Post – Page 127 – hugsnblessings

Oh by gosh, by golly! It’s time for Mistletoe and Holly!

Published on December 20, 2015February 6, 2017 by Dawn Marie10 Comments

Jesus knew, giving makes both the giver and the receiver happy. In pursuit of that happiness, many view gift-giving as one of the most important features of Christmas.

Many feel that Christmas gift-giving brings more stress, not more happiness. How so? A lot of shoppers feel compelled to buy gifts that they cannot afford. And since everyone is shopping for gifts at the same time, crowds and long lines make shopping an exasperating experience for many.

“Practice giving,” said Jesus.

“Give, and it will be given to you. They will pour into your lap a good measure—pressed down, shaken together, and running over. For by your standard of measure it will be measured to you in return.”

Luke 6:38

And He did not limit gift-giving to a certain time of the year when people would be expected to give. Jesus urged his followers to make spontaneous gift-giving a practice, a way of life.

“Let each one do just as he has resolved in his heart, not grudgingly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.”

2 Corinthians 9:7

The essence of Paul’s counsel is that “nothing is ever to be given ‘from compulsion,’ from a feeling that one is forced to give,” explains one Bible commentary. Being “a cheerful giver” rules out the feeling of being obligated to give a specific item to a specific person at a specific time—the way Christmas gift-giving often turns out to be.

Gifts given as a matter of Choice.

Gifts given as they should be.

Love is a gift.

Now give that gift away.

these hugs n’ blessings are for everyone choosing to give the gift of love this Christmas Season!

Heaven’s Perfect Lamb.

Published on December 17, 2015February 6, 2017 by Dawn Marie5 Comments

8eec5264199b56d3a24c317b1399e2dd — Kristyn Brown Fine Art Portrait Photographer Our Lady of Guadalupe

Each year, on the fourth Sunday of Advent, the Church has us focus on the Blessed Virgin Mary. The Church does this not merely because Mary has an obviously unforgettable role in the birth and life of Jesus. The CERC (Catholic Education Resource Center) reminds us

“the real reason that the Church proposes Mary to us as Christmas nears is because she is the model of how we should be living our advent. Mary is, in some sense, Advent personified. God the Father had prepared her from the first moment of her life to be a worthy mother of his Son. Like a faithful daughter of Israel, she had prayed throughout her youth for the coming of the Messiah. When she was a young girl, she discovered that she was part of God’s answer to that prayer, but in a way that would far have exceeded any Hebrew maiden’s prayers: not only would the Messiah be her son, but her son would also be God. Her “yes!” to the Archangel Gabriel launched the proximate preparation for the birth of Jesus the Messiah. Each year, on this fourth Sunday of Advent, we explicitly follow the footsteps Mary traced on that first Advent. In doing so, we’re doing more than traversing the physiological and historical events that preceded the birth of the Lord. We’re entering into Mary’s response of faith that are a guide for us along our own pilgrimage of faith.”

But I personally wonder…Did she know? Did she really know what ALL THAT meant? Did she know the love He would teach? Did she really know the miracles He would perform? Did she know the challenges He would face, the enemies He would make? The mocking, spitting, scourging, and crucifixion He would offer for our Salvation? Mary, did you know?

In my own Yes to bringing forth “life”…Did I know? Did I know what ALL THAT meant? Did I know the love they would teach? Did I really know the gifts they would bring? Did I know the challenges they would face, the enemies they would make? The mocking, spitting, scourging, and crucifixion from a sometimes cruel world, all for trust in a God who can Save? Woman, did you know?

Mary did you know that your baby boy is Lord of all creation?
Mary did you know that your baby boy will one day rule the nations?
Did you know that your baby boy is heaven’s perfect Lamb?
That sleeping child you’re holding is the great I am.

And so with the Lord, let us climb within Mary’s womb and listen to the beat of her contemplative heart that was treasuring within this greatest of all mysteries, so that our Christmas may be as fruitful as that first Christmas.

these hugs n’ holy blessings are my Advent gift to you!

Music by Pentatonix