Merry Christmas!

O sweet Child of Bethlehem, grant that we may share with all our hearts in this profound mystery of Christmas. Put into the hearts of men and women this peace for which they sometimes seek so desperately and which you alone can give to them. Help them to know one another better, and to live as brothers and sisters, children of the same Father. Reveal to them also your beauty, holiness, and purity. Awaken in their hearts love and gratitude for your infinite goodness. Join them all together in your love. And give us your heavenly peace. Amen.

— Pope John XXIII

Last Sunday of Advent

The 4th week of Advent is really only 2 days long this year.  Happy Christmas Eve to all.

Christmas Eve

"God has done everything; he has done the impossible: he was made flesh. His all-powerful love has accomplished something which surpasses all human understanding: the Infinite has become a child, has entered the human family. And yet, this same God cannot enter my heart unless I open the door to him." — Pope Benedict XVI

Best of the season

In no particular order:
1. Christmas music: literally some of the best music is for Christmas!
2. Cookies: this week's selection is Peanut Butter Blossoms
3. Decorations: such fun and favorite decorations all around the house
4. Good will: So nice to say Merry Christmas and get the same greeting back.

Third Week of Advent

Latin text
Gaudete! Gaudete!
Christus est natus ex Maria virgine.
Gaudete!

Tempus adest gratiae, hoc quod optabamus;
carmina laetitiae devote reddamus.

Deus homo factus est, natura mirante;
mundus renovatus est a Christo regnante.

Ezechiellis porta clausa pertransitur;
unde lux est orta, salus invenitur.

Ergo nostra contio psallat iam in lustro;
Benedicat Domino; salus regi nostro.

English Translation
Rejoice! Rejoice!
Christ is born of the Virgin Mary.
Rejoice!

At this time of grace and longed-for blessing,
Love faithfully offers a song of praise.

God is made human in this wonderful birth:
The world is cleansed through the rule of Christ.

The gate of heaven now opens which to us was closed,
Sending forth transforming light through which holiness is found.

Therefore we meet in pure songs of joy;
We bless the Lord, King of our Salvation.

Advent

"Advent’s intention is to awaken the most profound and basic emotional memory within us, namely, the memory of the God who became a child. This is a healing memory; it brings hope."
— Pope Benedict XVI

December happenings

Sending out Christmas cards and packages, wishing all well.

Enjoying the dusting of snow and laughing that there was a 2 hour delay this morning.  Obviously, this is the South.

Marian is heavy into auditions this week for both The Little Mermaid and the ACE Awards (formerly the Bijou Awards).  While she is in her element singing and performing, I know that there is anxiety too. 

More car troubles, Anna's had to be brought in again, but it was fixed quickly.  Marian's car goes in tomorrow, UGH. 

Listening to one of my favorite albums of all time.

2nd week of Advent

As we send out cards and remember friends and family both far and near, we keep them in prayer. 

God of hope, who brought love into this world,
be the love that dwells between us.
God of hope, who brought peace into this world,
be the peace that dwells between us.
God of hope, who brought joy into this world,
be the joy that dwells between us.
God of hope, the rock we stand upon,
be the center, the focus of our lives
always, and particularly this Advent time.

First week of Advent

Shopping for Giving Tree...why is so much fun to shop for 1 year old kids?

Choir Concert tonight!  Love to hear all the Christmas music. 

Prayers for those far and near:

Almighty God, We bless you for our lives, we give you praise for your abundant mercy and grace we receive. We thank you for your faithfulness even though we are not that faithful to you.

Lord Jesus, we ask you to give us all around peace in our mind, body, soul and spirit. We want you to heal and remove everything that is causing stress, grief, and sorrow in our lives.

Please guide our path through life and make our enemies be at peace with us. Let your peace reign in our family, at our place of work, businesses and everything we lay our hands on. Let your angels of peace go ahead of us when we go out and stay by our side when we return. In Jesus’ name, Amen.