THE NARRATIVE AND POLITICAL CORRECTNESS


Threats to freedom of speech, writing and action, though often trivial in isolation, are cumulative in their effect and, unless checked, lead to a general disrespect for the rights of the citizen. -George Orwell
Showing posts with label Christmas. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Christmas. Show all posts

Sunday, December 25, 2016

CHRIST IS BORN! GLORIA IN EXCELSIS DEO!

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When the angels went away from them to heaven, the shepherds said to one another, "Let us go, then, to Bethlehem to see this thing that has taken place, which the Lord has made known to us." So they went in haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the infant lying in the manger.
When they saw this, they made known the message that had been told them about this child. All who heard it were amazed by what had been told them by the shepherds. And Mary kept all these things, reflecting on them in her heart. Then the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen, just as it had been told to them...
Gloria in Excelsis Deo!

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Saturday, December 24, 2016

THE MIDNIGHT MASS OF CHRISTMAS

Pope Francis celebrates Midnight Mass on the Solemnity of the Nativity of the Lord.



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FOR YOUR CONSIDERATION... DECEMBER 24, 2016

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Refuting the 'Pagan Roots of Christmas' Claim

O Night Divine: Keeping the Midnight in Midnight Mass

Why All Parents Should Let Their Kids Experience Midnight Mass

3 Simple ways to Keep Christmas Day Holy

The Christmas Triad: Christ, Church, Eucharist



The Deeper Meaning of Christmas

Meditating on the Holy Family

The Light of the Infant Jesus

What Will We Give Jesus for His Birthday?

Today's Mass Readings

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VIGIL: THE SPECIAL NIGHT THAT IS CHRISTMAS EVE



The Gift
Is there a day of greater expectation for Christians than Christmas Eve? Holy Saturday, perhaps, should be; but while the Resurrection of Christ is a more remarkable act even than the Incarnation of God as Man, the simple fact that the former depends on the latter - God must become Man before He can die and rise again - has ensured that Christmas captures our imagination more fully than Easter. It is not just visions of sugar plums and glorious roast beast that set our hearts afire on this day; it is the recognition - perhaps less conscious than more so - that, in the words of one of my favorite Christmas carols,
Long lay the world in sin and error pining,
'Til He appear'd and the soul felt its worth.
Even as Christians, we may have reduced the Nativity of Our Lord in practical terms to a holiday of family and friends, of home and hearth and happiness. Yet our souls know more than our minds acknowledge, and on this night of nights they cry out, "Come, Lord Jesus!" That is the cry, too, of the Apostles and Fathers of the Church, of saints and sinners down through the ages...
It is the cry of humanity broken by sin, of men and women who too often rebel against the realization that we cannot repair our lives, much less the world, on our own, yet who recognize, deep within their souls, the scars that only Christ can heal. Our pride threatens to stifle that cry, and perhaps for 364 days of the year, it succeeds in doing so. We act as if our salvation lies in our hands, as if we can heal ourselves through our own works.
Yet on this day, and even more so this night, our souls may speak more loudly, if we will let them. They may cry to the Lord Who will greet us in the morning from His humble manger; they may admit that we need the Child Who is also the Man Who died for our sins - not just the sins of Adam and Eve, and the sins of our fellow man, but our sins, that we have committed yesterday and today, and which we will commit tomorrow.
And our souls may allow us, this night, to set aside our spiritual and intellectual pride, and to hear the truth of the prophets, who likened those souls to an arid desert, which no man can make bloom but God can make fruitful.
To receive the gift of God, the gift that He gives us starting this night, requires setting our pride aside and acknowledging that we are broken, that we are barren, that on our own we can only bring death rather than life.
This night, of all nights, our hearts seem ready to hear these words, to admit the longing in our souls for something that we cannot gain for ourselves, but can only accept as a gift. Or rather, the longing for Someone, the only begotten Son of the Father Who wants nothing more than for all of His children to receive the ultimate gift in the spirit in which He gives it: freely, without reservations.
Tomorrow, He comes: the greatest gift of all. Tonight, we watch, we wait, we hope...
Also read: Why Christmas Is Celebrated at Night
 

RONALD REAGAN'S 1983 CHRISTMAS EVE ADDRESS



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Friday, December 25, 2015

YESTERDAY'S HEADLINES TODAY - VOL. 831



Christmas 2015: History within 'History'

The Only Christmas Gift That Matters

'This Thing Which Is Come to Pass'

This Christmas, We Must Revive the Virtue of Gratitude

Washington Irving's Christmas

101 Years Ago Today, Christmas Truce Halted World War I

ISIS Doesn't Want You To Celebrate Christmas

At Christmas 2015, causes for conservative joy

Christmas Without Her: A Message to My Grieving Self

'A Christmas Story' Shows How Fathers Help Sons Grow Up

The War on Christmas

'Christmas Vacation' Is A Documentary, Not A Comedy

In Defense of Ebenezer Scrooge

The Washington Free Beacon Holiday Gift Guide

Disaster: Poll shows most Americans STILL don't think Die Hard is a Christmas movie

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FOR YOUR CONSIDERATION... DECEMBER 25, 2015

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In his Christmas message, the Pope urges peace and denounces 'brutal acts of terror'

Grim Life for Christians in Muslim Pakistan

Christians in Nigeria: Having Nothing but Everything

Why Do We Celebrate Martyrs at Christmas?

Why, you ask, is celebrating Christmas an act of defiance?


























Christmas Sermons by the Fathers

Religious Joy: A Christmas Sermon

When Christmas Finds You Broken-Hearted

The Blessings of Honoring Mom and Dad

Today's Mass Readings 

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CHRISTMAS: URBI ET ORBI BLESSING

Pope Francis delivers the traditional Christmas message and Apostolic Blessing Urbi et Orbi: to the faithful gathered in St. Peter's Square and to those listening to him around the world on radio and television (and YouTube).



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CHRIST IS BORN! GLORIA IN EXCELSIS DEO!

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When the angels went away from them to heaven, the shepherds said to one another, "Let us go, then, to Bethlehem to see this thing that has taken place, which the Lord has made known to us." So they went in haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the infant lying in the manger.
When they saw this, they made known the message that had been told them about this child. All who heard it were amazed by what had been told them by the shepherds. And Mary kept all these things, reflecting on them in her heart. Then the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen, just as it had been told to them...
Gloria in Excelsis Deo!

 photo a1726837-e739-4419-958a-a66b4728a055_zps510684b0.jpg

Thursday, December 24, 2015

THE MIDNIGHT MASS OF CHRISTMAS

Pope Francis celebrates Midnight Mass on the Solemnity of the Nativity of the Lord.



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FOR YOUR CONSIDERATION... DECEMBER 24, 2015

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All I Want for Christmas is Another Chance at Advent

Teaming With St. Joseph at Advent's End

How the Polish Celebrate Christmas Eve

Depression: Remembering those Who Crawl to the Manger

Ask If This Were Merited



"Do Not Be Afraid": Homily for Christmas Mass During the Night

Angels, Shepherds and Sheer Joy

Mother of the Season

Mass of Christ: The Real Meaning of Christmas

Today's Mass Readings

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VIGIL: THE SPECIAL NIGHT THAT IS CHRISTMAS EVE



The Gift
Is there a day of greater expectation for Christians than Christmas Eve? Holy Saturday, perhaps, should be; but while the Resurrection of Christ is a more remarkable act even than the Incarnation of God as Man, the simple fact that the former depends on the latter - God must become Man before He can die and rise again - has ensured that Christmas captures our imagination more fully than Easter. It is not just visions of sugar plums and glorious roast beast that set our hearts afire on this day; it is the recognition - perhaps less conscious than more so - that, in the words of one of my favorite Christmas carols,
Long lay the world in sin and error pining,
'Til He appear'd and the soul felt its worth.
Even as Christians, we may have reduced the Nativity of Our Lord in practical terms to a holiday of family and friends, of home and hearth and happiness. Yet our souls know more than our minds acknowledge, and on this night of nights they cry out, "Come, Lord Jesus!" That is the cry, too, of the Apostles and Fathers of the Church, of saints and sinners down through the ages...
It is the cry of humanity broken by sin, of men and women who too often rebel against the realization that we cannot repair our lives, much less the world, on our own, yet who recognize, deep within their souls, the scars that only Christ can heal. Our pride threatens to stifle that cry, and perhaps for 364 days of the year, it succeeds in doing so. We act as if our salvation lies in our hands, as if we can heal ourselves through our own works.
Yet on this day, and even more so this night, our souls may speak more loudly, if we will let them. They may cry to the Lord Who will greet us in the morning from His humble manger; they may admit that we need the Child Who is also the Man Who died for our sins - not just the sins of Adam and Eve, and the sins of our fellow man, but our sins, that we have committed yesterday and today, and which we will commit tomorrow.
And our souls may allow us, this night, to set aside our spiritual and intellectual pride, and to hear the truth of the prophets, who likened those souls to an arid desert, which no man can make bloom but God can make fruitful.
To receive the gift of God, the gift that He gives us starting this night, requires setting our pride aside and acknowledging that we are broken, that we are barren, that on our own we can only bring death rather than life.
This night, of all nights, our hearts seem ready to hear these words, to admit the longing in our souls for something that we cannot gain for ourselves, but can only accept as a gift. Or rather, the longing for Someone, the only begotten Son of the Father Who wants nothing more than for all of His children to receive the ultimate gift in the spirit in which He gives it: freely, without reservations.
Tomorrow, He comes: the greatest gift of all. Tonight, we watch, we wait, we hope...
Also read: Why Christmas Is Celebrated at Night
 

THE ULTIMATE CHRISTMAS LIGHTSABER BATTLE

Witness the epic Christmas Eve showdown between Kylo Ren and Santa Claus!



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RONALD REAGAN'S 1983 CHRISTMAS EVE ADDRESS



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ST. JOSEPH'S CHRISTMAS MASS SPECTACULAR

St. Joseph's Christmas Mass Spectacular features Pastor Pat, organist Linda Tayhoe, all 44 verses of "O Come All Ye Faithful" and so much more!



Also, read: Are You Looking Down Your Nose at "Christmas and Easter Catholics"?

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YESTERDAY'S HEADLINES TODAY - VOL. 830



Lawmakers Slam White House Attempts to Skirt Counter-Terror Laws for Iran

Obama is Iran's Latest Hostage

Christmas in an Age of Existential Crisis

5 Most Memorable American Military Christmas Moments

It sure looks like Trey Gowdy's about to endorse Marco Rubio

Dear Residents of Whoville: The Grinch's Social-Justice Demands

Tis the Season to be Offended

The Importance of Saying 'Merry Christmas'

"Politically incorrect" Texas restaurant offers heapin' helping of Merry Christmas!

Christmas with the Family

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VICTORIA'S SECRET ANGELS: 'DECK THE HALLS'

Supermodels Candice Swanepoel, Miranda Kerr, Doutzen Kroes, Alessandra Ambrosio, Lily Aldridge, Lindsay Ellingson and Erin Heatherton have fun decking the halls and putting their own spin on a Christmas classic. And for even more Angel caroling fun, click here and here.



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SNL: HERE COMES SUMP'N CLAUS!

If you've been crossed off Santa's "nice" list, here comes Sump'n Claus...



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Wednesday, December 23, 2015

EWTN NEWS NIGHTLY: DECEMBER 23, 2015



EWTN News Nightly's Brian Patrick presents the headline news of the day.

Additional news and views from around the Catholic world:

Will the Church Get Hit by the Backlash Against Islam?

Hope in a Time of Darkness and Despair

Bleak Christmas faces Catholics in earthquake-ravaged Nepal

Christmas and a World Upside-down

When (Righteous) Anger is Justified

New Political Reality in Pope's Native Country

A 'most powerful woman' - National Geographic's major hat tip to the Virgin Mary

Dating apps and the death of romance

Southeast Michigan a bastion for Polish Christmas traditions, rituals

Star Wars and the Year of Mercy

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FOR YOUR CONSIDERATION... DECEMBER 23, 2015

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The Catholic Table

Holy Spirits! Cocktails for Catholics by Michael P. Foley

Christmas Trials, Mercy & Padre Pio

Living Out the Year of Mercy at Home

The Mystery of the Incarnation








John Cantius

The Life of Saint John Kanty

An Empty Chair at Christmas

A Socialite Comes to Bethlehem

Today's Mass Readings 

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