A Christmas Day/Eve Prayer
From All of Us
Our New Tradition

Dear God,

We are thankful that on this Day/Eve of Christmas we, along with millions of people around the world, are celebrating together the miraculous birth of Your Son, Jesus Christ.

We are grateful for our family and friends who have safely traveled near and far to be together on Christmas. Our decorations and beautiful lights serve as gentle reminders of the star filled night of Your son’s birth.

The Christmas tree which represents eternal life is in the midst of our homes putting Christ at the center of our lives --and we pray --together --for His presence every day of the year.
Tonight we gather around the tree to share the gift of giving and honor Jesus on this glorious holy night.

We thank you Lord for blessing us with food to eat, and acknowledge our gift of abundance while so many others have less or none. We pray that the less fortunate are not forgotten and have received blessings from others who are near them.

We pray that we become compassionate people that will serve one another and please you.
We offer this new tradition tonight that we share with each other to keep alive the “true meaning of Christmas” for generations to come. For it is through Christ’s birth and resurrection that we have hope of reuniting with all those who have gone before us -- and who will go after us to their rest, especially . . .

[name all the departed],

and all others who have gone to their rest in the hope of rising again.



Dear Jesus,

We pray that through God’s grace they are in Your midst celebrating the mystery of your birth, for everyday in Heaven is Christmas and that every person who passes from this earth will be in your presence.

On this Holy night we pray together for the world to be at peace and united in love and that the spirit of Christmas will live on in our daily lives.

Jesus, we ask this in your name, Amen!

To My Mother At Christmas –
You Are My Gift Today And Always
(December 2009)

To my mother the writer, poetic one, special friend and gifted person with words of wisdom always on the tip of her tongue and at her fingertips:

Thank you for being alive with encouraging spirit in Christ as you share so freely your thoughts and feelings with me. You take the time, as no other person has, to engage in delightful, serious, light, deep, and silly conversations always with hints of righteousness and good virtue at heart. You continuously with unending energy and commitment offer yourself to me unselfishly until the wee hours of the morning or night upon a moment’s notice.

I have been blessed tenfold, and was able to recognize it early in my life that you, my earthly spiritual guider, would touch me and others as you have been touched by the graceful hand of Christ.

The words that come to my heart and flow out through to my hands I believe are from the grace of God and they make defining imprints on my life, as you have done for me personally through out all my years. I pray that God keep alive the gift of words that come from places within me that are mortally foreign yet spiritually familiar. However, genetically I believe my gift and inheritance was passed down from and received through your model personal lineage. Good fruit does not fall from the tree.

One’s God given gift must be shared and I encourage you, and all God’s church, to record personal feelings of your faith as you will find that the ever more powerful depth of your beliefs will be revealed through this incredible personal journey and process, albeit on paper, but also made strong through prayer and faith, but one that must be left as a legacy to me, your children and generations to come as we all share in the same hope and are all servants of the Lord.

Always your encouraging responses, reinforcing soulful thoughts and traditional ideals are poignant and insightful and your authored lines come to life in my hungry eyes and offer hope to an imperfect world that I am a part of and I look forward to them with a joyful and expectant heart waiting to absorb, learn and be responsible for what I can take on as my eyes are opened to how I live, where I fall short, and the tribulations of mankind.

It's as if what you articulate so simply comes from peoples' hearts and somehow what you note touches mine and inspiration comes from my core full force. I pray that there are many who feel like you do, and as we admit to our shortcomings, we might go into the untapped depths of our hearts and come out different people, ones that would be eager to please God consistently, even more today than the days past that have already been written in stone.

I don't know if its the decorated pine tree, the white twinkling lights, the special songs that are floating through the vaulted ceilings in my warm home, the wonderful precious moments with my husband that I am savoring, and/or my children and grandchildren that I am near to now that I have been able to spend wonderful snippets of time that is making me feel so complete, tender, cheery, affectionate, lively and of course, teary (sniff, sniff).

What I do know for sure is that the presence of God is with me now and always, and with just that, I know that I am blessed and thankful for what I have today, however great or small, it is what should be for me now for God knows what I need and when.

You are one of my greatest blessings and my cup runneth over with tears, smiles and songs of joy of our memories of the past, heartfelt talks, emotional hugs that could not be described with mere words however eloquent, that I hold in a multitude of tiny hidden crevices in my heart that will remain untouched, safe, and sound forever.

I celebrate Christmas this year, as I have in the past, however with more faith, love and compassion in my heart than ever. Perhaps that comes with age and life's trials, tribulations and triumphs (oh sounds like a great title) and a decidedly greater trust and devotion in my heart to my God, Lord and Savior.

I have faith that there is a Heaven and as I look at the nativity scene with Jesus at its center it brings a reality to the almost unfathomable truth that Jesus' coming gave us the birth right to the inevitability of that special place not of this world, and it will be in that place that I, you, and the believers in Christ, will reunite with all our family, friends, and brothers and sisters who will go before or after us.

It is in Heaven that I see my own father, grandparents and all those who have gone to their rest. I miss him, my father, terribly as do many others and my heart is at times burdened with great grief. But then relief comes when the Lord gently nudges and touches me and He brings me comfort and encouragement to continue on as quickly as my next breath.

The miracle of Christmas is an awe-inspiring gift as it almost magically touches and transforms the spirit of humanity. It’s incredible to witness how its reference and mere existence causes a world to change and the aurora of delight and joy find their way inexplicably into our obscure and many times hardened hearts. With lives well lived and equally days gone awry we are able to incredibly filter, experience and tuck away many depths of a mix of emotions and somehow, for the most part, pull through challenges with good cheer as the season settles upon us.

During this special time of year for many of us, we can sink into personal pain from recollections of our losses in the past, relish in brighter times recalled through photographs and moments embossed in our personal memories, and relive and take pleasure in feelings of delight and contentment for wonderful past times spent.

Sometimes simultaneously, separately, privately, and oddly with no conscious effort of our own, planned out thoughts or routines to move us through the bumps, ups, downs, cracks, or less traveled roads, we can experience the most incredible diverse blend of emotions within ourselves with no real evidence to the world that we’ve been through a whirlwind of memories, experiences, or accounts bitter and sweet, and then somehow our intricate minds bring us back to that spirit of Christmas and an odd stillness and wholeness as mysterious and miraculous as the birth of Jesus consumes us.

That's what peace and love of Christmas is about, the merry times, smooth rides, the roller coaster, the dark days, the insignificant moments that add up to life all incredibly and perfectly blended together in a meringue of hope that creates a comforting warm serenity that relaxes us, a calm and harmonious feeling that sustains us and that is incredibly and euphorically absorbed in our intricate psyche and turns into something wonderfully touching, stirring, pure, white, gentle and as light as whipped cream.

I pray for many healthy years with you, my mother, for there’s so much for us still to share. Also at this time I believe you’d join me in prayer for the people of the world to work toward peace and harmony (such a cliché – however so desperately needed and yet blatantly ignored). We have the blessing of today and the one’s to come, God willing, to make a difference. But more importantly we have this Christmas and a definite tickle under our red noses to remind us that we have the love of God and each other to support us in good times and bad, celebrations and remembrances, in the cold and darkness, in the light and all the times of our lives. We also share in the miracle of life in our present and for our future, and together we can with unity receive the love of Christ and the incredible life to come – all these blessings from our God who so loves the people of the world!

Merry Christmas to you Mom – and if you don’t mind me taking this opportunity to wish a Very Merry Christmas to all the followers of Christ – may your love for Him grow daily, and your heart grow closer in fellowship with your neighbor – a stranger is only a stranger because you haven’t talked, offered your helping hand or acknowledged him just yet. Love the world as Christ showed and loved us.

With all my love and yours in Christ, Me!

(Cec – the eldest of your children, I hoped you knew it was me – just in case – you were unsure – because you do have other incredibly gifted children - who might have such thoughts written in their hearts or in a personal journal about their mother.)

P.S. Thank you Mary, Mother of Jesus, for receiving God’s gift of the incredible blessing on your life and for raising and giving your Son to the world for its salvation!

Inspired by: (Mom - your “coming out” – the world must know what I have known – just smile as I do everyday when I think of you!)

(Here's my mom keeping it real! - Not to worry Mom, your other writings won't be posted here, they'll be in our book!)

Cecelia.... Of course I absolutely loved, loved, loved it (“Writing posted: The Most Wonderful Time of the Year”). All so true. Why are we humans as we are? I hope your message gets to every single being possible. I smiled with pride of course through the entire time reading and agreeing, wishing I hadn't been responsible for the very behavior you write about.

Wouldn't it be lovely, and pleasing to our dear Savior if we all took your Wisdom and Advise and followed it without failure. But, we will read and agree, and feel the warm determination to change because the feeling during this time feels right and so good! (God like of course... ) And of course we become so determined. Oh, we all may try for a time but before you know it.. we go back and slip into old habits without giving it any thought.

I hope we hang on a little longer this time round, because today at this time and under the circumstances many of us are experiencing, never believing we would ever come to walk in these shoes... whatever that may be, of course different for all of us. We all have thought it would never happen to us, to someone else but not us. We need compassion and a God like love of ourselves, for each other, be it not only family but neighbors and strangers.

Well, listen to me going on! If just my prayers would be answered, that your message be read and read again, and that whoever reads it really gets it. That they carry out what at this time of the year comes with ease and with apparent "sincere warmth in their hearts". (You know... you kind of feel it.) I do see and cross paths with a lot of smiling faces and greeting these days, some that I initiate and others actually connect with me first. It's very enjoyable!

Forgive me if I got off message.... Your message is truthful & "WONDERFUL" as always. I got unnecessarily a little carried away. (It's late after midnight so I didn't read this before sending it off to you.)

Well, my darling daughter, I am losing it, but you, you're a "Winner" and I'm humbly proud to be your Mother. I love your work, I know He loves you and I certainly can't imagine how I could love you more!

Of course this note comes from just "Me",

oxox's from your "Mom"

iTs tHe MoSt WoNdErFuL TiMe Of ThE yEaR!

It’s encouraging, uplifting, inspiring, and heartwarming to see how we, the Christian Community, transform every year during the month of December. Soon after the golden brown turkey, tart cranberry relish, and spiced pumpkin pie have been consumed at the Thanksgiving dinner table the wonderful twinkling bright lights then trim our homes and neighborhoods and once a year bring to life the Christmas Season. As a family we shop, transport, and set up fancy or simply decorated fragrant pine trees that house our numerous gifts at its base and it sits prominently in our living rooms temporarily making us feel warmly connected to the cold winter and holiday season.

However, we begin to move further away from the original gift of Christmas as we stand in long lines and lose sleep over a frenzy of special shopping days, stretching ourselves and spending scarce cash to find that perfect gift for everyone on our list “tHiS yEaR”. People are of good cheer (FoR tHe MosT pArT), friends and family make time for visiting each other accepting invitations and attending holiday parties (iF tHey ArEn’T FiGhTiNg AnD iF tHeY cAn FoRgiVe OnE aNoThEr –WoUlD YoU SaY wE ArE A LittLe LeSS ThAn pErFeCt?). We enjoy the warm enticing aroma of sweet sugar and spices that reveal the familiar labors of love and traditions in the kitchen that fill our homes and workplaces year after year. We nibble and nibble and eventually right out gorge on buffet tables of rich foods and desserts and miserably within one month from over indulgence and the lack of physical activity fill in every spare inch of our jeans.

How is it that we can we fill our hearts with joy and excitement during this time of year and then completely detach ourselves and revert back to a place that is neither exhilarating nor mildly over the top pleasurable? What is it that gets turned on inside us and gives us the fearless incentive to placidly or greatly improve our less than perfect attitudes and allows us to express a sense of calmness, patience, compassion and generosity rather than our normal and inconsistent temper, judgmental eyes, and a cool and “Scrooge-like” heart? Why aren’t we participating and enjoying the incredible “gift of giving ourselves” everyday rather than reserving it only for a few short weeks that seem to begin after Thanksgiving Day and ending at the ring-in of the New Year. It’s time to say goodbye to our old limited ways of the past so that we may experience in abundance the “true meaning of Christmas” everyday in our lives!

There is something incredibly powerful and physically intangible about “hope, love and joy” for all of us that is brought to life during the weeks that precede Christmas Day. The almost in-descript feeling of cheer and good tidings is not something discussed and taught in a classroom setting as it is more an imitation of behavior that is passed down through generations of Christian families. Feelings of closeness and thoughtfulness connect us without emotional words. We have now within our power, and more than ever an obligation to our families and friends and for generations to come, to be an example of a living ambassador for Christ. We must earnestly take advantage of each new year, and better yet each day, situation, and moment to keep hope, love and joy alive in our hearts. Living in this caring state of faith, trust and anticipation our lives will naturally touch and connect us to each other and to God.

Our feelings and behavior are shaped by our “attitudes” and “mindsets”. We hear from television commercials and songs that Christmas is the most wonderful time of the year! We buy into the idea of “be of good cheer” as a natural way to feel only during “the holidays”. Well here’s a novel idea for all 12 months, “be a good model and of good cheer all the days of your life.” Simple positive actions and attitudes speak louder than words or philosophies. Consistency and confidence in the name of goodness and righteousness will always win out over a self-serving way of thinking, mild and morally wrong approach, weak or negative point of view. Be steady, unswerving, unfailing, and regularly in concert with others for their benefit, and see how the world around you improves and progresses. Yes, you might get a few critical sets of eye balls rolling back into their sockets, and a few determined downers trying to kill your happy spirit or others who are just filled with evil beyond help, but do not let that discourage you. Turn away if you have to, spend less time with them if necessary, but be consistent in deed, strength and courage and your good character will be catching and a sought after model to imitate. With your improved virtuous, bright, and insightful attitude you will find that there is more to be discovered about your uplifting faith, your truer self, and those whose lives you richly and poignantly touch.

The terms “The Holidays” and “Happy Holidays” have become widely used catch phrases that have been projected and almost intravenously injected into our homes, bodies and minds to include different religious celebrations which may be part of the reason why we have a less than passionate mindset toward acknowledging and celebrating Christ’s birth. Christ’s birth has become for many a less than worthy mentionable ingredient in a melting pot of money making retail sales days that is recognized and rated by how much consumers have spent rather than on the depth and celebration of one’s faith for their future through their Lord and Savior’s birth. Come alive PeOpLE! Take Christmas back! Be bold and speak of Christ and offer words filled with blessings and faith for our future. Share thoughts like “Isn’t the work of God incredible? To think that God created and sacrificed His Son in our image and for our sake, then Jesus following through for us and unselfishly gave His life from crib to cross to provide “the way” to join us to God in Heaven. What a blessing we all have an opportunity to share in. May we live in harmony and share in God’s gift of life.”

Gripped in all the hoopla surrounded by decorating, shopping, parties, food, and exchanging presents we naively, mistakenly, or inadvertently might ignore the fact that on Christmas Day it is actually Jesus’ Birthday that we should be celebrating. Many of us fail to pay homage or honor to Him by a “religious tradition or act” outside of a Christmas Day Mass if we can get ourselves out of bed after a late eve party. Take proactive steps to put “Christ” at the center of your celebrations changing the less than noteworthy past into a new praiseworthy and profound memory and experience for you, your family and friends. Mindfully prepare ahead for a “new religious” Christmas tradition. Exchange a small religious gift, like a cross, medal, bible, nativity set, spiritual book, or join a prayer group, church spiritual class held during Advent, and/or attend a “posada” or “novena” held in your own neighborhood or at your church. Bring “Christ” back into Christmas.

Speak to everyone for they are your brothers and sisters in Christ! Don’t ignore others and limit your relationships because God would never do that to you! Enjoy all encounters whether they are a brief moment in time or a life long friendship. The simplest “hello” can make a world of difference to a lonely person. A “compliment” could draw a smile from an aching heart. A “kind gesture” could make someone’s day! Don’t be shy, instead be “bold” in the name of Jesus. Do as “He would” and others will see the life of Christ in you! Always say “yes” when you can. Enjoy the gift of versatility knowing that your choices, routine and busy schedule can be rearranged at almost any time to bring comfort, aid or shelter to another. Take the “spotlight” off of you and redirect its light to that of another and enjoy the experience of the wonderful things that will happen to your giving soul!

Let us with renewed energy in our core, discipline on our tongues, and substance in our hearts display for all to see the reverence, respect and honor of our excitement and love for God, Jesus Christ His Son and the Holy Spirit.

Start now to begin to make changes in the way you and your family spend the days that lead up to one of the holiest days of the Christian calendar year. Rest, set straight, humble your hearts, and find comfort and peace in our God during the four weeks of the Advent Season as we joyfully prepare for Jesus’ coming. Spend more quiet time in prayer and you will experience a profound maturity in the depth of your faith and spirit that always has room for growth and nurturing.
Rejoice and be glad for this is a new day and beginning! Discover who you really are as you move through your renewed life and journey in faith and grow closer to God’s church, which is “you and the community of people in your house, church, workplace, neighborhood, state, nation, and which literally extends around the world!”

Every day is a blessing! Jesus Christ is our Lord and Savior and thus, everyday “with JESUS”iS tHe MoSt WoNdErFuL TiMe Of ThE yEaR !

Inspired by Matthew 11:28-30

Jesus said, “Come to me, all you that are weary and are carrying heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me; for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.”

Smile

Smile

Do not be afraid that you will not enter the kingdom of heaven. Your opportunity is now, in this moment, to make changes that will please God. Prepare yourself for you are equipped with knowledge and know now what has been said to all through the Gospels. Act quickly and with a defined plan to truthfully educate, reform, rejuvenate, invigorate, refresh, restore, and revitalize your thoughts, attitudes and actions.

Walk only forward toward God’s light turning your back to past days of darkness. Triumph over all temptations to hold on to complaints and negativity. Take steps that elevate you and others so that you will stand confidently and unwavering in your faith against rains, floods, and winds that dare to try to knock you down or steer you down a rocky path.

You are great in God’s eyes. Show Him that you are mindful, thankful, and grateful for the daily blessings provided for you. Smile. The love of God will emerge and come to light from your being and your confidence will conquer all that dares to defeat you.

Oh, do it again. Smile :)

Matthew 7:21, 24-27

Jesus said to his disciples:“Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’will enter the Kingdom of heaven,but only the one who does the will of my Father in heaven. “Everyone who listens to these words of mine and acts on them will be like a wise man who built his house on rock. The rain fell, the floods came,and the winds blew and buffeted the house. But it did not collapse; it had been set solidly on rock. And everyone who listens to these words of minebut does not act on themwill be like a fool who built his house on sand. The rain fell, the floods came,and the winds blew and buffeted the house. And it collapsed and was completely ruined.”