What was it like that very first Christmas? Cold, dark, ***** and smelly, but through all of that, the shining light, the fire of the Holy Spirit and the one who would reach through our dirtiness and smelliness to cleanse the world was born. There was peace, there was joy, there was love and most of all there was hope. Shepherds came from the fields nearby who, upon seeing the star and hearing the heaven's proclaim the good news of great joy, came swiftly to pay homage to the baby king. Born so low so to connect with us and our humanity and in order that he might one day be raised so as to raise us up to more than we can be. The journey to Bethlehem was long and hard. Did you know, did you have any idea what was going to happen to your baby boy? All that he was to do and all that he had to suffer? All of this happened so quickly. There wasn't any time to process any of it. Thinking about t, I am so overwhelmed and I didn't even go through it. But you, a young simple girl, kept all these things and silently reflected on the in your heart. How often do we hear news of something good or bad and simply react without thinking? Or how many of us take the time after a retreat, after being on the mountaintop with God, take the time to keep all these wonderful powerful moments and reflect on them in order to bring them with us back to the valley of our everyday lives? How many of us take the time to reflect on what we learned and try to apply that to our lives and help us to mature and grow as your son did at the home in Nazareth in stature and favor with both God and man? Mary, mother of God, help us to imitate your example and pause for a few moments to take in all that is around us and reflect on these things in our hearts and in our lives. Be with us, pray for us, and hold us in your arms and close to you always. We love you Mary. Thank you for your "Yes" and your incredible faith. May we have the grace and strength and courage to do the same. We ask this and all things through Christ our Lord, AMEN.

A new year is upon us, another time around the sun
A year full of faith and fellowship and fun
A year of family and friends and joy and dreams
Laughter and tears, hopes and fears.
Every year there is a cause for hope for things to come and things to change
Some things we do differently, but most just stay the same.
This year is  a year of Hope! A year to believe in miracles and dreams
A time to walk by faith and not by sight; to quest for the unseen.
It is a year of big things happening, changes great and small
The year may not reveal all the answers, but leads us all to hope.
Hope for families, hope for peace, hope for jobs, for freedom and release
If we come together in love and unity
We can make this world a little better and a little brighter than when it first arrived
Come to the water, let it wash over you and take the dive.
The spirit is moving swiftly and roaring like a lion
Stirring our hearts and starting fires in our souls
Breathing the spark of life back into these flickering coals.
Dry bones will come alive and the earth itself shall cry out
And God's people will have no doubt:
He is Risen, He is Alive, we have been set free
And that knowledge alone is Hope enough for me!

Amen!

Trumpets will play at the sound of your name
All of creation will echo the same
Angels will sing out the praise of the king
Victor over sin and death; let freedom ring!
Shining star, Lord of Lords and Prince of Peace,
We come to you now. Let hope arise and faith increase.
Holy Holy Holy is the Lord God of Hosts,
Sharing in perfect communion: Father Son and Holy Ghost.

Hail Mary our Mother, how great was your "Yes"
Through your faith, and we are blessed.
Comfort and protect us oh Mother of ours
Be near us and save us. Before you, evil cowers.

Oh Joseph most Holy, be with us this day;
In our obedience and adherence to do as Jesus says.
May our hands and our feet be gentle yet strong,
Guide us and teach us as we walk along!

AMEN!

When we hear Jesus say "I give you this day" that's Amore
When I'm having a blast Jesus says "Not so fast" that's Amore
When I just want a drink Jesus says "Stop and think!" that's Amore
When I look up above and trust in Your love (that's Amore) X3

There is a place where mercy flows
A place where an eternal garden grows
There is a land of love and truth
Where the lame walk and the old become as youth

You are the River of Life
A stream that flows down from on high
Washed by the love that comes from above
Eternal spring from the father

Come dance in the meadows
Come sing to the wind
Come shout from the mountains
And laugh joyously

Come to the place of forgiveness and grace
Come to the place of healing and rest
Come feel the warmth of a tender embrace
Come to be healed and come to be blessed

You are the River of Life
A stream that flows down from on high
Washed by the love that comes from above
Eternal spring from the father

L is for the way He looks at me

O is for overdoing it by myself you see

V is very, very changed maybe

E is trusting Him with everything and God's Got This

LOVE for you and me

I am a pencil in the hand of a writing God
I am the paint with which he colors the world
I am the voice he uses to sing his song
Praise and thanksgiving in daily living
Prayer to the God of this whole universe
He is the author creator healer
The spirit is moving can you feel her?
Composing a beautiful melody
When we come together it's plain to see
The one who created the heavens and earth
Gave up his life to show us our worth
The same one who made the mountains and seas
Lives in the hearts of you and me
He loves us so much calls us each by name
God first loved us so we might do the same
Build up the Kingdom of God and let his will be done
We are all his adopted children let your lives shine like the sun