For the Feast of Epiphany

And entering into the house, they found the child with Mary his mother, and falling down they adored him; and opening their treasures, they offered him gifts; gold, frankincense, and myrrh. (Matthew 2:11).

The Blessed Mother spoke thus to Ven. Mary Agreda, "My daughter, great were the gifts which the Kings offered to my most holy Son; but greater still was the affection with which they offered them and the mystery concealed beneath them. On account of all this they were most acceptable to His Majesty... Thy ceaseless offer, however, must be love, which is the gold; continual prayer, which is the incense; and the patient acceptance of labors and true mortifications, which is the myrrh. All that thou dost for the Lord, thou should offer up to Him with fervent affection and promptitude, without negligence or fear; for negligent works, and those not enlivened by love, are not an acceptable sacrifice in the eyes of His Majesty. In order to make those incessant offerings, it is necessary that Divine faith and light continually inflame thy heart, having before thy eyes the great object of thy praise and exaltation, ..." (Mystical City of God).

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As the Church commemorates the feast of the Epiphany on January 6, may we heed our Lady's words and remember to always offer ourselves and our entire day to our Blessed Lord, making a gift, an offering of love to Him each morning. One prayer to fulfill this task is the traditional morning offering. Another prayer fitting to be said as a daily prayer is a short, but beautiful prayer written by St. Alphonsus Liguori for the feast of the Epiphany. St. Alphonsus’ prayer makes a loving offering to our Lord on this most glorious feast of Epiphany, which commemorates the manifestation of the glory of Christ.

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Offering by St. Alphonsus

O Jesus, my Infant King! I also adore Thee, and offer Thee my miserable heart. Accept it and change it. Make it wholly Thine own, so that it may love nothing but Thee. My sweet Saviour, save me, and let my eternal happiness be to love Thee always and without reserve. O Mary, most holy Virgin, I hope for this grace from thee.

"Give me, therefore, I pray Thee, this gold, this incense, and this myrrh. Give me the gold of Thy holy love; give me the spirit of holy prayer, give me the desire and strength to mortify myself in everything that displeases Thee. I am resolved to obey Thee and to love Thee; but Thou knowest my weakness, oh, give me the grace to be faithful to Thee!" — St Alphonsus Liguori

God bless!

+JMJ+

Prayer to the Infant Jesus on Christmas Day

May each of you have a very merry Christmas!  The prayer below is penned by St. Gertrude the Great and is a beautiful greeting to our Infant Jesus.  May He bless each of us abundantly with virtue and grace!  May our Blessed Mother keep us safe beneath her mantle and close to her Immaculate Heart!  Jesus, Mary, and Joseph, most holy family of Nazareth, save souls.

Greetings to the Child Jesus

Hail, most loving little Jesus, sweetest love, far above all created love!
I greet Thee, and in the desires of all Christendom I embrace Thee.
Hail, most charming little Jesus, noble Child of Nazareth,
full rose of Jericho, blooming flower from Heaven!
Draw our hearts to Thyself and refresh them with Thy sweetness.

Hail, most lovable little Jesus, living Bread of Bethlehem, innocent Lamb of Jerusalem,
newly-born King of Judea! Receive us into the number of Thy chosen servants.
Hail, most beautiful little Jesus, watchful Shepherd of the heavenly sheep,
beloved fellow-Brother of all the children of men, delicate flower planted by the Holy Spirit
in the virgin heart of Mary, bright daybreak rising out of the dark night to the joy of the whole earth!
Drive away from us the darkness of sin.

Glory and praise be to Thee, tender, sweet little Jesus!
From the depths of my heart I pray and adore Thee because for the love of me and of all mankind
Thou wert willing to lie in the manger and to suffer such great poverty and misery.
I thank and adore Thy tender limbs and Thy tender hands and feet, and I praise the inexpressible love
which didst draw Thou forth from the bosom of the Heavenly Father, down to a poor and miserable stable.

Glory and praise be to Thee, noble little Jesus! I greet and praise Thee with the same fervent love
with which Thy mother loved and praised Thee so intensely.
Glory and praise be to Thee, most beloved little Jesus, sweet delight of eternal bliss.
I greet and praise Thee with the same love which madst Thou leave Heaven and become a poor Child.
Glory and praise be to Thee, most precious little Jesus, joy and honor of Thy Heavenly Father!

I thank Thee through Thine Own sweet Heart which Thou hast revealed to the whole world through Thy birth.
I greet Thee over and over again, most beautiful little Jesus, sweetest delight of the Father's Heart,
refreshment of sick souls. I offer to Thee my own heart for Thine eternal glory and service.

Jesus, crown, love, joy, bliss of virgins! Thy love madst
Thou the Son of a Virgin. May Thou be glorified and praised forever. Amen.

--St. Gertrude the Great

God bless!

+JMJ+

For the Feast of Christmas

Although there a a few days remaining in the season of Advent, I wanted to provide you with these beautiful prayers for the holy day of Christmas.  I pray your Christmas is filled with the love and joy of the newborn King!

Nativity Prayer of St. Augustine of Hippo

Let the just rejoice,

for their justifier is born.

Let the sick and infirm rejoice,

For their saviour is born.

Let the captives rejoice,

For their Redeemer is born.

Let slaves rejoice,

for their Master is born.

Let free men rejoice,

For their Liberator is born.

Let All Christians rejoice,

For Jesus Christ is born.

Amen

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Litany of the Infant Jesus

Lord have mercy, Lord have mercy.
Christ, have mercy, Christ, have mercy.
Lord have mercy, Lord, have mercy.

Infant Jesus, hear us.
Infant Jesus, graciously hear us.
God the Father of Heaven, graciously hear us.
God the Son, Redeemer of the world, graciously hear us.
God the Holy Spirit, graciously hear us.
Holy Trinity, One God, graciously hear us.

Infant Jesus, have mercy on us. *** (repeat each time)
Infant, very God, ***
Infant, Son of the Living God, ***
Infant, Son of the Virgin Mary, ***
Infant, begotten before the morning star, ***
Infant, Word made flesh,***
Infant, Wisdom of Thy Father, ***
Infant, Purity of Thy mother, ***
Infant, only Son of Thy Father, ***
Infant, First-Born of Thy mother,***
Infant, Image of Thy Father, ***
Infant, Creator of Thy mother, ***
Infant, Splendor of Thy Father,***
Infant, Honor of Thy mother, ***
Infant, equal to Thy Father, ***
Infant, subject to Thy mother, ***
Infant, Joy of Thy Father, ***
Infant, Riches of Thy mother, ***
Infant, Gift of Thy Father,***
Infant, Offering of Thy mother, ***

Infant, precious fruit of a virgin, ***
Infant, Creator of man, ***
Infant, Power of God, ***
Infant, our God, ***
Infant, our Brother, ***
Infant, perfect Man from Thy conception, ***
Infant, ancient in wisdom from Thy childhood, ***
Infant, Father of ages, ***
Infant, of days, ***
Infant, giving life, and nourished at the breast, ***
Infant, Eternal Word, and making Thyself dumb, ***
Infant, weeping in the crib, ***
Infant, thundering in Heaven, ***
Infant, terror of hell, ***
Infant, Joy of Paradise, ***
Infant, dreaded by tyrants, ***
Infant, desired by the Magi, ***
Infant, exiled from Thy people, ***

Infant, King in exile, ***
Infant, Destroyer of idols, ***
Infant, Vindicator of the glory of God, ***.
Infant, strong in weakness, ***
Infant, powerful in abasement, ***
Infant, Treasure of Grace, ***
Infant, Fountain of Love, ***
Infant, Author of the blessings of Heaven, ***
Infant, Repairer of the evils of earth, ***
Infant, Head of the angels, ***
Infant, Stem of the patriarchs, ***
Infant, Word of the prophets, ***
Infant, Expectation of nations, ***
Infant, Joy of the shepherds, ***
Infant, Light of the Magi, ***
Infant, Salvation of children, ***
Infant, Hope of the just, ***
Infant, Teacher of doctors, ***
Infant, First-fruits of the saints,***

Be merciful, Spare us, O Infant Jesus,
Be merciful, Graciously hear us, O Infant Jesus.

From the bondage of the children of Adam, Infant Jesus, deliver us. *** (repeat each time)
From the slavery of the devil, Infant Jesus, ***
From the corruption of the world, Infant Jesus, ***
From the lust of the flesh, Infant Jesus, ***
From the pride of life, Infant Jesus, ***
From the immoderate desire of knowledge, Infant Jesus, ***
From the blindness of mind, Infant Jesus, ***
From the perversity of will, Infant Jesus, ***
From our sins, Infant Jesus, ***

Through Thy most pure conception, Infant Jesus, ***
Through Thy most humble birth, Infant Jesus, ***
Through Thy tears, Infant Jesus, ***
Through Thy most painful circumcision, Infant Jesus, ***
Through Thy most glorious epiphany, Infant Jesus, ***
Through Thy most devout presentation, Infant Jesus,***
Through Thy most innocent conversation in the world, Infant Jesus, ***
Through Thy most holy life, Infant Jesus, ***
Through Thy poverty, Infant Jesus, ***
Through Thy sorrows, Infant Jesus, ***
Through Thy labors and travails. Infant Jesus, ***

Lamb of God, Who takes away the sins of the world, Spare us, O Infant Jesus.
Lamb of God, Who takes away the sins of the world, Graciously hear us, O Infant Jesus.
Lamb of God, Who takes away the sins of the world, Have mercy on us, O Infant Jesus.

Infant Jesus, hear us.
Infant Jesus, graciously hear us.

Let us pray.  O Lord Jesus, Who allowed the greatness of Thy incarnate divinity and most sacred humanity to be born in time, to become a little child, and to suffer bitter death, grant that we may acknowledge infinite wisdom in the silence of a child, power in weakness, majesty in abasement, so that adoring Thy humility and littleness on earth we may contemplate Thy glories in Heaven. We ask this of Thee, who, with the Father and the Holy Ghost, lives and reigns God, forever and ever. Amen.

May you have a very blessed Christmas!

God bless!

+JMJ+

The 12 Days of Christmas and Epiphany

During the 12 days of Christmas, I employed Jessica's idea from Shower of Roses to review some of the basic Catholic lists with a few of my children.  After downloading the 12 days of Christmas lapbook from Homeschool Share and making the necessary modifications that Jessica suggested to make it Catholic, I decided to continue adapting it for our own needs.  I also loved her idea of a Twelfth Night Feast based on the song, so I attempted to recreate that for our family.  We had great fun!

History

I am sure many of you have heard of the Catholic meanings behind each of the gifts in the song "The Twelve Days of Christmas."  The history behind the song being used as a catechetical tool is based on the period of Catholic persecution in England from 1558-1829. During this time in history, it was against the law to be Catholic in England, and the punishment could be imprisonment or even death.  Therefore the Catholics created ways to pass their Faith to their children in secret.  One of these ways was to hide the tenets of the Faith within a song, creating a simple, but hidden way to remember these truths.  I know some people do not believe the hidden meanings are true, but I like the idea of the song being used as a catechesis tool; it makes historical sense to me.  I also think it is a fun way to teach my children truths of our beloved Faith.

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When we began studying the song and its "hidden" meanings, I added additions for many of the days.  By adding other Catholic beliefs, I am not saying I disagree with the history of the song.  I just wanted to use this opportunity to ensure my children knew more of the basic Catholic beliefs.  The ideas in bold green are the ideas I added in addition to the original ideas from Homeschool Share.  The original ideas that need to be corrected for Catholic belief are underlined.  Overall I think the kids enjoyed this simple unit.

1st Day of Christmas--Jesus on the Cross

2nd Day of Christmas--Two parts of the Bible:  Old and New Testament; the two natures of Jesus:  Human and Divine

3rd Day of Christmas--Three theological virtues:  faith, hope, love; three gifts of the Magi; the Trinity

4th Day of Christmas--Four evangelists: Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John; four cardinal virtues:  prudence, justice, fortitude, and temperance

5th Day of Christmas--First five books of the Old Testament; ***Note***I changed the label on this from Torah to Pentateuch, which is what Catholics generally call these books***; five wounds of Christ

6th Day of Christmas--Six days of creation

7th Day of Christmas--Seven gifts of the Holy Spirit; seven Sacraments; seven Corporal and Spiritual Works of Mercy

8th Day of Christmas--Eight Beatitudes

9th Day of Christmas--***I did not use the nine fruits of the Spirit here as Catholics recognize the nine fruits in the Bible and three additional ones, so I moved the fruits of the Holy Spirit to day twelve, but you could leave them here;*** nine choirs of Angels

10th Day of Christmas--Ten commandments

11th Day of Christmas--Eleven faithful apostles

12th Day of Christmas--Twelve points of belief in the Apostles Creed; twelve fruits of the Holy Spirit

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Twelfth Night Feast

Since we spent time throughout the 12 days of Christmas studying the song and its meanings, I decided a great way to wrap it all up would be as Jessica, from Shower of Roses, (she has so many great ideas!) suggested:  plan a Twelfth Night Feast, basing my foods on the song.  Let me tell you right now that was no easy task!  Thankfully I did get some ideas from Shower of Roses and Catholic Cuisine, which I will link to below, but my husband and I brainstormed other foods as well.  We had a great evening!
In retrospect, however, if I use the song as a food theme next year, I think I will try to match the food to the actual day of Christmas, rather than creating a meal out of them.  Our ideas for multiple days either included chicken, breads, or sweets.  It was difficult to create a balanced meal without repeating similar items.  In the end, however, we ate relatively healthy, saving a portion of the treats for the Epiphany.  I hope you enjoy our ideas, and if you have other suggestions for any of the 12 days, feel free to comment.  Below I will list all of our ideas for each day, but the first item listed is what we decided to incorporate.

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Partridge in the Pear Tree---*Lime jello with pear chunks*; Partridge in a Pear Tree Pie; Pears

Turtle Doves---*Turtle Dove Chocolates*; Turtle pie

French Hens---*Baked chicken breasts*

Colly (Calling) Birds---*Biscuits with Blackberry Jelly*; Black-eyed Peas (This was a difficult day to find foods for, but after realizing that Colly Birds are European Black Birds, I decided to use a "black" food.

Our apple swan

Golden Rings---*Onion rings*; Pineapple rings

Geese Laying---*Boiled eggs*; Deviled eggs; Eggnog

Swans Swimming---*Apple Swans*; Swan creme puffs

Maids Milking---*Milk*; Ice cream; Shakes

Ladies Dancing---*Healthy Tropical Spinach Salad with Chiquita Bananas without the salad dressing*; (I know this is a bit of a stretch, but Ladies Dancing was another difficult day.  We decided on this salad since Chiquita bananas have the sticker on them with the picture of the dancing lady.)  Gingerbread girls, decorated with fancy details,

Lords Leaping---*Gold-wrapped Rollos*, representing the Lords' crowns; (I know, again, a bit of a stretch, but it was another difficult one); Gingerbread men; Hoppin' John

Pipers Piping---*Pirouette wafers*

Drummers Drumming---*Drumstick ice cream cones*; Chicken Drumsticks; Rosemary breadsticks

I was also hoping to make the Twelfth Night Rum Cake since it looks so delicious.  However, I did not have the correct cake pan.  Hopefully next year, I can try it.  Overall we had a great evening!

Blessed Epiphany!

On the Feast of Epiphany, we attended Mass and once again did the chalk blessing for our home.  For this feast we also generally give our family three gifts in imitation of the three gifts of the Magi.  Generally the three gifts are religious based.  For example, one year I made each family member a kneeler pad for family prayer.  This year our gifts were holy cards, a new puzzle from the Vermont Company (they have great religious puzzles), and this wonderfully made Memory Saint card game, which is on sale right now for $2.95 from Fraternity Publishing.  

Before the children are allowed to open the gifts, however, they must present Baby Jesus with His gifts--again three gifts, representing gold, frankincense, and myrrh.  Beginning with Christmas, we set out three small boxes under the Christmas tree. Each gift of the magi is represented by one of the boxes.  Throughout the 12 days of Christmas, we work to fill those boxes.  Each time someone does a kind deed that person writes it on a slip of paper and places it in the "gift of gold" box.  Each time someone says prayers in reparation for the sins committed against the Sacred Heart that person writes it on a slip of paper and places it in the "gift of frankincense box."  Finally each time someone performs a sacrifice, that person writes it on a slip of paper and places it in the "gift of myrrh" box.  We try to fill the gifts with as many kind deeds, prayers, and sacrifices as we can within those twelve days.  On Epiphany three children place the gifts, hopefully quite filled by now, beneath our statue of Baby Jesus.  

I really love this tradition.  It helps us remain focused on the spiritual aspect of Christmas amidst the new gifts, treats, and overall excitement.  In imitation of the Magi, we "travel" through those 12 days, working to present our gifts to the newborn King.

Three gifts for Baby Jesus:  gold (kind deeds),
frankincense (prayers), myrrh (sacrifices)

May God's blessings be upon all of you!

+JMJ+

Devotions to the Christ Child

Merry Christmas!  May the joy of this holy day fill your hearts and lives!  God bless!

Holy Mother Church devotes the month of December to the Divine Infant. Beginning with Christmas, the Church recalls the Divine Childhood and continues to honor the Christ Child with additional feasts for forty days. While liturgically the Christmas season ends with the feast of the Baptism of the Lord, January 13, spiritually the Christmas cycle is not complete until February 2, the Feast of the Presentation, also known as Candlemas. We can adore the Divine Infant by praying special devotions to Him, such as the prayer below, which is to be recited while in the presence of Baby Jesus in the manger. We can also worship Him by singing Christmas hymns, such as the beautiful French hymn Il est Ne,le Divin Enfant or a more commonly known song such as What Child is This.  Another way to honor the Christ Child would be to spend time in Adoration before the Blessed Sacrament.

These special prayers and hymns need not be restricted to Christmas Day alone. Our hearts made ready during Advent have not just one day to shower the Infant Jesus with love and homage, but the Christmas season in its entirety.

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Prayer to Jesus in the Manger

O Divine Redeemer Jesus Christ, prostrate before Thy crib, I believe Thou art the God of infinite Majesty, even though I do see Thee here as a helpless babe. I humbly adore and thank Thee for having so humbled Thyself for my salvation as to will to be born in a stable. I thank Thee for all Thou didst wish to suffer for me in Bethlehem, for Thy poverty and humility, for Thy nakedness, tears, cold and sufferings.

Would that I could show Thee that tenderness which Thy Virgin Mother had toward Thee, and love Thee as she did. Would that I could praise Thee with the joy of the angels, that I could kneel before Thee with the faith of St. Joseph, the simplicity of the shepherds. Uniting myself with these first adorers at the crib, I offer Thee the homage of my heart, and I beg that Thou wouldst be born spiritually in my soul. Make me reflect in some degree the virtues of Thy admirable nativity. Fill me with that spirit of renunciation, of poverty, of humility, which prompted Thee to assume the weakness of our nature, and to be born amid destitution and suffering. Grant that from this day forward, I may in all things seek Thy greater glory, and may enjoy that peace promised to men of good will.  Amen.

Il est né le Divin Enfant (Refrain) Il est né le divin enfant, Jouez hautbois, résonnez musettes! Il est né le divin enfant, Chantons tous son avènement! Depuis plus de quatre mille ans, Nous le promettaient les prophètes. Depuis plus de quatre mille ans, Nous attendions cet heureux temps. (Refrain) Ah! qu'il est beau, qu'il est charmant! Que ses grâces sont parfaites! Ah! qu'il est beau, qu'il est charmant! Qu'il est doux ce divin Enfant! (Refrain) O Jésus! O Roi tout puissant! Tout petit enfant que vous êtes, O Jésus! O Roi tout puissant! Régnez sur nous entièrement! (Refrain)

He is Born the Christ Child (Chorus) He is born, the divine child, Play, oboes, resound, bag-pipes! He is born, the divine child, Let us sing for his future! For more than four thousand years, The prophets promised Him to us. For more than four thousand years, We've been waiting for this happy time. (Chorus) Oh! How he's handsome, how he's adorable, How his charms are perfect! Oh! How he's handsome, how he's adorable, How he's the gentle divine child! (Chorus) O Jesus! O Almighty King! Such a little child that you are, O Jesus! O Almighty King! Reign over us completely! (Chorus)

+JMJ+

The Real Night Before Christmas

I recently stumbled across the poem "The Real Night Before Christmas" by Sr. St. Thomas, and I wanted to share it with everyone.  I think our family will be reading this tomorrow evening.  God bless!

The Real Night Before Christmas
By: Sister St. Thomas

Twas the night before Christmas, and all through the town,
St. Joseph was searching, walking up roads and down;
Our Lady was waiting, so meek and so mild,
While Joseph was seeking a place for the Child;

The children were nestled, each snug in their beds,
The grown-ups wouldn't bother, there's no room they said;
When even the innkeeper sent them away,
Joseph was wondering, where they would stay;

He thought of the caves in the side of the hills,
Lets go there said Mary, it's silent and still;
The moon on the breast of the new fallen snow,
Made pathways of light for their tired feet to go;

And there in a cave, in a cradle of hay,
Our Savior was born on that first Christmas Day!
The Father was watching in heaven above,
He sent for His angels, His couriers of love;

More rapid than eagles God's bright angels came;
Rejoicing and eager as each heard his name;
Come Power, Come Cherubs, Come Virtues, Come Raphael,
Come Thrones and Dominions, come Michael and Gabriel;

Now fly to the Earth, where My poor people live,
Announce the glad tiding My Son comes to give;
The Shepherds were watching their flocks on this night,
And saw in the heavens an unearthly light;

The Angels assured them, they'd nothing to fear,
It's Christmas they said, the Savior is here!
They hastened to find Him, and stood at the door,
Till Mary invited them in to adore;

He was swaddled in bands from His head to His feet,
Never did the Shepherds see a baby so sweet!
He spoke not a word, but the shepherds all knew,
He was telling them secrets and blessing them too;

Then softly they left Him, The Babe in the hay,
And rejoiced with great joy on that first Christmas Day;
Mary heard them exclaim as they walked up the hill,
Glory to God in the Highest, Peace to men of good will!

+JMJ+