The Purification of Mary and Presentation of our Lord (February 2)

I'm still here!  We're expecting another little one any day now, and if she's a girl, we will name her Anna, after the prophetess in Luke 2

There was also a prophet, Anna, the daughter of Penuel, of the tribe of Asher. She was very old; she had lived with her husband seven years after her marriage, 37 and then was a widow until she was eighty-four.  She never left the temple but worshiped night and day, fasting and praying. 38 Coming up to them at that very moment, she gave thanks to God and spoke about the child to all who were looking forward to the redemption of Jerusalem.

Here is a previous year's post about the Presentation (commonly called "Candlemas")

Here is a very thorough article by Pr. Abrahamson on the origins and history of the Feast.

The Feast of Saint Hedwig

October 16th is the Feastday of St. Hedwig of Silesia of Poland. I did not know about this saint but as I read more about her I was glad to have come across her. She was a great example of a wife, a mother and a Christian. Hospitable, charitable and devoted to the Christ and His Church in her vocation.

At the age of twelve, Hedwig married Henry I the Bearded. Together they had 7 children.

From Wikipedia

Hedwig and Henry lived very pious lives, and Hedwig had great zeal for religion. Hedwig always helped the poor and donated all her fortune to the Church. According to legend, she went barefoot even in winter, and when she was urged by the Bishop of Wrocław to wear shoes, she carried them in her hands.

The widow moved into the monastery, which was led by her daughter Gertrude, assuming the religious habit of a lay sister, but she did not take vows. She invited numerous German religious people from the Holy Roman Empire into the Silesian lands, as well as German settlers who founded numerous cities, towns and villages in the course of the migration, while cultivating barren parts of Silesia for agriculture.

Activities for the Feast of Saint Hedwig:

Make foot or shoe shaped cookies or bread.

From Catholic Culture - On this feast in Poland, there is a bread called Hedwigsohlen (Shoe Soles of St. Hedwig) that used to be distributed to the poor of Trebnitz on her feast day. The shoe soles remind us of her generosity to the poor, and the fact that she sacrificed her own comfortable shoes in walking to church. Any recipe for a bread that can be formed into a specific shape can be used. Form them into soles of shoes.

Let your children walk around barefoot outside, especially if it's cold! 

Donate to a local food pantry or food drive.  

Prayer for the Feast of Saint Hedwig
O God,
Who didst teach blessed Hedwig
to renounce the pomps of this world,
that, with her whole heart,
she might follow the humble way of Thy cross:
grant that, through example,
we may learn to trample under foot the perishable delights
of this world and by cleaving to Thy cross
overcome whatsoever may be opposed to us.
Who livest and reignest with Thee,
in the unity of the Holy Ghost, world without end.
Amen.

Prayer Source

St. Monica (August 27)

In my distress I called upon the Lord;

    to my God I cried for help.

From his temple he heard my voice,

    and my cry to him reached his ears. Ps. 18:6

Today we remember and give thanks for Monica, Mother of Augustine.  A native of North Africa, Monica (A.D. 333–387) was the devoted mother of Saint Augustine. Throughout her life she sought the spiritual welfare of her children, especially that of her brilliant son, Augustine. Widowed at a young age, she devoted herself to her family, praying many years for Augustine’s conversion. When Augustine left North Africa to go to Italy, she followed him to Rome and then to Milan. There she had the joy of witnessing her son’s conversion to the Christian faith. Weakened by her travels, Monica died at Ostia, Italy on the journey she had hoped would take her back to her native Africa.

Thanks to Waltzing Mathilda, here's a coloring sheet of St. Monica.

Are there any favorite blog posts, sermons, or passages you have which address the sorrow (and fear) of a child (or spouse) rejecting the Faith?  I know I have read a few, but I do a poor job of bookmarking, and don't have time to search right now.

Happy St. Monica's Day!  May the Holy Spirit keep you and yours in your baptisms unto life everlasting.  Amen!

And since we have a great priest over the house of God, let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, with our hearts sprinkled clean from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water. Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for he who promised is faithful.  Hebrews 10:21-23

Rescuing Holy Days from Pagan Lies

Steadfast Lutherans has a wonderful series of posts by Pr. Joseph Abrahamson called "Redeeming Holy Days from Pagan Lies," refuting the oft-made claim that Christian holidays are all of pagan origins.  Here is a list.  Issues, Etc. has also interviewed Pr. Abrahamson on these topics.

Hallowe'en

Christmas

Christmas and Sol Invictus

Solstice 1 and 2 and 3

Ash Wednesday and Lent

Valentine's Day

Annunciation

Easter 1 and 2

Walpurgisnacht

Pentecost

Nativity of St. John 1 and 2 and 3

August Feasts and Commemorations

3             Joanna, Mary, and Salome, myrrhbearers
10           Lawrence, deacon and martyr
15           St. Mary, Mother of Our Lord (and another post)
16           Isaac
17           Johann Gerhard, theologian
19           Bernard of Clairvaux, hymnwriter and theologian
20           Samuel
24           St. Bartholomew, Apostle
27           Monica, Mother of Augustine
28           Augustine of Hippo, Pastor and Theologian
29           The Martyrdom of St. John the Baptist

The Feast of Saints Peter and Paul

 June 29th, the Church remembers Sts. Peter and Paul.

"We praise You for St. Peter;
We praise You for St. Paul;
They taught both Jew and Gentile
That Christ is all in all.
To cross and sword they yielded
And saw Your kingdom come;
O God, these two apostles
Reached life through martyrdom."

From By All Your Saints in Warfare LSB 518

You can listen to this hymn HERE, a few words different from the one in my hymnal.

Some wonderful ideas for celebrating this Feast day can be found at these sites:

two Os + more

Shower of Roses

Here are some more ideas for you.

Coloring Pages:

Paul Traveling by Boat

Peter and Paul

Paul's Vision

Peter walks on Water

Peter and Paul Icon

Something to Watch:

The Ministry Of Paul

Food for today:

Beer Battered Fish and Chips
(Any fish dish is appropriate today to remember Peter the Fisherman... the Fisher of Men.)

Banana Boats and Fish

St. Peter's Key Shaped Pretzels

St. Paul and St. Peter Cupcakes

For Snack Time we ate Gold Fish Crackers with Pretzel fishing poles. Also I wanted to make those cute cupcakes, but I was out of steam and we already had a lot of other sweets floating around our kitchen counter so I made Mini Reese's PB Cup Boats instead.

Merciful and eternal God, Your holy apostles Peter and Paul received grace and strength to lay down their lives for the sake of Your Son. Strenghten us by Your Holy Spirit that we may confess Your truth and at all times be ready to lay down our lives for Him who laid down His life for us, even Jesus Christ our Lord.

Nativity of St. John The Baptist

The Church doesn't typically celebrate the earthly birthdays of its saints but their Heavenly birthdays, the days they died and entered Heaven. There are two exceptions to that, Mary's and John the Baptist's births. As I understand it, the Catholic church teaches that this is because they were born without Original sin. As Lutherans we don't teach or believe that but we still commemorate the birth of St. John the Baptist today.

"And you, child, will be called the prophet of the Most High;
for you will go before the Lord to prepare his ways,
to give knowledge of salvation to his people
in the forgiveness of their sins,
because of the tender mercy of our God,
whereby the sunrise shall visit us from on high
to give light to those who sit in darkness and in the shadow of death,
to guide our feet into the way of peace.” The beautiful words of Zechariah from Luke 1:76-79

Reading: Zechariah and Elizabeth and John's birth from Luke 1

Activities:

Appropriate symbols for teaching about St. John or decorating for this Feast day are: Camel-skin robe, cross, lamb, pouring water from hands or scallop shell for Baptism. 


My children like to watch "Bible shows" so we watched the story of John the Baptist HERE.

On this day we also remember in prayer our sisters who are barren. We pray for their continual comfort and guidance. We can also remember to pray for expectant mothers.


We know that John leaped for joy in Elizabeth's womb, so today is also a good day to emphasize the life of the unborn, teaching our children about the gift and miracle that begins at conception.

Coloring Pages:
One (this is actually Simeon and Anna, but it works!)
Two (Abraham and Sarah, but again, it works.)
Three - A pregnant mama, can easily be turned into Elizabeth.

Holy Trinity Sunday

Today we celebrate the Feast of the Holy Trinity; Creator, Redeemer and Sanctifier.

This Sunday is a good day to teach children about the Trinity of course but also, more about Baptism and making the sign of the cross.

Other Acitivities:

Trinity Coloring Sheets HERE
Trinity Craft for children HERE
Sign of the Cross Worksheets HERE
Wear White
Light Baptismal candles at meal time or on family altar

Food ideas for Trinity Sunday:
Many HERE
A Three Berry Pie see above. You can be creative by decorating this pie with whichever Trinitarian symbol you choose.

Commemoration of Esther

May 24th, the Commemoration of Esther, originally named Haddasah meaning "myrtle".

I thought it would be fun to have these Chocolate-Filled Donut Holes for dessert, the chocolate being "hidden" as Esther hid her identity as a Hebrew.

The story of Esther "is an example of how God intervenes on behalf of His people to deliver them from evil, as here through Esther He preserved the Old Testament people through whom the Messiah would come." from Treasury of Daily Prayer

 

Crafts for kids:

Queen Esther Paper Dolls

 Queen Esther paper plate masks or color printables.

Coloring Pages: 1, 2, 3, 4 

Hymn option for this day: Have No Fear Little Flock LSB #735

Pentecost

And when the day of Pentecost was fully come, they were all with one accord in one place. And suddenly there came a sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting. And there appeared unto them cloven tongues like as of fire, and it sat upon each of them. And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance. And there were dwelling at Jerusalem Jews, devout men, out of every nation under heaven. Now when this was noised abroad, the multitude came together, and were confounded, because that every man heard them speak in his own language.   Acts 2:1-6

No one can say Jesus is Lord but by the Holy Spirit.  1 Corinthians 12:3

 

Pentecost, meaning "fiftieth," marks the completion of Easter.  Fifty days after His Resurrection, Christ sends his Holy Spirit, as He promised, and the Church is born.  

Come, Holy Spirit, God and Lord!
Let all your graces be outpoured
On each believer’s mind and heart;
Your fervent love to us impart.

Lord, by the brightness of Your light,
You in the faith do men unite
Of every land and every tongue;
This to Your praise, O Lord, be sung.

From every error keep us free;
Let none but Christ our Master be,
That we in living faith abide,
In Him with all our might confide.

Lord, by Your power prepare each heart
And to the weakness strength impart,
That bravely here we may contend,
Through life and death to You ascend.

Traditions and Activities

Basic themes include the Holy Spirit, the Church, and Baptism 

• The color of Pentecost is red, suggesting the fire of the Spirit.  Wear red to church or all day!
• "When the Lion shakes his main, then it is Spring" (from Lewis' Chronicles of Narnia).  Christ sends the Holy Spirit, and Pentecost in the West coincides with Spring and fresh greenery.  Many churches used to decorate their altars profusely with greenery and flowers.  
• The Feast of Pentecost is often uniquely associated with water.  In Mediterranean countries people hold "water festivals" on Pentecost.  It would appropriate to have a water-side picnic or walk on Pentecost, since we receive the Holy Spirit at our Baptism (Acts 2:41).  Pentecost in England is called Whitsunday "white Sunday," reminiscent of the white garments catechumens wore to their Baptism on Pentecost.  
• Scatter rose petals on the table to represent tongues of fire.
• Some churches use trumpets in their service to represent to mighty wind.
• Decorate with symbols of the church (pomegranates, arks). In medieval times, families in many parts of Europe would suspend a carved and painted wooden dove over their dining table.

Pentecost Crafts for Kids:

Holy Spirit Paper Plate Dove
Holy Spirit Handprint Dove
Tongue of Fire Crown 
Flying Dove

Coloring Pages:
HERE, HERE and HERE

Cuisine for Pentecost Sunday:
Flames of Fire Cookies
Tongues of Fire Cupcakes HERE and HERE
12 Fruit Salad (RC sites 12 fruits of the Spirit, you can make a 9 Fruit Salad)
Pentecost Pie 
Dove Dinner Rolls
Also serving "Red" or "Spicy" foods is a good idea