Nativity sets - advent

I grew up without getting Christmas presents.

Mum liked to make sure that we remembered the 'True Meaning' of Christmas.
She reminded us that it was Jesus's Birthday.
It never worried me, as my birthday is 1 wk before Christmas, however, Mum's way always made sense to us, so we didn't feel like we were missing out.

Being brought up on a farm, we'd always go for a drive to find the perfect 'real' Christmas tree, chop it down and decorate it...with no presents underneath...haha!
We'd have massive Christmas celebrations with family.
I have 42 cousins, so there was always a lot of fun and always too much food.

The thing that affected me the most at Christmas time, was the Nativity set.
We'd love unwrapping each figurine and setting it up.
Mum's nativity set always had a 'removable Jesus'.
Then she would hide the Jesus, and not put Him in till Christmas Eve, after we'd been to Mass.
We would rush inside after Church to see if He had been born.
The memories are so lovely, as we never rushed in for presents, but to see if the Lord Jesus was born.

After the nativity set had been set up (at the beginning of Advent), mum taught us that the manger had to have heaps of hay in it before Jesus was born, to keep Him warm.
So she said that each time we did something 'good', we could go find a piece of straw and place it in the manger...secretly.
Making sure that Jesus's bed would be warm when He was born, was our motivation to do good things.
What a great idea!

There was also a special way our nativity was set up.
We'd always place the donkey and cow behind the manger, so they breathed on Jesus to keep him warm.
The sheep always were in front of Him (facing Him), the angel hanging or behind the cow/donkey, watching over Him.
Mary and Jesus were obviously on either side.
The shepherd's on the left & the Kings on the right.
And they were all facing in towards the baby Jesus.
It's so funny, because when I see other nativity sets set up, I feel like changing them and placing them the way I was taught:)

So now I do the same with my children.
However, they get one book each, and it is a story about Christmas or a nice story about Jesus.
I never buy a nativity set without a 'removable Jesus', and they are quite hard to come by.

I understand the 3 Kings gave presents.
However, they gave them to Jesus, as it was His birthday.
All being said, my children don't miss out, as their Nan & Pop give them presents at Christmas time, when we go over there.
I know Christmas time is a time for 'giving', but I've already noticed my children don't concentrate on "present's" at Christmas time, but on the child Jesus and when He will be born and placed in the manger.

Here are some pictures of nativity sets I have bought over the years for my family or God children.
The one with the sand and rocks around it was the one I grew up with, Mum and Dad's.

If you click on the image, you can see them enlarged.

The Truth about Life

From Celebrate Life Ministry.


Fertilization - The sperm joins with the ovum to form one cell. This one cell contains the complex genetic makeup for every detail of human development – the child’s sex, hair and eye colour, height, skin tone, etc.

Month One - The first cell divides and cell division continues in an orderly fashion as the small group of cells travels down the Fallopian tube to the uterus. There are over 100 cells present when this tiny embryo reaches the uterus 7 to 10 days after fertilization. Foundation of the brain, spinal cord and nervous system are already established, and on day 21 the heart begins to beat in a regular fashion. Muscles are forming, and arms, legs, eyes and ears have begun to show. The embryo is 10,000 times larger than the original fertilized egg and developing rapidly.

Month Two - The pre-born baby has all her fingers. Brain waves can be detected and the brain is controlling 40 sets of muscles as well as the organs. The jaw forms, including teeth buds in the gums. The eyelids seal during this time to protect the baby’s developing light sensitive eyes, the stomach produces digestive juices, and the kidneys have begun to function. The developing baby is now referred to as the foetus, a Latin word meaning “Young one.”

Month Three - Unique fingerprints are evident and never change. The baby now sleeps, awakens, and exercises her muscles by turning her head, curling her toes, and opening and closing her mouth-often sucking her thumb. She breathes amniotic fluid to help develop her respiratory system. By the end of the month all the organs and systems of her body are functioning. The only major activity from now until birth is growth.

Month Four - By the end of this month the baby is 8 to 10 inches in length and weighs 1/2 pound. Her ears are functioning and the baby hears her mother’s heartbeat, as well as external noises. Because the pre-born child is now larger, the mother usually begins to feel her baby’s movements.

Month Five - Half the pregnancy has now passed. The baby is about 12 inches long. If a sound is especially loud and startling, she may jump in reaction to it. Babies born at this stage of development are surviving at an ever increasing rate, thanks to medical advances.

Month Six - Oil and sweat glands are functioning. The baby’s delicate skin is protected in the amniotic sac by a special ointment “vernix.”

Month Seven - The baby’s brain has as many cells as it will have at birth. The pre-born child uses the four senses of vision, hearing, taste, and touch. Research has documented that she can now recognize her mother’s voice.

Month Eight - The skin begins to thicken, with a layer of fat stored underneath for insulation and nourishment. The baby swallows a gallon of amniotic fluid per day. She often hiccups. She has been urinating for several months.

Month Nine - Towards the end of this month, the baby is ready for birth. After birth new brain cells are being formed for nine months. Likewise, other organ systems are still maturing. Of the 45 generations of cell divisions before adulthood, 41 have taken place in the womb. Only four more will come before adolescence. In developmental terms we spend 90% of our lives in the womb.

Precious Little Ones - poem after a miscarriage.

A friend of mine wrote this poem & has given me permission to post it.
This lady had numerous miscarriages and these words came to her in the middle of the night and she felt compelled to write them down.
Therefore, it will hopefully help people who have experienced miscarriages.

Precious Little Ones

These babies never had the chance
To give the world a fleeting glance,
Or feel their mother’s arms enfold
Their tiny frames so small, so cold,

Or see their grieving father weep
At little babes that seemed to sleep,
Their precious forms all wrapped in white
With perfect faces, eyes closed tight.

We surrender them to God above,
Where they will know eternal love.
They look upon us here below
At parents and siblings that they know,

And wonder why we grieve and weep
When God’s own Mother and angels keep
Them close to Him in rapturous dreams
Of choirs of angels and celestial themes.

So, rest in peace my precious ones,
Your blessed life has now begun.
But hearken to your mother’s plea
And pray for us, please, pray for me.

By Evelyn Feltoe © 2nd Feb 2001
This poem is copyrighted.

Mama - Il Divo - Tribute to Mothers

LYRICS

Mama, thank you for who I am
Thank you for all the things I'm not
Forgive me for the words unsaid
For the times I forgot

Mama remember all my life
You showed me love, you sacrificed
Think of those young and early days
How I've changed along the way [ along the way ]

And I know you believed
And I know you had dreams
And I'm sorry it took all this time to see
That I am where I am because of your truth
And I miss you, yeah I miss you

Mama forgive the times you cried
Forgive me for not making right
All of the storms I may have caused
And I've been wrong, Dry your eyes [ dry your eyes ]

And I know you believed
And I know you had dreams
And I'm sorry it took all this time to see
That I am where I am because of your truth
And I miss you, yeah I miss you

Mama I hope this makes you smile
I hope you're happy with my life
At peace with every choice I made
How I've changed along the way [ along the way ]

And I know you believed in all of my dreams
And I owe it all to you, Mama

Some beautiful thoughts for the day

I asked God to take away my habit. God said, No – It is not for me to take away, but for you to give up.

I asked God to make my handicapped child whole. God said, No – His spirit is whole, his body is only temporary.

I asked God to grant me patience. God said, No – Patience is a byproduct of tribulations; it isn’t granted, it is learned.

I asked God to give me happiness. God said, No – I give you blessings; happiness is up to you.

I asked God to spare me pain. God said, No – Suffering draws you apart from worldly cares and brings you closer to me.

I asked God to make my spirit grow. God said, No – You must grow on your own, but I will prune you to make you fruitful.

I asked God for all the things that I might enjoy life. God said, No – I will give you life, so that you may enjoy all things.

I asked God to help me love others. God said…..Ahhhhh, finally you have the idea.

Abortions - 2nd Thoughts

Crystal Meth (Ice)

Premio Dardos Award

Thanks to Mom at Shoved to Them for this award:)

This award acknowledges the values that every blogger shows in his/her effort to transmit cultural, ethical, literary and personal values every day.

I'd like to pass it on to:

1) Marilena at St Philomena's garden

2) Fr Speekman at Homilies and Reflections from Australia

3) Cassie at A Blessed Life

4) Elena at Precious Treasures

5) Angie at Praising our Lady

6) Catholic Dads

Fatima children

Here are some fine quotes out of the book, FATIMA: In Lucia's own Words.

Lucia: “God would send me sufferings, but I always saw the hand of God in it all.”

Lucia: “ They are all mistaken. I’m not a saint, as some say, and I’m not a liar either, as others say. Only God knows what I am.”

Some people, even the most devout, refuse to speak to children about hell, in case it would frighten them. Yet God did not hesitate to show hell to three children, one of whom was only six years old.”

Sins that most offend God; sins of the flesh.
- Lust/Impure thoughts
- Sloth
- Gluttony
- Infidelity/Adultery
- Pornography (magazines, videos…)

Jacinta: “Our Lord is sad, because Our Lady told us not to offend Him any more, for He is already very much offended; yet nobody takes any notice, and they continue to commit the same sins!”

We need to reject the path of sin, hatred, revenge, injustice, violations of the rights of the human person, immorality and violence.

It is people themselves who are preparing their own punishment. In His kindness God warns us and calls us to the right path, while respecting the freedom He has given us; hence people are responsible.

Jacinta: Oh, how much I love to suffer for love of Them (Mary & Jesus), just to give Them pleasure! They greatly love those who suffer for the conversion of sinners.

Lucia’s mother: Above all, ask Him to make you a saint.

Lucia: Oh Lord, make me a saint. Keep my heart always pure, for You alone.

Lucia: After receiving communion, “…I lost the taste and attraction for the things of the world, and only felt at home in some solitary place…alone…”

Sun = Jesus’ lamp
Moon = Mary’s lamp
Stars = Angel’s lamps

Fatima children's quotes

Here are some fine quotes out of the book, FATIMA: In Lucia's own Words.

Lucia: “God would send me sufferings, but I always saw the hand of God in it all.”

Lucia: “ They are all mistaken. I’m not a saint, as some say, and I’m not a liar either, as others say. Only God knows what I am.”

Some people, even the most devout, refuse to speak to children about hell, in case it would frighten them. Yet God did not hesitate to show hell to three children, one of whom was only six years old.”

Sins that most offend God; sins of the flesh.
- Lust/Impure thoughts
- Sloth
- Gluttony
- Infidelity/Adultery
- Pornography (magazines, videos…)

Jacinta: “Our Lord is sad, because Our Lady told us not to offend Him any more, for He is already very much offended; yet nobody takes any notice, and they continue to commit the same sins!”

We need to reject the path of sin, hatred, revenge, injustice, violations of the rights of the human person, immorality and violence.

It is people themselves who are preparing their own punishment. In His kindness God warns us and calls us to the right path, while respecting the freedom He has given us; hence people are responsible.

Jacinta: Oh, how much I love to suffer for love of Them (Mary & Jesus), just to give Them pleasure! They greatly love those who suffer for the conversion of sinners.

Lucia’s mother: Above all, ask Him to make you a saint.

Lucia: Oh Lord, make me a saint. Keep my heart always pure, for You alone.

Lucia: After receiving communion, “…I lost the taste and attraction for the things of the world, and only felt at home in some solitary place…alone…”

Sun = Jesus’ lamp
Moon = Mary’s lamp
Stars = Angel’s lamps

No wonder our perception of beauty is distorted

Life Begins at Conception

WHEN DOES LIFE BEGIN?

One may argue here that they agree that it is wrong to murder, but they still don't see how a fetus necessarily qualifies as a human being. Perhaps God doesn't feel the same way about a very young fetus, as He does an older fetus, a newborn, or a 50-year-old. It may be a different issue altogether with Him. Does the Bible say anything specifically about unborn children?

In Exodus 21:22 God gives a specific law regarding social order for the Israelites. He stated that if two men were fighting and hit a pregnant woman, thus causing her to give birth prematurely, they must be fined according to any damage done to the baby. The fine must be paid in relation to the amount of damage inflicted upon the child. If God would make a law specifically referring to the rights of the unborn, then surely the unborn must mean something to Him!

It has been stated If the womb had windows, there would be no abortion. As humans, we are not omnipresent and cannot know the full scope of what each human life is worth. We cannot dwell in the womb with a fetus, nor can we see it as it matures. But God can.

A SCIENTIFIC VIEW

Just 18 days after conception, the baby's heart begins to beat. At six weeks, brain waves can be measured. At eight weeks the vital organs are functioning and fingerprints have formed. At nine weeks, the unborn baby is able to feel pain. Over 700,000 abortions each year are performed after this point in the pregnancy. By the beginning of the second month, the unborn child, small as it is, has begun to look distinctly human, though the mother may not even be aware that she is pregnant! By the time the baby is eleven weeks old, he or she breaths (fluid), swallows, digests, sleeps, dreams, wakes, tastes, hears, and feels pain. Babies born prematurely can survive outside the womb as young as 20-25 weeks old. Yet, all that is necessary to make the baby a grown human being is already there from the moment of conception. All it needs is time to mature.

Former Surgeon General, Dr. C. Everett Koop stated "We now know when life begins because the test-tube baby proves that life begins with conception. What do you have in the dish? An egg and a sperm. What do you add to it to get a baby? Nothing." Though it is wee, it is still a real person, just as a crumb of bread is still real bread. No one who has been given the gift of life should dare despise the day of small beginnings. Have we forgotten so quickly that we were once as small?

"In the tiny, almost invisible thirty two cell blastocyst--in that one gram or so of tissue--there is a physical potential and moral destiny unparalleled in our universe. Next to it, a gram of plutonium is a triviality: plutonium cannot compose a symphony, cannot cure cancer, cannot plan our course to the stars". -Bernard Nathanson, M.D. and former abortionist-

A SPIRITUAL VIEW

God said to the prophet Jeremiah, Before I formed you in the womb I knew you. Before you were born I set you apart; I appointed you as a prophet to the nations. Jeremiah 1:5 God knew this man before he was born. As he was forming in his mother's womb God gave him his personality, talents, and temperament. If his mother had gotten an abortion, the "fetal tissue" she aborted would have been a real person named Jeremiah; a mighty prophet of God and the gift of God's voice to the nations, though she would never have known.

The Lord hath called me from the womb: from the bowels of my mother hath he made mention of my name. Isaiah 49:1 KJV

Did not he who made me in the womb make them? Did not the same one form us within our mothers? Job 31:15

For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother's womb. I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Psalm 139:13-14

The above verses are only a sampling of the many Biblical references we find to life inside the mother's womb. From them, it is clear that life begins when God creates it, not at some later point in time when it has grown to look like a newborn. God does not judge things according to their stage of development the way humans tend to. According to the above passages, even the tiniest embryo is the subject of His love and care. God sees each of our lives in the realm of our total existence, whether we are yet unborn, a young woman in the prime of her life, or an old man on his death bed. He is patient with all of us, longing to bring each one of us into His maturity.

From Bible Answers.

Come on down to the Farm

A letter from Jesus - Christmas time

As you well know, we are getting closer to my birthday. Every year does a celebration in my honour and I think that this year the celebration will be repeated.

During this time there are many people shopping for gifts, there are many radio announcements, TV commercials, and in every part of the world everyone is talking that my birthday is getting closer and closer.

It is really very nice to know, that at least once a year, some people think
of me.

As you know, the celebration of my birthday began many years ago.

At first people seemed to understand and be thankful of all that I did for them, but in these times, no one seems to know the reason for the celebration.

Family and friends get together and have a lot of fun, but they don't know the meaning of the celebration. I remember that last year there was a great feast in my honour. The dinner table was full of delicious foods, pastries, fruits, assorted nuts and chocolates. The decorations were exquisite and there were many, many beautifully wrapped gifts.

But, do you want to know something? I wasn't invited.

I was the guest of honour and they didn't remember to send me an invitation.

The party was for me, but when that great day came, I was left outside, they closed the door in my face .. and I wanted to be with them and share their table.

In truth, that didn't surprise me because in the last few years all close their doors to me. Since I wasn't invited, I decided to enter the party without making any noise. I went in and stood in a corner.

They were all drinking; there were some who were drunk and telling jokes and laughing at everything. They were having a grand time.

To top it all, this big fat man all dressed in red wearing a long white beard entered the room yelling Ho-Ho-Ho! He seemed drunk. He sat on the sofa and all the children ran to him, saying: "Santa Claus, Santa Claus" as if the party were in his honour!

At midnight all the people began to hug each other; I extended my arms waiting for someone to hug me and do you know no-one hugged me.

Suddenly they all began to share gifts. They opened them one by one with great expectation. When all had been opened, I looked to see if, maybe, there was one for me. What would you feel if on your birthday everybody shared gifts and you did not get one?

I then understood that I was unwanted at that party and quietly left.

Every year it gets worse. People only remember the gifts, the parties, to eat and drink, and nobody remembers me.

I would like this Christmas that you allow me to enter into your life.

I would like that you recognize the fact that almost two thousand years ago I came to this world to give my life for you, on the cross, to save you.

Today, I only want that you believe this with all your heart.

I want to share something with you. As many didn't invite me to their party, I will have my own celebration, a grandiose party that no one has ever imagined, a spectacular party. I'm still making the final arrangements..

Today I am sending out many invitations and there is an invitation for you. I want to know if you wish to attend and I will make a reservation for you and write your name with golden letters in my great guest book.

Only those on the guest list will be invited to the party.

Those who don't answer the invite, will be left outside. Be prepared because
when all is ready you will be part of my great party.

See you soon. I Love you!

Jesus

Youth 4 Life Video

From Youth 4 Life blog.

True Abortion Facts

The following is a post from Youth for Australia


I want people to know the facts about abortion - facts that abortionists are keeping quiet and do not want you to know. In this blog, Youth for Australia, the information is provided from afterabortion.org and abortionfacts.com.

LIST OF MEDICAL RISKS WOMEN FACE IF THE HAVE AN ABORTION:

Bladder Injury

Bowel Injury

Increased chance of breast cancer

Ectopic (tubal) pregnancy

Haemorrhage

Hepatitis

Infection

Laceration of the cervix

Doubled chance of a misscarriage in a later pregnancy

Perforation of the uterus

Plecenta previa

Sterility

EFFECTS ON FUTURE PREGNANCIES:

You will be more likely to bleed in the first thee months of future pregnancies.

You will be less likely to have a normal delivery in future pregnancies.

You will need more manual removal of placenta more often and there will be more complications with expelling the baby and its placenta.

Your next baby will be twice as likely to die in the first few months of life.

Your baby will be three to four times as likely to die in the last months of his/her first year of life.

Your next baby may have a low birth weight.

Your next baby is more likely to be born prematurely with all the dangerous and costly problems that entails.


MAJOR AND MOST COMMON PSYCHOLOGICAL AFTER-EFFECTS:

Trauma

Depression

Suicidal thoughts

Substance abuse

Uncontrollable weeping



In a survey taken by 260 women after their abortion:

92.1% of abortions were legal

92.6% experienced feelings of guilt

88.2% experienced depression

91.8% experienced sorrow

7.5% experienced happiness

84.1% experienced regret

86.2% experienced remorse

91% experienced shame

90.9% experienced self-condemnation

76.8% experienced self-hatred

85.7% experienced unforgiveness of self

7.4% felt more in control of their lives after abortion

94% have regretted having had an abortion

2.8% declared that despite their negatives feelings, their choice to have an abortion was the right thing to do.

Abortion Survivor speaks out

Doctor's advice to Mother

From A Catholic Mum in Hawaii.

A worried woman went to her gynecologist and said:
"Doctor, I have a serious problem and desperately need your help! My baby is not even 1 yr. old and I'm pregnant again. I don't want kids so close together."

So the doctor said: "OK, and what do you want me to do?"

She said: "I want you to end my pregnancy, and I'm counting on your help with this."

The doctor thought for a little, and after some silence he said to the lady: 'I think I have a better solution for your problem. It's less dangerous for
you too."

She seemed relieved, thinking that the doctor was going to accept her request.

Then he continued: "You see, in order for you not to have to take care of 2 babies at the same time, let's just kill the one in your arms. This way, you could rest some before the other one is born. If we're going to kill one of them, it doesn't really matter which one it is. There would be no risk for your body if you chose the one in your arms."

The lady was horrified and said: "No doctor! How terrible! It's a crime to kill a child!"

"I agree," the doctor replied. "But you seemed to be OK with it, so I thought maybe that was the best solution." The doctor smiled, realizing that he had made his point.

He convinced the mom that there is no difference in killing a child that's already
been born and one that's still in the womb.
The crime is the same!

Why this black, catholic, immigrant man did not vote for Obama

Novena for American President

My dearest mother Mary, behold me, your child, in prayer at your feet. Accept this Holy Rosary, which I offer you in accordance with your request at Fatima, as a proof of my tender love for you, for the intentions of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, in atonement for the offenses committed against your Immaculate Heart, and for the conversion of Barack Obama to become a staunch Pro-Life advocate.

I beg you to present my petition to your Divine Son. If you will pray for me, I cannot be refused. I know, dearest Mother, that you want me to seek God's holy Will concerning my request. If what I ask for should not be granted, pray that I may receive that which will be of greater benefit to my soul.

I offer you this spiritual "Bouquet of Roses" because I love you. I put all my confidence in you, since your prayers before God are most powerful. For the greater glory of God and for the sake of Jesus, your loving Son, hear and grant my prayer. Sweet heart of Mary, be my salvation.

This Novena is thanks to Esther at A Catholic Mom in Hawaii.

Fr Frank on Abortion

A Pro Lifer