December 22, 2010 A.D.
Our Lady in Medjugorje has come to rebirth culture. A part of culture is creating tradition. The Community of Caritas, in living the simpler way of life of Our Lady’s Medjugorje messages, has a tradition of always eating a home-made chicken soup for Christmas. In this way, the day of Christmas is not filled with creating a complicated meal, but is lived in the spirit of poverty and simplicity of the manger scene. The hands that prepare the simple meal with love, is what makes it grace-filled. It is not considered a sacrifice, but rather is looked forward to each year in the happy memories it creates through the peace that it brings. Below is how the Caritas Community physically prepares for the Christmas meal.
December 21, 2010 8:15 AM – These Caritas Community children stand looking over the chickens about to be prepared not only for Christmas dinner, but for the provision of the Community over the next several months. These chickens were raised over a period of six weeks by the Community youth. It is the culmination of the labor of love for Our Lady, through helping to provide for the needs of the Community. In the background the Tabernacle of Our Lady’s Messages can be seen. The grey part of the Tabernacle, to the far right, is the new addition, which will be formally dedicated March 19-23, 2011, during Our Lady’s Medjugorje apparitions here, on the Holy Ground Our Lady has come so many times and blessed since 1988.
The fruit of labor blessed by God. While some may say that not everyone can live this way, you have to begin. Whether by choice or circumstances, which will come, everyone will be faced with the decision to change their lives, not only spiritually, but physically. The way of life does not happen overnight, but through living the Medjugorje messages, and by praying, praying, praying, the doors will open for you to experience the joys of the simpler life of Our Lady. As in the picture above, every task becomes joy. When you physically contribute to your future and the future of your family, there is great reason for joy. Even raising chickens can bring parallels to the simple Nativity, by having a simple traditional meal on Christmas of chicken soup. It brings us more in union with Mary and Joseph in the poverty of the manger scene than a feast would.
In the Simplicity of the Holy Family,
5 thoughts on “A Life with Our Lady: Preparing Physically for Christmas”
I especially enjoyed today’s Radiowave broadcast. Having had the privilege of visiting Caritas several times over the past years, I can wholeheartedly attest to the fact that you enter Heaven upon arrival and experience all the joys that were spoken of by a Friend of Medjugorje. The peace, joy and love of our Lord and our Lady permeate the daily prayer, work and play of the entire community. As much as I miss my own family while I am there, whenever I leave to come home, I literally have to prayerfully prepare myself to re-enter my own daily routine. Caritas is Heaven on Earth and as I try to live out our Lady’s messages in my own personal circumstances, I know I am also working on seamless living into Eternity. Thank you most beautiful Community of Caritas. I do so love you all!
I especially enjoyed today’s Radiowave broadcast. Having had the privilege of visiting Caritas several times over the past years, I can wholeheartedly attest to the fact that you enter Heaven upon arrival and experience all the joys that were spoken of by a Friend of Medjugorje. The peace, joy and love of our Lord and our Lady permeate the daily prayer, work and play of the entire community. As much as I miss my own family while I am there, whenever I leave to come home, I literally have to prayerfully prepare myself to re-enter my own daily routine. Caritas is Heaven on Earth and as I try to live out our Lady’s messages in my own personal circumstances, I know I am also working on seamless living into Eternity. Thank you most beautiful Community of Caritas. I do so love you all!
Beautiful! Made me cry! I think we all wish we could live in community like you! Praying in Her time we someday will!
I can honestly say; I have lived in both worlds. I love the simplicity of life and I miss it…thank you for the memories and I pray my husband and I will go back to living the simple life.
Simple, simple and profound, simply Christmas…