Preparing your Hearts for Christmas
by Little Flowers Family Press
Our gift to you! A Countdown to Christmas -My Christmas Crib, a way to prepare your hearts for Christmas that everyone in your family can do for the Infant Jesus. This is part of our 3-D Nativity Cut n Color Kit, available on our website, but with Advent beginning today, we wanted to share this valuable gift with you today. (You can, of course, order your kit, with this same devotion, plus a 3-D background, stand up Nativity figures, straw and more)! When someone asked us how she remembered a practice from when she was young to dedicate each day to something, I realized that so many are missing out on the traditions they once enjoyed when young. It was then I decided to give this gift back to you all. Now you can come here each day of Advent, and share with your children the great gift that Christmas really is. This gift can overcome much sorrows this time of year, when we know it is the Infant King that will bring us our joy and peace this year, despite our crosses. Share this page with your Facebook friends, email friends, and family. It’s out gift to everyone. God bless and love you! 🙂
Each day, take time to meditate on your gift to the Infant Jesus. This collection of offerings, will be just the “little steps” you need to get closer to the Infant Jesus this Christmas.
PREPARING YOUR HEART FOR CHRISTMAS:
Start on December 1st. Read the thought for each day and apply it to your life. Do this daily during December to make your heart a worthy ‘crib’ for Christ on Christmas Day.
Dec. 1 – The Stable
Frequently during the day, offer your heart to the little Infant Jesus. Ask Him to make it His home.
*Sweet Jesus, take my heart and make it meek and pure.
Dec. 2 – The Roof
See that the roof of the stable is in good condition, so that the Infant Jesus is protected from rain and snow. Do this by carefully avoiding every uncharitable remark.
*Jesus, teach me to love my neighbor as myself.
Dec. 3 – Crevices
Carefully plug up every crevice in the walls of the stable, so that the wind and cold may not enter there. Guard your senses against temptations. Guard especially your ears against sinful conversations.
*Jesus, help me to keep temptations out of my heart.
Dec. 4 – Cobwebs
Clean the cobwebs from your spiritual crib. Diligently remove from your heart every inordinate desire of being praised. Renew this intention at least three times today. *My Jesus, I wish to please Thee in all I do today.
Dec. 5 – Fence
Build a fence around the crib of your heart by keeping a strict watch over your eyes, especially at prayer.
*Sweet Jesus, I long to see Thee.
Dec. 6 – Manger
Fix the best and warmest corner of your heart for the manger of Jesus. You will do so by abstaining from what you like most in the line of food, comfort and amusement.
*Mary, use these sacrifices to prepare my heart for Jesus in Holy Communion.
Dec. 7 – Hay
Supply the manger of your heart with hay, by overcoming all feelings of pride, anger or envy.
*Jesus, teach me to know and correct my greatest sins.
Dec. 8 – Soft Straw
Also provide your manger with soft straw by performing little acts of mortification; for instance, bear the cold without complaints; or sit and stand erect instead of slouching.
*Dear Jesus, Who suffered so much for me, let me suffer for love of Thee.
Dec. 9 – Swaddling Clothes
Prepare these for the Divine Infant by folding your hands when you pray, and by praying slowly and thoughtfully.
*Jesus, let me love Thee more and more.
Dec. 10 – Blankets
Provide the manger of your heart with soft, warm blankets. Avoid harsh and angry words; be kind and gentle to all.
*Jesus, help me to be meek and humble like Thee.
Dec. 11- Fuel
Bring fuel to the crib of Jesus. Give up your own will; obey your superiors cheerfully and promptly.
*Jesus, let me do Thine will in all things.
Dec. 12 – Water
Bring fresh, clean water to the crib. Avoid every untruthful work and every deceitful act.
*Dearest Mary, obtain for me true contrition for my sins.
Dec. 13 – Provisions
Bring a supply of food to the crib. Deprive yourself of some food at mealtime; or a cigarette or candy, especially when you feel like smoking or eating.
*Jesus, be my strength and nourishment.
Dec. 14 – Light
See that the crib has sufficient light. Be neat and orderly about your person; keep everything in its place in your home.
*Jesus, be the life and light of my soul.
Dec. 15 – Fire
Take care to have the crib of your heart warmed by a cozy fire. Be grateful to God for the love He has shown us in becoming man; behave with grateful respect towards your parents and relatives.
*Jesus, how can I return Your love; how can I show my gratitude to Thee?
Dec. 16 – The Ox
Lead the ox to the crib. Obey cheerfully without making excuses and without asking “why.”
* I will obey for love of Thee, Jesus.
Dec. 17 – The Donkey
Bring the donkey to the crib. Offer to the Divine Infant your bodily strength; use it in the service of others.
*Jesus, accept my service of love; I offer it for those who do not love Thee.
Dec. 18 – Gifts
Gather some presents for the Divine Infant and His Blessed Mother. Give alms for the poor and say an extra decade of the rosary.
*Come, Jesus, accept my gifts and take possession of my heart.
Dec. 19 – Lambs
Strive to bring some little lambs, meek and humble. Be patient and do not murmur or complain.
*Jesus, meek and humble of heart, make my heart like unto Thine.
Dec. 20- Shepherds
Invite the shepherds to pay homage to our newborn King. Imitate their watchfulness; stress in your speech and thoughts the idea that Christmas is important because Jesus will be born again in you.
*Jesus, teach me to love Thee above all things.
Dec. 21 – The Key
Provide the stable with a key to keep out thieves. Exclude from your heart every sinful thought, every rash judgment.
*Dear Jesus, close my heart to all that hurts Thee.
Dec. 22 – Angels
Invite the angels to adore God with you. Cheerfully obey the inspirations of your guardian angel and of your conscience.
*Holy Guardian Angel, never let me forget that you are near me always.
Dec. 23 – St. Joseph
Accompany Saint Joseph from door to door. Learn from him to silently and patiently bear refusals and disappointments. Open wide your heart and beg him to enter with the Blessed Virgin Mary.
*Saint Joseph, help me prepare for a worthy Christmas Communion.
Dec. 24 – The Blessed Virgin
Go meet your Blessed Mother. Lead her to the manger of your heart and beg her to lay the Divine Infant in it. Shorten your chats and telephone conversations and spend more time today thinking of Jesus, Mary and Joseph.
*Come, dear Jesus, come; my heart belongs to Thee.
Taken from 3D Nativity Cut n Color Kit by Little Flowers Family Press available here!
Thank you for letting us share with you your Christmas Devotions! We have been praying for you too. We hope you will, or have shared this link with your friends online, so more can enjoy the peace of a proper Christmas. Let us know what blessings you have had from this gift, by posting your stories below!
©Copyright 2010-2012 Little Flowers Family Press All Rights Reserved.
Rita is a Catholic wife and mother of seven children. Mark, her patient husband. She reverted back to the faith when her oldest was making her First Communion. By then, she had completed degrees in Hairdressing and Make up artistry. She went on to receive a degree in Natural Health and another degree in Art. At age 26, Rita suffered a minor stroke. With no lasting effects, this dramatically changed her outlook on life. In 1996, Rita began ‘Little Flowers Family Apostolates’ to reach out to other families with her new found faith, by creating unique Catholic books and resources.. In 1999, she wrote the bestselling, ‘Immodesty; Satan’s Virtue’. She was editor of ‘The Catholic Health Letter’ for 7 years. She has been a homeschooling mom for 20+ years, and has written for various magazines. She is honored that families have trusted her with their questions, needs and concerns over the years. She continues to write and reach out to Catholic families with her husband, Mark and their 4 boys through http://www.LittleFlowersFamilyPress.com
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