Yesterday, I shared all about the use of incense. I know that incense can be a controversial topic. Either we are completely opposed to it but we don't know why or we love it but we don't know why! In my post on incense (read here), I shared the biblical history of incense, why the ancient Israelites used it, what it means, and why Christians still use it to this day. The use of incense is such a beautiful liturgical tradition that has profound symbolism and makes the spiritual tangible. Incense transforms a space from secular to sacred in a way that we can see and smell. As you see the smoke of incense rising in the church or in your home, as you smell the smell of frankincense or myrrh, we are made physically aware that we are in a sacred space, that God is with us, and that our prayers are rising to him. I love using incense in the home for these very reasons. How cool is it that when we sit down to pray, we can also light incense as a way to set apart the time as sacred? As the smoke wafts up and around us, we are keenly aware that God's Holy Spirit is with us, and as we pray, we are reminded that our prayers, like the incense, are rising to the Lord and that it is a sweet smell to Him. Supplies An incense burner $18.95 Incense tongs $4.95 Charcoal (I purchased a 3-pack for $5.95 but you could get a single roll for $1.95) Incense (I purchased the "Staff Favorites Sampler Pack" for $24.95 because I thought it would be fun to experience the different kinds but you can also get frankincense or myrrh for as low as $1.95 a bag) Matches or some sort of candle lighter Note: If you have allergies or are afraid that the smoke might be too much, they also sell a "smokeless incense starter kit." Instructions Place your incense burner where you want it. Hold a charcoal tablet with your tongs and light it with a match. Move the flame all around the outside of the charcoal. Little red glowing sparks will form on the outside of the charcoal. Place the charcoal tab in the incense burner. Pick up one piece of incense and lay it on top of the charcoal. Cover with the brass grill. The incense will start to smoke and fill the room. Note: The outside of the ceramic burner will get very hot so make sure your children can't touch it.

Incense. Just the mention of it can evoke strong reactions within Christian circles. Some see it as controversial, while others cherish its rich symbolism and spiritual significance. Today, I'd love for us to put aside any prejudices we might have or a lack of understanding and delve into the history of incense, drawing upon its roots with the ancient Israelites and exploring its relevance and importance in the Christian home. In the Old Testament, incense held a central role in the worship practices of the ancient Israelites. In the very beginning, as God established the Israelites as His people, he gave them rules to live by and specific instructions for how they were to worship. God commanded Moses to construct a golden altar for burning incense in the Tabernacle (Exodus 30:1-10). This fragrant offering was to be made with specific ingredients, carefully blended according to God's instructions. The rising smoke of incense created a sacred space and it also symbolized the prayers of the people ascending to heaven, creating a tangible connection with God. From then on, the Israelites worshipped God with incense. We encounter numerous incense references throughout Scripture, further underscoring its significance. In the Psalms, King David writes, "Let my prayer be counted as incense before you, and the lifting up of my hands as the evening sacrifice" (Psalm 141:2). In the book of Revelation, the Apostle John describes heavenly scenes where incense is offered before the throne of God, signifying the prayers of the saints (Revelation 5:8 and 8:3-4). As Christians, we have inherited a rich liturgical tradition that incorporates incense into our worship as well. Just as the ancient Israelites used incense, so too have Christians around the world for centuries. The use of incense is a powerful tool that has profound symbolism and makes the spiritual tangible. Incense transforms a space from secular to sacred in a way that we can see and smell. As you see the smoke of incense rising in the church or in your home, as you smell the smell of frankincense or myrrh, we are made physically aware that we are in a sacred space, that God is with us, and that our prayers are rising up to him. Introducing incense into your home is by no means mandatory for your Christian faith but by embracing the use of incense, we can open ourselves to a deeper, more meaningful worship experience, connecting with the ancient roots of our faith and fostering a sense of sacredness in our homes. Let the rising smoke of incense be a tangible reminder of our prayers ascending to heaven, as we seek to encounter God in our everyday lives!

A few months ago, I bought some basil plants from our local nursery. Even though it has only been a short amount of time, the small basil plants have grown and grown. As I stepped into my garden this morning, I was greeted by the sight of plants, once small, now lush, and towering. Watching those basil plants grow, reminds me of the simple pleasures that life offers us. It's in these moments, in the midst of the ordinary, that I find extraordinary peace. You see, we're currently in the season of Ordinary Time, a period in the liturgical calendar that often gets overlooked amidst the more prominent seasons like Advent, Christmas, Lent, and Easter. But, just like the basil in my garden, there's something incredibly special about this 'ordinary' time. Ordinary Time, despite its name, is anything but ordinary. It's a time for growth and maturation, a time for deepening our faith and understanding of God's word. It's a time to appreciate the everyday miracles that happen around us, just like the growth of basil in my garden. Harvesting my basil is a simple task, yet it's filled with profound lessons. As I pluck each leaf, I'm reminded to be present, to savor the moment. The spicy smell of the leaves, the cool morning air, the chirping of the birds - these are the simple joys that make life extraordinary. And then, there's the act of using the harvested basil. Whether it's in a delicious pesto, a refreshing salad, or a comforting soup, it brings a sense of fulfillment. It's a reminder that our efforts, no matter how small, can bring joy and nourishment to ourselves and others. So, as we journey through this season of Ordinary Time, let's take a moment to appreciate the 'ordinary' in our lives. Let's celebrate the everyday miracles, the simple joys, and the beauty of growth. Let's find the extraordinary in the ordinary, just like the basil in my garden. Ways to Celebrate Go to your local nursery and buy a basil plant. Basil is extremely easy to grow. Basil likes lots of sun so plant in a pot and place in a sunny window or in your yard. Harvest some basil and make some pesto. Pesto is so easy to make and has very simple ingredients: basil, olive oil, parmesan cheese, and walnuts or pecans (I use pecans). I had never made basil before but one of my sweet friends from church gave me her special recipe AND agreed to let me share it with you! Thank you, Jane! It is absolutely incredible! The kids and I eat it straight from the bowl! This is my favorite pesto I have had so far. It is so fresh tasting. We use it on homemade pizzas, fresh bread, or tossed with angel hair pasta. I hope you love it as much as we do! Jane's Homemade Pesto 2 cups firm packed clean basil leaves ¼ cup chopped nuts (pine nuts, walnuts, pecans) ¼ cup parmesan cheese, grated or shredded ⅓ cup extra virgin olive oil ¼ tsp salt Pulse basil, parmesan, and nuts in a food processor or in a blender until thoroughly mixed. Stir with a knife or spoon as needed. Continue adding olive oil until desired consistency. Salt to taste. Serve at room temperature, store in the fridge, or freeze in baggies or containers.

Happy first day of May! This is an exciting month in the Liturgical Year; we are wrapping up the season of Easter and beginning the season of Pentecost. We start with the Feast of St. Philip and St. James where we remember two faithful followers of Jesus and we end by celebrating Pentecost, the day that the Holy Spirit fell and the church of Christ was born, and the Feast of the Visitation where Mary visited her cousin Elisabeth. Continue to follow along as I’ll be sharing everything you’ll need to celebrate every special day this month, including the history, recipes, and traditions. Helpful Links: Ascension Day An Ascension Day Dessert Pentecost Red Velvet Cake for Pentecost Gifts of the Holy Spirit Mobile The Visitation Strawberry Tea for the Feast of the Visitation

Today is the feast of the Visitation! It is the day that the church celebrates the visit of Mary with her cousin Elizabeth. In the gospel of Luke, we are told that Mary, early in her pregnancy, hurried to the home of her cousin, Elizabeth. When Elizabeth, who was also pregnant, heard the voice of Mary, her baby leaped in her womb and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit. Elizabeth exclaimed to Mary, “Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the child you will bear! But why am I so favored, that the mother of my Lord should come to me? As soon as the sound of your greeting reached my ears, the baby in my womb leaped for joy. Blessed is she who has believed that the Lord would fulfill his promises to her!” And then Mary also filled with the Holy Spirit, exclaimed, “My soul glorifies the Lord and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior, for he has been mindful of the humble state of his servant. From now on all generations will call me blessed, for the Mighty One has done great things for me— holy is his name. His mercy extends to those who fear him, from generation to generation. He has performed mighty deeds with his arm; he has scattered those who are proud in their inmost thoughts. He has brought down rulers from their thrones but has lifted up the humble. He has filled the hungry with good things but has sent the rich away empty. He has helped his servant Israel, remembering to be merciful to Abraham and his descendants forever, just as he promised our ancestors.” It is such a beautiful passage! Ways to Celebrate Read Luke 1:39-56. Why do you think Mary went to Elizabeth? What happened to the baby in Elizabeth's womb when it heard Mary's voice? Why do you think the baby did that? What happened to Elizabeth and Mary after they were filled with the Holy Spirit? Would you like to be filled with the Holy Spirit, too? Pray: God, you are a good father and you love to give your children gifts. Thank you for the gift of the Holy Spirit. We pray that your Holy Spirit would fill us now. Amen. Celebrate the day by making something fun to drink. We made delicious and refreshing strawberry tea! Invite someone over for a visit. Strawberry Tea Ingredients 2 cups strawberries, sliced 1/3 + 1/2 cup sugar, divided 10 cups of water, divided 5 black tea bags Slice the strawberries. Sprinkle with 1/3 cup of sugar. Stir. Allow to sit while making the tea. Boil the water. Add the black tea bags and allow to steep for ten minutes. Press and remove the tea bags. Combine tea and 6 cups of water in a pitcher. Add 1/2 cup of sugar. Stir. Fill glasses with ice, pour in tea, and add 2 to 3 tablespoons of strawberries to each glass. Stir.

Celebrating Pentecost doesn’t have to be hard! We bought sweetheart roses (cheaper and prettier than single stems) with fiery red, orange, and yellow colors. We placed them on a pretty white tablecloth on our dining table so that we can all enjoy it. Now, every time we pass by or eat, we are reminded of the gift of the Holy Spirit and the birth of the Church!

Today is Pentecost! Pentecost is the day that the church celebrates the gift of the Holy Spirit and the birth of the church. It is a major feast day, coming right after Christmas and Easter. Before Jesus ascended into heaven, he instructed his disciples to wait and pray in Jerusalem until they received the gift that they had been promised. A Comforter would come that would bring a baptism of fire and power. The disciples waited and prayed in the upper room for nine days. On the ninth day, the day of Pentecost, a loud noise like a driving wind filled the house. Then tongues of fire appeared which parted and came to rest on each of them. They were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in different tongues. A really cool thing about Pentecost is that it occurred during a Jewish holy day when devout Jews from every nation were staying in Jerusalem. When the people heard the sound of the roaring winds, a large crowd gathered and were confused because they heard the disciples speaking in their own particular language. The people were astounded because they knew that the disciples were Galileans and could not figure out how the Galileans were speaking their language. In the crowd’s own languages, the disciples were speaking of the mighty acts of God. Through the gift of the Holy Spirit, many were saved on that day, and the followers of Jesus were given an understanding of what had happened and what was going to happen. They were also given boldness and direction. In this awesome moment The Church, the Body of Christ was born! Ways to Celebrate Read Acts 1-2 and 1 Corinthians 12:7-11. Look up and go over what each gift means. Make a Gifts of the Holy Spirit Mobile and as you are making it, pray that the Holy Spirit would give those gifts to you! Make something red to eat like Red Velvet Cake or something that reminds you of flames like these adorable and easy to make Pentecost Fruit Flames Decorate your home with fiery flowers in yellows, oranges and reds. Read children's books about Pentecost. I hope that you have a blessed Pentecost!

Pentecost is almost here! It’s the day we celebrate the gift of the Holy Spirit and the birth of the Church! Here’s a fun and simple way to celebrate - make Pentecost Fruit Flames! All you need are bananas, cutie oranges, and strawberries. You can make it with your kids or have the fruit flames out and at the table when your kids wake up on Pentecost morning. How fun is that? Pentecost Fruit Flame Makes 4 servings 2 Bananas 2 Strawberries 2 Cutie oranges Cut the strawberries into fourths and then slice the fourths. Cut the banana in half lengthwise and then slice. Divide the Cuties into individual sections. Place 1/4 of the strawberry slices on a plate. Surround the strawberries with a single line of Cutie sections. Line the strawberries and Cuties with banana slices, with the rounded side facing out. Top the fruit flame with two banana slices putting the rounded sides back to back. Serve for a fun Pentecost snack! Have a blessed Pentecost day!

Pentecost is this Sunday! When you think about it, Pentecost is such a big deal! It is the day when the Holy Spirit descended, the gift that Jesus promised when he ascended into heaven. And with the gift of the Holy Spirit, Jesus' disciples were baptized with fire and with power. They boldly spread the good news of Jesus Christ and the Church was born! What better way to celebrate the Church's birthday than with a birthday cake! I love making a red velvet cake with white frosting for Pentecost because red is the liturgical color of Pentecost and the white frosting represents the tradition of baptizing new converts on Pentecost Day. If you'd like to try making red velvet cake for Pentecost, here's my all time favorite recipe! Red Velvet Cake With Cream Cheese Frosting 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour 1/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder 1 teaspoon baking powder 1 teaspoon baking soda 1 teaspoon salt 1 cup buttermilk 1 tablespoon liquid red food coloring 1 teaspoon white vinegar 1 teaspoon vanilla extract 1/4 pound (1 stick) unsalted butter, at room temperature 1 1/2 cups sugar 2 extra-large eggs, at room temperature Red Velvet Frosting, recipe follows Red Velvet Frosting 8 ounces cream cheese, at room temperature 12 tablespoons (1 1/2 sticks) unsalted butter, at room temperature 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract 3 1/2 cups sifted confectioners' sugar Directions Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Grease and flour 2 8-inch cake pans. In a small bowl, sift together the flour, cocoa powder, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. In a large measuring cup, combine the buttermilk, food coloring, vinegar, and vanilla. In the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, beat the butter and sugar on medium speed for 1 minute, until light. Add the eggs, one at a time, and beat until combined. With the mixer on low speed, add the dry ingredients and the wet ingredients alternately in 3 parts, beginning and ending with the dry ingredients, and mix until combined. Stir with a rubber spatula to be sure the batter is mixed. Pour the batter into 2 8-inch cake pans. Bake for 25 to 30 minutes, until a toothpick inserted in the centers comes out clean. Cool completely in the pans and frost the cupcakes with Red Velvet Frosting. Red Velvet Frosting Place the cream cheese, butter, and vanilla in the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, and mix on medium speed just until combined. Don't whip! Add the sugar and mix until smooth.

Sunday is Pentecost! Pentecost is the day that the church celebrates the gift of the Holy Spirit and the birth of the church. It is a major feast day so get ready to celebrate! Before Jesus ascended into heaven, he instructed his disciples to wait and pray in Jerusalem until they received the gift that he had promised. Jesus promised to send a helper, a comforter to his people. This Comforter would come bringing a baptism of fire and power. Through this Comforter, God would dwell with his people and he would give us new hearts and he would place a new spirit within us. What an amazing thing! In 1 Corinthians 12, we are told that when we are filled with the Holy Spirit, he gives us all gifts. “Now to each one the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good. To one there is given through the Spirit the gift of wisdom, to another the gift of knowledge by means of the same Spirit, to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healing by that one Spirit, to another miraculous powers, to another prophecy, to another distinguishing between spirits, to another speaking in different kinds of tongues,and to still another the interpretation of tongues. All these are the work of one and the same Spirit, and he distributes them to each one, just as he determines.” Ways to Celebrate Read Acts 1-2 and 1 Corinthians 12:7-11. Learn about the gifts of the Holy Spirit. Look up and go over what each gift means. Make a Gifts of the Holy Spirit Mobile and as you are making it, pray that the Holy Spirit would give those gifts to you! Instructions for the Gifts of the Holy Spirit Mobile Trace and cut out a clip art image of a dove on white paper. Trace and cut out seven large yellow flame shapes, seven smaller orange tear drop shapes and seven even smaller red tear drop shapes. Glue an orange and then a red tear drop onto each yellow flame. Punch a hole in your dove and flames, write a gift of the Holy Spirit on the back of each flame, tie loops of twine through each shape and hang on a branch or from a chandelier. Happy Pentecost!

Sunday is Pentecost! Pentecost is the day that the church celebrates the gift of the Holy Spirit and the birth of the church. It is a major feast day so get ready to celebrate! Before Jesus ascended into heaven, he instructed his disciples to wait and pray in Jerusalem until they received the gift that he had promised. Jesus promised to send a helper, a comforter to his people. This Comforter would come bringing a baptism of fire and power. Through this Comforter, God would dwell with his people and he would give us new hearts and he would place a new spirit within us. What an amazing thing! In 1 Corinthians 12, we are told that when we are filled with the Holy Spirit, he gives us all gifts. “Now to each one the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good. To one there is given through the Spirit the gift of wisdom, to another the gift of knowledge by means of the same Spirit, to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healing by that one Spirit, to another miraculous powers, to another prophecy, to another distinguishing between spirits, to another speaking in different kinds of tongues,and to still another the interpretation of tongues. All these are the work of one and the same Spirit, and he distributes them to each one, just as he determines.” Ways to celebrate Celebrate the day of Pentecost by reading Acts 1-2 and 1 Corinthians 12:7-11. Look up and go over what each gift means. Make a Gifts of the Holy Spirit Mobile and as you are making it, pray that the Holy Spirit would give those gifts to you! Instructions for the Gifts of the Holy Spirit Mobile Trace and cut out a clip art image of a dove on white paper. Trace and cut out seven large yellow flame shapes, seven smaller orange tear drop shapes and seven even smaller red tear drop shapes. Glue an orange and then a red tear drop onto each yellow flame. Punch a hole in your dove and flames, write a gift of the Holy Spirit on the back of each flame, tie loops of twine through each shape and hang on a branch or from a chandelier. Happy Pentecost!

Ascension Day is the day that we remember Jesus’ ascent into heaven. After Jesus’ resurrection, He revealed himself to His disciples over a period of forty days. He ate with them and taught them all about the kingdom of God. One day, while He was eating with them, He told them that they were to stay in Jerusalem and wait for the gift His Father had promised. He told them that they would be baptized by fire and the Holy Spirit and that they would receive power and that they would be His witnesses throughout the world. On the fortieth day, Jesus brought them out into the countryside. He lifted up His hands and blessed them. As He was blessing them, He was lifted up into the clouds. While the disciples were looking up into the sky, two men dressed in white stood beside them and asked why they were looking into the sky. They explained that Jesus would return in the same way that He went into heaven. The disciples immediately began worshiping the Lord and returned to Jerusalem filled with great joy. There they stayed for nine days, praying and praising God. Together with Mary and the disciples, we marvel at what happened. Jesus defied all earthly laws and ascended up into the clouds to sit at the right hand of the Father. We also wait for a gift that has been promised to us. We don't fully understand what it is but we have been told to wait and pray. There are nine days between the day that Jesus ascended (The Ascension) and the day that the Holy Spirit fell on the disciples (Pentecost). These nine days are called a “novena” and were the first novena that the church celebrated. Ascension Day is a feast day and is celebrated all over the world. In many countries, there is a “beating of the bounds” where the boundaries of the church property are beaten with bundles of sticks and prayed over. In Portugal, they gather wheat stalks and place them in their homes. In many churches in Italy, a statue of the Risen Lord is lifted on wires up through a hole in the ceiling of the church. Then gifts of cookies, fruit, flowers, and green branches rained down from the hole and into the church. Something else wonderful happens in Italy on the Feast of the Ascension. In Venice, there is a clock tower in the Piazza San Marco. Underneath the clock is a niche with a figure of Mary holding Jesus. Twice a year, once on the Feast of the Epiphany and during the festivities surrounding the Ascension (known as "la Festa della Sensa" in Venice) doors on either side of Mary and Jesus open up, and the three Magi, led by an angel appear. The angel and the three Magi make their way around Mary and Jesus, the angel lifts his trumpet to his lips, and the Magi bow down and remove their crowns. Ways to Celebrate Read Luke 24:44-53 as a family. Discuss what the disciples must have felt when they saw Jesus rise up into heaven. How would you feel if you saw Jesus ascend into heaven? Why do you think Jesus needed to go up to heaven? Eat fowl. It is traditional on this day to eat fowl since fowl fly up into heaven. This usually includes birds like doves, ducks, or pheasants. Since that might be hard to come by, make something with chicken or turkey. In Western Germany, bakers sold pastries in the shapes of birds. Make cookies and use a bird cookie cutter. Make Divinity to symbolize the clouds in the sky. Hike a mountain or hill. Just as Jesus led his disciples up a mountain before he ascended, it is traditional for people to hike to the highest place in their area and have a picnic. We live by the beach so we always go to the beach, have a picnic and admire the sky. Catch crickets. In some parts of Italy, there is an interesting custom of catching crickets on this day. Families have a picnic while the children look for crickets, which are said to bring blessings. Celebrate Ascension by going over the gifts and fruits of the Holy Spirit. Divinity 2 ½ cups sugar ½ cup water ½ cup light corn syrup ¼ teaspoon salt 2 egg whites 1 teaspoon vanilla extract 1 cup chopped pecans, toasted Cook first 4 ingredients in a heavy 2-quart saucepan over low heat until sugar dissolves and a candy thermometer registers 248 degrees(about 15 minutes). Remove syrup mixture from heat. Beat egg whites at high speed with an electric mixer until stiff peaks form. Pour half of hot syrup in a thin stream over egg whites, beating constantly at high speed, about 5 minutes. Cook remaining half of syrup over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until a candy thermometer registers 272 degrees(about 4 to 5 minutes). Slowly pour hot syrup and vanilla extract over egg white mixture, beating constantly at high speed until mixture holds its shape (about 6 to 8 minutes). Stir in 1 cup chopped pecans. Drop mixture quickly by rounded teaspoonfuls onto lightly greased wax paper. Garnish, if desired. Cool.