ADVENT - A season for waiting in peace, hope, joy, love and a Sunday to rejoice

Today, Sunday, December 1, 2013, marks the beginning of a new liturgical year in the Roman Catholic Church and the beginning of the Advent Season. The spirit of the Liturgy all through Advent is one of expectation and preparation for the feast of Christmas as well as for the second coming of Christ. Advent reminds me that God so loved me, He sent His only son to be my Savior and Lord. Jesus came to this world as a baby and was born like all human beings and was fully human and divine and the world still celebrates some 2000 years later. Whom else is celebrated after 2000 years? On the rapid think, I can think of no other human being. Sure I may read about some historical figure; but, I do not celebrate their birthday or death.

A sign of Advent is the Advent Wreath and Candles. Each candle signals a message that I am in need of and desire to send the same message to the larger world. The candles symbolize - peace, hope, joy and love. Peace, to all the people in war torn lands especially in Syria and the Ukraine. Hope to all in the Philippines devastated from Typhoon Haiyan. Joy to all who are down hearted, depressed and full of grief. Lastly, peace in my heart, peace in my family, peace in my country, peace in the world and peace to all people of goodwill.

At mass today, the first violet candle was lit. Another candle will be lit each Sunday. On Gaudete Sunday, the rose colored candle is lit. Gaudete Sunday (the third Sunday) marks the halfway point of the season. Gaudete is from the Latin and means rejoice. Rejoice in the Lord always; again I say, rejoice. Let your forbearance be known to all, for the Lord is near at hand; have no anxiety about anything, but in all things, by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be known to God. Lord, you have blessed your land; you have turned away the captivity of Jacob. (Philippians 4:4–6; Psalm 85 (84):1). And finally all the candles will be lit. Advent will be nearing completion as the fourth candle and Sunday celebration is completed. Advent will end and the Christmas Season will begin.

 

This year like other years, I intend to celebrate and keep the Advent Season. I want to wait in hope and joy and peace and love. I want to wait patiently while in line shopping or at the gas station or doctor's office. I want to join with all the people who waited for the Messiah and all who still do not know Jesus and are waiting for Him even in their unbelief. I want to wait for Christmas; Christmas will come as God keeps His promises. I need to prepare my heart and home to receive and welcome Jesus. I will celebrate the birth of Jesus and intend to keep Christmas well. To help keep Christmas, I have been giving to the Salvation Army bell ringers. I am thankful for all that I have including that I have some to share. My life this year makes this a real witness to being thankful to God in all things. I have experienced sickness and job loose. I have also been given a great gift of physical and emotional healing. I trust in God, that a new job will also become a reality. 

 

Advent is not just that Christmas will come. It's also a foreboding of really big things that one day I will die and Jesus will receive me and welcome me into a heavenly home. Advent is also a reminder that Christ's second coming will happen. It's a time to reflect on small things like making cookies and candy and to ponder really big things like God's love and eternal life. Celebrate Advent and celebrate all the great Christian Feasts that fall during this period. Take time to prepare and make ready your home and heart. 

When I originally wrote this, I thought this was not very good and stopped writing. I believe people call it writer's block, criticism, not believing in oneself. It's not just about celebrating Advent, life is about celebrating all things great or small. It's about self-acceptance and moving forward and continuing to learn and love.

 

An Attitude of Gratitude

An Attitude of Gratitude

How an Attitude of Gratitude Makes Me a Better Person –

Top 10 Reasons to be Grateful

1.      I properly thank God for all that I am and have been given always and everywhere.  

2.      I realize God’s blessings and grace in my life. 

3.      When I am grateful for my family, neighbors and community and world – I am motivated to share and make the lives of others better in small ways and in large ways.

4.      I appreciate my gift of life – and am prompted to be the best version of myself that I can be.

5.      Giving thanks improves my mood and makes me into a more joyous person

6.      Being grateful makes me more understanding, empathetic and less judgmental of others.

7.      It prevents me from complaining about anyone and anything. 

8.      When I am thankful, I find a smile on my face and joy in my heart.

9.      It makes me think positive.

10.   I appreciate my material possessions more. It makes me realize how much material possessions I have.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A Laughing Jesus

A Laughing Jesus

Did Jesus laugh? Does Jesus want us to be people of happiness, joy and laughter? I think so and so do others.  We know there is a time and season for all things – a time to plant and a time to harvest. Likewise, there is a time to make merry and a time for sorrow. Jesus was fully human. As much as Jesus wore diapers and was nursed by his mother, Jesus being fully human laughed (even though the Bible does not record that Jesus even smiled). Jesus was fully God and fully man and as such Jesus would have laughed and cried (the Bible does say, “Jesus wept” (John 11:35)). Think of a laughing Jesus and choose to serve a God of laughter, happiness, joy, hope and gratitude. Remember, the first miracle performed by Jesus was at a wedding feast where he changed the water into very good wine to the delight and joy of the bride and groom, their families and the guests.

 

Artwork of the Jesus Laughing is available from Praise Prints, LLC at http://www.jesuslaughing.com/

Enjoy these jokes and quotes.

Its football season and here is a great very clean joke to share that does not make fun of any team or player; but, it is really a good joke. The St. Peter vs. Satan Football Game... St. Peter and Satan were having an argument one day about football. This goes on and on with both arguing who would field the best team. Satan proposed a game to be played on neutral ground between a select team from the heavenly host and his own hand-picked boys. "Very well," said the gatekeeper of Heaven. "But you realize, I hope, that we've got all the good players and the best coaches." "I know, and that's all right," Satan answered unperturbed, "but we've got all the officials!"

And a little totally Catholic humor - So there's a wonderful fish and chips shop down on the boardwalk at the Jersey Shore, not far from where I live. Monks run it, and being a good Catholic, I figure I ought to support such a worthy endeavor. The reputation is that the place serves the best fish and chips in the world, so I go there and buy a meal. And by gosh, they are the best fish and chips in the world! So good, in fact, that I have to go back to the kitchen and thank the chefs. And there they are, laboring in monkly robes over a hot stove. "Excuse me sir," I say, "are you the fish friar?" "No, son. I'm the chip monk."

And a quote for the autumn season. 

“Autumn, the year's last, loveliest smile.”

                                                                                  William Cullen Bryant

 Smile awhile and bring joy, laughter, happiness and cheer with you wherever you go.