· Saturday Litany of the Hours Invoking the Aid of Mother Mary
· Jesse Tree ornament: Jesus is the Radiant Dawn: Psalm 19:6-7 (in older Bibles this will be Psalm 18) Symbols: sun rising or high in sky.
· Humbug Day-watch Scrooge!
· How to celebrate Dec 21st
o Wake up and skip making your bed. Embrace the rebellious spirit by starting your day with a cozy cup of coquito, a Puerto Rican eggnog-like drink. Dive into the day’s first challenge – celebrating National French Fried Shrimp Day. Whip up a batch of crispy shrimp and enjoy them with some tartar sauce.
o As the day progresses, immerse yourself in the festive spirit of Yule. Light some candles, play some soothing music, and take a moment to appreciate the beauty of the winter season. Keep the momentum going by shooting hoops in the driveway in honor of World Basketball Day. Get a mini workout in and have fun while doing it.
o Give your creativity a whirl with National Short Story Day. Write a quick tale or indulge in some short stories by your favorite authors. Challenge your brain power with National Crossword Puzzle Day. Grab a newspaper or hop online to solve some puzzles and give your brain a workout.
o Take a moment to remember the iconic Daleks on International Dalek Remembrance Day. Watch a Doctor Who episode or browse through some cool Dalek merchandise online. Celebrate all things small and mighty on National Short Girl Appreciation Day. Send a shoutout to your petite friends and celebrate their awesomeness.
o When things seem dim, brighten up your day on Look On The Bright Side Day. Practice gratitude and positivity by focusing on the good things in your life. Take a virtual trip to Maine on National Maine Day. Explore the picturesque landscapes, indulge in some lobster rolls, or try your hand at a traditional Maine craft.
o Boost your energy levels on International Energy Drink Day. Grab your favorite energy drink and power through the afternoon slump. Channel your inner Phileas Fogg on Phileas Fogg Win a Wager Day. Plan a mini-adventure or challenge for yourself and see if you can come out victorious.
o Savor the day’s flavors by celebrating Gravy Day. Whether you’re a fan of biscuits and gravy or prefer it on your mashed potatoes, indulge in this savory treat. Indulge your sweet tooth on Ribbon Candy Day. Treat yourself to some colorful and nostalgic ribbon candy for a delightful sugar rush.
o Wrap up the day with a touch of mischief on Humbug Day. Embrace your inner Scrooge and play a harmless prank on a friend or family member. Let out a laugh and end the day on a playful note. Cheers to a day filled with a medley of celebrations!
33 days to Christmas-Start the 33 days to Eucharistic Glory[6]
Want to start a small group? Download our 33 Days to Eucharistic Glory Study Guide
Day 30
On this 30th day the reception of the Eucharist increases clarity and guides us in making life decisions
Copilot
The reception of the Eucharist provides profound spiritual benefits that can increase clarity and guide believers in making life decisions.
Here's how:
1. Divine Grace: The grace received during the Eucharist empowers believers with spiritual insight and strength, helping them approach decisions with a clear and focused mind.
2. Union with Christ: Being united with Christ through the Eucharist fosters a deeper relationship with Him, enhancing the ability to discern His will in various aspects of life.
3. Peace and Tranquility: The peace that comes from receiving the Eucharist helps calm the mind and heart, creating a conducive environment for thoughtful decision-making.
4. Reflection and Prayer: The Eucharist encourages a habit of prayer and reflection, providing the quiet contemplation needed for clarity in decision-making.
5. Strength to Overcome Temptations: The spiritual nourishment from the Eucharist strengthens the ability to resist temptations and distractions, allowing for more focused and sound decisions.
6. Guidance of the Holy Spirit: Through the Eucharist, believers invite the Holy Spirit into their lives, seeking guidance and wisdom in making decisions.
7. Renewed Purpose: The Eucharist renews one’s sense of purpose and alignment with God’s will, helping to make decisions that reflect a commitment to living a virtuous life.
8. Moral and Ethical Clarity: By regularly participating in the Eucharist, believers are reminded of the moral and ethical teachings of Christ, which serve as a guide in decision-making.
9. Community and Support: The communal aspect of the Eucharist provides support and counsel from fellow believers, offering different perspectives and shared wisdom for making decisions.
10. Focus on Eternal Values: The Eucharist helps believers focus on what truly matters—eternal values and God's will—guiding them to make decisions that align with these priorities.
11. Examination of Conscience: Preparing for the Eucharist involves self-examination and repentance, which sharpens one’s ability to make decisions with a clear conscience.
12. Trust in God’s Plan: The Eucharist reinforces trust in God’s plan, helping believers to make decisions with confidence and faith in His guidance.
13. Empowerment for Action: The grace and inspiration received from the Eucharist not only provide clarity but also the courage and determination to act on decisions that are aligned with God's will.
Through these ways, the Eucharist continually guides believers towards making thoughtful, virtuous decisions that reflect their faith and commitment to God's plan.
DECEMBER 21 Ember Saturday
FEAST OF ST THOMAS-WINTER SOLSTICE
Zephaniah, Chapter 3, Verse 15-16
15 The lord has removed the judgment against you, He has turned away your enemies; The king of Israel, the lord, is in your midst, you have no further misfortune to FEAR. 16On that day, it shall be said to Jerusalem: Do not fear, Zion, do not be discouraged!
Zephaniah prophesies that a righteous remnant will be left in the land of Israel and will joyfully share in the Lord's victory. These will enjoy a relationship with God filled with gladness, love, singing and praise. He points to the immediate future as full of suffering and judgment, but the ultimate future as a time of glorious restoration. As Christians, we can embrace the message of Zephaniah by humbly accepting the redemptive sufferings of human life while seeking the Lord, his righteousness and humility. Yet we anticipate a coming glorious age in which he will "restore our fortunes" (see 3:20) and we will see him face to face.
Ember Saturday[1]"Holy impatience" over the coming of
the Lord, both in the manger and in glory at the end of time.
Psalm 147:12, 16-17 "Praise
the Lord, O Jerusalem: praise thy God, O Sion. Who giveth snow like wool:
scattereth mists like ashes. He sendeth his crystal-like morsels: who shall
stand before the face of his cold?"
For
centuries this Ember Saturday was the only day in the Church's year for
conferring the sacrament of Holy Orders. The ordination on the Ember Saturday
in Advent was formerly the only one held in Rome. It was therefore a day of
some importance. Indeed, all the parts of today's traditional Mass bear the
marks of their ancient origin: the numerous readings interspersed with chants
and collects recall the primitive form of the vigil as it was practiced in
Rome. The Church no longer regularly ordains priests during the times of the
Quarterly Ember Days, but this is a special time, particularly Ember Saturday,
to pray for priests, particularly the ones who are about to be ordained within
the year. It is very difficult for us to sense how important the Ember Vigil
services were in the early Roman liturgy. Embertide meant covenant renewal with
God, thanksgiving for the gifts of nature and grace, and conferral of Holy
Orders (Ember Saturday in December was the Church's official ordination day).
Finally, the December series served as the ancient Advent observance, before
the four-week season was introduced. In order to understand today's Mass we
must go back to early times when the liturgy was celebrated at night in the
Church of St. Peter in Rome. In the previous missal, the two previous Ember Day
Masses had an intimate and tender character; todays reflects a universal spirit
(Church of St. Peter). The Mass presents Advent in an abbreviated form; these
and topics developed during its four weeks are synthesized in today's
formulary. Before us stands Christ who came as Man, who comes through grace, and
who will come with power in the end of time. These three "comings"
are united into one grace-laden "visitation" in the present. Several
times there appears the light-and-darkness motif; for the Mass was celebrated
at a very early morning hour, a circumstance that spontaneously occasioned the
symbolism: from Advent's night to Christmas Light. Such is the theme of the
traditional Mass.[2]
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.
Mary carried Jesus in her womb with great patience. As a child I remember Christmas was always a great strain on my patience. Can you imagine the strain on this poor young girl from Nazareth? She of course could not have done this without first having the virtues of humility, generosity, and a chase heart which led her to have great patience.
Patience the courage of a serene soul
This world being a place of merit is rightly called a valley of tears; for we are all placed in it to suffer, that we may, by patience, gain our own souls unto life eternal, as our Lord Himself says, in your patience you shall possess your souls. [Luke 21 19] God gave us the Blessed Virgin Mary as a model of all virtues, but more especially as an example of patience. St. Francis de Sales, amongst other things, remarks, that it was precisely for this reason that at the marriage-feast of Cana Jesus Christ gave the Blessed Virgin an answer, by which He seemed to value her prayers but little: Woman, what is that to thee and to Me? [John 2:4]
And He did this that He might give us the example of the patience of His most holy Mother. But what need have we to seek for instances of this virtue? Mary's whole life was a continual exercise of her patience; for, as the Angel revealed to St. Bridget, "as a rose grows up amongst thorns, so did the Blessed Virgin grow up amongst tribulations." Compassion alone for the Redeemer's sufferings sufficed to make her a martyr of patience. Hence St. Bonaventure says, "that a crucified Mother conceived a crucified Son." In speaking of her dolor’s, we have already considered how much she suffered, both in her journey to Egypt, and during her residence there, as also during the time she lived with her Son in the house at Nazareth. What Mary endured when present at the death of Jesus on Calvary is alone sufficient to show us how constant and sublime was her patience: There stood by the Cross of Jesus His Mother.
Then it was that precisely by the merit of her patience, as Blessed Albert the Great says, she brought us forth to the life of grace." If we, then, wish to be the children of Mary, we must endeavor to imitate her in her patience: "For what," says St. Cyprian, "can enrich us with greater merit in this life, and greater glory in the next, than the patient enduring of sufferings?" God said, by the prophet Osee, I will hedge up thy way with thorns. [2:6] To this St. Gregory adds, that "the way of the elect is hedged with thorns." As a hedge of thorns protects a vineyard, so does God protect His servants from the danger of attaching themselves to the earth, by encompassing them with tribulations.
Therefore St. Cyprian concludes that it is patience that delivers us from sin and from Hell. It is also patience that makes Saints: Patience hath a perfect work, [James 1:4] bearing in peace, not only the crosses which come immediately from God, such as sickness, poverty, but also those which come from men---persecutions, injuries, and the rest. St. John saw all the Saints bearing palm branches---the emblem of martyrdom---in their hands; After this I saw a great multitude, and palms were in their hands; [Apoc. 7:9] thereby denoting that all adults who are saved must be martyrs, either by shedding their blood for Christ or by patience.
Happiness is being patient with yourself.
Happiness is a choice; just as love is a choice. We either decide to be happy or we do not. No amount of money or material things will bring us joy, no amount of pleasure or power either. Mary knew that true happiness comes from God’s mercy.
That is a choice too. God’s mercy is given to those who fear Him and then in turn honor the gift of love. We in order to accept the gift of mercy must be open to receive. We make a choice. It is funny Mary’s whose name means bitterness was just the opposite. She emptied herself to be filled to the brim with God’s love and within three days we commemorate that she gave birth to Christ our redeemer. I imagine she pondered on this day ages ago as she felt His movement within her that his mercy is overpowering. Let us empty ourselves of all our bitterness and resentments asking Mary to pray for us as we do. Let us in these remaining days before Christmas do all we can to prepare for our Lord Jesus. Let us receive God’s mercy through the sacraments which He has established through His Apostle’s down through the ages to us today.
If you have not gone to confession-do. Receive His mercy. Receive the Eucharist be made whole and prepare for his birth. Give mercy in return to any you have offended, pray and do-good works toward those who have offended you. In this way we emulate our God whose power is perfected in mercy.
Be at peace.
Feast of St. Thomas[4]
According to the 1962 Missal of St. John XXIII the Extraordinary Form of the Roman Rite, today is the feast of St. Thomas, now celebrated July 3.
THOMAS, also called Didymus, or the twin, was a fisherman of Galilee. After having been received among the apostles he accompanied Jesus in all His journeys, and uniformly showed docility, zeal, and love towards Him, particularly on the occasion of His going to Bethany to raise Lazarus from the dead. For when the apostles were afraid to go thither, because the Jews desired to kill Jesus, Thomas, full of courage, said, “Let’s also go, that we may die with Him” (John xi. 16). His faith, indeed, wavered for a moment in regard to the resurrection of Christ but no sooner had Christ satisfied him thereof by showing His wounds, than he cried out with firm faith, My Lord and my God. St. Gregory thereupon says, “God overruled the doubting of Thomas to our good, since that very doubt has profited us more than the ready belief of the other disciples, inasmuch as thereby Christ was induced to give so much clearer proofs of His resurrection, in order to confirm us in the belief of it. Thomas showed the firmness of his faith by the innumerable labors which he undertook, and by the sufferings that he endured for Christ. He traversed the most extensive and remote countries, and preached Jesus to the Armenians, Medes, Persians, Parthians, Hyrcardans, Bactrians, and other barbarous and wicked nations, enduring in the course of his labors, with astonishing firmness, the greatest sufferings for the honor of God and the salvation of men. Finally, he came to India, when, in the city of Calamina, or Meliapor, he underwent a glorious martyrdom, being pierced through with lances, by order of the idolatrous priests, as he was praying at the foot of the cross. So much did the apostle do to repair a single fault but we, who every day commit so many what do we do to repair them?
Evening
Antiphon
O Dawn, splendor of eternal light, and sun of justice, come, and shine on those seated in darkness, and in the shadow of death.
Spiritual Crib[5]
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.
·
11th day, December 21st: THE HOLY ANGELS—Attention to Inward Inspirations Have
special regard for them today. Perhaps our dear Lord demands a little
sacrifice, an extra prayer, an act of some virtue, an acknowledgment of your
love for Him. Be watchful and faithful.
Catechism of the Catholic Church
Day 192
1396 The unity of the Mystical Body: the Eucharist makes
the Church. Those who receive the Eucharist are united more closely to Christ.
Through it Christ unites them to all the faithful in one body - the Church.
Communion renews, strengthens, and deepens this incorporation into the Church,
already achieved by Baptism. In Baptism we have been called to form but one
body. The Eucharist fulfills this call: "The cup of blessing which we
bless, is it not a participation in the blood of Christ? the bread which we
break, is it not a participation in the body of Christ? Because there is one
bread, we who are many are one body, for we all partake of the one bread:"
If you are the body and members of Christ, then it is your
sacrament that is placed on the table of the Lord; it is your sacrament that
you receive. To that which you are you respond "Amen" ("yes, it
is true!") and by responding to it you assent to it. For you hear the
words, "the Body of Christ" and respond "Amen." Be then a
member of the Body of Christ that your Amen may be true.
1397 The Eucharist commits us to the poor. To receive in
truth the Body and Blood of Christ given up for us, we must recognize Christ in
the poorest, his brethren:
You have tasted the Blood of the Lord, yet you do not
recognize your brother,.... You dishonor this table when you do not judge
worthy of sharing your food someone judged worthy to take part in this meal....
God freed you from all your sins and invited you here, but you have not become
more merciful.
1398 The Eucharist and the unity of Christians. Before the
greatness of this mystery St. Augustine exclaims, "O sacrament of
devotion! O sign of unity! O bond of charity!" The more painful the
experience of the divisions in the Church which break the common participation
in the table of the Lord, the more urgent are our prayers to the Lord that the
time of complete unity among all who believe in him may return.
1399 The Eastern churches that are not in full communion
with the Catholic Church celebrate the Eucharist with great love. "These
Churches, although separated from us, yet possess true sacraments, above all -
by apostolic succession - the priesthood and the Eucharist, whereby they are
still joined to us in closest intimacy." A certain communion in sacris,
and so in the Eucharist, "given suitable circumstances and the approval of
Church authority, is not merely possible but is encouraged."
1400 Ecclesial communities derived from the Reformation and
separated from the Catholic Church, "have not preserved the proper reality
of the Eucharistic mystery in its fullness, especially because of the absence
of the sacrament of Holy Orders." It is for this reason that
Eucharistic intercommunion with these communities is not possible for the
Catholic Church. However, these ecclesial communities, "when they
commemorate the Lord's death and resurrection in the Holy Supper . . . profess
that it signifies life in communion with Christ and await his coming in
glory."
1401 When, in the Ordinary's judgment, a grave necessity
arises, Catholic ministers may give the sacraments of Eucharist, Penance, and
Anointing of the Sick to other Christians not in full communion with the
Catholic Church, who ask for them of their own will, provided they give
evidence of holding the Catholic faith regarding these sacraments and possess
the required dispositions.
Winter Solstice[7]
The Winter Solstice marks the shortest day and the longest night of the year as the Northern Hemisphere is angled the farthest away from the Sun on this day.
Winter Solstice Facts
·
On the
Winter Solstice, there are 24 hours of sunlight in the Antarctic Circle, and 24
hours of darkness in the Arctic Circle.
·
Many
pagan rituals have revolved around the Winter Solstice. The short days and long
hours of darkness prompted rituals intended to lure the Sun back.
· 10 inches of snow melted down into only 1 inch of rain.
Winter Solstice Top Events and Things to Do
·
Eat
more Vitamin-D rich foods to balance out the lack of sunlight.
·
Light
some candles and enjoy the early evening.
·
Finish
some last-minute Christmas shopping.
·
Purchase
a Christmas tree. Tip: For a more environmentally friendly Christmas,
purchase a Live tree in a burlap root sack that can be planted after the
holiday.
· Watch the lunar eclipse which happens within several days of the winter solstice.
Short Girl Appreciation Day[8] My wife is 5’1”
There’s something about a short girl, that delightfully compact and curvy phenomena that happens when a blessing of genetics realizes that less is more. It seems like evolution did them a favor and made up for their lack of vertical stature by packing those delightful frames with enough vim and vinegar to take on the world. They may be physically smaller, but they sure seem to live larger. Short Girls are all the rage, and Short Girl Appreciation Day is our opportunity to raise them up above the crowds.
How to celebrate Short Girl Appreciation Day
·
No
matter who you are, you have to hand it to the Short Girls (if only because
they can’t reach it themselves.)
·
Let
Short Girl Appreciation Day be your inspiration to truly let these compact
little gems know how much you appreciate them.
·
Take
your favorite short girl out to lunch, buy them a step-stool, or just generally
let them know how awesome they are.
·
If you know one of these beauties that is
suffering from standard short-girl problems, then you can take this opportunity
to help them out with that. To really let them know how fantastic they are, you
can also organize a party for your favorite pack of short-girls themed around
those things that are small. Tiny cakes and cookies, even meals in small
portions (but make sure there’s a lot of them, short girls can pack it away
when they get a hunger on), and round it all up with a short girl fashion show.
·
It’s
bound to be interesting since so many of them have to shop in the children’s
section!
One wonders if Mary was a short girl.
Daily Devotions
·
Unite in the work of the Porters of St. Joseph by joining them
in fasting: Today's Fast: For
the intercession of the angels and saints
·
Offering to
the sacred heart of Jesus
·
Rosary
[4] Goffine’s Devout Instructions, 2019
Comments
Post a Comment