Hello, friends and family!

As I posted originally, I am not planning to truly start this blog until the new year.  But I figured I should offer something small in the meantime, just to remind everyone I am still here!  I have been working on my book; most recently I have finished my chapter on Sts. Louis and Zelie Martin.  This associated blog has not been forgotten, either: I have already written a good number of posts based on research from my book, and I have started interviewing other modern married couples that I can’t wait for you all to meet here.

To hold you over until I really start posting in January, here is a short list of ways to strengthen your marriage during the Advent and Christmas seasons in particular.

1. Give the gift of prayer

One of the most memorable birthday gifts I ever got was a potted flower from my roommate.  In the attached card, she explained that she had prayed a novena leading up to my birthday on my behalf.  Her novena was to St. Therese of Lisieux, “the Little Flower,” hence, the plant.  Every time I looked at the beautiful flowers, I was reminded of my friend’s prayers for me.  So, this Christmas, consider praying a special novena for your spouse in the days leading up to Christmas, and then presenting them with a small gift on Christmas Day that relates to the novena in some way. Check out a whole post I wrote about this concept for Catholic Mom here!

2. Start a new Advent tradition together

Whether it is just the two of you, or you have little ones underfoot at all times (umm… that’s me!), develop an Advent tradition that works for your family.  You might light the candle(s) on an Advent wreath before dinner and sing “O Come, O Come Emmanuel.”  Maybe you want to start some form of Jesse Tree to remember the lineage of Jesus.  Keep it simple, and then try to stick to it each year!  Traditions like these build family unity and give your family its own unique flavor.

3. Focus on the (Holy) Family

Advent and Christmas are a wonderful time to learn more about the Holy Family.  While I have learned about lots of awesome role-models for Catholic marriage through my book project, nobody can compete with Mama Mary and St. Joseph.  I can highly recommend a book I just read, ‘Hail, Holy Queen’ by Scott Hahn, which explores Mary’s roles throughout the Bible as the New Eve, Ark of the New Covenant, and Queen Mother. 

Other ideas: praying the Joyful Mysteries of the rosary, reading the nativity stories and infancy narratives in the gospels, or finding special ways to celebrate on the feast of Mary’s Immaculate Conception (Dec. 8, a Holy Day of Obligation, FYI!), the feast of the Holy Family (Dec. 27), and the feast of Mary Mother of God (Jan. 1, also a HDO). For 10 things you may not know about Sts. Mary and Joseph, click here!

That’s it for now!  Stay tuned for my “real” posts starting on January 3rd (the first Sunday of the year) with a challenge for you and your spouse to take on in the month of January.  Have a blessed Advent and Christmas!