And whatever you do, in word or in deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him // Colossians 3:17 Love this print from Jazmin De Guzman from today's readings. Let His word dwell in us richly, sisters. Remember, Members, you get this for free! Log in and download! Download your F R E E wallpapers right here --->>> Phone wallpaper Desktop wallpaper

I recently finished Jesus of Nazareth by Pope Benedict XVI. The most powerful lesson I learned from this book was the startling reality of the Incarnation. The news that God became man was astonishing to the people of Jesus’ time and should still shock us two millennia later. The Beauty of the Incarnation The declaration that God became man makes us choose. We must respond to this powerful claim. Do we truly believe that Jesus is the Son of God? That He is God? If we do, our entire life must change, everything in our lives changes, history itself changes! One of the most famous passages in the Bible is John 3:16: For God so loved the world that He gave His only Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life. We hear this verse often, most of us can even recall it from memory, yet how often do we contemplate it? Our salvation is summarized in this simple sentence, these twenty-four words. God loves us so much that He sent His Son to us that we may live forever with Him. What life-changing beauty! God became man so that we may become like God. God is with Us Now When the Word became Flesh, Jesus entered into history. Yes, the world’s history, but also within our own personal stories, too. He remains present today, both in the Eucharist and also in the saints He raises up in every age. Christ’s presence in each of us makes Him forever present to the world. When we preach the Gospel, when we imitate Christ and love what He loved and lived like He lived, we concretize the Incarnation here and now. The Incarnation allows us to wholly and entirely engage with God, with our entire being, with our body and our soul. When we realize the profundity of this, our entire life must change. We live with hope, we live with charity. When we believe in the reality of the Incarnation we live with the hope in the promise that we will sit on the throne with Christ (Ephesians 2:6). WRITE + PRAY We invite you to sit with the Word and unpack it in a uniquely personal way, finding your own story. Discover your story within His. GET WRITE AND PRAY Future Kings and Queens The Incarnation invites us to look at others as good and holy. Because of the Incarnation we are surrounded by kings and queens. One of my favorite quotes is by C.S. Lewis. He wrote in The Weight of Glory: It is a serious thing to live in a society of possible gods and goddesses, to remember that the dullest most uninteresting person you can talk to may one day be a creature which, if you saw it now, you would be strongly tempted to worship, or else a horror and a corruption such as you now meet, if at all, only in a nightmare. All day long we are, in some degree helping each other to one or the other of these destinations. It is in the light of these overwhelming possibilities, it is with the awe and the circumspection proper to them, that we should conduct all of our dealings with one another, all friendships, all loves, all play, all politics. There are no ordinary people. You have never talked to a mere mortal. Nations, cultures, arts, civilizations - these are mortal, and their life is to ours as the life of a gnat. But it is immortals whom we joke with, work with, marry, snub, and exploit - immortal horrors or everlasting splendors. The Incarnation is a reminder that we are both body and soul. That our bodies are good, that we are fearfully and wonderfully made. We must strive to understand the dignity of our bodies, we must take care of our bodies, we must love our bodies, we must use our bodies to serve others. We must always honor and respect the bodies of others. Beholding God From the moment Mother Mary heard the first cries of Jesus in the cave of Bethlehem that first Christmas night, to Saint Thomas who placed his finger into Jesus’ wounded Sacred Heart, each person who saw, heard, and touched Jesus was seeing and hearing and touching God. We continue to see, hear, and touch Him today, in the Mass, and in the saints that surround us—those who step out in faith in that mysterious claim: God became man. Glory to the Newborn King!   [bctt tweet="The Beauty of the Incarnation #BISblog //" username="findphilothea"]

This is the text that will appear when we add an excerpt

If you are considering post-graduate service, you have probably felt some sort of inner calling from God or a desire deep in your heart. Maybe along with that desire, nerves are also in the pit of your stomach. Tips for Discerning Post-Graduate Service When I was going through the discernment process myself, I knew I wanted to pursue a year of service, but I was anxious about the sacrifices that a year of service requires. Surrender and Obedience Through this process, I learned the first step is surrender and obedience. I recommend giving God your desire to serve. In this way, we can remind ourselves that though we have a desire to serve, first and foremost, we desire the holy will of God. We should allow Him to guide our discernment process and what He wants from us. The following resources gave me greater peace and greater trust in God’s plan. The Surrender Novena by Fr. Dolindo Ruotolo The Litany of Trust 33 days to Morning Glory by Michael E. Gaitley The words of Mary “I am the handmaid of the Lord. May it be it done to me according to your word” (Luke 1:26-38). Using Mary, the pinnacle example of trust and obedience as my advocate, I found I had more strength to complete God’s holy will than I originally thought. With your surrender, you will be better able to serve those around you and ultimately God himself. Knowing that I was doing His will instead of my own also gave me peace. WRITE + PRAY We invite you to sit with the Word and unpack it in a uniquely personal way, finding your own story. Discover your story within His. GET WRITE AND PRAY Research The second step is to research and decide which program is best for you. With so many good programs, I remember feeling a little overwhelmed as I began. The many different organizations available each have a unique mission to glorify God. I found the Catholic Volunteer Network a great place to start, as it has a list of almost 200 programs. Some of the most well-known programs attract hundreds of volunteers from around the country. If you feel called to evangelize on a college campus, Fellowship of Catholic University Students (FOCUS), might be perfect for you. If you want to enter the retreat ministry, NET Ministries could be a great place to start. The Jesuit Volunteer Corps is known for a wide variety of different mission sites both domestic and abroad. If your ministry is in teaching there are well-known teaching programs such as the University of Notre Dame's Alliance of Catholic Education (ACE), the University of Portland's Pacific Alliance of Catholic Education (PACE), and Criegthon's MAGIS, where you can also receive your Masters in teaching. But the programs I’ve mentioned are only the tip of the iceberg. There are countless smaller volunteer programs. Reach Out Once you have found a few programs that interest you, the best method of research is to talk to a current volunteer of your organization. A current volunteer is the best source of information to learn about daily life and can often ease some of the anxiety related to the unknown. Most of the time, they love their mission and love to talk to prospective volunteers. So don’t be afraid to reach out! Talk to Jesus about Your Calling and Gifts Spend time in prayer to allow God to speak to your heart. Know what He is saying to you and in which program you might thrive best. Here are a few common considerations. With what length of volunteer commitment are you comfortable? What does your vacation time look like? What are you looking for in a volunteer community? Do you want to live in a community with many other young people or do you prefer a small group? Do you want to live aboard or do you prefer to stay domestic? Are you comfortable being sent to any location or do you prefer to decide where you live? Are you comfortable being assigned to any sort of job or do you prefer to have some control over where you might work? What are the financial benefits and concerns associated with each program? Is there fundraising involved, and if so, what type? What is the spirituality of the volunteer program? Is there access to daily Mass and the Sacraments? What groups of people do you feel called to serve? Elementary kids, the elderly, college students, the homeless, the sick, etc? Does the mission of the program match the mission in your own heart? Don't Compare We each have different talents and gifts. Take the time to think about yours and where you might be best able to serve and where God is calling you to grow. Since we have gifts that differ according to the grace given to us, let us exercise them: if prophecy, in proportion to the faith; if ministry, in ministering; if one is a teacher, in teaching; if one exhorts, in exhortation; if one contributes, in generosity; if one is over others, with diligence; if one does acts of mercy, with cheerfulness. -Romans 12:6-8 My mission ended up looking different than my friends' missions. I wish I would have not compared and been at peace knowing that based on the gifts God has given us, we each have a unique and specific mission that He wants us to fulfill. Be Ready to Be Changed Finally, here are some key takeaways that former volunteers told me before I started the mission that helped my mindset. Often the organization will decide where you live, your job description, and will have rules and a schedule. As a result, you will learn obedience. There will be days of exhaustion, emotional difficulty, and hardship. There will be days when you want nothing more to fulfill your own needs, and you will be required to put the needs of others before your own. As a result, you will learn how to sacrifice. Everyone in your community will bring their spirituality to the table. You will be exposed to a variety of spiritual practices. As a result, your spirituality will change. You will have a mission. You will join something bigger than yourself. As a result, part of your old self will die. In the process, some of your self-centeredness and ego will die as well. You will never be the same, but you will change for the better. If God has called you to serve Him in this particular way, He will sustain and strengthen you. Do not be afraid to plunge into the deep and complete His mission. Trust Him, He will not let you fail. Go set the world on fire. Are you discerning post-graduate service? What questions do you have about the process?   [bctt tweet="Discerning Post-Graduate Service #BISblog //" via="no"]   Claire Belén Vietri is a recent Gonzaga graduate from Idaho who is currently volunteering at a children’s home called Amigos de Jesus in Honduras. In her free time, she loves running outside, playing soccer with the kids, reading classics, and most importantly, laughing with family and friends. You can find out more about her here.   This post contains affiliate links. Thanks so much for supporting the ministry of Blessed is She!

Welcome to our Blessed Chats series! Each month, we will dedicate an entire week of blog posts to a topic that affects many of us. These conversations often come up in our Facebook groups and in our real life friendships. We want to share a variety of perspectives on the topic at hand, so we've asked women to share their stories and how the teachings of the Church have guided and comforted them. In this series, we're talking about finances. We'd love for you to join the conversation! I didn’t know if it could do it. I’d been making money before, of course, when I worked as a teacher, but now as an entrepreneur, I was my own boss. Before, my employer had figured out all the details around my salary, and I just decided if that was acceptable to me or not. Now, all the decisions were on me. I was responsible for all of it: the amount that I charged, the amount that I made, and what I didn’t make. It forced me to confront my ideas about money that I wasn’t interested to see. My Money Mentality If I got down to it, a part of me felt like money was bad. That it wasn’t so good to make it, to ask for it, and that it wasn’t even good to have it, especially a lot of it. Especially if I was going to be a good Christian. What it really came down to was a feeling of shame and a misunderstanding of money, as well as my own self. But I was now a coach starting her own business, and if I wanted to use those beautiful gifts to serve others, I needed to learn some new skills. Becoming an entrepreneur forced me to look at my own ideas of money and begin to sort out some hidden beliefs that were affecting my own relationship with God, myself, and the people I served. Underneath it all, I began to discover some beautiful and powerful transformation along the way. [elementor-template id="415212"] Shifting My Mindset There were some new ways of thinking that helped me to shift my mindset about finances, and our call to serve God and others in abundance. Money is neutral. It’s not a bad thing. When we start thinking that money is bad, we can quickly fall into a “scarcity mindset” that most often mirrors mistaken beliefs of our own lack of worth. Rather, when we consider that money is neutral, we detach from money and it can be a blessing to receive from God as well as to give generously to others. Money is a resource. Just like any resource, it can be abused or it can be used for good. When we consider that money is a resource, we become good stewards of our finances. We can have a healthy stewardship of money, its care, and even creating more money in our lives and businesses to support ourselves, our families, those in need. Money is a way to serve and bless others. Making money is a means of service. Making money means is one way that shows you are making an impact on the world. And when we work with a spirit of service, it is a way to bring about the Kingdom of God. Money can simply be a byproduct of an exchange of value and service. “For to everyone who has more will be given and he will grow rich” (Matthew 25:29). These words express the blessing of using our gifts to serve and of receiving God’s blessings of abundance. If we are Christians open to receiving God’s abundance in all areas of our lives, why not also be open to receiving God’s abundance in our finances as well? And when we receive God’s abundance through our work, we have the opportunity to be generous to others as well. In fact the more money someone makes, the more they have the opportunity to give and do good in the world. What better place for God to bestow lots of money than into the hands of good Christians? We Christians can truly use these resources for creating greater beauty, truth and goodness in the world, as well as alleviating the sufferings of others through generosity and through works of service. The Provision of God For me, I have felt the challenge to be open to accepting God’s abundance, even financially. The call to create a profitable business that serves many women to transform their lives and live as God has created them to be has been the place to explore new ways of thinking and new ways of serving. The key is detachment and poverty of spirit. Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the Kingdom of Heaven. -Matthew 5:3 Part of my “detachment” has been to let go of the mistaken ideas that only were keeping me hidden and preventing me from serving in more powerful ways, and to open myself to receiving God’s goodness of resources through the beauty of work and the generosity that can come from giving to others. If we can remain detached and serve with generous hearts, we can truly become beautiful instruments of God’s goodness in all areas of our lives, including our finances. What are your thoughts about money? How can you become more open to receiving God’s abundance in every area of your life, including your finances? How is God calling you to greater service and generosity? If you want more on the Church's rich teachings on these engaging topics, our best-selling study, "Blessed Conversations: Rooted," dives into the Catechism's teachings and now offers a video companion series along with it featuring Theological Editor Susanna Spencer and Managing Editor Nell O'Leary. Get it here.   [bctt tweet="Blessed Chats: Finances // Money Mentality #BISblog #blessedchats //" via="no"]

Welcome to our Blessed Chats series! Each month, we will dedicate an entire week of blog posts to a topic that affects many of us. These conversations often come up in our Facebook groups and in our real life friendships. We want to share a variety of perspectives on the topic at hand, so we've asked women to share their stories and how the teachings of the Church have guided and comforted them. In this series, we're talking about finances. We'd love for you to join the conversation! We were newlyweds, just recently married and on our grand adventure on life. Matt and I met in law school, fell in love, got married, and then moved to Denver, CO. We didn’t have a lot, but we had each other. It was just the two of us, and eventually, our dog Sully. We’d wake up on Saturday mornings, go for a walk downtown, stop at a local coffee shop, chat with those we sat next to and that was life for us. Carefree. Simple. Comfortable. Made for More One Saturday, as we took our usual morning stroll, I looked at Matt and said: “We’ve got it pretty dang good, wouldn’t you say? We’re so comfortable!” Matt agreed and we kept walking. I sat in those words and still do. I knew Jesus well enough, at that point, to know that there had to be more than this, for as lovely as this was for us. We were comfortable. We went where we wanted to, spent when we wanted to and for whatever we wanted to. Because we could! Sure, we gave to Church, but our hearts weren’t quite in the right place just yet. It wasn’t long after that that our little (surprise) gal pal, Callan, was born. Parenthood was the first time that Matt and I began to feel stretched. Between diapers and clothes and all of the other baby things you need, we also experienced two hospital stays in Cal’s first three months of life. Suddenly, we had less than we did to begin with and it felt, in a lot of ways, that there was a reason behind it all. And with God, there always is a reason, isn’t there? An Abundance of Perspective Aside from massive law school loans, we were now piled high with medical bills nearing the 50k mark. Stretched was an understatement. We honestly, at times, felt poor. And in our poverty, He came to us. It took having our world turned upside down for us to realize that we wanted to re-prioritize how and why and when we spent what we had. We truly began to internalize the Truth that what we had (and did not have, for that matter) was a true gift from the Lord. God shook us out of comfort and into a season of life in which we grew to cling to Him, and it’s been one of the greatest blessings in our marriage. [elementor-template id="415212"] Letting God Make Our Financial Goals Matt and I say that we want to get rich and die poor. It’s true, we do. But with that said, the heart behind it all is His. We recognize now that coffee dates come second behind giving. I truly believe that had we not experienced such financial struggle when we did, we would have continued down a road of comfort. And we know that we’re not created for comfort, but for greatness. And it is in the struggle that we become great. More holy. Refined and refocused. We learn that all is gift for He gives and takes away. Only to strengthen us and our bond with Him. We are still trudging through both our student loans and medical bills. And the trudging has brought us so near to one another and deeper into His Heart. It is in giving that we truly receive—and so it is with us. Though our coffee dates are now few and far between, we are comforted knowing that our priorities are what they should be. Our duty is to tithe first, and all else second. Tithing is a beautiful sacrifice, an offering from our hands to His. Emptying + Filling It’s interesting, how God works, isn’t it? How He constantly calls us to trust and follow. He empties us, only to fill us again so that we may overflow and be made new. God sure emptied us, and in a lot of ways, we are still empty. Yet from an eternal perspective, we are more wholehearted than ever before. How is the Lord calling you to surrender your finances to Him? How are you feeling stretched right now and how is He speaking into it all? Go to Him. Sit with Him. Empty what you so tightly cling to and let Him refill your life with His presence and lead! If you want more on the Church's rich teachings on these engaging topics, our best-selling study, "Blessed Conversations: Rooted," dives into the Catechism's teachings and now offers a video companion series along with it featuring Theological Editor Susanna Spencer and Managing Editor Nell O'Leary. Get it here.   [bctt tweet="Blessed Chats: Finances // Seasons of Tithing #BISblog #blessedchats //" username="blessedisshe__"]

Welcome to our Blessed Chats series! Each month, we will dedicate an entire week of blog posts to a topic that affects many of us. These conversations often come up in our Facebook groups and in our real life friendships. We want to share a variety of perspectives on the topic at hand, so we've asked women to share their stories and how the teachings of the Church have guided and comforted them. In this series, we're talking about finances. We'd love for you to join the conversation! My husband and I were raised in families that had similar outlooks on money. Neither one of us grew up particularly well-off or “rich,” and both of us were accustomed to having to earn our own money to buy the things we wanted. We were also incredibly fortunate to enter into our marriage covenant free from student debt thanks to the diligence and dedication of our parents. You’d think that growing up with similar backgrounds, and being on pretty equal footing when it came to our personal finances when we got married, we’d be on the same page money-wise. You’d be wrong. Money + Marriage In reality, we had very different outlooks on finances. My husband was a hardcore “saver” and preferred adding to his savings account over buying new things. Although I tried to deny it, I was definitely a “spender,” never spending beyond my means or taking on debt in order to shop, but really enjoying the rush that a new article of clothing or home decor item would bring. Get on the Same Page One of the very first things we did as a married couple was take a finance class. I am so thankful for that class, offered by the parish we attended at the time, for helping my husband and I to truly get on the same page when it came to our personal finances. Together, we dug deep and learned things about ourselves that made a huge impact on how we viewed money. We learned that it’s super common for one spouse to be the saver and one to be the spender, and how to reconcile those differences. We cut up credit cards and vowed to get debt-free as soon as possible. We reflected on what the Bible had to say about tithing, and made a commitment to offering a full 10% of our income back to the Lord as a tithe. I cannot recommend Financial Peace University enough as a starting place for your finances, whether you’re drowning in debt, killing the savings game, or just starting out and have no idea what to focus on first. [elementor-template id="415212"] Make a Budget Regardless of whether or not you’re able to take a finance class, the best thing you can do as a couple is to make a budget each month. The word “budget” usually brings up images of rice and beans and secondhand clothes. But in reality, a budget is simply a plan for where your money is going to go! Sitting down together to map out where you want and need to spend money each month is super important. I’ve come to love our monthly “budget meetings,” where we look at the calendar and figure out every possible thing we need to budget for that month. Are we going on a date night? Do the kids need any clothes? Do we have any gifts to buy? By sitting down to talk about our finances, we end up talking about so much more and I end up feeling like we’re truly on the same page when it comes to our calendar and commitments as well as our budget! Budgeting Tools There are some great tools out there for creating budgets, and it’s worthwhile to play around with a few to figure out what works best for you. From old-school pencil and paper, to fancy excel spreadsheets with formulas, to an app like Mint, YNAB (You Need A Budget), or EveryDollar, there are lots of options out there. The important thing is to get down on paper (or in electronic form) how much income you’re bringing in, and ensuring that your expenses (including bills, savings, debt payments and anything you spend money on) does not exceed that income. Get Comfortable with Compromise It’s important to point out that neither the “spender” nor the “saver” mentality is superior when it comes to finances within marriage. God gives us all unique personalities and dispositions and that is a beautiful thing! If you and your spouse are on different ends of the spectrum when it comes to spending versus saving, it offers a great opportunity for compromise and “dying to self” which is what marriage is all about! My husband has said many times that thanks to my outlook, we’ve spent money on things or experiences that he never would have if it were just up to him. He’s glad for my nudging to be a little more “spendy.” On the flip side, there have been countless times when I wanted to impulsively spend money on something and, even though we had the money to do it, my husband advised waiting and holding out to see if we could get a better deal or simply changed our minds. Thanks to his patience and steadfastness in our savings goals, he’s saved us from a lot of unwise purchases and financial headaches throughout our seven years of marriage! Like with Everything in Marriage, Communication is Key Talking about money—really talking about it—simply offers another opportunity to get to know each other’s heart, grow in love for one another, and strive for holiness as you seek to honor the Lord and abide by His will for you and your money, together. If you want more on the Church's rich teachings on these engaging topics, our best-selling study, "Blessed Conversations: Rooted," dives into the Catechism's teachings and now offers a video companion series along with it featuring Theological Editor Susanna Spencer and Managing Editor Nell O'Leary. Get it here.   [bctt tweet="Blessed Chats: Finances // Money + Marriage #BISblog #blessedchats" via="no"]

Welcome to our Blessed Chats series! Each month, we will dedicate an entire week of blog posts to a topic that affects many of us. These conversations often come up in our Facebook groups and in our real life friendships. We want to share a variety of perspectives on the topic at hand, so we've asked women to share their stories and how the teachings of the Church have guided and comforted them. In this series, we're talking about finances. We'd love for you to join the conversation! When we were first married, we were broke. Actually, more than broke. We had a combined $65k in school debt, which was quite a lot 20 years ago. I was under-employed, working as a research assistant first, then adjunct professor part-time, all while in graduate school full-time. My husband was employed full-time and earning a dual masters degree concurrently. As newlyweds, we borrowed money for a down payment and bought a starter-home. We had car payments, student loan payments, tuition payments, mortgage payments, and lots of earning potential. Potential doesn’t put food on the table or keep the electricity on, though, so we were careful. We made a budget and prioritized the debt with the goal of paying it off as fast as possible. To use a term from my grandparent’s generation—we economized. We were intentional. Slowly, our loans began to shrink and we began to shift that part of the budget to savings, rather than to the lending agencies. A New Financial Perspective Around this time, I came into the church and we were faced with a new financial obligation. How much do we give the church when we ourselves have so many expenses? Our family began to grow at a fairly regular pace and no amount of economizing could keep our budget from needing to swell a bit as well. Taking care of our children was our primary obligation, but the need for us to take care of our neighbor didn’t disappear. The more we grew in our faith life as a couple, the clearer our obligation to our wider universal family became. For the first time, we began to recognize our role as stewards of that which we were given. As a single income home with four little mouths to feed as well, our giving required a shift in our thinking. What we had each month was to be carefully managed, not squandered. It was to be shared, saved, and enjoyed in equal measure. Tithing Fixed Our Financial Stress When we made the decision to tithe, it actually removed some of the financial stress. We knew that a certain percent was going to the work of the Church. A specific amount was required for monthly use, and some other was set aside each month for intentional savings. The remaining then could be used freely. When giving is drawn not from the first fruit, but from what is left over, it opens the giving to doubt and debate. Do we give that money to the church or do we buy new shoes for the kids? Do we give to the church or have a date night? We justify why the money can and should be responsibly spent in the family, because that is the more physically present need. But the needs of our neighbor, and of our church is great too. [elementor-template id="415212"] Time, Talent, and Treasure Some of us look at the time, talent, and treasure as three options. As we grow in maturity, in resources, and in spirit, we have more ways to give of ourselves. Giving freely of our time, talents, and treasures is one of the traits of a good steward. There may be times in your life when you can give in talent and time, but find yourself unable to give the treasures. When possible, a balance of all three is most excellent. Some are able to write big checks, and those individuals will still find their lives most enriched when they can also give of their time and talents as well. Giving Back Always, in a Variety of Ways As our family has grown over the last 20 years, careers have advanced, investments have provided returns and never once have we regretted giving to the church in time, talent, or treasure. We have started multiple ministries at the church, worked in outreach, and used our skills as we volunteer in the parish, diocese, and wider community. It has been important that as we raise our children we present tithing as a responsibility, and volunteering as a necessity when living in community. It isn’t an either/or, it is a both/and. As you consider your role as God’s stewart, how can you give just a little more? Maybe it is in the form of finances, maybe it is time in prayer, maybe it is offering your gifts differently. You were created purposefully for this world and you make it a better place with your abundant generosity! If you want more on the Church's rich teachings on these engaging topics, our best-selling study, "Blessed Conversations: Rooted," dives into the Catechism's teachings and now offers a video companion series along with it featuring Theological Editor Susanna Spencer and Managing Editor Nell O'Leary. Get it here.   [bctt tweet="Blessed Chats: Finances // Taking Tithing Seriously #BISblog //" via="no"]

My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord; my spirit rejoices in God my savior. For he has looked upon his handmaid’s lowliness. // Luke 1:46-48 Love this beautiful print from Elma of A Yearning Heart. Let His word dwell in us richly, sisters. Remember, Members, you get this for free! Log in and download! Download your F R E E wallpapers right here --->>> Phone wallpaper Desktop wallpaper

During the Advent and Christmas seasons, we reflect a lot on "a weary world." The world, at all points in history, has been tired from sin and striving and aching for the the rest and renewal that comes from an encounter with Jesus Christ. As if on cue, this Advent season has gifted us with a new, year-long devotional from author, YouTuber, and Blessed is She devotional writer, Emily Wilson Hussem. Awaken My Heart We are all familiar with the hustle of life. The pushing and the pulling and the running and the juggling until something breaks—and most of the time, it's us. We know well the deep desire for intimate prayer with the Lord, and the disheartening realization that yet another day has gone by without intentional prayer. In a new way this year, we're still weary. We might not be "doing" as much, but we are still pushing, pulling, running, and juggling. It might look different, but the soul-fatigue feels very similar. This tiredness of soul often ushers in a numbness, a coldness, an apathy. And it's to the woman who is experiencing this that Emily Wilson Hussem seeks to pray with in Awaken My Heart. New Graces In this devotional, Emily focuses on a different topic each week. In her unparalleled way, Emily shares personal stories from her own life while incorporating wit and wisdom that can only come from a heart that's united with the Lord. You can start this devotional any time, but of course one can't help but think of the upcoming new year as a wonderful opportunity to begin. Each week, Emily shares a story and reflection, a few questions to take to prayer, and an original closing prayer. I love that this format gives us the space to pray through each week's chapter throughout the entire week. There's no rush; no falling behind; no checking boxes. Just relationship with God. A Great Gift for the Women in Your Life While you're getting a book for yourself, pick one up for the women you love! This would be a great gift for sisters, moms, friends, godchildren, and those you've sponsored for Confirmation. In fact, this could be easily used in a small group, as the questions lend themselves well to both individual contemplation and group discussion. As we look to the start of a new year, let's resolve to be less-weary. Let's resolve to stop so much striving and to begin claiming our rest as daughters of God. Let's begin now, and let's begin here. Have you read this book yet?! What did you think?   [bctt tweet="BIS Reads // Awaken My Heart: A 52-Week Devotional #BISblog //" via="no"]   This post contains affiliate links. Thanks so much for supporting the ministry of Blessed is She!

Every December 12th, without fail, my parents would buy a dozen red roses to give to Our Lady of Guadalupe as a gift from our family. The night before, they would remind me that I would have to get up extra early because the celebrations at Mass began at 5:00 a.m. with Las Mañanitas. I love everything about mariachi music: the outfits, the passion from the person who is singing the heartfelt lyrics, and the bellowing trumpets. But for a middle schooler, 5:00 a.m. did not feel special at all, even if my parents let me go to school tardy. It was a big ask to get me out of my warm blankets that I was snuggled into, but for the sake of tradition and keeping my parents happy, I would get ready to go. It didn’t help that our parish wasn’t connected to a school, so I was the only kid my age in attendance, which made me feel like our family was probably a little too Catholic. A Piece of Home at Church My parents would take our household image of Our Lady of Guadalupe to Church to be blessed, along with the red roses. Once I was at Mass, I couldn’t help but burst into song because the ballads sung to Our Lady of Guadalupe by the mariachi, accompanied by the congregation, were so irresistible it could turn any grumpy adolescent into a pleasant one. The lyrics sung to Our Lady of Guadalupe in Spanish made me forget the early wake up call as I happily sang in the language I never had the opportunity to speak at school or outside of our home. This feast day felt like home to me. Little girls would dress in traditional Mexican outfits with their hair braided with ribbon interlaced on both sides. I loved looking around my parish and seeing the response of the community embracing such a special day for the Hispanic Community. It wasn’t just the tamales that they could enjoy afterwards either; it was a genuine desire to experience honoring Mary together in this way. Mariachi Music in Honor of Our Lady The church only played Mariachi music one time per year during Mass on this feast day. I felt so proud of my cultural heritage and beamed with joy as parishioners sang the songs in their best Spanish. Even the priest, whose first language wasn’t Spanish, would participate in the singing, too! I felt seen by our parish community as they welcomed the deep roots of our Mexican Catholic identity. Here under one roof in front of Jesus, Our Lady of Guadalupe, and Saint Juan Diego, we all were actively participating in the universality of the Church. I wished every day could be just like this, celebrating the love for our Mother regardless of ethnicity or nationality or immigration status. Just children and heirs to the Kingdom of God receiving a tiny taste of Heaven with Mass, music, and lifting up our prayers. In hindsight I wish I had had the courage to invite my peers to share about my Mass experience. Instead I just got a tardy pass and went straight to class, keeping close to myself the special morning I had just experienced. Passing on the Tradition to My Students When I taught Confirmation for the first time, I purchased roses for my students to offer Our Lady of Guadalupe. I gave them a little background story and then invited them to offer a special intention to her when they placed their rose inside of the vase. I remember feeling so proud in that moment as I prayed that they could feel the love from Our Blessed Mother under a different title. Sometimes the simple invitation helps people grow in the Faith. We can be living the Faith for a long time but can miss out on opportunities to participate because we are waiting to be invited. This Advent season, visit a local parish that may be celebrating the feast day of Our Lady of Guadalupe and don’t hesitate to participate. Our Lady of Guadalupe is the Queen of Mexico and Mother of the Americas and a reminder that her love transcends skin tone, class, or race. She truly is a mother to us all. Participate in Our Lady of Guadalupe’s Feast Day For people in Mexico, this special day is seen as a way for Our Lady of Guadalupe to intercede for us and has been a means of obtaining answered prayers. They travel to the Basilica on their knees as they remember everything she has done for them. Even if you don’t belong to a parish that celebrates Our Lady of Guadalupe’s feast day replete with Mariachis, take some time to listen to some Mariachi music in your house. If you’re especially lucky, you may have some friends who will offer you some homemade tamales. You can also find a Mexican market and celebrate with tamales, pan dulce (Mexican sweet bread), atole (drink made with finely ground corn) or champurrado (thick rich Mexican hot chocolate made with corn). Passing Down Our Lady’s Feast Day Now that I have children, I dress them up in traditional Mexican outfits and we all go to Mass together. They proudly walk down the aisle and offer their roses to Mary, just like I had done as a child. My son, Diego, is especially proud of his namesake on this feast day, as he loves to hear the story of Saint Juan Diego and Our Lady. It’s like a mini-pilgrimage from the crack of dawn to the moment you step in the church. I think back to that grumpy middle schooler and am so grateful that my parents persisted in taking me to Mass on Our Lady’s feast day and I am proud that I now get to share the same tradition with my own children. Prayers to Our Lady of Guadalupe John Paul II's Prayer to Our Lady of Guadalupe Covid-19: A prayer to Our Lady of Guadalupe in times of trial Listen. Put it into your heart, my smallest child, that the thing that frightened you, the thing that afflicted you is nothing: Do not let it disturb you… Am I not here, I who am your mother? Are you not under my shadow and protection? Am I not the source of your joy? Are you not in the hollow of my mantle, In the crossing of my arms? Do you need something more? -Our Lady of Guadalupe, 1531 Listen to Mariachi Music An example of songs that are sung for Our Lady of Guadalupe English and Spanish Lyrics to song La Guadalupana Watch the Movie Guadalupe: The Miracle and the Message Recipes Champurrado (thick Mexican hot chocolate) Atole (hot drink made with masa: ground corn)   [bctt tweet="The Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe // A Childhood Tradition #BISblog //" via="no"] WANT TO DEEPEN YOUR PRAYER? Get ready to be radically changed by the Lord and His presence. Be drawn into intimacy with the Lord by way of weekly videos, a community within the Blessed is She app, and invitations into reading scripture in a whole new way. BEGIN THE WELL: ABIDE

Based on the number of Catholic mommy Facebook groups I belong to, I know that no matter the age of your child and the circumstance of your life, there is nothing easy about bringing your family to Mass. I’d even venture to bet that because of the insanity that is 2020, and the break in our usual routines due to the Coronavirus, this task is now more difficult than ever. Multiple times a week, I see a post from another mother, looking for support, wisdom, and practical advice in dealing with the difficulties of bringing their children to Church. Every time I see it, I empathize completely. I only have one child: a squirmy, bold, two-year-old daughter, and most Masses feel like a combination of a wrestling match and a rodeo. Emotionally, Mass has not been the same for me since having this child and that is really difficult. However, I also know that my emotions change nothing about the objective truth of what is taking place. Thus, when I read these posts, the only advice that surfaces within my exhausted mommy brain is, “bring them to Mass, anyway…” and at first, that may seem kind of heartless. Do It Anyway There’s a fairly famous poem entitled “Do It Anyway” that was written on the wall of Mother Teresa’s home for children in Calcutta. It’s a beautiful testament to the reason one should always do the right thing amidst the everyday difficulties faced by everyone in every society in every generation. Though it was definitely because of the Missionaries of Charity that this poem became so well known, most likely, Mother Teresa and her sisters are not the original source. They merely adapted it to have a more spiritual tone. It is the sentiment of this poem that rings through my heart and mind when I read of the struggles parents face in bringing little hearts for which they are responsible to the Eucharistic Table. Thus, I thought an additional adaption of the original poem might be especially encouraging for moms (and dads) who find themselves deep within this struggle. Bring Your Kids to Mass Anyway When your family has a late Saturday night, everyone will move slowly Sunday morning, be unable to locate clean Mass clothes and whine about having to go. Rally the troops, wear whatever is most presentable, and bring your kids to Mass anyway. Sometimes their hair won’t be brushed, their socks won’t match, and the only outfit you can get your five-year-old to actually put on his naked body is his old halloween costume. Let the kids look a bit disheveled, unkept, and festive, and bring your kids to Mass anyway. Toddlers are often restless and resistant to small confined spaces for extended periods of time; they’ll climb up and down and all around and make multiple attempts to escape and race up the main aisle. Contain them as best you can and bring your kids to Mass anyway. Siblings often have to be strategically placed within the pew and bribed with the promise of a donut afterwards to keep them from mischief and misbehavior for a solid hour. Strategize, bribe, and bring your kids to Mass anyway. Teenagers are often doubtful, defiant and unwilling to go to a Mass that they “don’t get anything out of;” they’ll follow along, go through the motions, and possibly pout before, during, and after. Bring your sullen teenagers to Mass anyway. Someone in the congregation will usually feel the need to comment on the size of your family; it may be too big by society’s standards, or it may be too small by “Catholic” standards. Bring your family—whatever size it is—to Mass anyway. The woman in front of you will scoff at you, as you have (in her eyes) done some form of parenting wrong (it could be nursing your infant, correcting mild-misbehavior of your eight-year-old, or allowing your teenage son with intellectual disabilities to complete his Catholic activity pad). She’ll “graciously” remind you that there is a cry room for such behavior and possibly make you angry or embarrassed. Ignore the opinion of others and keep bringing your kids to Mass anyway. At some point in parenthood, one of your children will have an emotional meltdown during the Eucharistic prayer and you will quickly scoop her up and hustle her to the back in the hopes you didn’t disrupt things for too long… only to have your pastor scold you after Mass for being irreverent during the most sacred part of the Liturgy. Trust your own intentions, forgive Father, and bring your kids to Mass anyway. At times you’ll wonder if it’s all really worth it, because Mass is always a battle, and even though you believe whole-heartedly in what’s taking place, most of the time you’re so worn and distracted, it feels as though you yourself haven’t gotten anything out of Mass. Lean on Truth, push through clouded emotions, and bring yourself and your kids to Mass anyway. Once (or twice, or multiple times) you may leave Mass in tears, because raising kids in the Faith is so hard, and you may not be getting much support from fellow parishioners, the pastor, or even your spouse. Remember that the Lord is near to the broken-hearted, and bring your kids to Mass anyway. In the end, you’ll stand before our loving and merciful God, and you’ll see it was never even about you and them. It was always between you and God anyway. Negligence vs. Heroism Saint Therese of Lisieux once said that what often appears to be negligence to the human eye is actually viewed by God as an act of heroism. She said this in response to judgmental sisters who were questioning the lack of action of another sister. God had given Therese insight into this same sister’s heart and suffering. Thus Therese knew that “Sister X” was truly giving her all to God through her work, even though it looked like negligence, laziness, and incapability to the rest of the convent. As a mother, this understanding provides such great comfort and encouragement. When my daughter misbehaves at Mass, and people look around (or don’t, but still make faces) it can be incredibly disheartening and discouraging. Sometimes it even makes me question my parenting methods. However, this wisdom from the Little Flower helps me redirect my focus to the right place: myself before God. And there, God sees every parent who struggles through the difficulties of bringing their children to Mass as a hero engaged in a great battle: a battle for souls. So, to all my fellow parents out there fighting the good fight, do whatever you have to do to get your family to Mass. You are a hero. And what happens at Mass is not about what anyone else thinks of you or your family, anyway. Does anyone else struggle with bringing your kids to Mass? Let us know in the comments—we're here to encourage you!   [bctt tweet="Bring Them to Mass, Anyway #BISblog //" via="no"] <div class="featured-content-background-brown"><div class="featured-content"><div class="featured-content-image"><img src="https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0674/0626/6664/files/rise-up-virtues-devotional-for-kids-books-273063.jpg?v=1716845454"></div><div class="featured-content-text"><h3>THE PERFECT BOOK FOR KIDS</h3><p><i>Rise Up<i> will open up beautiful conversations with your children about the virtues.<p>. This will bring beautiful fruit to your prayer life and to your children's prayer lives.</p><p><a class="featured-content-btn" href="https://blessedisshe.net/products/rise-up-virtues-devotional-for-kids">GET RISE UP</a></p></div></div></div>

In an interesting "which came first" scenario, this week we celebrate two inter-related feast days. Later this week we will celebrate the popular feast day of Our Lady of Guadalupe, which goes hand in hand with the one we celebrate today—the feast of Saint Juan Diego. We celebrate Juan Diego as a bearer of Mary’s apparition and request for a church. We celebrate Our Lady of Guadalupe because of Juan Diego’s willingness to speak on her behalf. Simple Obedience Saint Juan Diego’s story began on a rural hillside outside of Mexico City in 1531 where the Virgin Mary appeared to him and requested that he speak to the Bishop about building a church in her honor on Tepeyec Hill where they were speaking. Juan Diego was an indigenous man of no particular means or connection, and honored her request and proposed the idea to the bishop. The bishop was skeptical of the encounter and asked that he return with a sign. Meanwhile, Juan Diego’s uncle fell ill and Juan Diego nearly missed his second appointment with the bishop. Instead, the Virgin reassured Juan Diego that his uncle would live. She instructed him to collect the roses (growing unseasonably) on the hill and bring them to the bishop as a sign. Juan Diego did as he was told. When he presented the flowers to the bishop, an image of the Virgin of Guadalupe became visible inside of his tilma (cloak). With the appearance of this sign, a church was constructed in her honor. A Legacy of Love and Our Lady Today the Basilica of Our Lady of Guadalupe (in Mexico City) is one of the most frequently visited pilgrimage sites in the world. Juan Diego’s tilma bearing Mary’s image can still be viewed inside of the Basilica, though its rough and poor fabric likely should have disintegrated long ago. The Virgin of Guadalupe is the patroness of Mexico, which is overwhelmingly Catholic, as well as the Americas. Many believe that this apparition endeared the Mexican people to the Mother of God and to the Church in a special way. There are two aspects of this story that I especially love: Mary chooses to appear to a simple indigenous man without connections or means, to receive her message. As it happens with Marian apparitions, Mary appears as an indigenous woman herself; connecting immediately to those with whom she speaks. Saint Juan Diego’s Witness If there is any downside to being a part of a Church with such a rich and vibrant cloud of witnesses that have gone before us, it might be that it can be intimidating to find our own circumstances particularly inspiring. And this is why I love Saint Juan Diego: he is obscure, and in his obscurity he ushers in and has fostered tremendous devotion to Jesus and His Mother. Mary could have chosen someone with influence or means who could have built the Basilica themselves. But, lost would have been the image in the tilma and the ongoing exchange between Juan Diego and Our Lady, and the message that the lives of seemingly obscure folks do not escape the significant and loving gazes of Jesus and Mary. The Virgin of Guadalupe and People on the Margins In 1531 there would have been a wide array of artistic renderings of Jesus and Mary, but likely none that reflected the experience and appearance of all who would look upon them. Mary’s distinct appearance at Tepeyac echoed familiarity to the hearts of Juan Diego and a Mexican people ready to receive it. Our Lady’s radiant appearance communicated a relationship with the divine that could be both holy and familiar and that God has always had particular love for those who are marginalized. Marian Apparitions Apparitions like this one have communicated to people all throughout time and geography that they are seen and loved by God and His Mother in their most specific circumstances. Mary has appeared to men, women, and children all over the world. Her invitations offer opportunities and instruction to those who hear her to grow closer to her Son. Our Lady of Fatima, Lourdes, Knock, and Guadalupe are well-known apparitions, but only a few of the many places Mary has made herself available to the people of the world. As we journey through Advent during a very unique season of our own history, we do so in good company. Saint Juan Diego offers a timely reminder that even in our obscurity we can offer our very selves to the greater glory of God. Our Lady of Guadalupe assures us of the possibility to be employed in heavenly errands. Saint Juan Diego, pray for us!   [bctt tweet="On the Feast of Saint Juan Diego #BISblog //" via="no"]

It is the Advent season, and I think we are all ready for some Christmas cheer. Read on to find out how the Blessed Is She blog writers will be celebrating this year. The Blessed is She Blog Team's Favorite Christmas Traditions Grace Bellon // Blog Contributor For four years of my childhood, my parents homeschooled us. During that time my mom introduced a tradition she referred to as "Advent Angels" which was similar to "Secret Santa" but with some major differences. Before Advent began each year, my siblings and I would all choose someone in our community who we thought needed some extra love and hope at Christmas (a neighbor, a friend from church, someone in a nursing home, etc). Then, we would send each of them a letter which let them know that they were being remembered in a special way during the season of Advent, while keeping our identity a secret. We would pray for them daily, and send 2-3 more letters throughout the season. Then, right around Christmas, we would pay them a visit and reveal our identity as their Advent Angel and give them a small gift of some sort. It's been over twenty years since we've done it as a family, but it is still a cherished memory. It was a perfect way to fill Advent with Hope and Joyful Expectation. Mytae Carrasco Wallace // Devotion Writer and Blog Contributor One of my favorite Christmas traditions is making tamales with my mom. She makes her red chile sauce from scratch, shreds the chicken by hand, bathes the cornhusks, and perfects her recipe each and every year. There is nothing like seeing the steam come out of a fresh tamale as you gently peel the corn husk away—it’s like unwrapping a present! Tamales aren’t just a reminder of home for me, but the coming of Christ as well. The anticipation of the birth of Jesus should include special meals that require extensive physical preparation and tamales certainly fit into that category. The process begins before the Feast Day of Our Lady of Guadalupe so that we can all start enjoying them on Our Lady’s Feast day, December 12th, until they are all gone. It’s such a joy to be able to share our table of tamales with our friends and neighbors. There is something so special about the sharing of food that happens during Christmas. It’s a sign of how much we need to be in community with one another. Katie Cassady // Blog Contributor One of my favorite Christmas traditions as a child, and now, is selecting livestock from the Heifer International Christmas catalog to give to families in developing countries, as a family Christmas gift. It's an organization that offers agricultural education to families in rural communities to help provide for their families and pass on the gift of nutrition, and education to their children and neighbors. I remember my own delight as a kid imagining a family receiving a goat from our collective neighborhood Christmas party, and I love helping my own children understand the nature of gifting in a way that keeps on giving! Valerie Keinsley // Blog Contributor My favorite Christmas tradition is looking at stars on Christmas Eve. We accidentally started this tradition last year, when my husband and I were on our way home from my parents house, and I blurted out, "The stars are beautiful! Pull over!" With sleeping babies in the backseat, we stood by the side of the minivan next to a nondescript Indiana cornfield and looked up at the Heavens. Something about it felt so fitting—thinking about how Mary must have felt that Christmas Eve thousands of years ago. Maybe she, too, stared at the sky as they finished their long journey into Bethlehem. Was she staring at the stars from her spot in the stable? We don't know, of course, but I love thinking about it. From now on, stars will always remind me of Christmas, and I hope it's a tradition we continue year after year. Susanna Parent // Blog Contributor Each year I tape pieces of twine to the ends of one of our doors and use mini clothespins to attach Christmas cards to it. When it comes time for the Christmas decorations to be put away, I unclip each Christmas card and place it into a box where my husband and I pray. Then, each morning, we take one card out and say a prayer for that individual or family. This tradition provides plenty of Holy Spirit moments when we text them that they were included in our prayer intentions that day. Somehow the timing works out just right. Olivia Spears // Blog Manager Growing up, my family had a tradition of driving around town to look at Christmas lights. Similar to so many families, this yearly tradition was accompanied by hot chocolate and freshly-baked cookies. We would often have dinner with friends beforehand, and when I was really young, I'd just dress in my pajamas, because falling asleep in the car was guaranteed. Now that I have my own young family, looking at the Christmas lights around town has remained a beloved tradition handed on. We have been intentional about placing this tradition on the feast of Saint Lucy, the Saint of light. On this night, my parents join us as we drive past houses we know and love for their legendary displays. We carry with us freshly-baked cookies and hot chocolate. And I dress my kids in pajamas, because they are guaranteed to fall asleep in the car. Tricia Tembreull // Blog Contributor One of my favorite Christmas Traditions is taking gifts to the neighbors in my neighborhood. They are typically cookies, candles, mugs, or something small to brighten their day, but everyone does this so we can visit and catch up during the busy season. I am blessed with neighbors who look after one another and really care for one another, so this chance to spread some Christmas cheer is a blessing during the holidays. Your Turn! Whether your family’s Christmas season includes Advent Angels, donating livestock, stargazing, or something unique to you, we hope that you joyfully embrace this treasured time with your loved ones! Happy Advent!   [bctt tweet="Our Favorite Christmas Traditions #BISblog //" via="no"]

In the beloved Christmas hymn, O Holy Night, we hear about a world that has long been “in sin and error pining …” This sentiment rings true like never before. Because it feels a lot like the world in 2020. After nine (long) months of shutdowns, church and school closings, mandates, and civil unrest, we are preparing to enter the Christmas season with a cautious “thrill of hope.” We are ready for a little Christmas cheer, for twinkle lights, jingle bells, evergreen, and eggnog. More than anything, we long to welcome the Newborn King into our hearts and homes. The Weary World But Christmas will look differently this year. Depending on what state (or country) we live in, Covid-19 restrictions will alter our Christmas plans and traditions—slightly or significantly. Perhaps we will gather with fewer people around the Christmas tree. Perhaps concerts and pageants will only be seen via livestream or canceled altogether. Perhaps Christmas shopping will come with unforeseen shipping delays or extra-long lines. And what about Mass? The thought of missing Christmas Mass leaves all of us with a heavy heart. Whether we are disappointed in how this year has turned out, or whether we have reluctantly resigned to the unprecedented circumstances we have faced, it is safe to say that we are weary. And that weariness that we feel deep within is exactly why we need Christmas. So, like the hymn proclaims, our souls can feel their worth again, and the entire weary world can truly rejoice in the hope that Christmas promises … in the hope that Christmas brings. A New and Glorious Morn Because no matter how different this year, this Christmas is, one thing remains the same: Jesus is coming. He is born to be our Savior and our friend. For a child has been born for us, a son given to us … and he is named Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. // Isaiah 9:6 So, my dear sisters, no matter how different Christmas 2020 is, we have an incredible opportunity to make it memorable, meaningful, and holy. And we only have to turn to the Holy Family to help us enter into the unexpected with surrender, reverence, wonder, and awe. Surrender What is Expected As we realize the many plans that will be altered or canceled, let us ponder how Mary and Joseph surrendered their expectations and plans to be the parents of the Messiah. Was their surrender hard? Of course! But it was also blessed. And like Mary announced to the Angel Gabriel: Here am I, the servant of the Lord; let it be with me according to your word. // Luke 1:38 Surrender is not a trite, brushing off of our disappointment and sadness. Rather, it is gathering up our hurts, kneeling beside the manger, and giving them to the Christ Child. This may not be a one-time surrender, either, and that is okay. Here are a few ways to repeatedly offer our Christmas disappointments to the Lord. Pray through Scripture verses that focus on surrender. Stay present to Advent and be open to hope. Care for your mental and emotional wellbeing with a self-care (and soul-care) routine. Grow in Reverence for the Holy Often I think about those moments leading up to the first Christmas and what they must have been like for Mary and Joseph. To be the only two people who knew of Christ’s coming! What did their Advent look like? Perhaps Joseph spent his evenings building a cradle, while Mary sewed swaddling clothes for her baby boy. I bet their Advent was quiet and prayerful, as they waited for the Messiah to come. So often, our Advents can be anything but quiet and prayerful. But perhaps with fewer events and obligations vying for our attention this year, we can see it as a unique blessing and gift. For Jesus will truly be at the center of our holiday, our holy day. Find a place of honor for your Nativity scene. Bask in the glow of a fire or candles, contemplating the coming of the Light of the World. Make a quiet playlist of Christmas hymns, including O Holy Night. Welcome Jesus With Wonder and Awe Recall Christmas as a child. The excitement, anticipation, wonder, and awe. This Christmas, with everything in this world seeming to resist joy, let us ask the Holy Spirit to carry away the burdens of 2020 and replace them with extra grace to truly celebrate the birth of Jesus. What gift can we give Jesus on His birthday? How can we truly celebrate Him and all that is good in and through Him? Host a birthday party for Jesus (this is especially wonderful with small children). Give gifts of faith to your loved ones. Celebrate the 12 Days of Christmas by learning what each day symbolizes. As we come to the end of the most difficult year imaginable, it is fitting that we fix our gaze on the coming of our Savior, Jesus Christ, on Christmas. Concluding this year with such a beautiful and hopeful season lifts our hearts to Heaven, draws us close to the creche, and renews our faith in the One who promises to make all things new: Emmanuel, God with Us. O come, let us adore our King! Let all within us praise His holy name!   [bctt tweet="O Holy Night // Celebrating Christmas Like Never Before #BISblog " username="sarahcdamm"]

The old adage goes that we make our plans, and God laughs. That's never felt more true for most of us than the reality of this year. What even are plans anymore, we wonder. What is time? What is predictability? What is routine? The interruptions, uncertainties, and discouragements of this year have left many of us floundering at worst and, at best, throwing our hands in the air gesturing toward our complete submission to the unknown. While a certain attitude of fluidity can be a great help in times like these, it's worth examining our hearts in this regard. Is our attitude one of trustful surrender, or beaten-down despair? There's a vast difference, and if we're honest and find that the latter is more true, perhaps the Lord is inviting us to renew our vision. When I Couldn't See a Future There was a dark time in my life in which I could not see before me. I knew that our yearly events and traditions would cycle around again, yet they somehow didn't feel real. When I expressed this hopelessness to my husband, he ran to our office and returned with a stack of giant sticky notes. "Ok," he said, "let's find some things for you to look forward to." So we started writing, and flew through that stack of sticky notes. Some things we wrote about were big: our yearly family trip to the beach, a homeschool retreat I was planning with my best friend, our baby's first birthday. But most were less-flashy: date nights with my husband, a summer picnic, family movie nights. As we wrote and talked, a smile spread across my face. I breathed a little easier. We hung those giant sticky notes all around our house. Everywhere I looked, I saw signs of life and hope. I can't adequately put into words what that did for my soul. Putting My Trust in the Lord's Promises It wasn't about filling my mind with distractions from my present suffering. It wasn't about numbing or taking control. On the contrary, when I allowed myself to make plans with the Lord, it was an act of trust in His promises. In Jeremiah 29:11, God proclaims that He has given us a future full of hope. In making plans in faith, I was declaring my hope in that promise. And it was a turning point. WRITE + PRAY We invite you to sit with the Word and unpack it in a uniquely personal way, finding your own story. Discover your story within His. GET WRITE AND PRAY How It Looked Practically I started pulling out my planner again, filling in time slots with obligations and times for rest. I planned meals again. In went play dates and goal-setting sessions and doctors' appointments. I made a to-do list, something very familiar to my type-A personality, and I began to make progress on it. The sheer act of putting effort into cultivating a future with, through, and for Jesus began to change the health and wholeness of my entire person. Of course, plans still fell through or didn't turn out as I envisioned. But again, that wasn't the point. The point was shifting from a mindset of paralysis and despair to a mindset of joyful anticipation. Are You Struggling to Make Plans? Maybe this year has left you feeling like making plans is a fruitless endeavor. Maybe you think there's no point in looking forward to things when they're likely to be cancelled. But can I propose that inviting the Lord into your present and looking forward with Him can renew your sense of mission, purpose, and joy in the Gospel? None of us are guaranteed tomorrow, and we should focus our efforts toward living in the grace of the present moment. But if you're struggling to find an anchor of hope, allowing yourself to believe God has a future full of hope in mind for you does not negate the holiness of now; rather, it amplifies your trust in the merciful love of Jesus. So grab your planner, sit before Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament if possible, and look forward together. Are you struggling to make plans heading into the new year? LITURGICAL PLANNERS Our Liturgical Planners are based on the Litany of Humility. Enter into prayer every day alongside this beautiful Litany. Order your days in His peace. GET YOUR PLANNER

A voice proclaims: In the wilderness prepare the way of the LORD! // Isaiah 40:4 Let His word dwell in us richly, sisters. Download your F R E E wallpapers right here --->>> Phone wallpaper Desktop wallpaper