December 25th has come and gone, which means, for most people, all-things-Christmas are quickly packed away back into basement storage.
Even as Advent ends with the birth of Jesus Christ on Christmas Day, we’re still left with plenty more time to celebrate the true CHRISTMAS season.
One of my favorite things about being Catholic – there are SO many “nooks and crannies” behind every feast celebration and holy day that are just waiting to be seeked out and explored.
The liturgical calendar can truly be a beacon; a guiding light that offers to help in deepening our understanding of our faith.
Lots of opportunities for small, daily celebrations right there at our fingertips. Talk about cultivating a grateful heart!!
For example, just look at everything going on in January! So much more to be explored than simply sitting in a pew on Sunday mornings. 🤍
Thanks, hubby Paul, for finding this awesome wall calendar 🙂 {he got it from Catholic Supply but it’s a Nelson Gifts product}.
OK, let’s get back to the post topic before I get too carried away..
As a family unit, my goal this Christmas season was to focus a little less on what the world has programmed into me and a little more on events and old traditions inspired by the faithful brothers and sisters who came before me.
For mine and my family’s sake, I wanted (NEEDED) to keep grounded. Steadfast reliance on my God and his goodness – that’s as grounded as it gets for me.
Letting that thought drive my holiday season, I searched for small ways to keep the Lord present in my heart:
For the first time, we prioritized attending holy days of obligation in the church that weren’t Easter or Christmas… attempted to take the kiddos along to the first Lessons & Carols event held at IC…and intentionally set 10-15 minutes aside for breakfast time as a family on each Sunday of Advent to light our purposed candles and be present with each other before the Lord.
Mac & I made this cinnamon sweet cake for Jesus’ birthday last Christmas and it quickly became a favorite. Since Mac was all about his own blue birthday cake at the end of November, I really pushed making Jesus his own birthday cake, too!
Since Christmas Eve mass fell on a Sunday, the last Sunday of Advent, we had 2 Mass obligations: regular Sunday mass for advent + Christmas Day (the vigil is always Xmas eve and counts towards the obligation).
This may appear to be a photo fail, however, as I typically forget to capture any kind of family-togetherness and Mac looks so darn cute cuddled up on Paul … we’re rolling with it. 🎄
After Christmas Eve mass, we headed home and got ready for our tree decorating/ lighting/ blessing. The tree blessing I used came from the Magnificat:
Paul put up our tree sometime in the week leading up to Christmas. Between then and Christmas Eve, the only thing I needed to do with it was get it nicely formed and add a couple strings of lights.
Keeping the string lights turned off, we added a few dozen ornaments and, finally, the tree topper. Mac found ways to help with it all & counted us to 3 for the lights to be plugged in and tree illuminated!
My parents along with Paul’s parents had joined us for the lighting and blessing. So very thankful to be apart of this amazing “village”.
🌲🕯️🌟🎄
