Training Happy Hearts: Get These 8 Books Ready for the 2nd Week of Advent

Happy first day of Advent!

I pray it's been a wonderfully blessed day for you.

Here, we did not partake in all of our Happy New Liturgical Year family traditions, but we did enjoy some of them.

Early this morning, I found our Works of Mercy Wisemen, our Jesse Tree ornaments, and some favorite Advent books and palced them in a corner of the living room where they will be ready for bedtime reading and ornament hanging by the Advent wreath tonight.

Then, before Mass, my youngest pulled down the first link of our Advent chain and, together, our family focused on what it suggested.

After Mass, we partook in the extra blessings of meeting our new pastor and spending hours chatting, eating, and playing with fellow parishioners.

Thenm, as day turned to night, my children and I also went on our first day (okay, early evening) of Advent nature walk to pick out a branch for our Jesse tree and some greenery for our Advent wreath.

Around the aforementioned activities, instead of coming together for a Happy New Liturgical Year meal, game, and celebration as a family, we each naturally retreated to different quiet spots for personal downtime. (There's been a lot of busyness and some bumps in life lately, and so some quiet personal time seemed best today.)

During part of my quiet time, I decided which picture books I want to have on the ready for our second week of Advent Works of Mercy Wisemen tradition and - hoping they will come in on time - ordered the ones we do not have in our personal collection from our library website.

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If you'd like to do the same, here's my list:

December 5

2nd Sunday of Advent
(a day we try to fit cookie making into)

The Baker's Dozen: A Saint Nicholas Tale

Have we been stingy with our gifts? What Work of Mercy might we act upon today while being generous with our gifts?

The Gift of the Christmas Cookie: Sharing the True Meaning of Jesus' Birth

Is there a way we might instruct the ignorant, feed the hungry, or both, much like the characters in this book?

December 6

Feast of St. Nicholas

(a day we typically go in a field trip to do charitable works for the poor)

The Miracle of Saint Nicholas

What a beautiful story of people coming together to give what they have so that love, joy, and devotion may prevail. How might you come together with others today to live a Work of Mercy?

December 7

Feast of St. Ambrose

The Christmas Candle

"If we will see things as they truly are, we will find that all, from great to small, belong to one family. And this truth, known from the beginning of time, is perhaps seen best in the joyous illumination of Christmas." Is there someone who could use your help?

December 8

Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary

(and a birthday here)

The Donkey's Dream

There are so many beautiful and symbolic images connected to Our Lady. Which one speaks to you?Is there someone who could use a little extra grace and intercession today? Perhaps we could pray to Our Lady for that person.

December 9

Feast of St. Juan Diego

Talking Eagle and the Lady of Roses: The Story of Juan Diego and Our Lady of Guadalupe

St. Juan Diego - a man of simplicity, humility, obedience, and love of others - can act as an example to us. As you read his story, who or what came to mind? Is there a person you feel prompted to reach out to? An issue you sense needs attention? What can you do about that today?

December 10