HAPPY NEW YEAR!

Christmas now, the day after and forever more...

I can hardly believe that Christmas has come and gone already.  While hoping that you all had the nicest Christmas, I must say ours was very relaxed and quiet as this year we decided not to do any invites on the day itself. After having redecorated the house, I felt we needed a break.  
The Midnight Mass celebration was beautiful, a lovely memory to keep.  In the morning, we got to chat with our dearest son and his lovely girlfriend over skype (wonderful invention) and gifts were opened then, it was as if they were right there in the room with us : )
And it was indeed a lovely Christmas day too, we even managed to watch a few Christmas movies together, that is my husband and I and our daughter.
And now today, the day after Christmas, I can hardly believe Christmas has come and gone already!  But as I mentioned on my radio show earlier during this season, we should keep Christmas with us all through the year.

Here are the words from the Sesame Street crew from their Christmas special...words to keep in mind...

When Christmas time is over and presents put away, don't be sad  
There'll be so much to treasure about this Christmas day and the fun we've had 
So many happy feelings to celebrate with you  
And, oh, the good times hurry by so fast,  
But even when it's over there's something you can do to make Christmas last
 
Keep Christmas with you All through the year,  
When Christmas is over, You can keep it near. 
Think of this Christmas day When Christmas is far away.
 
Keep Christmas with you All through the year,  
When Christmas is over, Save some Christmas cheer. 
These precious moments, Hold them very dear 
And keep Christmas with you All through the year.
 
Christmas means the spirit of giving 
Peace and joy to you, 
The goodness of loving, 
The gladness of living; 
These are Christmas too.
 
So, keep Christmas with you All through the year,  
When Christmas is over, Save some Christmas cheer. 
These precious moments, Hold them very dear 
And keep Christmas with you All through the year.

Blessings to you all this Christmas 
and throughout the coming New Year

4th Sunday in Advent

Today we light the 4th and last candle on our Advent wreath as we celebrate the fourth Sunday of Advent.  Our preparation for Christmas is almost finished...THE BIRTH OF JESUS is now imminent. Very soon we will be celebrating the memory of that great event. Today’s Mass prepares us for the Christmas celebration. It is appropriate that the readings for this Sunday are so pregnant with hope and anticipation; they mirror and magnify the excitement that comes with true waiting, knowing we are on the cusp of experiencing God's unlimited love made manifest to us once again.
Today the Pope in his Sunday Angelus spoke of the Visitation of the Blessed Virgin Mary to her cousin, Elisabeth – the episode narrated during the Gospel reading for the day. 
The Holy Father focused on hospitality as he said, " Wherever there are those who welcome one another, where there is careful attention, wherever there are people who make room for another,” he said, “there is God – and the joy that comes from Him."  
“Let us imitate Mary in the Christmas season, visiting to those who are experiencing difficulty, especially the sick, the imprisoned, the elderly and little children,” prayed Pope Benedict, “and let us also imitate Elisabeth, who received her guest as God, Himself.” The Pope concluded by asking the faithful to pray that all men might seek God earnestly, and find that it is God Himself who comes first to visit us.” 
 

Pope Benedict XVI on Gaudete Sunday

This third Sunday of Advent is called "Gaudete Sunday" -- "Rejoice," we are called to rejoice because the Lord is near. . . the "nearness" of God is not a question of space and time, but rather a question of love: Love is near! Christmas will come to remind us of this fundamental truth of our faith and, before the crèche, taste Christian joy, contemplating in the face of the newborn Jesus the God who drew near to us for love. As we renew our hope in Jesus and look forward to His coming, may we experience in our lives the deep joy of His salvation . . . who in His birth brings God's benediction to men.
Pope Benedict XVI

3rd Sunday of Advent ~ Gaudete Sunday ~

Today we celebrate the third Sunday of Advent, also known as "Gaudete" Sunday, which means "Rejoice!" Today also the 3rd candle on the Advent wreath is lit, it is usually a pink candle different from the other purple ones, a little lighter as we are now more than half way this Advent towards Christmas which makes us rejoice. Let us continue to prepare ourselves with prayer and repentance for the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.

2nd Sunday in Advent

“As the journey of Advent continues, as we prepare to celebrate the nativity of Christ, John the Baptist's call to conversion sounds out in our communities. It is a pressing invitation to open our hearts and to welcome the Son of God ... (read more... http://www.catholicculture.org/culture/liturgicalyear/calendar/day.cfm?date=2012-12-09

"...The 'voice' of the great prophet asks us to prepare the way for the coming Lord in the deserts of today, internal and external deserts, thirsting for the water of life which is Christ.” — Benedict XVI