Family Snippets

How old are our Christmas traditions?

noreply@blogger.com (Jose) — Sat, 07 Dec 2024 16:38:00 +0000

Theatrical representation: "O Boi e o Burro"

The four traditions listed below have been with us for as long as we remember, how old are they? and why do we still keep them?

1. The Nativity

The representation of the birth of Christ in Bethlehem, the humble yet sublime scene of Joseph and Mary with baby Jesus in the stable with the animals, the shepherds and the star was always a central ornament at the home of our parents, grandparents, and great-grandparents.

Just after our wedding, we bought our own set of the nativity, that we still use until today. No other tradition has brought Christ to our Christmas more than this one!

2. Christmas Eve

Reading the account of the nativity in the scriptures and theatrical representations of the nativity is a key part of Christmas Eve.

Fish is the traditional meal of Christmas Eve. As far as I can tell this is a tradition that comes from the XVI century. The exact reasons for this tradition are unknown, in my perspective however it is connected to Jesus, He called his disciples fishers of men, and many of his teachings involved the sea, fish, and fisherman. (Matthew 7:10, Matthew 17:27, Luke 11:11, Luke 24:42, John 21:10-13).

3. Christmas Day

Lamb is the meal for Christmas day, for sure this selection has to do with the symbolic choice to remember Jesus Christ as the Lamb of God.

4. Giving is more than gifts

On Christmas Eve every family member places one of their shoes next to the nativity and or the Christmas tree, the gifts that appear on the shoe on the morning of Christmas Day remind us that like those presents, the birth of Jesus Christ is a gift for us from a loving Heavenly Father.

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So, how old are these four traditions in our family? some of them very old, hundreds of years, and why we still keep them? because they are simple and help us remember Jesus Christ.

Points of reference for 2025

noreply@blogger.com (Jose) — Fri, 06 Dec 2024 18:00:00 +0000

We look at two points of reference as we set our goals for 2025.

Point of reference #1:
Teachings of living prophets

Question: Are my goals giving adequate attention to my spiritual needs?

Point of reference #2:
Personal and Family Statement

Question: Will my goals help me progress in one or more priorities of my personal and family purpose statement?

Where is our star today?

noreply@blogger.com (Jose) — Fri, 06 Dec 2024 14:36:00 +0000

We have to use a stool or a ladder to reach to the top of our Christmas tree to place a star, without it would not be a proper tree for the season... the star stays there above everything else, reminding us of the real meaning of Christmas!

"Where is he that is born King of the Jews? for we have seen his star in the east, and are come to worship him." [Mathew 2:2].

These wise men were righteous and were seeking to witness the presence of Christ on earth. Their spiritual capacity is evident, for they were able to see the star that others could not; they knew it's meaning and were certain and confident they would be guided to the Savior, so certain that they brought meaningful presents to honor Him!

Enjoy the Christmas season.

Links: The Wise Men Seek Jesus

Christmas Traditions

noreply@blogger.com (Jose) — Sat, 23 Nov 2024 16:36:00 +0000

Na nossa infância tivemos um Natal Português tradicional com grande influência dos costumes e tradições do norte de Portugal, os nossos avós são oriundos de Trás-os-Montes e do Porto.

O Presépio é a atividade principal de Natal, lembramos da história da natividade com a preparação para construir o presépio. É uma actividade emocionante; procurar o musgo, construir os estábulo, colocar as figuras e cenário da cidade de Belém... or a nossa propria cidade, a mãe lembra que na sua infância a construção do presépio era um projecto de vários dias. Na cidade de Coimbra meus pais visitavam vários presépios da cidade em exposição em área publicas da cidade.

No dia 24 Dezembro, véspera de Natal, à noite, têm lugar a consoada, nesta serve-se bacalhau cozido (ou para os menos tradicionalistas hoje em dia o bacalhau com natas) e a doçaria conventual, rabanadas, sonhos, arroz doce, bolo rei, etc. Nessa noite lemos as escrituras, contamos historias e ou fazemos representações da natividade.

O termo consoada serve não só para designar o banquete familiar da noite de Natal, mas também é utilizado para descrever a reunião familiar na época natalícia.

Na tradição de nossos pais e avós, simbolicamente é o menino Jesus é quem nos dá os presentes, colocamos o sapato de cada um junto ao presepio ou à arvore de natal no dia 24 aonde os presentes são colocadas durante a noite depois do nascimento de Jesus ao lado do sapato. Pela de manhã de dia 25 são abertos os presentes.

São as pessoas que expressam gratidão, por isso presentes singelos embuidos de significado são frequentemente aqueles que melhor expressam o nosso amor e gratidão.

No dia 25, é servido o tradicional cabrito assado no forno ou a classica roupa-velha.

A árvore de natal e o advento, são tradições do norte da Europa que também fazem hoje parte de nossas tradições.

Assim na nossa família as tradições que prevalecem são:

1. Presépio: Maior foco em Cristo
2. Leitura das escrituras: A razão do Natal

3. Arvore de Natal: Luz e vida no Natal
4. Consoada: Demonstrar amor por Jesus, pela familia e amigos

Ceia de Consoada - Menu Tradicional

Peixe: Bacalhau Cozido ou Bacalhau com Natas

Bacalhau Cozido

Cabrito Assado

Arroz Doce

Rabanadas

Sonhos

The art of walking

noreply@blogger.com (Jose) — Sun, 22 Aug 2021 19:17:00 +0000

This Christmas

noreply@blogger.com (Jose) — Mon, 09 Nov 2020 18:55:00 +0000

This Christmas I hope that as decorations go up and traditions unfold, the right opportunity emerges for us to remember with our family, that Jesus’s birth was real, that His birth allows us to experience perfect joy.

I also hope that this year we might be able to use the power of words, written or spoken, as a gift to express love and be more Christlike by following His example and teachings.

Two words, One meaning

noreply@blogger.com (Jose) — Wed, 15 Nov 2017 09:57:00 +0000

As parents we used in our day to day vocabulary two Portuguese words more often than any others, recently I have been thinking why?

In spite of being two very distinct words, they seemed to serve always an identical purpose or objective, at least for us they conveyed similar meaning as we raised our children.

Cuidado - A word to warn us that ahead are obstacles or challenges that can be prevented if precautions are taken along the way, a form of showing concern and care, of calling our attention for something important, of being thoughtful and aware of how precious life is . Calma - A word that invites to slow a little to avoid problems that can be encountered if we rush too fast into things, a sister word of tranquility and peace.

At first it might seem these words imparted a sense of fear or lack of confidence in what lays ahead, but as I look in retrospective as a parent, they meant exactly the opposite, we used them because we really saw the opportunities of life in front of us if we would be careful and wise with our choices and if we lived in peace with ourselves and others around us.

And now that we don't have children at home and they have families of their own what two words would we use? Let me think... the same!

Big Feet, Small Feet

noreply@blogger.com (Jose) — Fri, 11 Oct 2013 12:34:00 +0000

Jane with Madeira Island Boots

Look at the picture... we are all different aren't we? Some have big feet, others small or very small, but we all have feet!

Same of us might be at a stage where we are just walking the early steeps of life, or the early steps of marriage or the early steeps of a career and at times it might seem that the walk is going to be a very, very long one, for some of us the journey now is in an advance phase, but for all of us one thing is certain, the journey can be going in same direction to reach the same destination.

When I look at my granddaughter I am reminded that we are all children of Heavenly Father. That knowledge and conviction gives me strength.

The Plan of Happiness is for all of us, learning more about that plan it will give you and me a greater sense of purpose and a stronger desire to live this precious life more abundantly.

"Regardless of what you do or don’t have in this life, your deepest, most lasting happiness will come from knowing God’s plan and following it." - mormon.org

Roads of life, where will they lead us?

noreply@blogger.com (Jose) — Wed, 25 Sep 2013 22:23:00 +0000

Which direction will you face when you encounter life's cross roads? is it fame? money? personal gratification?, none of these are bad things, but they will be different to you and others that live with you when we look at roads that include... charity! selfishness! service! productiveness! compassion, patience!

I know, it is not always the case that we get on a road where you can find all these things all at once, that would even seem unreal, there will always be struggles and challenges, that are part of life, which will cause us to stop and think where should we go? what is more important?

Sometimes we see people taking roads that lead to emptiness, passiveness, idleness, apathy and even negligence, all of these roads do not bring true happiness, we might be deceived at first with the idea of a road with a shorter distance, an easier road to ride, or even a prettier road, only to find out in the end disappointment that we could not see at the beginning of the journey.

When you find yourself lost on the road of life, think of who you really are and where you came from, think where you will go after this life, think in eternal things and think of the benefits of good choices now, of good choices today!

Then go beyond that reflection and take a step forward in the right direction! One step at a time!

Video Link: Daily Bread

Courage to live a better life!

noreply@blogger.com (Jose) — Wed, 21 Aug 2013 19:59:00 +0000

Just prior to my departure to serve a full-time mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints I wrote in 1979 a personal statement that would be the basis for the direction I took in life during these last 35 years. I did it with the hope it would guide me in critical decisions.

As a convert to the Church, I acquired a profound desire to be a better person in this world, a more committed Christian and to walk the path of mortality with purpose, this was the motivation to write these lines that would provide me inspiration, reference, and courage to live a better life!

When I met Filomena, my sweetheart, I felt impressed to share it with her prior to our marriage, these simple words took us to very meaningful conversations and discussions about what both of us would want for our future family and what values and principles would guide and help us raise our children, with her input we updated this statement to become "ours" to guide us in our personal and family goals.

Personal and Family Statement

Keep Christ's teachings at the center of our lives

In life's decisions, our spouse always comes first

Provide our children the best possible education

Live within our means and generate savings

Do not just inspire but bless and mentor others

Defend values and principles of integrity

Pursue always continuous improvement

Have you considered what are the important things you want to achieve in life?

It is not the change of season but our capacity to see beauty in the change!

noreply@blogger.com (Jose) — Tue, 12 Mar 2013 20:31:00 +0000

Römerberg, Frankfurt - March 9, 2013

Just a few days ago the scenario of spring we found at downtown Frankfurt was marvelous, the sun was shining and blue skies were clearly on the background. We of course enjoyed the first sings of spring and savored the occasion. Just a few days latter the skies turned grey and a significant snow storm caused complete chaos in traffic and quickly the winter reins again and spring is gone, but there is beauty and life in the white landscapes as well!

Kurk Park, Bad Homburg - March 12, 2013

Isn't life like this many times, when we think is spring all the sudden it turns winter again.

Often is not the change of season but our capacity to see beauty in the change that makes the difference!

Is it an attitude or financial skill?

noreply@blogger.com (Jose) — Mon, 28 Jan 2013 10:44:00 +0000

Is saving an attitude or a financial skill?

Most likely you need both, but my comments today will focus on how attitude can influence our capacity to generate savings.

By definition saving is income not spend or deferred consumption or goods or services.

It is the ongoing practice of this simple definition in day to day activities that will allow us to put aside financial resources for a time of need.

There is a difference between saving and investing, when we save we use low-risk methods of preservation of our financial income, such as a savings account as opposed to investing where the methods employed have always a higher risk involved.

Saving is often not accomplished by just being disciplined to make a bank transfer from your checking account to your savings account but more so as an attitude towards needs and wants of life.

Link: A good video to watch, not about savings but attitude!

Consistency

noreply@blogger.com (Jose) — Fri, 18 Jan 2013 00:44:00 +0000

I would like to talk about consistency because in life abundance of it or deficit of it makes such difference in my perspective.

When to have it or not to have it?

Some of the great products I used over the years and continue to love today is because of the constant reliability and quality they offer, another reason for my attachment to them is because the updates and improvements came gradually, consistently in the transition of the old to the new allowing me to assimilate and learn new features and new technology. It was been that consistency that allowed me to trust those products and the people that develop them and manufacture them, that consistency make their reputation, at least to me.

Consistency allow us to improve because it builds a track record which we can use to measure our performance. Basically allow us to see more clearly if today we are doing better that yesterday because we can measure our experience of the present with the one of the past.

Consistency of it is not easy because it requires commitment, but commitment is the door for C O N S I S T E N C Y

Link: A video that makes you think further on this topic

What an unexpected gift!

noreply@blogger.com (Jose) — Thu, 03 Jan 2013 09:21:00 +0000

Now that we are in the first days of 2013 reflecting upon what happened this last year and counting our blessings I found myself pondering about an unexpected gift of no monetary value but of high moral substance.

During the Christmas season we went to several stores to look for a few gifts for our family and friends, during one of those shopping trips we took a number of Christmas cards we received in the mail to read while we drove to downtown, after we read them all, we place them in one small plastic bag which while trying some cloths in one large department store we left behind in a fitting room. It was only by the end of the day we notice the absence of our little plastic bag and assumed to be a total loss.

I as returned to the office on January 2, 2013 I learned that a woman passed by to deliver the few cards in the little plastic bag we left behind, what an unexpected gift of kindness and thoughtfulness from someone we don't know or will ever know, to you we express thanks and wish you a Happy New Year!

Merry - What does it mean?

noreply@blogger.com (Jose) — Fri, 07 Dec 2012 16:41:00 +0000

mer·ry

Adjective
(of an occasion or season) Characterized by festivity and rejoicing: "he wished me a merry Christmas".

Synonyms
jolly - cheerful - joyful - mirthful - happy

What do I want to remember in a birthday?

noreply@blogger.com (Jose) — Fri, 09 Nov 2012 00:39:00 +0000

Gift for my dear wife this year!

What do I want to remember in a birthday?

I want to remember the moments of Joy, the laughs, the moments of learning, and above all the moments we spent together!

The calendar helps us pause and reflect about family and friends during their birthday, and it should also remind us that the more time we spend together during the year the more will we remember next birthday and the more will we cheer!

Happy Birthday!

Link: Album

Deconomy of words

noreply@blogger.com (Jose) — Tue, 30 Oct 2012 13:59:00 +0000

People today can search for answers in the internet and in seconds proclaim they are already an expert on the topic at hand..

The constant online access enables instantaneous communication as never before and opens the door for so many opportunities to learn.

One hopes that the generation that has been blessed with so much possibility to see and learn good things does not get lost in the maze of the internet and online social communication, and will become richer in their human interaction, more elevated yet humble in their verbal and non-verbal forms of expression, instead of developing an equally quick and instantaneous response that yields to prejudice or stereotyping.

At times the reality of day to day interactions leaves a taste of a deconomy of words that prevails against words that should extol and uplift. Just think for a moment... a deconomy of words equals to a deconomy of thoughts and eventually to a deconomy of action and character.

Isn't this something worth thinking about every time we write, post, like, comment, or speak something?

Can we rename the stormy capes of our lives?

noreply@blogger.com (Jose) — Wed, 25 Jul 2012 09:47:00 +0000

Ana visits the Discovery Monument in Portugal - July 2012

Looking forward and facing what's head of us with hope is essential to make a productive contribution to life, yet challenges will always be there during the process. That is why learning what others have done when they faced challenges to move forward is a rewarding and uplifting experience, every time we come to Portugal we have abundant history around us to remind us of this principle.

The enormous compass rose made of fine marble stone that paves the floor on our way to the entrance of the Discoveries Monument is a good example of that principle. This impressive piece of art occupies a surface of 50 meters in diameter and at the center of it there is a world map that depicts the routes of the maritime discoveries of the Portuguese navigators in the XV and XVI centuries, what many do not know is that this popular tourist attraction was designed by a Portuguese architect but it was a gift from South Africa in 1960.

To me this is an interesting detail, because it was exactly in South Africa that the navigators found one of their greatest challenges, the needed to conquer a stormy cape to be able move forward towards the East. The first navigator to reach the Cape of Good Hope in South Africa was Bartolomeu Dias in 1488 who name it as the "The Cape of Storms" or in Portuguese "Cabo das Tormentas", he and other navigators struggled to pass this cape to reach the seas that would put them in the route to the orient, it was the King John II that renamed the Cape latter to Cape of Good Hope because of his spirit of looking forward to open a sea route to India and the East.

The days of glory in the Portuguese history books did not came without sacrifice and perseverance and without hope in the future. Can we too rename the stormy capes of our lives today?

Link: More photos of this summer at home in Portugal

Daffodils

noreply@blogger.com (Jose) — Sat, 07 Apr 2012 22:56:00 +0000

At home we have a vase full of Daffodils that mom picked in the fields today, a favorite thing she loves to do, pick flowers... I took the picture on the left when she was enjoying the moment! These beautiful yellow and white flowers are a sign of nature that a new season arrived.

Easter is a time to remember that a new start or a new season is also possible for us. Here are two links of some easy reading that will help us better understand the meaning of Easter and enjoy this special season of the year.

By the way, did you know that popular wisdom says that the meaning of Daffodils is rebirth and new beginnings, faith, honesty, truth and forgiveness?

Happy Easter

Links: Video: An Easter Declaration - Message: The meaning of Easter

Great App

noreply@blogger.com (Jose) — Thu, 15 Mar 2012 22:06:00 +0000

This is an excellent App for the iphone

When we persist in doing good things, good things happen!

noreply@blogger.com (Jose) — Sun, 05 Feb 2012 20:11:00 +0000

In my words I would say persistence is to be determined to continue to do good and righteous things that will get you closer to your goals and aspirations.

I learned from personal experience that a companion word for persistence is patience, I say that because often results do not come quickly and certainly do not come always in the shape and form we aspired, it is however the act of persisting that develops the attitude of walking with purposefulness in life.

When confronted with the need of persisting in life, and I believe all will face such necessity, maybe you will have to show persistence in obtaining an education or maybe you need to persist to overcome a challenge or difficulty, when that happen the choice will be ours to endure or not like any other decision we make, one thing I already know... when we persist in doing good things, good things happen!

Link: Article: The Most Powerful Motivating Force - Liahona of August 2008

Do you see?

noreply@blogger.com (Jose) — Mon, 23 Jan 2012 23:16:00 +0000

Just before the end of the year we travel to a viewpoint located in Almada where we could see the extraordinary landscape of the riverside of the Lisbon city.

When we got there after some driving through some narrow streets we reached the top of the hill that allowed us to see the magnificent and iconic bridge over the Tagus river and of course the hills of Lisbon that guard it's centuries of history.

Hadn't we taken the time to get to the viewpoint and follow the invitation of my brother in law that kept trying to convince us to get there, we would not be able to see what we did, and of course we wouldn't have experienced and enjoyed that beautiful panoramic view of such unique place in Europe.

In our journey of mortality we must nourish the desire to see the big picture of life, the panoramic view of life, as we do so I am sure we will pronounce an exclamation to others; can you see?

Only then we will realize how important mortality is, and how important are the decisions we make while we are here.

Smooth white sand

noreply@blogger.com (Jose) — Fri, 06 Jan 2012 21:32:00 +0000

When we walked in the Guincho beach together with our family on December 30, 2011, I removed my shoes to feel the sand, my feet as I hoped were enveloped in a smooth white sand but, unexpectedly the temperature of the sand was quite cold inspite of the sunny day, it was after all the month of December!

Had I spent my time consumed with the fact it was cold on my feet, I am certain the moment would be lost for me, and I would miss the great moments we were all living that day, including the extraordinary beauty of nature.

I am grateful for family and for the opportunity of these small precious moments that make life so much more meaningful and enjoyable. I just hope that this next summer we might be able to bike together from Cascais to Guincho and enjoy again this beautiful place.

Link: More photos of this day

There is much to be grateful for! Merry Christmas

noreply@blogger.com (Jose) — Thu, 22 Dec 2011 07:00:00 +0000

2011 has been a year adorned with marvelous experiences for our family. The wedding of our sons Miguel to Lisa and João to Summer in the Salt Lake Temple have been the highlight for all of us, we are grateful these wonderful daughters that have entered into our family.

We are grateful for their parents and family and the love and support they give to their children and now our children also.

Just last week we were in Southern Europe for a short visit to my parents that are serving a mission in the Madrid Temple and to spend sometime with some of our family in Portugal. It is wonderful to see the how the teachings of the Gospel of Jesus Christ are making a difference in our lives.

There is much to be grateful for!

We wish all a Merry Christmas.

A joyful time

noreply@blogger.com (Jose) — Mon, 28 Nov 2011 18:33:00 +0000

When "Christmas Markets" open in Germany, we know that Christmas is really next door, they begin with the first "Advent" a traditional celebration in Germany that marks the beginning of the build-up to the celebration of the birth of Christ. These four weeks leading to Christmas are a joyful time in German society.

Christmas Markets as far as I know began in the city of Dresden in 1434 and today are part of the celebration of this special season, and when I visit one I always look for the nativity scene which normally is a central feature in the market, it reminds us the true meaning of the celebration.

Today I took a couple pictures when we walked through including this one of "Nutcrackers"