Sunday Wisdom

Today is the Feast of the Holy Family and what a great time to give thanks for our own families. Sure we have all had our share of happy and sad times, but I think that is what makes a family holy, the ability to offer love and understanding in good times and in bad.

Even the Holy Family had it’s share of struggles, but they never gave up. They had to deal with Herod’s jealous and murderous rage, the secret flight to Egypt, that could not have been easy, and the resettlement in Nazareth, away from family and friends! But again, they never gave up and they persevered in love.

No family is perfect and all families face hardships, but it is how we handle these things that make the difference. It is how we draw strength from our Heavenly Father that gets us through the tough times. So let us all pray to be more kind and loving this year. Let us practice that selfless love that bears all things, hopes all things and forgives all things.

And on this Feast of the Holy Family, let us pray for all families to be united God’s perfect love and give thanks for one another as we humbly accept the mercy of our Lord and pray for peace this coming year.

Have a Blessed Sunday, I hope you will stop back tomorrow for some more crafting fun!

Yes, it is almost Christmas! We have 4 days left to prepare our hearts, bake those cookies and wrap those present. Hopefully all of your shopping is finished! LOL

Today’s gospel reminds me of the excitement and anticipation Mary and Joseph must have experienced long ago that first Christmas, but it also makes me wonder if there was also nerviness and anxiety. One thing I am sure of and often take solace in, is Mary and her undying love for our Lord. I am often reminded of her obedience, gratitude and acceptance of all gifts, the good and the stressful.

As we wait to enter into the Christmas Season, no doubt this year will be filled with some stress and anxiety, but remember it can also be filled with HOPE! We place our hope in the Lord as we long for peace, justice and security. My prayer for all of you this Christmas Season is that your heart will be filled with HOPE!

I am blessed to have so many of you as my friends, and today, I thank God for each and everyone of you!

Today is the third Sunday of Advent and time to Rejoice! Christmas is almost here. If you are like me, then you love this time of year with all the glorious lights. It is also a time to reflect on God’s unconditional love. Mother Teresa describes it best:

“Whatever brings us true joy, whether the small joys of each day or the greatest joys in life, has its source in God, even if this does not seem immediately obvious. This is because God is a communion of eternal love, he is infinite joy that does not remain closed in on itself, but expands to embrace all whom God loves and who love him. God created us in his image out of love, in order to shower his love upon us and to fill us with his presence and grace.

God wants us to share in his own divine and eternal joy, and he helps us to see that the deepest meaning and value of our lives lie in being accepted, welcomed and loved by him. Whereas we sometimes find it hard to accept others, God offers us an unconditional acceptance which enables us to say: “I am loved; I have a place in the world and in history; I am personally loved by God. If God accepts me and loves me and I am sure of this, then I know clearly and with certainty that it is a good thing that I am alive”. ~Mother Teresa

Today we celebrate the second Sunday in Advent and the gospel reading is about John the Baptist.  Do you know what made John the Baptist truly great?  It was his humility and the way he pointed everyone to Jesus.

Sometimes one of our greatest human struggle is pride. We tend to be overly concerned about what others think of us and we begin to focus only on ourselves.  John the Baptist teaches humility by always focusing his attention on Jesus.

He knew who he was and whose he was, so humility was clearly found in his words and loving actions of placing the Lord first. Perhaps this Advent Season we can strive to be more like John and put others first. When we put others first, we put Christ first. 

“Deliver us, Lord, we pray from evil, graciously grant peace in our days, that, by the help of your mercy, we may be always free from sin and safe from all distress, as we await the blessed hope and the coming of our Savior, Jesus Christ”.

I hope you have a blessed week! Until next time,

Stamping Hugs and Blessings,
Renae

Today is the first Sunday of Advent. Advent calls us to seek, to trust, and to rest in the peace, hope, joy, and love that is Jesus.
It challenges us to be watchful and alert! It is important to be watchful for and alert to the people who need encouragement, support, kindness, respect.

Advent is also a season of waiting….waiting in in hope for the many graces of this season.  May your season be filled with the wonder and awe of the Lord’s unconditional love and mercy.

Stamping Hugs and Blessings,
Renae