Everyday Miracles

Last night, I went to sleep and you could see the confused grass beginning to turn green, but not sure if it should.  You could see the roots on the trees, and you could see daisies starting to sprout.  For Minnesota, we've had a warm winter with very little snow, so far, and it's been in the 30's!  That's not normal, but no one was complaining.  There was no white Christmas. We made it through.  No snow meant that traveling was so much easier for families who traveled.

Last night, out of the clear blue sky, not really, it had to be cloudy, snow fell.  When I woke up this morning everything was different.  Nothing was the same.  The grass was covered with the white stuff.  The tree branches were weighted down with snow.  The confused daisies were covered, and, hopefully, they went back to sleep as infants do.

I sat at the table looking at the ravine behind our house.  I don't drink coffee, so I sipped my diet coke.  What a miracle had happened last night!  Everything changed!  God worked a miracle, and we had snow.  I would have preferred staying home, but it was getting late, and I needed to go to Mass.  Driving would be easy.  The salt trucks had been out all night.  No worries there.  Then, as I looked at a bush that was bursting with snow, I realized.

I had nothing to do with this miracle, yet it happened.  God simply took over and gave us this gift.
I looked at the blue sky.  I knew this would make everything colder.  Clouds help to keep us warm.  The blue sky was a beautiful contrast to the white of the snow.    God, the great artist, curator, and creator did this without my help.  I had nothing to do with this beauty, but God did.

Everyday, blessings and consolations from God are poured out from His Love to us.  His gifts are unending, like His love.  Whether it be that the sun gives us warmth and light, or that the sun stays put and we remain in it's orbit.  We are blessed.  Each beat of our heart means that we have life.
Each joy or sorrow helps to shape us into the person we are.  Gifts.  Miracles. 

Think of your heart.  Your heart beats without your control.  Each thump comes from your involuntary nervous system.  You cannot control the beats yourself.  There are devices that might help control the number of beats per minute or devices that open arteries.  Knowledge comes from God.

Thump!  Thump!  Thump!  Thump!

"Praise God from Whom All Blessings Flow!"

Litany Blessings for the Holidays

Oh, God, our Heavenly Father, we ask You to bless us during this season in which we are preparing for the birth of Your Son.  Holy Spirit, we ask you to enlighten our minds so that our thoughts, words, and actions may be directed to our Triune God.  Sweet Brother, Jesus, help us to prepare for the celebration of Your birth so that we may rejoice with the heavenly hosts at the moment of Your birth.


Bless us, Lord,      R. Bless us, Lord.
Bless our families. 
Bless our children.
Bless our spouses.
Bless our memories.
Bless our friends and their families. 

Bless children in every land.
Bless the newborn babes.
Bless all women who carry a baby in their bodies.
Bless all children nestled in the womb.
Bless these children and give them life.
Bless all children who live in poverty.
Bless all children so they will appreciate their parents.
Bless all children so that this celebration of your birth will be more about You and less about Santa and presents.
Bless all children who venerate You.
Bless all of our missing children. Bring them home for Christmas.

Bless all families with peace, not only during the holidays, but always.
Bless all families so that old hurts will be healed.
Bless all families so that Your birth may be truly celebrated.

Bless all of our clergy, particularly our priests, bishops, and cardinals.
Bless all of those who are studying for religious life.
Bless our dearest  Pope Francis.
Bless our nuns and give them joy in their service of God.

Bless all of those who are lonely and hurting during this time of year.
Bless all of those who suffer from depression.
Bless all of those who have no hope.
Bless all of those who suffer from the torment of mental illness.
Bless all of those who suffer from the pain and torment of addictions.
Bless all of our sick.
Bless all those who are dying.
Bless all those involved in the care of the sick and dying.
Bless all those  who will work on Christmas Day.
Bless all those who will be separated from their families on Christmas Day.
Bless all those who serve in the military.
Bless all those who serve in law enforcement and fire fighters.
Bless our first responders.
Bless all those who will serve in our churches on Christmas.
Bless all those who will die on Christmas Day.
Bless their grieving families.

Bless all the homeless.
Bless all the poor.
Bless all those who will not eat on Christmas Day.
Bless all who will bury their pain in drugs and alcohol.
Bless all those who will attempt or succeed at suicide.
Bless all those who will become angry on Christmas.
Bless all those who will leave the Church.
Bless all those who have left the Church
Bless our non Catholic sisters and brothers.

Bless all those captured in the snare of grave sin.  Free them from their sin. 
Bless all those who would seek to destroy us.  Free them from their sin.
Bless all those who have harmed us.
Bless us with the graces to forgive.

Bless us, Lord, bless us.
Heavenly Father, Jesus our brother, Holy Spirit our guide, thank You for the many blessings You pour down on us each day.  Thank You for the gift of Mary, our mother.  Thank You for the gift of life.  Thank You for the women who chose life for us.  Lord, God, bless us.  Forgive us.  We return all of our blessings to You in great gratitude. 

Jesus, our Brother, we join with the Father and the Holy Spirit in celebrating Your Birth.  We join with the angels and saints praising You and adoring You.  Fill us with Your Spirit.  Fill us with love for the Father.  Help us to get to know our guardian angels better.  Thank You, Father.  Thank You, Jesus.  Thank You, Holy Spirit.

Amen.