Many have had similar emotional experiences. Is that all that is necessary to make a conversion?
Advent Meditation
Advent Meditation, by Blessed James Alberione, Founder of the Pauline Family
Every year the Church invites us to share once again on the life of Jesus Christ. The Church gives us this time to remember what Jesus did so as to apply to us the fruits of his redemption. But this remembrance is not a simple repetition. It is a progression that we have to make just as in each school year students have to attend their classes, yet the subject matter is not exactly the same. Every year we move ahead and progress in the knowledge of God and of Christ's teaching's until we finally arrive at that perfect age--that is the fulfillment of our union with Jesus Christ in heaven above. Life prepares men and women for eternal happiness, for that perfect life which awaits us after this present life.
See hot the Church reminds us of the coming of Jesus Christ, of His arrival in time. It reminds us of the birth of the Son of God Incarnate. At the same time it recalls the final coming of him who will come to judge every person and reward or punish each one as he or she deserves. And on that day we will have the reward, who will hear the Lord repeat the invitation: "Come blessed of my Father?" One who has already on this earth entered into the reign of Jesus Christ, the Kingdom of Love, the Kingdom of Truth and the Kingdom of Justice. Today the Church invites us to prepare ourselves for the Kingdom and to make ourselves ready to enter into His reign.
Advent is soon over and now we are about to entr into Christmas time! See how Christmas Day Jesus will open his School of Humanity--the School of Truth, of Sanctity and of Love. We have to feel the need to attend His school. In this season, we ought to admit our weaknesses, our shortcomings, our sins, our passions....Thus we need to enter a certain a spirit of penance, a gift to God, a gift to Jesus!
In this season the Church asks priest to wear purple in advent for penance. How many errors have we committed in our lives? The present world makes us seek our happiness here! The spirit of the world lies here--in this tendency to exchange the means with the end. We must be satisfied here and now and not think too must of heaven and of the things of heaven. Today let us realize who we are. We are a gift of God's We are His. He wants us for Himself, pure and holy...and forgiven! Before Christmas let us think of the times we can be better for His love!....Prediche del P.M. 1953
Blessed James Alberione, SSP,
Mary
During the time of Christmas, we think of Mary as she carried Jesus. She was His tabernacle. Let us think as we prepare for Christmas in such small ways "How do we carry Jesus into our ordinary workplace, homes, with our friends, families, with those whom we meet each day, with those whom we love?
How do I carry the words I speak each day to others in preparation for the birth of Jesus?
Jesus be with me as I examine my heart with you over a cup of tea, as I walk my dog along the water, as I drive and at the red light or in the grocery line with the lady in front of me with a load of groceries; let me spend a few extra moments with you examining my heart and gifting it to you for Christmas to start anew!
Amen!
Prayers for Christmas Day
Tell us Shepherds, what havw you seen? Who has appeared on earth? We have seen a newborn infant and a choir of angels praising the Lord, Alleluia...The Angel said to the Shephers: "I proclaim to you a great joy: today the Savior of the World is born for you, alleluia. A little child is born for us today; litttle and yet called the mighty God, alleluia.
Hebrews 1: 1-4: In times past, God spoke in fragmentary and varied ways to our fathers, through the prophets; in this, the final age, he has spoken to us through His Son, whom he first created the universe. The Son is a reflection of the Father's glory, the exact representationof the Father's being, and he sustains all things by his powerful word. When he has cleansed us from our sins, he took his seat at the right hand of the Majesty in heaven, as far superior to the angels as the name he has inhereted is superior to theirs.
Almighty God and Father of light, a child is born for us and a Son is given to us. Your Eternal Word leaped down from heaven in the silent watches of the night, and now your Church is filled with wonder at the nearness of her God. Open our hearts to receive his life and increase our vision with the rising of the dawn, that our lives may be filled with His glory and His peace who lives and reigns for ever and ever. Amen
Hmmmm....The Sound of Music? Maria, a postulant, on an assignment as governess to a certain Captain Georg Von Trapp and his seven mischievous kids?
Gifts
What are some of the great gifts you have received in life, at Christmas? For the holidays? For your birthday? For a special occasion? ...that meant something to your heart?
Mine was the long awaited gift of the home of my vocation to the Pauline Family after looking for 11 years everywhere and I mean everyehere. I feel like I am home now and happy! I is the greatest gift God has given to me. And my dog of 12 3/4 years old whom I love.
What about you?
???
Neo
Neo, Glad you are still with me; thanks for checking in. may you and your family have a wonderful Christmas. And All od you readers, I pray for you daily. You are part of my life now, my new friends. Thanks for being there!
If there is anything special you want from me, let me know on my oceanpaws e-mail and I will do it for you right away!
Merry Christmas!
Nancyann
Er, I don't celebrate Christmas. I hope that doesn't offend you.
The Last Christmas Tree, by Howard D. Fencl. copyright 1992
I saw a truck of Christmas trees
And each one had a tale,
The driver stood them in a row
And put them up for sale.
He strung some twingling lights
And hung a sign up with a nail;
"Fresh Christmas trees"
It said in red
"Fresh Christmas Trees For Sale."
He poured himself hot cocoa
In a steaming thermos cup,
And snowflakes started falling
As the family car pulled up.
A mom, a dad, and one small boy
Who looked no more than three
Jumped out and started searching
For the perfect Christmas Tree.
The boy march up and down the rows,
His nose high in the air;
"It smells like Christ mom!"
"It smells like Christmas everywhere."
"Let's get the biggest tree we can!"
"A tree that's ten miles high!"
"A tree to go right through the roof!"
"A tree to touch the sky!"
"A tree SO big that Santa Claus
will stop and stare and say,
'Now, THAT'S the finest Christmas tree
I've seen this Christmas Day.'"
It seemed that they looked at every tree
at least a million times;
Dad shook the, pinched them, turned them 'round
to find the perfect pine!
"I've found it mom!
The Christmas tree
I like the best of all!
It's got a little bare spot,
but we'll turn it to the wall."
We'll put great grand-ma's angel
On top the highest bough!
Oh, can we buy it?
Please, Mom, Please?
Oh can we buy it now?
How about some nice hot cocoa?
Asked the mas who owned the lot.
He twisted off the thermos top,
"Now this will hit the spot."
He poured the steaming hot chocolate
In three tiny paper cups.
They toasted,
"Here's to Christmas!"
And they drank the cocoa up.
"Is this your choice?"
The tree man asked,
"This pine 's the best one here!"
The boy semed sad--
"My daddy says
"The price is just too dear."
'Then Merry Christmas!"
Said the man, who unwrapped the tree in twine, "tis yours for just one promise
You must keep at Christmas time!"
"On Christmas eve at bedtime,
as you fold your hands in prayer,
Promise in your heart
To kep the joy of Christmas Day!"
"Now hurry home!
This freezing wind
is turning your cheeks pink
And ask your dad
To trim the trunk and give your tree a drink!
And so it went on
All that blustery eve
As the tree man gave
Tree upon tree upon tree...I watched him say the same thing to each child! that Christmas eve!
To every last person
who came into the lot--
Who toasted with cocoa
in small paper cups!
Who promised the promise
Of joy in their hearts--
And singing out carols,
Drove off in the dark!
And when it was over
One tree stood alone;
But no one was left there
to give it a home.
The tree man put it on his
Red parka and hood
And dragged the last Christmas tree
Out of the woods.
He left the pine right by the stream
in the cold,
So the wood's homeless creatures
Could make it their home.
He smiled as he brushed off
Some snow from his beard,
When out of the snow a reindeer appeared.
He scratched that huge reindeer
on top his huge head--
"It looks like we've
started up Christmas again!
There are miles more to travel,
And much more to do!
Let's go home, my friend,
And get started anew!
He took to the sky
And heard Jingle Bells sound--
And then in a twinklling
That tree man was gone!
_____________________________________________________
Well folks I will be with my family all day tomorrow and not at the computer talk to you on December 26!
God love and Bless you at this holy time with all you love!
You are so loved By God!
Merry Christmas!
Nancyann
There is a Benedictine monk named Cyril who recently posted on the Sound of Music forum:
The Sound of Music forum
sound of music
thamk you so much
What are some of the gifts of self you can Jesus today of His day to make him so happy?
Remember, He wants the smallest gift from you....
Somebody
Dear All:
Tell Cyril I said "Hello and welcome to A2K!" I tried to find him but could not find him anywhere!
Please Help me say "Hello."
Thanks all!
n
cyril
thank you so much! That was so nice of you!
Nancyann
The Birth of Our Lord
The Birth Of Our Lord from HOW TO BE HAPPY AND HOW TO BE HOLY by Fr. Paul O' Sullivan
" This Mystery is truly a revelation of Divine love. We find ourselves in Bethlehem on Christmas night, looking on the Divine Infant lying on the bed of straw, warmed by the breath of the two poor animals. And He is God!
We see Mary bending over Jesus, her Son and her God, adoring, lovong, blessing, thanking Him. What oceans of love fill her heart!
St. Joseph is filled with rapture that no words can describe. He is the adopted father, the protector, the defender of His God! He is actually taking the pace of the Eternal Father in regard to Jesus.
There are throngs of angels singing their heavenly canticles. Here they are contemplating a vision of love that they have never seen in Heaven.
The happiest moment moment of Mary's life is when she holds Jesus' life in her arms... A nice meditation How do we hold God in our lives each and every day?
neo
Thanks for checking in. I never doubted for even a minute!
n
