Posted On 2013-01-01 In Original Shrine

Ten Minutes at the Manger at Mount Schoenstatt

mev. The traditional “Ten Minutes at the Manger” is taking place from December 26tth to January 8th, at Holy Trinity Church, and many families come every year continuing their celebration Christmas.  This year, there will be two times from which to choose:  one at 3:00 p.m. and at 4:00 p.m.

 

 

 

Families with children of all ages arrive and fill the church. Everyone has the desire of having a moment with the Child Jesus in the manger, and they come hoping that of one of their “little ones” can be one of the characters: Mary, Joseph, the star, the angel, or the shepherds…everyone arrives to adore the Child, even the sheep.

Possessed by their role

During these minutes before the manger, everyone is invited to reflect on the meaning of Christmas: “What is Christmas? Is it the cards, the gifts, the lights and the good wishes? All of this is part of Christmas, but what we are really celebrating is the birth of Jesus!”

The families arrived very early. The children were invited to assume the role of one of the characters; they received a costume, little bells, stars, and they created some choreography for each song throughout the prayer.

They brought gifts for the Child

No one can come to visit the Child with empty hands, so each of the participants wrote their petitions and gifts on some stars that will be burned with the capital of grace in the bonfire of January 18th.

After the moment of prayer, everyone stayed to sing Christmas carols and before leaving they could go by Father Kentenich’s Tomb, where there were phrases that they could take for motivation and reflection for the beginning of the New Year.

Everyone leaves happy – the majority stay to share Christmas tea and cookies at the stable that was decorated for the occasion – they take joy to their homes in celebrating Christmas with their families.

 


Original: Spanish. – English translation: Celina M. Garza, San Antonio, Texas, USA

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