Oh, the anticipation

About once per month our church bulletin contains an insert called "Growing in Faith". This week's insert is about advent, and the advice therein was inspiring. It is all about keeping peace in your mind and heart during this time that can be a frenzy. Here is a glimpse of what it said.



It started with this quote from the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops: "[Christianity] does not call us to abandon the world, but to help shape it. This does not mean leaving worldly tasks and responsibilities, but transforming them".

• Giving handmade gifts is a way to show our love and honor the artisans who make them at the same time. Your gift-giving dollars also support good causes and the artisans who made the things you choose.
• Include in your Christmas cards a note about the blessings you have received this year. Not only will your friends and family enjoy reading about your good news, your card will be a testament to God's loving care.
• To increase the excitement and anticipation of Christmas, set up your tree, put on the lights, but don't decorate it. Instead, add one ornament a day throughout Advent. On Christmas Eve, add the rest and light the tree on Christmas morning.
• Advent is exactly the right time to reflect on the ways we can honor God. Make a heartfelt confession and decide to start fresh. Reconciliation will let you greet Christmas with a heart full of peace and joy.
• While you are cleaning out closets or sorting laundry, make a phone call to someone you haven't seen in a while.
• Pick a bad habit you would like to kick and resolve to do it during Advent. Offer your sacrifice as a birthday gift to the Savior at Christmas.
• Remember to make time during advent for quiet prayer and reflection. The graces you receive from the time you spend with God will be your gift for Christmas.

I hope you enjoyed that as much as I did. These snowy pictures are not from here, by the way, though they are calling for snow today. The low is only supposed to be 35 degrees. They really need to learn that the freezing point is absolute; snow cannot happen at 35, not even in Texas:) Anyways, the pictures are from the cottage in Elk Rapids. The one above is the frozen over lake and the one above that is in the front yard. Much love!