Handel's Messiah inevitably runs through the head of many a music lover during Advent. The old testament reading on second Sunday of Advent this year was taken from the prophet Baruch.
For God has decreed the flattening of each high mountain, of the everlasting hills, the filling of the valleys to make the ground level so that Israel can walk in safety under the glory of God.
Other years, it is taken from Isaiah, chapter 40, verse 31
Every valley shall be raised up, every mountain and hill made low; the rough ground shall become level, the rugged places a plain.
This message was reinforced in the Gospel of Luke this Sunday when John the Baptist
went through the whole Jordan district proclaiming a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins, as it is written in the book of the sayings of the prophet Isaiah: A voice cries in the wilderness: Prepare a way for the Lord, make his paths straight. Every valley will be filled in, every mountain and hill be laid low, winding ways will be straightened and rough roads made smooth. And all mankind shall see the salvation of God.
Handel's Messiah inevitably runs through the head of many a music lover during Advent. The old testament reading on second Sunday of Advent this year was taken from the prophet Baruch.
For God has decreed the flattening of each high mountain, of the everlasting hills, the filling of the valleys to make the ground level so that Israel can walk in safety under the glory of God.
Other years, it is taken from Isaiah, chapter 40, verse 31
Every valley shall be raised up, every mountain and hill made low; the rough ground shall become level, the rugged places a plain.
This message was reinforced in the Gospel of Luke this Sunday when John the Baptist
went through the whole Jordan district proclaiming a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins, as it is written in the book of the sayings of the prophet Isaiah: A voice cries in the wilderness: Prepare a way for the Lord, make his paths straight. Every valley will be filled in, every mountain and hill be laid low, winding ways will be straightened and rough roads made smooth. And all mankind shall see the salvation of God.
St. Nicholas Day is a wonderfully Catholic way to celebrate the true meaning of Christmas. Many cultures put out their shoes the night before to be filled with candy and sweets.
Some parents like to use St. Nicholas day as an opportunity to help kids focus on the true meaning of Christmas by "filling their shoes" with a Christian book, coloring book, or DVD related to Christ's birth. One I always found particularly helpful was Nicholas: The Boy Who Became Santa. It tells the story of St. Nicholas and how he grew up to become the bishop who's generosity has grown into the legend of Santa Claus.
It is important, in my opinion, to teach children that Christmas is not about getting presents and not even about Santa. From a religious, historical and cultural standpoint, Christmas, even the "Santa aspect" of Christmas is decidedly Catholic and religious and, therefore, points to Christ through His Church.
Today, our priest blessed candy canes (mentioning in the prayer that the shape is that of St. Nicholas' bishop's crook or staff) and gave them out to the children after Mass.
The Feast of St. Nicholas is one of the many beautiful feasts of the Church that ties in beautifully with the celebration of Christmas.
May his spirit remain in our hearts throughout the year.
St. Nicholas Day is a wonderfully Catholic way to celebrate the true meaning of Christmas. Many cultures put out their shoes the night before to be filled with candy and sweets.
Some parents like to use St. Nicholas day as an opportunity to help kids focus on the true meaning of Christmas by "filling their shoes" with a Christian book, coloring book, or DVD related to Christ's birth. One I always found particularly helpful was Nicholas: The Boy Who Became Santa. It tells the story of St. Nicholas and how he grew up to become the bishop who's generosity has grown into the legend of Santa Claus.
It is important, in my opinion, to teach children that Christmas is not about getting presents and not even about Santa. From a religious, historical and cultural standpoint, Christmas, even the "Santa aspect" of Christmas is decidedly Catholic and religious and, therefore, points to Christ through His Church.
Today, our priest blessed candy canes (mentioning in the prayer that the shape is that of St. Nicholas' bishop's crook or staff) and gave them out to the children after Mass.
The Feast of St. Nicholas is one of the many beautiful feasts of the Church that ties in beautifully with the celebration of Christmas.
May his spirit remain in our hearts throughout the year.
We did a post about the Catholic origins of the first Thanksgiving a post about the anti-consumerist Buy Nothing Day, otherwise known as Black Friday, and one about my seasonal hobby, nativity figure painting.
We did a post about the Catholic origins of the first Thanksgiving a post about the anti-consumerist Buy Nothing Day, otherwise known as Black Friday, and one about my seasonal hobby, nativity figure painting.
1. I got blood drawn today. It was needlessly dramatic. I say needlessly, because I should have insisted that I lie down, but given the fact that there was no where to lie except the floor, I decided to be brave. Bad idea. After the extra gentle tech couldn't get blood out of my left arm, she tried my right. That is when my body (or psyche, perhaps) rebelled and my blood pressure plummeted. I ended up lying down. On the floor. A more experienced, I presume, nurse, came over and got the blood out of my hand. I'm fine now. Next time I *will* insist.
2. I'm rediscovering, as I do every year at about this time, the DIY movement. It is great to reconnect with the less commercial aspect of holiday gift giving and reuse some things around the house. I especially like this Threadbanger reader tutorial by Gracee (pictured at right) for an oversized beanie. Great way to reuse an old shirt. Here is another hat pattern, this time for those confusing fascinators so popular among the younger British royals.
3. If you are enamored with the pretty bows used in the beanie tutorial, here are some directions to make your own. If you would rather use flowers, here is a great tutorial on making some fabric flowers to decorate your hats with!
4. These Sarubobo plushy things are absolutely adorable!! The possibilities are endless with this and they are very easy to do.
5. Ok, I'm not going to make this, but I did think it was creative: Remaking a men's t-shirt into a women's Star Fleet uniform! In spite of my disapproval of the rather sexist female uniform style on Star Trek, I do think this is cute.
6. For those of us who have trouble reading crocheting or knitting patterns, (I have never been able to crochet a decent cowl) here is an easier, sewed cowl.
7. And, in honor of Christmas and all things old fashioned, here is a tutorial on making a sock monkey.
