Preparing a gift for the Christ Child (Day 1)

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MariaChristi

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Dear Brothers and Sisters,

Some of you may want to prepare for “the birth of Christ” celebrated on Dec. 25 in a more spiritual way than the world’s preparation for the “Holidays”. Have we become so commercialized that even before Thanksgiving we accept the push to do Christmas shopping?

Christ was born in a stable – has that ceased to make an impression?

I checked my calendar to see if there might be 33 days before Christmas, beginning today. Indeed there are, and so I begin today the 33 Day Preparation to renew my Total Consecration to Jesus through Mary as taught by St. Louis de Montfort in his treatise on “True Devotion to the Blessed Virgin”. Each renewal of Consecration does not need 33 days to prepare but each 33 Day Preparation is for me a “new journey” which I find very similar to the stages of spiritual growth taught by Church for centuries.

St. Louis de Montfort’s special gift to the Church, was his inspiration from the Holy Spirit to see by faith Mary’s unique place in God’s Plan for the Incarnation, and also her unique role in the Life of the Church. If you would like to continue with me, preparing either to consecrate yourself totally for the first time or as a renewal, I’m following St. Louis’ words as the simplest method. There are books that suggest more prayers, readings and spiritual exercises, but those can become overwhelming. I try to follow what St. Louis wrote.

If you do not have a copy of his treatise, you can read “True Devotion” online https://www.ewtn.com/library/Montfort/TRUEDEVO.HTM St. Louis, in Chapter 7- paragraphs 227 - 235 begins to describe the journey for us:
Preparation and Consecration
  1. Those who desire to take up this special devotion … should spend at least twelve days in emptying themselves of the spirit of the world, which is opposed to the spirit of Jesus, as I have recommended in the first part of this preparation for the reign of Jesus Christ. They should then spend three weeks imbuing themselves with the spirit of Jesus through the most Blessed Virgin…
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If you have never read the entire book (and it is a very small book) - you may be blessed in reading a portion every day on the journey. I have read the book many times and continue to go back to it as I do to Scripture – finding something more each time.

I want to prepare for this celebration of Christ’s birth with all I have to give. If you have any questions or comments, I’ll do my best to answer you. Thanks for reading this. 🙂
 
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I thank YOU as I was drawn to your post to want to do something special to welcome Jesus for his birthday this year… I’m with you. I have done the consecration before but it was like 10 years ago… Seems like yesterday–as time flies around here the older you get…!!!

Starting today, the first day… read the book???
 
I have the books but have deferred my doing this until next year. I am not ready for it yet. Also, just before Christmas is a really distracting and bad time at my work and I am already having difficulty trying to keep up with the 54 day Novena for Pope Francis that I already committed to, and to my planned prayers for the souls in purgatory in November.

I would like to know however if anyone has an opinion on which book to use for the 33 day prep - “33 Days to Morning Glory” or the Louis De Montfort “True Devotion” book. I bought them both as the purchases benefit the shrines and churches I visit. I haven’t picked one or the other to use, and would be interested to hear others’ experiences.
 
Dear Petra,

Thanks so much for your reply, and for your desire to do something special for Jesus in making this journey of 33 Days. Jesus and Mary are never outdone in generosity. 🙂

My first Consecration was many, many years ago as a teenager in Catholic High School. It is only as an adult that I have come to better understand the depth of St. Louis de Montfort’s “True Devotion” and I continue learning by God’s Grace, for it is surely God’s work!

If you have a copy of the book, it would be good to read it, but start at the beginning and don’t rush. Better to read a little and ponder it slowly. If it’s your own copy you can underline whatever impresses you, or you can ask questions. If you don’t own a copy, you can use the online version HERE

Above all, let us pray to the Holy Spirit that He may bring us into all Truth, as Jesus promised. (cf Jn 16:13). Let us pray also to our Blessed Mother and to St. Joseph who welcomed Him first at His Birth, that we may grow ever closer to Him.
 
Dear Tis_Bearself,

Each one needs to make a personal choice according to the grace given. As Mary said to the servants at Cana: “Do whatever He tells you”. 🙂

I’ve read both books but I continue to use St. Louis de Montfort’s book because I find a greater depth to it. Others may prefer the “33 Days to Glory” for a more contemporary style, but St. Louis de Montfort takes us through a process in the 33 days that is more like the traditional stages of spiritual growth which we find in scripture and the writings of other saints.

Thanks for your reply and may God bless your Advent - hopefully it will not be so distracting this year at your work. May Our Blessed Mother help you to prepare peacefully for His Special Coming at Christmas.
 
I am planning on consecrating myself to Jesus through Mary for the first time this Christmas. I have been not sure what day to do it on and really wanted to do it on Christmas and this post just seems so timely so thank you. As a new-ish Catholic (since this past Easter Vigil), I am glad that you are renewing your Consecration. 🙂
 
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Dear bastetsha,

Thanks so much for joining us on this special “journey to Bethlehem” to give your special gift to Jesus. AND a very warm welcome dear “newish Catholic” to The Church! I try to renew my total Consecration especially on the Feasts of Our Lady – not always with the 33 Days of Preparation, except on March 25 and occasionally as I am doing this year on other special Feasts like Christmas. 🙂

I hope you will use the online version of St. Louis de Montfort’s “True Devotion” click HERE. It is a book I’ve read many times and continue to learn more by God’s Grace, through the saint who wrote it. Today is Day 2 and I will post a thread each day of the Journey of 33 days. So as soon as I reply to you and “Donkey” who posted after you, I will post more on Day 2, in a separate thread and God willing on separate threads for each each day before our Consecration. Thanks again for loving Jesus and setting out on this journey with us. Please let us pray for one another and all in need of His Mercy.
 
Dear Donkey,

What an interesting username for someone “on the way to Bethlehem” 🙂 Thanks so much for taking this 33 Day journey to renew your consecration. As I just mentioned in my last reply, I’ll be posting a new thread each day of our journey and am now about to post “Day 2”
 
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