Are you preparing spiritually for Christmas?

[blessedstar]

Christmas will be upon us in less than four months. Are you preparing spiritually for the Lord Jesus to become incarnate in you? By that I mean are you preparing to gift the Lord Jesus to the world as the Blessed Virgin Mother Mary did by you becoming more and more in His likeness?

How will you strive during this time of preparation to grow spiritually? Is prayer playing an important part of your preparations? How will you live Christian poverty in the world manifest in your daily life especially on Christmas day as well as celebrate a great feast in the Christian calendar? How will you be St Nicholas to others by gifting to those less fortunate and in dire situations as suffering increases in this world due to greed and environmental challenges and changes?

I know there are alot of questions and I will come back and chat about what I have felt compelled to do this Christmas and also by way of preparation. But I am interested in your preparations and how you plan to spend the Christmas celebrations.

I am really looking forward to your replies.

I hold very dearly all of you in the Living Prayer of my life.

Thank you.

 

[richmaffeobooks]

I try to prepare myself daily for becoming more like Christ, without looking toward any special time of the year.

One of the ways I try to accomplish that is by spending an hour in the morning (before heading off to work) in worship, scripture reading/study and prayer. I also spend time at night before going to bed. Through the day, I also like to read spiritual-type books, such as Thomas a kempis, Brother Lawrence, Francis de Sales, and others in that genre. During my lunch hour I’m currently re-reading Brother Lawrence’s The Practice of the Presence of Christ.

Christmas, Lent and Easter are wonderful seasons in the calendar, but since “this is the day the Lord hath made,” I like to try to draw close to His side at every opportunity.

rich

 

[blessedstar]

I try to prepare myself daily for becoming more like Christ, without looking toward any special time of the year.

One of the ways I try to accomplish that is by spending an hour in the morning (before heading off to work) in worship, scripture reading/study and prayer. I also spend time at night before going to bed. Through the day, I also like to read spiritual-type books, such as Thomas a kempis, Brother Lawrence, Francis de Sales, and others in that genre. During my lunch hour I’m currently re-reading Brother Lawrence’s The Practice of the Presence of Christ.

Christmas, Lent and Easter are wonderful seasons in the calendar, but since “this is the day the Lord hath made,” I like to try to draw close to His side at every opportunity.

rich

That’s beautiful.

Of course we only have the day we are in, but I am interested to know how people are specifically preparing for Christmas and I suppose how people intend to keep the spirit of Christmas throughout the year as you mention ‘this is the day the Lord hath made’ and the Lord made above all other days Christmas Day and Easter.

In the Livign Prayer of my life

 

[NewUlm1976_2000]

Not quite yet, that starts the first week of Advent. I enjoy the Ordinary Time we are in now until Advent starts. There is a spiritual purpose for this time of year.

 

[LISA_Annette]

I see that you are a prayer warrior. I could have posted this as a thread in prayer-intentions, but my concern lies directly with what you have just posted: Christmas and preparing for it.

Christmas for me has turned out be less about Jesus and more about dreading my elderly parent’s nagging me to live up to their expectations. It seems to be that special time of year that my parents think about how I don’t live up to how good of a daughter I should be, so they nag me. Every other time of year, all is okay–I visit them and help as I can.

We have pressing finacial concerns also which makes joy a challenge. I know this needs to change, and i want it to, but fear it won’t . Another year the same: Christmas comes and goes and my heart is distraught over it. I am left feeling empty over it. Yes I know I am wasting time, but I don’t know how to quit. Please help me by praying for this.

 

[blessedstar]

Not quite yet, that starts the first week of Advent. I enjoy the Ordinary Time we are in now until Advent starts. There is a spiritual purpose for this time of year.

Yes I agree, every season has a reason.

I begin early and pray about how I will prepare because I know if I don’t pray about preparing I will not prepare as well left to my own devices. Personally I like to talk to Jesus about my preparations before the season is upon me and of course I don’t ignore what’s going on about me at the time, but still I find it better to consult with Jesus before I make plans whatever it is whether it is spiritual preparations for Christmas or how I will go about dealing with things in my life; I talk to Him about every detail of my life.

In the Living Prayer of my life.

 

[LISA_Annette]

I really need prayer in this regard—I have many problems that arise during this time, beginning around Thanksgiving. Some are obvious problems—like financial concerns and some family problems. It is not easy to get away from. For many yrs I have dreaded this time of yr. I am embarrassed that others such as yourself actually look forward to it.

 

[richmaffeobooks]

For many yrs I have dreaded this time of yr. I am embarrassed that others such as yourself actually look forward to it.

Please don’t be embarrassed. Jesus isn’t embarrassed for you, and neither should you be. Why not this year try to do one additional thing to help your spiritual growth as your Christmas present to Him. You might find your Christmas presence (spelled correctly, no pun intended) of greater value this year than in the past.

rich

 

[LISA_Annette]

Please don’t be embarrassed. Jesus isn’t embarrassed for you, and neither should you be. Why not this year try to do one additional thing to help your spiritual growth as your Christmas present to Him. You might find your Christmas presence (spelled correctly, no pun intended) of greater value this year than in the past.

rich

Thanks----I used to go to mass most days of the week for yrs—and I have felt a tug to go back. maybe if I focus on Jesus, instead of those other things, I will do better. Thanks again

 

[richmaffeobooks]

Thanks---- maybe if I focus on Jesus, instead of those other things, I will do better. Thanks again

The writer to the Hebrews remarked that we should fix “our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith.” (Heb 12:1-2)

Our Lord Jesus also said, "Come to Me, all ye who labor and are heavily laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls . . . " (Matthew 11:28-29)

You’re on the right track, Lisa. :clapping:

Rich

 

[BarbaraTherese]

Oh my goodness, having just celebrated Friday The Triumph of The Holy Cross and here in Australia today, Saturday, is the Feast of Our Lady of Sorrows…Christmas and the birth of Jesus has been furthest from my thoughts, occupied with the death of Jesus and the spiritual martrydom of Mary, I must confess I probably would not think of preparing for Christmas until Advent. But the points raised in the OP are worth noting for Advent.

Blessings and Peace…Barb

 

[TOP]

Recently during the rosary, as the meditation on the nativity came up, I felt a deeper understanding of what Mary knew and kept in her heart. She had to know of the scripture’s that told of what would happen to Jesus, as well as the gift’s that were received and their meanings. And all these things she kept in her heart. Something I need to work on, Tim

 

[blessedstar]

I really need prayer in this regard—I have many problems that arise during this time, beginning around Thanksgiving. Some are obvious problems—like financial concerns and some family problems. It is not easy to get away from. For many yrs I have dreaded this time of yr. I am embarrassed that others such as yourself actually look forward to it.

You are not alone. However I have always looked forward to Christmas.

Jesus first Christmas wasn’t perfect, He was cold in a stable with people wanting to kill Him, why then should my Christmas be perfect? I am happy with what I have, it isn’t perfect but I won’t nor can’t complain.

I love Christmas because of the hope in Jesus and I don’t look for good presents from family and friends, but God’s graces that Christmas brings if we enter into its true meaning of love, mercy, hope and sacrifice.

Emmanuel, God is with us, this is what we seek everyday, that very same coming of Jesus as He came humbly to the world , the same way He comes to our souls. Jesus endured that miserable first Christmas so that men may have great joy and He did that for you and for me because He loves us very much.

In the Living Prayer of my life.

 

[4loveofJesus]

May God’s peace, love and mercy be with you all!

As Catholics, we are given the awesome gift of celebrating the great Incarnation of Our Good Lord Jesus Christ daily during holy mass which is what Christmas is all about - God becoming flesh and dwelling among us.

So, for me it’s like celebrating Christmas all year round. In fact, I haven’t taken my Christmas wreath. It’s still on the door. So, as I pull in the driveway when I get home, it reminds me of the awesome reality of being given the chance not only to adore Our Good Lord Jesus like the shepherds or the 3 kings did 2,000 years ago, but to also get the awesome opportunity to receive Him, Body, Blood, Soul and Divinity, in holy communion, which they did not get the opportunity to receive during that time!

I still have the Christmas manger with the Baby Jesus on the fireplace area while there is the Pieta statue and blessed crucifixes etc. all around the house. It is just awesome to contemplate year round the magnificent Life, Passion, Death and Resurrection of Our Good Lord Jesus on a daily basis.

Spiritually, I have learned to strive to prepare myself on a daily basis so that I may receive with a pure soul, Our Good Lord Jesus, the King of King, The Lord of Lords, God, Who is Utmost Purity and Holiness, daily in holy communion. And with the Feast Days which the Catholic Church celebrates, it is always celebrated with much anticipation and joy.

What I try to do daily: First thing when I wake up, I tell God, the Church Triumphant, Militant and Suffering for all times that I love them all! I then ask God for pardon and mercy through the infinite merits of His Most Holy Wounds, for myself and in behalf and for of the whole humanity, poor souls in Purgatory, the dying and the unborn 'till the end of times. I Say a morning offering prayer and also I ask for all the graces, blessings, help, guidance, illumination, protection etc., go to holy mass, pray the rosary and the chaplet of Divine Mercy, spend time with Our Good Lord Jesus in adoration both in the chapel and online when I am at home, do spiritual and corporal works of mercy, try to avoid offending God and avoiding near occasions of sins. I usually read the Sacred Scriptures, do spiritual reading and say an act of contrition again before I go to sleep.
I also try to go to confession as often as I can (weekly at least, if not sooner than that).

We are truly blessed to be given all these graces, all these opportunities to become closer to God and receive Him.

Blessed be Jesus and Mary!

 

[puzzleannie]

right now I am living in ordinary time, in the extraordinary scripture about the Kingdom. I will begin preparing for Christmas during Advent. I try not to anticipate the season of the liturgical year.

 

[richmaffeobooks]

May God’s peace, love and mercy be with you all!

I still have the Christmas manger with the Baby Jesus on the fireplace area while there is the Pieta statue and blessed crucifixes etc. all around the house. It is just awesome to contemplate year round the magnificent Life, Passion, Death and Resurrection of Our Good Lord Jesus on a daily basis.

Spiritually, I have learned to strive to prepare myself on a daily basis so that I may receive with a pure soul, Our Good Lord Jesus, the King of King, The Lord of Lords, God, Who is Utmost Purity and Holiness, daily in holy communion. And with the Feast Days which the Catholic Church celebrates, it is always celebrated with much anticipation and joy.​

Such a great idea to help remember Whose we are, and to Whom we belong!

rich

 

[blessedstar]

right now I am living in ordinary time, in the extraordinary scripture about the Kingdom. I will begin preparing for Christmas during Advent. I try not to anticipate the season of the liturgical year.

I am plainly out of sync with the Gospel and the Church then I see and I’d better stop praying the Magnificat daily because its far too Christmassy for ths time of year! and I better drop meditating upon certain mysteries of the Most Holy Rosary too. Whenever the Cross is mentioned outside of Easter I’d better close my ears and not consider the merits of the Cross nor attempt to strive to pick up my cross daily because it plainly isn’t seasonal.

The Liturgical calendar isn’t put there to put the Gospel in a rigid box nor to stop people considering the Sacred Mysteries, it is there to help people to pray and meditate upon them so that they are not ommitted from their prayer and thanksgiving and ensure that God is given thanks for all things; there is nothing wrong with multi-tasking!

In the Living Prayer of my life

 

[blessedstar]

4loveofJesus;2730730:

May God’s peace, love and mercy be with you all!

I still have the Christmas manger with the Baby Jesus on the fireplace area while there is the Pieta statue and blessed crucifixes etc. all around the house. It is just awesome to contemplate year round the magnificent Life, Passion, Death and Resurrection of Our Good Lord Jesus on a daily basis.

Spiritually, I have learned to strive to prepare myself on a daily basis so that I may receive with a pure soul, Our Good Lord Jesus, the King of King, The Lord of Lords, God, Who is Utmost Purity and Holiness, daily in holy communion. And with the Feast Days which the Catholic Church celebrates, it is always celebrated with much anticipation and joy.​

Such a great idea to help remember Whose we are, and to Whom we belong!

rich

Thank you for your thoughtful and kind post.

In the Living Prayer of my life

 

[fcbv]

No. I really LOVE Christmas, but I live at the present moment and I’m enjoying the Ordinary Time! We are only at September 17th… Enjoy the “here and now”!

 

[b_justb]

Are you preparing spiritually for Christmas?

That’s what Advent is for. Did they move it up and I didn’t get the memo?

No. I really LOVE Christmas, but I live at the present moment and I’m enjoying the Ordinary Time! We are only at September 17th… Enjoy the “here and now”!