Showing posts with label Christmas. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Christmas. Show all posts

Wednesday, December 23, 2015

A Blessed Christmas!

I wish all of you a blessed Christmas!  Let us never forget the true meaning of Christmas-- the most precious Gift every given, the Miracle of the Incarnation, the Word becoming Flesh and laid in a manger in Bethlehem.  Let us always sing with the angels "Gloria in Excelsis Deo!"


I shared this poem last year and so many enjoyed reading it that I thought I would share it again.



"Twas the night before Christmas and all through the town,
While Joseph was seeking a place for the Child;The children were nestled, each snug in their beds,
The grown-ups wouldn't bother, there's no room they said;
When even the innkeeper send them away,
Joseph was wondering, where they would stay;
He thought of the caves in the side of the hills,
Let's go there said Mary, it's silent and still;
The moon on the breast of the new fallen snow,
Made pathways of light for their tired feet to go;
And there in a cave, in a cradle of hay,
Our Savior was born on that first Christmas Day!
The Father was watching in Heaven above,
He sent for His angels, His couriers of love,
More rapid than eagles God's bright angels came;
Rejoicing and eager as each heard his name;
Come Power, Come Cherubs, Come Virtues, Come Raphael,
Come Thrones and Dominions, come Michael and Gabriel;
Now fly to the Earth, where My poor people live,
Announce the glad tiding My Son comes to give;
The Shepherds were watching their flocks on this night,
And saw in the heavens an unearthly light;
The Angels assured them, they'd nothing to fear,
It's Christmas they said, the Savior is here!
They hastened to find Him, and stood at the door,
Till Mary invited them in to adore;
He was swaddled in bands from His head to His feet,
Never did the shepherds see a baby so sweet!
He spoke not a word, but the shepherds all knew,
He was telling them secrets and blessing them too;
Then softly they left Him, The Babe in the hay,
And rejoiced with great joy on that first Christmas Day;
Mary heard them exclaim as they walked up the hill,
Glory to God in the Highest, Peace to men of good will!"--Sr. St. Thomas, BND de N

All of the blog hops (Try a New Recipe Tuesday, My Week in Review and Frugal Mommas Friday linkup) will return in the New Year!

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Wednesday, December 24, 2014

A Blessed Christmas!!!!

I wish all of you a blessed Christmas!  Let us never forget the true meaning of Christmas-- the most precious Gift ever given, the Miracle of the Incarnation, the Word becoming Flesh and laid in a manger in Bethlehem.  Let us always sing with the angels "Gloria in Excelsis Deo!"





I shared this poem last year and so many enjoyed reading it that I thought I would share it again.



"Twas the night before Christmas, and all through the town,

St. Joseph was searching, walking up roads and down;

Our Lady was waiting, so meek and so mild,
While Joseph was seeking a place for the Child;
The children were nestled, each snug in their beds,
The grown-ups wouldn't bother, there's no room they said;
When even the innkeeper send them away,
Joseph was wondering, where they would stay;
He thought of the caves in the side of the hills,
Let's go there said Mary, it's silent and still;
The moon on the breast of the new fallen snow,
Made pathways of light for their tired feet to go;
And there in a cave, in a cradle of hay,
Our Savior was born on that first Christmas Day!
The Father was watching in Heaven above,
He sent for His angels, His couriers of love,
More rapid than eagles God's bright angels came;
Rejoicing and eager as each heard his name;
Come Power, Come Cherubs, Come Virtues, Come Raphael,
Come Thrones and Dominions, come Michael and Gabriel;
Now fly to the Earth, where My poor people live,
Announce the glad tiding My Son comes to give;
The Shepherds were watching their flocks on this night,
And saw in the heavens an unearthly light;
The Angels assured them, they'd nothing to fear,
It's Christmas they said, the Savior is here!
They hastened to find Him, and stood at the door,
Till Mary invited them in to adore;
He was swaddled in bands from His head to His feet,
Never did the shepherds see a baby so sweet!
He spoke not a word, but the shepherds all knew,
He was telling them secrets and blessing them too;
Then softly they left Him, The Babe in the hay,
And rejoiced with great joy on that first Christmas Day;
Mary heard them exclaim as they walked up the hill,

Glory to God in the Highest, Peace to men of good will!"--Sr. St. Thomas, BND de N



"My Week in Review" will return next week.  :-)

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Saturday, December 28, 2013

Christmas Memories

We had a beautiful Christmas.  The only problem was that hubby was sick in bed.  He was able to get out of bed by the next afternoon and had a belated celebration with the kiddos.

Christmas started for us on Christmas Eve with church.  It was SO beautiful!  The kiddos were decked in their best attire.  :-)



Celebrating Christ's birth is always special, but when you hear hundreds of people all singing carols together with all of the splendor around you, it is very touching and makes it all hit home.  The Word became Flesh and dwelt among us......


What really impressed me on Christmas morning is that the children didn't want to go see their gifts until they exchanged with each other.  Isn't that awesome?  They went out shopping with my mom, as I mentioned in a previous post, to buy gifts for each other.  Kiddo #4 made everyone a homemade gift in sewing class.


Kiddo #1 didn't want to buy Kiddo #2 a gift.  He wanted to make him a gift.  He designed a cabinet himself and enlisted hubby's help to make the sketches become a reality.  It came out absolutely gorgeous!  Can you see it under the gifts?  :-)


Everyone enjoyed the morning playing with their favorite gifts.  Those included airplanes


trains


calico critters


and all things football


Even Mittens wanted to join in on the fun


We had a wonderful dinner and enjoyed all kinds of yummy desserts.

I hope you all had a wonderful, blessed and beautiful Christmas with your families!  If you didn't read the Christmas poem I shared on Christmas Eve, you can click here to read it.  I know you will like it.




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Tuesday, December 24, 2013

A Blessed and Merry Christmas!


I wish all of you a blessed Christmas!  Let us never forget the true meaning of Christmas-- the most precious Gift ever given, the Miracle of the Incarnation, the Word becoming Flesh and laid in a manger in Bethlehem.  Let us always sing with the angels "Gloria in Excelsis Deo!"




I shared this poem last year and so many enjoyed reading it that I thought I would share it again.



"Twas the night before Christmas, and all through the town,

St. Joseph was searching, walking up roads and down;

Our Lady was waiting, so meek and so mild,
While Joseph was seeking a place for the Child;
The children were nestled, each snug in their beds,
The grown-ups wouldn't bother, there's no room they said;
When even the innkeeper send them away,
Joseph was wondering, where they would stay;
He thought of the caves in the side of the hills,
Let's go there said Mary, it's silent and still;
The moon on the breast of the new fallen snow,
Made pathways of light for their tired feet to go;
And there in a cave, in a cradle of hay,
Our Savior was born on that first Christmas Day!
The Father was watching in Heaven above,
He sent for His angels, His couriers of love,
More rapid than eagles God's bright angels came;
Rejoicing and eager as each heard his name;
Come Power, Come Cherubs, Come Virtues, Come Raphael,
Come Thrones and Dominions, come Michael and Gabriel;
Now fly to the Earth, where My poor people live,
Announce the glad tiding My Son comes to give;
The Shepherds were watching their flocks on this night,
And saw in the heavens an unearthly light;
The Angels assured them, they'd nothing to fear,
It's Christmas they said, the Savior is here!
They hastened to find Him, and stood at the door,
Till Mary invited them in to adore;
He was swaddled in bands from His head to His feet,
Never did the shepherds see a baby so sweet!
He spoke not a word, but the shepherds all knew,
He was telling them secrets and blessing them too;
Then softly they left Him, The Babe in the hay,
And rejoiced with great joy on that first Christmas Day;
Mary heard them exclaim as they walked up the hill,
Glory to God in the Highest, Peace to men of good will!"--Sr. St. Thomas, BND de N



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Wednesday, December 18, 2013

Books to help celebrate Advent and Christmas

(affiliate links included)

We, like many other families, have favorite books that we like to read every Advent in preparation for Christmas.

No matter how many years we have read them, or how old my children get, we all still look forward each year to reading our favorites.

Some of these include:









These stories touch your heart and soul and really help in preparing for Christmas.  If you haven't read any of them, I would strongly suggest you read them with your family.  You won't be disappointed.  :-)



Come see the favorites of my Crew mates here.


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Monday, December 2, 2013

Christmas Freebies

Here are some wonderful freebies that are being offered from Friends and Heroes.  The best part? There are NO strings attached!  :-)

You and your children can enjoy

1) A Christmas music video that can be viewed or even downloaded for free


2) A free online Advent calendar


Click here to access these wonderful free programs for you and your children to better enjoy your Advent season!





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Sunday, December 1, 2013

Keep Christ in Christmas


I’m participating in the KEEP CHRIST in CHRISTMAS Blog Link-Up 2013, 
hosted by

 We'll be sharing different ways, tips, stories and real-life experiences that will help us focus our Advent and Christmas on JESUS!
Please scroll down to the end of the post to see the list of link-up entries.  It is open to Christians of all denominations who observe Advent.





How do we keep Christ in Christmas?

We start in Advent.  Our entire school focus changes.  We decorate a Jesse Tree and learn all about the genealogy of Jesus.






We read many special books that keep our focus on the coming of Christ.



We do special crafts and activities






We memorize portions of the magnificat (Mary's prayer that she proclaims when visiting Elizabeth) as well as parts of the birth narratives of Jesus.  The children recite these on Christmas day.

We bake special treats



We listen to music


and we always light our Advent wreath and have special readings/prayers to go along with it.



And we never forget our Advent chain that helps us count down the days until Christmas!  :-)








What special traditions do you have to keep Christ in Christmas?  The posts below are the ones that have been linked up so far.  :-)

Equipping Catholic Families: Keep Christ in Christmas
Simply Homeschool  Living Advent Series 12/1 - 12/25
Coffee Moments with Sam     The Light of Hope
Faith Filled Freebies: Keep Christ in Christmas
Written by the Finger of God: Not Christmas as Usual
On the Way Home:  Keep Christ in Christmas
Sue Elvis Writes: Bring Christ to Others
Mommy Bares All       Why Celebrate Christmas Even After #YolandaPH

Canadian Catholic Mom         Keeping The Little Ones Focused: An Advent Link-Up
Mountain of Grace Homeschooling   Keep Christ in Christmas
Em’s Estuary: Keeping Christ in Christmas
JoyAlive.net: O Come, O Come, Emmanuel
Home to 4 Kiddos        Keep Christ in Christmas
Embedded Faith          Boldly Be the Christ in Christmas
City Girl, Country Home         Emmanuel Is With Us. Are we WITH HIM?
Journey to Wisdom: Trusting in your Awkward Fiats

Training Happy Hearts            10 Ways to Celebrate the New Liturgical Year
Designs by Birgit: Elf on a Shelf and Santa Claus
Catholic Inspired: Faith-Centered Family Christmas
A Slice of Smith Life: How we keep Christ in Christmas
Catholic All Year: Three Reasons I love Advent
Mary the Defender: Christmas The Battle Begins
Truly Rich Mom: Keep Christ in Christmas
Diapers and Drivel: Keeping Christ in Christmas

Raising Soldiers 4 Christ: Keeping Christ in Christmas
Campfires and Cleats How We Keep Christ in Christmas
Homeschooling With Joy        Keeping Christ in Christmas
Mrs Domestic Bliss     Gingerbread Nativity
The Chic Traveller      Keeping Christ in Christmas
California to Korea     Keeping Christ in Christmas
Dominique's Desk       Keeping Christ in Christmas
Journey Living: Anno Domini

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Saturday, December 29, 2012

Yay for snow! :-)

I hope everyone had a beautiful and blessed Christmas day with their family or friends!  :-)  We sure did.  I will share some photos next week when I get back into my regular blogging schedule.  I have been enjoying the "blogcation," spending time with my children, making photo albums, baking, playing bingo and just enjoying the time with each other.  :-)

As 2012 rapidly comes to a close, the kiddos were thrilled to finally have a "real" snowfall.  Ok, it wasn't a big storm, but it was enough to have a snowball fight, ride on a sled and even make a little snowman. (Kiddo #4 was thrilled to make it with tootsie rolls for eyes and licorice for a mouth)