Advent House Blessing

Okay- If your family is like mine, things are getting very exciting, and a little stressful. On top of the stress about finishing gifts and preparing food in time, we have young adults in the family who work holiday hours- that is, all the time. We can't plan anything because we don't know their schedules yet. I am trying to be calm and flexible, but it's hard because I do like to KNOW THE PLAN!

Someone is most excited about the trees.

Also, we are going through a major transition- my daughter and son-in-law are moving into a new house, their first real home together (and they have a fireplace!) We are trying to fit in some Christmas fun between painting rooms, repairing electrical outlets, and plumbing, but I'm sure it's jarring to switch focus back and forth. 

Agenda:
1. Holding my PLANS in the light
2. House blessing
3. Make a gingerbread house
4. Christmas Novena, day 4



1. Holding my PLANS in the light:
I need to readjust my attitude! Today I will sit with my plans swimming around in my head and just release them one by one into a field of light, saying:

"This is only a thought. I release it to God's best plan."

2. House blessing:
We haven't found the right time yet, but sometime soon I will perform a house clearing and blessing at my daughter and son-in-law's new house. I hope to walk over in the morning, because that's the time of new beginnings. The ceremony will be short; we will-- 

• Play some soft drum music to set the mood.
• Stand in a circle together and light a pink candle, for love and kindness.
• Share some words about the intentions to let go of old energies from the space and welcome the new family.
• Smudge with sage in each room, directing smoke into the corners.

3. Make a gingerbread house:

This year's house

Yesterday I made gingerbread houses with my young friend Neci, and my daughter came over at the end to help decorate. My recipe is easy and pretty fool-proof.

Ingredients:

• 1 c. shortening
• 1 c. sugar
• 1 c. molasses
• 1 tsp. baking powder
• 1 tsp. salt
• 1 tsp. cinnamon
• 1 tsp. ginger
• 5 c. flour
• 4 Tbsp. water

Makes 2 small houses-

1. Cream together shortening and sugar until light and fluffy. Add molasses. 

2. Combine the salt, baking powder, cinnamon, and ginger in a small bowl and blend well, then add. 

3. Add the flour one cup at a time alternating with tablespoons of water. 

4. Spread dough on a cookie sheet, cover well, and chill 1 hour.

Supplies: Poster board pattern pieces, large bread board, parchment paper, rolling pin, flour, knife, pans, small board covered with foil, meringue powder, powdered sugar,frosting bag, candy

I have a very basic gingerbread house pattern, cut out of poster board, that I always use. You can find patterns in books or online.

1) Divide dough into balls for each pattern piece. Cut a piece of parchment paper for first side piece. Pat the dough into roughly the shape you need, then roll, 1/4-3/8” thick.

2) Use a knife to cut around pattern. Remove excess dough then lift onto the pan. Cut out any windows or doors.

3) Repeat for the rest of the house, filling the first pans. (We needed four pans for two houses, so we baked them in two batches.)

4) Bake 350ºF for 10 min. 

5) Prepare window glass:  The window glass is crushed candies- we smashed each hard candy with a hammer while it was still in it's wrapper, then dumped them into a small bowl.

6) After 10 minutes, remove the pans to re-trim the edges if necessary, and fill the windows with candy bits. Return to the oven and melt for 3-5 minutes.

7) When baking is finished, remove pieces to a board, and leave to cool.

8) Follow the directions on the meringue powder to make royal icing. Fill a piping bag with a large hole, and another with a smaller hole.

9) Decorate the walls and roof flat, before assembling the house.

10) Spread royal icing onto a foil covered board, then glue the first two walls together and let dry. Add 2 more walls, then the roof, letting each new section dry first.

4. Christmas Novena, day 4:
From the Worldssps site:
In Communion with the Victims of Alcohol and DrugsLet us pray for the people enslaved by alcohol, drugs and other addictions, that through the word of God they find the strength to fight for freedom, overcome their addictions and live in sobriety and joy.

Let us pray for the people who had lost their sense of life, as a result of abuse of alcohol and drugs. May a particular grace, love of God and support from other people, help them to discover the true meaning of life and liberate them from the sinful attachments, so they can enjoy their families and the community of the Church.

Let us pray for the families and friends of those who are addicted to alcohol and drugs, that they find comfort in people who are supporting them in any way.

Loving God, we ask you to liberate people addicted to drugs, alcohol, cigarettes and all kinds of addiction. Let them desire to reject the temptation of using them again. We know that by their own strength, they cannot break from the acquired habits: heal them, clean their intentions, and strengthen the weak-willed. Free them from the effects that these addictions caused. Support them in their desire to live in inner freedom. Help them overcome the power of body tensions and wrong desires. Fill them with the power of God’s Word in Scriptures and embrace them with your love flowing from the Eucharist. We believe that with your grace they will become a people not only free but also devoted to your service. Amen.