Apparently JC Penney has it all figured out.

Today begins the official countdown to Christmas! Every December 17th the Liturgy of the Hours, the continual prayer of the whole Church, includes the O Antiphons in the evening prayer.

The entire evening prayer is available at universalis. The only thing you need to add is this prayer after the Canticle of Mary (aka Magnificat):

O Wisdom, O holy Word of God, you govern all creation with your strong yet tender care. Come and show your people the way to salvation.

“Does watching sex and aggression on TV and in video games lead teens to have sex and be more aggressive in real life? Two studies published by the journal of the American Pediatrics Association say yes.” Read more from Zenit

Here’s the latest!

We’re done with the patriarchs. Now onto the prophets this week. Here are the scripture readings and simple ornaments.

Everyone was healthy enough to sing Christmas carols at the local nursing homes.

David with the famous ukelele

Today is St. Lucy day. Very little is known about her except that she was a young martyr who was tortured and killed for her faith. A common celebration for this feast day is having the eldest daughter cook breakfast for the family. We’re not sure where this tradition came from, but we practice it joyfully!

A few years ago our then 11 year-old daughter wrote a poem in honor of St. Lucy. Please enjoy!

Santa Lucia
Santa Lucia, born to love Jesus,
Living in the Dark,
Giving with your heart,
Whispering the Word
Like a little bird
Singing songs in Spring,
Oh, let me hear you Sing,
Santa Lucia

Santa, you gave your Life for Him,
Went out on a Limb
When others ran away,
You knew you had to stay,
Santa Lucia

Santa Lucia, born for your Jesus,
Praying all your days
That all souls would be Saved,
And you among the many,
Now through your eyes we see
The World we’re meant to be,
Santa Lucia

Santa, you gave your Life for him,
Went out on a Limb,
When others ran away,
You knew you had to stay,
Santa Lucia

Santa Lucia, born to love Jesus,
Angel sent from Heaven,
Look at what you’ve given
To the world that left you
In all we say and do,
Give us Courage, too,
Santa Lucia

Santa, you gave your Life for him,
Went out on a Limb,
When others ran away,
You knew you had to stay,
Santa Lucia

You lived but a while,
And died just a child,
But now you live on,
And shine like the sun

Santa, you gave your Life for him,
Went out on a Limb,
When others ran away,
You knew you had to stay,
Santa Lucia

Having sick children in the house all week has kept us busy and sleepless. We just could not get out of the house at 3:30 am for the morning prayers and Mass to celebrate the feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe, patron of the Americas.

Here’s the story: Our Lady appeared to Juan Diego, a Native American of the early 1500s, and asked him to build a chapel at that spot. She gave him roses to take to his bishop so the bishop would believe him. When he opened his cloak to give the bishop the roses, the flowers were gone and an image of Our Lady was on the cloak instead. The bishop believed him.

Hopefully we will be healthy enough to participate in the fiesta on Sunday!

Your mother who never thinks your house is clean enough. Your brother to whom you have not spoken in over a year. Aunt Martha, who has been unwelcome at family gatherings for ages. How many other friends and family do you try to ignore during this season of love and peace?

Amidst all the parties and fun this Christmas season there are unresolved conflicts in too many relationships. The Savior is coming into the world to save us. We need to be ready for Him. What better time to reconcile with those who should be closest to us? What better time to embrace a radical reorientation of one’s thinking?

Reconciliation starts with personal introspection. As difficult as it may be to admit, a conflict is never one-sided. It is easy to point fingers and blame the other person. It is much more difficult and much more important to recognize the errors or misjudgements you made that have perpetuated the conflict. Once we recognize our own fault in the situation, the easier it is to move to the next step.

The next step is not easy, but it, too, is vital. Now is the time to apologize and ask for forgiveness. Our parents always told us to say, “I’m sorry.” Children usually obey, sometimes grudgingly. Unfortunately, at some point many of us feel we are “too grown-up” to apologize. It is easier to hold onto and nurture our hurts, anger, and blame. It seems we do as our parents showed us to do, not as they told us to do.

Perhaps even more difficult than “I’m sorry” is “Will you please you forgive me?” That request demands a humility that feels incredibly uncomfortable. Nevertheless, that humility is the example we receive from our Lord, who chose to be born of a virgin in the humblest of circumstances. That same Savior grew up and showed us how to forgive sinners by showing us the mercy of God.

What if the other person refuses forgiveness? Step back and show your contrition by demonstrating a sincere conversion of heart. Practice works of charity, help the poor, defend what is just, and live your new life to the fullest. Revitalize those with whom you come in contact. Lead by example and forgive those who have trespassed against you.

Reconciliation is, perhaps, the best Christmas gift one person can give to another. It is also the best gift one person can give to himself: peace, serenity, and spiritual consolation.

We have one child throwing up and another sniffling, sneezing, and hardly able to breathe.

There is such a feeling of helplessness. We sit back, try to alleviate the symptoms, but know the illnesses have to run their course.

In the midst of Advent, preparing for Christmas, and celebrating Our Lady in the solemnity of the Immaculate Conception and the feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe this week, one cannot help but keep the entire paschal mystery in mind. Jesus, truly human and truly divine, came into our world to lead us to His world. Our God lived through stomach upsets and colds, then gave Himself to us in His ultimate suffering. His mother could do nothing but keep her faith. That was enough for her.

Suddenly the sense of helplessness doesn’t seem so powerful after all. Through the example of the Blessed Mother, we can have peace through our faith.