It's Christmas Eve

-
On this day before Christmas, people are rushing around everywhere. Some are wrapping their presents. Some are buying them. Some people are decorating, or even putting up their Christmas trees. Hot cocoa runneth over, with marshmallows floating in the top. Christmas cookies are laying around for anyone to munch on. There is even fudge and all kinds of chocolate. Ugly sweater Christmas parties are fun to go to, and Christmas classics are a must to watch. There are dances to dress up for and eggnog to sip (if you like eggnog, which I don't).

When you go to Church, the scene changes. Sure, there are decorations everywhere, but what is with those purple and pink candles? That signifies Advent, the preparation period for Christmas. Advent is almost over now. Tomorrow, it will be over. All four candles will be lit, along with a white one in the middle. In fact, tonight for the vigil Mass, they will all be lit. The choir will sing in unison. Maybe your Church has a Christmas pageant. Ours does. The kids dress up as Joseph and Mary, the shepherds, angels, kings, and sheep. I'm in the choir, so that means that you sing for Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. As you open your stockings, unwrap your gifts, eat your savory delights, and share your love, remember why you celebrate. Remember the One who ultimately is the greatest Gift. Jesus, the Son of God. He came into the world so that we might have eternal life.

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Movie Review: Joan of Arc

-
Image
The 1948 version of Joan of Arc with Ingrid Bergman is an excellent movie, and is also pretty family-friendly. I admire Ingrid Bergman's great acting abilities. She can cry on cue, and shows great emotion at every moment she is focused on. Joan is a fourteen year old girl who is hearing voices from Heaven. She is supposed to lead God's Army against Orleans and crown the Dauphin, Charles VII, as King of France. She does succeed in conquering Orleans. When her army prepares to march against Paris, King Charles sells his country to England. Unfortunately, Joan is then arrested, sold, and subjected to horrible trials that are political, though she is accused of being a heretic and a witch. She was only doing the will of God. There were a couple of faults in this movie. For example, Joan's hair should have grown if she was really on trial for five months. Also, some of the Latin words during the coronation ceremony were mispronounced. The film elements were appropriately si...
Read more

Ash Wednesday

-
Image
Try to understand another's point of view. Sometimes we can get so wrapped up in ourselves that we do not even regard the other person's opinions. Effective practice of this technique is called dual perspective (thank you, Interpersonal Communication class!) This means that you fully respect both yours and the other individual's unique viewpoint. In doing so, you can both practice humility and develop your listening skills simultaneously! Saint of the Day Wednesday, February 13, 2013 St. Giles Mary of St. Joseph (1729-1812) In the same year that a power-hungry Napoleon Bonaparte led his army into Russia, Giles Mary of St. Joseph ended a life of humble service to his Franciscan community and to the citizens of Naples. Francesco was born in Taranto to very poor parents. His father’s death left the 18-year-old Francesco to care for the family. Having secured their future, he entered the Friars Minor at Galaton...
Read more

Stress: It's Where I'm At

-
Image
J.M.J. Wow...long time no talk. I've been busy. More accurately, I just haven't made time to write. I think that I'm too busy but the truth is, I didn't feel like writing. I've been so stressed out! I've been worrying about everything. I started taking online classes this semester and let me tell you, the experience hasn't been good. I'm surviving the academic load but I'm thinking that this career idea isn't the one for me. I thought I wanted to be a counseling psychologist but all the stress and anxiety that these courses are bringing me is telling me something else. All of this stress has been leading to a lack of sleep. I don't have to tell you that this makes life a lot harder than normal. Add to that work, my social life, and school, and I'm one weighed down individual. Woe is me, right? I've been praying, trying to ask God why I'm having all these issues. I'd never choose to go through this, but I...
Read more