Monday Night at the Movies
Hugh Hudson, Chariots of Fire, 1981.
Monday of the Fourth
Week of Advent
Psalm 71, Verse 5
You are my HOPE, Lord; my trust, GOD, from my youth.
A special devotion that can be performed during Advent to
prepare for the coming of the Infant Savior. It can be adapted for adults
and/or children and applied as is appropriate to your state in life.
·
9th day, December 19th: THE OX—Silence Today we
may speak nothing unnecessary, much less give way to distracting thoughts. On
the contrary, hold interior converse with God by loving aspirations to Him.
You are my HOPE, Lord; my trust, GOD, from my youth.
Spiritual Crib[1]
Come to deliver us, and tarry not.
O Root of Jesse, who stands for an ensign of the people, before whom kings shall keep silence and unto whom the Gentiles shall make supplication: Come to deliver us, and tarry not.
O Root of Jesse
"Come to deliver us and tarry not." The world cries out for Christ its King, who shall cast out the prince of this world (John 12:31). The prince of this world established his power over men as a result of original sin. Even after we had been delivered from the servitude of Satan through the death of Christ on the cross, the prince of this world attempts to exercise his power over us. "The devil, as a roaring lion, goeth about seeking whom he may devour" (I Pet. 5:8). In these trying times, when faith in Christ and in God has largely disappeared, when the propaganda of a pagan culture is broadcast everywhere, and the forces of evil and falsehood rise up to cast God from His throne, who does not feel the power of the devil?
Does it not appear that we are approaching that time when Satan will be released from the depths of hell to work his wonders and mislead, if possible, even the elect? (Apoc. 20:2; Matt. 24:24.)
"Come, tarry not." Observe how thoroughly the world of today has submitted to the reign of Satan. Mankind has abandoned the search for what is good and holy. Loyalty, justice, freedom, love, and mutual trust are no longer highly regarded. Establish, O God, Thy kingdom among us, a kingdom established upon truth, justice, and peace. "Come, tarry not." "Thy kingdom come."
God’s Handiwork[3]
Every Christmas although the same in many ways is always new for each Christmas expresses a hope learned from a lifetime of praising God. For every Christmas if we open our eyes to truth, we will see the handiwork of God, the rock of our salvation. Perhaps in these final days of anticipation it would do us well to reflect on the virtues of Mary Christ’s very own mother and in these final days in some way reflect them in our own lives.
Humility the
first of Our Lady’s virtues
“True humility is not thinking less of yourself; it is thinking of yourself less.” C.S. Lewis, Mere Christianity
“These are the few ways we can practice humility: To speak as little as possible of one's self; to mind one's own business, not to want to manage other people's affairs; to avoid curiosity, to accept contradictions and correction cheerfully; to pass over the mistakes of others, to accept insults and injuries; to accept being slighted, forgotten and disliked, to be kind and gentle even under provocation; never to stand on one's dignity, to choose always the hardest.” ― Mother Teresa, The Joy in Loving: A Guide to Daily Living
Evergreen Day[4]
Every year one thing
remains the same around the holidays, people everywhere have to decide at what
point before the big day they’re going to go out and hunt down a Christmas tree.
Look for an Evergreen Day is about the last opportunity you have
if you haven’t already gotten yours to ensure you have a tree for the Holidays.
Even if you’ve already got your tree for this year, this is a great opportunity
to go out and familiarize yourself with the other types of Evergreens in your
neighborhood, and discover that these regal giants are around you all year
round. Look for an Evergreen Day was originally established by the National
Arborist Association to create a day to appreciate the beauty of these trees
outside of the confines of merely being bedecked with glittering lights and
ornaments even in the depths of winter these noble trees keep their foliage,
providing that wonderful green and white contrast that is so representative of
deep winter. Evergreens have played an important role in many societies
throughout the ages, selected for religious observances due to their seemingly
eternal nature even in a season of death, ·but that’s not the only place
they’re represented, the Native Americans of the Pacific Northwest were
entirely reliant on the red cedar for multiple aspects of their culture. Whether
they were making clothing, fishing line, ropes, or building their homes or
canoes, the red cedar was vital a vital part of their lives. Going back even
further, most people have heard about how Socrates was made to drink a glass of
hemlock tea, which he did with his normal unflinching nature. Hemlocks are a
shade tolerant evergreen with short striped needles. As you can tell, knowing
the difference between your evergreens could one day save your life!
How to celebrate Look for an Evergreen Day
· The best way to celebrate is to grab a book of local flora/fauna, and head out to identify all the different types of evergreen plants that grow in your part of the world· There are literally thousands of different varieties from every place in the vegetable kingdom, so there are certain to be multiple examples in your local area.
· Obviously, if you haven’t gotten your tree yet, then Look for an Evergreen Day is when it should happen· By understanding the difference between Blue Spruce, Douglas Fir, and the dozens of other varieties of Christmas Tree available, you’ll know which ones will have the most even spread, which ones will be the most dense, and will best compliment your home and decorating scheme.
The Christmas tree has become one of the most accepted traditions of the modern world at Christmas. Here we have a short explanation of the Christian symbolism.
It's not always possible to set up a tree at Christmas Eve but waiting until the 3rd or 4th Sunday of Advent is a good compromise.
DIRECTIONS
There is a beautiful symbolism in the traditional Christmas tree which is so popular in our country. The tree represents the long period of waiting for the coming of the Christ, Who is represented by a star or some other shining ornament at the top of the tree. The ornaments, candles and lights represent His gifts and graces to us. This meaning of the Christmas tree should be made clear to all the children of the family — they will love the element of mystery they find here.
In Germany and in many other countries, candy, cookies and nuts are hung on the branches. The children love this. These articles represent good things which can be eaten as well as looked at.
Therese Mueller suggests that the best time to put up the tree is on Christmas Eve, and not before. All of the symbolism points to the Nativity of Our Lord and premature erection of the tree and crib takes something from the meaning of these things (Cf. Family Life in Christ, Liturgical Press: Collegeville, MN, p. 15).
Activity Source: How to Make Your House a Home by Rev. Bernard Stokes, O.F.M., Family Life Bureau, Washington D.C., 1955
Catechism of the Catholic Church
PART THREE: LIFE IN CHRIST
SECTION TWO-THE TEN COMMANDMENTS
IN BRIEF
2075 "What good deed must I do, to have eternal life?" - "If you would enter into life, keep the commandments" (Mt 19:16-17).
2076 By his life and by his preaching Jesus attested to the permanent validity of the Decalogue. 2077 The gift of the Decalogue is bestowed from within the covenant concluded by God with his people. God's commandments take on their true meaning in and through this covenant.
2078 In fidelity to Scripture and in conformity with Jesus' example, the tradition of the Church has always acknowledged the primordial importance and significance of the Decalogue.
2079 The Decalogue forms an organic unity in which each "word" or "commandment" refers to all the others taken together. To transgress one commandment is to infringe the whole Law (cf Jas 2:10-11).
2080 The Decalogue contains a privileged expression of the natural law. It is made known to us by divine revelation and by human reason.
2081 The Ten Commandments, in their fundamental content, state grave obligations. However, obedience to these precepts also implies obligations in matter which is, in itself, light.
2082 What God commands he makes possible by his grace.
Daily Devotions
· Unite in the work of the Porters of St. Joseph by joining them in fasting: Today's Fast: Conversion of Sinners
· Jesse Tree ornament: Jesus is Flower of Jesse: Isaiah 11:1-3 Symbols: flower, plant with flower
· Eat waffles and Pray for the assistance of the Angels
· Offering to the sacred heart of Jesus
· Monday: Litany of Humility
· Drops of Christ’s Blood
· Universal Man Plan
· Christmas Novena
· Rosary
[5]https://www.catholicculture.org/culture/liturgicalyear/activities/view.cfm?id=555
[5]https://www.catholicculture.org/culture/liturgicalyear/activities/view.cfm?id=555
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