GodFamilyCrafts

If you were going to create something of absolute beauty and value wouldn’t you make a wonderful absolutely perfect place for it?

This is exactly what God the Father did when preparing for a place for Jesus to come into the World. He created Mary, years before Jesus’ arrival!  Mary is the Immaculate Conception.  She is the perfect place prepared for God Himself to come into the world.

Saying that Mary was “immaculately conceived” in St. Ann’s womb means that at the time of Mary’s conception (by the natural husband and wife means, between St. Joachim and St. Ann) the child conceived– Mary–was saved from the stain of Original Sin!

Thus, a place worthy for the Son of God, and God Himself, to dwell. 

This day, this Feast Day, December 8th is a great holy day!  It shows God’s planning in preparation for His Son to come to earth.  As prophesied by prophets and Old Testament writers and figures, the planning has gone back a long way.

Praise to Jesus, Honor to Mary.

Peace be with you.

When I see that Feast of Christ the King has come, I feel a bit of panic.  Every year, I want to make Advent special  for my family.  I struggle with myself to find time to create new projects - meaningful and reverent. Reverent can also be fun of course, because Advent and Christmas are seasons for joy.

Have you noticed that kids learn so much when they are having fun?  Please come back very soon and see what I have posted for Advent — I promise!

In the past, I have created advent calendars with pockets, each containing a slip of paper with an activity, an inspiration, a prayer or another appropriate message.

Also, in the past we have celebrated each night of Advent with a reading of the Jesse Tree devotion.  The Jesse Tree readings trace the story of the people of God from the creation of the world and Adam and Eve to the birth of Christ. 

Both of these projects can take many forms: as mentioned, it can be a wall hanging with pockets, and here are some other suggestions: Tie tiny scrolls containing the messages to a wreath with narrow red ribbon; create a paper chain with one link for each day of Advent.  On each link write the message. Alternate colors: red, green, purple (the season’s liturgical color), white for Sunday’s, Gold for feast days and Christmas.

Return soon for more ideas.  Peace be with you — Happy Thanksgiving; Viva Christo Rey (long live Christ the King), Blessed Advent.