Accompanying the Holy Family Advent Series

Ep 5: Week 5, Christmas, Home

We’re rapidly approaching that moment we’ve been waiting for: Christmas. In many ways, Christmas is a return home, to the Heart of Our Lord. And at the same time, Christmas is that time when we welcome Christ into the home we’ve prepared for Him in our hearts. This is where our Advent journey has been leading. Homes are often messy, imperfect, and Christmas reminds us that God willingly entered into the messiness of our lives. He entered this fallen, sinful world in order to restore it, to restore us, to make all things new. Our Advent ebook “Accompanying the Holy Family” takes us through different themes that correspond to each week of Advent. Get your FREE Advent eBook pack here: https://www.littlewithgreatlove.com/product/advent-ebook-holy-family/ [https://www.littlewithgreatlove.com/product/advent-ebook-holy-family/].  This reflection is found on pages 17-19 in our “Accompanying the Holy Family” eBook. You can read more about Lisa and our other contributors in the introduction of the book. Listen to the Christmas song selection on our Accompanying the Holy Family Advent + Christmas Playlist My Heart Your Home by Maverick City Music here: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/6xmvKBTOfEfA3h5iF1ifBw?si=dcd894879af842fa [https://open.spotify.com/playlist/6xmvKBTOfEfA3h5iF1ifBw?si=dcd894879af842fa] Further Resources: * Read a summary of the Interior Castles of St. Teresa of Avila and what it means to be “under construction” here: littlewithgreatlove.com/breadcrumbs-of-st-teresa-of-avila/ [http://littlewithgreatlove.com/breadcrumbs-of-st-teresa-of-avila/] * Watch a video based on a quote from C.S. Lewis about “God building a palace within you” and that work of restoration here: youtube.com/watch?v=X_zsNgiSsus&t=6s [http://youtube.com/watch?t=6s&v=X_zsNgiSsus]

Ep 4: Advent Week 4, Peace

Though the rush of society’s early celebrating may leave us feeling exhausted from the busyness of this Advent season, Our Lord calls us to peace. He is with us and will never abandon us. This is the foundation of our peace. As we enter into this fourth week of Advent, we light the last purple candle on our Advent wreaths, representing peace. This is considered “The Candle of Love” or “The Angel Candle” as the angels announced the good news that God sent us a Savior out of love for us.  Our Advent ebook “Accompanying the Holy Family” takes us through different themes that correspond to each week of Advent. Get your FREE Advent eBook pack here: https://www.littlewithgreatlove.com/product/advent-ebook-holy-family/ [https://www.littlewithgreatlove.com/product/advent-ebook-holy-family/].  This reflection is found on pages 13-16 in our “Accompanying the Holy Family” eBook. You can read more about Sefanit and our other contributors in the introduction of the book. Listen to the Week 4 song selection on our Accompanying the Holy Family Advent + Christmas Playlist Still by Hillary Scott here: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/6xmvKBTOfEfA3h5iF1ifBw?si=dcd894879af842fa [https://open.spotify.com/playlist/6xmvKBTOfEfA3h5iF1ifBw?si=dcd894879af842fa] Further Resources: * A small treatise by Fr. Jacques Philippe entitled, “Searching for and Maintaining Peace: A Small Treatise on Peace of Heart [http://amazon.com/Searching-Maintaining-Peace-Small-Treatise/dp/0818909064]” * An overview of Fr. Jacques Philippe’s teaching on peace [http://youtube.com/watch?v=bAYkIDD8Erw]. * Making a good confession with Fr. Michael Schmitz [http://youtube.com/watch?v=GCmumpsrwBE] * Here [http://media.ascensionpress.com/2020/07/17/confession-201-how-to-confess-like-an-adult/] is a good explanation of how adults can prepare for confession.

Ep 3: Week 3 of Advent, Joy

As we enter into this third week of Advent, we light the rose-colored candle on our Advent wreaths, representing joy. This is Gaudete Sunday, friends, which refers to the first word of the Entrance Antiphon, "Rejoice." As Christmas draws nearer, the Church emphasizes the joy that our hearts should experience in the birth of our Savior and what that truly means for us. To cultivate this theme of joy, Little With Great Love contributor Alyssa Sanchez shares her reflection and Scripture.  Our Advent ebook “Accompanying the Holy Family” takes us through different themes that correspond to each week of Advent. Get your FREE Advent eBook pack here: https://www.littlewithgreatlove.com/product/advent-ebook-holy-family/ [https://www.littlewithgreatlove.com/product/advent-ebook-holy-family/].  This is found on pages 9-12 in our “Accompanying the Holy Family” eBook. You can read more about Alyssa and our other contributors in the introduction of the book. Listen to the Week 2 song selections on our Advent + Christmas Playlist, Joy to the World by Pentatonix and Dancing on the Moon by Isla Vista Worship here: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/6xmvKBTOfEfA3h5iF1ifBw?si=dcd894879af842fa [https://open.spotify.com/playlist/6xmvKBTOfEfA3h5iF1ifBw?si=dcd894879af842fa] Further Resources: Read more practical ways to bring joy into your life and home: * 9 Ways to Keep Christmas Joy Alive [http://littlewithgreatlove.com/9-ways-to-keep-christmas-joy-alive/]  * Home, A Place of Joy [http://littlewithgreatlove.com/place-of-joy-home/] Read stories with of saints who bring us joy: * Still Learning Perfect Joy from St. Francis [http://littlewithgreatlove.com/perfectjoy/] * How to Combat Worry with Padre Pio [http://littlewithgreatlove.com/combating-worry-anxiety-with-padre-pio/] Sponsored by Little With Great Love

Ep 2: Week 2 of Advent, Faith

As we continue our journey with the Holy Family in this second week of Advent, we light the second candle on our Advent wreaths which represents faith. Inviting us to grow in faith, Little With Great Love contributor Tammi McCarthy shares her reflection and Scripture. Wait for a heartfelt bonus clip from Tammi near the end!  Our Advent ebook “Accompanying the Holy Family” takes us through different themes that correspond to each week of Advent. Get your FREE Advent eBook pack here: https://www.littlewithgreatlove.com/product/advent-ebook-holy-family/ [https://www.littlewithgreatlove.com/product/advent-ebook-holy-family/] Today’s faith reflection is found on pages 6-8 of the eBook.  Listen to the Week 2 song selection Still by Hillary Scott on our Advent + Christmas Playlist here: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/6xmvKBTOfEfA3h5iF1ifBw?si=dcd894879af842fa [https://open.spotify.com/playlist/6xmvKBTOfEfA3h5iF1ifBw?si=dcd894879af842fa] Further Resources: Read another post Tammi wrote about planting seeds of faith: littlewithgreatlove.com/seeds-of-faith/ [http://littlewithgreatlove.com/seeds-of-faith/] Grab your free printable of affirmations from our Little With Great Love shop. Put these up around your home and declare God’s faithfulness and love over yourself: littlewithgreatlove.com/product/affirmations-free-download-printable/ [http://littlewithgreatlove.com/product/affirmations-free-download-printable/] Listen to some of the great stories of faith from the saints! Check out our podcast Saints for Slackers available on Spotify, Apple, and Google Podcasts: littlewithgreatlove.com/saints-for-slackers/ [http://littlewithgreatlove.com/saints-for-slackers/] Sponsored by Little With Great Love

Ep 1: Week 1 of Advent, Hope

Now that our first week of Advent is here, we light our first candle on our Advent wreaths, which represents hope. Centering on this theme of hope, Little With Great Love contributor Bridget Holtz shares her reflection and Scripture.  Our Advent ebook “Accompanying the Holy Family” takes us through different themes that correspond to each week of Advent. Get your FREE Advent eBook pack here: https://www.littlewithgreatlove.com/product/advent-ebook-holy-family/ [https://www.littlewithgreatlove.com/product/advent-ebook-holy-family/] Today’s hope reflection is found on pages 3-5 of the eBook. Find a summary of this podcast here on our blog: https://www.littlewithgreatlove.com/advent-week-1-hope/ [https://www.littlewithgreatlove.com/advent-week-1-hope/] Listen to the Week 1 song selection, Turn Your Eyes Upon Jesus (Look Up) by Nichole Nordeman on our Advent + Christmas Playlist here: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/6xmvKBTOfEfA3h5iF1ifBw?si=dcd894879af842fa [https://open.spotify.com/playlist/6xmvKBTOfEfA3h5iF1ifBw?si=dcd894879af842fa] Further Resources:  For other resources regarding Hope and preparation, I invite you to look through the “Heart” section of our website here [https://www.littlewithgreatlove.com/heart-2/]. Read a few of the blogs that were posted around this time in 2020, as we focused on deeper preparation and shared traditions from our family histories. We offered tidbits of encouragement as we all approach this often chaotic and rushed month ahead, such as: * Less Stress and Pressure at Christmas: littlewithgreatlove.com/less-pressure-and-stress-at-christmas/ [http://littlewithgreatlove.com/less-pressure-and-stress-at-christmas/] * The 12 Traditions of Christmas: littlewithgreatlove.com/12-traditions-of-christmas/ [http://littlewithgreatlove.com/12-traditions-of-christmas/] Sponsored by Little With Great Love