Tonight is the Eve of Candlemas! Candlemas is one of the oldest feast days from the ancient Christian church, dating all the way back to the fourth century! It falls exactly forty days after Christmas and wraps up the full celebration of Jesus’ birth. On this special day, we celebrate the Holy Family’s (Joseph, Mary, and baby Jesus) arrival at the temple in Jerusalem. The firstborn had to be consecrated to the Lord and that had to be done at the temple in Jerusalem. Joseph, as the father, was required to give an offering to God in thanks for the birth of his first child. His offering was the offering of the poor which, was a pair of young pigeons. While at the temple, Joseph and Mary were unexpectedly confronted by Simeon the Prophet. Simeon took the infant Jesus into his arms, lifted him up to God, and uttered the most beautiful prophecy: “Sovereign Lord, as you have promised, you may now dismiss your servant in peace. For my eyes have seen your salvation, which you have prepared in the sight of all nations: a light for revelation to the Gentiles, and the glory of your people Israel.” Luke 2:29-32 After Simeon departed, an elderly prophetess named Anna came up to Jesus and she also prophesied. Through these prophecies, we experience another epiphany where Jesus is revealed as the Messiah. Because Jesus was revealed as the light of the world, candles play a huge role in the celebration of Candlemas. Candlemas is a holiday of purification, with the candles representing the purifying nature of light. All of the candles that were used in the house were brought to the local church and blessed on this day. In France the traditional food to eat is crepes. It is said that crêpes, with their golden color and circular form, recall the shape of the sun, evoking the return of spring after a harsh and cold winter. While making the crepes, it is traditional to hold a coin in your writing hand and a crêpe pan in the other. You flip the crêpe into the air and if you manage to catch the crêpe in the pan, your family will be prosperous for the rest of the year. In Mexico, following the church service is a large family feast. Whoever found the bean in their Rosca de Reyes on Epiphany was also in charge of making all of the tamales on Candlemas. In Great Britain, Candlemas Day was the day when people predicted the weather. Farmers believed that the remainder of winter would be the opposite of whatever the weather was like on Candlemas Day. An old English song goes: If Candlemas be fair and bright, Come winter, have another flight; If Candlemas bring clouds and rain, Go winter, and come not again. This practice led to the folklore behind "Groundhog's Day", which falls on Candlemas Day. Ways to Celebrate Read Luke 2:22-40 with your family. Make candles. Put all of your candles on the dining room table and have a feast. Make anything with. a "sunny" color like crepes, pancakes, or tamales. Here's my quick and delicious recipe for pancakes.

We are almost to my favorite season of the church year, Lent! Lent is a beautiful season of preparation in which Christians around the world ready their hearts for the most pivotal moment of our faith, the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. Lent is based on three pillars: prayer, fasting, and almsgiving. During Lent, we fast from anything “of the flesh”, meaning that meat, cheese, butter, sugar, and alcohol are eliminated from our diets. It is a penitential season where we confess our sins and meditate on our need for a savior. Right before we move into Lent, however, there is a brief period of time known as Carnival. The word Carnival comes from the Latin expression, carne levare, or “remove meat.” Carnival is filled with celebration and merrymaking as we empty our larders of all the things we cannot consume during Lent. Carnival ends with a final celebration known as Mardi Gras or Shrove Tuesday. Now, if you are like me when you think of this day you probably envision rich foods, elaborate parades, huge crowds, beads being thrown, and excessive partying and drunkenness. But the day is actually a transition day, moving God’s people from the season of Epiphanytide to the season of Lent. It is a day suspended between two worlds. Yes, It is a day of feasting and using up all of our fatty foods, but it is also a day of confessing our sins and preparing our hearts for the start of Lent. Even in New Orleans where Mardi Gras has become so secularized, there are no parades after 2 pm, honoring the tradition that at sundown, a more penitential time begins. Even if you are a die-hard partier and you continue to hang out in the French Quarter to keep the party going, at midnight the party abruptly ends. There is an elaborate parade but this time it is a parade of police officers walking down the streets, forcefully announcing that the party is over followed by street sweepers that clean the streets. At the stroke of midnight, Mardi Gras is over and Lent has begun. This special day is known by many names: Mardi Gras (Fat Tuesday in French), Pancake Day, or Shrove Tuesday and they all point to the duality of the day. Mardi Gras and Pancake Day point to the feasting traditions associated with the day and Shrove Tuesday points to the penitential acts done on the day. The word shrove comes from the Old English word “shrift” and means to confess one’s sins. Traditionally, on this day, the church bells would ring letting the townspeople know that it was time to go to church to confess one’s sins before Lent began. They would also bring their palm crosses from the previous Palm Sunday where the palms were burned and ground up to be the ashes for the Ash Wednesday service. There are also many food traditions that developed around the world as Christians tried to use up all of the rich foods in their houses. In Mexico and Spain, they make what we call “french toast.” In France, they make King Cake. In the United Kingdom, they make pancakes. In Germany and Poland, they make doughnuts filled with jam or cream. In Ukraine, they make thin pancakes called blini. If you’d like to celebrate this special day with your family, here’s an easy guide: Buy some inexpensive Mardi Gras beads and let your kids decorate your home with them. They can hang them from the chandelier or off of the dining room chairs. Let your kids dress up. They can make Mardi Gras masks and wear as many Mardi Gras beads as they want! Let them have fun! Make rich foods like pancakes, King Cake, or doughnuts. Use up all of your meats like sausage and bacon. Put out colored sugar, whipped cream, chocolate chips, syrup, or whatever you want. You are trying to create merriment and joy so let them feast and let them have fun! We are celebrating the goodness of the Lord! Let your kids have a pancake race! In England, the tolling of the bells became known as the pancake bell because it was time to have your pancakes cooked up. In Olney, England, legend has it that a woman was so busy making pancakes for Shrove Tuesday that she lost track of time and was still flipping her pancakes when the church bells began to ring for the start of the church service. In a hurry to get to the church on time, she ran out of her house while still carrying the frying pan and flipping the pancakes. That is why England holds pancake races on Shrove Tuesday. Give your kids cool pans with already-cooked pancakes. Have them race a course as they flip their pancakes. After you are done feasting and your kids are ready for bed, gather together and transition into a time of prayer. Explain to your children that you are now entering a new time, a time set aside to prepare our hearts for Easter. This special time is called Lent. Explain to them that your family will mark this time by making some changes to your lives. As a family, you will be changing how you eat, you will be praying more together, reading the bible more together, and collecting alms for the poor. Spend some time allowing them to talk about or think about what they want to give up during Lent. Close your time by reading Isaiah 25:6-9 together. Easy Fluffy Pancakes 1 egg 3 TBL butter, melted 1 cup flour 1 TBL sugar 1 tsp baking soda ½ salt 1 cup buttermilk Melt the butter. When cool, blend in the egg. In a separate bowl, whisk together the dry ingredients. Add the egg, butter and buttermilk to the dry ingredients. Whisk until smooth. Heat a griddle to medium low heat. Melt 1 tsp of butter in the griddle. Pour out batter making small circles. Flip when golden brown. Drizzle with honey or syrup. Makes 2-3 servings.

Happy first day of February! This is a huge month in the Liturgical Calendar! On February 2, we celebrate the final feast of the season of Epiphany, the Feast of the Presentation of Jesus or Candlemas is the day that we celebrate Jesus revealed as the "light of the world." Then we have Ash Wednesday, and a whole new season begins, Lent. The season of Lent emerges as a profound and transformative journey. It is a journey that prepares us for the most miraculous event in our lives, the death and resurrection of Jesus. In a culture that frequently prizes instant gratification and superficial pleasures, Lent calls us to something deeper, something more enduring. It’s a call to look inward, to confront our weaknesses, and to embrace the grace that is so freely offered to us in Christ. Get ready! It's a busy month but an incredible month. Let us embrace it with wonder and awe! Follow along as I share everything you’ll need to celebrate this special month, including the history, recipes, and traditions. Helpful Links: The Feast of the Presentation of Jesus Celebrating Shrove Tuesday or Mardi Gras The Season of Lent How to Celebrate Ash Wednesday Making Pretzels for Ash Wednesday Why is Purple the Color of Lent?

As we move into the season of Epiphany, we find ourselves surrounded by the liturgical color green, a hue that symbolizes growth, life, and the ever-present hope we have in the Lord. This season, a special and meaningful activity could be to plant paperwhites. These beautiful, white flowers not only align with the themes of Epiphany but also offer a tangible way to reflect on and participate in the themes of this liturgical season. Watching their growth from bulb to blossom mirrors our spiritual journey, especially during Epiphany. As these bulbs transform, they remind us of the revelation of Christ to the world and the continuous growth in our faith. It’s also a wonderful way to introduce children to the concepts of growth and renewal in a tangible, hands-on way. Paperwhite Instructions: paperwhite bulbs (You can find these at most nurseries. I ordered mine online.) container (I had several ceramic pots in my garage but you could even use a ceramic kitchen bowl.) potting soil Select a container. Fill it with potting soil and nestle the bulbs in the potting soil, making sure that only 1/3 of the bulb is covered. Water your paperwhites gently, just enough to moisten the soil without overwatering. Continue watering only when the soil is dry. You don't want to overwater paperwhite bulbs or they will rot. Bringing it All Together As you care for them daily, let this be a time of prayer and reflection with your family. Each day, as you watch the green shoots emerge and grow, consider how the Lord is cultivating growth and hope in your life. This daily act becomes a living metaphor for nurturing your faith. Our growth in the Lord, like the growth of a paperwhite, is gradual but filled with beauty and wonder.

I have always loved the start of the new year! Goal setting and resolutions have always been two of my favorite things! As soon as January 1st hit, I was ready with my planner and a stack of articles on having a more productive year. I couldn’t wait to sit down and plan, plan, plan. I would think about what I wanted to achieve, break it down into actionable steps, write it all down, and then get busy on achieving my goals! But here’s the problem: I never prayed about those goals or achievements of mine, which never involved my relationship with God or with the people I cared about. My goals were solely focused on myself and any business I had going on at the time. They were shallow and often led to burn-out. Once, I started praying before making my goals for the year, my goals became more deep and fulfilling. Here are some of the most important things that I have learned through the years about goal setting: Before you make any goals, take some time to sit down and pray. Ask the Lord to be present and to guide you in your goal-making for the year. Imagine yourself, your marriage, each child, and each person that is dear to you. It’s amazing how God will center you during this time. He always reveals what is truly important and gives you wisdom and insight as well as guidance with those relationships. Use a Christian planner to help you in your journey. These journals use scripture and guided questions to help you prayerfully figure out what’s most important in your life. These are two that I love - here and here. I just learned about “anti-goals.” I had never heard of this term before but I love it. Rather than setting goals that focus on what you want to achieve, anti-goals are about avoiding things you don't want in your life. For instance, a goal would be, “I want to make $10K more than what I made last year.” An anti-goal would be, “I am not willing to sacrifice family time to get there.” I wish that I had known about anti-goals a long time ago. It would have been incredibly helpful as a guide! I hope these insights help you as you set any goals for the year. What have been the most valuable lessons that you have learned about goal setting?

Epiphany began at sundown on Twelfth Night and continues throughout the next day. On this day, we celebrate the long journey that the wise men made and their final arrival to the child Jesus. In the gospel of Luke, we are told that wise men came from the east to Jerusalem, looking for the one born to be the King of the Jews. They announced that they had seen His star and had come to worship Him. When King Herod heard this, he was troubled and felt threatened as the king. He asked the wise men to go and find the child and bring it back to him. The wise men followed the star as it went before them until the star stopped where the young child was. When they arrived at the home they rejoiced with “exceedingly great joy. They went into the home, saw the young child, and fell down and worshipped Him. Then they presented the child with their treasures; gold, frankincense, and myrrh. The church recognizes this beautiful moment as an epiphany. An epiphany is a revelation that happens suddenly and it reveals something’s true nature or meaning. It was in this moment that God’s plan for salvation through Jesus is revealed to the world beyond the Jews. Through the wise men’s visit we see that through Jesus, God’s plan of salvation is meant for everyone. Ways to Celebrate Read Matthew 2:1-12. Sing “We Three Kings of Orient Are”. As you sing, bring your nativity wise men and place them around baby Jesus lying in the manger. After the adoration of baby Jesus, go to your front door and write the initials C, M, and B in chalk along the top of your door. The initials are said to stand for the names of the wise men: Caspar, Melchior, and Balthasar, or “Christ, bless this house” in Latin (Christus mansionem benedicat). The initials are then surrounded by the current year and separated by crosses (20+C+M+B+23). Make a Twelfth Night Cake (also known as King Cake, Galette de Rois, or Rosca de Reyes). Depending on the country, it is a simple cake with a dried bean inside. Whoever finds the bean in their piece of cake is crowned king or queen for the night and might also have duties assigned to them at a later celebration. We tried a different recipe for our King Cake this year and it was so good! The bread was moist and light with such a good orange flavor. It was a hit! Rosca de Reyes 1/2 cup of warm water 1 Envelope or 2 ¼ teaspoons of active yeast 4 cups all-purpose flour plus 2 or 3 Tbsp. more for dusting ¾ cup of sugar 3 large whole eggs 3 egg yolks mixed with 4 Tablespoons of milk ¼ teaspoon salt 2 Tablespoons orange water 1 ½ stick unsalted butter softened Freshly grated orange zest from one orange 1 plastic baby doll or a dried bean Sugared Oranges: Thinly sliced oranges 1/2 cup sugar Enough water to cover the orange slices Glaze: 1 egg beaten for glazing the bread 1 tablespoon whole milk or water White sugar to sprinkle on top of the bread 2 or 3 plastic baby dolls To make the sugared oranges, thinly slice oranges and then cut them in half. Place in a saucepan with water and sugar and bring to a boil. Reduce to a low boil and cook for 30 minutes. Drain the orange slices on a cookie rack and allow to cool. To make the bread, put your lukewarm water into a bowl, and sprinkle with yeast. Stir with a fork until yeast has dissolved, then let stand until foamy, 5 to 10 minutes. Stir in ½ cup of the flour, and cover the bowl with plastic wrap. Let stand in a warm place until doubled in bulk, about 25 minutes. In the meantime, mix flour, eggs, egg yolks, sugar, orange extract, orange zest, salt, and butter in a large bowl. Mix until crumbly. Add yeast mixture to the bowl and mix. It will be very sticky but manageable, add flour if needed. Place on a lightly floured surface and start kneading until you have a smooth dough. It will take about 15-20 minutes to get these results or 7 minutes in a stand mixer. DO NOT add too much flour to your working area, the texture should be very soft, sort of wet but manageable. If you add more flour than needed your bread will be dry. Once your dough is smooth and soft, place in a buttered bowl, and cover with buttered plastic wrap. The dough must be wet and elastic. Let dough stand in a warm place until doubled in volume, about 1 and ½ hours. If the dough doesn’t double in volume after this time let it rest longer. After the first resting period. Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured surface, and knead a few times, then shape it into a round cushion and make a hole in the middle to shape it into a large ring. Transfer to a greased-rimmed baking sheet, and loosely cover with buttered plastic wrap. Let rise in a warm place for 45 minutes or more until almost double in volume. Gather all your decorations and the egg wash. For the egg wash whisk the remaining egg with milk or water. Preheat oven for at least 20 minutes before baking at 375 degrees, with rack in the lower third. Brush the dough with the egg wash two times for a golden crust. Place the sugared orange slices around the ring, pressing them gently into the dough. Sprinkle with sugar and bake for 10 minutes. Reduce heat to 350 degrees and bake for 10 more minutes until bread is a nice golden brown color. Depending on your oven it will require more time. Transfer the bread to a wire rack to cool. After the bread has cooled insert the plastic baby doll or bean from the bottom of the bread. Do not forget to let your guests know that there is a baby toy or bean inside the bread. The bread can be stored in an airtight container for up to 3 days.

The Feast of Epiphany is coming up on January 6th. On this day, we celebrate the long journey that the wise men made and their final arrival to the child Jesus. The church recognizes this beautiful moment as an epiphany. An epiphany is a revelation that happens suddenly and it reveals something’s true nature or meaning. It was at this moment that God’s plan for salvation through Jesus was revealed to the world beyond the Jews. Through the wise men’s visit we see that through Jesus, God’s plan of salvation is meant for everyone. One of my favorite ways to celebrate the Feast of the Epiphany is with children's books. Reading books about The Wise Men and their encounter with Jesus is such an easy and fun way to help our children learn about our faith. Today I am sharing some of my favorite books about the Wise Men and their story. I hope they are a blessing! The Story of the Three Wise Kings by Tomie de Paola Tomie de Paola is a master storyteller and illustrator. Y'all know by now that he is one of my favorite authors! The Last Straw by Fredrick Thury This is a cute take on the classic story told through the eyes of a grumpy camel who is tasked with carrying the Wise Men's gifts. He complains about his sciatic and gout but in the end, he realizes the great honor of his task and never again is there a burden too heavy for him to carry. We Three Kings by Gennady Spirin This book is so lovely! The words of the beloved Christmas carol, We Three Kings, are combined with illustrations by the internationally renowned artist, Gennady Spirin.

Jesus, the Light of the World, has entered our lives, heralding a time of great joy! To honor this significant event, a twelve-day feast, known as Christmastide, is observed. This season is marked by feasting, joyous gatherings, singing carols, leisurely strolls, and Christmas cookies! Today I'm sharing one of my favorites, Lemon Butter Cookies. They are so easy and fun to make and are absolutely delicious! 2 sticks unsalted butter, room temperature 2/3 cup confectioner's sugar 2 large egg yolks, room temperature and divided pinch of salt 2 teaspoons vanilla zest of 1 to 1 1/2 lemons 2 cups all-purpose flour 1/2 cup sugar for coating Beat butter until smooth. Add confectioner's sugar and beat until silky. Beat in 1 egg yolk (only 1!), then salt, vanilla, and lemon zest. Reduce speed to low and gradually add the flour. Beat just until incorporated. Turn the dough out onto a surface and divide in half. Wrap in plastic wrap and refrigerate for 30 minutes. Form each half into a log 1 to 1 1/4 inches in diameter. Wrap in plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 2 hours. May be refrigerated for up to 3 days. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Place the upper rack in the the upper 1/3 of the oven and bottom rack in the lower 1/3. Line 2 baking pans with parchment and set aside. Whisk remaining yolk, brush logs with yolk, and then roll in sugar. Slice 1/4 inch thick. Bake until set 12 to 14 minutes.

Good Friday is our most solemn day of the church year. It is the day that we remember Jesus’ crucifixion and death on the cross. Good Friday is one of the oldest days of remembrance in the Christian church. The origins can be traced back to Jerusalem during the 4th century. An account is given by a pilgrim named Egeria who traveled to Jerusalem during Holy Week. The actual cross that Christ was crucified on was processed through the streets to Golgotha and then venerated (honored greatly) by the followers of Christ. As Christians, Good Friday is our most sorrowful day. On this day, we remember the crucifixion and death of Jesus, our Lord. The mood is somber as we silently reflect upon the last hours of Our Lord’s life. . O ye people who pass by on your journey, behold and see, Look upon me: Could there be any sorrow like unto my sorrow? Behold and see, all ye people come, give heed, And consider my grief and sorrow. -O Vos Omnes by Tomas Luis de Victoria On Good Friday, we honor the Cross and recognize that we have been given the gift of eternal life through the death and resurrection of Jesus. Good Friday is a day filled with silence, reflection, and simplicity. It is a time to reflect on the suffering and death of Christ and what that means in our lives. May we never forget all that Jesus was willing to suffer so that we might live eternally with Him! Ways to Celebrate Good Friday If you can, attend the Good Friday service at your church. Services are usually held at midday, the hour that Jesus was crucified. If your family cannot attend the service, have a devotional reading and prayer reflecting on the sufferings of Christ. Observe a fast on this day. This is a major fast day for the Church. Traditionally, no meat or alcohol is consumed. Many choose to observe a complete fast from all food and drink, except water. If a complete fast cannot be observed, try to eat very small and bland meals that require no cooking. In Germany, a traditional Good Friday meal is big, soft pretzels and hard-boiled eggs. Traditionally, Hot Cross Buns may be eaten after the Good Friday service. Hot Cross Buns originated at Saint Alban’s Abbey in 1361. The buns were distributed by the monks to the poor. They are cut or iced with the sign of the cross and are traditional fare on Good Friday. Observe intentional silence between the hours of 12 - 3 pm. These are the hours of Christ’s suffering and death on the cross. It might be hard for children to be quiet for so long. Give them activities that will help them to stay calm and quiet. Have your children build a garden of Joseph of Arimathea in the backyard. Just like Joseph of Arimathea provided his tomb for Jesus, have your children make a tomb. They can construct it with sticks, leaves, and dirt, making sure to build a tomb with a large opening to roll a stone across or a cardboard disk across. Walk the Stations of the Cross with your family. Many churches have the Stations of the Cross set up around the church property for you to walk as a devotion. Some churches offer a Stations of the Cross service on this day. If you cannot physically walk the Stations, read the account of the Passion of Jesus found in John 18:1-19:42 with your children. Have your children draw the Stations of the Cross. Set the day's tone by trying to make Good Friday a day with no TV, video games, music, computer, or other modern distractions at home or in the car to create a solemn atmosphere. (Remember to warn your children the day before of what you are planning to do so they will be prepared!) Watch a film about Jesus as a family and listen to recordings of sacred music. Put a large simple cross made of sticks on your front door or black crepe. Shroud all of your crosses in black fabric. Have everyone wear black for the day. Explain to your children that we are in deep mourning as we remember Christ’s suffering and death. At the end of the day, make a shrine for a cross by laying it on a pillow. Gather around the cross with your family and discuss why Christ died for us and what it means for us that he did. Family Devotion for Good Friday Begin your devotion time with the following invitation to prayer: Leader: The Lord be with you. People: And also with you. Leader: Let us pray. Opening prayer: Great God, look down upon your family with mercy: a family Jesus loved so much that he was willing to be betrayed and suffer death upon the cross. Help us give ourselves to you as freely as you gave yourself. We pray this in Jesus’ holy name. Amen. Read John 18:1-19:42 Discuss. Why was it important that Jesus suffer and die? Jesus obeyed God, even to suffering and death. Through Jesus’ obedience, he made the offering to God that we could not make; in him, we are freed from the power of sin and death and brought back to God. 2) What do we mean when we say that Jesus descended to the dead? We mean that Jesus went to everyone that had died before him and offered them freedom from the power of evil, sin, and death (redemption). Close with a prayer thanking God for his goodness and asking for his guidance and protection for you and all who are in any need or trouble. End your devotion by saying the Lord’s Prayer together. Have a blessed Good Friday! Helpful Links: Hot Cross Buns for Good Friday Quick and Easy Pretzels

Today is St. John’s Day! St. John was a simple fisherman from Galilee. Along with his brother James, John became a faithful disciple of Christ. He is the only one among the Apostles who was at the cross when Jesus died. While at the cross, he was asked by Jesus to take care of Mary. He is believed to be the writer of the gospel of John, the letters of John, and the book of Revelation. Legend has it that he traveled with Peter in Judea and then went on to Asia Minor where he founded the seven churches which are mentioned in Revelation. For the rest of his life, St. John faithfully preached the gospel and was eventually exiled to the isle of Patmos. He is the only disciple who did not suffer a martyr's fate. A great theme surrounding St. John’s ministry and his writings is the love of Christ. St. John writes in 1 John that “God is love, and all who live in love live in God.” He always refers to himself as the “beloved disciple” and St. Jerome wrote that every time St. John was asked to preach he would stand before the crowd and say, "Love one another. This is the Lord's command.” What a profound and simple message! In keeping with this theme of love, the day is celebrated with the St. John’s Cup. Legend is that once, at a feast, St. John’s enemies presented him with a cup of poisoned wine. Before St. John drank from the cup, he made the sign of the cross. Immediately, the cup split and the poisoned wine spilled out and St. John was saved. In memory of this event, we have the tradition of the St. John’s Cup. On this day, people would bring their house wine to the church and the priest would bless it. That night, the family would gather for the main meal and everyone would be given a glass of the blessed wine. The father would begin the celebration by having everyone stand with their glass of wine. He would touch his glass to his wife’s glass, look her in the eye and say, “I drink to you the love of St. John.” The mother would then reply, "I thank you for the love of St. John" and they both would take a sip of wine. The mother would then turn to the oldest child, and say, “I drink to you the love of St. John.” The oldest child would then answer, "I thank you for the love of St. John" and they would both take a sip of wine. The oldest child then turned to the next oldest child and the pattern was repeated until the youngest child faced the father, repeated the phrase, and the family circle was closed. The remaining wine would be stored away and used when a family member was sick (1 Timothy 5:23) or a time of grand celebration. Also, if a family member was about to take a trip, a few drops of the blessed wine were added to each wine glass and the whole family would drink again "the love of St. John.” Immediately after a wedding ceremony, the newlywed couple also drank to each other the love of St. John. Celebrate the day by making your own St. John’s Wine and having your own The Cup of St. John Ceremony. Devotion for St. John’s Day and a Blessing of the Wine Light a candle and begin your devotion time with the following invitation to prayer: Leader: Our help is in the name of the Lord. All: Who has made heaven and earth. Leader: The Lord be with you. All: And also with you. Leader: Let us pray. Lord, we pray that you would bless and consecrate this cup of wine, and every drink. We pray that all who believe in You and drink of this cup may be blessed and protected. Blessed John drank poison from the cup and was in no way harmed. So, too, may all who this day drink from this cup in honor of Blessed John, be freed from every sickness and harm. All: Amen. Leader: Bless, O Lord, this wine which You have made. May it be a healthful refreshment to all who drink of it. And grant by the invocation of Your holy name that whoever tastes of it may, by Your generosity receive health of both soul and body, through Christ our Lord. All: Amen Read Revelation 21:1-5 “Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and there was no longer any sea. I saw the Holy City, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride beautifully dressed for her husband. And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Look! God’s dwelling place is now among the people, and he will dwell with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God. ‘He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.” He who was seated on the throne said, “I am making everything new!” Then he said, “Write this down, for these words are trustworthy and true.” Close with a prayer thanking God for his goodness and asking for his guidance and protection for you and all who are in any need or trouble. End your devotion by saying the Lord’s Prayer together. St. John's Wine 1 quart red wine 3 whole cloves 1/16 teaspoon ground cardamom 2 two-inch cinnamon sticks 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg 1/2 cup sugar Pour the wine into a large saucepan. Add the remaining ingredients. Boil for 5 minutes (at this point the alcohol will be pretty much evaporated). Serve hot.

Today is Good Friday. Good Friday is our most solemn day of the church year. It is the day that we remember Jesus’ crucifixion and death on the cross. Good Friday is one the oldest days of remembrance in the Christian church. The origins can be traced back to Jerusalem during the 4th century. An account is given by a pilgrim named Egeria who traveled to Jerusalem during Holy Week. The actual cross that Christ was crucified on was processed through the streets to Golgotha and then venerated (honored greatly) by the followers of Christ. As Christians, Good Friday is our most sorrowful day. On this day, we remember the crucifixion and death of Jesus, our Lord. The mood is somber as we silently reflect upon the last hours of Our Lord’s life. . O ye people who pass by on your journey, behold and see, Look upon me: Could there be any sorrow like unto my sorrow? Behold and see, all ye people come, give heed, And consider my grief and sorrow. -O Vos Omnes by Tomas Luis de Victoria On Good Friday, we honor the Cross and what it means in our life - that we have been given the gift of eternal life through the death and resurrection of Jesus. May we never forget all that Jesus was willing to suffer so that we might live eternally with Him!

We are in the last week of Advent which means it's time to start making your Christmas treats! One of my family's favorites is this Remarkable Fudge. It is so easy to make and it is mind blowing! (The marshmallow creme takes it over the edge!) It is creamy and smooth and so decadently rich! We make it to give as gifts to friends and teachers and we keep a plate of it on the kitchen counter as a special treat for Christmas. Remarkable Fudge 4 cups sugar 1 12-ounce can evaporated milk 1 cup butter 1 12-ounce package semi-sweet chocolate chips 1 7-ounce dark chocolate or milk chocolate candy bar 1 7-ounce jar of marshmallow creme 1 teaspoon vanilla Line a 13x9x2 inch baking pan with foil, extending the foil over the edges of the pan. Butter foil; set aside. Butter the sides of a heavy 3-quart saucepan. In saucepan combine sugar, evaporated milk, and butter. Cook and stir over medium-high heat till mixture boils. Reduce heat to medium; continue stirring for 10 minutes. Remove pan from heat. Add chocolate pieces, broken-up chocolate bar, marshmallow creme, and vanilla. Stir till everything melts and mixture is combined. Beat by hand for one minute. Spread in the prepared pan. When fudge is firm, use foil to lift out of pan. Cut fudge into small squares.