What if we decided to do things differently this year? What if we chose not to buy into the rush? To say “no” to the noise, the frantic pace, the manic buying that the world seems to tell us is part and parcel of the season? What if this Advent, we let go of that pressure to do and have more? Imagine what would happen if we slowed down. If, instead of getting swept up in the race to December 25th, we embraced the slower rhythm of the season and opened our hearts to the waiting, the hoping, the preparing. What if we turned our focus inward and upward? What if we spent these weeks of Advent not just counting down but leaning in —to prayer, to stillness, to moments that fill us rather than exhaust us? This Year, Let’s Choose… To Wait Advent invites us to sit with the longing. Instead of rushing ahead, what if we waited with purpose? Every week, every candle, every moment is an invitation to embrace that holy anticipation, knowing that what we’re waiting for— Who we’re waiting for—is worth every moment. To Pray It doesn’t have to be complicated. Prayer can be as simple as sitting quietly with the words, “Come, Lord Jesus.” These small pauses throughout the day, between the busyness, help us to recenter our hearts and invite the peace we’re all craving this season. To Prepare Not our gift lists or our schedules, but our hearts. What do we need to lay down? What do we need to embrace? Advent is the season for preparing our hearts for the miracle of Christmas. To Wonder In the midst of everyday life, Advent is a call to wonder—to reflect on the mystery of Emmanuel, God With Us. What if we let that sense of awe shape the way we see and approach each day? To Serve and Give This season calls us to look beyond ourselves. Small acts of kindness, a listening ear , a meal shared—these simple acts can be gifts that mirror the heart of Jesus. To Hope The beauty of Advent is that it’s full of hope. Every candle lit, every prayer whispered, and every small act of waiting builds that hope in us, reminding us that no darkness is too deep to be overcome by the Light. This Advent, let’s allow ourselves to live out this season intentionally. To savor the waiting, to seek the peace, to bring the hope of Advent into our homes and our hearts. This is what my heart yearns for, and it’s the heart of my Advent guide— The Liturgical Home: Advent —which releases tomorrow. My hope is that it will be a gentle guide for you, filled with devotions, reflections, and practices to walk you through this sacred season. What if we decided to do things differently this year?

If you’ve enjoyed this blog or my Instagram account, then you’ll love my guidebook on Advent! The Liturgical Home - Advent Guidebook , was written to give you everything you need to celebrate the beautiful season of Advent in your home. As a young mom, I wanted to celebrate Advent but I didn’t know where to start. I wanted to know everything about Advent, I wanted the history, I wanted recipes, I wanted traditions and I wanted devotions for every day! I wanted a single book that guided my family through this beautiful season! That’s why I created this book ! In it you will find: 🕯️What are the seasons of the Church? 🕯️What is Advent and why do we celebrate it? 🕯️All of the beautiful traditions from around the world that help us celebrate the season of Advent. From Advent Wreaths to Christmas Stockings, you’ll learn the reason why we celebrate these traditions and how to celebrate them. 🕯️All of the special days throughout Advent. From St. Nicholas’ Day to Las Posadas, you’ll learn why we celebrate these special days along with all of their history, traditions and foods. 🕯️Family devotions for every day in Advent, including the special prayers for the Advent Wreath. 🕯️Traditional recipes from around the world to celebrate these special events. I hope this book will be a huge blessing to you and your family!

Happy first day of October! This is an exciting month in the Liturgical Year as we continue to move through the season of Ordinary Time. October 4th - The Feast of St. Francis of Assisi The first feast of the month is the Feast of St. Francis of Assisi, where we celebrate a rich young man whose life was radically changed through the power of Christ. October  18th - The Feast of St. Luke  On this day we celebrate St. Luke, faithful disciple of Jesus and writer of the Gospel of Luke and the Book of Acts. October  23rd - The Feast of St. James of Jerusalem On this day, we celebrate a remarkable early church leader and the author of the Epistle James. October  28th - The Feast of St. Simon and St. Jude On this day, we celebrate two faithful disciples of Jesus who collaborated in spreading the Gospel and shared martyrdom in distant Persia. October  31st - All Hallows Eve or Halloween The eve of All Saints Day, a beautiful day where we lovingly remember the martyrs and saints who faithfully served the Lord and who have died. Follow along as I share everything you’ll need to celebrate every special day this month, including the history, recipes, and traditions! Helpful Links: The Liturgical Calendar for 202 4-25   Current Season: Ordinary Time Flourishing With the Holy Spirit: Embracing the Season of Ordinary Time   The Season of Ordinary Time   The Feast of St. Francis of Assisi The Best Children's Books on St. Francis of Assisi The Feast of St. Luke How to Celebrate the Feast of St. Luke Pumpkin Muffins for the Feast of St. Luke The Feast of St. James of Jerusalem How to Celebrate the Feast of St. James of Jerusalem The Feast of St. Simon and St. Jude How to Celebrate the Feast of St. Simon and St. Jude All Hallows Eve The Christian Origins of All Hallows Eve (Halloween) Soul Cakes for All Hallows Eve Bones of the Dead Cookies for All Hallows Eve

Christians all around the world have a special bread or treat that they make for All Hallows' Eve and All Saints’ Day. In Portugal they make Pão-por-Deus (Bread for God), in Mexico they make Pan de Muerto (Bread of the Dead), in France they call it Pain des Morts (Bread of the Dead). This bread is often shaped like a coffin or a cross. They make a sweet called Huesos de Santo (Saint's Bones) in Spain. In Austria, they make Allerheiligenstriezel , a sweet braided bread often enjoyed with a cup of coffee or tea. Make Ossa dei Morti or Bones of the Dead. These almond-flavored, bone-shaped cookies are made to honor the deceased and are often enjoyed with a glass of wine. the recipe - Ossa dei Morti or Bones of the Dead 1 cup sugar 1 teaspoon almond extract 1 egg 2 1/2 ounces ground almonds 1/2 cup (4 ounces) all-purpose flour 3/4 teaspoon baking powder Pinch of salt Powdered sugar Instructions Preheat the oven to 325 degrees F. Then line two baking sheets with parchment paper. Whisk together the sugar, extract, and egg in a medium-sized bowl until blended. Stir in the almonds, baking powder, flour, and salt, and stir just until combined. Dump the mixture onto a lightly floured hard surface and gently knead for a minute or two with your hands until smooth. (Dough will be sticky) Divide the dough into three pieces, and roll each into a 1-inch log. Cut the log into 1 1/2-inch to 2-inch pieces, then use your fingers to roll each piece into ropes about 4 inches long. Place the cookies 2 to 3 inches apart on the prepared baking sheets and bake for 10 to 12 minutes or until the cookies begin to brown and the tops feel set when touched with your fingertips. Cool completely, dust with powdered sugar, and enjoy! https://www.italianfoodforever.com/2019/11/all-saints-day-cookies-ossa-dei-morti/

The day is finally here! The Liturgical Home 2024-25 Calendar has launched! This calendar has been such a labor of love and I am so excited to share it with you! It’s going to make celebrating the liturgical year so much easier! Bring the beauty and rhythm of the Church year into your home with this stunning 2024-2025 Circular Liturgical Calendar . Designed to visually guide your family through the Christian year's seasons, this calendar showcases the key feast days, liturgical colors, and holy seasons in a simple, elegant layout. Perfect for families, churches, and schools, this calendar helps you stay connected to the sacred cycle of Advent, Christmas, Epiphany, Lent, Easter, Pentecost, and Ordinary Time. Use it as a daily reminder of the liturgical seasons and a tool to teach children about the flow of the Christian year. The calendar is made from premium matte poster paper and measures 18" X 24" You can also add a magnetic bamboo hanger for easy display and a gold Sharpie to mark off the days after you celebrate them.

It's about time for another giveaway! There are so many good Christian children's books out lately! One that I am particularly excited about is Gathered at the Table: Celebrating Communion by Glenys Nellist. Gathered at the Table is such a sweet book that helps children understand the meaning of communion. It begins with the example set by Jesus at the Last Supper in Jerusalem. It shows readers that even though there are many ways to take communion, the meaning is the same: In communion, we remember the sacrifice Jesus made on our behalf. Ever since Jesus shared bread and wine with his disciples, Christians all around the world gather to celebrate Communion so they can remember this sacrifice, too. There are not many children's books on communion, and I'm excited to have Gathered at the Table to add to my Children's Church collection.   To enter the giveaway, share your favorite thing about communion in the comments. This giveaway is sponsored by the publisher, Zonderkidz, and is open to entrants living in the USA. No PO boxes.

“For everything there is a season” ( Ecclesiastes 3:10 )—I am sure you know the verse well. We are all familiar with it, and yet it is so often misused. People will often quote the verse in response to a bad thing that has happened or a hard time that you are going through. But if you look back at the verses in Ecclesiastes 3 , a world is depicted that involves not only the bad but the good, “a time to mourn” AND “a time to dance” ( Eccl. 3:4 ). The passage goes on to say (and I love this!), that God has made “everything beautiful in its time” and that “He has set eternity in our hearts” ( Eccl. 3:11 ). There is so much more going on here than the mere passage of time with all its joys and sorrows. Here, in Ecclesiastes, we find a call to something more, a call to rise above the everyday passage of time and to embrace God’s time. For Christians, time is much more than just what the Greeks called Chronos – the passing of time as a measurable quantity of days, weeks, and years. Through Liturgical Living; the reading of Scripture, prayer, the celebration of the Eucharist, and the observance of the feast days and fast days, the Chronos is sanctified and becomes Kairos. Kairos is time that is not measured by its duration, but instead by its quality and significance. Liturgical Living reminds us daily that we have been chosen by God to be his people and that it is our relationship with him, and nothing else, that gives our lives significance. When I realized the Church had already created a way for me to enter into God’s time (what the writer of Ecclesiastes was talking about), I got excited. By reordering my family’s life to follow the Liturgical Year and all of its rhythms, everything became full of intention and meaning. Now, when I make a meal for the people in my life, it is no ordinary meal! It is a foretaste of the banquet table that God has prepared for us in heaven. Now, when I decorate my home for the season, it’s not in response to the latest fad, it’s a celebration of the life of Christ. Now, the everyday moments of my life aren’t just everyday moments anymore! They are shaped by the seasons of the Church. And so they are holy. And God is making everything beautiful in its time.

I'm so excited about a new book that just came out! It's called Bake and Pray by Kendall Vanderslice. Here is the description of the book: From God’s provision of manna in the wilderness to Jesus’ miraculous multiplication of loaves, bread functions throughout Scripture as a sign of God’s presence and provision. Professional baker and practical theologian Kendall Vanderslice has spent a lot of time reflecting on the connection between the dough that clung to her hands at work and the bread blessed and pressed into her palm at church, ultimately seeing that they both were tangible reminders that God was with her and that God cared. Weaving baking science and technique together with theological reflections drawn from a wide range of Christian traditions, Kendall will: teach you how to incorporate bread-making into the rhythms of your busy life reveal the ins and outs of bread baking while unlocking the spiritual parallels woven into each loaf provide breadmaking liturgies and historical recipes to bake through a variety of liturgical holidays and seasons show how to incorporate baking as a form of prayer in our lives. As you follow the steps to bake bread―whether you are a lifelong baker or intimidated by the thought of yeast―you will learn something about the character of God and the life of faith. In Bake & Pray , you will get not only a practical understanding of how to bake bread but also receive a deeper appreciation for the ways God can shape you in the process. a look inside the book -

Celebrate the Feast of St. Francis with these simple yet delicious almond cookies! When St. Francis of Assisi was nearing the end of his life, he made a simple request: to enjoy his favorite treat, almond cookies, made by a dear friend. Light, crunchy, and subtly sweet, these cookies use just a few ingredients, reflecting St. Francis’s devotion to living simply. Perfect for sharing with loved ones, these treats are a thoughtful way to honor the beloved saint’s feast day while enjoying a moment of sweetness. Serve them with a cup of tea or coffee for a delightful treat that celebrates faith and fellowship!

On October 4th, the Church celebrates the Feast of St. Francis of Assisi, one of the most beloved and well-known saints in Christian history. His profound love for God, creation, and all living beings continues to inspire millions around the world. Known as the founder of the Franciscan Order and a model of humility and devotion, St. Francis embraced a radical way of life that sought to imitate Christ's simplicity, poverty, and care for the marginalized. On his feast day, we honor his deep connection to God, his love of nature, and his call to serve the poor and vulnerable. The Early Life of St. Francis St. Francis was born in 1181 in Assisi, Italy, to a wealthy family. His father was a prosperous silk merchant, and his mother was a French noblewoman. From a young age, Francis was indulged by his family and enjoyed the luxuries of a wealthy lifestyle. He was charming, witty, and captivated by the cultural trends of his time, including the poetry of the troubadours and the chivalric ideals of knighthood. Francis spent his youth in carefree revelry, known for his fine clothes and lavish spending. However, despite his outward appearance of happiness, Francis began to experience disillusionment with the material world. A turning point came when he encountered a beggar while selling goods in the marketplace. Moved with compassion, Francis abandoned his wares to chase after the beggar, giving him all the money he had. His friends mocked him for this act of charity, and his father scolded him angrily. This moment planted the seeds of a transformation in Francis’s life, though it would take several years for him to fully embrace a new path. In 1202, Francis joined a military expedition against the nearby city of Perugia, but he was captured and spent a year as a prisoner. During his time in captivity, Francis became seriously ill, which led him to reflect on his life’s direction. After his release, he briefly returned to his former lifestyle, but soon began to feel restless and spiritually unsatisfied. In 1205, while preparing to join the army again, he had a vision that caused him to abandon his plans and return home. From that moment, he gradually distanced himself from the pleasures and ambitions of his past life, seeking instead to devote himself fully to God. Francis’s Call to a Life of Poverty One of the most significant turning points in Francis's life came when he visited the dilapidated church of San Damiano, just outside of Assisi. While praying before an ancient crucifix, Francis heard Christ speaking to him, saying, "Francis, go and repair My church, which, as you can see, is falling into ruins." Taking these words literally, Francis sold some of his father’s goods to raise money to repair the church. When the local priest refused to accept the money because it was obtained dishonestly, Francis threw it on the ground and renounced his father’s wealth. Francis’s decision to embrace poverty caused a rift between him and his father, who was furious over his son’s actions. In a dramatic public scene, Francis appeared before the bishop of Assisi and his father, stripped off his fine clothes, and declared that he was no longer his father’s son but a servant of God. From that moment on, Francis lived as a beggar, embracing a life of extreme poverty and humility. For the next two years, Francis devoted himself to repairing the ruined chapels around Assisi. During this time, he also began caring for lepers, an act of compassion that further deepened his commitment to serving the most marginalized and outcast members of society. Founding the Franciscan Order and the Poor Clares As Francis’s reputation for holiness and humility grew, others began to join him in his simple way of life. In 1209, Francis and a small group of followers traveled to Rome to seek the approval of Pope Innocent III to establish a new religious order. The pope initially hesitated but was later convinced by a dream in which he saw Francis holding up the Church. With the pope's blessing, Francis officially founded the Order of Friars Minor, commonly known as the Franciscans. The order was characterized by its commitment to poverty, simplicity, and preaching the Gospel through both words and actions. The Franciscans quickly grew in number, attracting men who sought to live out the radical teachings of Christ. They traveled from town to town, preaching, serving the poor, and relying entirely on the generosity of others for their sustenance. Francis himself refused to own any property or accept money, instead focusing on the spiritual riches found in serving God and His creation. In 1212, Francis’s spiritual influence extended to women as well, when a noblewoman named Clare of Assisi left her wealthy family to follow his example of poverty and devotion. With Francis's guidance, Clare founded the Order of Poor Ladies, later known as the Poor Clares, a community of women who dedicated themselves to a life of prayer, poverty, and service. Together, the Franciscans and Poor Clares embodied the ideals of simplicity, humility, and radical dependence on God. Francis’s Love for Creation One of the most well-known aspects of St. Francis’s legacy is his deep love for all of God’s creation. He saw every element of the natural world as a reflection of God's glory and praised the Creator for the beauty of nature. This love is beautifully expressed in his famous Canticle of the Sun . The Canticle of the Sun , also known as the Canticle of the Creatures , is one of St. Francis of Assisi's most famous prayers, composed toward the end of his life. Written in the Umbrian dialect of Italian, this poetic hymn expresses Francis’s deep love for God and creation. In the Canticle , Francis praises God for the sun, moon, stars, wind, water, fire, and earth, referring to them as his "brothers" and "sisters." The prayer beautifully reflects his belief that all of creation is a reflection of God's goodness and glory, and it calls believers to recognize the sacredness of the natural world. The Canticle of the Sun  is not only a celebration of creation but also a profound expression of Francis’s joyful, humble spirit and his understanding of the interconnectedness of all life under God's care. The Anglican priest William Henry Draper famously adapted into the hymn “All Creatures of Our God and King.” Francis’s love for animals has inspired many stories and legends. One popular tale tells of how Francis tamed a fierce wolf that was terrorizing a village, convincing it to live in peace with the people. Another account describes how Francis preached to a flock of birds, who listened attentively to his words about God’s love. He saw all creatures as fellow servants of God, reflecting His goodness and glory. The Creation of the Nativity Scene Another lasting contribution of St. Francis is the creation of the first nativity scene, a tradition that continues in Christian homes and churches around the world. In 1223, Francis wanted to make the celebration of Christmas more meaningful, so he set up a live nativity scene with animals in a cave near Greccio, Italy. This simple yet powerful display was meant to help people experience the humility and poverty of Christ's birth in a new and tangible way. The tradition of the nativity scene has since become a beloved part of Christmas celebrations worldwide. Ways to Celebrate the Feast of St. Francis of Assisi Attend the Blessing of the Animals : One of the most popular traditions associated with St. Francis is the Blessing of the Animals. Many churches hold special services where people can bring their pets to receive a blessing in honor of St. Francis’s love for all creatures. This joyful event serves as a reminder of our responsibility to care for God’s creation. Prayer and Reflection : On his feast day, consider reading parts of St. Francis’s Canticle of the Sun . These prayers reflect St. Francis’s deep love of God and can inspire us to live with greater humility, compassion, and gratitude for the world around us. If you have children, here's a list of my favorite children's books on St. Francis. Acts of Service : In keeping with St. Francis’s commitment to the poor, consider volunteering at a local soup kitchen, donating to a charity, or offering help to someone in need. Serving others, especially the marginalized, is one of the most meaningful ways to honor his legacy. Enjoying Nature : Spend time outside, whether on a nature walk or simply in your garden, appreciating the beauty of creation. As you do, reflect on how you can better care for the environment, following Francis’s example of stewardship and love for all living things. Eat Almond Cookies : When St. Francis was on his deathbed, he asked a dear friend to bring him his favorite treat, her almond cookies!

Soul Cakes are a traditional Christian baked good, historically made for Allhallowtide. Their primary purpose was as an offering or charity in medieval times. The tradition of making soul cakes was tied to the medieval Christian practice of "souling" — a custom where children, the poor, and others went door to door offering prayers in exchange for food or money. Souling, involved groups visiting local farms and homes, often singing traditional songs requesting apples, ale, and soul cakes. These "Souler's songs" were typically performed in a lamenting tone. Soul cakes, also called soulmass cakes, were small, round cakes resembling shortbread biscuits in appearance and texture, infused with sweet spices. Commonly known simply as "souls," these cakes are handed out to "soulers" — typically children and the poor — who visit houses during Allhallowtide, singing and praying for the souls of those who give the cakes. The practice of "souling" and the distribution of soul cakes were a precursor to modern trick-or-treating. Celebrate Allhallowtide by making soul cakes. They are so easy to make and so good! It’s a great way to learn about the real meaning of Halloween and our beautiful Christian faith. It’s also a great way to talk about mortality, our hope in Christ, and giving to the poor. You could even give them out as an act of love and service! Soul Cakes ¾ cup butter, room temperature 1 cup white granulated sugar 3 egg yolks medium size 3 ¾ cups flour 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon 1/2 teaspoon ginger 1/2 teaspoon cloves 1/2 teaspoon nutmeg. ½ cup raisins 6-7 Tablespoons milk 2 Tablespoons powdered sugar for dusting (optional) Preheat the oven to 350 F. Cream the butter and sugar together in a large bowl. Add the egg yolks and mix again. Sift the flour and spices into the butter/sugar mixture. Gradually add the milk, combining with a spatula until the dough comes together. Transfer the dough to a floured surface. Knead the dough with your hands until well combined. Add half the raisins, and knead them in the dough. Add the rest of the raisins while kneading the dough. Roll the dough with a rolling pin about 1/4 inch thick. Cut the cakes into round shapes using a round cookie cutter. Transfer the cakes to a baking tray, layered with parchment paper. Leave space between the cakes. Cut a cross on each cake. Bake 15-20 minutes until golden. Dust the cakes with powdered sugar.

Tomorrow is the Feast of St. Luke! St. Luke was a Gentile and a physician from the city of Antioch in Syria. He was one of the earliest converts to Christianity (he was converted by St. Paul) and he spent the rest of his life helping to spread the gospel of Jesus. He was a companion to St. Paul on many of his missionary journeys, remaining with him while he was in prison and even until St. Paul’s death in Rome. In the final chapter from 2 Timothy, St. Paul writes, “only Luke is with me.” St. Luke also wrote the Gospel of Luke as well as the book of Acts. His gospel is unique in that it focuses on Jesus as the great consolation. Only in the gospel of Luke do we get the detailed accounts of Zechariah and Elizabeth, the annunciation to Mary, the angelic hosts appearing to the shepherds, the meeting with Simeon and Anna and Jesus as a boy. In Luke we are also given six miracles and eighteen parables, including the parable of the Lost Sheep and the Prodigal Son, which are not included in the other gospels. Because of the details found in the Gospel of Luke, it is thought that Luke interviewed witnesses extensively before writing the gospel. Ways to Celebrate: Paint a picture. St. Luke was said to be a painter. He is believed to be the first icon painter and for this reason artists' guilds across Europe were often named after him. Bake something with sour cream in it. In Scotland it is traditional to eat “sour cakes” on the feast day of St. Luke. “Sour cakes” were baked cakes eaten with sour cream. Make something with beef. The symbol for St. Luke is the ox since the beginning of Luke’s gospel begins with the priesthood of Zachary, John the Baptist’s father, and oxen were sacrificed by the priest. We are making my grandmother's incredible pot roast for dinner! Watch an overview of the Luke/Acts series from The Bible Project Around his feast day, it is known as “St. Luke’s Little Summer” because usually during this time of year a period of summer-like days occurs. In the United States, we refer to this time as an “Indian Summer”. My Grandmother's Incredible Sunday Roast Ingredients: 1 Chuck Roast olive oil 1 bag baby carrots 1/2 bag of potatoes, peeled and cubed 1 can of cream of mushroom soup 1 can of water 1 packet of Lipton onion soup mix salt and pepper Season the chuck roast with salt and pepper. Heat oil in a dutch oven. When shimmery, add roast and sear on all sides. Once the roast is seared, remove dutch oven from heat. Add carrots, potatoes, cream of mushroom soup, a can of water and the soup mix packet. Cover and bake at 350 degrees for one hour. Reduce heat to 250 degrees and continue cooking for four hours.