Seven Reasons You Should Write and Send Christmas Cards

Advent season is a time of preparation and anticipation of the birth of Christ. Christmas cards are an exceptional way to celebrate the Advent season and can accomplish so much more than you can imagine. Below are seven reasons that you should both write and send out those Christmas cards this season. This is a simple act that will send a positive change into the world.

{ONE}

EVANGELIZING:

As Catholics, we are called to share the important news of our Savior and the promise that his birth, death and resurrection mean to us all. Sending a beautiful Christmas Card with a Nativity portrait and filled with words of hope, love and joy is a beautiful reminder of the real reason for the season and it may be the only time someone you knows gets told of the wonderful gift that Jesus's birth is to their families and the entire world. 

It is a tradition in my home that we send out our Christmas cards on December 17th because it is the first day of the O Antiphons and we celebrate the name of Jesus of O Wisdom on this night. Don't be shy to share your love of Jesus and touch the heart of those that need to learn of his love. 

{TWO}

MEMORIES:

The art of handwriting letters, notes and cards is a dying art. I have a small collection of letters and special mementos from over the years that bring me great joy from throughout the year: Mother's Day letter's from my children, love notes from my husband and words of encouragement from friends. Create a work of art that can be saved and enjoyed over the coming Advent and Christmas seasons. These beautifully written pieces will one day be what you leave behind for your friends and family to remember you and the happiness you brought to their lives.

{THREE}

COUNSELING THE DOUBTFUL:

Depending on your relations within your family and friends, you could be completing a Spiritual Act of Mercy with sending out those beautiful Christmas cards. Ask the Holy Spirit to guide you as you hand write a special message to those you love this Advent season. Of the Seven Spiritual Works of Mercy, there are four that I could easily see being accomplished through your Christmas Card:

Maybe you have a friend or family member dealing with a crisis of faith? Your Christmas Card could bring light to them in a time of darkness and help counsel them back to their faith. God works in mysterious ways and you never know when you are being called to do his good work.

{FOUR}

INSTRUCTING THE IGNORANT:

This is another Spiritual Work of Mercy. We all know people that are not taught in the Catholic faith, or maybe have questions about it. A simple card could with an invitation to Mass or Christmas dinner could be the action that opens their hearts and eyes to the love of the Catholic faith. You might be their only link to Catholicism and God is asking you to be their light in the darkness.

{FIVE}

COMFORTING THE SORROWFUL:

The holiday season can be more sorrowful and sad to those that may be dealing with a void of a loved one; whether this be though death, distance or other circumstance. An older widow celebrating their first Christmas without their spouse, a parent who is dealing with an empty nest, a family that is torn by an argument, the list can go on and on. Reach out to someone that has a hurting heart by showing love and compassion for them during this difficult time.

Deployed Soldiers, Wounded Warriors, Nursing Homes, Hospitals, Homeless Shelters and so many other places are always looking for a way to comfort the sorrowful.

{SIX}

FORGIVING INJURIES:

The final Spiritual Work of Mercy you could complete is through forgiving. Forgiveness is hard and can almost feel impossible in certain circumstances. Reaching out to someone that has betrayed you, not only helps show your forgiveness, but can be an amazing gift to offer someone during this season of hope, love and joy. Free yourself of the anger and rebuild relationships that have been broken with the love of God at the center.

There are two sides to this coin: What about asking for forgiveness? If you have wronged someone and not apologized fully or maybe not at all, ask for forgiveness and mean it. Feel sorrow and guilt and attempt to fix your wrong doings with penance.

{SEVEN}

KEEPING CHRIST IN CHRISTMAS

This is one of the most important reasons you should take the time to write and send those Christmas cards this year. The true meaning of Christmas is often overshadowed with the commercialism of gifts, the distraction of shiny new things and to be drawn into the masses of the overwhelming majority that don't celebrate Jesus during Christmas. Take the time for yourself and your family to sit together and pray before you write out your family Christmas cards. Ask that the words you share are ones that help grow your faith and the faith of the recipients as well. Be still and feel the anticipation and longing that is the season of Advent before celebrating the birth of or Savior.

If you are still searching for the perfect place to get your Christmas cards or Holiday invitations, please consider Paperless Post! In addition to offering beautiful and unique products, if you purchase from their RED Christmas Collection, you are supporting the fight against AIDS. Another important aspect of the Christmas and Advent season is charity, so your purchase would help you and help others! This is a special holiday partnership and your support would be greatly appreciated! Remember it is not too late! The Christmas season doesn't end on December 25th, it is only the beginning! You still have time to send out those very special and meaningful Christmas cards.

This is just one of many ideas that you can use to keep Christ in Christmas. I am sharing this with Seven Quick Takes.

Angel Baskets: A Story of Giving in the Midst of Heartbreak

As the Year of Mercy draws to an end, I felt that I should share a story that I think is so admirable and the essence of what the Year of Mercy is all about. I honestly believe that we  are put into people's lives and people are put into our lives by God to be good examples, to make us better and to teach us about life, loss and suffering. I have many people like that in my life and I consider myself to be blessed beyond measure. The family I am about to introduce you, I believe, were put into my life for a special purpose and they have taught me so much and I feel that their story can serve as inspiration for many and a beacon of light to those who have found themselves in their same position.

This is Shannon and Chris. They are an amazing couple, outstanding friends and loving parents. I have known Chris since I was in high school. We met during Confirmation and attended the same Catholic youth group through our church. He is such a hilarious person that can light up a room and can be friends with anyone. His wife Shannon, I had the pleasure to meet after a meeting I hosted in my home about five years ago. I instantly fell in love with this woman and knew we would be friends. She is one of those people that lights up the room with her smile and she emits happiness, love and friendship. These two amazing people are more incredible than words can describe and they have an even more extraordinary story to share.

Shannon and Chris are parents to three children. Two here on Earth, Ethan and Sydney and one in heaven, Sean. This is their story of love, loss and mercy. 

On November 13, 2014 Shannon went in to the hospital for contractions. She was 38 weeks pregnant but was sent home thinking everything was good with her and her soon to be born son. The next day Shannon and Chris were walking around the store and when she came home to relax and take a bath, she noticed Sean wasn't moving. At the time they had an at home fetal monitor that they used frequently and when they tried to find Sean's heartbeat... it was beating extremely slow. So slow that they panicked, knowing that something was not right, they called the doctor and rushed back to the hospital.

When they finally arrived at the hospital, the nurse couldn't find a heartbeat. They sent for Shannon's doctor to bring the ultrasound machine to examen Sean more closely. When they came in with the machine, he turned it around and showed Shannon, Chris and their oldest son, Ethan, where Sean's heart had stopped. They were completely devastated. Sean was delivered via C-section on November 15, 2014. 

Shannon and Chris agreed to allow a photographer take pictures of their family with Sean before he was taken away. This is one of the beautiful pictures they have allowed me to share. This beautiful baby boy looks as if he were just sleeping. In one day they went from joyously waiting for their baby to be born to learning that he had become an angel with no warning. Everyone was able to spend some time with Sean and I am sure these photos are worth more to this family than any material item they own. 

Here for a Moment. Felt for a Lifetime. No truer words can be said. Shannon, Chris and their son Ethan have endured a terrible loss. One that was completely unexpected. Their family's world was turned upside down, yet their love for each other and the love they had for people around them became stronger than the pain in their suffering and grieving. This does not mean they overcame their loss, in fact, it's quite the opposite. They still grieve and their hearts still ache for their child. But they did not give up hope or love.

A few months after their enormous loss, they found that God had blessed them with another pregnancy. I could not imagine the mix of emotions that poured from them during this time; Anxiety, happiness, fear and confusion. A child that is conceived after a loss is called a Rainbow Baby. A beautiful and bright rainbow follows a storm and is a sign of hope. They embraced this pregnancy with grace and they prayed fervently and they gave birth to a happy, healthy baby girl. She was born November 24, 2015. 

If you looked at the time frame than you can see that their miracle baby was born only nine days after the first anniversary of Sean's passing. Although there were still tears, heartache and pain, Shannon and Chris thought that a great way to honor Sean would be to bless another family. This was the beginning of the Angel Baskets.

"In honor of Sean's first birthday this year we put together a gift basket and dropped it off at the hospital where we had him to be given to the first family whose baby is born near the time Sean was born (November 15th at 11:26 am) we didn't realize how hard it would be to have to go back up there after all this time but we hope this basket is a blessing to someone's little angel like Sean was to us:)" --Shannon Boswell

How many of us can say that in times of suffering that we think of others? I can honestly say that I have not. I often allow my sufferings to control myself and the way I live my life. I think that this act of pure love is something that we all can learn something from. Let's all take a look into our lives and realize that we need to take care of each other, no matter the circumstances. 

Thank you Shannon and Chris for allowing me to share your truly amazing story with the world. I hope that anyone reading this that has suffered loss in similiar ways will be touched by your story and know that they are not alone in their pain and sufferings.

Today is November 15, 2016. Today is the second anniversary of Sean's passing and there is already an Angel Basket ready to be given to a family in Sean's honor. 

This post is in honor of Sean Boswell. Here for a Moment. Felt for a Lifetime. Would you honor this amazing family today by lighting a candle in their son's honor? Please keep them in your prayers today as I am sure it will be a hard one. 

{JEI}: The Year of Mercy

Welcome to the weekly link-up recently turned Blog-Hop Just Enough Info or just, JEI for short. This lovely Blog-Hop is hosted by The Zelie Group and we would love for you to join us! This week we are discussing The Year of Mercy! Let's get started with this week's questions:

1. What did you do (or can in these last few weeks!) to mark the Year of Mercy?

For my family we will be attempting to complete as many Spiritual Works of Mercy and Corporal Works of Mercy as possible! It is November so praying for the living and the dead are easy to remember since the entire month is dedicated to the Souls in Purgatory. We also collect food and go through our clothes and other belongs and donate those items to shelters and food pantries. Check out the lists below and start brainstorming with me.

Here are the Corporal Works of Mercy:

To feed the hungry.

To give drink to the thirsty.

To clothe the naked.

To welcome the stranger, also known as shelter the homeless.

To visit the sick.

To visit the imprisoned.

To bury the dead.

Here are the Spiritual Works of Mercy:

To instruct the ignorant.

To counsel the doubtful.

To admonish sinners.

To bear patiently those who wrong us.

To forgive offenses.

To console the afflicted.

To pray for the living and the dead.

2. What Work of Mercy is easiest or most challenging for you?

Visiting the imprisoned is the hardest Corporal Work of Mercy. It's not that I am judging these prisoners, it is that I am afraid to visit. The imprisoned are not just the people in jails and prisons but this also includes those that are imprisoned in hospitals and nursing homes. I am just so empathetic that it breaks my heart to be with people that my heart breaks for. This is something I am working on and I am hoping to take my boys to visit a nursing home or hospital to bring some holiday cheer.

3. Do you have a story of mercy in your own life to share? Or do you have a favorite saint/quote/resource about mercy to pass along?

I do have a story of Mercy. I shared it in my post about Saint Vincent de Paul. He is a great saint to learn all about the Works of Mercy and Charity. I will leave you with this quote about Mercy from Pope Francis:

"God's mercy can make even the driest land become a garden, can restore life to dry bones (cf. Ez 37:1-14). ... Let us be renewed by God's mercy, let us be loved by Jesus, let us enable the power of his love to transform our lives too; and let us become agents of this mercy, channels through which God can water the earth, protect all creation and make justice and peace flourish."

— Easter Urbi et Orbi message on March 31, 2013 

You have all week to answer this week's questions all about The Year of Mercy:

1. What did you do (or can in these last few weeks!) to mark the year?

2. What Work of Mercy is easiest or most challenging for you?

3. Do you have a story of mercy in your own life to share? Or do you have a favorite saint/quote/resource about mercy to pass along?

Next week we will be discussing Clothing:

1. If you had to wear the clothes from another time period, when would it be? 

2. What are you embarrassed that you wore but used to think was cool? 

3. What's your favorite article of clothing in your closet right now?

The Zelie Group has some fun questions coming up in the next few weeks so make sure to follow us on Facebook and we would love to hear what you are interested in! What are you looking to learn about? Do you have questions about the Faith? Questions about the Liturgical Year? We want to help and learn and grow with you and your families!

Also stop by the new Page I created on my blog for new information concerning The Zelie Group. It is a work in progress but it has a good start!

God Bless!

Saint Vincent de Paul: The Blessing of Charity

Today is the Feast of Saint Vincent de Paul and he is a great saint to share with your children! He is the patron saint of charitable societies. I believe teaching our children about charity, mercy and loving our neighbors is more important now than it ever has been, especially with the increase of feelings of entitlement, instant gratification and social media feeding the insatiable need for fame. Ironically enough, Saint Vincent de Paul actually spent the first 20 years of his life in search of riches and becoming famous. He was also captured by pirates, just like Saint Patrick. What child doesn't love an exciting story like that? And most importantly, Saint Vincent was freed and in the end became dedicated to the spiritual and material needs of the poor. I hope my children will emulate the virtues that Saint Vincent has taught the world.

This feast day is special to my family. It is special because honestly we are not a rich family monetarily but we have been blessed in love. We do struggle financially and probably will for quite awhile, if not forever and that is ok. We do not have vehicle loans or even a mortgage but we do owe money to an attorney that saved our children from a dangerous situation. In addition to this $10,000 debt we pay large amounts for our youngest son to receive therapies he needs. I am not sharing this to bring anyone to feel bad for my family because I truly believe that we are blessed.

We are safe...

We are together...

We have all that we need to survive...

We are immeasurably blessed.

I am sharing this because we are a family that has received charity and I feel that it is important to share how that has touched us. There was a time when I had no home. My children and I slept on friends and families couches for several months. I have received food from friends and family because I was a single mom that was struggling more and more to pay my bills and provide for my children. I had three different jobs and still couldn't afford more than the basics. My parents helped me pay for an attorney once to get me out of the abusive marriage I was scared to leave. Charity is more than money, food or clothes. It is knowing that someone cares enough to help.

There were days I wanted to give up. The struggle was so great and I would come to work in tears. My coworkers and management supported me and I don't know how they managed to deal with me falling apart but they did and they never made me feel guilty. These people were more than coworkers, they became family.

I have to admit, I have tears running down my face as I share all this. Knowing the amount of people that have cared for me and my family in our great time of need will be something that I will never forget and I know that my children never will either. To anyone that has ever helped another human being not expecting anything in return, may God Bless You! May God Bless You enormously! It is because of people like you that I have crawled from the darkness back into the light. My family has been forever changed and we were saved. I hope that my experience with charity is something that can be inspiring. I want it to inspire others to help people. We need to help each other.

To honor Saint Vincent as a family, I decided that a classic Beans and Rice dinner would be perfect! It is a simple meal that many of the poor ate because it was inexpensive to make and it is quite filling. In addition to it being simple and inexpensive, my oldest son had a stomach virus yesterday so I am keeping our menu simple until I know that the virus is officially gone from the household.

Saint Vincent was born in France so Ratatouille, considered a peasants dish, would also be a great option or even Poor Man's Stew.

In addition to a simple dinner, donating items or money to a charity would also be a great way to reinforce the virtues of taking care of the poor. The Christmas Season is fast approaching, maybe going through your children's clothes and toys to make room for the gifts they will receive and having them bring it to a charity would instill a love of giving that will last a lifetime for them and the people they bless with that charity.

Start with the Spiritual Works of Mercy for inspiration if monetary donations aren't something you can do right now. I know I am not in a position to give a ton of extra monetarily but we do our best and that is all God asks of us.

The Spiritual Works of Mercy are:

Feeding the hungry

Giving drink to the thirsty

Clothing the naked

Burying the dead

Giving Shelter to the traveler

Comforting the sick

Freeing the imprisoned

Prayer to Saint Vincent de Paul:

Noble Saint Vincent de Paul, beloved servant of the poor, may we follow your example and do good works among those whom society has abandoned, enslaved, or forgotten. Inspire us to feed the hungry, to love a child, to provide comfort and medicine to the sick, to clothe those whose garments are threadbare, and to offer hope and our Lord's words to all who need respite. Pray for us to our beloved God that we may commit ourselves selflessly to doing the same charitable acts that you did all your life, and intercede with him that we may have the favor of his guidance and strength and love upon this important and meaningful work. 

Amen.

Saint Vincent de Paul, pray for us!