It's one of my favorite feast days of the year. Our Lord, the eternal Son of God, chose to enter the womb of a human woman and become a microscopic human being. What a beautiful, incredible thing to ponder! And we can honor that mystery in so many ways. Besides the obvious classic of getting thyself to Mass if possible (there's nothing better!) I've been thinking of a few extra ways to celebrate today's Solemnity of the Annunciation.
1.
Pray the Joyful Mysteries
This might be obvious but it's so good and worth it. The very first Joyful Mystery is the Annunciation so it certainly makes sense to pray it today!
2.
Wear Blue
The kids love to dress in liturgical colors and so do many other kids I know. I even put on a blue shirt today without realizing it! I think it's a great and super simple way to show the kids that this day is a bit more special than others.
3.
Bring a Meal to Someone Who is Pregnant
Or send them a card. Or a cleaning lady. Or a massage gift certificate. Or just call to let them know you're praying for them. Sometimes those weeks and months before birth are just as hard (or harder than!) as those weeks after.
4.
I'm still waiting for my letter of recognition from the Vatican as I'm convinced this is the best catechetical idea ever. Just as the pure white popcorn hides the tiny seed from which it came, so the most pure Mary hid the tiny baby Jesus from which she came.
5.
Pray for Those Struggling with Infertility and Miscarriage
Maybe even send them a note or give them a call to let them know you're thinking about and praying for them.
6.
Pray for an End to Abortion and Fertility Treatments that Destroy Life
Our Lord was once a zygote, an embryo, a fetus and was just as much God. What a thing to contemplate. Every life is sacred, no matter how small.
7.
Plant Your Garden
(or just start some seeds inside!)
It's too early for us to be planting outside here in New York but it's a great day to start seeds inside. Or even just plant a seed in a paper cup with the kids. (Or if you're like me this year, even just order them. This is my favorite company for buying seeds!)
8.
Sing to Mary
Yes, sing. Have your kids sing with you. Maybe even learn a new Marian hymn. Do it during prayer time or before you eat dinner. You can do it :)
9.
Look Back at Your Pregnancy Pictures
Take some time with your children to look back at pictures while you were pregnant with them. Even (especially!) ones taken when you still can't tell you're pregnant but that little person is still there growing inside! Show them how hidden they were but how they were just as much them and as special as they are right now.
(Rockin' it with the bubbles)
10.
Give to (or Volunteer at) a Local Crisis Pregnancy Center
I'm certain Mary could identify with those women feeling scared and alone.
11.
Our traditional dinner is stromboli but really, you could use any meal that has a "hidden" component to it (tacos, pitas, filled donuts or cookies, etc.) in honor of Baby Jesus being "hidden" inside Mary.
12.
Bring Mary Flowers
What mother doesn't love flowers from her children?
Any other ideas?
Lovely ideas! Thanks for some inspiration!
ReplyDeleteFabulous! Thank you!
ReplyDeleteThis is a fantastic list!! Thank you!! Wish I had read it before the day, but I pinned it for next year. I'm in Minnesota and YES, same here w/ the ordering seeds, but may wait until next year. No beds yet!
ReplyDeleteMy Julia decided we should make white-and-blue iced chocolate chip cookies for treats on this Solemnity! With Stations of the Cross and Rosary for all your great intentions too. Next year - strombolis! Thank you!
ReplyDeleteFun! And you're welcome!
DeleteYES! I love the easy component. We will do a few of these today :) Thanks!
ReplyDeleteWonderful! Simple! Easy to implement for our four boys!
ReplyDeleteLovely and beautiful
ReplyDeletePopcorn just became more a-maize-ing! Thank you.
ReplyDelete