1 Advent & Christmas Seasons 2011-2012 St. Bernadette Church Houston, Texas
2 Table of Contents Prepare the Way of the Lord!.. 2 Season of Advent On the Run..3-4 Advent Wreath Prayers 6-8 Advent Recipes 9-11 Advent Calendar....12-15 Christmas Recipes. 16-17 Christmas Blessings and Prayers...18-19 Christmas Calendar 20-23 Christmas Creed..24 Prepare the Way of the Lord! The season of Advent (from the Latin adventus, meaning coming) is about preparing preparing for the Coming of the Lord at the end of time, waiting in joyful hope, and preparing for the memorial of the coming of Jesus in the flesh at Christmas. Perhaps two ways to prepare for both events this Advent is to focus on doing loving things for others and to be more prayerful. Choose to do extra kindnesses, extra generous things which test our tendency to think first of ourselves. Find ways to lift your mind and heart to God in thanksgiving, petition or praise to read God s Holy Word or just to be still and aware of the Holy Spirit in your heart. Concentrating on these actions and attitudes is like putting oil in our lamps, or increasing the talents we are given as we heard on November 5-6 and 12-13 in the Gospel of Matthew to get ready for Jesus coming. And of course, attend the Parish Penance Service on Monday, November 29! Keep count of these good deeds, kindnesses, or acts of thoughtfulness, and extra prayer times. When you come to church on and from December 12-13 through December 25, put that same number of straws into the Nativity scene, to make a soft place where baby Jesus can lie in comfort.
Season of Advent On the Run By Beth Belcher 3 Like most of us, you have probably had to wait for something important to happen in your life. Perhaps you have waited to hear from a school that you applied to, or maybe you had to wait longer than you thought for your child to be born. It can be very hard to be patient while waiting, especially if you have had to hurry up to wait, such as in an emergency room after an accident or in line at the grocery store right before a holiday. Your child may also find it difficult to wait, especially in public. It can be very hard work! You may end up pulling out paper and crayons or an electronic game to help pass the time. Seeing the sense in waiting can be difficult for anyone. We all want our waiting to be worth it - we don t want to feel that we have spent valuable time waiting in vain! In the Season of Advent we see that our waiting can be a fruitful experience, especially when we understand what we are waiting for; the Nativity and the Second Coming! In either event, the coming of Christ is most profound when we are able to see Christ in others. Advent is the Church s gift which helps us to prepare our hearts for Him and His Comings. We can do this with prayer, patience and generosity while we help build ourselves and the Kingdom of God through the theological virtue of HOPE! Happy New Year! The Church year begins on the First Sunday of Advent. The 4-week Advent Season helps us to prepare for the coming of Christ with customs and traditions for our hearts and for our homes: 1) The Advent Wreath The three purple candles show our royal heritage, and the need for reconciliation with God and our neighbor. The one pink candle marks Gaudete or Rejoice Sunday which signifies the joy we feel at being halfway to Christmas. The evergreen wreath represents God s infinite nature and His undying love for us. [See prayers beginning on pages 6-7.]
4 2) The Advent Calendar Adopted from Germany, the Advent Calendar, or Countdown to Christmas Calendar is a concrete way to help children see that Christmas is right around the corner. 3) The Jesse Tree The tree shows through words and symbols the family tree of Jesus and traces the story of salvation from creation through the birth of Our Lord. Families may benefit from making a Jesse Tree for their home and can then understand how the root of Jesse is none other than Jesus Himself. 4) The Giving Tree Many parishes offer an opportunity for parishioners to give gifts to those in the community who are in need. We can show our children service to Christ through serving others, by choosing a tree ornament from the Giving Tree. 5) The Journey Let s not forget that we are always on our journey to prayerfully help bring Christ into the world, just like Mary and Joseph. In some communities the tradition of Las Posadas is practiced where Mary and Joseph are depicted, going from home to home, searching for lodging in Bethlehem. Christmas caroling is much the same, as carolers go door to door to bring music and good cheer to the community. Christmas pageants may transport us from the materialism of today s society back to the reverence and simplicity of the birth of Jesus in the manger. Coming Again in Glory! We often think of the Season of Lent as the time when we make sacrifices and change our lives. But Advent is also a good time to see that we are preparing for something greater than this life. We are preparing for our life in Christ when He comes again in glory to claim His kingdom. Our Advent practices, coupled with prayer and small sacrifices, train us to wait patiently and work to develop our gifts in service to God and those around us.
5 Children may focus on the Birth of Jesus and the gifts that they will receive on Christmas Day. When we develop family traditions based on customs and religious practices, we provide a solid foundation of religious education for our children. As their fun Advent experiences help kids to anchor their knowledge, their Christian identity will grow. By introducing them to these Advent customs and traditions, we are giving them a legacy of faithfulness which will live on throughout their lives. What Does the Holy Father Say? In Advent, Christians relive a dual impulse of the spirit; on the one hand, they raise their eyes towards the final destination of their pilgrimage through history, which is the glorious return of the Lord Jesus; on the other, remembering with emotion his birth in Bethlehem, they kneel before the Crib. The hope of Christians is turned to the future but remains firmly rooted in an event of the past. In the fullness of time, the Son of God was born of the Virgin Mary; Born of a woman, born under the law, as the Apostle Paul writes (Gal 4:4). Pope Benedict XVI First Sunday of Advent, November 27, 2005 http:// www.vatican.va Light for the Journey Follow the links below to find ways to make Advent even more meaningful for your family! Advent prayers and blessings from our American Bishops: http://tinyurl.com/usccb-adventblessings Advent crafts and activities for kids: http://tinyurl.com/adventcraftresources Advent recipes for the family: http://tinyurl.com/adventrecipes Advent saints of the day: http://www.catholic.org/saints/f_day/dec.php
6 The Advent Environment The simplicity of the Advent environment prepares us for the arrival of Jesus, the Messiah King. The liturgical color of purple, as seen in the banners and the Advent wreath, help us anticipate the season. Living plants are used during both Advent and Christmas as signs of our living God. Advent Wreath Prayers The family gathers about the wreath. One member of the family is chosen to pray the Collect for the first Sunday of Advent while another lights the candle(s). (Prayers are below.) After the prayer, all are invited to offer their intention or prayer for the day. The Leader concludes with: Come, O Lord, visit us in peace. At the end of the meal or wreath prayer time, as one member puts out the candle(s), another prays: Come, O Lord, visit us in peace. that we may rejoice before you with a blameless heart. First Sunday of Advent 11/21/2011 (one purple candle) Grant your faithful, we pray, almighty God, the resolve to run forth to meet your Christ with righteous deeds at his coming, so that, gathered at his right hand, they may be worthy to possess the heavenly kingdom. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your son, Who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God for ever and ever. Amen..
7 Second Sunday of Advent 12/4/2011 (two purple candles) Almighty and merciful God, may no earthly undertaking hinder those who set out in haste to meet your Son, but may our learning of heavenly wisdom gain us admittance to his company. Who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God for ever and ever. Amen. Third Sunday of Advent 12/11/2011 (one pink and two purple candles) O God, who see how your people faithfully await the feast of the Lord s Nativity, Enable us we pray, to attain the joys of so great a salvation And to celebrate them always with solemn worship and glad rejoicing. Through your Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, Who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God for ever and ever. Amen. Fourth Sunday of Advent 12/18/2011 (all candles) Pour forth, we beseech you, O Lord, your grace into our hearts, that we, to whom the Incarnation of Christ your Son was made known by the message of an angel, may by his Passion and Cross, be brought to the glory of his Resurrection. Who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God for ever and ever. Amen.
8 Recipes for Advent There are almost no traditional recipes for Advent, though we can think in images, and make the Advent Star Sugar Cookies listed below. However, if we look to the saints of the Advent season, some recipes are linked to them. Consider making these dishes on or around their feast days! Advent Star Sugar Cookies (Any time...) If you have a favorite sugar cookie recipe, use it; cut the dough into star shapes, and decorate with pink or purple sprinkles. The Our Sunday Visitor website (www.osv.com) has a section under Advent with this recipe (and others) which you can use. The full link is: http://www.osv.com/ OSV4MeNav/ChurchSeasons/AdventResources/ AdventActivities/AdventChristmasRecipes/tabid/1751/ Default.aspx. St. Andrew (November 30) Scones Andrew, brother of Simon Peter, was a fisherman, and first followed John the Baptist. When John pointed out Jesus "Behold the Lamb of God!" Andrew chose to follow Jesus, becoming Jesus first disciple, and then brought his brother Simon to Jesus. Jesus promised to make them fishers of men, and they left their nets for good. Tradition says that after Jesus ascension into Heaven, Andrew preached the gospel in Greece. It is believed that he was put to death on a cross to which he was tied. He suffered two days before dying, still preaching to the people who gathered around their beloved apostle. He is the patron of Russia, Scotland and the Ukraine. You may already have a recipe for scones which your family likes. If not, search any recipe site allrecipes.com, joyofbaking.com, foodnetwork.com, and so on for one which appeals to you. As you take the scones out of the oven, say: St. Andrew, pray for us!
St. Francis Xavier (December 3) Xaver Suppe 9 Born in Spain, St. Francis Xavier (1506-1552) met St. Ignatius Loyola in Paris. He become one of the original seven Jesuits. In 1540 he was sent to evangelize India. He worked in western India, the island of Ceylon, Malacca, the Molucca Islands, the island of Mindanao (Philippines), and Japan. In 1552 he started on a voyage to China but died on Sancian Island. This clear, tasty soup has dumplings which will serve many! You ll find the link on the page for the saint, in the center column http://www.catholicculture.org/culture/liturgicalyear/ calendar/day.cfm?date=2011-12-03. The feast of St. Barbara (December 3) is replaced this year by the Second Sunday of Advent. St. Nicholas (December 6) St. Nicholas Soup Saint Nicholas was a bishop of Myra in the fourth century. The original "Santa Claus," he become one of the best-loved saints in both the Eastern and Western churches. Presents were exchanged in many European countries on December 6, his feast day. From there came our American custom of giving gifts during the Christmas season. His feast usually falls within the first week of Advent, so he is considered an Advent saint who joyfully points toward the coming of the Lord. Today, in some European monasteries, his feast is celebrated with revivals of medieval plays about his life. Along with much other information about saints and customs, Catholicculture.org lists this simple soup (and other recipes) for the feast of St. Nicholas. Listed in From a Monastery Kitchen: The Classic Natural Foods Cookbook by Brother Victor-Antoine d'avila-latourrette (Gramercy Books, 1997), it s a great combination of onions, carrots, cabbage, potatoes and turnips. Of course, stuffed pork shoulder roast, spice cookies (Holland), pfefferneusse (Austria), ship cake and St. Nicholas pudding (England) can also be prepared to honor him! Go to http:// www.catholiccul-ture.org/culture/liturgicalyear/calendar/ day.cfm?date=2011-12-06.
10 St. Ambrose (December 9) Ambrosia Salad, Insalata Ambrosiana Born at Treves in Gaul, St. Ambrose (340-397) studied in Rome and later, as governor of Liguria and Aemelia, lived in Milan. He was supervising the election of a new bishop of Milan in 374, when suddenly he himself was acclaimed the bishop. Though only a catechumen at the time, he was ordained a priest and consecrated a bishop on Dec. 7. He wrote much on the Scriptures and Fathers, and preached a homily every Sunday. Since his preaching was said to be as sweet as flowing honey, this saint is known as the honeytongued Doctor. He played an important part in converting St. Augustine. He composed many hymns, encouraged the use of sacred chant, and took a great interest in the liturgy. Ambrosia salad (an easy-to-find recipe) is one way to honor Ambrose on his day, or indeed any dessert made with honey. The above-named salad from Lombardy can be adapted to make a full meal; the link can be found in the center column at http:// www. catholicculture.org/culture/liturgicalyear/ calendar/day.cfm?date=2011-12-07. Solemnity of Mary s Immaculate Conception (December 8) Crown Cake, Spice Cookies On this solemnity (highest-level feast of the Church) we celebrate that Mary was free from all sin from the time she was conceived. Blessed Pope Pius IX proclaimed this dogma on December 8, 1854. (See No. 491 in the Catechism of the Catholic Church.) Since Mary as Our Lady Immaculately Conceived is the patroness of the United States, this is a holy day of obligation for American Catholics. Moravian spice cookies and Crown Cake are appropriate for any feast of Mary. Look for the links in the center column of this page: http:// www.catholicculture.org/culture/ liturgicalyear/calendar/day.cfm?date=2011-12 -08.
11 St. Juan Diego (December 9) Empanadas The Virgin Mary appeared to Juan Diego Cuauhtlatoatzin ( the talking eagle ), a 57-year-old Aztec convert, as he was going to Mass in Tlatlelolco, Mexico. Our Lady asked him to tell the Bishop that she wished a shrine to be built on the spot to show her love for all mankind. Today pilgrims can still see the marvelous portrait she left of herself on the mantle of Juan Diego as a sign for the Bishop. It has not deteriorated with time, and is kept in the shrine built in her honor, the Basilica of Our Lady of Guadalupe, Patroness of the Americas. Any of your Mexican or Hispanic friends or neighbors can probably give you the recipe for empanadas. You can also go to www.latinfood.about.com/od/appetizersandsnacks/tp/ empanadas.htm, or any of the recipes sites listed earlier. Our Lady of Guadalupe (December 12) Mexican Bread Pudding After the bishop agreed to build the shrine request by Our Lady (see above for Juan Diego), 8 million people became Christian in a short period of time after hearing about or viewing her miraculous image. In 1910 Our Lady of Guadalupe was declared Patroness of Latin America, and in 1945 Pope Pius XII declared Her to be the Empress of all the Americas. Find the link for this delicious dessert in the center column of http://www.catholicculture.org/culture/liturgicalyear/ calendar/day.cfm?date=2011-12-12. Other saints whose feast days fall in Advent, and for whom recipes (or customs) with which to honor them can be found, are St. Lucy (December 13), St. John of the Cross (December 14), St. Peter Canisius (December 20), and St. John of Kanty (December 23). Go to http://www.catholicculture.org/culture/ liturgicalyear/calendar, and search on the calendar.
12 Week of November 27 First Week of Advent Sunday 11/27 Monday 11/28 Gospel: Mark 13:33-37 Question of the Week: How can you be sure that your heart is ready to welcome Christ (more) fully? Spiritual goal for this week: Preparing our hearts is certainly a lifelong process. This week s goal: pay special attention to how we open ourselves to hear the voice of God more clearly. Tuesday 11/29 Create a waiting game for your household, even if you live alone. Add one holiday decoration per day to your crèche or tree. Become patient for Christmas to arrive. Wednesday 11/30 Thursday 12/1 Friday 12/2 From today s liturgy: On this mountain the Lord of hosts will make for all peoples a feast of rich food, a feast of well-aged wines -- Isaiah 25:6 (NRSV) Saturday 12/3 Feast today! St. Francis Xavier Checking in : How s your heart feeling this week? Remember Sunday s Gospel when Jesus said, Beware, keep alert; for you do not know when the time will come. -- Mark 13:33 (NRSV) St. Francis was a friend of St. Ignatius and became a Jesuit. He spent his life among the poor, living as they did and helping them. In preparing for Christmas this year, get to know the poor who live near you. Instead of begging for yourself, raise money to help them. Jesus, prepare my heart to receive you with joy! Notes Links Common Hope is an organization which helps the poor of Guatemala. Visit their web site today. Learn about how you can help, too. Go to www.commonhope. org. Sacred Calendar for Advent 2011 Year B PastoralPlanning.com
13 Week of December 2 Second Week of Advent Sunday 12/4 Monday 12/5 Tuesday 12/6 Question of the Week: What is your strategy for making sure you are able to hear when Christ reveals himself to you? How is your faith made evident in your life? Wednesday 12/7 Checking in : Remember this week s goal: take specific steps to prepare ourselves for Christ. Go back to last Sunday s 1st Reading: prepare the way of the Lord, make straight in the desert a highway for our God. Isaiah 40:3 (NRSV). Spiritual goal for this week: Our goal this week is to prepare our hearts for Christ by doing three things. One, forgive those against whom you hold a grudge. Two, give generously of your money, even if you have only a little. Three, turn your heart toward Christ each day and allow him to touch you. Thursday 12/8 Feast today! The Immaculate Conception Eucharist: 8:30 am, 12 noon, 7 pm On this feast, we celebrate Mary having been conceived in the womb of her mother without the stain of original Sin. Feast today! St. Nicholas There are many legends about St. Nicholas. He was a humble bishop, who cared for the poor and is known to have given them gifts. By a twist of his name, he may also be called Santa Claus. In many countries, people give small gifts on this day, to commemorate the Saint. In your home, give each other small gifts of love today. Friday 12/9 Feast today! Juan Diego He opened his heart to Christ through Our Lady, and knew peace and love. May we open our hearts like this during Advent. Saturday 12/10 Notes Links The greatest gift you can give each other is time. Take time with one another this Advent. Talk and Listen. Not everything has to happen with the TV or Internet running.
14 Week of December 11 3rd Sunday of Advent Sunday 12/11 Monday 12/12 2nd Reading: 1 Thess 5:16-24 Feast today! Our Lady of Guadalupe This feast is a special one for all Catholics, but especially for those of Mexican descent. Mary made known her love Question of the Week: If you were to write three suggestions for those who follow Jesus, to keep them strong in their faith, what would you write? Spiritual goal for this week: Paul s letter to the Thessalonians reminds us to keep our hearts focused on what is good. This will bring us peace. It is our goal for this week. Wednesday 12/14 In order to really hear God speaking, I must quiet myself and listen. This week, I will allow my inner ear to do the hearing. Saturday 12/17 for the people of Mexico through Juan Diego, a common person. Make God s love explicit to someone near you today! Show them how much God cares for them. Thursday 12/15 Checking in: Return to this week s goal. What do you need to keep your heart focused on love, forgiveness, generosity, and other good things? What distracts you? Tuesday 12/13 Feast! St Lucy She kept her heart pure and her thoughts on Christ. She loved the poor and chose them over everything else. May we turn to the poor this Advent and wish for their relief from hunger as a Chrismas gift. Friday 12/16 The Joyful Mysteries of Our Faith The Annunciation The Visitation The Birth of our Lord The Presentation of our Lord The Finding of our Lord in the Temple Tell the story of each of these mysteries. Pray the Rosary together. Notes Links Don t forget the needy among you. Visit this web site: www.commonhope.org to learn how to help.
15 Week of December 18 4th Sunday of Advent Sunday 12/18 Gospel: Spiritual goal for this Luke 1:26-38 week: Mary is the model for Question of the us. Her heart was ready Week: Name one area for God to act in her of your life where life. Our goal this week God has surprised you is to make sure our with love, abilities or hearts are also ready. disabilities, or even a Empty them of what is pregnancy. How is false and selfish and fill God s Spirit upon you in this dimension of your life? Monday 12/19 them with love. Tuesday 12/20 Make your final preparations this week. Who is waiting for your love? Wednesday 12/21 For our Jewish friends: Hanukkah begins. It is an 8-day festival of lights. Thursday 12/22 Winter begins. Friday 12/23 Christmas cheer is only days away now! We know happiness only when we fill our lives with the love of Christ. Saturday 12/24 Christmas Eve Spend time today thinking about those most in need of companionship and comfort. They would be the ones to whom Christ would go first. Remember your house is the house of Christ: the most needy in your community must be as welcome there as you & your family are. Otherwise, what is the point of Christmas?
16 The Christmas Environment Celebrating Christmas calls for a joyful environment, which uses the liturgical color of white. Trees wrapped in lights and wreaths on the doors welcome us. We are invited to gather at the Christmas crèche before and after Mass. We can also follow the Wise Men as they make their way to Bethlehem. Our wait is over; Jesus has come! Keeping the Christmas Season Before the Church calendar was revised (1962), this season ended at Epiphany. Since 1962, we keep Christmas through the Feast of the Baptism of the Lord. The season of Christmas may be short, but we can celebrate it robustly. Here are some ways to do that: Keep Christmas decorations up at least until Epiphany. Plan to serve those special Christmas dishes again and teach someone else to make them! Sing a different Christmas carol before dinner each night during the season, or after dinner. Celebrate the saints of the Christmas season the Companions of Christ, whose feasts are the three days after Christmas: St. Stephen, St. John the Apostle, the Holy Innocents. Sts. Basil the Great and Gregory Nazianzen (January 2) St. Elizabeth Ann Seton (January 4) St. John Neumann (January 5) The Baptism of the Lord (January 9) on this day you can remember baptisms you have witnessed And of course, the Christmas spirit need not disappear after the Feast of the Baptism of the Lord! On the next page are some suggestions to keep it alive.
17 Mime The 12 Days of Christmas. Make waffles. Write a poem for your father. Laugh out loud. Keep a complaint to yourself. Wear a tiara; add holly. Get a grandparent to tape an oral history. Plant a tree. Listen for 12 drummers drumming. Learn CPR. Make a list of the 10 best days of your life; then plan your next best day. Sleep late. Forgive someone s trespasses.. Apologize first. You know that really boring person at work? Listen gladly to his/her story again. Attend a children s play. Go beachcombing. Pick up trash around the neighborhood. Dodge 10 lords a-leaping. Invite nine ladies dancing. Host a Hula Hoop contest. Attend a children s play. Give thanks for family. Hold doors open for people. Regrets? We all have a few let one go today. Help a new immigrant master English. Be faithful. Help an elderly neighbor with his/ her big trash cans. Quit telling people your sister is adopted. Tell your child about a family member who is no longer around. Visit an old stomping ground. Think of the last time you saw a rabbit running in an open field. Get up early to watch the sunrise. Celebrate the birthday of Norman Rockwell. Remind one person of how much you care. Organize a clothing or canned-food drive at work. Remember the Past. Live in the Present. Embrace the Future. Be sincerely nice to someone you don t like. Put leftover holiday stamps on your bills. Keep a supply of candy canes handy for use in emergencies. Keep a plush reindeer in your car at all times. It s better late than never send a thank-you note. Wear a tiara; add holly.
18 Tidings of Great Joy: Christmas Prayers To bless your home or classroom From the Team at PastoralPlanning.com & Twenty-Third Publications A Christmas Prayer Loving Father, Help us remember the birth of Jesus, that we may share in the song of the angels, the gladness of the shepherds, and worship of the wise men. Close the door of hate and open the door of love all over the world. Let kindness come with every gift and good desires with every greeting. Deliver us from evil by the blessing which Christ brings, and teach us to be merry with clear hearts. May the Christmas morning make us happy to be thy children, and Christmas evening bring us to our beds with grateful thoughts, forgiving and forgiven, for Jesus' sake. Amen. By Robert Louis Stevenson Christmas Prayers for Present Opening Time 1. Lord Jesus, when the wise men and women who visited your childhood home arrived and met you, the first act they undertook was to open their treasuries and give you gifts. Likewise, when Joseph of Arimathea (who met you later) realized you were in need of a tomb, he opened his own treasury to provide one. In between the cradle and the cross, you taught us to give generously, to empty ourselves, to take the last place if we wished to be near you. You became the servant of all, never the one who lorded it over them. You loved first, and asked questions later. So may we, too, remember with thankful hearts the love that comes with each present we open. We also thank you for the amazing love you have for each of us, and we thank you for the many gifts that you give us. Amen.
19 2. Let me take just a moment, Lord, to hold this time in my heart. It is about mysteries and gratitude, surprises and wrong sizes, snippets of ribbon and screams of delight. Help me to remember the immense love you have for each of us and especially for those who struggle to provide for their daily needs, much less the extras such as we have here. With each gift that is opened, no matter how perfect or not, let me feel again the many ways you gift us each day, especially with your presence in our hearts and the presence of each other in our lives. Amen. Christmas Prayers for Those Who Work on Christmas Day 1. Lord, we pause to remember those who must work today. As we spend our day in celebration, make us mindful of these others who are serving us. Help us to support them and remember them, and turn our hearts toward them with gratitude. I ask you, Loving Father, to extend a special sense of your presence to the people they will meet today in their line of work. May they shed on them the light of the Bethlehem Star, and the Spirit of Christmas. Amen. PastoralPlanning.com, 2009. Portions of these prayers were adapted from resources available on this web site: http://www.christmas-day.org/christmas -prayers.html. Art work by Mark Hakomaki, 2006.
20 2. Loving God, on this sacred day, I am going to work. There is something special about working on Christmas, when so many others are home with loved ones. My work today can have a won drous sense of service and necessity. But it doesn t always feel noble and inside me there is a struggle: I wish I could stay home. Help me to feel sent by you today. Let me recognize the unique way my co-workers and I are called to serve our brothers and sisters. Let me take just a moment in this quiet to feel your deep love for me. May I carry that sense of peace with me as the light of your love, shining on everyone I come in contact with today. Amen. Prayer before Christmas Dinner God of all gifts, we thank you for the many ways you have blessed us this day. We are grateful each of those who are gathered around this table. We ask you to bless us and our food and to bless those we love who are not with us today. In our gratitude and love, we remember your humble birth into our lives and pray for those who are without enough to eat. We remember the stable in which you were born and pray for those who have no place to live. We remember your challenging message of caring and giving and we pray for peace in families and nations throughout the world. We bless you and give you thanks in your Spirit who brings our hearts to life the Christmas Day and forever. Amen. PastoralPlanning.com, 2009. Portions of these prayers were adapted from resources available on this web site: http://www.christmas-day.org/christmas-prayers.html. Art work by Mark Hakomaki, 2006.
21 Week of December 25 Christmas Octave Begins Sunday 12/25 Monday 12/26 Tuesday 12/27 Christmas Day Gospel: John 1:1-18 Question of the Week: What or who is the light of your life? How does God figure into that for you? Feast today! St Stephen He kept faith! May our faith be unshaken by the events of the world around us. Kwanzaa begins. Boxing Day Feast today! St John Beloved of Jesus and friend to Mary, may we likewise allow others to live comfortably near us. Wednesday 12/28 Thursday 12/29 Friday 12/30 Feast today! The Holy Innocents They were killed in a madman s drive for power. May we learn not to hurt others in order to protect ourselves. Spiritual goal for this week: Allow Christ to live within your heart and then take him with you out to your world. Feast! The Holy Family No matter how or with whom you live, we are all called to live in ever-greater holiness. May the New Year bring you closer to that goal so that, like the Holy Family, you may know God s love in your life. Saturday 12/31 New Year s Eve Feast today! St. Sylvester
22 Week of January 1 Christmas Season Sunday 1/1 Solemnity of Mary, Mother of God Gospel: Luke 2: 16-21 Question of the Week: What signs are there in your life that God is with you, inspiring you to love through the Holy Spirit? Wednesday 1/4 Feast today! St. Elizabeth Ann Seton She dedicated herself to the welfare of those in need. May our hearts likewise turn toward those who are most vulnerable. Monday 1/2 Feast today! Sts. Basil the Great and Gregory Nazianzen Men of faith, hope and love, they turned their skills to work for the Reign of God. May we do likewise today! Thursday 1/5 Feast today! St John Neumann May our faith be as strong as his and may we all help to build the Reign of God. Tuesday 1/3 Spiritual goal for this week: Learn to see how God is calling you to live your faith. Listen to those around you when they call you to help, and listen to your heart as you make your response. Friday 1/6 (Formerly the Feast of Epiphany, when gifts were exchanged in many European countries now moved to the Sunday following January 1.) Saturday 1/7 Checking in One way to discern the will of God for us is to discuss our options with those around us. Before every big decision, ask a friend or spouse to help you listen. Sacred Calendar for Christmas 2012 Year B PastoralPlanning.com
23 Week of January 8 Christmas Season Sunday 1/8 Solemnity of the Epiphany Gospel: Matthew 2:1-12 Question of the Week: When they met Christ, the magi opened both their hearts and pocket books to give all to him. How do you do this yourself? How do you give all to Christ without holding back? Wednesday 1/11 Checking in: Return to the reading from last Sunday. They opened their treasures (Matthew 2:11 NAB). We are called to do likewise, holding nothing back. Saturday 1/14 Here in wintertime (for those in the north), let us light the fire of love in our lives. And for those in the south, may this summertime be full of rich blessings of light as well. Monday 1/9 Feast today! The Baptism of the Lord Gospel: Mark 1:7-11 Reflection Question for today: In our baptism we promised ourselves to Tuesday 1/10 Spiritual goal for this week: Become more clear about how you live your faith on a daily basis. See forgiveness, charity, generosity, and hospitality as part of that and signs that God. How do you live you are living your that in your everyday faith. life? Thursday 1/12 From 1 John: And this is the boldness we have in him, that if we ask anything according to his will, be hears us. -- 1 John 5:14 (NRSV) Notes Links Friday 1/13 Feast today! St Hilary A man of great faith who led others to Christ. May our faith be so strong that others see in us what they long for in their own lives: peace, joy, and happiness. The Christmas Season ends with evening prayer on January 9. How will you continue to live this season now as we enter Ordinary Time in the Church Year?
A Christmas Creed 24 I believe in Jesus Christ and in the beauty of the gospel begun in Bethlehem. I believe in the one whose spirit glorified a little town; and whose spirit still brings music to persons all over the world, in towns both large and small. I believe in the one for whom the crowded inn could find no room, and I confess that my heart still sometimes wants to exclude Christ from my life today. I believe in the one whom the rulers of the earth ignored and the proud could never understand; whose life was among common people, whose welcome came from persons of hungry hearts. I believe in the one who proclaimed the love of God to be invincible. I believe in the one whose cradle was a mother's arms, whose modest home in Nazareth had love for its only wealth, who looked at persons and made them see what God's love saw in them, who by love brought sinners back to purity, and lifted human weakness up to meet the strength of God. I confess my ever-lasting need of God: The need of forgiveness for our selfishness and greed, the need of new life for empty souls, the need of love for hearts grown cold. I believe in God who gives us the best of himself. I believe in Jesus, the son of the living God, born in Bethlehem this night, for me and for the world. PastoralPlanning.com, 2009. Portions of these prayers were adapted from resources available on this web site: http://www.christmas-day.org/christmasprayers.html. Art work by Mark Hakomaki, 2006.