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