Liturgical Living Between Christmas and Lent
After Christmas, we enter a short season of Ordinary Time, before Lent begins. Here are a few ideas for living liturgically during winter’s Ordinary Time.
Forming Holiday Traditions Rooted in Faith
Holiday traditions are important to all of us, but many of us desire traditions rooted in faith. Sarah Damm shares some ideas.
How to Ensure a Peaceful Advent Season
Sarah Damm details a plan to allow more time for family, friends, and holiday traditions as you experience a peaceful, prayerful Advent season.
Saying Yes to God … Even When We Don’t Feel Ready
Over the last three Sundays of December, we have heard the promises of Christ’s coming. We have been encouraged to “not become drowsy from … the anxieties of daily life” (Luke 21:34). We have been invited to “prepare the way of the Lord” (Luke 3:4). And when we asked, “What should we do?” (Luke 3:10), we were told of the Messiah and all He would do for us. Now, on this fourth Sunday of Advent, we hear, “Blessed are you…
Better Late Than Never: A FREE Advent Prayer Journal Just for You
Yesterday, we celebrated the first Sunday of Advent! And to be honest, I was barely ready for it. Yes, I set up our Advent wreath and Jesse Tree, but I already feel anxious about everything I have to do in the next 21 days. (Yes, Christmas Eve is three weeks from today.) Maybe you are feeling the same way—a bit weary about the busyness of Advent and Christmas? We want Advent to be prayerful and peaceful, but that desire is…
Advent Lessons I Learned and How I Can Apply Them to My Ordinary Life
Two and a half weeks ago, my family and I gathered around our Christmas tree. Excitement and joy mingled with the festive scents of hot coffee, cinnamon rolls, and pine needles. The kids piled their gifts next to them and eagerly wondered what was inside each wrapped box. As I sipped my coffee and breathed in Christmas goodness, I felt grateful. For the first time in forever, I felt like Christmas had arrived and I had arrived with it. I…
Let Us Adore Him: Embracing the Babe, Embracing the Cross
As I sit in the Eucharistic Adoration chapel, I am graced with this very visual meditation of the life of Christ. As if the very heartbeat of Christ in the monstrance isn’t enough, today I also get to praise and adore the infant Jesus, who the shepherds worshiped and who the magi traveled far to find, honor, and present gifts fit for a King. There He is before me. In my prayer, I recall how I waited and watched for Him…
Rejoice! God is Giving Us Christmas!
This reflection is the fourth in a four-part series that supplements the free Advent prayer journal I am offering to email subscribers. You may read part one HERE, part two HERE, and part three HERE. *** One more day, and we will be celebrating the birth of Jesus. Ready or not, Christmas is almost here! This Advent, we may have started out a bit weary, a bit sorrowful, a bit worn out. We heard Jesus’ invitation to come to Him for rest, and we rested in…
Advent Offers a Thrill of Hope While We Wait
This reflection is the third in a four-part series that supplements the free Advent prayer journal I am offering to email subscribers. You may read part one HERE and part two HERE. *** Have you ever felt a little lost? Have you ever wondered what your God-given purpose really is? A year ago, that’s how I was feeling—lost and unsettled about my purpose. Then, an amazing opportunity came my way. It was a dream come true, and I was excited! I was going to…
Five Simple Ways to Savor the Last 10 Days of Advent
Ten more days! Are you feeling overwhelmed about getting it all done? Do you feel like there is still too much to do? Is there an internal struggle between getting things done and remaining prayerful and focused on Jesus? This reminder that there are only 10 days until Christmas Day is not meant to make you more stressed out or anxious than you already feel. No, this reminder is to encourage you (and me) to take a breath, to pause,…