Advent Traditions

Advent is a time of hopeful waiting… This year on December first we (Catholics) started a period of expectant waiting for the birth of Jesus that lasts until Christmas Day.  During this period, while people rush to the stores for presents, attend Christmas parties, hang lights, decorate trees, bake cookies, mail out cards- occupy their days with millions of outward signs of “Christmas” in my home we work at getting our hearts ready to Celebrate Jesus’ happy birthday.  We toil at remembering why we follow all those fun holiday traditions and work at not leaving out the guest of honor, our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ - on His big day.

 My Advent Wreath (3 Purple candles, 1 Pink, 1 white)

What God Wants for Christmas Book & Gift Boxes

One of the neat Catholic traditions that I started doing at my home a few years back was the Advent Wreath.  On the center of my dinning room table, during the Christmas season, an evergreen wreath with five candles decorates the center.  This multi-purpose decoration serves to add Christmas cheer, but more importantly to unite the family on Sundays’ for family scripture reading accompanied by a short prayer.  The wreath is a church tradition used to symbolize the passing of the four weeks of Advent. Every Sunday one of the 5 candles gets lit successively for four weeks until on Christmas Day all five are lit – the fifth one representing the light of Jesus. In all simplicity, the wreath functions like a spiritual countdown to Christmas Day.

 What God Wants for Christmas building the Nativity

 I have a collection of Nativities

Having a six-year-old nephew, I always look for ways to teach him about our Catholic Culture in an age appropriate way.  Two years ago, I found a really neat book, What God Wants for Christmas, that tells the Christmas story using little gift boxes.  Each gift box contains a human character that helps create a nativity.  For example, the first page contains the story of the Angel Gabriel and how God chose him to be his messenger (Luke 1:26), after reading the first page my nephew opens gift box number one to find a small angel that is part of the manger scene.  He places the angel in its proper place on the nativity and we continue to the next page, until we reach gift number seven, the best surprise, what God wants for Christmas.  This has helped him understand that gift giving started with Papi Dios and that Saint Nicolas is only one of God’s instruments. 
   

Santa Kneeling in front of baby Jesus.

In the Spirit of Christmas

The artist in front of his masterpiece!

I hope you all had a happy Thanksgiving, in my house tradition has it that on that festivity we decorate our house for Christmas.  My brother (in heaven) and I started the tradition- for many years it was just the two-of-us putting up the lights, adorning the tree and the decorating the rest of the house.  The Christmas after he died I decided to continue the tradition, knowing he would have liked me to.  Like always, God provides, a couple years ago my nephew grew-up tall enough to start helping and now there's a new power decorating duo (smile).  

Stockings hung...

Nativity in every room...

The Decorating Duo

This year I purchased my first light-up-outdoor nativity which I am super excited about! After looking for it at my local stores for the past couple of years and never finding one- I gave up and bought it online.  It was promptly delivered to my house and I became so enthusiastic about it that this year I recruited all of my family to help decorate.  Before & after we ate a satisfying meal we worked off the calories transforming my home into a Christmas haven.

Snoopy homage...

Outdoor Nativity... And Tigger on demand by nephew...

Christomas wreath & outside lights 

Exhausted furry supervisor...

For a few years now we have celebrated Thanksgiving – just the immediate family.  It’s quiet and intimate.  Though, my extended family is very large and once long ago we all would get together for the holidays - as we grew up and our family multiplied and spread - it became too difficult to come together.  I like the intimacy of our small group it gives us the opportunity to do things that with a big crowd would be difficult to do, like our annual Thanksgiving toast.  We all get a glass with champagne and we go around the table giving a thank you cheer to God for the things that each of us are thankful for, then we hug and eat (yum).  It’s a simple and heartfelt day.    
   

Mommy & I

Penny & Dollar

My Feliz Cumpleaños

I have so much to catch-up on, am going to work my way backward.  On Saturday, I celebrated my happy birthday and it was a day of blessing after blessing. In the morning, I woke up to my nephew serenading me with his latest learnt song on the piano, “Happy Birthday.”  Then my sister put “Mirando al Cielo” (from the new banda cd my brother-in-law gave me for my birthday) and my nephew asked me to dance.  We dance our first dance ever around the kitchen floor -he’s going be such a ladies man!  After that we went to Park Bench Café for breakfast- the pet friendly café is located outside in Central Park.  So, after a yummy breakfast with my family (Dollar included) we went for a walk.

Celebrating with my family...

Cake & Drinks

Some of the 80's outfits

There’s a saying that states something to the effect that you can’t choose your family- but when it comes to friends those are left to your selection.  In my chosen family of friends, I have those who have been around since I was a little girl, high school; college, work and my most recent addition- my church buddies.  God has blessed me with women of great character who influence and challenge me to be a better version of myself- who care and love me unconditionally like sisters.  This year they dressed up in their totally, radical 80’s outfits and gave me the greatest gift – their company.  My mommies came out to the dinner portion of the night and made me feel so special by the effort it took to be present for my big day.  My single hotties dance the night away with me, designated a driver for the night, bought me birthday drinks, took silly pictures with me, and made me feel like a queen with their attentiveness. I love all my girls!   

"I want to dance with somebody...

Somebody who loves me..."

The day had its challenges like having to move the dinner venue for the twenty-five guests at the last minute to another restaurant after the one I was hoping to celebrate at told me they couldn’t accommodate us.  I whispered a prayer and God lead us to Acapulco’s where they took us in right away.  The cake I ordered, looked a lot smaller in real life than what I expected- I was afraid that it wasn’t going to feed the amount of friends that came out to celebrate with me – though God didn’t multiply it (like the loaves and fish) we had enough and plenty left over (smile).  When we made it to Hully Gully I finally relaxed and had an amazing night full of happy moments and a lot of dancing with all my best friends!  Gracias Diosito for another splendid year of life and another enjoyable birthday celebration.

Material Girls!

Happy Birthday to me :o)

Dinner Time

As part of my birthday week celebration I signed up to drive a group of teens to Ronald McDonald House for a night of cooking and charity.  We arrived at the home without really knowing what to expect or really aware of what we were about to take on.  It wasn’t until a volunteer filled us in on what the organization is about that we understood who we were preparing dinner for.  Sometimes, in the comfort of the little bubble, we call life, we are oblivious of the many opportunities one can undertake to do good.  Usually, service to others is so simple and so rewarding, but in its simplicity we tend to miss it.

Assembly Line

In 1974 someone saw a need for temporary housing for families who have seriously ill or injured children in hospitals and are far away from home, “our (Ronald McDonald)Houses are built on the simple idea that nothing else should matter when a family is focused on the health of their child – not where they can afford to stay, where they will get their next meal or where they will lay their head at night to rest. We believe that when a child is hospitalized the love and support of family is as powerful as the strongest medicine prescribed.”

Excited about rolls!

Chocolate Chip Cookies on the way.

The menu for the night included: meatballs in rich tomato sauce, rice, steamed vegetables, dinner rolls and fresh, homemade cookies for dessert.  Assignments were distributed among the teens and each tackled a dinner course.  Among many giggles and “first time” in the kitchen moments the dinner was completed on time and ready to serve.

Someone is proud of her rice.

As families made their way to the buffet style set-up and served themselves plates that we all helped create they gratefully smiled.  One of the moms' even came over and shared her heartfelt testimony and kept repeating, “Thank you, you guys don’t know what this means to me- to us during this trying time.  We have been in the hospital all day and to come here and be served a warm meal, thank you.”

Team work.

I share these stories with you, not because I want to be seen in a godly light, or to have you think I am a really good person - I am a sinner (I battle with my favorite sins and make mistakes every single day) - my close friends and family will attest to my shortcomings.  These narratives highlight what God is doing in my life and if anyone deserves credit it’s Him.  I am simply His willing instrument, Glory to God in the highest!

Blurry Group Shot.

Mary Poppins

I grew-up watching Mexico’s Golden Age of Cinema.  As a family we would gather on Sunday’s after Mass around the television and watch reruns of classic movies and during commercial breaks mom would share her experience of how she had paid a couple of pesos to watch the movie at her neighbors’ house when the movie was first released because back then not everyone had television sets (wink).  Antonio Aguilar, Pedro Infante or Flor Silvestre would burst into song a few times during the movie and mom would then tell us a story of how that specific song had nurtured her through her courting times, dad would raise the volume and we’d intently listen to the tune.  Those were some of the dearest times of my life. 

 El Capitan Theatre

El Capitan still holds many movie premieres.

At university I took a film appreciation class and was introduced to the American Golden Age of film. Singing in the Rain quickly became my all-time favorite musical.  During that semester in college I had to watch many, many classic Hollywood films as homework (smile).  Though, I grew up watching films that would incorporate songs into the storyline I didn’t enjoy musicals.  Thus, Mary Poppins never appealed to me.  Yet, when my coworkers decided to drive to LA to watch Mary Poppins, the 1964 movie, at El Capitan Theatre I gleefully accepted the invitation (I love musicals now). 

 Waiting, listening to the organ player... 

 Full House

For ten dollars, we each got a movie ticket, popcorn and a drink – what a deal!  The theatre was completely packed.  An organ player played some music while everyone got settled, then there was a raffle for movie memorabilia and finally the movie began in a large screen.  The experience was phenomenal it felt like a typical release night at the theatre- only set back in time. Even the lowering of the curtain at the end of the film excited me (smile).  I never imagined the movie to be so good!  The music, the storyline the special effects all blew me away- now I can’t wait to arrange a movie night to see Saving Mr. Banks (film which depicts the making of Walt Disney's Mary Poppins ).    

  

Light & Fluffy Color Run

This Saturday my coworker & I participated in the Run or Dye 5K and while our monetary contributions helped Make-a-Wish Foundation and Operation Santa Claus we had a blast!  Throughout the morning I couldn’t help feeling like a giant kiddo - the tutu I wore helped create much silliness.  For those not familiar, participants walk 2.5 miles while at various stations along the path volunteers bomb the walkers with different color dyes creating human art pieces.  At the finish line there’s a wild concert where everyone takes part in coloring the sky while dancing to catchy tunes. 

 On your marks, get set, GO!

 Nice and Clean Canvas.

All you need is love, love, love...

A little trivia: the Color Run has its roots in Ancient India – a Hindu Festival where celebrants threw naturally color powders as symbols of health & wellness.  Thus, Run or Dye prides itself with celebrating wellness, happiness and individuality.  While waiting at the start line, organizers motivate the runners by giving out cool swag and more importantly celebrating love & happiness.  We are encouraged to express our love by creating hearts with our hands, hugging five strangers and to celebrate our uniqueness by wearing silly outfits.  Describing it sounds like a little bit of hippie love (smile).

At the start line already getting some color, funky shades to protect our eyes.

Motivation while we wait.

The wild concert

It’s funny, participating in the run began as an idea to encourage my friends and I, to change our lifestyle and become healthier.  In the summer, we started a walking club that lasted a whole month before it fizzled (smile) and while I tried motivating them to do the walk with me no one was available on the scheduled date.  My coworker had a similar experience with her good-intention-walking club, so we joined forces and signed up just the two of us for the run. I must give credit where credit is due, Dollar was also a very loyal walker in the club and the most motivated, unfortunately he had to sit this one out, while the dyes are environmentally safe, dogs are not allowed in this 5K (wink).

I made it!

Coloring the sky.

Daddy's Girl

Last night I was thinking of Mary, Jesus’ mom...  Awhile back I met a new believer he was excitedly sharing his faith with me - he had that zest that comes after a deep encounter with Christ. I was really enjoying our conversation until he said, “I know you’re Catholic and that’s fine, but you know just don’t go into believing in Mary don’t make such a big deal about her.” I didn’t want to kill his newfound faith so I just smiled and redirected the conversation back to Jesus.

Months later I started thinking more about this anti-Mary mentality that he expressed.  I must confess I am a daddy’s girl when it comes to my faith I love, love, love Jesus, The Father & the Holy Spirit… But let’s say that I invited you to come dine with me & my family.  Let’s say that you excitedly came into my house and acknowledge all of the members of my family, but ignored my mother in fact you disliked her so much that you were indifferent to her.  What effect do you think that would have on me?  How would it make me feel?

Now imagine that you die and you are in heaven and Mother Mary is there with Jesus.  Mary the woman who carried Jesus in her womb, who because of her yes to God began Christianity through her Son, who aided the course of our salvation - will you continue ignoring her then in His physical presence?  What effect do you think it will have on Jesus?  How will it make him feel?  I love you Jesus, but keep that woman you call your mother away from me lest I make her an idol!

I’m not asking people to share my veneration nor understanding of Mother Mary, just to give her the place she deserves don’t cast her out because you don’t understand the relationship she has to the Catholic faith.  She’s pretty amazing – God thought so when he chose her to carry His Son.

Be the Author of Your Story

As children we depend on grown-ups to make all the important decisions, we rely on their wisdom to make choices that will permanently affect our beings for better or worse.  We have no control in our dependent youth, but as we mature into adulthood we hold the key to live our lives as we always imagined.  When I went on my first spiritual retreat I was angry with so many adults that had hurt me as a child and I felt like I was a product of that pain.  All the bitterness, violence and negativity that I had witnessed were the reason I was such a difficult person to please.  My motto was: this is who I am, if you don’t like it close the door on your way out. I was easily offended, demanding, resentful and unforgiving… 

I want to be the best friend...

I casted blame on others for my circumstances because it was easier and even comfortable to assign culpability to everyone else.  Accusing others defined me and all the negativity I produced could be traced to something or someone in my past- never me. I am like this because this happened or he made me this way… One day (in therapy) my counselor challenged that damaging life philosophy, “you are an adult now Penny, you have the control to choose the life you want to live and the power to create the woman that you aspire…”

The best auntie...

When I taught preschool some parents were notorious for telling their kids (in an attempt to discipline them), “don’t do that little Johnny because your teacher is going to get mad.”  Instead of dealing with the problem they transferred their power to me with that phrase.  I, the teacher, was the one who gained the respect of their children because sadly I dealt with the problem not the parent.  In a similar way that’s what we do when we blame others for who we are - we transfer our potential to someone else. We rob ourselves the opportunity to heal and to mature.

The best mami & godmother...

I read an article yesterday about the top five regrets dying people shared to a palliative nurse, number one was: I wish I had the courage to live a life true to myself.  And number three was: I wish I had the courage to express my feelings. Don’t wait until you are at your death bed to live honestly, to look at yourself in the mirror and understand that you are much more than a product of a painful past.   Take control and own up to your weaknesses because only when you discover these can you work to convert them into strengths.  In matters of two, I will never be able to change or control the actions of the other, but I have total power to create a life worthy of me, worthy of all those deep dreams engraved in my heart.

The best daughter...

Who do you want to be?  What type of life do you want to have?  Who do you want to share your life with? What type of daughter, sister, friend, girlfriend, wife, mother, child of God do you want to be?  What type of family do you want to create with your spouse?  It’s your choice, your life.  Find the courage - it’s in you (God placed it there)! SMILE

The best Catholic...