Christmas in the home

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16 THE CROSS Cfjrfetmag in tfje $ome In every Christmas home there should be certain definite ways of preparing for Christmas. The mem bers of the families should work to gether for the spiritual welfare of one another, and one of the easiest and most appealing ways of doing this is by uniting in common, externol observances of the season of Advent. Among such observances, the follow ing three are recommended to all. 1 . Special family prayers during Advent. This would be a good time to start the family rosary, if it had not been the custom throughout the yeor. In reciting the rosary during Advent, the joyful mysteries should be used. If it is a daily custom to soy the family rosary in the home, the litany of the Blessed Virgin may be added just for the four weeks preceding Christmos. It will help the family to think of Christmas if a little altar Is prepared in the home, with statues of the Blessed Mother and St. Joseph enshrined, before which the prayers are said. 2. Special practices of self-de nial. For example, all members of the family can agree to do with out dessert on three days of the week. Or oil can agree to give up candy, or eating between meals, or staying away from movies, dances, etc. during Advent. The important thing is that something be chosen os a penance thot can be agreed on by all, so that it is a family affair, and not something adopted separate ly by each individual. 3. Special gifts to the poor. Christmas has, throughout the oges, been a reminder of the great bless ing attached to giving to the poor. If an Advent altar is prepored in the home, a box may be placed upon it into which each member of the family is encouraged to drop a coin now and then, destined for the poor. Even very small children may be given coins for little chores done, with the urging that they place them in the family poor box. Then short ly before Christmos the sum gathered may be handed over to an organiza tion that works for the poor, or used to provide something needed by a poor family. Children brought up in a home that thus prepares for Christmas will never lose their awareness of the spiritual significance of the feost. And older members of families will possess far greater and deeper joy on Christmas day if they have thus awaited the renewed coming of Christ. (Liguorian).

Date

1952

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In Copyright - Educational Use Permitted

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