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.
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!
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!!!
The 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? or do you flow through the days….not really thinking or reflecting?
Thus I wrote on a Facebook post.
I‘ve been one of those, in the past, that considered the month of December a time of preparing for Christmas, with the busyness of a mother of six children. I had gifts to make or buy, hide, wrap, find the tree, decorating, baking, attending music concerts, travel 500 miles to the Grandparents, all that.
When I did have time to think, what I thought of was the Baby. Jesus, coming as a Baby. Sure, the Nativity Scene set up in the living room had others..Joseph, Mary, sheep, cows, shepherds…but it was Jesus, for me. 
When I became Catholic, the season of Advent was introduced to me with the Advent wreath, and the 4 Sundays of Advent. I have always intended to do the wreath. I have candles. Sometimes I remember to get them out, about the 3rd week of Advent. Sometimes, I actually light them, but not often.
I have always been busy…being the mother of the mob, flowing through the days, not really thinking or reflecting.
I’m not sure what triggered a new direction. I tend to forget the details. 
Anyway, I began to think of Advent as a way to reflect on Mary. The song I’m sharing in this post, is called, “Jesus, Mary’s Son.” It is still Jesus…but He is somebody’s little boy. That somebody is Mary.
Understanding Mary, in the Catholic view, has been one of the most difficult bridges to cross for me in my spiritual journey. But somehow, thinking of her as a VERY pregnant young lady, waiting and preparing for the birth of her son, gives me something I can relate to..very much so.
Six times I’ve waited, and prepared and expected the birth of my children. Excitement, wonder, fear, exhaustion, joy, pain, connecting with the unborn child, playing with him, tickling little feet, patting little bottoms yet unborn, talking and singing to her; all these fill the days and the long nights.
Mary surely did these things, too.
So, the song. I named it, Jesus, Mary’s Son. But what are the words? Since it is instrumental piano, there are no words. But, surely there are words…of the heart and soul.
I had never played the song before we were recording that day. (The other songs were new, too.) But when I had to listen to them, and then give them names, this one WAS…Jesus, Mary’s Son. As I play, I consider myself to be praying while playing, so the two become one thing for me.
I pray you will pray as you listen to the music and view the images our Lady, Mary,
with her son, Jesus, Our Lord. I pray that the Holy Spirit will inspire a message of hope and peace and love. The Love that is Jesus, Mary’s Son.
One of my new friends, Margaret Corbitt, wrote her inspirations for possible lyrics for the song:
Jesus is Mary’s son
Jesus the Son of God
Drawing the babe near her heart she smiles
Jesus our Savior sighs
As she kisses his nose
And wiggles his toes
She holds in her arms the Trinity
Jesus is Mary’s son
Jesus the Son of God
Heaven and earth sings in praise
For he is our true joy and Grace
Shepherds kneel in starlight as
Angels race to see the babe
Jesus is Mary’s son
God’s gift to the world…to the world
Will you hold the babe?
Will you take him to your heart?
Jesus is Mary’s Son
Jesus the Savior of the world.
Prepare a place for His love
…for His love
I’d love to hear what the Lord whispers to your heart!
Matthew 24:23-36
Thy Kingdom Come, Thy Will be done, on earth, as it is in Heaven.
The words Jesus taught us to pray talk about the Kingdom.
Present? Future?
Jesus tells his disciples about the coming of the Kingdom, what to look for, when to expect it, signs that will occur. I have always thought He was discussing the VERY end of time, when He would come again. I had never thought to consider the context of the times that He lived, of the Old Covenant being replaced by His New Covenant.
book by Father John
Father John Bartunek gives a wonderful teaching about this passage. The Kingdom being referred to by Jesus is the establishment of His Church, which began with Him and continues today with us. We are called to spread His Word through His Church to all the world.
Please read the whole article here: The Beginning of the New (Mt 24:23-36)
But I have to add his final prayer. It expresses my gratitude to be included with Christ’s mission, as well. Thank you so much Father John.
Sometimes I am still amazed that you have shared your mission with me. You have called me to follow you and build your Kingdom in my heart and in the world around me. You have entrusted your message to me and sent me as your ambassador. Don’t you know how weak I am? Of course you know. Lord, when I am weak, I am strong, because then I stay closer to you…Nothing matters to you more than your Church. She is your bride and your body. She is the beginning of your everlasting Kingdom. Earthly kingdoms come and go, but your Church remains, and grows, and pours out the fruits of holiness in every age and place. Thank you for bringing me into your Church. Your power and your wisdom shine forth in her. Bless your Church, her leaders, and all her works…
Lord, I am still surprised when troubles come, but I shouldn’t be. They are part of your plan. You experienced them. Your saints experienced them. Your Church experiences them. Increase my faith, Lord, and the faith of those who are suffering more than I. Teach me to perceive your action in all things. Jesus, I trust in you…
Thank you so much, Lord, for your faithful servant, Father John, for bringing words of hope and encouragement.
Demand Your DignityFrom YouTube. I’ve been helping with the high school religion class at my Parish. They are studying The Theology of the Body for Teens. I found this video and it fits perfectly with the message. I’m so proud of these young men for making this and sending it to the young ladies. Pope John Paul [...] |
 Wrinkle RockWorry and stress are a normal part of my day. Agree or disagree? I am so tempted by everything..that’s just the way I am. Agree or disagree? I have to work hard and do all I can to provide for my family. No one else cares. Agree or disagree? I am a worry wart, I [...] |
 Side-tracked from WorryNews for the Day… New photos for the blog. My daughter took some photos and I did some Photo Shop experimenting. Playing the piano, with the grandchildren around is always exciting. I had to crop and do some other things that I can’t remember what they are called…oh, yeah. One was a clone tool. That’s [...] |
 Reflections(Acts 18:8) 8 Crispus, the ruler of the synagogue, believed in the Lord with all his house. Many of the Corinthians, when they heard, believed and were baptized. The baptismal font relects the light and the Easter Candle. Jesus, the Light, calls us to reflect Him with our lives. Patrice |
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