On the Sixth Day of Christmas...

It should be our principal business to conquer ourselves and, from day

to day, to go on increasing in strength and perfection - St Francis De Sales

It's fair to say that most people use today to reflect on the year just gone; the things that we've been successful with and the things that didn't go too well for us. Blogger Tsh from the 'Art of Simple' website has created a reflection to help us look back at the last year. Read through these questions with your friends or print a copy and note down your answers then keep them somewhere safe.

On the Fifth Day of Christmas...

Amen, amen, I say to thee, When thou wast younger, thou didst gird thyself
and didst walk where thou wouldst. But when thou shalt be old, thou shalt
stretch forth thy hands, and another another shall gird thee and lead thee
whither thou wouldst not. And this he said, signifying by what death he
should glorify God. And when he had said this, he saith to him: Follow me

So this may not strictly be a Christmas themed game but we liked it anyway! Why not try "Saint or Ain't" and see if you can pick out the 25 genuine saints from the list below. Be careful as you only get 25 guesses so can't afford to make any mistakes. Good luck!

On the Fourth Day of Christmas...

All the glory of the king's daughter is within golden borders,

Clothed round about with varieties. After her shall virgins be

brought to the king: her neighbours shall be brought to thee.

Today is the feast of the Holy Family and this presents us with the opportunity to recognise that our family stretches far beyond those who we share our home with. As Catholics we belong to a huge family consisting of all of the other Catholics around the world and it's important that we don't lose sight of that. We won't always get on with everybody in life but through sharing our faith with others we will be able to forge friendships with even the most unexpected people.

On Christmas Eve I was given a bouquet of flowers and box of chocolates from a lovely elderly gentleman called Tommy who I speak to each week before mass. He never fails to make me laugh with his weekly joke he has in store for me and although we talk for only a couple of minutes it is something that obviously has an impact on him and myself too for that matter. When he gave me the flowers he said thanks for making him smile each week yet I am sure that I'm the one who walks away smiling after another punchline delivered with plenty of laughter.

I don't need thanks from Tommy, yet his words of gratitude let me see just how valuable that little bit of conversation can be. He could even forget the punchline of his jokes (and he sometimes he does!) but what is important is simply two people taking a little bit of time out to talk to each, what's so hard about that eh? Should our churches be filled with quietness or buzzing with happiness and gentle laughter? I know which I would prefer and I reckon my pal Tommy would agree with me too!

On the Third Day of Christmas...

But the counsel of the Lord standeth for ever: the

thoughts of his heart to all generations. To deliver

their souls from death: and feed them in famine.

Today is the feast of the Holy Innocents which looks at how King Herod ordered all boys under the age of 2 to be killed. He knew that a new King had been born in Jesus and felt threatened by that so his response was to order all of the boys in his Kingdom to be killed. Mary and Joseph had already fled Bethlehem as Joseph had been visited by an angel in his dreams and told to keep Jesus safe.

During our 12 Days of Christmas reflection last year we prayed for the families in Newtown, Connecticut where 20 children and 6 adults were killed during a a shooting at Sandy Hook Elementary School. It seems fitting today to think about those families again, a year on from that tragedy, in the hope that this Christmas they can find peace in their hearts amongst the sadness they will feel at the loss of their children.

RIP Charlotte, Daniel, Olivia, Josephine, Ana, Dylan, Madeleine,
Catherine, Chase, Jesse, James, Grace, Emilie, Jack, Noah,
Caroline, Jessica, Avielle, Benjamin and Allison and staff
Rachel Davino, Dawn Hochsprung, Anne Marie Murphy,
Lauren Rousseau, Mary Sherlach and Victoria Soto

On the Second Day of Christmas...

The reason why sometimes you have asked and not received,

is because you have asked amiss, either inconsistently,

or lightly, or because you have asked for what was not

good for you, or because you have ceased asking.

Following on from our blog yesterday looking at the origins of the Nativity heading back 790 years to the days of St Francis of Assisi we're offering something a little bit more light hearted today. Take a look at some of the worst Nativity sets the Internet has to offer. Enjoy!

1. One of the Poolies, we do love a good monkey story here in Hartlepool...

2. How about a dog inspired theme? Not too sure about Mary the Dalmatian...

3. Keeping with the animal theme for a little while... oink oink!

4. Everyone would love to recreate the Nativity in the bath... right?

5. Why not do Christmas on a budget with this peg doll Nativity set?

6. Let's go minimalist... Mary is looking a little on the short side mind you!

7. This one is just wrong! A zombie Nativity?

8. Nativity cupcakes anyone?

9. Who said you shouldn't play with your food?

10. Last but not least, everyone wanted to get their name on one of these right? Here it is, the Coca-Cola Nativity...

On the First Day of Christmas...

God is more anxious to bestow His blessings on us than we are to

receive them. For it is not God's way that great blessings should

descend without the sacrifice first of great sufferings - St Augustine

In March 2013 the papal conclave elected Jorge Mario Bergoglio as our new Pope. He took the name Francis after St Francis of Assisi because he valued the way in which St Francis was a friend of the poor, a message he wants all of us to take to heart on a daily basis.

What many people don't know, however, is that St Francis of Assisi is credited with creating the very first Nativity Scene. In 1223 he was visiting the town of Grecio to celebrate Christmas but the chapel here was too small so he set up an altar in the town. He made a manger with an Ox and Ass beside to help re-enact the Nativity for the people of Grecio and told them all about Jesus birth. This was the very first 'live' Nativity 790 years ago, something that has now become common place in schools and churches around the world.

When you look at the Nativity scene you have at home or you see in church spend a little bit of time thinking about how each of the people involved in the very first Nativity, the birth of Jesus, actually felt. What did Mary think after her special child was born? What role did Joseph feel he would play in bringing up the baby boy? What about the shepherds and the wise men, two vastly different groups in society but each so important in the birth of Jesus.

A couple of weeks ago some of our young people were involved in a Nativity Flashmob in Newcastle Central Station, Durham City and Hartlepool Town Centre. What better way to start our 12 Days of Christmas reflection than by enjoying a video showing footage of the Nativity in Central Station.

Video from RCDHN.org.uk

Happy Christmas Everyone!

A light shall shine upon us this day: for the Lord is born to us:
and He shall be called Wonderful, God, the Prince of Peace, the Father
of the world to come: of whose reign there shall be no end.

In those days Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should be taken of the entire Roman world. (This was the first census that took place while Quirinius was governor of Syria.) And everyone went to their own town to register. So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David. He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child. While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no guest room available for them. And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.” Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, “Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.”

- Luke 2:1-14