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Very Merry 5th Day of Christmas
Merry 5th Day of Christmas Yesterday we woke up to torrential rain, thunder and 60-degree temperatures. Overnight winter blew back into town with crazy winds, blowing snow and “reel feel” temperatures of minus 1-degree! This is the Chicago area so wild weather changes on the same day are more the norm than not. I think the crazy weather changes are also symbolic of life in general. One minute things are calm and quiet. The next minute chaos enters! This sort of freezing Christmas season days makes me appreciate the calm of our warm house along with the beauty of our Christmas tree, Nativity set and other decorations. There is still a lot to celebrate on this fifth day of Christmas! Why Five Golden rings on the Fifth Day of Christmas? Five Golden Rings represent the Pentateuch—the first five books of the Old Testament, Genesis, Exodus, Numbers, Leviticus, and Deuteronomy, that paved the way for the coming of Christ. As the Christmas lights continue to twinkle, today is a beautiful reminder of the ‘gold’ found in God’s Word along with the ‘gold’ in our lives—the people, the traditions, and the quiet moments that matter most. What are the “golden rings” in your life today? Merry Christmas, Karen #5thdayofchristmas #12DaysofChristmas...
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Very Merry 4th Day of Christmas
Merry 4th Day of Christmas! In addition to today being the fourth Day of Christmas, two feasts are observed in the Catholic Church. It is quite the quandary that we observe such different feasts on the same day since one celebrates the beauty of the family while the other commemorates the slaughter of young children. The Feast of the Holy Family celebrates the lives of Jesus, the Blessed Virgin Mary, and Saint Joseph. By choosing to be born into a family, Jesus sanctified the human experience of home life. The feast reminds us that holiness is found in ordinary moments of family life: daily chores, work, and quiet times of family togetherness. it also reminds us that the family is the foundation for learning. The Feast of the Holy Innocents commemorates the boys of Bethlehem who were killed by King Herod in his attempt to eliminate the infant Jesus, as recorded in the Gospel of Matthew Chapter 2:16–18. Joseph is the connection between these two feasts. Joseph protected Jesus from Herod’s intentions by heeding the warning in a dream and fleeing to safety in Egypt to safety. This is a day to pray for the protection of all children and remember that Christ’s light shines even in the darkest corners of history. Why four Calling Birds on the Fourth Day of Christmas? Four Calling Birds represent the four Gospels and Evangelists: Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John. As I have in past years on this day, I will pray for the protection of all pregnant women and their unborn babies, along with newborns and other vulnerable children and adults. My prayer for today Lord, you protected the Holy Family from the cruelty of Herod by the hand of Saint Joseph. We ask your protection today for our family and for all children who are vulnerable. May we, like Mary and Joseph, always be ready to protect the children – their life, their faith and their innocence – within our own families and communities. Amen Merry Christmas,...
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Very Merry 3rd Day of Christmas
Merry 3rd Day of Christmas! This morning at church, I met with one of my favorite musicians to practice music for upcoming Masses. For nearly two hours we sang, played and, of course, laughed. There is something so beautiful about singing some of our favorite songs with a fellow music lover in a quiet church. I recall my Italian grandmother telling me as a young girl that when we sing we pray twice. It is a beautiful way to share my faith and perhaps inspire hope in others for the week ahead. Why Three French Hens on the third day of Christmas? Some say the three...
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Very Merry 2nd Day of Christmas!
Merry 2nd Day of Christmas! Earlier today, I saw on social media that many people started putting away their Christmas decorations on Christmas evening because the holiday is over. It seems there is always a rush to get it all up right after Thanksgiving and then pack it away before the first day of Christmas has even ended. This afternoon I spent a bit of time reminiscing over past Christmas seasons. Looking at some of the decorations we...
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Very Merry 1st Day of Christmas!
Merry 1st Day of Christmas! “The Twelve Days of Christmas” remains one of my favorite carols and I have observed the 12 days of Christmas for as long as I can remember. I enjoy the tradition and I look forward to sharing some reflections each day during the season. We had the general busy-ness of life keeping us occupied over the past year. Our hearts are still adjusting to the many losses of dear ones and pets over...
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Epiphany 2025
And suddenly the star they had seen rising went forward and halted over the place where the child was. The sight of the star filled them with delight, and going into the house they saw the child with his mother Mary, and falling to their knees they did him homage. Then, opening their treasures, they offered him gifts of gold and frankincense and myrrh. Matthew 2:9-11 Since January 6th fell on a Monday this year, The Feast of...
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Merry 12th Day of Christmas
Merry 12th Day of Christmas As we close out these Merry 12 Days of Christmas, my thoughts turn to some of the Christmas celebrations of years gone by. I recall the gatherings of my young childhood when we would attend Christmas Eve Mass at Sacred Heart Mission followed by dinner at our Italian Nana’s house, in Hometown. Nana’s house was decorated so beautifully, with her nativity scene set up in the front bay window. The table would...
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Merry 11th Day of Christmas
Merry 11th Day of Christmas Eleven pipers piping. Making music. This brings to mind another favorite hymn. This one is Here I Am, Lord. The opening lines always grab hold of me when we sing this hymn. Here I am, Lord Is it I, Lord? I have heard You calling in the night I will go, Lord If You lead me I will hold Your people in my heart How often do I say that, offer that...
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Merry 10th Day of Christmas
Merry 10th Day of Christmas Psalm 98 is used in today’s readings. Whenever I read these verses, I think of the joy-filled hymn, Sing a New Song. The refrain and first verse are my favorites: Sing a new song unto the Lord let your song be sung from mountains high Sing a new song unto the Lord, singing alleluia. Yahweh’s people dance for joy. O come before the Lord. And play for him on glad tambourines, and...
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Merry 9th Day of Christmas
Merry 9th Day of Christmas The other day I heard the old Alabama song from 1993 called Angels Among Us.. The lyrics got stuck in my head and I ended up adding the song to my music playlist. The words that make me think of all the angels in my life are these: I believe there are angels among us Sent down to us from somewhere up above They come to you and me in our darkest hours...
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Merry 8th Day of Christmas
Merry 8th Day of Christmas A New Years Day tradition I had with my mom was to attend 9:00am Mass at our church to observe the Solemnity of Blessed Virgin Mary, the Mother of God. My mom had a devotion to the Blessed Mother for as long as I could remember. Even though I went to Mass with my mom very often, it was always a special time for me to attend this particular Mass with her each year. This...
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Merry 7th Day of Christmas
Merry 7th Day of Christmas We are already a week into this Christmas season and time does not seem to slow down one bit. It makes me think of when I was a young girl and I would hear my Grandma Lucille talk about how time goes quicker and quicker – and I thought she was a bit nuts and old for believing that. Yet, here I am thinking the same thing. I love how pondering over...
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Merry 6th Day of Christmas
Merry 6th Day of Christmas! This ended up being a very busy day and I nearly missed getting together a post for this Merry 6th Day of Christmas! Our family is preparing for the funeral services of my father-in-law which will be held in the new year. We have been looking through photos, preparing readings and songs, and wading through so many memories of him and all of our other loved ones who have gone to heaven. This...
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Merry 5th Day of Christmas
Merry 5th Day of Christmas This is the time in the Christmas season when I hear many are packing up their Christmas trees and decor. It is only the fifth day of Christmas and there is still a lot to celebrate! Why Five Golden rings on the Fifth Day of Christmas? Five Golden Rings are symbolic of the Pentateuch, the first five Books of the Old Testament: Genesis, Exodus, Numbers, Leviticus, and Deuteronomy. Feast of the...
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Merry 4th Day of Christmas
Merry 4th Day of Christmas! This is one of those days that is a mixture of Christmas joy along with reflection on something terrible and destructive. The mixture of the feelings of both joy and terror happening at the same time can be confusing! Why four Calling Birds on the Fourth Day of Christmas? Four Calling Birds represent the four Gospels and Evangelists: Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John. The Feast of the Holy Innocents I think one of...
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Merry 3rd Day of Christmas
Merry 3rd Day of Christmas! When I look at the different Nativity sets I have I think about the Blessed Mother with Joseph as they welcomed the baby Jesus into this world. I think of Mary as she held her new baby knowing he was a precious gift from God given to save all of us. Amazing! The Blessed Mother had an inspiring faith in receiving the gift of Baby Jesus! It makes me consider: how can I...
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Merry 2nd Day of Christmas
Merry 2nd Day of Christmas! Our family tradition – carried on from my mom – is to not put the tree or decor up until about a week before. No lights are lit until Christmas Eve. On Christmas Day we begin the 12 Days of Christmas. We leave everything up to be enjoyed through Epiphany on January 6th. I often leave our decorations up until the end of January With the darkness of this time of year, I...
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Merry 1st Day of Christmas!
Merry 1st Day of Christmas! I have enjoyed sharing the meaning of “The Twelve Days of Christmas” for over a dozen years. It is one of my favorite carols and, like my mom, I have observed the 12 days of Christmas for as long as I can remember. I enjoy the tradition! This year we ended up not finishing our decorating until a few days ago. It has been a rough few months as we have the experienced...
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Epiphany 2024 Observed
Epiphany Observed – Sun. Jan. 7, 2024 I rather like the years when the Christmas season is extended a bit because of how the dates fall. This year, Epiphany was observed by the Catholic churches in our area today, Sunday, January 7, 2024, rather than on January 6th. The image today is a photo I took today at my church, Sacred Heart Mission. For most of the Christmas season, the Wisemen were a bit off to the side...
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Epiphany 2024
Epiphany – Sat. Jan. 6, 2024 And suddenly the star they had seen rising went forward and halted over the place where the child was. The sight of the star filled them with delight, and going into the house they saw the child with his mother Mary, and falling to their knees they did him homage. Then, opening their treasures, they offered him gifts of gold and frankincense and myrrh. Matthew 2:9-11 Holy Light of the Manifestations Today, January...
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Twelve Drummers Drumming
Merry 12th Day of Christmas – Fri. Jan 5, 2024 Today’s meaning for the 12th Day of Christmas reminded me again of my days as a catechist for seventh and eighth graders preparing for the sacrament of Confirmation. On the first day of class, I often did a study of the Apostles’ Creed with the students. Most times, the children did not realize it is basically summary of our Catholic faith in twelve points. Those were some fantastic...
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Eleven Pipers Piping
Merry 11th Day of Christmas – Thurs. Jan. 4, 2024 My mom and dad, when they chose to have each of my 5 siblings and me baptized as infants, promised to raise us in the Catholic faith. While my parents did not always agree with everything happening in the Church, I know they did their best to live their lives as a good faith example to their children. Of course, they were not perfect. None of us are...
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Ten Lords a-Leaping
Merry 10th Day of Christmas – Wed. Jan. 3, 2024 See what love the Father has bestowed on us that we may be called the children of God. (1John 3:1) This verse is from today’s first reading. On a good day it is easy to appreciate that I am a child of God. On a bad day, it is certainly more difficult – especially when dealing with frustrating situations or difficult people. As a child of God, and follower...
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Nine Ladies Dancing
Merry 9th Day of Christmas For many years, my mom gave me and my sisters a subscription to a magazine called Angels on Earth. It is a sweet little periodical that comes out 6 times a year and is filled with stories of everyday people and how their lives have been impacted by angels – either in the form of other people or some kind of angelic or spiritual presence. I still subscribe to this magazine...
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Eight Maids a-Milking
Merry 8th Day of Christmas – Mon. Jan. 1, 2024 Today the Solemnity of Blessed Virgin Mary, the Mother of God is observed in the Catholic Church. This particular feast day is one which I always attended Mass with my mother. It was kind of our thing! The Entrance hymn was Hail Mary, Gentle Woman. This was a personal favorite of my mother’s. We sang it together often through the years. I sang it to her in...
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Seven Swans a-Swimming
Merry 7th Day of Christmas – Sun. Dec. 31, 2023 Time has moved swiftly this past week. Here we are on New Year’s Eve! Many of my friends have packed up their Christmas decorations already – some the day after Christmas! I am glad to continue to enjoy our Christmas tree, nativity and other décor of the season – especially the lights on these long, dark winter nights! Why Seven Swans a-swimming on the 7th Day of Christmas?...
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Six Geese a-Laying
Merry Sixth Day of Christmas! The beauty of God’s creation is amazing and yet I find I often take it for granted. Even in these short days of winter there is beauty to be found if one looks closely. Outside in the morning, I see squirrels at work stashing food for the season; birds hanging out under the awnings chirping their songs (and driving my cats nuts!), and the beautiful Christmas decorations reminding me yet again it is...
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Five Golden Rings
Merry Fifth Day of Christmas! Why Five Golden rings on the Fifth Day of Christmas? Five Golden Rings are symbolic of the Pentateuch, the first five Books of the Old Testament: Genesis, Exodus, Numbers, Leviticus, and Deuteronomy. On the occasions when I hear the “12 Days of Christmas” song playing, as soon as it gets to the line of “five golden rings”, I can hear my dad’s voice ring out. That part of the song always reminds me...