I can't believe it. It's 37 years since I became a Catholic. I recently celebrated my Baptism anniversary on 17 December. In fact, it's the first time I ever did. No big deal. Actually I didn't even announce it to anyone except my husband Patrick.
To me, it was a day I remembered all things dear to me that my Faith had brought into my life.
There's too many to list - but definitely one major one this year had been Mary Isabelle Archibald - my beloved daughter.
Just a sharing - God really spoke to me through the 3rd Advent week and reassured me that barren women had a special place in his heart. One such reading especially was on the First Reading on Thursday of the 3rd Week of Advent (btw, 17 Dec 2009 was that Thursday).
Although that reading were not read in church as from Dec 17 till 24, because special masses are given and there are specially assigned readings read instead (well something I just discovered while reflecting the daily readings from the daily + Sunday missal - remember my new Liturgical Year resolution - for those following my blog), from that reading, I really felt that God wanted me to know that I'm special and he will love me even when there are times my husband seem not able to or when the "disgrace" of not being able to have my own children became too difficult to bear.
The readings through the Dec 17 to 24 period also that showed me that miracles do happen to barren women - one was the mighty and strong Samson's mom - Manoah's wife (19Dec - 1st Reading) and of course the other more famous one - St John the Baptist's mom Elizabeth (19Dec - Gospel).
These are messages of hope. And even if God has not awaken my womb as he did for these other people - he sent me and Patrick, Mary in the most amazing way (read my earlier post).
As time is running out as we are rush to go for mass (followed by a full day of fellowship and Christmas carolling in my BEC), I shall have to stop now.
My wish to all is to rejoice and have hope this coming 2010, blessed Christmas to one and all,
Hazel
I believe God has a special plan for each one of us. With you and Patrick, that plan was to give you a beautiful baby girl,Mary Isabelle! Mary is such a lucky girl to have both of you as parents and I know one day she will grow up to be a wonderful lady and become the salt of this world!
ReplyDeleteMary is definitely a lucky girl to have both you and Patrick as parents. Have a blessed Christmas and a good new year ahead :-)
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