Ijournal entry 122815 # 52. December, Month of The Immaculate Conception of the Most Blessed Virgin. GO SAINTS! Quotes from St. Bernard of Clairvaux, Genevieve Cunningham, Fr. Alfred Delp, S.J., and St. Gregory of Narek. "Christmastide:The Celebration Has Just Begun!", part I and II, by Genevieve Cunningham. YouTube video: "The Other Christmas Gift", by Rob Bliss
The Most Blessed Virgin
"Today that [human] nature, which was first brought forth from the earth, receives divinity for the first time; the dust, having been raised up, hastens with festive trend toward the highest peak of glory. Today, from us and for us, Adam offers Mary to God as firstfruits, and, with the unpoisoned parts of the muddy dough, is formed a bread for the rebuilding of the human race....Today pure human nature receives from God the gift of the original creation and reverts to its original purity. By giving our inherited splendor, which had been hidden by the deformity of vice, to the Mother of Him who is beautiful, human nature receives a magnificent and most divine renovation, which becomes a complete restoration. The restoration, in turn, becomes deification, and this becomes a new formation, like its pristine state". By St. Andrew of Crete
"Today that [human] nature, which was first brought forth from the earth, receives divinity for the first time; the dust, having been raised up, hastens with festive trend toward the highest peak of glory. Today, from us and for us, Adam offers Mary to God as firstfruits, and, with the unpoisoned parts of the muddy dough, is formed a bread for the rebuilding of the human race....Today pure human nature receives from God the gift of the original creation and reverts to its original purity. By giving our inherited splendor, which had been hidden by the deformity of vice, to the Mother of Him who is beautiful, human nature receives a magnificent and most divine renovation, which becomes a complete restoration. The restoration, in turn, becomes deification, and this becomes a new formation, like its pristine state". By St. Andrew of Crete
Said goodby to another Gigarette on 12-24-25, my best friend Hilda. Blessed to have been granted the privilege to give her Communion on Christmas Eve, not knowing this would be her Viaticum and my last time seeing her. She was not specifically ill, and this was unexpected.
👥Hilda a Friend ~ Truly a Godsend👥
♥️Prepared for me was a very very special treat
♥️One that in no way could be beat
♥️Better than chocolate ever so sweet, heavenly
♥️God would have something delightful in mind for me
♥️It was like He was saying I have a great gift for you
♥️it's not something you can chew
💚Not only can't it be tasted, nor is it something you can smell
💚That rule out flowers, it's something rare, one can't buy, trade or sell
💚Nevertheless, it'll be something you'll enjoy very very well
💚Hilda will be your gift
💚A friendship like no other, she'll be a bright light, giving your life a lift
💚Very easygoing, there with you through thick & thin, no need to ever worry bout a rift
💛Years of endurance, lasting happily
💛Death interrupts but the love continues on into eternity
♥️She's endowed with a generous spirit of charity, sharing that side of me
♥️A loving caring soul, a fantastic pick from my treasury
♥️Downright kind, a real delight
♥️A fit for you, one that's just, just right
♥️It will be O so special a friendship
♥️Created by just a word spoken from my lip
💚Specially designed with you in mind
💚Something on your own, you would never ever be able to find
💚Truly it's no hyperbole, truthfully said, my child was one of a kind
💚What a blessing from God was my dear friend, Hilda so just have to say
💚Glad & happy, so happy now is your heart, it's being fulfilled in every way
💚Safe on the heavenly shores, now your heart's desire is no longer at bay
💛We salute you Ms. Hilda V
💛May we all live so as to meet on the other side & again each other to C
♥️Prepared for me was a very very special treat
♥️One that in no way could be beat
♥️Better than chocolate ever so sweet, heavenly
♥️God would have something delightful in mind for me
♥️It was like He was saying I have a great gift for you
♥️it's not something you can chew
💚Not only can't it be tasted, nor is it something you can smell
💚That rule out flowers, it's something rare, one can't buy, trade or sell
💚Nevertheless, it'll be something you'll enjoy very very well
💚Hilda will be your gift
💚A friendship like no other, she'll be a bright light, giving your life a lift
💚Very easygoing, there with you through thick & thin, no need to ever worry bout a rift
💛Years of endurance, lasting happily
💛Death interrupts but the love continues on into eternity
♥️She's endowed with a generous spirit of charity, sharing that side of me
♥️A loving caring soul, a fantastic pick from my treasury
♥️Downright kind, a real delight
♥️A fit for you, one that's just, just right
♥️It will be O so special a friendship
♥️Created by just a word spoken from my lip
💚Specially designed with you in mind
💚Something on your own, you would never ever be able to find
💚Truly it's no hyperbole, truthfully said, my child was one of a kind
💚What a blessing from God was my dear friend, Hilda so just have to say
💚Glad & happy, so happy now is your heart, it's being fulfilled in every way
💚Safe on the heavenly shores, now your heart's desire is no longer at bay
💛We salute you Ms. Hilda V
💛May we all live so as to meet on the other side & again each other to C
"I will deliver them out of the hand of death. I will redeem them from death: O death, I will be thy death; O hell, I will be thy bite: comfort is hidden from my eyes"
“He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death’ or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.”
"It is said that it is on Christmas that God gives us more mercy than any other day, performs more miracles than any other day, talk to Him, ask Him for help, ask him not to leave you as He found you, He will not." By Immaculee
Praise God it's us who get to celebrate & not be sad
Feels so good to have a win & be happy glad
song of endless thanksgiving, and say : " O Lord, the woman whom thou hast given me, gave me of the tree of life ; and I have eaten, and its fruit has been sweeter than honey to my mouth, and by it thou hast given me life." This is why the angel was sent to the Virgin. O wondrous and most honourable Virgin ! O woman singularly venerable ! admirable among all women ! thou who hast satisfied for thy parents, and restored life to their posterity". By St. Bernard, of Clairvaux
on the traditional liturgical calendar, the Christmas season (also known as Christmastide) lasts 40 days. It begins with the vigil Mass said on Christmas Eve, and ends on February 2nd, Candlemas, which is the day on which we celebrate the feast of Jesus’ presentation in the temple". By Genevieve Cunningham
himself. Only beyond himself do the power and strength exist, which he needs to be himself and to attain freedom—that freedom he needs as much as air and light for self-realization. Yet the fact remains that this power and strength become available and effective only through certain decisions—decisions made by and within the individual". By Fr. Alfred Delp, S.J.
Chasing the second, I lost the first. Seeking the insignificant, I forfeited the important. What I did, I did to myself, which is the worst testimony against me. Only you are able to deliver me, a captive slave, from these things". By St. Gregory of Narek
Sharing a recent meditation that developed after reflecting upon a video link sent by Linda. It led me to think about what spiritual gift would be nice to receive this Christmas. It came to mind for me to ask for a special gift, the gift of The Lord Jesus coming deep deep within, there to dwell in my soul. Several examples came to mind why this can be a very beneficial request/. Thoughts reverted to how after my mom had a CVA, she could not just get up an attend daily Mass or chapel like usual. My aunt who was recently on the vent couldn't receive the Eucharistic Host in Communion. Therefore, would they be denied an intimate fellowship with Jesus because of the physical lack? No, no, no illness or adverse situation, or anything could deny them a deep experience of Christ, if He was dwelling deep within. The Lord's presence in a Spiritual Communion would in another way intimately unite them with Jesus and allow Him to dwell deep within. Knowing the Trinity is united, not only would Jesus be present, but the Father and the Holy Spirit. The externals beautifully add physically, but can be lost, like the experience of going to church, receiving sacramentally, etc. However, there is nothing that can take away what is embedded deep in our heart within. Recently loosing a rosary, helped me to identify with this. What's in my heart, the prayers of the Rosary, the connection during the prayer experience, can never be lost. Popping up is a poetic quickie:
🌐Want The Lord God living deep deep down in my soul Ever so deep deep
🌐His presence saturating my soul with a sweetness that completely covers & over every corner gently do sweep
🌐Causing my spirit to rejoice & in great joy to take an upward leap,
🌐Not one thing, no matter what, how, where or when, being able to displace his presence that's mine to eternally keep.
🌐Upon my soul the graces being granted that remain & are constantly building up heap by heap
🌐Making possible like nothing else a rich bountiful harvest for me to reap
🌐Jesus have come so our joy may be full, no need to fear a denial causing us to cry or weep
🌐Want The Lord God living deep deep down in my soul Ever so deep deep
🌐His presence saturating my soul with a sweetness that completely covers & over every corner gently do sweep
🌐Causing my spirit to rejoice & in great joy to take an upward leap,
🌐Not one thing, no matter what, how, where or when, being able to displace his presence that's mine to eternally keep.
🌐Upon my soul the graces being granted that remain & are constantly building up heap by heap
🌐Making possible like nothing else a rich bountiful harvest for me to reap
🌐Jesus have come so our joy may be full, no need to fear a denial causing us to cry or weep
"joy may be in you, and that your joy may be made full"
"No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.”
Article: Part I. "Christmastide:The Celebration Has Just Begun!", by Genevieve Cunningham
Info from this site :
http://www.catholiccompany.com/getfed/celebrating-christmastide/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+CatholicCompanyBlog+%28Catholic+Company+Blog%29
"What does December 26th mean to you? For most people it means that Christmas is over. But for Catholics, it means the celebration has only just begun. Many of us Catholics, however, are not aware of this, and our rhythm of celebrating Christmas is very much along the lines of the secular celebration. We put a massive amount of effort into preparing for December 25th; then, the very next day, we feel a bit blue. “It’s over,” we think. We begin the process of removing decorations, drag the tree out onto the curb, and return to our work-a-day lives. Don’t! Stop right there.
The carols, the feasting, the lights, the joy, have only just commenced. We are about to rejoice in an octave (and more!) of the radiant splendor of the birth of Christ, the Messiah. There is a reason why Christmas is called a season. It does not last for a single day. After Easter, it is the most important liturgical feast in the Church calendar. Why? Because Christmas is what made Easter possible. Without Our Lord’s incarnation and birth, our redemption would not have been brought to completion, and there would be no hope for us in our fallen state. So first, we celebrate the octave of Christmas. This means that there are eight official solemn days of rejoicing. In the language of the Church, the word “solemn” does not mean what our common use of the word defines it as. It doesn’t mean being grim, serious, or morose.
According to a simple definition: “In the Catholic Church year, a solemnity is the highest ranking holy day possible in the Church calendar…” These are days that are emphasized by particular joy, lavishness, pomp, and glory. This might be hard to recognize in the lay life, but it’s unspeakably obvious in the religious life, where the Divine Office (the prayer known as the Liturgy of the Hours) practically shouts out Hallelujah! Basically, during the octave of Christmas, the office that is prayed each day—for eight straight days—is more or less the same office: the one for Christmas day. Think about what that means: it means that we are celebrating each day, for eight days, as though each of them were Christmas day itself.
Isn’t that beautiful? The Church so rejoices in the birth of her Bridegroom and Savior that she simply revels in the joy! While the reality of the Christmas octave (the word “octave” just refers to the number 8) may be a new concept for many of us, who isn’t familiar with the “12 Days of Christmas”? These 12 days refer to the Christmas octave as well as the four subsequent days which take us to the feast of Epiphany"
Info from this site :
http://www.catholiccompany.com/getfed/celebrating-christmastide/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+CatholicCompanyBlog+%28Catholic+Company+Blog%29
"What does December 26th mean to you? For most people it means that Christmas is over. But for Catholics, it means the celebration has only just begun. Many of us Catholics, however, are not aware of this, and our rhythm of celebrating Christmas is very much along the lines of the secular celebration. We put a massive amount of effort into preparing for December 25th; then, the very next day, we feel a bit blue. “It’s over,” we think. We begin the process of removing decorations, drag the tree out onto the curb, and return to our work-a-day lives. Don’t! Stop right there.
The carols, the feasting, the lights, the joy, have only just commenced. We are about to rejoice in an octave (and more!) of the radiant splendor of the birth of Christ, the Messiah. There is a reason why Christmas is called a season. It does not last for a single day. After Easter, it is the most important liturgical feast in the Church calendar. Why? Because Christmas is what made Easter possible. Without Our Lord’s incarnation and birth, our redemption would not have been brought to completion, and there would be no hope for us in our fallen state. So first, we celebrate the octave of Christmas. This means that there are eight official solemn days of rejoicing. In the language of the Church, the word “solemn” does not mean what our common use of the word defines it as. It doesn’t mean being grim, serious, or morose.
According to a simple definition: “In the Catholic Church year, a solemnity is the highest ranking holy day possible in the Church calendar…” These are days that are emphasized by particular joy, lavishness, pomp, and glory. This might be hard to recognize in the lay life, but it’s unspeakably obvious in the religious life, where the Divine Office (the prayer known as the Liturgy of the Hours) practically shouts out Hallelujah! Basically, during the octave of Christmas, the office that is prayed each day—for eight straight days—is more or less the same office: the one for Christmas day. Think about what that means: it means that we are celebrating each day, for eight days, as though each of them were Christmas day itself.
Isn’t that beautiful? The Church so rejoices in the birth of her Bridegroom and Savior that she simply revels in the joy! While the reality of the Christmas octave (the word “octave” just refers to the number 8) may be a new concept for many of us, who isn’t familiar with the “12 Days of Christmas”? These 12 days refer to the Christmas octave as well as the four subsequent days which take us to the feast of Epiphany"
Part II. "Christmastide:The Celebration Has Just Begun!", by Genevieve Cunningham
Excerpts from the article:
"The Christmas season is studded with incredible feast days and there are many ways to celebrate it as a Catholic should. Here’s a calendar of what you can look forward to, followed by some ideas on how to celebrate it with your family":
Excerpts from the article:
"The Christmas season is studded with incredible feast days and there are many ways to celebrate it as a Catholic should. Here’s a calendar of what you can look forward to, followed by some ideas on how to celebrate it with your family":
🎀December 26th – Christmas Octave – Feast of St. Stephen, Deacon and First Martyr
🎀December 27th – Christmas Octave – Feast of the Holy Family (Usually this is the Feast of St. John, Apostle and Evangelist, but the Feast of the Holy Family is celebrated on the first Sunday after Christmas, so that is what is being celebrated this year)
🎀December 28th – Christmas Octave – Feast of the Holy Innocents
🎀December 29th – Christmas Octave – Feast of St. Thomas Becket, Archbishop and Martyr
🎀December 30th – Christmas Octave
🎀December 31st – Christmas Octave – Feast of St. Sylvester I, Pope
🎀January 1st – Christmas Octave – Solemnity of Mary, Mother of God (Holy Day of Obligation)
🎀January 2nd – Feast of Saints Basil the Great and Gregory Nazianzen, Bishops and Doctors of the Church
🎀January 3rd – Feast of Epiphany (This feast is actually celebrated on
🎀January 6th, but in the USA it has been moved to the nearest Sunday)
🎀January 4th – Feast of St. Elizabeth Ann Seton
🎀January 5th – Feast of St. John Neumann
🎀January 6th – 12th Day of Christmas (Traditionally the Feast of Epiphany)
🎀January 7th – Christmas season – Thursday after Epiphany
🎀January 8th – Christmas season – Friday after Epiphany
🎀January 9th – Christmas season – Saturday after Epiphany
🎀January 10th – End of Christmas season on the new calendar – Feast of the Baptism of the Lord
🎀February 2nd – End of Christmas season on the old calendar – Candlemas (Presentation of the Child Jesus)
💡 Ideas for Celebrating Christmastide 💡
🖍1. Keep your nativity scenes on display. Don’t take down your tree. Keep your Christmas lights on each day as the day ends and the sky darkens. Light candles near your manger scene.
🖍2. Pray the Litany to the Child Jesus during the Octave, or even throughout the entire season. This keeps fresh in our minds and hearts the joy of the Christ Child.
🖍3. Take note of the various saints’ feast days that are celebrated during the Christmas season. Ask them for their intercession. The saints are eager to offer petitions on our behalf!
🖍4. Consider hosting Christmas parties AFTER Christmas day. Much of the rush and anxiety is over, people are no longer attending office/family/friends’ parties, and there is more down time. This opens spots on people’s calendars and reminds us that Christmas is not over!
🖍5. Host an Epiphany Party. The Feast of Epiphany celebrates the visit of the Magi and their gifts to the Christ Child. This party can feature candlelight, wonderful food, singing Christmas carols and hymns together, and quality time with people who are a blessing in our lives.
🖍6. When possible, take time to rest and be still in silence. If you have the chance or the choice to do something active, social, or busy, you might consider graciously declining once or twice, and taking time to rest in the peace of Christ instead. In our world of constant distractions, this might take some will power: we might have to force ourselves to sit and be still. And yet keeping company with the Christ Child in our hearts is the gift that He desires from us"
🎀December 27th – Christmas Octave – Feast of the Holy Family (Usually this is the Feast of St. John, Apostle and Evangelist, but the Feast of the Holy Family is celebrated on the first Sunday after Christmas, so that is what is being celebrated this year)
🎀December 28th – Christmas Octave – Feast of the Holy Innocents
🎀December 29th – Christmas Octave – Feast of St. Thomas Becket, Archbishop and Martyr
🎀December 30th – Christmas Octave
🎀December 31st – Christmas Octave – Feast of St. Sylvester I, Pope
🎀January 1st – Christmas Octave – Solemnity of Mary, Mother of God (Holy Day of Obligation)
🎀January 2nd – Feast of Saints Basil the Great and Gregory Nazianzen, Bishops and Doctors of the Church
🎀January 3rd – Feast of Epiphany (This feast is actually celebrated on
🎀January 6th, but in the USA it has been moved to the nearest Sunday)
🎀January 4th – Feast of St. Elizabeth Ann Seton
🎀January 5th – Feast of St. John Neumann
🎀January 6th – 12th Day of Christmas (Traditionally the Feast of Epiphany)
🎀January 7th – Christmas season – Thursday after Epiphany
🎀January 8th – Christmas season – Friday after Epiphany
🎀January 9th – Christmas season – Saturday after Epiphany
🎀January 10th – End of Christmas season on the new calendar – Feast of the Baptism of the Lord
🎀February 2nd – End of Christmas season on the old calendar – Candlemas (Presentation of the Child Jesus)
💡 Ideas for Celebrating Christmastide 💡
🖍1. Keep your nativity scenes on display. Don’t take down your tree. Keep your Christmas lights on each day as the day ends and the sky darkens. Light candles near your manger scene.
🖍2. Pray the Litany to the Child Jesus during the Octave, or even throughout the entire season. This keeps fresh in our minds and hearts the joy of the Christ Child.
🖍3. Take note of the various saints’ feast days that are celebrated during the Christmas season. Ask them for their intercession. The saints are eager to offer petitions on our behalf!
🖍4. Consider hosting Christmas parties AFTER Christmas day. Much of the rush and anxiety is over, people are no longer attending office/family/friends’ parties, and there is more down time. This opens spots on people’s calendars and reminds us that Christmas is not over!
🖍5. Host an Epiphany Party. The Feast of Epiphany celebrates the visit of the Magi and their gifts to the Christ Child. This party can feature candlelight, wonderful food, singing Christmas carols and hymns together, and quality time with people who are a blessing in our lives.
🖍6. When possible, take time to rest and be still in silence. If you have the chance or the choice to do something active, social, or busy, you might consider graciously declining once or twice, and taking time to rest in the peace of Christ instead. In our world of constant distractions, this might take some will power: we might have to force ourselves to sit and be still. And yet keeping company with the Christ Child in our hearts is the gift that He desires from us"
God's love is our's 4 always, 4 ever & ever
We're blest, so no need 2 B stressed, never, never
I pray U enough,cause Blessed B God in all His gifts
It's a sure thing, solid! No buts, no maybes, and no ifs
\☀/
| http://gigapostolate.weebly.com/ / \ tmm/PTL
We're blest, so no need 2 B stressed, never, never
I pray U enough,cause Blessed B God in all His gifts
It's a sure thing, solid! No buts, no maybes, and no ifs
\☀/
| http://gigapostolate.weebly.com/ / \ tmm/PTL