I'll close my eyes. But just to rest them. But you may sleep as long as you like."
Oh, if only ....
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
"Oh, no! There isn't much straw in here for Jesus! We'd better be nice to each other!"
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
I was reading The Best Christmas Pageant Ever to the girls. I read a description of the Herdman children, and, not wanting Ramona to hear anything untoward, I decided to spell s-m-o-k-e, but then said "cigars."
She looked up from her coloring book and said, "Smoke? They smoke?"
Betsy, Anne and I all looked at her, wide-eyed. She smiled crookedly and shrugged. "How do I come up with this stuff?" she said.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
Ramona was awake before five a.m. today. I snuggled in with her, to convince her that she was still tired and that it was far too early for her to be awake.
"But I'm not tired, Mommy," she whined.
"I know, " I conceded, "but I am."
"Okay," she said. "I'll close my eyes. But just to rest them. But you may sleep as long as you like."
Oh, if only ....
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
Wednesday, December 20, 2006
I'm so predictable
I wrote this last December, but it still holds true, and always will.)
**********************************************************
My husband and I have a holiday tradition. Every year, close to Christmas, we get a babysitter, go out for Chinese food, buy all the last-minute
(WARNING: Santa spoiler ahead ....)
stocking stuffers and generally fall in love all over again -- with each other, with our children, and with the magic of Christmas. We talk about our days, about my parents and his, about holiday travel plans, about how we'll keep the youngest child happy and calm during the long Christmas Eve Mass. And we talk about how we can't believe how drastically our Christmases have changed over the years.
You see, when we married, we didn't want children. Children were nice enough for other people, but not for us. We didn't want the mess, the commitment, the responsibility. We were happy to be "child free" as opposed to "childless."
Then something happened. I became a Christian.
Oops. Short-circuit in the selfishness department. I began to long for a child. Soon, Atticus's heart caught up with mine in the procreation department, and we set forth to create a family. After some heartbreaking miscarriages, we had Anne. But only one child, Atticus said. One child is enough.
Then I became a Catholic.
Oops. Short-circuit in the openness to life department. We had Betsy. Several more heartbreaking miscarriages later, God awarded us with Ramona, and here we are. Falling in love again at Christmas time, and crazy, head-over-heels in love with our children.
And all because of of a Child born in Bethlehem two thousand years ago. Had Mary said, "No, thank you, I'd like to remain child-free," I would be childless. There would have been no conversion, no short-circuit, and most certainly, no joy. How does one thank God for that?
I always seem to do it in the same old, tired way.
I cry.
May you, too, shed some tears of ineffable gratitude this Christmas.
**********************************************************
My husband and I have a holiday tradition. Every year, close to Christmas, we get a babysitter, go out for Chinese food, buy all the last-minute
(WARNING: Santa spoiler ahead ....)
stocking stuffers and generally fall in love all over again -- with each other, with our children, and with the magic of Christmas. We talk about our days, about my parents and his, about holiday travel plans, about how we'll keep the youngest child happy and calm during the long Christmas Eve Mass. And we talk about how we can't believe how drastically our Christmases have changed over the years.
You see, when we married, we didn't want children. Children were nice enough for other people, but not for us. We didn't want the mess, the commitment, the responsibility. We were happy to be "child free" as opposed to "childless."
Then something happened. I became a Christian.
Oops. Short-circuit in the selfishness department. I began to long for a child. Soon, Atticus's heart caught up with mine in the procreation department, and we set forth to create a family. After some heartbreaking miscarriages, we had Anne. But only one child, Atticus said. One child is enough.
Then I became a Catholic.
Oops. Short-circuit in the openness to life department. We had Betsy. Several more heartbreaking miscarriages later, God awarded us with Ramona, and here we are. Falling in love again at Christmas time, and crazy, head-over-heels in love with our children.
And all because of of a Child born in Bethlehem two thousand years ago. Had Mary said, "No, thank you, I'd like to remain child-free," I would be childless. There would have been no conversion, no short-circuit, and most certainly, no joy. How does one thank God for that?
I always seem to do it in the same old, tired way.
I cry.
May you, too, shed some tears of ineffable gratitude this Christmas.
Arise, hasten, open
A sermon of St Bernard
(from today's Liturgy of the Hours)
The whole world awaits Mary's reply
You have heard, O Virgin, that you will conceive and bear a son; you have heard that it will not be by man but by the Holy Spirit. The angel awaits an answer; it is time for him to return to God who sent him. We too are waiting, O Lady, for your word of compassion; the sentence of condemnation weighs heavily upon us.
The price of our salvation is offered to you. We shall be set free at once if you consent. In the eternal Word of God we all came to be, and behold, we die. In your brief response we are to be remade in order to be recalled to life.
Tearful Adam with his sorrowing family begs this of you, O loving Virgin, in their exile from Paradise. Abraham begs it, David begs it. All the other holy patriarchs, your ancestors, ask it of you, as they dwell in the country of the shadow of death. This is what the whole earth waits for, prostrate at your feet. It is right in doing so, for on your word depends comfort for the wretched, ransom for the captive, freedom for the condemned, indeed, salvation for all the sons of Adam, the whole of your race.
Answer quickly, O Virgin. Reply in haste to the angel, or rather through the angel to the Lord. Answer with a word, receive the Word of God. Speak your own word, conceive the divine Word. Breathe a passing word, embrace the eternal Word.
Why do you delay, why are you afraid? Believe, give praise, and receive. Let humility be bold, let modesty be confident. This is no time for virginal simplicity to forget prudence. In this matter alone, O prudent Virgin, do not fear to be presumptuous. Though modest silence is pleasing, dutiful speech is now more necessary. Open your heart to faith, O blessed Virgin, your lips to praise, your womb to the Creator. See, the desired of all nations is at your door, knocking to enter. If he should pass by because of your delay, in sorrow you would begin to seek him afresh, the One whom your soul loves.
Arise, hasten, open. Arise in faith, hasten in devotion, open in praise and thanksgiving. Behold the handmaid of the Lord, she says, be it done to me according to your word.
(Painting: "The Annunciation" by Henry Ossawa Tanner, 1859-1937.)
(from today's Liturgy of the Hours)
The whole world awaits Mary's reply
You have heard, O Virgin, that you will conceive and bear a son; you have heard that it will not be by man but by the Holy Spirit. The angel awaits an answer; it is time for him to return to God who sent him. We too are waiting, O Lady, for your word of compassion; the sentence of condemnation weighs heavily upon us.
The price of our salvation is offered to you. We shall be set free at once if you consent. In the eternal Word of God we all came to be, and behold, we die. In your brief response we are to be remade in order to be recalled to life.
Tearful Adam with his sorrowing family begs this of you, O loving Virgin, in their exile from Paradise. Abraham begs it, David begs it. All the other holy patriarchs, your ancestors, ask it of you, as they dwell in the country of the shadow of death. This is what the whole earth waits for, prostrate at your feet. It is right in doing so, for on your word depends comfort for the wretched, ransom for the captive, freedom for the condemned, indeed, salvation for all the sons of Adam, the whole of your race.
Answer quickly, O Virgin. Reply in haste to the angel, or rather through the angel to the Lord. Answer with a word, receive the Word of God. Speak your own word, conceive the divine Word. Breathe a passing word, embrace the eternal Word.
Why do you delay, why are you afraid? Believe, give praise, and receive. Let humility be bold, let modesty be confident. This is no time for virginal simplicity to forget prudence. In this matter alone, O prudent Virgin, do not fear to be presumptuous. Though modest silence is pleasing, dutiful speech is now more necessary. Open your heart to faith, O blessed Virgin, your lips to praise, your womb to the Creator. See, the desired of all nations is at your door, knocking to enter. If he should pass by because of your delay, in sorrow you would begin to seek him afresh, the One whom your soul loves.
Arise, hasten, open. Arise in faith, hasten in devotion, open in praise and thanksgiving. Behold the handmaid of the Lord, she says, be it done to me according to your word.
(Painting: "The Annunciation" by Henry Ossawa Tanner, 1859-1937.)
Tuesday, December 19, 2006
Linkage
Thanks, Michele. I love these little factoids, too. (And when you visit Michele, don't forget to ooh and aaah over that gorgeous new baby!)
Lissa: Fairy furniture? Oh, thank you! Thank you so much! My girls will love this!
Danielle Bean ... read her post on ... okay, everything. I just love her.
The photos at My Bountiful Life are always exquisite. If you don't have time to read, just go look.
Dawn? Ditto.
Sweetness and Light is helping me out with a few last-minute, terrific and easy ideas.
Enjoy!
Lissa: Fairy furniture? Oh, thank you! Thank you so much! My girls will love this!
Danielle Bean ... read her post on ... okay, everything. I just love her.
The photos at My Bountiful Life are always exquisite. If you don't have time to read, just go look.
Dawn? Ditto.
Sweetness and Light is helping me out with a few last-minute, terrific and easy ideas.
Enjoy!
Monday, December 18, 2006
Christmas Christians
(In an attempt to continue blogging this week, but to simultaneously cut down on blogging time, I plan to do a few "reruns." This was posted last December, in the week just before Christmas.)They're planning their descent into the churches.
At Christmas time a lot of unfamiliar faces show up at Mass. They jostle for seats and are a little louder than the regular Mass-goers. They've forgotten when to stand and when to kneel. Most of us know we'll have to arrive early for Christmas Mass if we want to get "a good seat."
There can be a temptation to get annoyed with these people. They show up only at Christmas and perhaps at Easter ... They may not contribute to the parish, either financially or in the form of "time and talent" ... They fill up the parking lot, mash their coats and body heat against us in the overcrowded pews, and can be irritating enough that they leave us with the vague, uncomfortable feeling that we need to get to confession even though we were just there.
That's the temptation. But we don't have to give in to it. Now that I'm in the fold of the Catholic Church -- no longer a stranger and sojourner but a citizen among the saints and not-so-saintly -- I give tearful thanks for the gift of my faith, and I pray that at least one of those Christmas Christians will be touched by God this year, touched so deeply that he or she will be moved to venture back to Mass again in January. Maybe once more in the spring. Maybe on a weekly basis by June. Into the confessional by next September? Then, finally, back into full communion with our one, holy, Catholic and apostolic Church.
Which one will it be? Is it that sweet woman behind me, the one with whom I'll exchange a sign of peace? The bored teenager sitting in front of us? Will it be the man who scowls as we slide into the pew, forcing him to move down and relinquish his spot on the aisle?
Since I don't know which one it will be, I pray that I will not be a stumbling block to whomever it is. I pray that I will not be the reason he goes home griping about churchy hypocrites who say they're Christians but don't act like it.
I pray that someone, somewhere, this Christmas season, will be touched by the Christ Child.
And I pray that I will not get in his way.
(This post also appears at Catholic Exchange, on their new blogging page.)
Sunday, December 17, 2006
Having trouble commenting?
Please leave me a comment if you are having trouble with Blogger allowing your comments.
Just kidding.
But, seriously, if you've tried to leave a comment, and have been unable to, could you let me know? I'm wondering how big the problem is. You can email me at catholicmomkaren at hotmail dot com
Thank you!
Just kidding.
But, seriously, if you've tried to leave a comment, and have been unable to, could you let me know? I'm wondering how big the problem is. You can email me at catholicmomkaren at hotmail dot com
Thank you!
Saturday, December 16, 2006
On this day last year
(And yes, you may say to yourself, "She's cheating! That's not a new post!")
We had just discovered this book:
and, I posted about this one, too:
Time for another trip to the library ....
We had just discovered this book:
I stumbled on this book at our library this year. I believe it's on Elizabeth Foss's Real Learning booklist, but I'd never seen it at our library before. What a treat it is. It brought Scripture to life for the kids by personalizing it. The story revolves ostensibly around little Dorothy (but of course is ultimately about the Christ Child and the gifts we can bring Him.) Dorothy is the youngest sister of three "giant shepherd brothers" who are tending their sheep through the night because so many strangers are passing through the area during the census.
"Hey!" my daughter cried out. "Shepherds watching their flocks by night!"
Yup, you got it, Anne. This is what I love about teaching through literature. The kids make connections, and retain connections, because those connections have come to mean something to them.
The book also has interesting factoids about the flower known as the Christmas rose, and its medicinal powers. A great read in many ways.
and, I posted about this one, too:
Thanks to Melissa Wiley for pointing me in the direction of Lauren Mills's touching and beautifully illustrated book, The Rag Coat. I read it to the kids yesterday, cried throughout, and was thankful for this and every other book recommendation I've ever found on the internet.
Time for another trip to the library ....
Friday, December 15, 2006
Weekend linkage
Sending you off to visit others ....
Advent Links:
The Bookworm is hosting a Loveliness of Preparation fair. Lots of great links!
Jenn's Christmas tree platform is not to be missed.
Cay mentioned in the comments that she had these ideas way-back-when, at House of Literature, to accompany a reading of The Twenty-four Days Before Christmas. (She asks us to please excuse the pop-up ads.)
Science:
See Jennifer's incredible post about jellies.
Literature:
Lissa notes that changes are coming for the original Little House books. I don't like it. No, no, no.
Just fun:
Go wish Maureen a happy blogging anniversary.
Take a quiz:
Go look at this, which -- thanks to Jennifer -- had the kids and I laughing. A lot.
Advent Links:
The Bookworm is hosting a Loveliness of Preparation fair. Lots of great links!
Jenn's Christmas tree platform is not to be missed.
Cay mentioned in the comments that she had these ideas way-back-when, at House of Literature, to accompany a reading of The Twenty-four Days Before Christmas. (She asks us to please excuse the pop-up ads.)
Science:
See Jennifer's incredible post about jellies.
Literature:
Lissa notes that changes are coming for the original Little House books. I don't like it. No, no, no.
Just fun:
Go wish Maureen a happy blogging anniversary.
Take a quiz:
| Your Christmas is Most Like: A Charlie Brown Christmas |
 Each year, you really get into the spirit of Christmas. Which is much more important to you than nifty presents. |
Corporal and Spiritual Works of Mercy
Jennifer, who lives a fairy tale boat life, had the wonderful idea of turning the Corporal and Spiritual Works of Mercy into a living project. She combined a study of several saints with learning about the various works.
Tying each work of mercy to a particular saint is sure to make knowledge of the works stick in the kids' minds. We've already begun this project (though we decided to do it in book form instead of as a tower) and my girls are enjoying it immensely.
See this thread on the 4Real forum for details. Jennifer, thank you for doing all the research and legwork for us ... All we have to do is click, learn, and create!
Tying each work of mercy to a particular saint is sure to make knowledge of the works stick in the kids' minds. We've already begun this project (though we decided to do it in book form instead of as a tower) and my girls are enjoying it immensely.
See this thread on the 4Real forum for details. Jennifer, thank you for doing all the research and legwork for us ... All we have to do is click, learn, and create!
Another kind of magic?
The movie.It opens today.
(It's brought to us by Walden Media,
the same people who gave us
last year's Narnia movie.)
We wanna see it.
(And we're really, really hoping for the best.)
Thursday, December 14, 2006
The Twenty-four Days Before Christmas
I believe this book is out of print, and used copies are getting harder to find. I lucked into a reasonably priced one, and I'm glad we did. We enjoyed this sweet little story by Madeleine L'Engle.
The Twenty-four Days Before Christmas: An Austin Family Story, invites us into the Austin family, and specifically into the mind of seven-year-old Vicky. It's Advent, and the family is following their beloved tradition of doing something special and meaningful every day of December to prepare for the birth of the Christ Child.
But this year is different. The family is also preparing for two other big events: Vicky is rehearsing to be the youngest-ever angel in the Christmas pageant, and Mother is preparing to have another baby, their fourth child.
Will the baby come too soon? Will Mother be at home for Christmas, or will she be in the hospital? Will she be able to see Vicky play the angel?
This is a lovely little book about answered prayers and the importance of family. Vicky's faith shines through the last words of the book, as she sees that God's way of answering our deepest desires is often unexpected, but always deserving of our awe and our thanks.
Wednesday, December 13, 2006
Tuesday, December 12, 2006
I want to eat at her house tonight
Mb likes tacos and margaritas to celebrate the feasts of St. Juan Diego and Our Lady of Guadalupe. If I lived within 50 miles, Mb, I'd be knocking on your door.
Bloggin' around, I see that Minnesota Mom has some excellent feast day resources posted, and so does Love2Learn Mom. Alice, of course, had an amazing tea and Mary Ellen is a wealth of information as well.
I love to pray for all expectant mothers on this feast day, as Our Lady of Guadalupe is patroness of the unborn.
(Pssst ... speaking of expectant moms, go visit Minnesota Mom right now.)
Bloggin' around, I see that Minnesota Mom has some excellent feast day resources posted, and so does Love2Learn Mom. Alice, of course, had an amazing tea and Mary Ellen is a wealth of information as well.
I love to pray for all expectant mothers on this feast day, as Our Lady of Guadalupe is patroness of the unborn.
(Pssst ... speaking of expectant moms, go visit Minnesota Mom right now.)
Well, she thought she was fabulous
Yesterday, a Christmas box arrived from the girls' godparents and I knew that Aunt Holly wouldn't mind if they opened it early. It was full of very girl-type stuff, such as pink satin purses, shimmery belts and iridescent hair baubles. The girls squealed with delight over their haul, and happily donned some of their new things.
Later in the day, I overheard an exchange between Betsy and Ramona. Betsy apparently was trying on Ramona's new pink sash.
"No, Betsy!" Ramona roared. "You can NOT wear it! You are NOT fabulous!"
Later in the day, I overheard an exchange between Betsy and Ramona. Betsy apparently was trying on Ramona's new pink sash.
"No, Betsy!" Ramona roared. "You can NOT wear it! You are NOT fabulous!"
Monday, December 11, 2006
We made St. Lucia wreaths!
Wreaths for dolls and wreaths for girls! And a couple of extras for gifts.
Thanks to Christine, at Memories of a Catholic Wife and Mother for the motivation. No construction paper crowns this year!
Sunday, December 10, 2006
What Advent at our house really looks like
Sometimes, Advent and seasons like it bring out the perfectionist in us. We want to do it all, do it right, do it for the memory books.
It doesn't always work that way, as my post from this time last year (on the Immaculate Conception) shows:
We went to the vigil Mass last night, and as Mass experiences go, it wasn't one for the memory book.
Our day was packed with activity, but I had allowed enough time for us to sanely prepare for Mass. After all, as I told the children, "Mass is the most important thing we'll do today, so we work everything around that, not the other way around."
And yet, I somehow managed to end up with the family running late. And, because 5:30 is the bewitched hour for three-year-olds, of course Ramona Quimby cried as we left the house and she fell asleep on the way. Sigh. That meant she wouldn't be able to sleep later until about 9:30 or 10 p.m. We walked into the Church just after Mass had begun (something we never do, something I really dislike doing, and something that means we'll end up sitting in the back, which I also dislike.) We slipped into an available space in the back and I do have to at least credit Anne and Betsy with not complaining about the seating (they dislike the back rows, too.)
Ramona slept through most of Mass (meaning her bedtime was getting pushed back to 10:30 or 11....) It was crowded, and I couldn't hear the homily. Betsy kept coughing, and Anne was sniffling and Ramona would wake up only enough to protest that my tired arms were trying to transfer her to Daddy's strong ones.
But you know what? He was still there. I still received Christ -- Body, Blood, Soul and Divinity. No matter how hectic the preparation, no matter how distracted I was, no matter how far back we sat -- He was still there for me. Oh, to be so faithful.
Oh, and one more thing. On the way to Mass, as we prayed the decade of the Rosary that we always pray on the way, I had asked the Blessed Mother's intercession for Ramona (who was still crying at that point) at Mass. Could we get through this with relative peace? I asked. Well, I see now I should be more specific, but I was still grateful for the answer to prayer. Yeah, yeah, she didn't go to bed until almost 11, but she did get through Mass very well. Next time I'll try to itemize my requests.
This year, Mass on that special feast was easier and better, although this time it was Anne who was a little sick (and I didn't get to the Mary candle plans I'd hoped for -- instead, a couple of holy cards were tucked in next to the Christ candle ....) But the same truth held: Jesus was there with us -- Body, Blood, Soul and Divinity -- and I came away from Mass so grateful for His Presence and work in our lives.
Other glimpses into how Advent is unfolding here:
We were five days late in getting started with our Jesse Tree. So, we sat down next to the tree with our Bible and ornaments, talked about all the Bible stories, and got caught up in a very short time. Being late didn't seem to matter much as I listened to Anne and Betsy explain things to Ramona.
We were behind on our Tabitha's Travels readings, too. So, I snuggled with the girls on the couch one morning and we caught up.
Today, after Mass, I was so exhausted that I thought I was sick. I lay like a slug on the couch and could barely move, drifting in and out of consciousness. My kids were worried. I took a
We have another busy week coming up. There's always plenty to do, prepare, make, read ... plenty to tire me or make me crabby (like the splinter that shot under my fingernail but, hey, that's a separate post), or convince me that Advent isn't looking quite as "perfect" as it should.
But, all of the imperfections are really Jesus' way of reminding me that it's never perfect down here. There will be sickness, exhaustion, cranky moms and cranky babes, tardiness with daily readings and forgotten craft projects. But, none of that really matters.
What matters is that He's still there -- Body, Blood, Soul and Divinity -- every time I walk into church.
And His perfection more than makes up for all that is lacking in mine.
(This post also appears at Catholic Exchange, on their new blogging page.)
Ramona observes the safety rules
Ramona does her four-year-old best to grasp, internalize and practice all of the usual safety rules. The actual consequences of each indiscretion, however, are a little harder to grasp.This morning, she ran to me with a pair of scissors and said, "Are these ones safe for me to use?"
Seeing that they were the blunt-edged pair, I said, "Yes, those are your scissors, but don't run with them. That isn't safe. Please walk, and carry them with the cutting part down."
She turned around and walked away, very slowly and deliberately, watching her grip on the dangerous but coveted cargo, the caution in her step so obvious that I wanted to pick her up and squeeze the cuteness of it.
As she entered the dining room where her sisters were busy creating a paper chain explosion, I heard her say, "I was accidentally running with scissors. But don't worry. I didn't crack my head open."
Saturday, December 09, 2006
The Donkey's Dream
Or, "how literature teaches us beautiful things."Yesterday, I told Ramona, "We get to go to Mass, to celebrate Mary's Immaculate Conception!"
She replied, "Oh, yes! Mary -- the ship! The rose!"
And I realized that she was recalling the images of Mary from Barbara Helen Berger's lovely book, The Donkey's Dream, which introduces children to traditional imagery for the Blessed Virgin.
For more about the imagery (a city, a ship, a fountain, a rose, a lady full of heaven) in this exquisitely illustrated book, see this link at the author's website.
For more indepth information, see this excellent article from Ignatius Insight.
Friday, December 08, 2006
Preparing for St. Lucia day
For St. Lucia day (December 13), our girls all dress in something white (bathrobes, dress-up, anything will do), and serve Atticus and me some sort of breakfast in bed. The "some sort" has varied over the years. On a good year, it's the scrumptious bread you'll find below. On an "off" year, it's glazed donuts from the store. But, as I stressed in my "Advent at our house" post, don't stress over the "good years" and "off years." Your kids don't. What they remember is the dressing up, the St. Lucia crowns (often simply made, from construction paper), the procession to your room, the breakfast. (And, sometimes, we even put off the breakfast celebration until a weekend, so that the kids don't have to be up at 6 a.m., serving Atticus before he leaves for work.) In short, they remember the memories you're making.
I got this recipe is from my dear friend, Holly. It's one of the most delicious, sweet breads I've ever tasted. She found it here, at Family Fun.
Here's the recipe:
Braided St. Lucia Bread
Dough:
1 1/2 cups milk
2 (1/4 oz.) pkgs. active dry yeast
1/4 cup sugar, plus 1 T. sugar
6 T. butter, cut in pieces
2 large eggs
1/4 cup orange juice
1 T. finely grated orange rind
1 t. salt
5 1/2 - 6 1/2 cups flour
Glaze and garnish:
2 1/2 cups confectioner's sugar
2-4 T. orange juice
1/3 cup dried cranberries
Warm the milk in a small saucepan, then pour 1/2 cup of it into a large bowl. Add the yeast and 1 T. of the sugar and let it sit for 5 min.
Melt the butter in the remaining milk. Add butter/milk mixture to the yeast mixture. Whisk in the eggs, juice, 1/4 cup sugar, orange rind, and salt. Stir in the flour, 1 cup at a time, until the dough can be gathered into a ball. Knead the dough on a floured surface for 10 min., adding more flour until the dough is smooth and elastic and doesn't stick to your hands. Transfer the dough to an oiled bowl, turning it once to coat it. Loosely cover the bowl with plastic wrap and let it rise until doubled in size, about 1 1/2 hours. Punch down the dough and divide it into 3 equal parts. Roll each part into a 30-inch rope and braid the ropes together. Transfer the braid to a greased baking sheet, pinch together the ends to form a circle and let it rise until doubled in size, about 45 min. Bake at 375 degrees for 25 min., or until golden brown, then let cool on a wire rack about 30 min.
For the glaze, stir together the confectioner's sugar and orange juice until smooth. Drizzle over the bread, then garnish with cranberries. Add candles for "wreath."
We'll also read Lissa's Hanna's Christmas (pictured above.) I have to request this via interlibrary loan (and it's in today -- yippee!), which I do every year. After reading Lissa's account of how hard it is to find, I think I'll send a note back with it this time, begging them to please sell it to me if they ever decide to put it in the library sale pile. Not that I want them to sell it -- it really should remain in the library, so as many people as possible can enjoy it. But, hey, you know, if they choose to sell it, I want to make it clear that I have first dibs.
For more and much better ideas than mine (these women actually craft, while I just fake it and make excuses), see Katherine's posts here and here.
And, see Christine's wonderful St. Lucia wreaths here.
Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception
from today's Gospel reading:
In the sixth month, the angel Gabriel was sent from God to a town of Galilee called Nazareth, to a virgin betrothed to a man named Joseph, of the house of David, and the virgin's name was Mary.
And coming to her, he said, "Hail, favored one! The Lord is with you."
But she was greatly troubled at what was said and pondered what sort of greeting this might be.Then the angel said to her, "Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God.Behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you shall name him Jesus. He will be great and will be called Son of the Most High, 11 and the Lord God will give him the throne of David his father, and he will rule over the house of Jacob forever, and of his kingdom there will be no end."
But Mary said to the angel, "How can this be, since I have no relations with a man?"
And the angel said to her in reply, "The holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. Therefore the child to be born will be called holy, the Son of God. And behold, Elizabeth, your relative, has also conceived a son in her old age, and this is the sixth month for her who was called barren;
for nothing will be impossible for God."
Mary said, "Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord. May it be done to me according to your word." Then the angel departed from her.
from St. Ambrose, on Mary:
Behold now the humility, the devotion of the virgin. For it follows, But Mary said, Behold the handmaid of the Lord. She calls herself His handmaid, who is chosen to be His mother, so far was she from being exalted by the sudden promise.
At the same time also by calling herself handmaid, she claimed to herself in no other way the prerogative of such great grace than that she might do what was commanded her. For about to bring forth One meek and lowly, she was bound herself to show forth lowliness. As it follows, Be it to me according to your word. You have her submission, you see her wish. Behold the handmaid of the Lord, signifies the readiness of duty. Be it to me according to your word, the conception of the wish.
(Painting: The Immaculate Conception, c. 1618, by Diego Velazquez, National Gallery, London)
Thursday, December 07, 2006
St. Ambrose, to bishops
"Drink, then, from Christ, so that your voice may also be heard. Store up in your mind the water that is Christ, the water that praises the Lord. Store up water from many sources, the water that rains down from the clouds of prophecy.
"Whoever gathers water from the mountains and leads it to himself or draws it from springs, is himself a source of dew like the clouds. Fill your soul, then, with this water, so that your land may not be dry, but watered by your own springs. "
Book Review: The Little Riders
This book was an unexpected and delightful little surprise.
Erin, on the 4Real Learning boards, recommended The Little Riders, by Margaretha Shemin. It tells the story of eleven-year-old Johanna, who is visiting her grandparents in Holland when the German occupation occurs. Before he left, Johanna's father exhorted her to "take care of the Little Riders," the beautiful figures that ride out of the clock in the town square every hour. The Little Riders have ridden over the town for hundreds of years, and become as dear to Johanna as they were to her father and her grandfather. She watches them from her attic room window every day, and is entranced by their majesty and loveliness.
Soon, the German army requisitions that attic room in Johanna's grandparents' home, and Captain Braun, a German officer, moves in. My girls picked up on a few clues that Capt. Braun was perhaps a reluctant soldier and a kind man, such as the way he was considerately quiet when he arrived home late at night. And, there was the fact that he seemed to be especially noisy when he was approaching a room during the day (giving Grandfather time to hide his radio.)
Grandfather thinks that the Germans plan to dismantle and take the Little Riders (and melt them down to make ammunition), so he hatches a plot to protect them. Johanna is part of the plan, but her role in saving the Little Riders becomes vital when Grandfather and Grandmother are taken away for questioning at a crucial moment.
What happens next, between Johanna and Capt. Braun, in this deceptively small and simple book, is touching and nicely done.
The Edmisten girls give The Little Riders a big thumbs-up.
Wednesday, December 06, 2006
Tuesday, December 05, 2006
Hey, who's the parent here?
This morning, I was doing dishes and listening to Casting Crowns. I may have had the volume up a tad high. Maybe. I don't really think so.
It seemed just right to me, at any rate.
Anne-with-an-e came in the kitchen and said, "Ummm, don't you think that's just a little bit loud? Could you please turn down your music?"
A tad high.
Maybe.
It seemed just right to me, at any rate.
Anne-with-an-e came in the kitchen and said, "Ummm, don't you think that's just a little bit loud? Could you please turn down your music?"
A tad high.
Maybe.
Advent reminders, twists, and reflections
Genevieve, at The Good Within, mentioned in the comments of my Advent post that she's turning her Thanksgiving Tree into an Advent tree, with the thanks going up in the form of wrapped gifts for Jesus.
You can see her idea here. Be sure to click on the picture of the tree to see the wrapped presents.
Thanks, Genevieve, for an easy, very do-able, and wonderful idea!
Alice mentions another timesaving, but meaningful idea here -- the Thanksgiving Tree can be turned into a Jesse Tree.
Jennifer discusses going back to basics, in "A is for Advent," and focusing on her personal spirituality in this beautiful season of renewal. Jennifer also points to the following women for similar reflections.
Elizabeth reminds us that the Advent season is about the most vital preparation, one that goes beyond cookies and decorations.
Willa, as always, goes right to my heart. She knows what it means to have a "less than perfect Advent" and yet she also knows that what makes it perfect has nothing to do with the trappings.
And Leonie is thinking about the same things. We may be busy, yes, but we can still strive for interior peace.
If "Advent" means "arrival", we do well to keep in mind Who it is that's on the way.
You can see her idea here. Be sure to click on the picture of the tree to see the wrapped presents.
Thanks, Genevieve, for an easy, very do-able, and wonderful idea!
Alice mentions another timesaving, but meaningful idea here -- the Thanksgiving Tree can be turned into a Jesse Tree.
Jennifer discusses going back to basics, in "A is for Advent," and focusing on her personal spirituality in this beautiful season of renewal. Jennifer also points to the following women for similar reflections.
Elizabeth reminds us that the Advent season is about the most vital preparation, one that goes beyond cookies and decorations.
Willa, as always, goes right to my heart. She knows what it means to have a "less than perfect Advent" and yet she also knows that what makes it perfect has nothing to do with the trappings.
And Leonie is thinking about the same things. We may be busy, yes, but we can still strive for interior peace.
If "Advent" means "arrival", we do well to keep in mind Who it is that's on the way.
Monday, December 04, 2006
Book Review: Escape from Warsaw
I had to track this book down via interlibrary loan, but it was well worth it. The girls loved Escape from Warsaw, by Ian Serraillier, so much that they've asked for their own copies for Christmas.
Escape from Warsaw tells the story of the fictional Balicki children (though the book is based on true events.) As the book opens, their father has been imprisoned by the Nazis. We learn the background of his imprisonment and then read of his escape. Then, we flash back to the night on which the children's mother was arrested by Nazi Storm Troopers. So far, so grim.
But, my girls were hanging in there. Joseph Balicki's escape from prison was daring and compelling. The anticipation that he might get home in time to find his wife and children had intrigued them. But, then came Mother's arrest, and the children's own daring escape from their home before their presence was discovered.
"I'm hooked," said Betsy. "This is good!"
And we remained hooked all the way through. We may have plowed through this one faster than any of the other WWII books we've read thus far.
The children, Ruth, Edek and Bronia, are bright, resourceful, and brave. They discover they must make their way to Switzerland to find their father. In the process they meet Jan, an orphaned boy who becomes a brother, or something like it, to them. As the narrator describes him, he was "a charming bundle of good intentions and atrocious deeds." The children also become separated and endure many hardships and setbacks. But, they remain determined to reunite and to find their father.
Escape from Warsaw was, according to the girls:
Anne-with-an-e: "Awesome!"
Betsy: "Great! Amazing!"
Ramona: "It was good describing."
It's due back at the library this week, so we're fervently hoping that St. Nick will see fit to bring us our very own copy soon.
Sunday, December 03, 2006
Friday, December 01, 2006
Advent at our house
It's the advent of Advent.
It's almost here.
And, we've been getting ready (prepare yourself for a purple blog when Sunday arrives.)
The Family Scrapbook
Our Jesse Tree is on the hearth, awaiting ornaments. This is probably one of the most "educational" Advent activities that we do. I have a small sign up next to the tree (just in case my children forget what I'm educating them about ....) that says, "The Jesse Tree ... Finding Jesus in the Old Testament" and that's exactly what a Jesse Tree does. It introduces our children to the truth that Christianity is not a new idea, not a new religion dreamed up and perpetuated by a motley crew of fishermen and tax collectors. It is the fulfillment of God's story -- our story -- from the beginning of time.
Reading the Scriptures that lay the foundation for and point us to Jesus brings all those seemingly disconnected Bible stories together into a meaningful fabric, a tapestry of history that makes sense to even the youngest of children. We can compare it to a family's scrapbook, a metaphor which children can easily understand. The symbols we hang on our tree are "snapshots" of the history of Jesus, which is our history, too.
The kids made our Jesse Tree ornaments a few years ago, out of salt dough. My salt dough tends to break, so we have the fun of replacing ornaments every now and then. Now that Ramona is a little older, I can keep the ornaments right under the tree, within easy reach for the daily readings and ceremonial hanging (does it count as a ceremonial hanging if three children first fight over who gets to do it? I recommend scheduling the ceremonial hangings in a basic No fighting - your turn will come tomorrow rotation.)
I just started using our small, artificial tree as the Jesse tree a couple of years ago. Before that, I dithered about trying to find the best way to approach this activity. One year we did poster board; another year I searched in vain for the right tree branch to place in a pot, a la a friend's example, and I ended up abandoning the entire activity that year. Another year our tree was somewhat hastily put together on construction paper. I was pregnant with Ramona, at a very tired age 41, and was quite pleased with myself for simply breaking out the glitter. It looked like this:
I was inspired to use our artificial tree by my friend, J., who always has great craft and liturgical ideas. She started using their regular Christmas tree as the Jesse Tree, hanging ornaments on it throughout Advent, then taking those down and decorating with Christmas ornaments on Christmas Eve. I adapted the idea, and pulled out the old 4' tree that I'd been considering giving to Goodwill. Our Jesse Tree tradition was finally "settled."
It doesn't really matter what kind of tree or ornaments you use. Your ornaments can might be hastily assembled, glitter-glopped and slapped on poster board, or they may be carefully fashioned in the weeks before (or during) Advent. You should do what works for you, your family, and your possibly-tired-or-pregnant-or-incapacitated body. What matters is simply focusing on Jesus as the celebration of His birth approaches.
Daily Prayers
The girls and I pray before breakfast every morning, and we vary our prayers with each liturgical season. Mounting a list of prayers on construction paper is a simple way to teach the girls about liturgical colors. They know that if the prayers are on a green background, we're in ordinary time. Tomorrow, we'll start on "the purple prayers" for Advent.
We do a lot of reading during Advent. Our favorite books (which will require a separate post) of the season are piled under the Jesse Tree, from the sublime to the silly. We also read from our Muppet and Christmas Carol Advent calendars every night. These calendars have a little booklet for each day of December and take just a minute or two to read.
More and more and more Advent Calendars
Hmmmm ... maybe our Advent calendars are getting out of hand?
Naah ... We also do this one, which, like the Muppet calendar, was a gift from my mother years ago. We love this calendar. I have no idea where she got it, but every child loves to do this kind of simple activity. We hang one tiny wooden ornament per day on this wooden tree, and another countdown begins.
And, who can resist the chocolate-a-day calendar? I have to confess that my kids do not get the highest quality chocolate in this kind of calendar, as I buy mine at the dollar store. But, they love them anyway, and it's a yummy way to count down the days.
Something Old, Something New
The Jesus stocking is in place. We will also fill an empty manger, decorate a Christ candle, ready Mary and Joseph for their long journey (their figures are placed as far from the Nativity set as possible, and the kids move them a little closer to the stable each day), celebrate St. Nicholas Day and St. Lucia Day (a delicious sweet bread recipe, compliments of my friend Holly, coming soon ....), and this year, for the Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception, I hope to do a Mary candle. All of the above are mentioned in this wonderful article by Michaelann Martin.
I'm always looking to build on our Advent traditions, as it is such a rich and joyful time to dig into the history of our faith. This year, I hope to add additional observances, such as the feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe, learning more about Juan Diego, and possibly doing more with the "O Antiphons" than I've done in the past. Katherine's post on her O Antiphon House is not to be missed! It's beautiful.
Wherever you are in your Advent observance, don't despair if you can't do all that you'd like to do. Our traditions have been added in slowly, one by one, over the years since I (and then, Atticus, five years later ...) became a Catholic. Some years are more productive than others, depending on what else is happening in our lives. When there's a pregnancy, a newborn, an illness, or a major stress in our lives, Advent looks less than perfect around here. But, I'm happy to reassure you that my darling daughters have survived our less-than-perfect Advents, and can't even recall which ones they were. The slapdash glitter Jesse Tree was just as dear to them as any other year. What they remember is that we did it together, we laughed, we sparkled. We shared the joy of anticipating the birth of Jesus, our greatest gift.
Alice read my mind the other day when she posted these beautiful thoughts. (Does anyone else feel as I do ... that next to Alice's eloquence, I am like a stuttering dolt: "Uh, uh, uh, yeah ... what she said! Yeah, yeah, that's it! She said it so good!")
However we say it, however we live it, may this Advent be for you what it is meant to be: a time of great anticipation and joy.
Watch!
Wait!
Be not anxious!
He is coming.
(This post can also be found on the blog page of Catholic Exchange.)
It's almost here.
And, we've been getting ready (prepare yourself for a purple blog when Sunday arrives.)
The Family ScrapbookOur Jesse Tree is on the hearth, awaiting ornaments. This is probably one of the most "educational" Advent activities that we do. I have a small sign up next to the tree (just in case my children forget what I'm educating them about ....) that says, "The Jesse Tree ... Finding Jesus in the Old Testament" and that's exactly what a Jesse Tree does. It introduces our children to the truth that Christianity is not a new idea, not a new religion dreamed up and perpetuated by a motley crew of fishermen and tax collectors. It is the fulfillment of God's story -- our story -- from the beginning of time.
Reading the Scriptures that lay the foundation for and point us to Jesus brings all those seemingly disconnected Bible stories together into a meaningful fabric, a tapestry of history that makes sense to even the youngest of children. We can compare it to a family's scrapbook, a metaphor which children can easily understand. The symbols we hang on our tree are "snapshots" of the history of Jesus, which is our history, too.
The kids made our Jesse Tree ornaments a few years ago, out of salt dough. My salt dough tends to break, so we have the fun of replacing ornaments every now and then. Now that Ramona is a little older, I can keep the ornaments right under the tree, within easy reach for the daily readings and ceremonial hanging (does it count as a ceremonial hanging if three children first fight over who gets to do it? I recommend scheduling the ceremonial hangings in a basic No fighting - your turn will come tomorrow rotation.)
I just started using our small, artificial tree as the Jesse tree a couple of years ago. Before that, I dithered about trying to find the best way to approach this activity. One year we did poster board; another year I searched in vain for the right tree branch to place in a pot, a la a friend's example, and I ended up abandoning the entire activity that year. Another year our tree was somewhat hastily put together on construction paper. I was pregnant with Ramona, at a very tired age 41, and was quite pleased with myself for simply breaking out the glitter. It looked like this:I was inspired to use our artificial tree by my friend, J., who always has great craft and liturgical ideas. She started using their regular Christmas tree as the Jesse Tree, hanging ornaments on it throughout Advent, then taking those down and decorating with Christmas ornaments on Christmas Eve. I adapted the idea, and pulled out the old 4' tree that I'd been considering giving to Goodwill. Our Jesse Tree tradition was finally "settled."
It doesn't really matter what kind of tree or ornaments you use. Your ornaments can might be hastily assembled, glitter-glopped and slapped on poster board, or they may be carefully fashioned in the weeks before (or during) Advent. You should do what works for you, your family, and your possibly-tired-or-pregnant-or-incapacitated body. What matters is simply focusing on Jesus as the celebration of His birth approaches.
Daily Prayers
The girls and I pray before breakfast every morning, and we vary our prayers with each liturgical season. Mounting a list of prayers on construction paper is a simple way to teach the girls about liturgical colors. They know that if the prayers are on a green background, we're in ordinary time. Tomorrow, we'll start on "the purple prayers" for Advent.
We do a lot of reading during Advent. Our favorite books (which will require a separate post) of the season are piled under the Jesse Tree, from the sublime to the silly. We also read from our Muppet and Christmas Carol Advent calendars every night. These calendars have a little booklet for each day of December and take just a minute or two to read.
More and more and more Advent CalendarsHmmmm ... maybe our Advent calendars are getting out of hand?
Naah ... We also do this one, which, like the Muppet calendar, was a gift from my mother years ago. We love this calendar. I have no idea where she got it, but every child loves to do this kind of simple activity. We hang one tiny wooden ornament per day on this wooden tree, and another countdown begins.
And, who can resist the chocolate-a-day calendar? I have to confess that my kids do not get the highest quality chocolate in this kind of calendar, as I buy mine at the dollar store. But, they love them anyway, and it's a yummy way to count down the days.
Something Old, Something New
The Jesus stocking is in place. We will also fill an empty manger, decorate a Christ candle, ready Mary and Joseph for their long journey (their figures are placed as far from the Nativity set as possible, and the kids move them a little closer to the stable each day), celebrate St. Nicholas Day and St. Lucia Day (a delicious sweet bread recipe, compliments of my friend Holly, coming soon ....), and this year, for the Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception, I hope to do a Mary candle. All of the above are mentioned in this wonderful article by Michaelann Martin.
I'm always looking to build on our Advent traditions, as it is such a rich and joyful time to dig into the history of our faith. This year, I hope to add additional observances, such as the feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe, learning more about Juan Diego, and possibly doing more with the "O Antiphons" than I've done in the past. Katherine's post on her O Antiphon House is not to be missed! It's beautiful.
Wherever you are in your Advent observance, don't despair if you can't do all that you'd like to do. Our traditions have been added in slowly, one by one, over the years since I (and then, Atticus, five years later ...) became a Catholic. Some years are more productive than others, depending on what else is happening in our lives. When there's a pregnancy, a newborn, an illness, or a major stress in our lives, Advent looks less than perfect around here. But, I'm happy to reassure you that my darling daughters have survived our less-than-perfect Advents, and can't even recall which ones they were. The slapdash glitter Jesse Tree was just as dear to them as any other year. What they remember is that we did it together, we laughed, we sparkled. We shared the joy of anticipating the birth of Jesus, our greatest gift.
Alice read my mind the other day when she posted these beautiful thoughts. (Does anyone else feel as I do ... that next to Alice's eloquence, I am like a stuttering dolt: "Uh, uh, uh, yeah ... what she said! Yeah, yeah, that's it! She said it so good!")
However we say it, however we live it, may this Advent be for you what it is meant to be: a time of great anticipation and joy.
Watch!
Wait!
Be not anxious!
He is coming.
(This post can also be found on the blog page of Catholic Exchange.)
Snow Treasure
Thanks to additional recommendations on WWII books from 4Real moms, we recently read Snow Treasure and The Secret Seder (thanks, Marilyn), Escape from Warsaw (thanks, Kathryn and Stef), The Little Riders (thanks, Erin) and The Cats in Kraskinski Square (thanks, Irene). I'll review them all, and will start with Snow Treasure, by Marie McSwigan. The kids loved this book. There's something about outsmarting Nazis that appeals to the righteous rebel in a child.
The plot is simple: a group of villagers in Norway have decided to guard a huge amount of the country's gold. Twelve-year-old Peter Lundstrom's father explains it to him:
"Well, it's like this, Peter. There is a good deal of gold in Norway, more than we'd like to have fall into the hands of an enemy, especially one that might use it to make war on us. So we've decided to guard it with our lives. It isn't the gold itself so much. It's the fact that it may be used to bring death to the very people to whom it belongs .... Other countries have been sending their gold to the United States for safe keeping. That's what we want to do too, if it can be managed."
Peter could hardly believe this was real life and that it was he and his father who were talking and not two characters in a book or a film.
And so begins the adventure of Peter's life. He and many other school children, seemingly enjoying their usual sledding, smuggle gold past the occupying Nazis and onto Uncle Victor's boat, where it will be spirited away to safety.
There is, of course, suspense and danger along the way, as well as opportunities for ingenuity and courage. Without revealing the ending, I will say that it surprised us a bit, though it is basically a happy one.
The frigid Norwegian setting left us (and the characters) feeling cold most of the time, making Snow Treasure a perfect book to cuddle up with while sipping hot chocolate (the audience, of course) and coffee (ReaderMom, of course.)
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