The History of Advent

I'm never too old to learn something new or relearn something I had forgotten. I hope this is true for you, too. It's good to understand that I don't "know it all!" Here is my offering today!

This History of Advent

In the early Church, four different "comings" or manifestations of the Lord were celebrated all as one feast on January 6: his birth, the visit of the Magi, his baptism by John, and his miracle at Cana. The feast was named "Epiphany"--a Greek word meaning "showing manifestation". Epiphany became, along with Easter, a traditional date for baptisms. Just as the baptisms at Easter were prepared for by a time of fasting and penance (Lent), so the baptisms were prepared for by a time of fasting and penance called "Advent" (from a Latin word meaning "coming").

Gradually, in may places, Christ's birth was given his own feast day on December 25, and the season of Advent shifted to a time of preparation for this feast.

Over the years, Advent became less and less a carbon copy of Lent (fasting and penance) and more a time of prayer and reflection to appreciate the meaning of Christ's coming at Bethlehem, and his coming at the end of time.

The symbols of this season had be come the Advent wreath, with the successive lighting of its four candles on each of the four Sundays--a sigh of the approach of the birth of the Light of the World. ~The Little Blue Book, Advent and Christmas Seasons, 2009-2010

I remember that time when Advent was a season of preparation by fasting and prayer. My family did not decorate until 10 days before Christmas and even though my birthday is during December a quiet celebration of the day was offered. When my sister got married on December 22, I remember that permission had to be obtained from the Bishop. It was a time for reflection on the real Reason for the Season at my house.

No I was never numbed by the glitz of the holiday because there really wasn't any and so when the day arrived there really was a sense of joy and jubilation!!!

Wishing you all a grand day!

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Thanks be to God!!

The First Christmas Club

Citizens Loan & Savings Company Certificate
Originally uploaded by London Tom

How do you pay for all the expenses of Christmas--the gift-giving, meals, and other expenses?

In 1909, Merkel Landis of the Carlisle Trust Company in Pennsylvania came up with the idea of a Christmas Club account.

The Christmas clubs were built on the concept that if people put the money into their regular accounts, and it was accessible to them, they would spend it and have nothing left for Christmas.

The idea of a special account available only for the holidays seemed sound, and Christmas Clubs grew in popularity especially during the Great Depression of the 1030's. ~The Little Blue Book, Advent and Christmas, 2009-2010

I remember having Christmas Club accounts and being so grateful in November to have put that money aside. It was easy enough to contribute. Every week I put in the same amount. It was an anticipated expense with rewards at the end.

We have a built in Christmas Club, to which we can contribute every day of every week every year. It doesn't require going to the bank, depositing on-line or keeping track of the weeks. We have a soul that is a vault in which we can save the graces we attain when we set aside time to be with Jesus, feed the hungry, clothe the naked, or visit the sick.

What about the time we spend in front of the TV? Often wasted time. There is nothing to be gained there. And as Ron always says, "Zero times anything is still ZERO." So spend some time today considering that "Christmas Club" of the Soul. How do your deposits look? Then take some time with the "Head of the Savings and Loan" to work out a savings plan!

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Thanks be to God!!!

Picture originally uploaded by London Tom

Wisdom of G. K. Chesterton

Every year I take it out again and start all over. This is a good thing. There are some traditions that are new. This one started 3 years ago when my dear friend Martha gave me the book, Advent and Christmas, Wisdom from G. K. Chesterton, edited by The Center for the Study of C. S. Lewis and Friends and published by Liguori Press. Over the years I think we've forgotten that preparation for Christmas is a time for serious reflection on the life of Christ and how our journey with Him is progressing. We are so bedazzled by the glitz of the season and all that it entails that we forget that this is the beginning of our salvation history in Christ Jesus. Today I would offer this for reflection.

The Gift of Hope

It is currently said that hope goes with youth, and lends to youth its wings of a butterfly; but I fancy that hope is the last gift given to man, and the only gift not given to youth. Youth is pre-eminently the period in which a man can be lyric, fanatical, poetic, but youth is the period in which a man can be hopeless. the end of every episode is the end of the world. But the power of hoping through everything, the knowledge that the soul survives its adventures, that great inspiration comes to the middle-aged; God has kept that good wine until now. It is from the backs of the elderly gentlemen that the wings of the butterfly should burst.

Charles Dickens: Last of the Great Men

Hope in the Gospel
In our prayers for you we always thank God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, for we have heard of your faith in Christ Jesus and of the love that you have for all the saints, because of the hope laid up for your in heaven. You have heard of this hope before in the word of the truth, the gospel that has come to you. Just as it is bearing fruit among yourselves from the day you heard it and truly comprehended the grace of God. ~Colossians 1:3-6

Prayer
God of hop, Give of hope, help us in our hopeless moments. Turn our hearts and minds to promise of the gospel, to your dear Son, Jesus Christ. Strengthen our faith in what we have heard. Especially in our troubles, remind us of our true home with you in heaven. Help us to hope for eternal life with you.

Advent Action
Make a list of the things you are currently hoping for. This may include advancement in your career, the success of an important relationship, the completion of a project, or any number of things. When you have finished the list, look over it. Circle one item and say a brief prayer for God's help in bringing this about. If praying feels uncomfortable, consider whether the time you have chosen is something you should hope for. Ask God for clarity. Resolve to hope for those things that bring you closest to God.

And so it is that I begin, again, to hope that this season will bring me a new awareness of my role in the work of salvation? I will make that list. I will circle the one that I hope can be accomplished. Then I will pray that, by the grace of Almighty God, it can be accomplished.

What is your hope today?

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Thanks be to God!!!

Once Upon a Recipe

It has occurred to me that every time I post a recipe here, it's because it's a family favorite. With each recipe there is a story. It sounds like the title of a book doesn't it? Well, not yet.

Once in a while I'm going to post a recipe that we have had in the Keller Family for some years. When I post it I will share a story that is attached to it's history and this family. At the same time, I would ask you to share a recipe with a story you would like to share. This is a perfect time of the year to begin this project, because this is the season when we're all cooking and baking our way into just one more family tradition or continuing one that we have cherished for a long time.

So today I offer you a Keller standard. Cranberry Salad. I've been making it for about 35 years. I was first introduced to it when we moved to Eufaula, Oklahoma. It was our first Pot Luck Dinner at St. Paul's Church. It reminds me of the families who welcomed us that day and the family bond we developed. St. Paul's was a very small parish and Father Brooks had to drive 35 miles to say Mass every Sunday. Other members of the parish drove that far as well just to attend Mass. Every time we gathered we gathered as a family that had so much to offer and share. This recipe soon became part of the Keller Family Holiday Tradition.

Cranberry Salad

2 packages of raspberry Jello
2 cups hot water
16 ounce carton sour cream
1 can whole cranberry sauce
1 cup chopped nuts

Dissolve Jello in hot water. Cool until thick. Add sauce, sour cream and nuts. Chill to set in your favorite holiday mold.

Please share your family recipes and memories surrounding it. Make your comments here and then go to Mr. Linky so we can visit and share your recipe. Who knows your recipe might start a new holiday tradition at someone else's holiday gathering.

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Thanks be to God!!!

Wonderful Day!!!

"Thank God! Give him the praise and the glory. Before all the living, acknowledge the many good things he has done for you, by blessing and extolling his name in song. Before all men, honor and proclaim God's deeds, and do not be slack in praising him." Tobit 12:6

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Thanks be to God!