In the mood, sat down to play for you. O Come, O Come Emanuel. Merry early Christmas! One of my favorite songs…one I can pray with….one to enter into His heart. Posted on the Music of the Moment page. Here!!!
Christmas
I personally think there is some confusion concerning spiritual gifts…what they are and whether or not we should have them. Earlier in my life, at least, all this was a real mystery and a topic not really discussed. I believed in God and Jesus and could sing “Jesus Loves Me” from a very early age. But the Holy Spirit was not real..not really.
A “gift” was something more easily connected to Santa Claus.
I had a dream recently that was rather humorous. But I knew it had something to do with the Holy Spirit and His gifts so I remembered this dream, which rarely happens. Here’s the dream.
Santa and his helpers were busy loading the sleigh with gifts. There among the helpers was a son-in-law of a friend of mine. The friend is a rather ornery guy, outspoken, but has a generous spirit. His son-in-law was taking the gifts and changing all of the name tags to his father-in-law’s name. That’s the dream.
I KNEW there was a message there. I could not quite make the connection. My friend Marsha helped me to connect the dots.
God (Santa) is the giver of all gifts.
He gave us the Best Gift, Jesus.
The Holy Spirit (the son-in-law) is also a gift, from God and Jesus. The Holy Spirit continues to give us gifts.
I am wondering why the name tags were being changed…. (I know, it’s just a dream..but I can wonder)
God offers us ALL the whole list of spiritual gifts..but we have to ask. Have you made a list of gifts you’d like to receive from God? From the Holy Spirit?
Ask and it will be given to you….Matthew 7:7-11
Another consideration: are we naughty or nice? We need to be “nice”, to be in communion with God, to be 
following His ways, or the spiritual life will not be there for us. We cut it off ourselves. We choose to turn away from God and His gifts. James has a lot to say about this in Chapter 4. We should not presume we will get any gifts.
Perhaps the name tags were being changed….to give more to the one using the gifts (talents) to help the poor and not burying them in the sand. Matthew 25:14-46
This New Year brings many new days …offering many opportunities to
ask
receive
use
the Gifts of the Holy Spirit.
Rising very early before dawn, he left and went off to a deserted place, where he prayed. Mark 1:35
Lord, I pray for your Gifts. I pray that I use them for Your Glory, to bring forth Your Kingdom.
Dec 302010
Christmas celebrating went to a new level at our house this year!
Matt and Katie
The ugly sweater contest was not an original idea..
a friend’s family had
Uncle Pat and Cole
done this several years ago.
The idea intrigued me, and
MOST of us thought so, too.
Emma loves hers!
....lovely....!!
There were a few that were skeptical of the process! Obviously the group above were in the Ugly Spirit!
Mendi and Kailey caught the ugly spirit!
Mike and I. Wow.
The winner, my husband, gets the bragging rights! This is a real deal in a family that is so competitive! I was the one interested in the music…my husband, the sports.
Chris, Lynette, Emma, Cole
The six children all participated in music, choir and band, but they all devoured the sports activities! Mike always played with them as they grew up, so to his credit, he deserves the “win” in this contest. An honor and a privilege, to have the ugliest sweater.
With all the kidding aside, this helped to give a spirit of Joy to our celebration together.
I’m debating whether or not to admit that I am “ugly” at times.
I hope and pray that being a “Christ Follower” will help me to ask forgiveness from my family when I hurt them. I would not intentionally hurt another person, especially the members of my family, but it happens.
Sometimes, as we live in families and the personalities and interests grow and change, there are differences of opinion, and let’s face it, conflicts. It’s the nature of our human nature, to not be perfect and “beautiful” to each other. I don’t think this is unique to my experience.
“The Peace that passes all understanding”..that’s what I pray
The Holy Family
for my family.
The Peace
of Christ be with you!
 Jesus, Mary’s SonThe following post is a part of the Catholic Roundup Advent Calendar. I’m pleased to be a part of this wonderful project. I hope you enjoy the music video, the poem and the Advent reflections. Patrice Advent..a time for preparations and expectations…of what? who? What are you preparing, and for whom? What are your expectations? [...] |
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 Merry ChristmasMerry Christmas Eve! My husband and I are staying home for Christmas this year. We opened gifts last weekend with the children and grandchildren, which was quite a process! I only got two quilts finished, but Troy and Leo were very proud of their new blankies. Enjoy your families, and savor the flavor of our [...] |
