Journaling

Transformation

Posted on by MSFriend

I did it!  I managed to maintain my composure.  I kept to my Advent routine of lighting my advent wreath each day as I prayed with scripture and I followed through with the Jesse tree by adding an ornament each day until Christmas Eve – this ritual included the O Antiphons as well.  I finally picked up my Christmas tree on Christmas Eve eve and it didn’t make its way into my house until the afternoon of Christmas Eve.

This Christmas was much different for me – I think it’s the first time in my entire life that I spent it alone – my husband and I had no company and we declined all invitations.  Despite everyone’s concern that we were going to be “alone” for Christmas, we didn’t see it as something negative.  I actually saw it as an opportunity to remain focused – focused on the true meaning of Christmas.  I woke up on Christmas Eve excited about the usual cooking, cleaning and decorating, only this time I was preparing my home for our Lord and Savior.  I don’t think it’s possible to express, in words, the excitement, anticipation and joy I felt in my heart on Christmas Eve.  There was even a sense that I wasn’t going to finish it all in time, that it wasn’t going to be good enough or grand enough for the newborn King!  In the end, I did finish in time and I found it all to be satisfactory.

As I sat back and took it all in, one word came to mind:  TRANSFORMATON! My four week journey through Advent culminated in total transformation on Christmas Day.  Transformation of heart and mind, transformation of customs and traditions, transformation of decor and a transformation of natural materials.

The transformation of heart and mind came through my reading, prayer and meditations for the season.  It not only deepened my relationship with God, but it opened my mind and resulted in an increased awareness of customs, symbols and traditions I didn’t know enough about.

The transformation of customs and traditions came as a result of my increased knowledge and awareness.  I have decided to make meaningful changes to some of my own customs and traditions. This is the first year I actually “waited” for Christmas and enjoyed Christmas Eve as the beginning of a season as opposed to the end of a season.  From now on I will begin my decorating on Christmas Eve – which will include a “ceremonial” replacement of the Jesse tree with a Christmas tree.  The transformation of decor came when I replaced my normal fall decorations with evergreens, lights, holiday candles, nativity scenes and meaningful ornaments.

Taking our cue from the show Alaska: The Last Frontier, my husband and I decided to make gifts for one another this year – so we transformed pieces of nature into works of art.  His homemade gift to me brought me to tears because of the thought and effort that went into it.  It was simple yet profound in sentiment.  My homemade gift left him speechless for the same reasons.  The gifts cost nothing more than time yet they meant so much and will be cherished for years to come.

Along with the birth of Jesus, for us,  this Christmas brought the birth of many new customs and traditions – most importantly it brought about the birth of transformation – a transformation that started in my heart and continued to pump through my veins and into every aspect of my life.  This was, by far, one of the best Christmases I have ever experienced.  In its simplicity it had the power to produce colossal transformation. The lesson here:  Never underestimate the POWER of simplicity, solitude and waiting! God bless you!

12 Days of Christmas

Posted on by MSFriend

Almost 12 years ago, the Christmas carol “12 days of Christmas” took on a whole new meaning for me.  At that time, I sat listening to the priest’s homily during Christmas mass and in his homily he explained the history of the song.   I want to share that with you today.

As the story goes, between 1558 and 1829 Catholics in England were not permitted to practice their faith openly, so someone wrote the song, which for Catholics had hidden meaning.

True love – God

Partridge in a pear tree – represents Jesus Christ

Two turtle doves – Old and New Testament

Three French Hens – virtues of faith, hope and love

Four Calling Birds – four Gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke and John.

Five Golden Rings – the first five books of the Bible called the Pentateuch

Six Geese a Laying – 6 days of creation

Seven Swans swimming – the 7 gifts of the spirit: wisdom, understanding, counsel, knowledge, fortitude, piety and wonder (fear of the Lord) and the 7 sacraments (baptism, Eucharist, Penance, confirmation, marriage, anointing of the sick, holy orders)

Eight maids milking – the 8 beatitudes given by Jesus in the Sermon on the Mount.  (Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of God; blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted; blessed are the meek; for they will inherit the earth; blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be satisfied; blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy; blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God; blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God; blessed are those who are persecuted for the sake of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.)

Nine ladies dancing – nine fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22-23)  Love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.

Ten lords leaping – the ten commandments

Eleven pipers piping – 11 faithful apostles

Twelve drummers drumming – the 12 points of the Apostle’s Creed:

  1. I believe in God, the Father Almighty, creator of heaven and earth.
  2. I believe in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord.
  3. He was conceived by the power of the Holy Spirit and born of the Virgin Mary.
  4. He suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died and was buried.
  5. He descended into hell, on the third day he rose again from the dead.
  6. He ascended into heaven and is seated and the right hand of God, the Father Almighty.
  7. He will come again to judge the living and the dead.
  8. I believe in the Holy Spirit,
  9. The Holy Catholic Church;
  10. The communion of saints;
  11. The resurrection of the body; and
  12. Life everlasting.  Amen.

 

As I mentioned in an earlier post – the 12 days of Christmas (in most Christian traditions of the West) represents the time from December 25 through January 6.  For Catholics, the Christmas season goes a little longer, from December 25 to January 10 – the baptism of the Lord.  The Octave of Christmas represents the eight days from Christmas to New Year’s Day, which is the Solemnity of Mary, Mother of God, a holy day of obligation for Catholics.

I hope you enjoyed these fun facts and that the song takes on new meaning for you as well.  God bless you!