2020 Parishioner Advent Reflection Day 13
The Christmas season was a busy time in our household. Both Mom and Dad worked long hours in the post office, and Christmas Day was truly a day of rest.
The Christmas season was a busy time in our household. Both Mom and Dad worked long hours in the post office, and Christmas Day was truly a day of rest.A Christmas tradition that always kicks off the Swoboda Advent season is the transformation of our mantle with our nativity display. Our first Christmas after we were married, I asked for the start of a nativity set that we could add on to in consecutive years. That first year Pat gave me the Crèche and Mary, Joseph,…
I am ashamed to say that it took me many years to fully acknowledge and appreciate the season of Advent. But now, with a less hectic life style and more time to actually ‘live in the moment’, I have come to realize over the last few years that Advent is my favorite season in the liturgical…
Children understand the pure joy of Christmas. Advent teaches them that special things are worth waiting for and are worthy of preparation. Advent candles and calendars mark the longing. Hymns, and especially Plainsong chants, awake ancient drums of hope within. One Christmas Eve night when I was about 4 years old, I heard my dad’s footsteps…
Sure… The advent season brings anticipation and excitement. We all want to get to the destination, the birth of Christ. But as any experienced traveler will tell you, the fun, the joy is on the way there as well! Take the season to treasure every day, to find joy in something each day! Linda Hunt…
I love the story of Mary and have read many books about her but recently for some reason I’ve started to think about Joseph. Perhaps it’s because I have a good husband, sons, a son-in-law, grandsons, a grandson-in-law, and my sweet great grandson Henry that I wondered how difficult that time must have been for Joseph. He…
When I read the request for an Advent/Christmas Reflection I thought it would be an easy task so I started to write; and I wrote; and I wrote; and I wrote. One version; two versions; three versions and none seemed to capture a true sense of reflection for me. Then it hit me. I was…