THREE WISE MEN AND THE THREE GIFTS

Three Gifts – based on the gifts the Three Wise Men brought to baby Jesus.

Gold: symbolize something of value.  Something you really want.  Easy enough. 

Frankincense: symbolizes something spiritual.  Something that helps you grow in your spiritual walk.  We have used our “Family Gift” in this category as a way to foster our family time and quality time together.  Building in memories and opportunities for important conversations.

Myrrh: symbolizes something for the body.  Something you need.  This could be clothing, perfume, shoes…

*These are the general guidelines you could of course take it many different directions.  The goal after all is simplicity.Each year the kids also get to open a new pair of pajamas on Christmas Eve.  I started this tradition when they were babies and have kept it going.  I try to match as much as possible too, because that’s just what I like to do.  

What is one thing YOU really want this year?

SAY A PRAYER WHEN YOU TAKE DOWN THOSE CHRISTMAS DECORATIONS AWAY

Adapted from unknown author for the purpose of sharing to inspire others. May we live the grace of Christmas every day ..

Traditionally, Catholics do not take down their Christmas trees and holiday decorations until January 7, the day after Epiphany. The 12 days of Christmas begin on Christmas Day; the period before that is known as Advent, the time of preparation for Christmas. The 12 days of Christmas end on Epiphany, the day that the three wise men came to pay homage to the child Jesus.

Catholics have different strategies for putting Christmas decorations away, but it is always a bittersweet day.Some choose the Octave Day of Christmas, January 1. Some choose the 12th day of Christmas, the eve of the Epiphany, or January 6, the feast of the Epiphany.Others wait all the way until the last feast of the infancy of Christ — the Presentation, February 2. Some families, on the last day of the liturgical Christmas Season, the feast of the Baptism of Christ (January 13 this year)Here is a prayer you can print it out and hung it as a reminder all year long.

Prayer for Putting Away Christmas Decorations

Lord Jesus, today we have put all of our Christmas decorations away. We are entering into Ordinary Time, and our house looks “ordinary” again, too.But Lord, you know and we know that our house has a secret. Deep inside it, all of our Christmas decorations are still here. The blessing of Christmas is always with us, kept in the deep, quiet places of the house.And Lord, our lives will become ordinary again, too, but you know that each of us has the grace of baptism. The grace you gave us is always with us, in the deep, quiet places of our soul.May we live the grace of Christmas every day, only without all the trappings: May we always give generously, receive gifts gratefully, welcome others, and study your life.Make our house be a home with Christmas at its core, and our souls a home where Jesus always dwells.Amen.

AN EPHIPANY HOUSE BLESSING- How to do it

It is a powerful blessing that lasts the whole year.

Each year around the feast of the Epiphany many parishes throughout the world participate in an annual blessing of chalk. It is an ancient tradition that not only places God at the entrance of your home, it places your entire family under his protection.

The Epiphany blessing of chalk and homes is a centuries old tradition where priests would visit each home in their parish after the Feast of the Epiphany. Over time it became more difficult to accomplish such a feat as parishes became larger and larger and priests were stretched thin. For this reason it became an accepted tradition that a member of the household is able to lead this blessing in place of the priest.

The blessing has biblical roots, deeply tied to the Passover in the book of Exodus.

The Lord said to Moses and Aaron in the land of Egypt … “take some of the blood [of the lamb], and put it on the two doorposts and the lintel of the houses in which they eat them. They shall eat the flesh that night, roasted; with unleavened bread and bitter herbs they shall eat it … The blood shall be a sign for you, upon the houses where you are; and when I see the blood, I will pass over you, and no plague shall fall upon you to destroy you, when I smite the land of Egypt.” (cf. Exodus 12:1-13)

The family gathers to ask God’s blessing on their home and on those who live in or visit the home. It is an invitation for Jesus to be a daily guest in our home, our comings and goings, our conversations, our work and play, our joys and sorrows.

A traditional way of doing this is to use chalk to write above the home’s entrance, 20 + C + M + B + 16. The letters C, M, B have two meanings. They are the initials of the traditional names of the three magi: Caspar, Melchior, and Balthazar. They also abbreviate the Latin words Christus mansionem benedicat, “May Christ bless the house.” The “+” signs represent the cross and 2016 is the year.

Blessing the Chalk

V. Our help is the name of the Lord:

R. The maker of heaven and earth.

V. The Lord shall watch over your going out and your coming in:

R. From this time forth for evermore.

Let us pray.Loving God, bless this chalk which you have created, that it may be helpful to your people; and grant that through the invocation of your most Holy Name that we who use it in faith to write upon the door of our home the names of your holy ones Caspar, Melchior, and Balthazar, may receive health of body and protection of soul for all who dwell in or visit our home; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Instructions for Blessing the Home

Using the blessed chalk mark the lintel of your front door (or front porch step) as follows:

20 + C + M + B + 16 while saying:

The three Wise Men, Caspar, Melchior, and Balthazar followed the star of God’s Son who became human two thousand and fifteen years ago. May Christ bless our home and remain with us throughout the new year. Amen.

Then offer the following prayer: Visit, O blessed Lord, this home with the gladness of your presence. Bless all who live or visit here with the gift of your love; and grant that we may manifest your love to each other and to all whose lives we touch. May we grow in grace and in the knowledge and love of you; guide, comfort, and strengthen us in peace, O Jesus Christ, now and forever. Amen

“Chalking the door” is a way to celebrate and literally mark the occasion of the Epiphany and God’s blessing of our lives and home. With time the chalk will fade. As it does we let the meaning of the symbols written sink into the depths of our heart and be manifest in our words and actions the Latin words, Christus mansionem benedictat, “May Christ bless the house.”

After the prayers of the blessing are recited, walk through the house and bless each room by sprinkling with Epiphany/holy water and incensing it.

Take the blessed chalk and first write the initials of the three Wise Men, connected with Crosses, over the inside of your front door (on the lintel, if possible). Then write the year, breaking up the numbers and the year so that they fall on both sides of the initials. It should look like this, for example

20 C+M+B 19

with the “20 “being the millennium and century, the “C” standing for the first Wise Man, Caspar, the “M” standing for Melchior, the “B” standing for Balthasar, and the “19” standing for the decade and year. It is also popularly believed that the Kings’ initials stand for “Christus mansionem benedicat” (“Christ bless this house”).

SAINT DAMASUS PRAYER

From the Decree of Damasus (attributed to Damasus):

The arrangement of the names of Christ, however, is manifold: Lord, because He is Spirit; Word, because He is God; Son, because He is the only-begotten son of the Father; Man, because He was born of the Virgin; Priest, because He offered Himself as a sacrifice; Shepherd, because He is a guardian; Worm, because He rose again; Mountain, because He is strong; Way, because there is a straight path through Him to life; Lamb, because He suffered; Corner-Stone, because instruction is His; Teacher, because He demonstrates how to live; Sun, because He is the illuminator; Truth, because He is from the Father; Life, because He is the creator; Bread because He is flesh; Samaritan, because He is the merciful protector; Christ, because He is anointed; Jesus, because He is a mediator; Vine, because we are redeemed by His blood; Lion, because he is king; Rock, because He is firm; Flower, because He is the chosen one; Prophet, because He has revealed what is to come.

From The Faith of the Early Fathers , by William A. Jurgens, Copyright 1970, the Order of St. Benedict, Collegeville, Minnesota

In His Footsteps:

Damasus' love and respect for Scripture is shown in his authorization of the Vulgate translation. Spend 30 minutes today reading and meditating on Scripture. Try to make this a daily habit. One way to do this is keep a Bible open by your bedside and read it first thing in the morning and last thing before you turn out the light at night.

Prayer: Saint Damasus, instead of worrying about the short term of life on earth, you took God's view and looked to the things that last. Pray for me that I may be able to look beyond immediate popularity and fleeting favors, and choose to do the things that God wants me to do. Amen

WHAT IS THE BLACK NAZARENE?

The Black Nazarene is a life-sized image of a dark-

skinned, kneeling Jesus Christ carrying the Cross

enshrined in the Minor Basilica of the 

Black Nazarene in the Quiapo district of the City of 

Manila, Philippines. Wikipedia

Location: Quiapo, Manila, Philippines

Holy See approval: Pope Innocent X; Pope Pius VII

THE FEAST OF THE BLACK NAZARENE IN THE PHILIPPINES

I want to share with you an article about the celebration of the FEAST OF THE BLACK NAZARENE IN THE PHILIPPINES. See the link provided below for the whole story and a video.
Here it is:

Jan. 9: FEAST OF JESUS THE BLACK NAZARENE (Philippines). AV prayer & text

Dear brethren in Christ, on Jan. 9, the first novena feast, official transfer and enshrinement of Jesus, the Black Nazarene on 1787 at the Minor Basilica of the Black Nazarene in Quiapo, Manila (Philippines) will be commemorated. The yearly celebration showcases the gathering of several millions of Filipino devotees of the image along its almost 4.3 mile processional route, lasting for 19 hours, which most of the attendees do it barefoot.

“The image was carved from a dark wood around the 16th century in Mexico by a group of Spanish Augustinian Recollect friars, and then transported to Philippines in 1606. It depicts Jesus en route to his crucifixion. Pope Innocent X granted to recognition to the lay Confraternity of Santo Cristo Jesus Nazareno in 1650 for the promotion of devotion to Jesus under this image. It was housed in several churches near Manila in the early decades, reaching the Quiapo church in 1787 where it has been ever since. The icon is renowned in the Philippines, is considered miraculous by many Filipino Catholics who believe that just touching it cures diseases.” (1)

The image is currently enshrined in the said Minor Basilica, where it is venerated every Friday with Novena and Holy Masses and is one of the most popular devotions in the Philippines, together with Santo Niño de Cebú and Mother of Perpetual Help in Baclaran, Manila.

Below you have a prayer to the Black Nazarene. Cordially inviting you to like our page, www.facebook.com/Catholicsstrivingforholiness so we could have a wider apostolic reach and help more people in their Christian life. Thanks and God bless!
Fr. Rolly Arjonillo.

PRAYER TO OUR BELOVED JESUS, THE BLACK NAZARENE

Beloved Lord Jesus, Black Nazarene,
we come to you to help us.
 Life is a constant struggle,
and we now feel the pain of our journey.

Bless us Jesus and teach us to listen
 to You in all the events of our life,
knowing that nothing happens by chance.
Everything that happens has a reason.


When we feel the pain of sickness,
teach us to cope with loving surrender,
to unite ourselves with You on the Cross,
 and to believe in the power of healing.

When we experience emotional,
financial and psychological brokenness,
and all types of difficulties,
 help us to rise up with belief that with God,
nothing is impossible.

We come to you today,
to pray for healing and
to ask your mercy:
Jesus, to listen to our petitions
(say petitions...)

We pray to You with the help of our Mother Mary
to answer our prayers amen.

Jesus, the Black Nazarene
we put our trust in you!

VIVA, JESUS NAZARENO!

AUDIO CREDIT: Kevin Macleod, Consort Brass, incompetech.com.

Go to this link for the whole article amd to view the video:
https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=1156853737824955&id=428443983999271

8 MORNING PRAYERS TO START YOUR DAY WITH GOD

Prayer is the greatest way to start your day

Rise and shine - the great morning awaits all of God's children.

 This may be a well-known fact ... not everyone is a morning person. Some people really struggle to get out of bed and get their day started. Praying to God is the perfect way to find the needed encouragement, peace and strength for the day's tasks. With hopes of helping those anti-morning believers and further inspiring the go-getters of the world, we present to you a wonderful list of powerful morning prayers.

Arising from Sleep

O Master and holy God, who are beyond our understanding: at your word, light came forth out of darkness. In your mercy, you gave us rest through night-long sleep, and raised us up to glorify your goodness and to offer our supplication to You. Now, in your own tender love, accept us who adore You and give thanks to You with all our heart. Grant us all our requests, if they lead to salvation; give us the grace of manifesting that we are children of light and day, and heirs to your eternal reward. In the abundance of your mercies, O Lord, remember all your people; all those present who pray with us; all our brethren on land, at sea, or in the air, in every place of Your domain, who call upon your love for mankind. Upon all, pour down your great mercy, that we, saved in body and in soul, may persevere unfailingly; and that, in our confidence, we may extol your exalted and blessed Name, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, always, now and forever. Amen

The Good Morning God Prayer

Good Morning God!
You are ushering in another day,
untouched and freshly new.
So here I am to ask you, God,
if You'll renew me too.

Forgive the many errors that I made yesterday
and let me try again dear God
to walk closer in Your way.

But Lord, I am well aware,
I can't make it on my own.
So take my hand and hold it tight,
for I cannot walk alone.

Morning Offering to the Sacred Heart

O Jesus, through the Immaculate Heart of Mary, I offer You my prayers, works, joys and sufferings of this day for all the intentions of Your Sacred Heart, in union with the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass throughout the world, in reparation for my sins, for the intentions of all our associates, and in particular for the intentions of our Holy Father for this month.

Morning Prayer

I adore Thee, O my God, and I love Thee with all my heart. I give Thee thanks that Thou hast created me, made me a Christian, and preserved me this night. I offer Thee the actions of this day; grant that all of them may be according to Thy holy Will, and for Thy greater glory. Save me from sin and from all evil. Let Thy grace be always with me.
Amen.

Prayers at the Day's Beginning

Lord, one more day to love you!
O Jesus, watch over me always, especially today, or I shall betray you like Judas.
Lord, today is the day I begin!
Jesus, shine through me and be so in me that every person I come in contact with may feel your presence in my soul.
My God, send me thy Holy Spirit to teach me what I am and what thou art!
May the Passion of Christ be ever in our heart.
And to be more with Him, more with Him, not merely with oneself.

Father, my heart is heavy. I feel like I have to carry the burden alone. Words like "overwhelmed," "distraught," "exhausted" seem to describe where I am. I am not sure how to let you carry my heavy load, so please show me how. Take it from me. Let me rest and be refreshed so that my heart won't be so heavy in the morning. In Jesus' name. Amen.

- Ron Moore, Crosswalk.com 

Dear Lord, help me remember what a difference it makes when I make time with You a priority in my morning. Awaken me in body and spirit each day with a desire to meet with You and to hear You speak words of affirmation, assurance and wisdom over my heart as I prepare to go into my day. In Jesus' Name, Amen.

- Traci Miles, Crosswalk.com

Morning Prayer

We thank you Almighty Father for the gift of seeing another day. We ask you to bless us this day and make this day a blessing for us. Guide us and defend us on all our ways, keep us from every sinful path and guide us to do Your will. Make a way for us o Lord even when there is no way and may the blessing of heaven be upon our labor this day and forever.With confidence in your divine favor o, Lord, we offer up to You all our prayer, works, joys and sufferings of this day for the forgiveness of sins, conversion of sinners and for all the forgotten souls in Purgatory in union with Christ's passion on the cross through the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass throughout the world today.Amen

Prayer For The New Year

O sacred and adorable Trinity, hear our prayers on behalf of our holy Father the Pope, our Bishops, our clergy, and for all that are in authority over us. Bless, we beseech Thee, during the coming year, the whole Catholic Church; convert heretics and unbelievers; soften the hearts of sinners so that they may return to Thy friendship; give prosperity to our country and peace among the nations of the world; pour down Thy blessings upon our friends, relatives, and acquaintances, and upon our enemies, if we have any; assist the poor and the sick; have pity on the souls of those whom this year has taken from us; and do Thou be merciful to those who during the coming year will be summoned before Thy judgment seat. May all our actions be preceded by Thy inspirations and carried on by Thy assistance, so that all our prayers and works, having been begun in Thee, may likewise be ended through Thee. Amen.

STOP THAT FEAR BY THIS POWERFUL PRAYER FOR PROTECTION

Dear Lord Jesus,  please surround me (my family/friends/home) with a perimeter of Your Love and Protection throughout the day today and every day a hundred yards in all directions.
Lord Jesus, render any demons that are here, or should try to come, deaf, dumb, and blind. Strop them of all weapons, illusions, armor, power, and authority. Disable them from communicating or interacting in any way. Bind, sever, and separate them, sending them directly to the foot of Your Cross, without manifestation or harm, to us or to anyone, to be dealt with by you Jesus as you see fit.

May Your Precious Blood cover us, the Holy Spirit fill us, Mary’s mantle of love and protection surround us, St. Joseph guide us, the Holy Angels and Saints guard and protect us from all unfortunate events. Protect us from fire, theft, vandalism, flood, storms, ailments and accidents of every sort, distress, hardship, curse, and all untoward things. I ask this all in your Name Jesus, through Mary’s intercession, now. Amen!

St. Michael, St. Joseph, St. Padre Pio, St. John Paul II, and Mother Mary, pray for us!!

TODAY IS HOLY INNOCENTS DAY

How many Holy Innocents were killed by King Herod?

The number may surprise you.

Ever since the 5th century the Church has commemorated a separate day in memory of the children killed by King Herod after Jesus’ birth. Matthew is the only one to record the event and the details surrounding it are slim.

Then Herod, when he saw that he had been tricked by the wise men, was in a furious rage, and he sent and killed all the male children in Bethlehem and in all that region who were two years old or under, according to the time which he had ascertained from the wise men. – Matthew 2:16

This type of senseless action was typical of Herod, a deranged ruler who also killed his wife and two sons during his lifetime. Herod’s immediate response to those who opposed him was to eliminate them.

The biblical episode is usually labeled a “massacre,” to emphasize the ruthless spilling of innocent blood. It was a terrible act, though it pales in comparison to the modern day killing of innocent children throughout the world.

According to the Catholic Encyclopedia, “The Greek Liturgy asserts that Herod killed 14,000 boys (ton hagion id chiliadon Nepion), the Syrians speak of 64,000, [and] many medieval authors of 144,000.” However, this number of children is greater than the entire population of Bethlehem at the time of Jesus’ birth.

Professor William F. Albright “estimates that the population of Bethlehem at the time of Jesus’ birth to be about 300 people. The number of male children, two years old or younger, would be about six or seven.” Other scholars claim the number was between 10 – 20 male children in Bethlehem and the surrounding area.

This low number of deaths is the likely explanation for why there exist no secular historical accounts of the massacre. Simply put, a handful of children killed by a local ruler was not “noteworthy” enough.

Regardless of how many children were killed, their deaths were a horrible atrocity, and Jesus could have been part of that number if Joseph had not been warned to flee beforehand.

The Church’s commemoration of the event reminds us of the sanctity of all human life. In the end it doesn’t matter how many children were killed. The Church honors their memory whether it was 100 children or a single child that was killed.

All life is precious, especially any innocent child killed at the beginning of life.