So begins the second week of Advent. I hope you are making time for reflection and giving yourself a little peace and quiet throughout all the hustle and bustle of preparing for Christmas. Busyness is not your friend. That leads to burnout.
One of the things I’ve learned through the years is to make lists of everything that I want to accomplish or that I feel needs to get done. Then I spread all my tasks throughout the week or weeks, making sure I don”t have to complete them all in one day. I schedule enough quiet time and time relaxing and hanging out with others. There has to be a balance or you will start to feel tired and exhausted before Christmas even arrives.
Stay focused on what really matters because it’s not about the gifts. You are a gift to others so spend time with them. Spend time with Jesus. Prepare your heart to fully love Him and those He has given to you.
This Advent, I am sending cards to my family and friends. I love Victorian postcards. I found one with the Sacred Heart of Jesus on it and it happened to be made by a gentleman from Dayton, OH back in the1880s. This devotion has 12 promises to those who help to spread the devotion to others.
12 Promises of the Sacred Heart of Jesus
- Give graces
- Peace in their families
- Comfort in trials
- Refuge
- Blessings
- Mercy
- Fervency
- Grow in holiness and perfection
- Bless every place where the image is honored
- Touch the most hardened hearts
- Names will be written in His Heart
- First Fridays, when receive Communion, you will not die in disgrace or without receiving Sacraments.
The history of images and devotions in the Catholic Church is endless and can be overwhelming. Just pick one devotion and do it with all your heart. There’s bound to be something that stirs a passion within you. Happy Advent!
God bless–Barb