From the crib to the cross...Armed with His LOVE and PEACE

Nancy's family by the crib/manger holding our LOVE and our PEACE in the midst of our less than perfect lives.  We had just shared Christmas Vigil/Midnight mass at 9p in Delano in their gloriously beautiful church!

At breakfast the following morning/Christmas morning we all went around the table and shared the gift we wanted to give to baby Jesus for this next year.  We weren't allowed to get away with being more loving or giving but we were asked to dig deep and come to a place of true giving and true sharing and true loving even when we were put out of our way or probably more in ways to die to self so that Jesus could live and work and play and serve and love and give through us!  The kids talked about sharing when asked by their siblings or taking an hour each week to spend with Jesus in adoration, or pause when our buttons are pushed to recall that Jesus asks us to love and forgive and not erupt in anger...  For me... I will sweep out the shop and wash the bathroom monthly or as asked.

We do not stand adoring at the manger at the sweet baby Jesus, we are called to change his swaddling clothes, sooth him when he cries, feed him and tend him when he is sick... a new LIFE is the best, but all the cares they require is a sacrifice of LOVE!  And as Jesus grows and comes to his ministry and finally his final Sacrifice for us... we embrace our Most Cherished Cross and follow him/dying to self and allowing the Holy Spirit to guide and fill us so that we may become his hands and feet!

 Legos and Our Lady of Guadalupe doll for Bernadette...

 Mass with dad at Nativity was such a blessing to share our 47 th anniversary of our coming into the Church with my dad, who was led by the Holy Spirit as he read Isaiah 55:1-2 at an Ignatian retreat to come into The Catholic Church with his entire family of 13!
https://familysoulstory.blogspot.com/p/the-amazing-story-of-13-becoming.html

 Our 94 year old father with my brother, Dan, who sang in the choir... the angels were truly all around us with their most amazing singing!  Joy to the world indeed!

 Dad sharing Jesus in Word and Body with my ailing mother!  John 1 - LIGHT of the world in Truth!
Today we go straight to the first martyr - St Stephen reminding us that we are not to just be all sentimental about the newborn baby, but follow Him to the Cross!

“Yesterday we celebrated the birth in time of our eternal King.  Today we

celebrate the triumphant suffering of His soldier.  Yesterday our king, clothed

in the robe of flesh, left His place in the virgin’s womb and graciously visited

the world.  Today His soldier leaves the tabernacle of His body and goes

triumphantly to heaven. … And so the love that brought Christ from heaven to

earth raised Stephen from earth to heaven; shown first in the king, it later

shone forth in His soldier.” - St Fulgentius of Ruspe, bishop

 4 years ago... the grandkids together!  12 kids and a puppy.

Pat's mother 4 years ago meeting baby Romeo for the first time!  Pat has baby Dominic, who is just 3 months older than his buddy Romeo.  Dom had to bring a picture of Romeo to camp as he was not able to be there otherwise, but in our hearts!

 There is a snow storm coming so it looks like we will have to postpone our plans to get to KC... rather straight on to Washington!

 Sweet George gives us a lot of snuggles and JOY!

 How I am so filled with gratitude for my parents taking us to the Church 47 years ago!  Each day since has been a blessing to me and my domestic Church/family!

Nancy and Bill and their entire family went to see Jesus in Adoration and wish him a Happy Birthday!  He truly is here in our Church/lives/domestic Church/family!  Jesus, we adore you and ask you to come to us with each beat of our hearts and with every breath that we take!  "Jesus, Jesus, Jesus!"  "whoever endures to the end will be saved.”  Matthew 10 from the Gospel today!  May we die to self so that you may live!  Bless-bless, Barb

Joy to the world!!