Faith Blog: My God and My All, Let Thy Name Be Glorified!

Holy Family! Oh Holy Family! How sacred you are That Triune God made Covenant with you For the salvation? Holy Family! Oh Holy Family! How holy you are That the Holy Spirit descended Upon you? Holy Family! Oh Holy Family! How majestic you are That the Son of God Dwelt among you? Holy Family! Oh Holy Family! How precious you are That the Holy Angels  Gaurded you in all your ways? Holy Family! Oh Holy Family! How beautiful you are That you were recreated In Triune God's image? Holy Family! Oh Holy Family! How innocent and faithful you are That the salvation of all creations Rested upon your faithfulness, obedience, and faith? Holy Family! Oh Holy Family! God so loved you He chose you to be the source salvation For all the families? Holy Family! Oh Holy Family! God so trusted you That He entrusted His only begotten Son's care To you? Holy Family! Oh Holy Family! God chose you To be born an

Triune God created the man and woman In his image He united them In the garden of Eden In the first Holy Matrimony In His presence Thus man and woman In the sacrament of Holy Matrimony United with God in covenant Become one yet three in union God, Man, and woman Triune in form, yet one in nature Holy matrimony, the creation of God In His holy Triune image Of Holy Trinity Became Holy family! When human failed The covenant with God Acted in their own manly and womanly ways They rejected the relationship Of Triune God and they lost their Triune structed In the union with God In the Holy Matrimony The family struggled Void of union with God Sins prevailed Pains followed Miserable they became They missed God and the life in garden of Eden Triune God loved human family His master creation He planned to salvage the family He loved the family and he planned to redeem it. He worked on recreation The creation, which was ordained By the power of the Holy

We are the shepherds The shepherds of Bethlehem We are the Shepherds Who saw the Angels from Heaven We are the shepherds Who saw the Baby Jesus at the Manger. There in the humble manger The son God was resting There as a gentle baby The king of king was born There in the simple surrounding The savior came as a human Millions of moons Thousands of suns Millions of stars Dazzling brightness Wont match to the glory Of the Baby Jesus! We knelt in awe at His appearance! He looked at us He smiled at us He raised his tender fingers Showed us the gestures of blessings At that time we were speechless And went into a state if ecstasy We adored him We offered the milk and cheese We offered sheep and cattle We prostrated to the floor Seeing the baby King Then came the thunder There came the wonder Of the Angel Chorus Descending upon  and around the manger Millions of angels were presented themselves at the service of the Baby king We recognized the

Children ran into the manger Cattle and sheep went into the manger Neighbors rushed to the site The street was full of people Joseph called Mary We the shepherds followed him inside There we saw a young girl Who welcomed with a smile She was looking brilliant as star Radiant glowing face Slender and tender she appeared She smiled as roses She welcomed us Bright as sunflower Gentle as a dove she swaddled the baby in cloth and kept it on the manger Looking at her We thought, O God, she is an Angel She is holy She has seen God Her presence reflected holiness, sacredness, and reverence We exclaimed, she is the mother of The baby king! The room shined in radiance Filled in awe and wonder Brilliant sun rays entered the hut The room glowed as if Lighted with Millions of lights We moved near the manger As Mary showed the baby To those who came We saw the Baby king We saw the king of Israel We saw the King of Kings We saw the savior of the world!

We are the shepherds The shepherds of Bethlehem We are the Shepherds Who saw the Angels from Heaven We are the shepherds Who saw the Baby Jesus at the Manger. We saw the door open There we saw a handsome bearded young man Standing at the door High spirited he looked Glowing and radiance his face was Kind and gentle his words were Loving and gentle his approaches were We thought in our mind Surely this man has seen God That much glow reflected From his happy face I am Joseph he said He inquired the reason of our arrival We shared the angels chorus' We shared the angel's good news We saw as we spoke his happiness Multiplied in multitudes Excited he became Wondered of the news Reflective thoughts bounded He went in deep contemplation We can see that vividly Praise God he uttered We  were honored by his hospitality and love Surely he is a great man Surely he is a holy man Surely he has seen God We were witnessing all in him He welcomed

We are the shepherds The shepherds of Bethlehem We are the Shepherds Who saw the Angels from Heaven We are the shepherds Who saw the Baby Jesus at the Manger. We were at the door of the manger A humble ground floor on a dwelling Made of mud and stone An old wooden door near We knocked at the door With heart bouncing joy and wonder We were moved at the site of the manger, as simple as it appeared We were moved in tears in the thought that God's Son found place Among us in a humble place as this manger We praised God that He chose to dwell among us Not in the castle but in a simple manger We touched the walls of the manger We blessed the glory of the manger In its dwelling it contained the Baby king The king of kings, The Lord of Lords The savior of all people and all creations Chose to be born inside this manger. Oh blessed manger, we bless you With the good news Of Angels

We are the shepherds The shepherds of Bethlehem We are the Shepherds Who saw the Angels from Heaven We are the shepherds Who saw the Baby Jesus at the Manger. We reached the Bethlehem Farmers were setting out to the fields We greeted them cheer Saying, "The baby king the Lord the savior is born We were send by an angel to see Him" Delighted farmers received the news Followed us to the manger There came the shepherds of the Bethlehem With their flocks of cattle and sheep We greeted them and shared the good news Joyful shepherds followed us to the Bethlehem manger They became the host guide for us to seeking the manger There came the merchants of Bethlehem On our way We greeted them to share the good news They welcomed us and showed our way Then came the workers of Bethlehem On their way to work On our way We greeted them to share the news They greeted us with cheer There came the streets and markets of Bethlehem Where men and women wer

We are the shepherds The shepherds of Bethlehem We are the Shepherds Who saw the Angels from Heaven We are the shepherds Who saw the Baby Jesus at the Manger. The Sky followed us As we sang Angel's song Gloria in Excelsis Deo The clouds marched with us As we clapped our hands In joy on our way The breeze and winds accompanied us As we walked a sleepless night with an anticipation of seeing The baby king. The shrubs and trees greeted us As we danced among them With a joyful hearts The hills and valleys echoed us As we proclaimed the good news Near Bethlehem Rivers and bonds made way for us As we said the Name of the baby king The king of Israel on our way Birds flew above us to reach the Bethlehem Cattle and sheep were joyful To see the birds journey on them The moon was full and beautiful In singing the goodnews With its gentle lights The stars were bright and brilliant In leading and watching over us As we marched through the

We are the shepherds The shepherds of Bethlehem We are the Shepherds Who saw the Angels from Heaven We are the shepherds Who saw the Baby Jesus at the Manger. We walked towards Bethlehem With a joyful dream Of seeing God the Son, The Baby Jesus! We went on a pilgrimage To the manger of Bethlehem We marched to Bethlehem With cattle and sheep With good news in our heart Our eves gave babies on the way Our cattle gave birth on the way We tended them as we journeyed To see the Baby king. The thought of the baby Humbled our hearts The vision of the Baby Tendered our hearts The reflection of the  Good news Elevated us beyond our simple status We were chosen, we were chosen To speak the good news of Baby king, the savior The thought of this heavenly love Made us jump through the hills and valleys Journeying to Bethlehem. We forgot our cares and worries We forgo our routines At the proclamation of Good news We derailed

We are the shepherds The shepherds of Bethlehem We are the Shepherds Who saw the Angels from Heaven We are the shepherds Who saw the Baby Jesus at the Manger. We marched with joy We danced in ecstasy We sang the songs of heaven We hurried to see our savior We walked, ran, hopped, jumped, danced singing Glory to God in highest, All along the way! The hills echoed to the heaven Singing Gloria! The mountains leaped in joy Singing Gloria! Valleys resonated the march beats Singing Gloria! The earth rejoiced in her king Singing Gloria! Seas sang lullaby in love Singing Gloria! Rivers rejoiced Falls and springs joined in chorus Wells and ponds echoed The ripples of joy In hearing good news In all our ways To Bethlehem. Clouds danced in merry Leading us in journey Skies clapped in rejoice Sending sweet rains on the way! Birds sang in sweet rhythms From every tree tops Trees swayed their branches In the happy rhythm of Good news Foxes howled

" today in the city of David there has been born for you a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.  12 “This  will be  a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.”  13 And suddenly there appeared with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying,        14 “Glory to God in the highest, And on earth peace among men with whom He is pleased." We are the shepherds The shepherds of Bethlehem We are the Shepherds Who saw the Angels from Heaven We are the shepherds Who saw the Baby Jesus at the Manger. Angels proclaimed! The birth of the savior The Christ the savior The Son of God! The Baby Jesus Was born in City of David! The Bethlehem! We asked many questions in our hearts Happy and excited as we are Knew not any sign How do we know the Christ the Child? How to seek and know the Savior? We wondered at heart. Angels continued in excitation Proclaimed, " This will be the sig

" today in the city of David there has been born for you a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.  12 “This  will be  a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.”  13 And suddenly there appeared with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying,        14 “Glory to God in the highest, And on earth peace among men with whom He is pleased." Angels proclaimed! Heavenly Angels proclaimed! The Birth of Jesus! In the City of David! City of David! We knew about the city! House of Bread and House of Meat! The Bethlehem! The City of David! City of David! The City of Glory! The city of Royal! From its bosom's The king David was crowned As the King of Israel! Great city of Judea! City of Majesty! City of David! Glorious city! City of David! Heavenly Glory adorned Its natural beauty The birth of the Son of God! Ordained in divinity In the city of David! The birth of the

We are the shepherds The shepherds of Bethlehem We are the Shepherds Who saw the Angels from Heaven We are the shepherds Who saw the Baby Jesus at the Manger. We were captivated by heavenly glory We knelt on our knees to adore We bend our heads to touch the ground At the sight of God's glory Now we saw an Angel appear near us in radiance and glory In brightness beyond our sights In beauty beyond our descriptions In glory beyond any measure In joy beyond any happiness In peace beyond the earth In love beyond any human We saw an Angel standing near us. We bowed in adoration We buried our face into our hands We knelt on ground With eager and joy For the Angel to bless us The Angel spoke in a loving tone In a heavenly majesty In a celestial eloquence In a kingly proclamation In earthly words To our human hearts Do not be afraid! Do not be afraid! I bring you good news of great joy; which will be for all the people!

We are the shepherds The shepherds of Bethlehem We are the Shepherds Who saw the Angels from Heaven We are the shepherds Who saw the Baby Jesus at the Manger. Night became the day in the joyful dancing lights Sight could not contain The brightness of heaven on earth Sense could not get enough Of the gentle peace surrounded us Body could not resist The merry came around us The feet could not resist The dances emerged in joyful carols The hands could not be still In the happy clapping on heavenly tunes Where are we? We wondered In a wonderland on heaven or earth? Lights lightened our burdens Musics lightened our hearts Heavenly chorus gave us the joy The joy we knew not We the shepherds filled with heavenly joy We were lifted into a state of bliss

We are the shepherds The shepherds of Bethlehem We are the Shepherds Who saw the Angels from Heaven We are the shepherds Who saw the Baby Jesus at the Manger. We were frightened at the voices of the angels We were puzzled by the the celestial signs We were wondering of all the events While we guarded the sheep on the fields Many thoughts went in our minds We were about to run to shelter the herds We thought the world is about to end We wanted to get back to our families and children at home Thunders of heavenly voices were all around us We were surrounded by lights, thunders, and trumpets Suddenly, there came a chorus of heavenly melodies That permeated the heaven and earth Vivid crystal lights, celestial bodies Danced in tunes of heavenly bright Soothing cents smoothed our being Gentle breeze cared us with hope Trumpets sounded in rhythmic beats Joyful spirit captured our hearts Fear ran away Worries gone away Doubts went away Confusions far away Peace

We gathered around the fields- as We kept watch over our herd In a Starry night and silent night Stillness in the air Silence prevailed everywhere We left the sheep to rest and stood by them keeping awake Sudden spurts of songs Loud trumpets from heaven Rumbled as thunder We were shook by fear The sleeping sheep raising fretful bleat Restless sheep ran here and there It was an ordeal to contain them to rest. Dogs barked louder Birds fluttered in fear Resting animals ran here and there Rustling bushes all around Distant foxes howled in fear Cows meowed in groups Fields and valleys shook at trumpet Herds every where moved closer We shepherds gathered in the fields We looked up to heaven With the fear stricken trembled heart

New American Standard Bible Jesus’ Birth in Bethlehem        1 Now in those days a decree went out from Caesar Augustus, that a census be taken of all the inhabited earth.  2 This was the first census taken while Quirinius was governor of Syria.  3 And everyone was on his way to register for the census, each to his own city.  4 Joseph also went up from Galilee, from the city of Nazareth, to Judea, to the city of David which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and family of David,  5 in order to register along with Mary, who was engaged to him, and was with child.  6 While they were there, the days were completed for her to give birth.  7 And she gave birth to her firstborn son; and she wrapped Him in cloths, and laid Him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.       8 In the same region there were  some  shepherds staying out in the fields and keeping watch over their flock by night.  9 And an angel of the Lord suddenly stood before them, and the

We are shepherds Shepherds of Bethlehem We saw a strange shining  star In a silent starry night We wondered about it As we wandered with the herd. We saw the blood moon Wonder in the sky We were puzzled with awe What it could bring. We saw the angels decent on earth From the sky above We were filled with fear, wonder, awe, and joy As they spoke to us Fear not! The savior is born! And they sang with joy, peace, and glory Glory to God in the Highest! Gloria in Excelsis Deo! We joined Angels Chorus Singing Gloria in Excelsis Deo We gathered the sheep and Journeyed  with Angels To see the baby of Bethlehem The wonder child, the prince of peace, the king of kings And Lord of Lords In a manger.

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Presentation is an act of love, thanksgiving, charity, sanctification, and unification of family with God's will in Holy love. Love is a decision and family call of life is a decision of responsibility, accountability, and love. Love has a mystical side and the reality side to it. Many times we romanticize the mystical side of the love and care less about the reality and responsible side of love. The reality side of the family love is that it comes with the parcels of challenges, which is common to all the marriages. Sometimes the challenges may be equivalent to the Cross. When I think of that, the Cross has a meaning, purpose, function, and fruits to the total goodness of the family. It is the natural design, some of them are designed by divine purpose along the family life. The meaning, functions, and purpose of the cross is invisible and it is beyond human ability to understand, as it is divine and holy. Suffering is holy and it is like a fire that consumes all malice and

Family is a disciple of Jesus Christ and Holy Trinity in this world. In discipleship role, the family participates in God's mission of creation and becomes the co-creator through procreation and sharing the gifts of the love, faith, life, and womb. Children are fruits of love and gifts from God. In presentation mystery, we reflect upon the offering of baby Jesus in the temple by the Holy Family.  Presentation mystery highlights the love and faith of the Holy Family, which is the role model for all the family's disciple role. Families bring their gifts to the altar through their lives, love, faith, and children. Presentation function of discipleship life applies to both biological and foster families.  Presentation is the hallmark function of the discipleship life of a Christian family.  Christian families receive their gifts in union with the Holy Trinity and reflect the fruits in their life, which results in the presentation of the gospel and good news to the world. This

As I have visualized the visitation as an interaction and collaboration between the Holy Church and the secular families, I reflect upon the gift of Mother of God carrying the word of God to the world. I visualize the Holy Catholic Church represents the role of the Mother of God in salvation, redemption, and restoration, as she carried the good news in collaboration with the Holy Spirit. The Mother Church carries the word of God (Good news) to the world through the collaboration with the Holy Spirit and her children in this world. In visitation, I see two different gifts being shared with joy by two different families who share one call but in different perspectives. While Mother of God shared her gift as carrying the savior, Elizabeth shared her gift of joy and her gifts, which represented the gifts of the secular families' discipleship life. Secular families are endowed with abundant gifts, which include all that the world can offer, all that the humanity can offer, all that t

Every family needs the transformation experience which comes through the sacrament of Holy matrimony. In wedding function at Canaan, wine was an essential component of a wedding. When there was lack of wine the families were worried and they feared of shame. Similarly, I reflect, the wine, symbolizes the saving blood of Jesus, saving grace of God in the family. When there is a lack of  acknowledging God's presence within the families, there may be darkness within the family, which would mask the gifts and fruits of the families. Acknowledging and seeking God's help and His presence within the family is the first step of the transformation. In the light of the first miracle, there were two different things are seen. One side wine is needed, it is over, another side there is plenty of water. If I may visualize water as the natural gifts of the family, which is abundant within each family, which may not substitute the required wine in quality, appearance, and taste. Therefore,

I continue to reflect upon the family's discipleship life in the context of first joyful mystery. I extend my thoughts into the first miracle of Jesus. A disciple is a person who follows Jesus. Here I view the family unit as a disciple of Jesus, because in Holy Matrimony, by the power of the Holy Spirit, the couple is united in Holy Matrimony and the couple transform into one body, mind, spirit, and soul. In Holy Matrimony, family becomes the disciple of Jesus, as in the mystical state and in the secular status, two bodies become one, two souls unite as one, two hearts join as one, two minds join in determination to function as one, and two systems of families come in unison as one family. Let us dwell in the first miracle little more time. Jesus performed many miracles when He walked this earth. But the first miracle was performed towards the joy of the family. I question myself, is it because the first family's sin corrupted the humanity and nature, now the Son of God begi

Parenting is a sacred call One of the functions of the family is parenting. Parenting is a sacred gift and call. Parenting involves a discipleship, call of life. When Apostolic priesthood, which is the redemptive priesthood involves feeding the sheep, feeding the lamb, and tending the flock; Family's natural priesthood call is parenting, which is a discipleship way of life, which is called to Co- create, Co nurture, and tend the children with the help of the Holy Spirit. Let me place the parenting roles and function near Holy Family, which included Jesus Mary and Joseph. Allow me to reflect the concepts of parenting in the light and context of Joyful Mystery of Holy Rosary, which include the Annunciation, Visitation, Nativity, Presentation, and Finding Jesus in the Temple. While all other mysteries addresses the redemptive apostolic priesthood roles of Jesus that which is continued by His Apostles till today, the Joyful mysteries present the fullness and gift of the Holy F

1994 - YEAR OF THE FAMILY LETTER TO FAMILIES FROM POPE JOHN PAUL II GRATISSIMAM SANE      Dear Families! 1. The celebration of the Year of the Family gives me a welcome opportunity to knock at the door of your home, eager to greet you with deep affection and to spend time with you. I do so by this Letter, taking as my point of departure the words of the Encyclical  Redemptor Hominis,  published in the first days of my ministry as the Successor of Peter. There I wrote that  man is the way of the Church . With these words I wanted first of all to evoke the many paths along which man walks, and at the same time to emphasize how deeply the Church desires to stand at his side as he follows the paths of his earthly life. The Church shares in the joys and hopes, the sorrows and anxieties of people's daily pilgrimage, firmly convinced that it was Christ himself who set her on all these paths. Christ entrusted man to the Church; he entrusted man to her as the "way" of her