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Although it may be the end of the calendar year, it doesn’t really feel like an end to the growing/planting year since it’s cyclical. My garden has radishes and carrots still growing under the snow, the chickens are still laying a few eggs, and I have a couple of seed catalogs to cozy up with during these shorter, colder days. There is always planning and prep to be done for the farm, my family, and the Church.

A beautiful crossover between my farm and my church comes this month when my children and a few sheep will participate in the St. Henry Live Nativity. Last year my girls, dressed as an angel and a shepherd, and my three sheep, Mary, Dot, and Snowflake, participated in the live Nativity! This year, I’ll take Easter and Whistle since they’re smaller and I know the children will love them.

Winter weather tests my resolve. When I was younger and my parents had chickens, I never wanted to go out to take care of them and grumbled about it WAY too much. Now, although I may prefer to stay inside, I have the opportunity and responsibility to model commitment to my kids. The animals are spending less time foraging and more time in their barn/coop/hive, maintaining warmth and eating their food stores – just like us! Although I might want to stay cozy inside all winter, they still depend on me daily. There are eggs to collect, bottles to give the lamb, and hay to replenish for the sheep. On warmer days in the winter, I will need to check the beehive candy boards to make sure they have food and that there haven’t been any predators damaging the hive. 

Having a little farm and assorted animals is wonderful when the weather is nice. In the winter, things are a lot less pleasant, but still required. How often do we prefer to go the easy route in our faith? Maybe we skip an early morning Mass because it’s raining, or we were up late the night before. Perhaps we don’t contribute when we are asked for time or funds, counting on others to make up for us. Our faith requires our attention even when it isn’t easy or convenient. If you don’t do continuous maintenance, you may end up with a garden full of weeds that seem insurmountable without help. It’s a good thing help is always available when it comes to our faith.

December in the Garden of Our Hearts

Well, friends, we come to the end of another year – but also a beginning! The season of Advent means the start of a new liturgical year and a reminder of the cyclical nature of our lives. Every ending is also the beginning of something new.

The return of Advent is anything but repetitive because although the season might be the same as last year, we are different. Year after year, the return to familiar seasons is a gift because it allows us to notice growth and change as we mark time.

Like the garden, there is much happening below the surface, and we must not grow weary in tending to our hearts – all the hidden places where the Lord is working. The readings for Advent really capture the spirit of this season: “It is the hour now for you to awake from sleep. For our salvation is nearer now than when we first believed; the night is advanced, the day is at hand. Let us then throw off the works of darkness and put on the armor of light.” (Rom 13:11-13)

Do not grow weary in these dark days of winter. The Lord is near, drawing us ever closer to Himself. Let’s resolve to stay awake and alert, ready to meet the Lord with hearts wide open to receive everything from Him.

"For to us a child is born, to us a son is given..." Isaiah 9:6

Wishing you and yours a very Merry Christmas!
Molly and Cassie