The Soul Longs for God

When you look at the first chapter of the Unites States Catechism for adults, you see that it starts where the quest for the human spirit starts, the longing meaning and for a higher Being, for Christians that's God and Jesus.

What are the questions that people often ask themselves about their. There is a human desire to life the most full life but only in God do we find full truth and happiness. As we were all created in God's image, this gives us mind to search for God. Searching to educate yourself in your faith is often called a journey, but a journey toward what. Ultimately it is a journey that leads to knowing God the father. It's a journey to know God though his Son, Jesus Christ and though the power of the Holy Spirit.

There are basic questions all humans ask. They are logically who am I?, Why am I here? What are my Goals? Why is it hard to Love? Why is there sickness, death and evil? In that vein what is suffering? Why is there evil, death and sickness? And mostly what happens after we die. These questions ultimately move a person to looking for the divine. These questions move each person towards the conclusion of God's existence.

The quest for education and reading the United States Catechism helps foster that search for God. It becomes and invitation to join in the journey. It is a journey within the church and journey to becoming part of the Body of Christ. In doing this you become a member of the living community of believers that implement their beliefs to make lives better and to honor the dignity of human life. Living that belief states with the quest to understand God and how he exists in our life

Undeniably there is a universal desire for God according to the CCC (27)., "the desire for God is written in the human heart because man is created by God and For God.

Because God put a mark on every human heart there is a hunger and longing for God. According to St. Augustine, on of the doctors of the church, "Our heart is restless until it rests in You." The You of course refers to God.

According to the Catechism there are three ways that God can make himself known to us, Creation, Revelation, the human person themselves. The most essential of the paths is Revelation.

 

Blending the Jesse Tree and Advent Wreath

 

The Jesse Tree and Advent wreath are two very common items Christians have used to mark four week period before Christmas called Advent or the six period that was known as Celtic Advent. In the modern time Advent has become a great way to stay focused on Christ and helping families overcome the commercial hurdles that Christmas represent.

The Jesse Tree is an older customer that was the precursor to the Christmas tree. It includes the creating of ornaments that represent events in the salvation story and within Jesus' family Tree. The focus of the Jesse tree is based in the Old Testament and process though Genesis and ends with the Gospel of John, on the Birth of Christ (John 1:1-18) on Christmas day.

The Celebration of Advent uses the Advent wreath and the family lights the candles each night at their table. They light one Advent candle the first week, two advent candles the second weeks, three the third week and of course all four advent candles get lit for the last week. There are prayers that can be used but also the stories that go with the Jesse Tree are also great readings to be read as the candles are lit and to be discussed as each family has dinner.

From the Creation Story to the Christ himself the biblical figures lead us though our salvation history and a great way for families to reflect on these events each year. The Jesse Tree and Advent Wreath have prefect relationship help us stay rooted in the real meaning of Christmas

 

 

 

 

Advent Wreath Safety

The advent wreath is one of those items that help decorate the home for Christmas. It also helps with families by getting them ready and keeping them focused on the coming of Christ. But the advent wreath is something that should be considered for some dangers for children and pets alike.

Hazards for children include choking hazards like small berries that adorn an advent wreath. Also, the material of the wreath in many cases is not made to be put in the mouth. These are just a few items to consider when you put out the advent wreath for your family when there are small children in the house.

Pets also bring special challenges to an advent wreath. It is mostly seen in issues when real evergreen garland is used to make the base of the advent wreath. Usually people use wire which can cut gums if chewed on. Or, the needles themselves as they try get very sharp and can when ingested cause tears or punctures in the intestinal lining of the animal. These holes can cause internal bleeding. Additionally, many animals have an allergic reactions to the needles.

Additionally many fake advent wreaths have artificial berries making it again a choking hazard for the animal as well as a possible cause of an intestinal blockage. However, far worse is the 'real' counterparts. Most typed of Holly and Holly Berries are toxic if swallowed. It also is not advisable to put any type of mistletoe on the wreath but cause that too is toxic to pets. And although not directly related to the advent wreath, poinsettias are massively poisonous to dogs and cats. Never mount a poinsettia flower to your advent wreath.

Last by not least with children and animals, it is always advisable not have candles burning. Tapers are very easy to knock over and should always be watched. Battery operated candles are always a good alternative to a real candle small children or animals are present. Another alternative is a small cloth advent wreath. Its is also a wonderful item to help keep children grounded and they can have it safely in their rooms and not have any hazards.

 

Catholic Have Moral Choices to Make in Upcoming Election

I'm posting a link here in hopes it will help some who may be undecided in the Presidential election. As Catholics, we have a responsibility to pick the proper candidate for President. Our obligation to the unborn confounds me how we as Catholics could ever vote for a pro choice candidate. Oddly the bluest states, NY and NJ are also some of the most catholic states.

Its worth the read: http://www.humanevents.com/article.php?id=27992

Celtic Advent Blends Many Early Cultures

 

Celtic Advent in the pre Nicene church, early Christianity that pre-dates the Nicene Creed, the roadmap of what Christians, Catholic and Protestants believe. was very different than what we celebrate in the modern time. First Celtic Christianity participated and flourished in this period right up though the middle ages and had its own unique way of celebrating the season of Celtic Advent.

To find the roots of Celtic Advent one must look at the early periods of advent have roots back to the Gauls and their Monks who seems to fashion the period to mimic advent. They did not have a Celtic advent wreath but started the period of fasting on Nov 15^th. This season kicked off with a Mass. This was defined as a period of fasting for 40 days and atonement. It was a reflective period that many who were preparing for baptism would use this for purification. The period of time is still observed throughout the eastern orthodox faiths. And in the Roman Catholic Church this period of purification and enlightenment was moved to lent and still observed within the present time as part of the RCIA program that does use the tenants of the early church to bring people into the church. This was restructured this way after Vatican II.

In the 4^th century, Advent, mimicking Lent seems to start to change a bit. Although it still was penitential in nature and was still a fasting period, it also started to become a period of preparation for the Second Coming of Christ. This tradition still is with us to this day. As we move though the present season of Advent, we use our advent wreath, we mark our salvation history. We then look to preparing for the Christ Child and then on to Christs second coming. We still have a dedication to prayer and penance in the present church.

Celtic Advent is truly a blending of the two societies and the date of Nov 15-Christmas Eve was a perfect way to add pray and penance and atonement long before Christmas or the commercialism we face in the present day. .

 

Advent Candles Represent More than Light

The candles that make up the advent wreath hold a special symbolism. In their color, their composition and just the sheer act of lighting the candle of advent wreath breaths a air of hope into each of the nights that make up the season of Advent.

The first week, a purple candle of Advent the candle is named the Prophecy Candle. The first week of Advent focuses on the prophecies of the Old Testament that speaks of the Savior, Jesus. The Old Testament lays out our salvations

The second week of Advent's Candle, Purple in color, is called the Bethlehem Candle. This candles got its name because of the period of preparation for the coming of Jesus. Thematically preparation is the key. Just as John the Baptist prepared a way for Jesus, Mary Joseph also had a place prepared for them by God in Bethlehem so that the birth of Jesus was a fulfillment of the scripture that was previously prophesized, tying the event to actually the first Advent Candle lit. The prophecy of Bethlehem's involvement in the birth of Jesus was prophesized in Micah 5:2-5, which names Bethlehem by name.

The third week of advent has the Shepherds Candle. This candle deviates from the 2 previous purple this one is rose colored to represent the joy of being half the way though the Advent Season. This candle received its name because of the Shepherds who came to find the tiny King and received great joy in coming to the Lord. Just as in present times when we find the Lord.

The final weeks of advent has the Angels Candle lighting the way. The Angel candle got its name because of because it was of course the angels that announced the birth of Christ. This candle also serves to remind us of God's infinite love. And the gift of his only Son that he gave us.

 

 

Celtic Cross and the Advent Wreath

 

The advent wreath thought to have originated in Germany and Scandinavia has have deep roots into the early days of Christianity. Often made of evergreen and using candles to add light to the long winters the advent wreath has become a staple in Christian homes.

Often the advent wreath is cut from pewter, brass, or other base metals and has words and design cut into them that more customizes the wreath to the homeowner or the parish. One of the most popular designs is the Celtic Cross Advent Wreath. There has been a surge in popularity of Celtic themed items where as it allows the heritage of the Irish people to come forth in their homes.

The Celtic Cross has the makings of a cross with a circle in the outline of the background of the cross. The cross has come into the fold of Christianity despite its roots that reach back to 5000 BC and believe to be a solar cross and dedicated to the God of Sun Taranis

It is believe that the Celtic people used these crosses and when the converted to Christianity the Celtic Cross came with them into the fold. The Celtic Cross is Very often associated with the Celtic or Irish Christians Church. When one sees the Celtic Cross the automatic thought is of the Irish tradition. There are some legends that attribute the introduction of the Celtic Cross to St. Columba, who was born in Northern Ireland in 521. Although some attribute the introduction of the Celtic cross to St. Patrick as well.