After Christmas...

The fuss and glory of Christmas seems to have disappeared. Even decorations seem out of place and yet, the true spirit of Christmas is only just developing.

Each one of us receive an invitation to renew ourselves and with heart-felt love to embrace the spirit of Christmas / to become child-like.

No matter how young or old we are, the invitation is open to all !

With a little faith we can see the humility and wonder of God to allow His precious Son to come as a little infant.

Can we find a better example for ourselves, to put our egos aside and foster humility and become as a child with a loving Father to guide us.

The spirit of Christmas can remain with us always.

Christmas Eve...

We are busy preparing for Christmas.  So many things to do, especially food and sending greetings to friends and family.

A walk down town is a pleasure to meet so many people who are happy to be busy like ourselves, and yet, I find myself thinking of the whole reason for Christmas time and such a special time it is.

A new born baby is coming into the world and yet the world does not seem to be ready to receive such a special Child of God.

Am I?  Am I ready to embrace a new awareness of the awesome sight, a visit from my God in the form of a vulnerable and helpless Baby?

Preparation for any event is always most important.

Therefore, my preparation begins with my heartfelt welcome to Jesus, who is the infant Baby, dependent on this strange world of ours to accept His presence.

All that comes to mind is to simply prepare my heart to love the Infant Child, just as I would embrace a baby, dependent on my love and who is open to the love of the whole world.

Whatever and however we are with ourselves, we are invited to welcome this innocent baby into our hearts and minds.

Happy Birth Day Jesus! 

FOCUS

What we focus on, we become.
This is so true because we become what we are taken up with and give our attention to, whether it is a job or desire of some kind.
Looking at our lives from a spiritual point of view, we have this wonderful ability to become God-like when we focus on God and truly believe that we are created by God to love.
It seems too easy really, simply to focus on God and take on the Mind of

God.
Perhaps what can make this even easier is to truly know ourselves and how tiny we are in comparison to the Creator of the Universe.
To become God-like is a wonderful invitation and all we have to do is focus on God's tremendous Love for us..

CHRISTMAS SPIRIT

We had a good discussion this morning at table about life and loving and especially what St. Therese has shared with us about how to love.

She believed that God desires us to love Him with all our heart, soul and mind.

To have confidence to the point of boldness in the Love that God has for us.

Such a wonderful thought to carry with us through the day, especially in our preparations for Christmas.

To have a true Christmas spirit depends on so many efforts on our part.

Being happy is a good start and then dealing with whatever is or may cause us to be unhappy.

To have confidence to the point of boldness is a good challenge to take with us each day as we prepare for the birth of Christ.

God is willing to give Himself to us in the form of an innocent baby, dependent on his loving mother and human nature to protect him.

We may experience good moments with our celebrations of Christmas and maybe some moments that challenge us to become better than we are.

How wonderful to gift ourselves with the innocence of Christ!

Searching for Beauty...

With Christmas glitter all around and shops full of beautiful gifts, a trip to town

can be a pleasure and also a temptation.

This happened to me today as I sauntered along O'Connell street and marveled at the invitations that came from all quarters, beautiful clothes / beautiful shoes / beautiful books...

Had I a need for something?  This question guided me and protected me as I felt tempted, then realized my needs were of a simple nature and easily fulfilled.

My desire for artistic beauty began with a visit to St. Andrews Church, just beside the dart station in Westland Row.  The building itself is a work of art and the paintings high up on the walls are to be admired if one could get close enough to see their beauty.  Most of all, the Church is open to the public and Mass is celebrated every day.

My next pleasure was a walk through Merrion Park, a quick visit and yet so peaceful even without the display of flowers that decorate the park in the summer.

By now my natural desire for a lovely warm cup of coffee to sustain me on a winter, wet and windy day was found in the Cafe in the Natural Art Gallery, capped by the company of my friend and cousin, Carmel.  

I talk and she listens and I listen and she talks and our strong friendship is being renewed.  Perhaps this is the best pleasure of all.

Of course, one doesn't go into the Art Gallery without availing of a peek at the artistic treasures contained therein. Even a few minutes can be enough to come away with a small treasure, a postcard of one of the famous paintings.

Braving the rain and winter weather, I managed a stroll through Trinity and a peek into Pennys for a bargain  and a visit to the GPO to see the display of lights and animal figures and the moving Crib.  A few stamps to buy and cards to post and my day in Dublin was complete.

A short wait in the rain for my bus home and so glad was I to say farewell to Baile Ath Cliath. 

Our Lady of the Positive

Listening to a Meditation tape this morning, I became aware of the truth that the Mother of God, our Lady is the best example of One who is Positive.

There are so many titles given to our Lady and perhaps the best one of all is to call her Our Lady of the Positive.

Whenever our Lady appeared on this earth ( and some believe this happens all the time) She always presented her message with great love and respect for those she spoke to, with a truly positive spirit.

I visited Fatima last year and was so impressed by the Faith of the people of Portugal and all the visitors from around the world, how drawn they were to the Mother of God who spoke to three little children and encouraged them to pray.

'Pray often, pray well'

What a positive world we could live in, if we pray often and follow the example of Our Lady of the Positive.

(Crib in GPO)