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I'm listening to Nine Lessons and Carols from King's College, having finished my own prayers at dawn. I love the anticipation of Christmas eve - nothing can restrain the Divine, and the Bambino Gesu embraces the soul who longs for him before the actual commemoration of his Nativity takes place. Much like as some of the Church Father's tell us how Our Lady conceived Jesus in her heart long before the the Annunciation. Over night new snow has covered everything, and so the nights great silence extends into day...
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"When peaceful stillness compassed everything and the night in its swift course was half spent, Your all-powerful word from heaven's royal throne bounded... And as he alighted... he still reached to heaven, while he stood upon the earth." - Wisdom 18: 14-16
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Later, the pilgrim will follow the shepherds to the Christ Mass.
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Wishing all of my readers and friends a very blessed Christmas... happy and merry! Thank you for all of your kindness and generosity towards me. I pray the Little Jesus grant you every grace and blessing.
A merry Christmas and blessed 2011, Terry!
ReplyDeleteBeautiful. I wanted to make Mass for the Vigil of Christmas this morning, but the blanket of snow kept me homebound. Hopefully I will be able to make Midnight Mass tonight. God bless and Merry Christmas, Terry.
ReplyDeleteTerry,
ReplyDeleteMerry Christmas, God Bless you for blogging.
Merry Christmas, Terry. God bless and keep you.
ReplyDeleteMerry Christmas, Terry...
ReplyDeleteTerry: May you have a most joyful Christmas...
ReplyDeleteMerry Christmas Mr.Terry, God bless you and keep you safe so we can blog with you for another year! Lucky YOU. hahahaha...
ReplyDelete***
Members of my family called and said, "We wont be visiting you for Christmas." I thought.. Mr. T would understand this kind of crap. My poor husband (Who must suffer) doesn't get any of this insanity.
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My favorite Abbey moment for the year.... "You don't need a theology degree to get to heaven." - I love that!
Consider asking your readers their favorite moments here at the Abbey - you would be surprised at how you've made a difference in your readers lives by something enriching you've written and posted.
Terry! You've finished the plate! Where's the picture of the whole thing? Beautiful.
ReplyDeleteHave a Merry Christmas!
Belinda, my sister has expressed interest in going to Midnight Mass with me.
Merry Christmas, Terry!
ReplyDeleteNan - this image is Giotto's original - I did finish my plate - but it is not nearly as nice.
ReplyDelete(Nan, I hope she went with you to mass! My husband took our family to mass at 7:00 and it was wonderful to have all of our children together again and even though one of 'em sat and cried through the entire event because her boyfriend wasn't with us. Then my husband went back again to mass at midnight because he invited a fallen away Catholic. My administrator is a better person than I am... and nicer)
ReplyDeleteTerry - a blessed Christmas to you!
ReplyDeleteMerry (third day of) Christmas to you and a blessed and joyful 2011!
ReplyDeleteBelinda is right. Your blog is great and has made a difference in many people's lives.
My favorite is your piece on the praying the Rosary. I sent out the link, and so many friends were very inspired by it.
I hope Our Dear Lord continues to bless your artistic and blogging endeavors!
Emmanuel!