Enjoy this poignant poem entitled "Christmas" by Sir John Betjeman, an English poet who studied under T. S. Eliot and C. S. Lewis. This poem is considered one of the greatest Christmas poems ever written.
The bells of waiting Advent ring, The Tortoise stove is lit again And lamp-oil light across the night Has caught the streaks of winter rain In many a stained-glass window sheen From Crimson Lake to Hookers Green. The holly in the windy hedge And round the Manor House the yew Will soon be stripped to deck the ledge, The altar, font and arch and pew, So that the villagers can say 'The church looks nice' on Christmas Day. Provincial Public Houses blaze, Corporation tramcars clang, On lighted tenements I gaze, Where paper decorations hang, And bunting in the red Town Hall Says 'Merry Christmas to you all'. And London shops on Christmas Eve Are strung with silver bells and flowers As hurrying clerks the City leave To pigeon-haunted classic towers, And marbled clouds go scudding by The many-steepled London sky. And girls in slacks remember Dad, And oafish louts remember Mum, And sleepless children's hearts are glad. And Christmas-morning bells say 'Come!' Even to shining ones who dwell Safe in the Dorchester Hotel. And is it true? And is it true, This most tremendous tale of all, Seen in a stained-glass window's hue, A Baby in an ox's stall? The Maker of the stars and sea Become a Child on earth for me? And is it true ? For if it is, No loving fingers tying strings Around those tissued fripperies, The sweet and silly Christmas things, Bath salts and inexpensive scent And hideous tie so kindly meant, No love that in a family dwells, No carolling in frosty air, Nor all the steeple-shaking bells Can with this single Truth compare - That God was man in Palestine And lives today in Bread and Wine. TAGS: Reflection Week 1 (Candle of Hope):
Stir up thy power, O Lord, and come, that by thy protection we may be rescued from the dangers that beset us through our sins, and be a Redeemer to deliver us. Amen. Week 2 (Candle of Peace): As we reflect on the Christ child piercing the darkness of this world, we ask God to restore unto us light and peace. Amen. Week 3 (Candle of Joy): We beseech thee to listen to our prayers, O Lord, and we trust that our faithful actions can make a difference so that those who sow with tears will reap shouts of joy. Amen. Week 4 (Candle of Love): Thank you, God, for the love you give us. We ask that as we wait for all your promises to come true, and for Christ to come again, that you would remain present with us. Help us today, and everyday to worship you, to hear your word, and to do your will by sharing your love with each other. We cry, “Come, Lord Jesus, come.” Amen. TAGS: Prayer Wouldn't it be nice if you could get a fresh new layer? A new start? A re-coating of yourself? To be able to strip off the old, scratch up the bad, and patch the holes definitely sounds enticing.
Sure, there could be some initial setbacks. You may "stink" for awhile. You may notice a few "tire tracks." You may even have "sticky shoes" for a bit. But it would be worth it. Afterwards, you would look clean, you would last longer, and you would repel better. Your relationship with "traffic" would be smoother, safer and more congenial. Maybe it's time for a change. Look at yourself, and then ask for God's grace to make you more fit for the road ahead. Holy God, tear off my tattered ways, make all my rough edges smooth, and cover me with your protective coating. May Your grace regenerate, purify, arouse and strengthen me. Amen. TAGS: Prayer, Reflection The feast that we know of today as “All Saints Day” originated on 13 May in 609 AD, when Pope Boniface IV dedicated the Pantheon in Rome to the Blessed Virgin Mary and all the Martyrs. In the eighth century, Pope Gregory III changed the date to November 1 when he dedicated a chapel at the Vatican in honor of all the saints, and Pope Gregory IV later extended this celebration of all saints, and their relics, to the universal church.
All Saints' Day is a solemn holy day of the Catholic Church celebrated annually on November 1. The day is dedicated to the saints of the Church, that is, all those who have attained heaven. It should not be confused with All Souls' Day, which is observed on November 2, and is dedicated to those who have died and not yet reached heaven. Although millions, or even billions of people may already be saints, All Saints' Day observances tend to focus on known saints --that is those recognized in the canon of the saints by the Catholic Church. We are surrounded by saints – a beautiful reminder they accompany us on our journey of faith. When we pray the Apostles’ Creed, we say, “I believe in…the communion of saints.” The communion of saints is made up of men and women who have placed their hope in Jesus Christ and through Baptism, are his adopted sons and daughters. Before his death, Saint Dominic said, “Do not weep, for I shall be more useful to you after my death, and I shall help you then more effectively than during my life.” In a very special way, on the Solemnity of All Saints, not only can we pray to our favorite saints, but we can also call upon our departed brothers and sisters whom we believe are already with God. Dear God, thank you for the example of the Saints. I desire to join in their company, worshiping you forever in Heaven. Please help me follow their footsteps. Amen. TAGS: Prayer, Reflection "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
Having a few acorns fall from the oak tree is typical on a nice Fall day. But being bombarded by a barrage of acorns can be painful. You become tempted to wear a helmet outdoors, but you're slightly worried about what the neighbors may think or say about you. And then there's the sea of acorns in the backyard lawn that need to get raked up. Once in awhile it's okay, but doing this task every day gets old. How to turn this situation around? Scripture tells us to turn everything into a positive thing, to enjoy work, and to do all for the glory of God. So I guess an attitude adjustment is in order. Creator God, thank you for blessing us with this Fall season so that we can relish the trees and the fruit of those trees, and glorify You all the more in the time we spend amidst Your glorious splendor. Amen. TAGS: Prayer, Story "But may I never boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, through which the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world." - Galatians 6:14
Set between a border of stones and green bushes, with a clump of wayward grass growing around it, there stands a single cross in the homeowner's front yard. Probably not meant to be decorative, there is most likely a meaning to its presence: at this time, in this location, for this homeowner. It could merely be a visible sign of a person's faith, a continual reminder of a life lost, a sign of hope, or some other significant meaning in the homeowner's mind and soul. But with little reservation, there is most likely a meaning to its presence. Casual passersby can only surmise what the meaning could be, whereas the homeowner is fully aware of the reason for the placement of the single cross in their yard. When Catholics see a cross, we overwhelmingly think about the abundant love of God who chose His Son to suffer and die for our salvation. While this single cross could have one meaning to one person and a different meaning to another person, we have to agree that it is not often that we find a single cross in a person's front yard. Let us reflect on this single cross, found in an unobtrusive and unlikely location, and the meaning evoked within us when viewing it. Heavenly Father, thank you for showing us the inconspicuous around us, and giving meaning to our visual enjoyment. Amen. TAGS: Prayer, Reflection As we approach the Feast Day of St. Padre Pio on September 23, we share an excerpt from a letter from Padre Pio to Maria Gargani* on December 10, 1917.
"My most beloved daughter, try to keep peace in your heart through a balance of moods…. Guard against finding a reason to upset yourself; in order to be able to submit your various moods when you are being tried. Do you know what religion is? It is the academy of perfection in which each soul must learn to allow itself to be handled, planed, and smoothed by the divine Spirit, when He also acts as a doctor of our souls so that, having been well planed and smoothed, they can be united and joined to the Will of God. "The evident sign of perfection is that of being submissive to the Divine Will in the trials of the spirit. Religion is a hospital for the spiritually ill who wish to be cured, and in order to achieve this, they must submit themselves to bleeding, the lancet, the razor, some probing, surgical instruments, fire, and all the pains of medicine. "O my daughter, do not give too much importance to what the enemy and your imagination suggest to you regarding your interior suffering and spiritual aridity, being sure that this is best for you. Lovingly, sweetly, and tenderly, make this resolution: either to die or be cured. And as you don’t want to die spiritually, try to be healed perfectly. And in order to be healed, desire to bear the treatment and correction of the Divine Doctor, and beseech Him not to spare you in anything in order to save you." * Maria Gargani was an elementary school teacher, and an active member of Catholic Action and Third Order of St. Francis. With Padre Pio's approval, she founded the Sisters Apostles of the Sacred Heart. Padre Pio provided spiritual direction through the 67 letters he wrote to her between August 26, 1916 and May 16, 1923. Her process of canonization is currently underway. TAGS: Reflection A typewriter. A manual typewriter on top of it. Circa 1970's. Now there's a 50 year vintage antique!
If you've used one before, do you remember the various parts: paper rest, platen, carriage return, roller knob, ribbon, strikers? Then there's the necessary accessories, such as correction tape or correction fluid (for example: Wite-Out or Liquid Paper), for correcting those inevitable typos. Life was simpler back then, or was it? From its origins in 1877 as a manufacturer of firearms, Smith Corona used similar mechanical processes and manufacturing techniques in the emerging production of typewriters, leading to innovations in typewriters, word processors and thermal labels. Being forward thinking and adapting to changing times, this company has remained in business and profitable for over 140 years. How about you? How adaptable are you? Can you "go with the flow", and innovate and change according to the challenges in your life? Do you seek God's help and guidance for your growth? Do you tap, tap, tap, return? Or walk, sprint, run, jump forward? TAGS: Inspiration, Story Sending messages the old-fashioned way hearkens back to days gone by. Some people may not even be aware of a life without electronic or digital media, whereas others may happily remember times spent creating sidewalk art as a child.
Saying "hi", drawing pictures, sending love can all be conveyed by a creative mind, a piece of chalk, and a suitable palette. Messages to last or messages to inspire; all with something to say. Have you sent someone a worthwhile message today? TAGS: Inspiration A year ago, our neighbor mentioned that his grandson in Columbus was dating a girl from a Cleveland suburb. She had been working in Florida, but moved to Columbus to be closer to family. They met in Columbus. The relationship was looking serious.
This year, we caught up with an acquaintance from a Cleveland suburb. He mentioned that their daughter was getting married in a few weeks. She worked in Florida after graduating from college, but moved to Columbus to be closer to family. She met her fiancé in Columbus. What are the odds that these two conversations, spanning two years, were connected? Three cities, two years, two families, one love. A match that could only be the work of an amazing matchmaker. TAGS: Story |
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