Monday, December 30, 2013
Wednesday, December 11, 2013
Advent wreath history, blessing and prayers
Last month we had the joy of making Advent wreaths within our group but as someone who did not grow up with this tradition in my home, I was not really sure how to implement this tradition with my family. After searching the web for resources we decided to use the following blessing and prayers. Just in case you need them too I am posting them here for you too. It's never to late to start!
Courtesy of Loyola Press
For a printable version click here
The pink candle is lit on the Third Sunday of Advent, which is the Sunday of rejoicing. The light of the candles reminds us that Jesus comes into the darkness of our lives to bring newness, life, and hope. We gradually add more light each Sunday until Christ, our Light, comes at Christmas.
To prepare, choose one person to lead the service and another to read aloud from Scripture. Open the Bible to Philippians 4:4–7. (Other good Advent passages are Isaiah 11:1–4, Isaiah 61:1–2, Mark 1:1–8, and James 5:7–10.)
Place the Advent wreath on a table and have your family gather around it. Lower the lights to create an appropriate atmosphere for the blessing. Light a single candle for the first week of Advent.
Leader: This week we begin the season of Advent, when the days grow short and darkness closes in. We are preparing to celebrate at Christmas the birth of Jesus, who is the light of the world.
(Pause a few moments and then pray the Sign of the Cross.)
Leader: Lord God, bless this wreath and bless us as well. May this wreath remind us of the hope and joy that Jesus brings to the world. We ask this through Christ our Lord.
All: Amen.
Reader: A reading from Paul’s letter to the Philippians:
Rejoice in the Lord always. I shall say it again: rejoice! Your kindness should be known to all. The Lord is near. Have no anxiety at all, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, make your requests known to God. Then the peace of God that surpasses all understanding will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.
*Philippians 4:4–7
Reader: The Word of the Lord.
All: Thanks be to God.
All: Amen.
(Pray the Lord’s Prayer and continue with the prayer for the First Week of Advent.)
As you gather to light your Advent wreath, use the following prayers to focus your reflection. When praying the last sentence, trace a Sign of the Cross on your forehead, lips, and heart, as we do at Mass before the Gospel reading.
Amen.
Amen.
Amen.
Amen.
Courtesy of Loyola Press
For a printable version click here
The Story of the Advent Wreath
Advent wreaths were originally part of folk traditions of Northern Europe. Wreaths of evergreens were decorated with candles to symbolize life and light during the dark months of winter. Legend has it that Saint Boniface first gave the wreath its Christian meaning in the eighth century, and we have been using these wreaths as part of our Advent preparation ever since. The circle of the wreath, which has no beginning or end, symbolizes the eternity of God. The evergreens signify continuous life. Each of the four candles represents one of the Sundays of Advent. The purple candles represent the prayer, penance, preparation, and good works we are called to do during Advent. The color purple signifies the “royalty” of Jesus Christ.The pink candle is lit on the Third Sunday of Advent, which is the Sunday of rejoicing. The light of the candles reminds us that Jesus comes into the darkness of our lives to bring newness, life, and hope. We gradually add more light each Sunday until Christ, our Light, comes at Christmas.
Blessing the Advent Wreath
Many families begin Advent with a short prayer service to bless the Advent wreath. On the first Sunday of Advent, you may wish to use the following prayer service to bless the wreath you have made.To prepare, choose one person to lead the service and another to read aloud from Scripture. Open the Bible to Philippians 4:4–7. (Other good Advent passages are Isaiah 11:1–4, Isaiah 61:1–2, Mark 1:1–8, and James 5:7–10.)
Place the Advent wreath on a table and have your family gather around it. Lower the lights to create an appropriate atmosphere for the blessing. Light a single candle for the first week of Advent.
Leader: This week we begin the season of Advent, when the days grow short and darkness closes in. We are preparing to celebrate at Christmas the birth of Jesus, who is the light of the world.
(Pause a few moments and then pray the Sign of the Cross.)
Leader: Lord God, bless this wreath and bless us as well. May this wreath remind us of the hope and joy that Jesus brings to the world. We ask this through Christ our Lord.
All: Amen.
Reader: A reading from Paul’s letter to the Philippians:
Rejoice in the Lord always. I shall say it again: rejoice! Your kindness should be known to all. The Lord is near. Have no anxiety at all, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, make your requests known to God. Then the peace of God that surpasses all understanding will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.
*Philippians 4:4–7
Reader: The Word of the Lord.
All: Thanks be to God.
All: Amen.
(Pray the Lord’s Prayer and continue with the prayer for the First Week of Advent.)
Advent Wreath Prayers
As you gather to light your Advent wreath, use the following prayers to focus your reflection. When praying the last sentence, trace a Sign of the Cross on your forehead, lips, and heart, as we do at Mass before the Gospel reading.
First Week of Advent: purple
Jesus, as we wait for your coming, help us not to be afraid and to trust in you. As we light this candle, we remember that you bring the light of hope into our lives. May your Word be always in our minds, on our lips, and in our hearts.Amen.
Second Week of Advent: purple
Jesus, John the Baptist told the people, “If you have two coats, give one to someone who doesn’t have any. If you have food, share it with someone else.” As we light this candle, we remember that you bring the light of service into our lives. May your Word be always in our minds, on our lips, and in our hearts.Amen.
Third Week of Advent: pink
Jesus, we gather here as a family to dedicate our lives to you, as John the Baptist did. Help us to know, love, and serve you. As we light this candle, we remember that you bring the light of joy into our lives. May your Word be always in our minds, on our lips, and in our hearts.Amen.
Fourth Week of Advent: purple
Jesus, your mother, Mary, is “blessed among women.” We are happy that she said “Yes!” to being your mother. As we light this candle, we remember that you bring the light of love into our lives. May your Word be always in our minds, on our lips, and in our hearts.Amen.
No time to excercise?
Courtesy of Catholicmom.com
No Time for Exercise? Time to Re-evaluate
By - Posted on July 6, 2013
No Time for Exercise? Time to Re-evaluate
“I’m too busy”. That’s the reason that most people cite when referencing why that don’t exercise. You probably hear people say this nearly every day. Heck, you may even tell yourself that to justify why you went to bed without spending any time working out. But justifications are not truly “reasons”. In reality they are just excuses.
But when you really look at the facts – the amount of time you need for an effective workout – then that excuse simply doesn’t hold water. Many people think 60 minutes or more is what is required for a workout session. That’s where the root of the issue may begin. It’s no wonder people mistakenly think they don’t have time for exercise. Then they rationalize their “excuse” and one missed workout session quickly becomes a month of missed workouts.
And one month of doing something (or in this case NOT doing something), is considered a habit. Habits can be difficult to break and can lead to long term changes. That habit of not working out can lead to long-term health issues like heart disease.
But, there is a simple solution found in the facts. The fact is that you do NOT have to commit 60 minutes a day to working out. There have been many reputable studies conducted on the effects of short workout sessions versus long ones. These studies have proven that shorter workouts can be as effective as long ones.
One study example was conducted by the Western Psychiatric Institute and Clinic at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine. The objective of the study was to determine whether several short bouts of exercise versus one long one per day would enhance exercise adherence, cardiorespiratory fitness, and weight loss. The results showed that short bouts of exercises made the individuals more likely to stick to the exercise plan while also improving the weight loss results.
What does this mean to you? It means it is definitely time to throw out the “I’m too busy” excuse. Start thinking outside of the gym. You don’t have to devote an hour per day to exercise in order to reap the benefits. Get creative with your schedule. Perhaps you could do a 10 minute workout in the morning and then a 15 to 20 minute workout in the evening. Doesn’t that sound a lot easier to schedule than hunting for an hour in your day to commit to exercise?
Skeptical that you can be effective in just 10 minutes? Give it a try and you will be surprised. In 10 minutes you can do a comprehensive, effective strength training workout. In 10 minutes you could run a whole mile. 20 minutes of a boot camp workout will have you sweating.
Today is the day to make a contract with yourself that you will no longer use the “I’m too busy to exercise” excuse!
Copyright 2013 Lynn Bode
But when you really look at the facts – the amount of time you need for an effective workout – then that excuse simply doesn’t hold water. Many people think 60 minutes or more is what is required for a workout session. That’s where the root of the issue may begin. It’s no wonder people mistakenly think they don’t have time for exercise. Then they rationalize their “excuse” and one missed workout session quickly becomes a month of missed workouts.
And one month of doing something (or in this case NOT doing something), is considered a habit. Habits can be difficult to break and can lead to long term changes. That habit of not working out can lead to long-term health issues like heart disease.
But, there is a simple solution found in the facts. The fact is that you do NOT have to commit 60 minutes a day to working out. There have been many reputable studies conducted on the effects of short workout sessions versus long ones. These studies have proven that shorter workouts can be as effective as long ones.
One study example was conducted by the Western Psychiatric Institute and Clinic at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine. The objective of the study was to determine whether several short bouts of exercise versus one long one per day would enhance exercise adherence, cardiorespiratory fitness, and weight loss. The results showed that short bouts of exercises made the individuals more likely to stick to the exercise plan while also improving the weight loss results.
What does this mean to you? It means it is definitely time to throw out the “I’m too busy” excuse. Start thinking outside of the gym. You don’t have to devote an hour per day to exercise in order to reap the benefits. Get creative with your schedule. Perhaps you could do a 10 minute workout in the morning and then a 15 to 20 minute workout in the evening. Doesn’t that sound a lot easier to schedule than hunting for an hour in your day to commit to exercise?
Skeptical that you can be effective in just 10 minutes? Give it a try and you will be surprised. In 10 minutes you can do a comprehensive, effective strength training workout. In 10 minutes you could run a whole mile. 20 minutes of a boot camp workout will have you sweating.
Today is the day to make a contract with yourself that you will no longer use the “I’m too busy to exercise” excuse!
Copyright 2013 Lynn Bode
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