What I buy every year for Christmas

Since I was single, and couldn't wait to be married with children as I am now, I have had a tradition of buying at least one ornament, and one collection of Christmas music. Now, I have some lovely religious items some with precious memories that remind us of Christ's birth.
1. Music (first it was albums, then cassettes, now CDs. but Gaby wants to graduate to downloads!) Guess who's getting an Ipod?
This year we augmented our Spanish Christmas Carol Collection. One of my favorite carols is, "Los Peces en el Rio" (The Fish in the River)which tells a tale of how when the Virgin Mary and baby Jesus were by the river, the fish gathered near to see God incarnate. I'm also buying a copy of Kara Klein's Christmas album. She's a lovely pro-life young singer who has written a moving song about Terri Schiavo entitled, "Do You Still Think I'm Beautiful?"
2.As a newlywed, I nervously bought this large creche display for half price after Christmas, wondering if I was doing the right thing. This began our tradition of collecting Fontannini Nativity figures: we buy them after Christmas when they go on sale, and add them for Three Kings Day. We have amassed a Neopolitan-style display! The girls love playing 'Nativity' with them, which keeps them focused on the birth of Christ. This was one of the best investments I have made.


3. Ornaments: This year, I collected ornaments for the tree all year; I bought this hand carved Peruvian nativity ornament in September from a flea market at the parish I grew up in, and I saw this collection of Catholic saints at the Shrine of Our Lady of the Island (or soon to be saints in the case of Blessed Mother Teresa and Servant of God John Paul II). I think they're lovely, and they're virtually indestructible! I attended my cousin Larry's son's Baptism this fall, and received a lovely Celtic cross as a favor, which adds that personal touch to the tree, and reminds my children they are 1/8 Irish. They are half El Salvadorean, 1/4 Italian, and 1/8 Polish, this makes for a truly catholic (in the sense of universal)Christmas celebration.

4. Children's books: this year we bought "The Donkey's Dream" , "St Francis and the Donkey"(do I see a donkey theme here?!), and "Mary, Mother of God", "The Country Angels Christmas",and "Hark, A Christmas Sampler" ,which we loved from our Tomie de Paola Christmas unit. It has made Advent so rich this year, as his stories bring the children's imaginations to the story, and get them involved like few other authors.
See the blue Aunt Chiara's Stellini (star) cookies whose recipe is included in the back of "Jingle, the Christmas Clown". I used almond flavoring instead of orange juice, and they were perfect to celebrate the Immaculate Conception with the Queen of Heaven.
These items serve as what Mother Angelica called 'holy reminders' of our Heavenly Destination.

Illuminated Ink Coloring Contest

The contest is here. Your entry must be postmarked by 12/22.

Here are my daughter's entries, Isabella's on the left, and Gaby's on the right. I took this photo in case I don't see them again (ie. they don't win!) Christina colored the envelope, which I tried to explain, wasn't getting her any prizes.

Isn't the picture wonderful? It's got all the O Antiphons in Latin. My entire CCD class entered as well, so maybe we'll see a winner with about 15 entries.

O Clavis David

O Key of David, and sceptre of the house of Israel! who openest, and no man shutteth: who shuttest, and no man openeth; come, and lead the captive from prison, sitting in darkness and int the shadow of death.
Isias22:22
Symbols: key, broken chains
Go visit the Parade of O Antiphon Houses, for some inspirational designs!

HT for image, A Catholic Mom in Hawaii, mahalo, Esther!

O Radix Jesse

O Root of Jesse, who stands as the ensign of the people; before whom kings shall no open their lips to whom the nations shall pray: come and deliver us; tarry now no more.
Isaias 11:1-3
Symbol: flowering plant

hat tip for image: A Catholic Mom in Hawaii

My Treetop Madonna

It's nice having a daughter as tall as you are. They usually gave me this job when I worked at Catholic Charities.
I had always wanted a treetop madonna and child. Why should an angel get the honor when the Queen of Angels should be there? I found this years ago in Abbey Press Catalogue.

Okay Okay, Maybe there WAS a Cat at the Manger!

Someone had to keep the mice away!

Our Unseasonably Warm December

Has confused the poor lilac bushes! I hope this doesn't affect them this spring. They are sooo lovely in May.

Sometimes You Just Need a Nap!

Christina is tuckered out by our busy Advent season!

Vatican Gives Thumbs Up to Homeschooling

It's nice to have all your hard work noticed by the boss!
What got my parents on board about home schooling was a speech by a priest representing EWTN, who had come to my diocese to promote the network. He said, "homeschooling will be salvation of the Church in this country". I thought, back then, in 1994, that this was an exaggeration, but when you look at the fruits of homeschooling, particularly the vocations to religious life, he was on the mark!

O Adonai,

O Sovereign Lord, and leader of the house of Israel, who appearedst to Mosed in the fire of the flaming bush, and gavest him the law on Sinai; come and redeem us by Thy outstretched arm.
Exodus3:2-20:1
Symbols; burning bush, stone tablets
Illuminated Ink has a lovely coloring page for the O Antiphons, which you can use to enter their Advent Coloring Competition if postmarked by December 22nd.

Hat Tip: A Catholic Mom in Hawaii for image

The 50th Carnival of Catholic Homeschooling is Up

Go and see what the Catholic homeschool bloggers are up to!

Interested in commenting on the direction of the Church?

Go over to To Jesus Through Mary and let Edward know you're interested.

Why are Christmas Trees Cat Magnets?

Here's Max, setting up camp where he will probably spend every night until the tree is gone. Let's hope he doesn't decide to climb it this year!

Home made gift for Dad: Heavenly Tool Kit

Just what the man who has everything needs, a little reminder from his children to pray with them.

This kit contains the essentials, a rosary, a crucifix, a bible, is that holy water? Two holy children and a church.

Made by triplet 5th graders Julie, Sabrina and Tommy, children of my friend Tom, who has obviously made good use of his kit!

Look who came to our house today!

Isn't He adorable?!
I ordered this infant Jesus from EWTN catalogue so that I could organize Las Posadas with my Spanish CCD class.

All year, I had the booklet with the accompanying prayers for the Posadas in my desk, so I decided to put it away. Last month. Guess what?

I can't find it and the Posadas begin tomorrow night!

This happens to me a little too often.

St. Anthony. . . it's me again!

Thankful Thursday: I'm thankful for those long-suffering older sisters of homeschooling families

Read this post from Anna Catherine, a seasoned older sister who has been her mother's helper for years, and is getting very good at it! Where would we moms be without our homeschooling helpers?
I'm going to have my Thankful Thursday saying;
Thank you, Gaby for all the diaper-changing, rocking to sleep, Barney videos you've put on, toys you've put away, clothes you've folded, babysitting, face wiping,spill-wiping, unsolicited help with housework, daily entertaining Christina, help with just about EVERYTHING.

Don't think your help goes unnoticed. I see it, and so does Jesus.


You will be an unselfish and capable mother or religious sister some day, who doesn't shrink from doing her part. You understand self-sacrifice.
I love you, not for all this, but for YOU!


Love,
Mom

St. Lucia Braided Wreath Bread

Karen Edmisten had a wonderful recipe for this bread on her blog yesterday, and we tried it on St. Lucy's Day, as the day before was crazy. As I'm a diabetic, we only did the glaze on one of the wreaths.

It was delicious just plain with butter, and my ESL students who ate it after their final exam last night, told me I should open a bakery!

You had to get up pretty early in the morning today. . .

To catch St. Lucy at her rounds!

"Wake up! Lucia comes today!

So be glad!

Lucia comes in bright array,

to open our hearts for Christmas Day!"

Old Friends and The Messiah

Two of my favorite Christmas traditions are attending a "Messiah "sing-in, where the audience brings their own scores, and the concert hall provides orchestra, conductor and solosists. It's so much fun to participate with REAL musicians, and I mean in the audience as well!
I only make it about every 10 years, unfortunately, but this year was special. My childhood friend and companion in my London adventure (see A Dickensian Christmas in London post), Helena, surprised me by coming to town, and joining me with her daughter Serena.
We met singing in elementary school too many yearsago to mention, and sang together in a truly wonderful high school choir which toured the country spreading beautiful sacred music. As I neared graduation, I cried knowing what a rare opportunity I had to be able to sing with such a group.
So, on Sunday, we relived old memories and sang our hearts out in the "Hallelujah Chorus". It was glorious!

Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe II

My bilingual First Holy Communion class consists largely of children of El Salvadorean immigrants. Their families share the Mexicans' devotion to Our Lady of Guadalupe.

Thechildren and their parents processed with their hand-made tissue paper roses, genuflected in front of the Monstrance, and then processed to the image of Our Lady to sing the traditional song sung on the vigil of her feast day, "Las Mananitas". Then, they left Our Lady with their flowers as tokens of respect and love. It was so innocent and sweet!

Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe I

On the vigil of the feastday, the kids at the homeschool co-op smashed the 'sun-god' of the

pagan Aztecs. In the image of Our Lady of Guadalupe , she is shown in front of the sun, to show the Aztecs that she has superceded worship of this false god.

For us, we take our text from Revelations 12:1-

"Then a great sign appeared in the sky, a woman clothed with the sun, with the moon under her feet, and on her head, a crown of twelve stars."

Take the Quiz

Your Christmas is Most Like: A Charlie Brown Christmas

Each year, you really get into the spirit of Christmas.Which is much more important to you than nifty presents.

What Movie Is Your Christmas Most Like?

A Very Special Christmas Party

Last year Christina was granted a wish from the Make-A-Wish foundation, and since then, we get invited to a super Christmas party. Isabella smiled Buzz Lightyear,


but Christina wasn't thrilled with Barney!
I never wear mascara to these things, as my eyes so frequently fill up with tears at the sight of God's favorite little ones, so frail and sick, so strange to our eyes.
Joey Walsh has Down Syndrome, and a life-threatening heart condition, and his parents have so much to worry about, but, at least for one day, they can watch the festivities and smile awhile.

Keeping Christ in Christmas II: Parade of Lights

Our neighbors know the Reason for the Season.

Immaculate Conception Marian Procession

See the lovely party, crafts, and Marian procession my children and I participated in today.

Feast of the Immaculate Conception of Mary

Hail Mary, FULL of grace, the Lord is with thee, Blessed art thou among women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus.

Holy Mary, mother of God, pray for us sinners now, and at the hour of death. Amen.

O Mary, conceived without sin, pray for us who have recourse to thee.

My Christmas Cards are hard to read

I love the religious frame of the photo, but I didn't realize that having such a long text would make the font so small! If you are on my mailing list, enjoy the photo, and read the text here:

What can I give Him, poor as I am?
If I were a shepherd, I would bring a lamb;
If I were a Wise Man, I would do my part;
Yet what I can I give Him? Give my heart.

The Blessings of the Christ Child to you at Christmas
The Velasquez Family

Another Reason to Homeschool

Here's what I love about homeschooling: my girls truly enjoy spending time playing together, and this makes them very close.

The Donkey's Dream by Barbara Helen Berger

One day, a man was leading a donkey through valleys and hills. As they were walking, the donkey started to dream. First, he dreamed he was carrying a city and in the city there was a child's cry, and doves were flying all around.Then he dreamed that he was carrying a ship. It was very bright, like the moon, and all around it was the sea. Next he dreamed he was carrying a fountain in a little garden and all around it was the desert. Then the donkey dreamed he was carrying a lovely rose, and angels stood around it. Last, the donkey dreamed he carried a lady full of Heaven.
And then they walked through the town. The man knocked on doors, but none opened. So, then they found a stable that smelled of hay. The donkey was very weak, so he drank some cool water. And the big, bright stars' reflection shined in the water. Then, the donkey heard a cry from inside the stable. The man walked out, and said that the lady had a baby and asked"would you like to see him?" Together, they walked into the stable. The lady said,"come and see what you have carried".
It was just a tiny child, but when the baby opened his eyes, there was a great light all through the stable.
It was baby Jesus who was born.
Suddenly, the donkey wasn't tired any more.

Story retold by Isabella Velasquez

It's time to start baking those Christmas cookies

Danielle Bean has posted a delicious spread of Advent baking ideas.

Catholic Homeschool Carnival is Here

Go over to see the Catholic Homeschool Carnival at O Night Divine with an Advent and Christmas theme.

Taking the Christmas Photo is a Challenge

This is my selection for the Christmas photocard.
I didn't pick this one, because of Christina's hand signals,
and Isabella's distraction,











or these because the pine branches are too high up to add beauty to the background

or this one, where Christy is grabbing her sister
Or this one, where there's total chaos!!
Thanks girls, for making this such an easy choice!

I used Shutterfly to make the photocards because they had the only two religious frames, and I could add my own message for a reasonable rate.
I'll post the card when I get it.

Late Autumn Field Day

Dawn is hosting a wonderful collection of discoveries at her Why I love late November Field Day on By Sun and Candlelight.

Go and see the beauty we've found outdoors this time of year.

St. Joseph is the star in "The Nativity Story"

I saw my favorite St. Joseph film today. I loved the smile of St. Joseph in Jesus of Nazareth, but never before has the quiet heroism of Jesus' foster father been explored as deeply as in "The Nativity Story". His humility as he and Mary face public disgrace, his strong hands that build them a home, and lead his young wife accross the wilderness and his hidden tenderness are very movingly potrayed. As Catholics we know that St. Joseph also sacrificed the joys of married love and never lived to see his adopted Son's ministry.

What this fatherless generation has long needed is a masculine loving father figure, let's hope this film leads them to St. Joseph.

Ite ad Joseph.