Mi receta favorita - My Favorite Recipe

 CELEBREMOS LAS TRADICIONES

La Nochebuena es un momento para celebrar las tradiciones y disfrutar con la familia y los amigos. Mi postre favorito durante  éste tiempo decembrino es el arroz con leche. Me transporta  a mi infancia, me llena de gozo y añoranza. Ahora, disfruto prepararlo con mi hija. Es un bonito momento para recordar a mi mamita, su abuelita. 

¡Aquí está la receta de mi madre para ti!

ARROZ CON LECHE INGREDIENTES:

1 tazas de arroz crudo

      6 tazas de leche

      1/2 taza de azúcar       

      1 lata pequeña de leche condensada

      1/2 cucharadita de esencia de vainilla       
3 astillas de canela y  canela en polvo al gusto

      Uvas pasas (opcional) 

Preparación: 

Poner a hervir la leche con las astillas de canela y azúcar. Cuando hierba, agregar el arroz y bajar el fuego al mínimo. Revolver constantemente y cocinar hasta que el arroz haya absorbido la leche. Aparte, mezclar la leche condensada con la esencia de vainilla y verter esta mezcla en la olla del arroz. dejar enfriar y al momento de servir agregar canela en polvo y/o uvas pasas.

 ¿Nos gustaría saber cuál es su tradición? ...Mi preferida es Arroz de leche.

FOR THE OCTAVE CHRISTMAS

For the ladies who asked me for the recipe in English. Here it is my mother's rice pudding recipe.

Now, my daughter's favorite dessert. Enjoy it ;)

Rice Pudding Recipe

Christmas Eve is a time to celebrate traditions and enjoy it with family and friends. My favorite dessert during this time is the Rice pudding. Here is my mother's recipe for you! 

Ingredients:
• 1cups of white rice
• 6 cups of milk
• 1/2 cup sugar
• 1 small can of condense milk
• 1/2 teaspoon of Vanilla extract 
• 3 cinnamon sticks
• Cinnamon powder —to taste
• Raisins (optional) 


Preparation:

Put to boil the milk with the cinnamon sticks and sugar. When is boiling, add the rice and lower the heat to a minimum. Stir constantly and cook until the rice has absorbed the milk. Mix the condensed milk with the vanilla extract, and pour this mixture into the rice. Allow to cool and serve to add cinnamon powder and/or raisins.

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Maritza M. Mejia writes to inspire others to be their best selves.

Website: www.luzdelmes.com 

Member: ANLMI, FWA, SFWA, Delegada ANLMI

Awards: Crystal Apple 2006, VCB Poetry 2015, Latino Book Awards 2016, Author’s Talk Book Show 2017- American Eagle 2020, Premio Verso Dorado 2022

St. Nicholas and St Claus tradition

 

Image: Christian Daily & Story Basílica of Piat

Nicholas was born at Patara, a seaside town in Licia, in southern Turkey, in the third century. He came from a good family that raised him as a Christian. His life, from his earliest days, was marked by obedience. When he was orphaned at a young age, Nicholas, remembering the rich young man in the Gospel, used his inheritance to assist the needy, the sick, and the poor. He was elected Bishop of Myra, and under the emperor Diocletian was exiled and imprisoned. After being freed, he attended the Council of Nicaea in 325. He died in Myra on 6 December 343. Many stories have been handed down about Nicholas, all testifying to a life spent in service to the weak, the small, and the defenseless.

Defender of the weak

One of the most ancient stories about Saint Nicholas involves a man with three daughters of marriageable age. The family was poor, and the young girls were in danger of being forced into prostitution, because their father could not afford to offer a suitable dowry. One night, Nicholas went to the family’s home, and threw a bag of coins through the open window -- then fled before he could be identified. With the money, the father was able to procure a marriage for his eldest daughter. Nicholas returned twice more, always at night so that he could not be identified. But the third time, the father rushed out of the house to identify his mysterious benefactor. Nicholas begged him not to tell anyone what he had done.

Another story relates the fate of three young theologians travelling to Athens. Along the way, they stopped at an inn, where they were robbed and killed by the innkeeper, who hid their bodies in a barrel. Saint Nicholas, then a bishop, stopped at the same inn when he travelled to Athens. In a dream, he saw the crime that had been committed by his host. Turning to prayer, Saint Nicholas miraculously restored the three young men to life, and obtained the conversion of the wicked innkeeper.

A third story tells how Saint Nicholas freed a young boy, Basileos, who had been kidnapped from his home in Myra, and forced to serve as a cup-bearer for a foreign potentate. While his parents prayed for his safety, Saint Nicholas appeared to Basileos, and miraculously restored him to his family -- still holding the potentate’s golden cup.

These and similar stories helped to spread devotion to Saint Nicholas as patron of children and young people

Protector of seafarers

St. Nicholas is also the patron of sailors and seafarers. When he was a young man, Nicholas boarded a ship to take him on a pilgrimage to the Holy Land. Following in the footsteps of the Lord, Nicholas prayed that he might be able to experience more fully the closeness of Jesus, and share in His sufferings. Returning to Greece, a frightful storm arose, and the ship he was on was in danger of flooding. Nicholas calmly prayed, and suddenly the wind ceased and the waves died down, to the wonder of the sailors, who feared shipwreck.

Saint Nicholas of Bari

 After the death of Saint Nicholas, his tomb at Myra soon became a place of pilgrimage; his relics were considered miraculous on account of a mysterious liquid that flowed from them, known as the “manna of St Nicholas.” 

Basílica Myra- Bari 

Santa Claus

In the Low Countries, and throughout Germanic lands generally, the winter feast of Saint Nicholas (in Dutch, “Sint Nikolaas” and later “Sinteklaas”), and his patronage of the young, gave rise to the tradition of giving gifts on his feast day: on the Eve of his feast, children would leave socks or shoes on a chair, or next to the fireplace, and go to sleep trusting that the following morning they would be filled with gifts. 

Which sack would you like to receive?

Books available at: www.luzdelmes.com

Book activities with The Saint Nicholas Day Snow

https://charlotteriggle.com/book-activities-saint-nicholas-day-snow/

https://www.thereligionteacher.com/saintnicholas-activities-worksheet/

¿Existió Papá Noel?

La Tradición de San Nicolás data del siglo IV del Obispo griego de Myra, llamado Nicolás, quien ayudaba a los pobres.  Debido a los muchos milagros atribuidos a su intercesión, también es conocido como “Nikolaos el Wonderworker”. Es decir, Una persona que realizó milagros. 

La leyenda narra que el obispo dejó el dinero requerido (dote) a la orilla de la ventana, dentro de una bolsa roja, de tres niñas pobres para permitirles casarse. Probablemente la tradición de las medias rojas que se llenan de dinero, está basada en esta historia. 

San Nicolás es el santo protector de los pescadores, necesitados y de los niños. 

Oh buen San Nicolás,

Tú que trajiste alegría a los niños,

pon en mi corazon el espiritu de la infancia

de la que habla el Evangelio.

Enséñame a sembrar felicidad a mi alrededor

Amén

Para conocer  más sobre la historia visita: 

http://www.lanota-latina.com/santa-una-leyenda-roja-de-amor-y-bondad/

Thank you for your support!🌷 #LuzDelMes 🌠

ACTIVIDADES GRATIS EN: www.luzdelmes.com

Maritza Martínez Mejía

Mother, Theologian, Author, Educator and Translator

Member: FWA, MCBD Board of Advisors,  Read to Me, Day! Ambassador 

ANLMI & Gremio Poético Colombiano 

FREE Reading Activities visit: www.luzdelmes.com

Received Crystal Apple, VCB Poetry 2015, Latino Book Awards 2016 

Advent Preparation - Preparación de Adviento

 ADVENT PREPARITION - FAMILY ACTIVITIES 

Advent season marks the new Liturgical calendar year in the Roman Catholic Church and many Christian Churches. It the beginning of a four weeks preparation in anticipation of the Nativity of Jesus Christ at Christmas and the reminder of Christ’s second coming. Each week has a meaning, color and expectation.

The Liturgical Calendar follows the path of the cycle of the seasons. Nature is the key to understanding the mystery of faith. 

Let's celebrate Advent with joy and hope for a better tomorrow.

Advent comes from the Latin ad+venire, which means, essentially “To come to,” and Ad+venire is the root of the Latin “Adventus” which means “arrival.” So, Advent is the season of arrival of Christ in our hearts, in the world.

The spirit of Advent Season is best illustrated in the Parable of the Ten Virgins found in Matthew 25:1-14  The Advent season is a reminder to have our eyes fix on Christ!

Advent Wreath meaning 

The circle is a symbol of eternity and the never-endingless of God, and the evergreen is a symbol of eternal life and the never-changingness of God. Tertullian in the third century wrote to the Christians of his day: "You are a light of the world; a tree ever green." Children love to learn by symbols.

Advent weeks and colors:

First Week of HOPE:  Prophet Candle (Purple)

Second Week of PEACE:  Bethlehem Candle (Purple)

Third Week JOY:  Shepherd Candle (Pink)

Four Week LOVE:  Angel Candle (Purple)

The emphasis is on our longing, our need — not only for the great graces of the feast of His Nativity, for the renewing in our hearts of the mystery of His birth — but our need to be ready for the glorious moment of His Second Coming. 

Family Activity:

Prepare an Advent Wreath with paper or using a donut and birthday candles. Each kid bring home the devotion to prepare during Advent. 

Advent Retreat: Prepare your heart for Christmas: https://youtu.be/ftPxGfDp8bs?si=nTO6VNuulB900s2r

Happy Advent!

#LuzDelMes

PREPARACIÓN DE ADVIENTO - ACTIVIDAD EN FAMILIA

El  Adviento se centra en la expectativa del nacimiento de Jesucristo y dura cuatro domingos antes de Navidad.  Cada semana tiene un significado y expectativa. 

Adviento viene de la palabra Latin ad+venire, que significa "venir” . y de la raiz  “Adventus” which means “llegada”. Entonces, el adviento es la temporada de llegada de Jesús en nuestros corazones y en el mundo. 

El calendario litúrgico sigue el ciclo de las estaciones. La naturaleza es la clave para entender el misterio de la fe. 

Significado y color:

1 semana de esperanza: Vela de los profetas  (púrpura)

2 semana de Paz: Vela de Belén (púrpura)

3 semana de Gozo: Vela de los pastores (rosada) 

4 semana de amor: Vela del ángel (púrpura)

Actividad en familia:

Aquí una idea para crear una sencilla Corona de Adviento. Es mi tradición crear una Corona de Adviento con los niños de la catequesis usando una donut y unas velitas de cumpleaños. Cada niño lleva una a casa para iniciar el adviento en familia.

Retiro Virtual de Adviento: Prepara tu corazón para la Navidad 

Libro, vídeos, guía del líder y guía familiar están disponibles en inglés y español

Español: https://youtu.be/dtNjvntJeUM?si=4D6r69gfBeEgPJOI

Feliz y bendecido Adviento

Thank you for your support!🌷 #LuzDelMes 🌠

ACTIVIDADES GRATIS EN: www.luzdelmes.com

Maritza Martínez Mejía

Mother, Theologian, Author, Educator and Translator

Member: MCBD Board of Trustees,  Read to Me, Day! Ambassador 

ANLMI & Gremio Poético Colombiano 

FREE Reading Activities visit: www.luzdelmes.com

Received Crystal Apple, VCB Poetry 2015, Latino Book Awards 2016, 

Premio Verso Dorado 2022 

Welcome December - Bienvenido Diciembre

 Reflections by Maritza M. Mejía

For Christians, December is a time of preparation. It is the beginning of a four week period of preparation in anticipation of the Nativity of Jesus Christ and the reminder of Christ’s second coming.

During four weeks of waiting period called "Advent," we made an Advent Wreath. Each Sunday a candle will be lit. The first, second, and forth candle are purple and the third candle is pink color. These colors represent a time of preparation and joy for the birthday of Jesus; reason for the season. 

This year, I invite you to set aside the commercial rush and find the real reason of the season. Don’t forget to collect family memories not possessions. 

Many blessings!

And...Happy New Year!

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Para los cristianos, Diciembre es un tiempo de preparación a la Navidad.

Durante cuatro semanas o período de espera llamada Adviento, preparamos una Corona de Adviento. Cada domingo se enciende una vela. La primera, segunda y cuarta vela son púrpura y la tercera vela es de color rosado. Estos colores representan la espera y gozo de la celebración al Nacimiento de Jesús; razón de la Navidad. Éste año, los invito a dejar a un lado las congestiones comerciales de ésta temporada y encontremos la razón de la Navidad. No olvides coleccionar memorias familiares no posesiones

Bendiciones lleguen a ti! ...y Feliz Año.

Thank you for your support!🌷 ACTIVIDADES GRATIS EN: www.luzdelmes.com

Maritza Martínez Mejía

Mother, Theologian, Author, Educator and Translator

Read your World Board of Trustees and Member: FWA, Read to Me, Day! Ambassador 

ANLMI & Gremio Poético Colombiano 

FREE Reading Activities visit: www.luzdelmes.com

Received Crystal Apple 2006, VCB Poetry 2015, Latino Book Awards 2016, Premio Verso Dorado 2022     

Maritza M. Mejia Amazon Author Page

Author Page

› Visit Amazon's Maritza Martinez Mejia Page

Biography Colombian poet, writer, translator and speaker lives in Florida. Founder of Proyecto de Escritura LuzDelMes, to create bridges of communication and collaboration between authors around the world. For her service to the community, she is the award recipient of the Crystal Apple Award 2006. Maritza received the Virtues Christian Poetry Award 2015, Latino Book Awards for Best Translation English to Spanish, and Best eBook non-fiction 2016. Nominated to the Carmen Luisa Pinto 2016. Received recognition from Authors Talk Book Show and Premio Dorado, Colombia 2022.  Maritza writes to inspire others to be a better person. Social Media: @luzdelmes ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Escritora, poeta, traductora, conferencista colombiana radicada en la Florida. Fundadora del Proyecto de Escritura LuzDelMes, cuyo objetivo es crear puentes de comunicación global y colaboración entre escritores.  Por su servicio voluntario a la comunidad de Broward fue galardonada con el “Crystal Apple Award 2006”. Por su trabajo literario ha recibido el “Virtue Christian Poetry Award 2015”, “Latino Book Awards 2016”. Nominada al Carmen Luisa Pinto 2016 por Ojos Avellana. Recibió reconocimiento de Authors Talk Book Show, 2018 y Verso Premio Dorado, Colombia 2022. Miembro de Florida Writer’s Association, South Florida Writer’s Association, Consejera de Multicultural Children’s Book Day y Delegada Academia Norteaméricana de Literatura Moderna Internacional, Costa del Tesoro, Florida. Maritza escribe para inspirar a otros a ser mejores personas. Sus Redes Sociales: #LuzDelMes Blogs Blog Feed Status http://luzdelmes.blogspot.com/atom.xml New posts will appear on the Author Page within 24 hours of posting. Learn More

Welcome November - Bienvenido Noviembre

 Reflections  by Maritza M. Mejía

During November, in some places, is commemorated the Day of the Death and Thanksgiving. Life and Death part of our essence. I invite you to give thanks for your love ones and not only for what we have, but for what we don't have. Be generous and share with the less fortunate your blessings.

November Quatrain 

All ghosts are gone 

All souls remembered 

Preparations are done 
Welcome November!

Happy November!

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Reflexión por Maritza M. Mejía

Durante Noviembre, en algunos lugares, se conmemora el Día de los Muertos y Acción de Gracias. Vida y Muerte es parte de nuestra esencia. Les invito a dar gracias por tus seres queridos difuntos y no sólo por lo que tenemos, sino por lo que no tenemos. Se generoso y comparte con los menos favorecidos tus bendiciones. 

 Noviembre  

Los fantasmas se fueron 

Las almas se recordaron 

Preparaciones se hicieron
¡Bienvenido Noviembre!

¡Feliz Noviembre!

Thank you for your support!🌷 ACTIVIDADES GRATIS EN: www.luzdelmes.com

Maritza Martínez Mejía

Mother, Theologian, Author, Educator and Translator

Read your World Board of Trustees and Member: FWA, Read to Me, Day! Ambassador 

ANLMI & Gremio Poético Colombiano 

FREE Reading Activities visit: www.luzdelmes.com

Received Crystal Apple 2006, VCB Poetry 2015, Latino Book Awards 2016, Premio Verso Dorado 2022