Lena {JOYfilledfamily}

The Holy Innocents

December 28, 2010 by Lena {JOYfilledfamily} Filed Under: Christmas, Holy Innocents

HOLY INNOCENTS
Martyrs

Within the Octave of Christmas

DOUBLE, SECOND CLASS / PURPLE
There is mixed joy and sorrow in the feast of the innocent victims of the first persecution. The Church rejoices at the spiritual victory of the young witnesses to Christ. The purple vestments of the Mass denote the Church’s common grief with the mothers of Bethlehem, who saw their babies massacred by the jealousy of Herod.

While it is easy to get lost in the nightmare of what happened to the Innocents, it’s to be remembered that they ultimately triumphed! They are Saints of God, as this painting by William Holman Hunt shows. The Innocents are seen with the Holy Family, in spirit, during the Family’s Flight to Egypt. ~ Fisheaters

RESOURCES:

Holy Innocents Story – For Kids

Holy Innocents – EWTN

Shrine of the Holy Innocents – Video Prayer for ALL

A new tradition has been born in our home. The youngest child will “rule for the day.” I read about this custom here and here. I thought it would be a nice plan for the day. Papi (my 3 year old) had the same idea. He woke up early and went downstairs to help himself to some left over candy pretxels and a movie. He is always one step ahead of us.

Printable Prayer Card to End Abortion – Holy Reflections

Start a Novena to the Magi in anticipation of the Epiphany. – This Novena is especially prayed beginning on 28 December (the Feast of the Holy Innocents) and ending on 5 January (the Vigil of the Epiphany).

Let us pray. O Lord Jesus Christ, once You embraced and placed Your hands upon the little children who came to You, and said: "Suffer the little children to come unto Me, and forbid them not, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven, and their angels always see the face of my Father!" Look now with fatherly eyes on the innocence of these children and their parents’ devotion, and bless them this day through our ministry. (The father signs the forehead of each child with the sign of the cross.) In Your grace and goodness let them advance continually, longing for You, loving You, fearing You, keeping Your commandments. Then they will surely come to their destined home, through You, Savior of the world. Who lives and reigns forever and ever. ~ Blessing of Children on Holy Innocents

May God bless you, and may He be the Guardian of your heart and mind — In nomine Patris et Filii et Spiritus Sancti. Amen.

Merry Christmas

December 25, 2010 by Lena {JOYfilledfamily} Filed Under: Christmas, Christmas Card

dragonfly is keeping his eyes on papi to be sure that he doesn’t try any funny stuff.

Faithfilled Gifts

December 24, 2010 by Lena {JOYfilledfamily} Filed Under: Christmas, Crafts, FREE, Gifts, Prayer, Saint Cards

I am praying for you during this Holy season and throughout the New Year. I also wanted to share my latest FREE online find.

I love creating things and always try to make my crafts faithfilled. I usually make my gifts and my gift tags. However, this year I’ve spent more time giving the gift of myself, being present for my family and less time focusing on presents. Needless to say, there has not been much time for handmade gifts this year. I did keep it simple but the gifts lacked the faithfilled touch that (I believe) should always be present. That led me on a search for Holy gift tags.

I found the most charming faithfilled CATHOLIC gift tags. They are free and printable. Did I mention that they are FREE!!!

The site is Holy Reflections. It is a creation of Mildred Lee Bozeman.

I received my love of God from my Mother, my love of collecting from my Father, and my love for antiques from his two sisters, so it seems only natural that one day I would begin a collection of antique holy cards. These old holy card images enhance your meditation during prayers and they assist you in expressing the deepest feelings of your heart and soul to God. My holy card collection has enriched my faith, renewed my spirit, and increased my joy. That is why it is so important to me to be able to share it with you. I add prayers to the back of the scanned images, laminate them and give them away to people as gifts. I have given them to strangers, the homeless, family, and friends. It is my small way of giving back what God has given to me. Remaining always grateful to my Lord Jesus Christ whom without I can do nothing. ~ Mildred

The collection at Holy Reflections is endless!

Here are some items that I used for Christmas gift giving and wrapping…..

FREE Printable Religious Gift Tags Prayer For Peace Card Advent Stationary Prayer to the Most Loving Infant Jesus The Joys of a Divine Advent

Here are a few more items that I have used or will be using in the very near future.

First Communion Prayer Card The Hearts of Jesus and Mary Consecration Prayer Cards Ava Maria Prayer Cards Our Lady of Perpetual Help Adoration Holy Souls Reflections and Prayer Cards Images from a 1870 French Catholic Prayer Book FREE Printable Stationary Antique Holy Card Slide Show

ENJOY AND SHARE IN THE BLESSINGS!

Check out Holy Reflections FaceBook Page for site updates.

Mildred also provided a link to her friend’s site. Julie Brown offers an additional array of antique holy cards for a fee at Holy Cards.

Chocolate Peppermint Crinkle Cookies

December 23, 2010 by Lena {JOYfilledfamily} Filed Under: Advent, Christmas, Cookies, Recipe 4 Comments

A friend hosted a Cookie Exchange during the first week of December for moms and daughters. It was a great outing and jump start for Christmas baking.

Rose and I decided to try a new recipe. We were in a chocolatey mood and liked the look of Chocolate Crinkles. We used Bakers Royal recipe for Chocolate Peppermint Crinkle Cookies.

Rose found this to be a simple and fun recipe. She noted that she would use less powdered sugar. Also, we tried the Crinkles with and without peppermint. Peppermint is the way to go!

I printed the recipe on the JOY cards for all to take home.

A tall glass of milk is definitely needed. This is one rich cookie, just the way my kids like them!

check out more cookie ideas at Catholic Cuisine’s Christmas Cookie Recipe Exchange and our last year’s Christmas cookie post.

Thanksgiving and Prayers

December 23, 2010 by Lena {JOYfilledfamily} Filed Under: Advent, Christmas, Dragonfly Leave a Comment

We have sought simpler times. This year a Christmas Topiary is part of the plan. We decided to decorate our tree early this year in honor of our gift from above, Dragonfly.

He turned 7 months on Dec. 17.

He is a precious baby with a sweet disposition. He is easy and always happy. Dragonfly…sits up on his own. has 6 teeth. wears 9-12 months clothes. pulls himself to a standing position, on his own. eats avocados. loves to fight with dad and brother. enjoys his adventures with sweetie. prefers men to women. is ready for a hair cut. crawls everywhere.……brings us much JOY!