Solemnity of the Epiphany of the Lord Folder

In preparation for our celebrating the Solemnity of the Epiphany on January 2, 2011, here's my Three Kings folder:

The quote in the folder:

As recorded in the gospels of Matthew and Luke, “three wise men” who saw the star over Bethlem when Christ was born journeyed “ from the east” and found the baby Jesus in Bethlehem of Judea. They were guided by the appearance of a Star in the Heavens, which heralded the Birth of the one born “King of the Jews.” They worshipped the Christ child and presented him with gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh. These three wise men were Casper from Tarnish, Balthazar from Saba and Melchoir from Arabia.

Three wise men coloring page here  and many here and one here and here, here, here, here, here.

Here are some Three Kings images we'll be cutting out and making into some art work.  You can find some beautiful ones online.

Click HERE to see a listing, in order, of all the Saints and Feast Day folders for the liturgical year, or click on the Archangels folder at the top right of my sidebar.


Also, Xhonane at Familia Catolica has a similar post HERE listing the liturgical folders she has made thus far, and she will add to it as well.

The Nativity of Our Lord -- December 25

Here's my Liturgical Folder for the birth of Baby Jesus. 

The Nativity of Our Lord -- December 25

front cover of the folder coloring page is here

Happy Birthday

Baby Jesus


Luke 2: 1-20

The Story of Christ's Birth

And it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus, that all the world should be taxed. And all went to be taxed, every one into his own city. Joseph went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judea, unto the city of David, which is called Bethlehem because he was of the house and lineage of David, to be taxed with Mary his espoused wife, being with child.


And so it was, that, while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered. And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn.


There were shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. Lo, the angel of the Lord come upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were afraid. And the angel said unto them, "Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, which is Christ the Lord. And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger." And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying, "Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men."


The shepherds, "Let us now go to Bethlehem, and see this king." They came with haste, and found Mary and Joseph, and the babe lying in a manger. And when they had seen it, they made known abroad the saying which was told them concerning this child. And all that heard it wondered at those things which were told them by the shepherds. But Mary kept all these things, and pondered them in her heart. And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, as it was told unto them.

Mary and child coloring pages here, here, coloring page for Mary HERE

Angel praying over baby Jesus HERE
The stable here
Shepherds and Baby Jesus HERE

Donkey in stable HERE

Christmas reindeer coloring page here

Baby Jesus HERE

The Holy Family in the stable HERE and HERE


More coloring pages not pictured which Little Flower will color this week:

ox and donkey with Jesus HERE
In the stable HERE
In the stable with angels and Kings HERE
The Holy Family HERE
Little Drummer Boy HERE

Stable Scene HERE

Mary and baby Jesus HERE

Click on HERE to see a listing, in order, of all the Saints and Feast Day folders for the liturgical year, or click on the Archangels folder at the top right of my sidebar.

Also, Xhonane at Familia Catolica has a similar post HERE listing the liturgical folders she has made thus far, and she will add to it as well.

Celebrating Our Lady of Guadalupe and St. Juan Diego

A collage of pictures . . .

Before I told the story of St. Juan Diego to Little Flower, she looked at the below cut outs we hung up and asked, "Why does he have Mary in his tummy?"  

 

coloring page HERE

coloring pages HERE and HERE

coloring page from Vee HERE

Happy Blessed Advent !

I'm linking up to the Our Lady of Guadalupe Party at Homeschool Goodies.

Country Angel stars . . .

Tomie de Paola's Country Angel Christmas is a lovely book we've been reading this Advent.  It's about Heaven's three littlest angels whom Saint Nicholas asks to carry the stars to light up the darkness on Christmas Eve, as all of Heaven's angels parade to the stable where Jesus is born.  

Little Flower and I traced some stars from cookie cutters and painted them with watercolors . . .

in pink and brown and green and blue . . .

yellow and orange and purple . . .

then we cut them out and strung them up on the mantle
(I used a needle and thread to string each star)

stars from the night sky . . .

to light the way . . .

to the humble stable on Christmas Eve.

Happy Blessed Advent!

Blessed Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception!

The Immaculate Conception -- December 8

In preparation for next week's Feast of the Immaculate Conception, I made a Mary candle, just mod podging some pretty Mary images to the candle, and then dressing it up with some blue sparkle embellishments.

Saintly quotes I'm pondering:

Mary was raised to the dignity of Mother of God rather for sinners than for the just, since Jesus Christ declares that he came to call not the just, but sinners. -- St. Anselm

Pray with great confidence, with confidence based upon the goodness and infinite generosity of God and upon the promises of Jesus Christ. God is a spring of living water which flows unceasingly into the hearts of those who pray. -- St. Louis de Montfort 




Immaculate Conception -- December 8

coloring page here.  Waltzing Matilda has a beautiful one HERE.

The prayer I chose:

O Mary,
conceived without sin,
pray for us who have recourse to thee.

Amen

Click on HERE to see a listing, in order, of all the Saints and Feast Day folders for the liturgical year, or click on the Archangels folder at the top right of my sidebar.

Also, Xhonane at Familia Catolica has a similar post HERE listing the liturgical folders she has made thus far, and she will add to it as well.

Our Advent begins

Wasn't it beautiful to see purple this morning ? 

Advent is here and I'm so glad to be entering this Season of hope and expectation, anticipation, penitence and love. 

A first for us . . . we made bees wax candles for our Advent wreath. 

Our simple homemade wreath, now with even more of a homey-ness feel to it.

Lighting the first candle

O Lord, stir up Thy might, we beg Thee, and come that by Thy protection we may deserve to be rescued from the threatening dangers of our sins and saved by Thy deliverance. Through Christ our Lord. Amen.

On the Way to Bethlehem

We are focusing on Mary and Joseph's long trip to Bethlehem in the cold and dark, Mary sitting on the little gray donkey and Joseph leading the way. 

We're readng The Donkey's Dream book that tells the story of the gray donkey who carried Mary to Bethlehem, all the way dreaming . . .  and waking to find them all at the stable, ready for Mary to give birth to the Savior.  And then with eyes wide open and awake, the gray donkey sees the Little Lord Jesus.

The coloring pages are here and here or copy below:

We made some On the Way to Bethlehem pictures with internet images and glue on purple cardstock, with silvery embellishments for stars in the dark sky.

Our crafting was interrupted for a minute when Flower left for a bit. 

Where are you, I asked after a while. 

"I'm putting on lipstick."  Sure enough she was. 

"Want to put some lipstick on, Mommy?  Lipstick is so cool."

And look at her technique.  I did not help her put on the lipstick . . .

So our home is starting to look like Advent . . .

and we are looking forward to St. Nicholas's Feast Day too.   My St. Nicholas folder is here if you missed it.

Happy Blessed Advent !