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+

A Hymn for the Feast of Epiphany

You can find some of our family's traditions for the feast of the Epiphany in this post.  Today we will be finishing up our Epiphany Novena, which is such a beautiful, simple prayer, and while I did not accomplish the 12 days of Christmas daily surprise, as I had planned, we will be offering Jesus our "three gifts" and making a 12th Night Rum Cake.  The children will also receive the three family gifts (as long as they arrive in time).   Early on the Epiphany our family will begin our day with Mass at our beautiful FSSP parish, which our family is so blessed to a part of.  I hope the Christmas season has been one of joy for you and your families; know you remain in my prayers.

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The following hymn "Hostis, Herodes Impie," which was written during the 5th century is actually the last four verses of the hymn "A Solis Ortus Cardine" and is recited during Vespers on the Feast of the Epiphany.  You can listen to this beautiful Latin hymn here.

Hostis, Herodes Impie Hostis, Herodes impie, Christum venire quid times? Non eripit mortalia, qui regna dat caelestia. Ibant Magi, quam viderant,3 stellam sequentes praeviam: Lumen requirunt lumine: Deum fatentur munere. Lavacra puri gurgitis caelestis Agnus attigit: peccata, quae non detulit, nos abluendo sustulit. Novum genus potentiae: aquae rubescunt hydriae, vinumque iussa fundere, mutavit unda originem. Iesu, tibi sit gloria, qui apparuisti gentibus, cum Patre, et almo Spiritu, in sempiterna saecula. Amen.

Why, Impious Herod, Vainly Fear Why, impious Herod, vainly fear that Christ the Savior cometh here? He takes no earthly realms away Who gives the crown that lasts for aye. To greet His birth the Wise Men went, led by the star before them sent; called on by light, towards Light they pressed, and by their gifts their God confessed. In holy Jordan's purest wave the heavenly Lamb vouchsafed to lave; That He, to whom was sin unknown, might cleanse His people from their own. New miracle of power divine! The water reddens into wine: He spake the word: and poured the wave in other streams than nature gave. All glory, Lord, to Thee we pay for Thine Epiphany today; all glory as is ever meet, to Father and to Paraclete. Amen.

I pray you have a blessed Feast of the Epiphany of our Lord!

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+

Epiphany Novena

I pray that you may experience the joy and love of the Holy Family this Christmas season!  God bless!

***This novena begins December 28--which is this Sunday!

The Epiphany, traditionally celebrated on January 6, falls on the twelfth day after Christmas and celebrates the visit of the three kings to the Christ Child. At Christ's Nativity, the angels bore witness to Christ, and the Shepherds, representing the people of Israel, bowed down before Him. It is at the visitation of the Magi, the Epiphany, that Christ's majesty and divinity are revealed to the Gentiles. This manifestation signifies the extension of salvation to all people. On this feast and throughout the new year, let us then imitate the Magi, who responded to the newborn King with faith and love. Let us strive to offer to Him wholehearted gifts of our lives.

This Novena is prayed beginning on December 28, the Feast of the Holy Innocents, and ending on January 5, the Vigil of the Epiphany.

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Novena to the Magi in Anticipation of the Epiphany

28 December: O holy Magi! You were living in continual expectation of the rising of the Star of Jacob, which would announce the birth of the true Sun of justice; obtain for us an increase of faith and charity, and the grace to live in continual hope of beholding one day the light of heavenly glory and eternal joy.
Glory be to the Father ...

29 December: O holy Magi! who at the first appearance of the wondrous star left your native country to go and seek the newborn King of the Jews; obtain for us the grace of corresponding with alacrity to every divine inspiration.
Glory be to the Father... .

30 December: O holy Magi! who regarded neither the severity of the season, nor the inconveniences of the journey that you might find the newborn Messiah; obtain for us the grace not to allow ourselves to be discouraged by any of the difficulties which may meet us on the way of salvation.
Glory be to the Father... .

31 December: O holy Magi, who, when deserted by the star in the city of Jerusalem, sought humbly, and without human respect, from the rulers of the Church, the place where you might discover the object of your journey; obtain for us grace to have recourse, in faith and humility, in all our doubts and perplexities to the counsel of our superiors, who hold the place of God on earth.
Glory be to the Father... .

1 January: O holy Magi, who were gladdened by the reappearance of the star which led you to Bethlehem; obtain for us from God the grace, that, remaining always faithful to Him in afflictions, we may be consoled in time by His grace, and in eternity by His glory.
Glory be to the Father... .

2 January: O holy Magi, who, entering full of faith into the stable of Bethlehem, prostrated yourselves on the earth, to adore the newborn King of the Jews, though he was surrounded only by signs of poverty and weakness; obtain from the Lord for us a lively faith in the real presence of Jesus in the blessed Sacrament, the true spirit of poverty, and a Christ-like charity for the poor and suffering.
Glory be to the Father... .

3 January: O holy Magi, who offered to Jesus Christ gold, incense, and myrrh, thereby recognizing Him to be at once King, God, and Man; obtain from the Lord for us the grace never to present ourselves before Him with empty hands; but that we may continually offer to Him the gold of charity, the incense of prayer, and the myrrh of penance and mortification.
Glory be to the Father... .

4 January: O holy Magi, who, when warned by an angel not to return to Herd, traveled back to your
country be another road; obtain for us from the Lord, the grace that, after having found Him in true repentance, we may avoid all danger of losing Him again.
Glory be to the Father... .

5 January: O holy Magi, who were first among the Gentiles called to the knowledge of Jesus Christ, and who persevered in the faith till your deaths, obtain for us of the Lord the grace of living always in conformity to our baptismal vows, ever leading to a life of faith; that like you we may attain to the beatific vision of that God Who now is the object of our faith.
Glory be to the Father... .

+JMJ+