~ Capturing the context of contentment in everyday life. ~I recently posted that we were going to begin the Christkindl tradition in our home this year. We drew names on the First Sunday of Advent after lighting our Advent Candles, updating our various Advent...
Precious Moments :: Adding the First Ornaments…
... to our Jesse Trees on the First Sunday of Advent!
Lighting our Advent Wreath on the First Sunday of Advent
Bestir, O Lord, Thy might, we pray Thee and come; That, defended by Thee, we may deserve rescue from approaching dangers brought on by our sins, and being set free by Thee, obtain our salvation. Who livest and reignest, with God the Father, in the unity of the Holy...
This Year’s Advent & Christmas Book Baskets {with a little peek at our plans!}
I hope you all had a blessed first Sunday of Advent! Our day was beautiful and peaceful, despite the excessively rainy weather, flood warnings, and Captain coming down with an awful stomach virus... We made the best of it and (thankfully) by the end of the day...
A Few More Jesse Tree Resources and a Link-Up!
Advent begins tomorrow! I just pulled out our Advent Wreath, Advent Calendars, and hung up our Jesse Tree. This year's Advent & Christmas Books (I'm working on a post with this year's list) are wrapped and ready to start reading, our new Advent CD...
On the Feast of St. Andrew
Last year beginning on November 30th, the feast of St. Andrew the Apostle, I prayed the St. Andrew Christmas Novena. If this novena was a traditional nine-day novena, it would end on the Feast of the Immaculate Conception on December 8th. However, this...
Preparing for Advent :: O Antiphon Gifts
Ever since our oldest children were very little, we have been implementing an old monastic custom in our home of providing special treats, representing each of the "O Antiphons," on the days leading up to Christmas. Each night, after our family rosary, we pray...
Preparing our Hearts for Christmas :: A Soft Manger, Christkindl, and a Letter to the Christ Child
Each Advent, as we prepare for Christmas, our children love creating a soft place for the Infant Jesus to arrive on Christmas morning by placing a piece of straw (or raffia) in the manger for each of their extra prayers, good works, and sacrifices. This year, as some...
Preparing for Advent :: A Few Fun Finds for 2012
As you might have noticed, I've been spending some time preparing for Advent! Each year my goal has been to be ready before the baby arrives by the first Sunday of Advent, having all my shopping completed, but that doesn't always happen. I can't believe...
Almost Wordless Wednesday {Christmas 2004}
*It looks like it was 2004! We had so much fun looking through old photos trying to figure it out.
Prayer of Mothers
Father in heaven, grant me the grace to appreciate the dignity which you have conferred on me. Let me realize that not even the Angels have been blessed with such a privilege—to share in your creative miracle and bring new Saints to heaven. Make me a good mother to all my children after the example of Mary, the Mother of your Son. Through the intercession of Jesus and Mary I ask your continued blessings on my family. Let us all be dedicated to your service on earth and attain the eternal happiness of your kingdom in heaven. Amen.