St. Andrew’s Christmas Novena Begins November 30th!

This is a reblog of a reblog…and I wouldn’t be surprised if next year the pattern is repeated, giggles!
Today begins St. Andrew’s Christmas Novena and if you have not already adopted this prayer into your Advent Season in the past; I do so verily hope you will consider adding it into this year!
Extra hugs n’ blessings for all of you who do!

Dawn Marie's avatarhugsnblessings

I have never done TWO posts in a day…and truthfully even though two will have been published (today) on my site it is only due in part to an error in my publishing calendar settings.  That being said, I debated about postponing the release of this article but ultimately decided it was too important a topic (FOR ME) to delay…even for just one day!

I already mentioned (in today’s earlier post) that I love the Advent Season of our liturgical calendar!!  Nativity-Scene-Worship-Background-Title

One of my favorite practices is the participation in St. Andrew’s Christmas Novena.  I have partaken in this practice for many, many, many years now and I love the ‘rhythmic timing’ being committed to this Novena adds to my prayer life during Advent. I have tender chapel bells set on my phone that go off each time I am to pray this lovely prayer and my heart swells…

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last bite!!!

nibble, nibble, nibble…

crumbs on the plate.

nibble, nibble, nibble…

it’s almost too late!

Hurry-Up!

Or you’ll miss the last bite

of something that is great!

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“Merry Christmas,” greetings are quickly changing to “Happy New Year!”
Even holiday parties are transitioning from the celebration of Christ’s birth & the twelve days of Christmas to New Year’s preparations.  

But I’m holding on to the last crumb!

I’m savoring the final nibble.

I’m lingering within the joy of our Saviour’s birth!

The celebration of Christmas and the joy which comes from welcoming others into our home, as a communal participation in the celebration of the birth of a savior, adds a BOUNCE…and a skip, to one’s step.

OH, joy! OH, joy! Let us prepare for Him!

And today I’m reflecting back on those bounces, and skippity-skips and allowing them to just sink in to make imprints on my heart.  Imprints I may run my memory over from time to time as the New Year approaches, to remember He is to be celebrated not just during the Christmas Season but the whole year through!

And with this personal revelation, this God inspired moment, Helen and I have decided to make this year…the year of more Cookies!  

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Helen guarding the cookie -cutter jar from potential Ebeneezer’s!

We may save baking The Dawn’s famous red-truck Christmas Cookies for the Holiday Season; however,

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A collection of Red Trucks decorate the kitchen each Christmas.
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A Red Truck Christmas Cookie Cutter purchased in 1995 celebrates a 10 year tradition this year at North Star!
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All that is needed is your favorite cut-out-cookie recipe & an ample supply of red, green & chocolate sprinkles!
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Cut out & ready to be ‘sprinkled’ on lightly greased cookie sheets!
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It’s Sprinkle-Time…my favorite part!!
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First batch fresh from the oven! Yum-yummy & so darn cute!

there will be cookies to be made & shared throughout the year, as a reminder of the continual saving grace of a God who loves us!

Please stop in around the 25th of each month to discover the cookie Helen and I will have been inspired to bake together!

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Perhaps even share a nibble with us!

 Don’t be shy…Helen is good at picking up the crumbs off the floor!

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Helen Kowalska-Cookie Baking, Crumb Catching Wonder Dog!

 

warmed baked hugs n’ blessings until the very last nibble!!

it’s the first of the twelve!

“On the first day of Christmas, my true love gave to me…”

Some people tend to think of Christmas as being just December 25th, but the Christmas season lasts longer than that!

The Shepherds & the Wise Men have yet to arrive!

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According to the Church’s Universal Norms on the Liturgical Year and the Calendar, the official rule is this: the Christmas Season begins at the Vigil Mass on Christmas Eve and ends on the Feast of the Baptism of the Lord.

So don’t yet take down the tree!

Christ was born for all to See!

Let us rejoice and proclaim His dear birth!

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St. Joseph-Bread of Life Community-Church Erie, Pa

And the Word became flesh, and dwelt among us, and we saw His glory, glory as of the only begotten from the Father, full of grace and truth.”  John 1:14

Once more the world remembers
Our blessed Savior’s  birth.

Once more we think of Bethlehem and pray for peace on earth.

May this blessed Christmas Season hold many joys for you and special inspirations to last the New Year through!IMG_6904

What will you seek to receive during these next twelve days?

hugs n’ blessings as we embrace the twelve days of Christmas together!