This Christmas is very different for our family as we are establishing long lasting family traditions. These family centered events are NOT focused on home baked cookies, parties/galas or Santa Claus. They are a culmination of childhood memories, adult experiences and Catholic traditions. They also span the entire Advent season and begin the Roman Catholic liturgical year. We hope our efforts will transform into teachable moments as our son grows and matures.
This year we have experienced the Spirit of Saint Nicholas (Dec 6th), revered The Immaculate Conception (Dec 8th), honored our Lady of Guadalupe (Dec 12th), and rejoiced in Saint Lucia "Lucy" (Dec 13th). In addition to these events, we continue to light our family's Advent wreath and reflect on our life together.
Now begins another tradition deep-rooted in Spanish culture, Las Posadas. This is the nine day reenactment of the Holy Family's journey up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judaea, unto the city of David, which is called Bethlehem. We have dressed Mary and Joseph in robes and await the birth of their unborn child, Jesus Christ. In lieu of traveling from house to house, our family will gather nightly around our family's alter and pray a novena/rosary. We will also retell the story of the Holy Family's journey and prepare the crib on December 24th, Christmas Eve.
3 comments:
So, what now, you think you're cooler than me? I guess I need to step it up. Maybe I'll have the Pope over and I'll ask him to pose with me for my Blog. That will show you!
Your Friend, m.
Mark,
I really want to see a picture of Pope Benedict XVI and you on your blog. That would be amazing! The Pope, two legally married gay men and their four kids posing for a picture. That would make the front page of the NY Times or at least the National Enquirer.
On another note, we have taken a lot of heat from many of our friends about locking Santa Claus out of our house. Brase will only get one gift from Daddy and Papi' and it will be opened on Christmas Eve. Mind you, it's a small gift too.
We really want Christmas to be about teachable moments and the world we live within. I hope we have not learned to far to the right on this issue. Regardless, we have had lots of fun talking and reading from Patricia Livingston's Advent book after dinner.
All the best,
Brandon
I think you got it right.
Your Friend, m.
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