We have no school for the entire Thanksgiving week! I'm trying to keep things simple so I don't get stressed out but I'm also trying to throw in some things that will be fun and unexpected for my kids. Today I thought I'd make banana muffins before they woke up. Muffins are so easy to make and these are the best banana muffins ever! They are warm and moist and have a little bit of sour cream that really gives them an amazing depth! What’s a simple something that you make that's easy but also brings everyone joy? Best Banana Muffins ½ cup butter 1 cup sugar 2 eggs 1 teaspoon vanilla 1 cup mashed bananas ½ cup sour cream 1 ½ cups flour 1 teaspoon baking soda ½ teaspoon salt Combine the butter and sugar in a mixer. Add eggs, vanilla, bananas and sour cream. Then add flour, baking soda and salt. Beat for one minute. Pour into greased muffin tin. Bake at 350 degrees for 20-30 minutes.

One of my favorite ways to celebrate Advent is with The Advent Wreath. An Advent Wreath is such a wonderful visual symbol to help us mark the passage of time through Advent. On the very first Sunday of Advent, my family collects greenery from our yard, assembles the wreath, and put it in the middle of our kitchen table. The wreath is such a powerful sign to our family that we are joyfully waiting for the coming of our Savior, the Christ Child, as we light a new candle every Sunday night. Everything about the wreath is symbolic and is an excellent teaching tool. The shape of the circle and the evergreens represent eternity. Candles represent a time of preparation and purification as well as the light or presence of Christ. The color of the candles is also symbolic. Violet represents penitence as we prepare our hearts for the birth of our Savior. Blue can also be used instead of violet to symbolize a sense of expectancy. The rose or pink candle represents Mary, the willing servant of God and the mother of our Lord. The white candle represents Christ and is lit on Christmas Eve. Every Sunday night, we gather as a family, have our Advent devotion, sing, “O Come, O Come, Emmanuel” and light the next Advent candle. It builds such anticipation to watch as every candle burns a little more. I love gathering in the evening, lighting the candles, breathing in the smell of evergreens, and reading through the story of our salvation with my family. Make an Advent Wreath from a kit or on your own and hang it from the ceiling or place it in the center of your dining table. I really like a large Advent Wreath so I am giving you instructions and supplies for the one I make. Once you have assembled your wreath, gather your family every Sunday night for Evening Prayer, light the appropriate number of candles and pray through your family devotions. Make Your Own: Large Wreath (16") Supplies Metal Advent Ring (16") 12 inch Advent candle set (three purple and one pink candle) One White Pillar Candle Fresh evergreen branches of your choice (pine, juniper, seeded eucalyptus, cedar, etc.) Pruning Snips Directions Cut and place the greenery around your metal wreath form. Use the ties that are included to attach your greenery. Place your wreath in the middle of your dining or breakfast table. Insert the purple and pink candles into the holders and place them equidistantly around the inside of the wreath. Place the white candle in the middle of the Advent Wreath.

The season of Advent is the special time set aside when Christians around the world prepare for the coming of Jesus. One of my favorite ways to mark the passage of Advent in my home is with a Nativity Set. Nativity Sets serve as a powerful visual reminder that we are drawing ever closer to the birth of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. In order to get the most out of you Nativity Set, set it up in a prominent place in your home so that it is visible throughout Advent. If you have children, make sure you use a set that is very kid friendly so that your children can help set it up and move the figures throughout Advent. Also, make sure that you allow them to play with it throughout Advent. Children learn so much when they are able to interact with play. Most people set their scene up all at once and we had as well until I discovered that traditionally, the nativity figures are set up in a certain way so that it tells the nativity story. Every day, figures are slowly moved to create a sense of anticipation. Mary, Joseph, the donkey and the animals are placed around the empty manger. The shepherds and sheep are further away and the Wise Men are the farthest away. On Christmas Eve, baby Jesus is lovingly added to the manger and the shepherds and sheep gather around. The Wise Men continue to move closer and closer until they finally arrive on the Feast of the Epiphany on January 6. I love this way of setting up our Nativity Set. It is so much more fun for the family! Historical Note - The first nativity scene is credited to Saint Francis of Assisi. On Christmas Eve in 1223, he had the idea to re-create the Nativity Scene using real people and animals. The idea of a nativity scene in one’s own town quickly spread throughout Christendom. Shortly after that, people began constructing large nativity scenes in their homes. As the years passed, the nativity scenes got smaller and now fit on a table or shelf. If you'd like to celebrate Advent in your home with a nativity set, here is a round-up of my favorite ones. Global Crafts Nativity Set $39.99 Fair Trade. Handmade in Kenya with banana leaves. Women in Kenya are taught the art of recycling dried banana fiber to make a sustainable living. Holy Land Olive Wood Nativity Set $38.58 This is the one that we own and I love it. It is indestructible and has such a simple beauty. Hand Carved Olive Wood Children's 12-piece Nativity Set made in the Holy Land. Vineworks Fair Trade 11 Piece Metal Nativity Set $49.00 Fair trade and made of punched tin in Haiti. WONDROUS' DECO Wooden Nativity Set $23.99 A cute mini nativity set. The whole nativity scene measures 11¾'' L x 1¼'' W x 7'' H. The set comes with a wooden house with 11 different figures. Global Crafts Handmade Natural Soapstone Nativity Set $59.99 Each sculpture is artfully hand-carved from a single piece of Kisii soapstone, found only in the hills of southwestern Kenya. Mining the soapstone from surface hills is a labor-intensive process, using little to no machinery. Laborers works with shovels, picks, axes and machetes to carve out large soapstone chucks, which are then carved into beautiful art. Metal Nativity Set 6 Pieces $39.99 ​This nativity scene is handcrafted from cold-rolled steel in Utah. For More Colorful, Toy Options: Fisher-Price Little People Toddler Toy Nativity Set $47.98 Melissa Dan Doug Classic Nativity Set for Kids $47.98

The season of Advent is the special time set aside where Christians around the world prepare for the coming of Jesus. One of my favorite ways to mark the passage of Advent is with a Nativity Scene. Over the years, I have been given sets from all over the world and I absolutely love each one. We have one made from olive wood from Bethlehem and one made from tin. My husband brought back some from his mission trips to Africa and Guatemala. I love them all. They are all so unique and they remind me that we are all part of the body of Christ no matter where we live. Did you know that the first nativity scene is credited to Saint Francis of Assisi? He had it created for Christmas Eve in 1223 and they used real people and animals. The idea of a nativity scene in one’s own town quickly spread throughout Christendom. Shortly thereafter, people began constructing large nativity scenes in their homes. As the years have passed, the nativity scenes have gotten smaller and now fit on a table or shelf. We always set up our scene all at once until I discovered that traditionally, the nativity figures are set up in a certain way. Like an Advent Calendar, figures are slowly added to the scene to create a sense of anticipation. As Christmas Day approaches, Mary, Joseph, and the donkey move closer to the manger where the other animals are waiting. The shepherds and sheep also move closer until they finally arrive on Christmas Eve when baby Jesus is added to the manger. The Wise Men are kept the farthest away and move closer and closer until they finally arrive at the Feast of the Epiphany on January 6. Here is a round-up of some really sweet Nativity Sets that I found. Global Crafts Nativity Set Was $49.99 now on sale for $39.99 Fair Trade. Handmade in Kenya with banana leaves. Women in Kenya are taught the art of recycling dried banana fiber to make a sustainable living. Holy Land Olive Wood Nativity Set $38.58 Hand Carved Olive Wood Children's 12-piece Nativity Set made in the Holy Land. Vineworks Fair Trade 11 Piece Metal Nativity Set $49.00 Fair trade and made of punched tin in Haiti. WONDROUS' DECO Wooden Nativity Set $22.99 A cute mini nativity set. The whole nativity scene measures 11¾'' L x 1¼'' W x 7'' H. The set comes with a wooden house with 11 different figures. Global Crafts Handmade Natural Soapstone Nativity Set $59.99 Each sculpture is artfully hand-carved from a single piece of Kisii soapstone, found only in the hills of southwestern Kenya. Mining the soapstone from surface hills is a labor-intensive process, using little to no machinery. Laborers works with shovels, picks, axes and machetes to carve out large soapstone chucks, which are then carved into beautiful art. Metal Nativity Set 6 Pieces $39.95 + there's a $2 off coupon! ​This nativity scene is handcrafted from cold-rolled steel in Utah.

The season of Advent is the time when we prepare our hearts for the coming of Jesus. It is also a time of great anticipation and joy. Reading special children's books about the season is a great way to prepare their hearts for the coming of Jesus and build a sense of great anticipation. We kept our favorite Advent books in a box in the attic all year long. On the first Sunday of Advent, I would bring the books and place them in a basket in the living room. The kids were always so excited to see these books that had been stored away! They would “ooh” and “aah” and yell, “I remember this one”, or “I love this one” with total delight! Each child would grab their favorite and for the next couple of hours, there would be complete silence as they looked through the books. There were some that we read aloud. There were some that we read together as a family. There were some that they read on their own. Some were particularly Christian and some were just really sweet and fun. Today I am sharing some of my favorite books to use with your children during the season of Advent: The Best Christmas Pageant Ever This is probably my favorite. I read this book to my children every year and, even though I knew what was coming, I always started crying when I got to the end. The Best Christmas Pageant Ever is about the Herdman siblings who are“the worst kids in the history of the world” and how they took over the annual Christmas pageant. It is hilarious but it is also so profound. I always tried to time reading it so that it ended right before Christmas Eve. That way my children's hearts were really open to the true meaning of Christmas. Twas the Season of Advent: Devotions and Stories for the Season of Advent ‘Twas the Season of Advent is a 25-day devotional containing beautiful devotions and stories for you to read with your children during the season of Advent. The Legend of the Candy Cane Did you know that the candy cane has a Christian meaning? I didn't! This is a sweet board book explaining the importance of the birth of Jesus and the Christian roots of how the candy cane was created. Look!: A Child’s Guide to Advent and Christmas Look! A Child’s Guide to Advent and Christmas presents Advent as a special time for waiting and watching—paying attention—to the ways God comes to us. Told from the point of view of a child, the story weaves together familiar Advent traditions like the Jesse tree and the Advent wreath, biblical stories and characters, and reflections on what these stories call us to do and be. This book reassures children of the presence of God in all times and places and invites them to become part of the holy work of making Christ present in the world. The Jesus Storybook Bible Advent Activity Book: 24 Guided Crafts, plus Games, Songs, Recipes, and More This is a fun guidebook filled with crafts, games, recipes, songs, and activities for every day of Advent. The Jesus Storybook Bible Advent Activity Book highlights the significance of the Nativity and the meaning of God’s most precious gift. Great Joy This is such a sweet story! This is a Newberry winner and tells the story of an organ grinder and a monkey who appear outside of a little girl's window right before Christmas. It's a beautiful story about kindness and generosity. Read and Write: The First Christmas From Glenys Nellist comes Read and Rhyme The First Christmas, a sweet lift-the-flap board book that tells the story of Jesus's birth through interactive rhyming and colorful illustrations. Children will enjoy guessing the hidden rhyme that fits into the story and discovering how Mary and Joseph made it to Bethlehem in time for the birth of baby Jesus. Manger A legend describes how, at midnight on Christmas Eve, all creatures are granted the power of speech for one hour. In this beautifully illustrated book, poets imagine what responses they might offer. The poems represent a diverse group of animals, but all come together with one singular purpose: celebrating the joy of the miraculous event. The Legend of the Poinsettia I love anything by Tomie dePaola. He is a Newberry and Caldecott-winning author. In this beautifully illustrated book, he tells how the poinsettia came to be, through a little girl's unselfish gift to the Christ Child. The Night of Las Posadas Another wonderful book by Tomie dePaola. In this book, he tells of Las Posadas, the Mexican tradition in which Mary and Joseph go from door to door seeking shelter at the inn on Christmas Eve. All is Bright: When God Came Down One Silent Night This is a precious board book where we follow Mary and Joseph in a rhyming story built around the lyrics of Silent Night and we discover how the baby born in the manger changed the world. I hope that these books are a blessing to your family and that they help you bring the season of Advent into your home! Do have a favorite Advent book for children that's not on my list? Comment below. I'd love to know what it is!

The season of Advent is the time when we prepare our hearts for the coming of Jesus. It is also a time of great anticipation and joy. Reading special children's books about the season is a great way to prepare their hearts for the coming of Jesus and build a sense of great anticipation. We kept our favorite Advent books in a box in the attic all year long. On the first Sunday of Advent, I would bring the books and place them in a basket in the living room. The kids were always so excited to see these books that had been stored away! They would “ooh” and “aah” and yell, “I remember this one”, or “I love this one” with total delight! Each child would grab their favorite and for the next couple of hours, there would be complete silence as they looked through the books. There were some that we read aloud. There were some that we read together as a family. There were some that they read on their own. Some were particularly Christian and some were just really sweet and fun. Today I am sharing some of my favorite books to use with your children during the season of Advent: The Best Christmas Pageant Ever This is probably my favorite. I read this book to my children every year and, even though I knew what was coming, I always started crying when I got to the end. The Best Christmas Pageant Ever is about the Herdman siblings who are“the worst kids in the history of the world” and how they took over the annual Christmas pageant. It is hilarious but it is also so profound. I always tried to time reading it so that it ended right before Christmas Eve. That way my children's hearts were really open to the true meaning of Christmas. Twas the Season of Advent: Devotions and Stories for the Season of Advent ‘Twas the Season of Advent is a 25-day devotional containing beautiful devotions and stories for you to read with your children during the season of Advent. The Legend of the Candy Cane Did you know that the candy cane has a Christian meaning? I didn't! This is a sweet board book explaining the importance of the birth of Jesus and the Christian roots of how the candy cane was created. Look!: A Child’s Guide to Advent and Christmas Look! A Child’s Guide to Advent and Christmas presents Advent as a special time for waiting and watching—paying attention—to the ways God comes to us. Told from the point of view of a child, the story weaves together familiar Advent traditions like the Jesse tree and the Advent wreath, biblical stories and characters, and reflections on what these stories call us to do and be. This book reassures children of the presence of God in all times and places and invites them to become part of the holy work of making Christ present in the world. The Jesus Storybook Bible Advent Activity Book: 24 Guided Crafts, plus Games, Songs, Recipes, and More This is a fun guidebook filled with crafts, games, recipes, songs, and activities for every day of Advent. The Jesus Storybook Bible Advent Activity Book highlights the significance of the Nativity and the meaning of God’s most precious gift. Great Joy This is such a sweet story! This is a Newberry winner and tells the story of an organ grinder and a monkey who appear outside of a little girl's window right before Christmas. It's a beautiful story about kindness and generosity. Read and Write: The First Christmas From Glenys Nellist comes Read and Rhyme The First Christmas, a sweet lift-the-flap board book that tells the story of Jesus's birth through interactive rhyming and colorful illustrations. Children will enjoy guessing the hidden rhyme that fits into the story and discovering how Mary and Joseph made it to Bethlehem in time for the birth of baby Jesus. Manger A legend describes how, at midnight on Christmas Eve, all creatures are granted the power of speech for one hour. In this beautifully illustrated book, poets imagine what responses they might offer. The poems represent a diverse group of animals, but all come together with one singular purpose: celebrating the joy of the miraculous event. The Legend of the Poinsettia I love anything by Tomie dePaola. He is a Newberry and Caldecott-winning author. In this beautifully illustrated book, he tells how the poinsettia came to be, through a little girl's unselfish gift to the Christ Child. The Night of Las Posadas Another wonderful book by Tomie dePaola. In this book, he tells of Las Posadas, the Mexican tradition in which Mary and Joseph go from door to door seeking shelter at the inn on Christmas Eve. All is Bright: When God Came Down One Silent Night This is a precious board book where we follow Mary and Joseph in a rhyming story built around the lyrics of Silent Night and we discover how the baby born in the manger changed the world. I hope that these books are a blessing to your family and that they help you bring the season of Advent into your home! Do have a favorite Advent book for children that's not on my list? Comment below. I'd love to know what it is!

One of my children’s favorite things to mark our movement through Advent is the Advent Calendar. My children are teenagers now but they still want to take turns pulling out the nativity figures and placing them on their Advent Calendar! Advent Calendars were created in nineteenth-century Germany as a fun way to mark the days of Advent. There are many different kinds of Advent Calendars: ones you hang on the wall or place on a table, ones that are keepsakes that you use every year, or disposable ones that you use and then throw away. Whatever the differences, they are all used in the same way; for each day of Advent, there is either a window or a pouch that is opened and reveals something. They can hold a figure from the nativity scene, a trinket, a piece of candy, a coin, a picture, or a Bible verse. My mother-in-law gave us our keepsake Advent Calendar when we had our first child; I love it! It has brought so much joy to our family and has been so fun for the kids to hang out and play with each year. I have also used the beautiful paper ones that have a scripture behind each flap or a piece of chocolate. They are all fun! Today I am sharing some of my favorite Advent Calendars that can be used with your children during the season of Advent: Pockets of Learning Fabric Advent Calendar $43.95 A keepsake made of fabric with Velcro-affixed stuffed figures which are removed from the pockets and added to the scene each day of Advent. Vermont Christmas Nativity Fabric Advent Calendar $42.99 A keepsake made of fabric with Velcro-affixed stuffed figures which are removed from the pockets and added to the scene each day of Advent. The Wonder of the Greatest Gift On sale now! Regularly $34.99 now $19.99 From Ann Voskamp, open the book to see a 13-inch, three-dimensional Jesse Tree pop up from the page. At its foot are 25 doors, one for each day of Advent, which hide meaningful, beautifully detailed ornaments―including the Christmas star―that are ready to be hung on the tree. Also inside is a simple devotional book with a reading for each of the 25 ornaments. Magnificent Manger Sticker Advent Calendar $5.95 A cute calendar for kids where you add a sticker each day. The Story of Christmas Book Set and Advent Calendar $17.99 This unique advent calendar features 24 jewel-like miniature board books to help children count down to Christmas. Each day from December 1st through Christmas Eve, open a book, just like the peek-a-boo window on an Advent calendar, and then hang it on the Christmas tree by its gold thread loop. Read in sequence, the books tell the magical story of the first Christmas, from Gabriel’s visit to Mary to the Three Wise Men gazing at the star to Jesus' birth. A treasured keepsake to reuse year after year. Journey to the Manger $9.99 From Focus on the Family. Take your family on a fun-filled journey to the manger this Christmas season! Learn more about Bible characters related to the Nativity and help teach your children about the true meaning of Christmas. Dive into each day of Advent with devotions and activities that will engage the entire family. Packed full of fun activities, Journey to the Manger Advent Calendar includes an Advent poster, Bible character stickers, readings, kids’ puzzles, and more! Fabric Advent Calendar With Scripture Cards $30.95 Count down the days 'til Christmas with this family Advent Calendar. The beige fabric calendar hangs on a wooden dowel and features the Nativity scene at the top, and a series of daily pockets below. Attractively colored scripture cards are included for use each day in a special drawstring bag. Read the card and slip it into the pocket until you have read the entire Nativity story by Christmas day. For added fun, place special treats in the pockets, which are sized perfectly for little hands!

One of my children’s favorite things that we use to mark our movement through Advent is the Advent Calendar. My children are teenagers now but they still want to take turns pulling out the nativity figures and placing them on their Advent Calendar! Advent Calendars were created in nineteenth-century Germany as a fun way to mark the days of Advent. There are many different kinds of Advent Calendars: ones you hang on the wall or place on a table, ones that are keepsakes that you use every year, or disposable ones that you use and then throw away. Whatever the differences, they are all used in the same way; for each day of Advent, there is either a window or a pouch that is opened and that reveals something. They can hold a figure from the nativity scene, a trinket, a piece of candy, a coin, a picture, or a Bible verse. My mother-in-law gave us our keepsake Advent Calendar when we had our first child; I love it! It has brought so much joy to our family and has been so fun for the kids to hang out and play with each year. I have also used the beautiful paper ones that have a scripture behind each flap or a piece of chocolate. They are all fun! Today I am sharing some of my favorite Advent Calendars that can be used with your children during the season of Advent: Nativity Fabric Advent Calendar $42.99 A keepsake made of fabric with Velcro-affixed stuffed figures which are removed from the pockets and added to the scene each day of Advent. The Wonder of the Greatest Gift On sale now! Regularly $34.99 now $19.99 From Ann Voskamp, open the book to see a 13-inch, three-dimensional Jesse Tree pop up from the page. At its foot are 25 doors, one for each day of Advent, which hide meaningful, beautifully detailed ornaments―including the Christmas star―that are ready to be hung on the tree. Also inside is a simple devotional book with a reading for each of the 25 ornaments. Magnificent Manger Sticker Advent Calendar $5.95 A cute calendar for kids where you add a sticker each day. The Story of Christmas Book Set and Advent Calendar $17.99 This unique advent calendar features 24 jewel-like miniature board books to help children count down to Christmas. Each day from December 1st through Christmas Eve, open a book, just like the peek-a-boo window on an Advent calendar, and then hang it on the Christmas tree by its gold thread loop. Read in sequence, the books tell the magical story of the first Christmas, from Gabriel’s visit to Mary to the Three Wise Men gazing at the star to Jesus' birth. A treasured keepsake to reuse year after year. Journey to the Manger $9.99 From Focus on the Family. Take your family on a fun-filled journey to the manger this Christmas season! Learn more about Bible characters related to the Nativity and help teach your children about the true meaning of Christmas. Dive into each day of Advent with devotions and activities that will engage the entire family. Packed full of fun activities, Journey to the Manger Advent Calendar includes an Advent poster, Bible character stickers, readings, kids’ puzzles, and more!

GIVEAWAY! 🙌🏼🙌🏼 I’M GIVING AWAY A BRAND NEW COPY OF TWO OF MY FAVORITE ADVENT BOOKS FOR KIDS! I just passed 2,700 followers and I wanted to say “thank you” to all of you! Since Advent is quickly approaching, I wanted to give you two of my favorite Advent books for children. Read and Rhyme: The First Christmas. This is the sweetest book for little children! It is like an interactive Advent Calendar in board book form. It tells the story leading up to Jesus’ birth in rhyme and children are then invited to guess the hidden rhymes under 24 flaps. Twas the Season of Advent: Devotions and stories for the Season of Advent. Twas the Season of Advent is a family devotional containing 25 beautiful devotions and stories for you to read with your children during the season of Advent. The illustrations are precious for each book and they both have wonderful activity packs to go along with them which I’ll share in stories. Enter to win by commenting below with your favorite thing about Advent. I’ll pick a winner on Thursday, November 9th. This giveaway is sponsored by Zonderkidz and is open to US entrants with a physical street address (no PO boxes.)

In the world of Christian children's literature, few authors have captured the hearts of both young and old as masterfully as Tomie dePaola. His stories and illustrations are a treasure trove of faith and whimsy that have become beloved classics in countless households. De Paola's unique ability to blend storytelling with the Christian faith is what sets him apart as an author and illustrator. He has an extraordinary gift for taking the saints and presenting them in a way that is accessible and engaging for young readers. I was so sad to hear of his death in 2020 but recently learned that Ignatius Press had taken his illustrations and compiled them into a new book. "Through the Year With Tomie dePaola," is a delightful compilation of his illustrations and short passages, guiding you through the Liturgical Year. The Liturgical Year is broken down by month, featuring every special day such as feast days for saints or special events in Jesus' life. The book gives a very easy way to incorporate the Liturgical Year in your home. Through the Year With Tomi de Paola A few of my other favorites of Tomie dePaola: "Brother Francis of Assisi": This beloved tale introduces readers to the St. Francis of Assisi, a man whose life was radically changed by Christ and who embraced a life of poverty and a love of nature and his fellow man. "The Clown of God": In this heartwarming story, readers follow the journey of a young juggler named Giovanni who finds his true purpose in life through the gift of selfless love. It's a poignant reminder of the power of using our talents to bring joy to others. "The Legend of the Poinsettia": This Mexican legend tells how the poinsettia came to be, through a little girl's unselfish gift to the Christ Child. "Patrick: Patron Saint of Ireland": Through the life story of St. Patrick, dePaola invites readers to explore the importance of faith, perseverance, and forgiveness. It's a wonderful introduction to the life of this beloved saint.

Happy first day of October! This is an exciting month in the Liturgical Year; we are still moving through the season of Ordinary Time, the longest season of the Church Year. We start with St. Francis' Day where we honor a man whose life was radically changed by the power of Christ, we celebrate St. Luke, the Evangelist, writer of the Gospel of Luke, and the Book of Acts. We also celebrate St. James of Jerusalem, St. Simon, and St. Jude. We October with the celebration of the Vigil of All Saints also known as All Hallows Eve or Halloween. Follow along as I share everything you’ll need to celebrate every special day this month, including the history, recipes, and traditions. Helpful Links: St. Luke the Evangelist Day St. Simon and St. Jude's Day

Today is the feast of St. Simon and St. Jude! It is CRAZY TOWN in the Wallace household today. It is homecoming weekend for my senior and sophomore so we are on overload with float making, football and a dance. We read the prayer for today and I am making…homemade popcorn! That’s celebratory, right? Hey, it’s all I can handle and it’s better than nothing! Moving on to the history of the feast of St. Simon and St. Jude - St. Simon and St. Jude were both disciples of Jesus and later  became “Apostles” or ones sent on a mission to spread the Gospel. St. Simon is referred to as the “zealot” in the Gospels and we know that St. Jude was the brother of James the Less. It was St. Jude that asked Jesus why he revealed himself to so few people and not to the whole world and it was St. Jude who later wrote the letter of Jude in the New Testament. They are celebrated on the same day because they preached the Gospel together in Persia where they were both martyred. Ways to Celebrate Read the letter of Jude in the bible. Make cookies in the shape of gingerbread men to represent St. Simon and St. Jude. Locate the area that used to be Persia on a map and then look at where Israel is. Discuss how far of a distance it would have been to travel by foot or by boat to spread the Gospel. Make homemade popcorn!