tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35893782024-03-16T14:50:13.557-04:00man with black hat<p><b>the daily musings ... <br>of faith and culture, of life and love, of fun and games, of a song and dance man, who is keeping his day job.</b></p>David L Alexanderhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13871706129906941567noreply@blogger.comBlogger5307125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3589378.post-29579567662153306972024-02-29T01:00:00.031-05:002024-02-29T16:11:03.507-05:00The Patron Saint of ... Leap Day?<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiS90pakHy0tJ1Rwdq9Js15hRZLR7CXzdxCS1uDhTJ8KSV9T9cSa59g85eEi5am33jtbHLyOjw_lJC-mLmEfDHUYJpTPrrEAUentWxBZUU02iFMecTbH7kCkxHq5mhH7cui4La0VVaAyE-yif2dcCh92c94oLyom6ozHDyV-gWDE6HkLQab5AqW/s1600/leap-day-2024-6753651837110481-law.gif" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiS90pakHy0tJ1Rwdq9Js15hRZLR7CXzdxCS1uDhTJ8KSV9T9cSa59g85eEi5am33jtbHLyOjw_lJC-mLmEfDHUYJpTPrrEAUentWxBZUU02iFMecTbH7kCkxHq5mhH7cui4La0VVaAyE-yif2dcCh92c94oLyom6ozHDyV-gWDE6HkLQab5AqW/s1600/leap-day-2024-6753651837110481-law.gif" width="410" height="167" /></a><br />
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This is a day that only happens once every four years, except in a year the number of which is divisible by four hundred. So this day didn't happen twenty-four years ago, but it's happening today. Not only that, there is a saint whose feast day is celebrated on this day.<br />
<br />
<font color="darkred"><b>Oswald of Worchester</b></font> was Archbishop of York, in England, from 972 until his death in 992. He was born of Danish parents, the year being unknown, but raised by his uncle, Oda, who was Archbishop of Canterbury. Oda sent him to the Abbey of Fleury in France, but died prior to his return. He found a patron in Oda's successor, Oskytel. In 961, Oswald was consecrated as Bishop of Worchester, and later, in 972, was promoted to the see of York.<br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWdWkXya65C0oKM63DKMhwlE5Fdt10AB0gnnRAhMckzSWiu5JMI03iDKdwhhbJraFBKDu5lpTeaGQ_8eUHwP9O0tA6yrCOU1rDIi3rW-4hO3DnpG00OY925owF2oiVwIC5eCBP/s1600/Oswald_and_Eadnoth.jpg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" width="265" height="223" style="float:right;margin:0 5px 10px 20px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWdWkXya65C0oKM63DKMhwlE5Fdt10AB0gnnRAhMckzSWiu5JMI03iDKdwhhbJraFBKDu5lpTeaGQ_8eUHwP9O0tA6yrCOU1rDIi3rW-4hO3DnpG00OY925owF2oiVwIC5eCBP/s1600/Oswald_and_Eadnoth.jpg" /></a>Oswald was a formidable influence on monastic life in the region. He promoted reforms, established new monasteries, and replaced the secular clergy of the cathedral chapter with monks. <b>(It is said that the secular priests refused to give up their wives, which was expected of married men ordained at the time, <font color="black">betcha didn't know that!</font>)</b> He also started his own custom of washing the feet of the poor, and so he was at the moment of his death in 992 -- yes, a leap year.<br />
<br />
It should be no coincidence that such a saintly man be remembered on this day, which reminds us to make adjustments; whether in the calendar to conform more accurately with the heavens, or in our own daily lives.<br />
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Not such a bad idea during the Lenten season, don't you think?<br />
<br />
Or don't you?<br />
<br />
<font color="purple"><b>+ + +</b></font><br />
<br />
For years other than those with an extra day added, Oswald is commemorated on the day before. <a href="http://www.newliturgicalmovement.org/2020/02/why-is-feast-of-st-matthias-moved-in.html" target="newwindow">He's not the only one.</a> This is the Olympics of February days. The one that only happens once every four years. 29 February. Surely someone has explained to us why this occurs. <a href="https://theconversation.com/why-does-a-leap-year-have-366-days-218330" target="newwindow">But honestly, we don’t remember learning why this happens.</a><br />
<br />David L Alexanderhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13871706129906941567noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3589378.post-50858085929756860442024-02-10T06:00:00.007-05:002024-02-10T10:45:34.003-05:00“Kung hei faht choi!”<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='265' height='220' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dzaGqr83aTXXeXQOCeq1oCBT_h0DumIKSNwgkZPIAcBqw5lKuI0Y4C7_K4xvSoPgEZseW5OAEMPa1w' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe><br />
<br />
Today begins the lunar new year in China -- to be more exact, <font color="darkred"><b>“The Year of the Dragon.”</b></font> The above what they are saying in China, in the Philippines (where the occasion is known as <b>"Bagong Taong Tsino"</b>), as well as in any country with a large Chinese population, not to mention Chinatowns all over the world.<br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9gIgIB9mOXayvh3lFT6ffiRateeay6th0Rp0P1nwM5NIZn-g79iCLzYUXfsy1YQhJIh4NANR407wI2ln1vACM9Kbh3UyoS4HkqFnJPsjlWYoFn8vUhXJ15F2CJtJlCkPxUHTvARBQZHkKO_azKZz6uEHMhIjKr-VefOb5EQcwsFomXESl_-29/s1600/year-of-the-dragon-stamp-2024.png" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9gIgIB9mOXayvh3lFT6ffiRateeay6th0Rp0P1nwM5NIZn-g79iCLzYUXfsy1YQhJIh4NANR407wI2ln1vACM9Kbh3UyoS4HkqFnJPsjlWYoFn8vUhXJ15F2CJtJlCkPxUHTvARBQZHkKO_azKZz6uEHMhIjKr-VefOb5EQcwsFomXESl_-29/s1600/year-of-the-dragon-stamp-2024.png" width="135" height="214" style="float:right;margin:0 5px 10px 20px;" /></a><font color="purple"><b>+ + +</b></font><br />
<br />
I took my son Paul to his first "dragon festival" in DC's Chinatown back in 1987. He was one and a half years old, and fit right in with his bright red snowsuit. Such would be the culmination of a fifteen-day celebration that begins today (or yesterday, depending on your side of the planet). <br />
<br />
Meanwhile, the video clip above was taken at the National Building Museum back in 2007 with a phone camera. That was the Year of the Pig, but at least a dragon showed up. Obviously camera phones have come a long way since then, don't you think?<br />
<br />
Or don't you?<br />
<br />
<font color="#339966"><i>NOTE: As my beloved Celia is one-eighth Cantonese, the above title is the traditional greeting in that language, as opposed to the more common Mandarin, so the former is the one I'd hear around the house, as opposed to the latter. Meanwhile, learn more than you could possibly want to know about the occasion on <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chinese_New_Year" target="newwindow">Wikipedia</a>.</i></font><br />
<br />David L Alexanderhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13871706129906941567noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3589378.post-81610402338102765572024-01-21T01:00:00.011-05:002024-01-21T01:00:00.172-05:00"Viva Pit Senyor!" - The Feast of Santo Niño<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6o-UVWP5TK1tlygGXSZwawT42W4YKrVyi7E6RlI3fH4Tp3SuOR9IsWcPtNSc3xbBLQwdo3HcdrcE-Ol-sPH3KlS0GCI4oOCku5fvBnCVyY8d_UVg5cXjm_Kq13L3W7ItLthno/s0/infant-of-prague.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 0 0; text-align: center; "><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="400" data-original-width="200" style="float:left;margin:0 20px 10px 0;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6o-UVWP5TK1tlygGXSZwawT42W4YKrVyi7E6RlI3fH4Tp3SuOR9IsWcPtNSc3xbBLQwdo3HcdrcE-Ol-sPH3KlS0GCI4oOCku5fvBnCVyY8d_UVg5cXjm_Kq13L3W7ItLthno/s0/infant-of-prague.jpg"/></a>Our exploration of the continued remembrance of Christmastide as a forty-day feast continues, in ways that continue to surprise even the most ardent supporters of the idea (including the ones who are all talk, and you know who you are).<br/>
<br/>
Most practicing Catholics in North America (we can only hope) are familiar with the image of the <a href="https://delveintoeurope.com/infant-jesus-of-prague/" target="newwindow">"Infant of Prague."</a> While the devotion to the Child Jesus originated in Spain in the 16th century, it soon made its way to the Czech region of Bohemia, the historic capital city of which is Prague, hence the popular reference. But in much of the Spanish world, including the Philippines, he is known as <font color="darkred"><b><i>"Santo Niño"</i></b></font> and the feast commemorating the Christ Child (as he is referred to from infancy to the age of twelve) is celebrated on the third Sunday of January.<br/>
<br/>
<iframe width="300" height="170" style="float:right;margin:0 5px 20px 20px;" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/B5hG-e9cGnQ" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen></iframe><i><font color="#339966">Rehearsal in Qatar, 2013.</font></i><br/>
<br/>All throughout South America and other parts of the Hispanic world, celebrations that are akin to our own Mardi Gras ("Fat Tuesday," the day before Ash Wednesday, the first day of Lent) take place. Among the greatest are the various celebrations of Santo Niño throughout the Philippihes, not only in the capital city of Manila, but especially in Cebu, the major city of the central region of Visayas, and the epicenter of the national celebration.<br/>
<br/>
<iframe width="300" height="170" style="float:left;margin:0 20px 10px 0;" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/PVBggY_ETlg" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen></iframe><i><font color="#339966">Sinulog in Singapore 2017 Rehearsals, directed by Edynne Baclay.</font></i><br/>
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<br/>
<br/><blockquote>In 1521, Ferdinand Magellan came to Cebú and gave the image as a present to Humamay, chief consort of the local monarch, Raja Humabon, when she, together with her husband and a number of his subjects, were baptized into the Catholic faith. Tradition holds that Humamay -- who received the Christian name Juana after Joan of Castile -- danced for joy upon receiving the Santo Niño, providing a legendary origin for the fervent religious dancing during the Sinulog held in honor of the Christ Child. (from <i>Wikipedia</i>)</blockquote>
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<iframe width="300" height="170" style="float:right;margin:0 5px 20px 20px;" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/6_4Hlwb2ci4" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen></iframe><i><font color="#339966">Sinulog Dance 2012 by Tribu Sugbu Dancers, Rockville MD, 2012.</font></i><br/>
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While remembered primarily as a religious holiday, the celebration, or <font color="darkred"><b><i>Sinulog</i></b></font>, is known for its street festivals, as the young woman who is crowned queen of the festival leads the parade, dancing and carrying the image of the Christ Child in honor of him. The name "sinulog" comes from the Cebuano (Visayan) word "sulog," which translates roughly as "water current movement," a reference to the backward/forward movement of the Sinulog dance in which festival goers participate. The dance itself, performed as a group, is relatively simple, but various cities and dance troupes will invariably cultivate elaborately choreographed versions of the same. As they do, they sing the popular folk song <b>"Viva Pit Senyor"</b> which translates as "Long Live the Lord" (or more popularly as "Long Live the Christ Child"). The dancers will usually carry images of the Holy Child, holding them over their heads as they move together, praising the young Christ Jesus in song.<br/>
<br/>
<iframe width="300" height="170" style="float:left;margin:0 20px 10px 0;" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/8cElhMB2g9Y?si=cbb5vNp8QJt3dJWh" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe><i><font color="#339966">Highlights of Sinulog 2024 in Cebu, Philippines.</font></i><br/>
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<br/>
<br/>
<br/>
<br/>
<br/>
<blockquote>Jesus teach me how to pray<br/>
Suffer not my thought to stray<br/>
Send destruction far away<br/>
Sweet Holy Child<br/>
<br/>
Let me not be rude or wild<br/>
Make me humble meek and mild<br/>
Pure as angels undefiled<br/>
Sweet Holy Child<br/>
<br/>
When I work or when I pray<br/>
Be thou with me through the day<br/>
Teach me what to do and say<br/>
Sweet Holy Child<br/>
<br/>
Make me love thy mother's blest<br/>
Safe beneath they care to rest<br/>
As a bird within its nest<br/>
Sweet Holy Child.<br/></blockquote>
<br/>
<iframe width="300" height="170" style="float:right;margin:0 5px 20px 20px;" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/J3Rl4b-aJLs" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen></iframe>The climax of the event takes place at the <font color="#000099"><b><i>Pilgrim Center of the Basilica Minore del Santo Niño de Cebu</i></b></font>, as in these two clips from 2020 (one from the cheap seats, the other near the sanctuary). Just when you thought Catholics didn't know how to party, you learn that they do in the <b>"Land of the Morning."</b><br/>
<br/>
<iframe width="300" height="170" style="float:left;margin:0 20px 20px 0;" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/92gHNmIflt8" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen></iframe>More information about the main event in Cebu can be found at <a href="https://sinulogfoundationinc.com/" target="newwindow">the official website</a>.<br/>
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It should be obvious by now, that our response to the <font color="#000099"><b>"Christmas-Season-Lasts-Forty-Days"</b></font> tirade continues.<br/>
<a href="https://delveintoeurope.com/infant-jesus-of-prague/" target="newwindow">.</a>David L Alexanderhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13871706129906941567noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3589378.post-50849181081637743612024-01-13T06:00:00.182-05:002024-01-13T12:08:11.319-05:00"Lord, halfway through these forty days ..."<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCT0wyC6N2EmYsS9i754nX_lWdobdjFXZXHGxJDtpRiQLaatX4wCN7QpHnDAhD0R2iIXQZamvKt-MDS_F6jR4vzhlQ5QQS2EDwmPWZz2I2IG7KvP2F9V0lB5vF21FmdKaSAVhNvbvrUHRMssTOUBZGEUE-uTzuuB1Y1kfIgDC16-LbMZNEM0SI/s1600/baptism.jpeg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCT0wyC6N2EmYsS9i754nX_lWdobdjFXZXHGxJDtpRiQLaatX4wCN7QpHnDAhD0R2iIXQZamvKt-MDS_F6jR4vzhlQ5QQS2EDwmPWZz2I2IG7KvP2F9V0lB5vF21FmdKaSAVhNvbvrUHRMssTOUBZGEUE-uTzuuB1Y1kfIgDC16-LbMZNEM0SI/s1600/baptism.jpeg" width="133" height="202" style="float:left;margin:0 20px 10px 0;" /></a>If one is to consider the Christmas celebration as lasting forty days, today would be the halfway mark, the <font color="darkred"><b>"Twentieth Day of Christmas"</b></font> -- as it were. In the traditional Roman calendar, today just happens to be the <font color="#000099"><b>Feast of the Baptism of Our Lord</b></font>, <br />
<blockquote><br />
The next day, John saw Jesus coming to him, and he saith: Behold the Lamb of God, behold Him Who taketh away the sin of the world. This is He, of whom I said: After me there cometh a man, who is preferred before me: because He was before me. And I knew Him not, but that He may be made manifest in Israel, therefore am I come baptizing with water.<br />
<br />
And John gave testimony, saying: I saw the Spirit coming down, as a dove from heaven, and He remained upon him. And I knew Him not; but He Who sent me to baptize with water, said to me: He upon Whom thou shalt see the Spirit descending, and remaining upon Him, He it is that baptizeth with the Holy Ghost. And I saw, and I gave testimony, that this is the Son of God. (John 1:29-34)</blockquote>
<br />
<iframe width="300" height="170" style="float:right;margin:0 5px 10px 20px;" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/gRacslH6UqM?si=5x3HC0ZqUCGMAkA0" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe>Given the significance of this "twentieth day," it seemed only appropriate that there be a hymn devoted to John baptizing in the Jordan, one specifically designed to highlight the occasion. Alas, none could be found.<br />
<br />
So, using the familiar tune "St Flavian," I wrote one. (Somebody cue the organ in the video already.) <br />
<blockquote><br />
<font color="#000099"><b><i>Lord, halfway through these forty days, <br />
Unto the Jordan came. <br />
There, John the Baptist saw His light, <br />
And called Him out by name. <br />
<br />
"This is the One, the Lamb of God, <br />
Who takes our sins away." <br />
And then did water pour on Him <br />
To hear the Father say. <br />
<br />
"Behold, hear my beloved Son, <br />
In whom I am well pleased." <br />
And Andrew when he heard of this, <br />
Upon the moment seized. <br />
<br />
"Oh Master, say where dost thou dwell, <br />
That I may follow thee." <br />
Our blessed Lord then did reply <br />
To Andrew: "Come and see." <br />
<br />
Praise to the Father and the Son <br />
And to the Spirit be, <br />
As all three Persons are as One, <br />
Unto the Trinity. <br /></i></b></font>
<br />
Copyright 2024 by David Lawrence Alexander. All rights reserved. <br /></blockquote>
<a href="https://fisheaters.com/baptism3.html" target="newwindow"><b>Fisheaters</b> provides further commentary on the significance of this event.</a> And so, our response to the <font color="#000099"><b><i>"Christmas Season Lasts Forty Days"</i></b></font> tirade continues.<br />
<br />David L Alexanderhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13871706129906941567noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3589378.post-2473393712541577412024-01-08T01:00:00.003-05:002024-01-08T01:00:00.155-05:00Plowing Through Monday<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnDwWFo6ZYOK6EvQ0MTAzSgiO_MXiUO03wUA_0fv3lyvqG7ywPXnLmUW5hLWv4T6O2dbSggIWrNR6WY8sEx0IHoejje7keKIu-wugREj-oyVjirX1_pTqJfAblsFl2fH6awmyC/s1600/Plough_Monday.jpg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnDwWFo6ZYOK6EvQ0MTAzSgiO_MXiUO03wUA_0fv3lyvqG7ywPXnLmUW5hLWv4T6O2dbSggIWrNR6WY8sEx0IHoejje7keKIu-wugREj-oyVjirX1_pTqJfAblsFl2fH6awmyC/s1600/Plough_Monday.jpg" width="265" height="200" style="float:left; margin:0 20px 10px 0;"></a>Today is the traditional start of the agricultural year in England, and so is known as <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Plough_Monday" target="newwindow"><font color="darkred"><b>Plough Monday</b></font></a>, or, the day after <b>Plough Sunday</b> (you remember from yesterday, right?) which is the Sunday following the traditional observance of Epiphany on the sixth of January. This was the Monday when everyone would end the Christmas revelry and get back to work.<br />
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In his 1777 book <i>Observations on Popular Antiquities</i>, the English antiquarian and clergyman John Brand (1744–1806) gives an account of the formalities:<br />
<br />
<blockquote>The FOOL PLOUGH goes about: a pageant consisting of a number of sword dancers dragging a plough, with music; one, sometimes two, in very strange attire; the Bessy, in the grotesque habit of an old woman, and the Fool, almost covered with skins, a hairy cap on, and the tail of some animal hanging from his back. The office of one of these characters, in which he is very assiduous, is to go about rattling a box amongst the spectators of the dance, in which he receives their little donations.</blockquote><br />
Well, okay, maybe not <i>directly</i> ending and getting back to work. Personally, I'd rather be molly dancing.<br />
<br />
What is that, you ask?<br />
<br />
<iframe width="300" height="170" style="float:right;margin:0 5px 20px 20px;" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/rCODFHp96_I" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen></iframe><font color="#339966"><i>VIDEO: A 2016 performance of "Black Sheet" by the </i>Ouse Washes Molly Dancers<i>. Following a bit of narrative, the dancing actually starts at 2:07.</i></font><br />
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<font color="#000099"><b>“Molly dancing”</b></font> traditionally only appeared during the depths of winter and is regarded by many people as the East Anglian form of Morris dancing. It is characterized by blackened faces, heavy boots (usually hobnailed) and the presence of a "Lord" and a "Lady", two of the men specially attired respectively as a gentleman and his consort, who lead the dances. <b>Blackening faces was a form of disguise since the dancers could not afford to be recognized. (No, not for that other reason. Remain calm.)</b> Some of those people from whom they had demanded money with menaces would have been their employers. Molly dancing is by nature robust and, some would say, aggressive. These qualities are emphasized by the sound of the hobnailed boots worn by the dancers, which were the normal form of footwear for farm workers in the East of England right up until the second half of the twentieth century. <i>(Information courtesy of <a href="https://www.youtube.com/user/alexandersanders" target="newwindow">Alex Sanders</a>.)</i><br />
<br />
On a promising note, and according to the <i>Olde Farmer's Almanac</i>: <a href="https://www.almanac.com/fact/plough-monday-the-first-monday-after-epiphany-holiday" target="newwindow"><b><i>“In the evening, each farmer provided a Plough Monday supper for his workers, with </i>plentiful beef and ale for all.<i>”</i></b></a><br />
<br />
They could do worse, as our response to the <font color="#000099"><b>"Christmas-Season-Lasts-Forty-Days"</b></font> tirade continues.<br />
<br />David L Alexanderhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13871706129906941567noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3589378.post-77227866742475232112024-01-07T01:00:00.001-05:002024-01-07T01:00:00.162-05:00Plowing Through Sunday
<iframe width="300" height="170" style="float:right;margin:0 5px 10px 20px;" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/6Rfvqxk-lXE" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen></iframe>The forty days associated with Christmas and Epiphany continue. The coming of the Savior in the course of the liturgical year is further made manifest. So too is the relationship between the sacred and the secular.<br />
<br />
The Sunday after Epiphany, that which falls between the 7th and the 13th of January, is commemorated in England as <font color="darkred"><b>Plough Sunday</b></font>, when the beginning of the agricultural year is celebrated. Farmers will arrive at the parish church in their tractors, which are blessed along with the seeds for planting, as found in the official worship book of the Church of England. The day is also remembered by Morris dancing after church services, where <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20060101213703/http://www.sherborneabbey.com/sermons/PloughSunday.shtml" target="newwindow">a homily for the occasion</a> is often proclaimed.<br />
<br />
And so, our response to the <font color="#000099"><b>"Christmas-Season-Lasts-Forty-Days"</b></font> tirade continues.<br />
<br />David L Alexanderhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13871706129906941567noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3589378.post-37098468450435846072024-01-06T01:00:00.003-05:002024-01-06T01:00:00.278-05:00Christus Mansionem Benedicat!<iframe width=“300” height=“170” style="float:left;margin:0 20px 10px 0;" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/2eXDty9ZEz0" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen></iframe><span style="color: #339966;"><i>VIDEO: A 1995 recording of "March of the Kings" ("Marche Des Rois") by <b>Nowell Sing We Clear</b> (Tony Barrand, Fred Breunig, Andy Davis and John Roberts) on Golden Hind Records.</i></span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: purple;"><b>+ + +</b></span><br />
<br />
At the Mass for the Day, the faithful are given chalk that has been blessed by the priest, as well as special holy water known as "Epiphany water." The blessing for it, which takes place only for this occasion, is to be found in the traditional <i>Rituale Romanum</i>, and includes a prayer of exorcism. The blessed chalk and the holy water are then taken home, to be used that evening.<br />
<br />
<span style="color: purple;"><b>+ + +</b></span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: darkred;"><b>The Blessing of the Entrance to the House</b> (“Chalking the Door”)</span><br />
<br />
The one who is the Officiant begins with the Sign of the Cross, as the others respond ... <br />
<br />
<blockquote>Pax <span style="color: darkred;"><b>+</b></span> huic dómui. <br />
<i>(Peace <span style="color: darkred;"><b>+</b></span> be unto this house.)</i><br />
<br />
<b>Et ómnibus habitántibus in ea. <br />
<i>(And to all who dwell therein.)</i></b>
</blockquote><br />
...and then continue with Psalm 71(72) "Deus, judicium":<br />
<br />
<blockquote>Give the King your justice, O God,<br />
and your righteousness to the King's son;<br />
<br />
<b>That he may rule your people righteously<br />
and the poor with justice.</b><br />
<br />
That the mountains may bring prosperity to the people,<br />
and the little hills bring righteousness.<br />
<br />
<b>He shall defend the needy among the people;<br />
he shall rescue the poor and crush the oppressor.</b><br />
<br />
He shall live as long as the sun and moon endure,<br />
from one generation to another.<br />
<br />
<b>He shall come down like rain upon the mown field,<br />
like showers that water the earth.</b><br />
<br />
In his time shall the righteous flourish;<br />
there shall be abundance of peace<br />
till the moon shall be no more.<br />
<br />
<b>He shall rule from sea to sea,<br />
and from the River to the ends of the earth.</b><br />
<br />
His foes shall bow down before him,<br />
and his enemies lick the dust.<br />
<br />
<b>The kings of Tarshish and of the isles shall pay tribute,<br />
and the kings of Arabia and Saba offer gifts.</b><br />
<br />
All kings shall bow down before him,<br />
and all the nations do him service.<br />
<br />
<b>For he shall deliver the poor who cries out in distress,<br />
and the oppressed who has no helper.</b><br />
<br />
He shall have pity on the lowly and poor;<br />
he shall preserve the lives of the needy.<br />
<br />
<b>He shall redeem their lives from oppression and violence,<br />
and dear shall their blood be in his sight.</b><br />
<br />
Long may he live!<br />
and may there be given to him gold from Arabia;<br />
<br />
<b>May prayer be made for him always,<br />
and may they bless him all the day long.</b><br />
<br />
May there be abundance of grain on the earth,<br />
growing thick even on the hilltops;<br />
<br />
<b>May its fruit flourish like Lebanon,<br />
and its grain like grass upon the earth.</b><br />
<br />
May his Name remain for ever<br />
and be established as long as the sun endures;<br />
<br />
<b>May all the nations bless themselves in him<br />
and call him blessed.</b><br />
<br />
Blessed be the Lord GOD, the God of Israel,<br />
who alone does wondrous deeds!<br />
<br />
<b>And blessed be his glorious Name forever!<br />
and may all the earth be filled with his glory.</b><br />
<br />
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, <br />
and to the Holy Spirit,<br />
<br />
<b>As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be,<br />
world without end. Amen.</b>
</blockquote><br />
Then the Officiant says the following prayer:<br />
<br />
<blockquote>Domine, exaudi orationem meam.<br />
<i>(O Lord, hear my prayer.)</i><br />
<br />
<b>Et clamor meus ad te veniat.<br />
<i>(And let my cry come unto you.)</i></b><br />
<br />
Oremus ...<br />
<i>(Let us pray ...)</i><br />
<br />
Lord God of Heaven and Earth, who hast revealed thine only-begotten Son to every nation by the guidance of a star: Bless this house and all who inhabit it. Fill them with the light of Christ, that their love for others may truly reflect thy love. We ask this through Christ our Lord. <b>Amen.</b>
</blockquote><br />
The Officiant or another takes a piece of blessed chalk and, stepping up on a chair or ladder if necessary, writes over the entrance to the house.<br />
<br />
<blockquote><span style="color: darkred;"><b>“Christus ...”</b> (“May Christ ...”)</span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: #000099;"><b><i> C</i></b></span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: darkred;"><b>“Mansionem ...”</b> (“this dwelling ...”)</span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: #000099;"><b><i> C M</i></b></span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: darkred;"><b>“Benedicat.”</b> (“... bless.”)</span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: #000099;"><b><i> C M B</i></b></span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: darkred;"><b>“On this night of the year ...”</b></span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: #000099;"><b><i>20 C M B</i></b></span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: darkred;"><b>“... for the coming year.”</b></span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: #000099;"><b><i>20 C M B 24</i></b></span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: darkred;"><b>“In the name of the Father ...”</b></span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: #000099;"><b><i>20 + C M B 24</i></b></span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: darkred;"><b>“and of the Son ...”</b></span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: #000099;"><b><i>20 + C + M B 24</i></b></span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: darkred;"><b>“... and of the Holy Spirit.”</b></span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: #000099;"><b><i>20 + C + M + B 24</i></b></span><br />
<br />
Everyone responds: <span style="color: darkred;"><b>“Amen.”</b></span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: #000099;"><b><i>20 + C + M + B + 24</i></b></span><br />
<br />
Benedicamus Domino!<br />
<i>(Let us bless the Lord!)</i><br />
<br />
<b>Deo gratias!<br />
<i>(Thanks be to God!)</i></b></blockquote><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEg4RJZQ5rcoF-c74JZwnS8MwLkVrwKN5NfrUIywCdINRm7wrL7hNcWSPMXyyjeuO43_PYADDq6EmWYbG21aH85qYFqj97N-m0wdskZOIdLoLPbKUcQglPPwBljR3kbH_p-Uycdl-hIOhrrb208bwqasOFcAMzKOLXo8zytr3g6I-GJirPHhag" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEg4RJZQ5rcoF-c74JZwnS8MwLkVrwKN5NfrUIywCdINRm7wrL7hNcWSPMXyyjeuO43_PYADDq6EmWYbG21aH85qYFqj97N-m0wdskZOIdLoLPbKUcQglPPwBljR3kbH_p-Uycdl-hIOhrrb208bwqasOFcAMzKOLXo8zytr3g6I-GJirPHhag" style="float: right; margin: 0 5px 10px 20px;" width="200" height="267" /></a>The doorway is sprinkled with Holy Water blessed for the Epiphany. The inscription is to be removed on the Feast of Pentecost. <br />
<br />
<span style="color: purple;"><b>+ + +</b></span><br />
<br />
For those who require "the short form," there is this one from the <a href="https://www.stmaryny.org/" target="newwindow">Church of Saint Mary</a> in Clifton Heights, New York. On those nights when the weather is particularly inclement, one can simply read from the Gospel of John while inscribing over the door ...<br />
<br />
<blockquote>In the beginning was the Word, <i>(inscribe <span style="color: #000099;"><b>2</b></span>)</i><br />
<br />
and the Word was with God, <i>(inscribe <span style="color: #000099;"><b>0</b></span>)</i><br />
<br />
and the Word was God. <i>(inscribe <span style="color: #000099;"><b>+</b></span>)</i><br />
<br />
He was in the beginning with God. <i>(inscribe <span style="color: #000099;"><b>C</b></span>)</i><br />
<br />
All things came to be through him, <i>(inscribe <span style="color: #000099;"><b>+</b></span>)</i><br />
<br />
and without him nothing came to be. <i>(inscribe <span style="color: #000099;"><b>M</b></span>)</i><br />
<br />
And the Word became flesh <i>(inscribe <span style="color: #000099;"><b>+</b></span>)</i><br />
<br />
and made his dwelling among us, <i>(inscribe <span style="color: #000099;"><b>B</b></span>)</i><br />
<br />
and we saw his glory, <i>(inscribe <span style="color: #000099;"><b>+</b></span>)</i><br />
<br />
the glory as of the Father’s only Son, <i>(inscribe <span style="color: #000099;"><b>2</b></span>)</i><br />
<br />
full of grace and truth. <i>(inscribe <span style="color: #000099;"><b>4</b></span>)</i></blockquote><br />
… then with the Holy Water, making the sign of the cross three times over the entrance, proclaiming <b><i>“Christus ... Mansionem ... Benedicat”</i></b> and calling it a night.<br />
<br />
<span style="color: purple;"><b>+ + +</b></span><br />
<br />
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="“250" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/OKhsjj58Cv4?rel=0" style="float: left; margin: 0 20px 10px 0;" width="300"></iframe>This day is remembered throughout the world by various names. In many parts of Europe, Epiphany retains its distinction as "Little Christmas." Among the Greek Orthodox, the waters of the harbor are blessed by the local priest. In Spanish-speaking countries, it is known as <span style="color: darkred;"><i><b>“Dia de los Tres Reyes”</b> (“Day of the Three Kings”)</i></span>. There are parades on the main street, such as this one in Madrid, Spain.<br />
<br />
Although we know the "kings" were not actually royalty at all, but scholars in astronomy and other sciences who came from Persia, tradition has associated <b>Caspar</b>, <b>Melchior</b>, and <b>Balthazar</b> -- their names as rendered in various apocryphal gospel accounts -- as representing the Orient, Europe, and Africa, the three great land masses of the known world in the first millennium. <br />
<br />
As with the eve of Saint Nicholas Day in parts of western Europe, children in the Hispanic world are known to leave their shoes out and receive candy and other treats by the next morning. In Spain, children traditionally received presents on this day, rather than on Christmas, although recent years have seen both Christmas and Epiphany as a time for gift-giving.<br />
<br />
I just love parades.<br />
<br />
<font color="purple"><b>+ + +</b></font><br />
<br />
This day is also the occasion for the solemn pronouncement of movable feasts for the coming year, using the chant from the <a href="https://www.brandt.id.au/music/proc/proc2024.pdf" target="newwindow"><b><i>Pontificale Romanum</i></b></a>. Other resources for the occasion can be found at <a href="https://www.fisheaters.com/customschristmas8.html" target="newwindow"><b>Fisheaters</b></a>.<br />
<br />David L Alexanderhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13871706129906941567noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3589378.post-40771254266618021202024-01-05T09:00:00.000-05:002024-01-05T09:31:23.507-05:00Christmastide: Twelfth Night<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0ry28BxzE6Zq9M2dkCO5cSegeIhxtMdOWFbFIhZlA5rWU7Pi2xe-Q9NmBUCCWuFYivQdQwUs_aQIvM3VJHekgQ58Sz7dwnWuC7kRKROyPsJYghKT4TmJPCNarNmw-TzsLlmEF/s1600/40_ft_bonfire_im_currently_standing_in_front_of-49404.gif" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0ry28BxzE6Zq9M2dkCO5cSegeIhxtMdOWFbFIhZlA5rWU7Pi2xe-Q9NmBUCCWuFYivQdQwUs_aQIvM3VJHekgQ58Sz7dwnWuC7kRKROyPsJYghKT4TmJPCNarNmw-TzsLlmEF/s1600/40_ft_bonfire_im_currently_standing_in_front_of-49404.gif" style="float: left; margin: 0 20px 10px 0;" width="265" /></a>When I was growing up back in Ohio, the <a href="https://milfordohio.org/" target="newwindow">Village of Milford</a> had its own way of disposing of old Christmas trees. They would be collected and taken to some field at the edge of town, stacked in a big pile, and <b>"Twelfth Night"</b> would be celebrated with the lighting of a bonfire dubbed the "yule log."<br />
<br />
This might seem remarkable when you consider that Milford is a town first settled by (and more than two centuries later is still more or less dominated by) Methodists, as opposed to us "Catlickers." Of course, my parents -- may God rest their souls -- didn't go for that sort of ribaldry, so I never actually saw the so-called yule log ceremony, but I would always read about it that week in the local rag known as <i>The Milford Advertiser</i>.<br />
<br />
(Here we note that Protestants in the northern states did not celebrate Christmas until well into the 19th century. It was even outlawed by the northern colonies in the early years of European settlement. The southern colonies, on the other hand ...)<br />
<br />
These days, I imagine people would have a hard time penciling it in between trips to soccer practice and PTA meetings. In fact, since leaving the Buckeye State to seek my fortune elsewhere, I learned that the town has yielded to other priorities, as in this little gem I read a few years ago, from the county's Office of Environmental Quality: <br />
<br />
<blockquote><b><i>“Many recycled trees are sent through a wood chipper and are used as mulch.”</i></b></blockquote><br />
They have got to be kidding. Is nothing sacred anymore? Why celebrate the glory of the season when you spend the rest of the year spreading it on your lawn and walking all over it?<br />
<br />
Meanwhile, here at <span style="color: darkred;"><b><i>Chez Alexandre</i></b></span>, we will celebrate Epiphany on the traditional day all along. Tomorrow the lights that are traditionally left on all during Christmastide, will finally be shut off in the evening and taken down. They will be put back in storage along with the decorations, waiting for the season to return. <br />
<br />
Last of all, for those years when we have a live tree, it is sent to its final resting place. (Well, maybe next time.)<br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBXIgwc-UPTMWzhEQqkDJ-MrGEwzYZmXhdaDWSYDYR1NexvJq11VI2WjFAu0uHFCK4Dy_MjBsxh6uV8oy3Kvc-t81wgxQYXfA8lb3cTPaV9m-8Wtlxf8NK1kL-ys4jMy5bpGH8-g/s1600/3KingsEpiphany-300x296.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5558689395294387122" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBXIgwc-UPTMWzhEQqkDJ-MrGEwzYZmXhdaDWSYDYR1NexvJq11VI2WjFAu0uHFCK4Dy_MjBsxh6uV8oy3Kvc-t81wgxQYXfA8lb3cTPaV9m-8Wtlxf8NK1kL-ys4jMy5bpGH8-g/s320/3KingsEpiphany-300x296.jpg" style="cursor: hand; cursor: pointer; float: right; height: 200px; margin: 0 5px 10px 10px; width: 200px;" /></a><span style="color: #000099;"><b><i>Joy, health, love and peace<br />
Be all here in this place<br />
By your leave we will sing<br />
Concerning our King.<br />
<br />
Our King is well dressed<br />
In silks of the best<br />
In ribbons so rare<br />
No King can compare.<br />
<br />
We have traveled many miles<br />
Over hedges and stiles<br />
In search of our King<br />
Unto you we bring.<br />
<br />
We have powder and shot<br />
To conquer the lot<br />
We have cannon and ball<br />
To conquer them all.<br />
<br />
<iframe width=“300” height=“170” style="float:left;margin:0 20px 10px 0;" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/aHJGUn0Mijk" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen></iframe>Old Christmas <br />
is past<br />
<a href="http://fisheaters.com/epiphanyeve.html" target="newwindow"><span style="color: #000099;"><blink>Twelvetide <br />
is the last</blink></span></a><br />
And we bid <br />
you adieu<br />
Great joy <br />
to the new.</i></b></span><br />
<br />
<i>See all twelve days commemorated at the "<a href="https://manwithblackhat.blogspot.com/search/label/xmas12days2023-2024" target="newwindow">xmas12days2023-2024</a>" label.</i><br />
<br />David L Alexanderhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13871706129906941567noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3589378.post-44356595873275462762024-01-05T01:00:00.001-05:002024-01-05T01:00:00.168-05:00Christmastide: Day 12 (St Telesphorus/St John Neumann)<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBc633xQ_VbBe-o3PED6M3nyUs8p2WqX7Ir8XHcLLp00kBrYNRGXBJFpMvUopc81TeV4saMe_5XYflftGWs156tFAFRCoavrldT0lGFFQ0xSZ8l7xaNEY6onfiCEemAs_9O8ZnuxQK1I3cpGgMYkprrojNJBGKSjOIgRLQ7bw1FT8aRLQ18w/s1600/cpi-2022-12-drummersdrumming.gif" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBc633xQ_VbBe-o3PED6M3nyUs8p2WqX7Ir8XHcLLp00kBrYNRGXBJFpMvUopc81TeV4saMe_5XYflftGWs156tFAFRCoavrldT0lGFFQ0xSZ8l7xaNEY6onfiCEemAs_9O8ZnuxQK1I3cpGgMYkprrojNJBGKSjOIgRLQ7bw1FT8aRLQ18w/s1600/cpi-2022-12-drummersdrumming.gif" width="200" height="200" style="float:right;margin:0 5px 10px 20px;" /></a><font color="darkred"><b><i>“On the twelfth day of Christmas, my true love gave to me, twelve drummers drumming ...”</i></b></font><br />
<br />
<i><font color="#000099">Faced with the same labor conditions as the pipers, the Twelve Drummers Drumming are setting the beat for a 6.2% increase in price for their services in 2023 (to $3,468.02).</font></i><br />
<br />
<font color="purple"><b>+ + +</b></font><br />
<br />
<b>Contrary to popular opinion (<a href="https://wdtprs.com/2020/01/wdtprs-epiphany-collect-liturgy-should-be-epiphany/" tarrget="newwindow">including that of people who should know better</a>), the sixth day of January is <i>not</i> the twelfth day of Christmas. The day <i>before</i>, the <i>fifth</i> of January, is the twelfth day of Christmas.</b> The following day, the sixth of January, is the first day of Epiphanytide. <br />
<br />
(Don't believe me? Get the calendar. Do the math. You're welcome.)<br />
<br />
<font color="darkred"><b>To Everything There Is (More Than A) Season</b></font><br />
<br />
Another misconception, one growing in recent years among traditional Catholics, is that Christmas literally lasts for forty days, leading up to the Feast of the Presentation, or Candlemas Day. <br />
<br />
<b>No, Christmas does <i>not</i> last for forty days.</b> Well, not exactly.<br />
<br />
Let's back up a minute and go over the distinctions. I'll use big letters so no one misses anything. (Whatever I can do to help.)<br />
<br />
The <b>TEMPORAL CYCLE</b> of the traditional Church year has two sections; <b>CHRISTMAS</b> and <b>EASTER</b>. The <b>CHRISTMAS SECTION</b> has three seasons. The first season is the <b>ADVENT SEASON</b>. The second season is the <b>CHRISTMAS SEASON</b>, which runs from 25 December (the day of the "Christ Mass" itself) to the end of the Octave of the Epiphany on 13 January (the Feast of the Baptism of Our Lord). The third season is the <b>EPIPHANY SEASON</b>, which runs from 14 January (the day after the Feast of the Baptism) to the Saturday (or Eve) of Septuagesima (the pre-Lenten season). The number of days varies based upon when the Paschal Sunday falls, based on the Sunday after the first full moon after the Vernal Equinox. Nevertheless, it is with Septuagesima Sunday that the <b>EASTER SECTION</b> of the temporal cycle begins. (We'll deal with that whole thing later. Probably.)<br />
<br />
Cycle. Section. Season. Got all that? Good, there's more.<br />
<br />
So, what of the <b>Feast of the Purification of the Blessed Virgin Mary</b> (also known in the West as the <b>Feast of the Presentation of Our Lord Jesus Christ</b>), or <font color="darkred"><b>Candlemas Day</b></font>, forty days after Christmas? In his commentaries found in the <b><i>Saint Andrew Daily Missal</i></b>, Dom Gaspar refers to it thus:<br />
<blockquote>There is, however, a "satellite feast" of the Christmas Season, the Purification, occurring invariably 40 days after Christmas (Feb 2), sometimes in the Time after Epiphany [that is, the "Epiphany Season"]. For that reason, it has been placed in the Sanctoral Cycle, although its object brings it into close connexion [sic] with the Christmas section of the Sanctoral Cycle.</blockquote>
Well, that wasn't much help, was it?<br />
<br />
Or was it?<br />
<br />
The above being said, how the time for Christmas observance is calculated still tends to vary. In 1969, the reformed Roman calander <strike>composed by men with nothing better to do</strike> expanded the season by a variable number of days, from Christmas Day itself, up to and including the Sunday after Epiphany or the sixth of January. However, in the 1960 Code of Rubrics <strike>that were placed in force before all hell broke loose</strike> defines Christmastide as running from First Vespers of Christmas to None (midafternoon prayer) of the fifth of January inclusive. However, it became a custom during the Middle Ages for the forty-day observance of Christmas. Even to this day, the Christian cultures of western Europe and Latin America still maintain the forty-day observance.<br />
<br />
The result would appear to be a distinction between that which is codified as law, and that which falls under the category of <i>customary</i> law, or to put it another way, the <i>folkways</i> of a people of Faith. It is as such, then, that we continue to celebrate the coming of God-With-Us, <b>but not in the same way as in the first twelve days</b>. That is why we have Carnivale in Brazil, Mardi Gras (the weekend and culminating on the Tuesday before the start of Lent) in New Orleans and beyond, and in the Philippines, the Feast of Santo Niño on the third Sunday of January. (More on that last one later as well.)<br />
<br />
<b>And once again ... you're welcome.</b><br />
<br />
<font color="purple"><b>+ + +</b></font><br />
<br />
Meanwhile ...<br />
<br />
Today, the reformed Roman calendar also honors <font color="#000099"><b>Saint John Nepomucene Neumann</b></font>, a native of Bohemia and Redemptorist priest who was appointed Bishop of Philadelphia in the mid-19th century, and who was a key figure in spreading the Faith to an ever-expanding United States of America.<br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNlZlYpULhLphni-w480tSiXmiBFHX7fomGhJFs1Eub-A88Yx-sSGFWH-k3cp0UmkPXQyJIX6tOV-aiEzyMl1wZDtjI43zrJy2G92nfbeeNcqsn0hyYYsixrx6Zdr71bx1bMYD/s1600/Telesphorus.jpg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNlZlYpULhLphni-w480tSiXmiBFHX7fomGhJFs1Eub-A88Yx-sSGFWH-k3cp0UmkPXQyJIX6tOV-aiEzyMl1wZDtjI43zrJy2G92nfbeeNcqsn0hyYYsixrx6Zdr71bx1bMYD/s1600/Telesphorus.jpg" width="200" height="200" style="float:left;margin:0 20px 10px 0;"></a>In the traditional Roman calendar, Mother Church remembers <font color="#000099"><b>Pope Saint Telesphorus</b></font>, elected Bishop of Rome in 126, and martyred ten years later. The tradition of celebrating Mass on Christmas at Midnight, the celebration of Easter on Sundays, the keeping of a seven-week Lent before Easter, and the singing of the Gloria, all are attributed by tradition to his pontificate, even as the historical accuracy of these claims remains in doubt. <br />
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Tonight, a season ends, and here at <font color="darkred"><b><i>Chez Alexandre</i></b></font>, we start the day by taking the ornaments down from the tree, and elsewhere in the house. Tomorrow, a new season begins. Stay tuned ..<a href="http://archive.wf-f.org/epiphany.html" target="newwindow">.</a><br />
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<i>See all twelve days in progress at the "<a href="https://manwithblackhat.blogspot.com/search/label/xmas12days2023-2024" target="newwindow">xmas12days2023-2024</a>" label.</i><br />
<br />David L Alexanderhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13871706129906941567noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3589378.post-27842934916983901072024-01-04T01:00:00.001-05:002024-01-04T01:00:00.144-05:00Christmastide: Day 11 (St Elizabeth Ann Seton)<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqFhmbK2BvMoxexG91PDbV-FlR9DXXPHBelQp_7cU7zCm4Yc4qv08A_sOiS4_oXv9lG8BqBf4N3_FcesQYQpTBy5v10BbP9Ks47gPQkyOXqg0c6KvwBXRYMCYzx29Z42Z3rIl0SXuGNWUa2Ub8Bet6fwZyP4uP1N4pSpfvHXHMlHGXlss99g/s1600/cpi-2022-11-piperspiping.gif" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqFhmbK2BvMoxexG91PDbV-FlR9DXXPHBelQp_7cU7zCm4Yc4qv08A_sOiS4_oXv9lG8BqBf4N3_FcesQYQpTBy5v10BbP9Ks47gPQkyOXqg0c6KvwBXRYMCYzx29Z42Z3rIl0SXuGNWUa2Ub8Bet6fwZyP4uP1N4pSpfvHXHMlHGXlss99g/s1600/cpi-2022-11-piperspiping.gif" width="200" height="200" style="float:right;margin:0 5px 10px 20px;" /></a><font color="darkred"><b><i>“On the eleventh day of Christmas, my true love gave to me, eleven pipers piping ...”</i></b></font><br />
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<i><font color="#000099">If you’d like to hear a piper pipe, get ready to pay for it. A tight labor market means a 6.2% increase in the cost for these musicians (to $3,207.38).</font></i><br />
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<font color="purple"><b>+ + +</b></font><br />
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The end of <b>Twelvetide</b> draws near, but is still with us. And yet, as the workweek returns to normal, the party is effectively over. Trees are being taken down to sit on the curb, and commercials for "holiday sales" are already fading away. Meanwhile ...<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPQqFN70jDu-Xav89_eHD6ju5tm1dIEvyNnW5jqiezON_JCiFzqfTdMuvMDtldS7Twdoxon0gyVy5N9KEHocksQf7R8JHH8ujqzzy72ZkyK7T7MUKSi6lbXZUXLB-ge_Yoo8gA/s1600/saint_elizabeth_ann_seton.jpg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPQqFN70jDu-Xav89_eHD6ju5tm1dIEvyNnW5jqiezON_JCiFzqfTdMuvMDtldS7Twdoxon0gyVy5N9KEHocksQf7R8JHH8ujqzzy72ZkyK7T7MUKSi6lbXZUXLB-ge_Yoo8gA/s1600/saint_elizabeth_ann_seton.jpg" width="200" height="200" style="float:left;margin:0 20px 10px 0;"></a>Today is the feast of <font color="#000099"><b>Saint Elizabeth Ann Seton</b></font>, the foundress of the Sisters of Charity of Saint Joseph, the mother of the Nation's parochial school system, and patroness of Catholic schools. Raised to the altar by Pope Paul VI in 1975, she was the first native-born American to be so honored.<br />
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From the original motherhouse in Emmitsburg, Maryland, a branch house was established out west, its occupants known today as the <b>Sisters of Charity of Cincinnati</b>, based at Mount Saint Joseph-on-the-Ohio, on the city's once-predominantly-Catholic west side. This order did much, not only to build the parochial school system in this part of the Midwest through their teaching apostolate, but its health care system as well, through the establishment of Good Samaritan Hospital in 1852.<br />
<br />
<iframe src="https://player.vimeo.com/video/149204273" width="300" height="170" style="float:right;margin:0 5px 10px 20px;" frameborder="0" webkitallowfullscreen mozallowfullscreen allowfullscreen></iframe>Concerning the role of women Religious and the health care apostolate, much has changed in recent years, to say the least. In light of American health care legislation signed into law in recent years, and the capitulation by certain "leaders" of women religious orders (those few of the old guard still alive), in forcing others to cooperate in acts against the Gospel of Life, let us pause for a moment to consider the irony.<br />
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And hope for a return of the Gospel of Life to the issue.<br />
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<i>See all twelve days in progress at the "<a href="https://manwithblackhat.blogspot.com/search/label/xmas12days2023-2024" target="newwindow">xmas12days2023-2024</a>" label.</i><br />
<br />David L Alexanderhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13871706129906941567noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3589378.post-47618784854803160332024-01-03T01:00:00.007-05:002024-01-03T01:00:00.358-05:00Christmastide: Day 10 (St Geneviève)<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0hdVXuiwVjab8HFeKXPU5aG2iAbKeMwGQYmj_dmuxc8JFy51fC6xBndbXr0_aLpfa0GfkVpCOlhd09ARrY6hHpvPGwshEr4ofGG4GgyFrJuc3VpzUMT9Wch8BdaBPEYcK3d2OEJWrU9qUU6BQOlLx_mLtyogHfJe-fyTPTbJ51y-wdrSzhg/s1600/cpi-2022-10-lordsleaping.gif" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0hdVXuiwVjab8HFeKXPU5aG2iAbKeMwGQYmj_dmuxc8JFy51fC6xBndbXr0_aLpfa0GfkVpCOlhd09ARrY6hHpvPGwshEr4ofGG4GgyFrJuc3VpzUMT9Wch8BdaBPEYcK3d2OEJWrU9qUU6BQOlLx_mLtyogHfJe-fyTPTbJ51y-wdrSzhg/s1600/cpi-2022-10-lordsleaping.gif" width="200" height="200" style="float:right;margin:0 5px 10px 20px;" /></a><font color="darkred"><b><i>“On the tenth day of Christmas, my true love gave to me, ten lords a-leaping ...”</i></b></font><br />
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<i><font color="#000099">Let’s hear it for the 10 Lords-a-Leaping. They’re the most expensive gift in the index, holding off the stagnant swans with another 4% increase in 2023 (to $14,539.20).</font></i><br />
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<font color="purple"><b>+ + +</b></font><br />
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Today, the churches of both the East and the West remember the French shepherd girl <font color="darkred"><b>Saint Geneviève</b></font>, who lived in the mid- and late-fifth century. Her sanctity was noted at a very early age by Saint Germanus, bishop of Auxerre, who consecrated her to God at the age of seven. Genevieve is the patroness of the city of Paris, which has been saved through her intercession more than once, the first time from her contemporary, Attila the Hun.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiI8g6za-Mso6nodFXwJMegRyody44Y2TA99h8vRs9jB2M0THJh_jkeX_zkcZR2AqB_3gx_TaZrOzOqffbM-9C0gJOLi77Lb9a2-DX0n4aMwVmAf2gN1Bd7jafOgyeyL4vM7X63/s1600/Saint_Genevieve.jpg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiI8g6za-Mso6nodFXwJMegRyody44Y2TA99h8vRs9jB2M0THJh_jkeX_zkcZR2AqB_3gx_TaZrOzOqffbM-9C0gJOLi77Lb9a2-DX0n4aMwVmAf2gN1Bd7jafOgyeyL4vM7X63/s1600/Saint_Genevieve.jpg" width="200" height="300" style="float:left; margin:0 20px 10px 0;" /></a>Geneviève loved to pray in church alone at night. On one such occasion, a gust of wind came into the church and blew out her candle, leaving her in darkness. She attributed this act of nature to the Evil One himself, that he was trying to frighten her. Thus she is often depicted holding a candle. Other images show an irritated devil standing nearby.<br />
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<i>See all twelve days in progress at the "<a href="https://manwithblackhat.blogspot.com/search/label/xmas12days2023-2024" target="newwindow">xmas12days2023-2024</a>" label.</i><br />
<br />David L Alexanderhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13871706129906941567noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3589378.post-54058735139795980182024-01-02T01:00:00.004-05:002024-01-02T01:00:00.158-05:00Christmastide: Day 9 (The Holy Name of Jesus)<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4RXTNyeaSgxSY38NaQHNpKCIFLEM8ucHXhjimsl-scwD7xQiENMbN0Ys6-KNQYtJ78e3HV30sWi1KRPiCuANouQCNebw-kcX1V-ChwYnhqXRYYw1qRvTogiFGgfyRSxCQAMO2sia_V8-33nk77IiMQlueI54H-HBzltE1pzrRKevqnca27g/s1600/cpi-2022-09-ladiesdancing.gif" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4RXTNyeaSgxSY38NaQHNpKCIFLEM8ucHXhjimsl-scwD7xQiENMbN0Ys6-KNQYtJ78e3HV30sWi1KRPiCuANouQCNebw-kcX1V-ChwYnhqXRYYw1qRvTogiFGgfyRSxCQAMO2sia_V8-33nk77IiMQlueI54H-HBzltE1pzrRKevqnca27g/s1600/cpi-2022-09-ladiesdancing.gif" width="200" height="200" style="float:right;margin:0 5px 10px 20px;" /></a><font color="darkred"><b><i>“On the ninth day of Christmas, my true love gave to me, nine ladies dancing ...”</i></b></font><br />
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<i><font color="#000099">The price of Nine Ladies Dancing rose by a hefty 10% in 2022 – their first increase in almost a decade. The price to hire a dance company stayed flat this year, though (at $8,308.12, or 0.0%).</font></i><br/>
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<font color="purple"><b>+ + +</b></font><br />
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The traditional Roman calendar associates this day with the Holy Name of Jesus.<font color="#339966"><b>*</b></font> It used to be associated with the day before, with the Feast of the Circumcision. (Even in the present day, the Gospel reading for both feasts is identical.) Then in 1913, Pope Pius X moved it to the Sunday between the second and the fifth January inclusive, and in years when no such Sunday existed, to be observed on the second of January (as it is this year). Don't ask me why.<br />
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The circumcision of a newborn male under Jewish law must take place eight days after the child's birth, at which time he is given his name. Small wonder, then, that the Gospel readings for both feasts in the traditional Roman calendar are the same. The Anglicans and Lutherans celebrate both on the first of January, as did the Roman church for quite some time -- you know, being the eighth day and all.<br />
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<font color="purple"><b>+ + +</b></font><br />
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And speaking of names ...<br />
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<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsB42ivGkX5HzBR5Chxm92nFOzP9ckqwjNWpCHNwmvuZFFWInXJu4Oj-4CwyiNCBowaynqkNIEZwoqcc-y3kc9RfeWO1N9l2bVYLqqVK0L3kpdcNoBVsZ8vHqgShvez0qSFZ-n/s1600/11_01_02_Holy_Name.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 20px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 185px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsB42ivGkX5HzBR5Chxm92nFOzP9ckqwjNWpCHNwmvuZFFWInXJu4Oj-4CwyiNCBowaynqkNIEZwoqcc-y3kc9RfeWO1N9l2bVYLqqVK0L3kpdcNoBVsZ8vHqgShvez0qSFZ-n/s400/11_01_02_Holy_Name.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5692389625990032706"></a>I once heard a comedian pose this important theological question: <font color="#000099"><b><i>“If Jesus was Jewish, why did He have an Hispanic name?”</i></b></font> That occasion aside, it gives us an occasion of our own, to consider that the name "Jesus" was not an uncommon one in His day. Brian Palmer writes for <i>Slate</i>:<br />
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<blockquote><a href="https://www.slate.com/id/2207398/" target="newwindow">Many people shared the name. Christ's given name, commonly Romanized as <i>Yeshua</i>, was quite common in first-century Galilee. ("Jesus" comes from the transliteration of <i>Yeshua</i> into Greek and then English.) Archaeologists have unearthed the tombs of 71 <i>Yeshuas</i> from the period of Jesus' death. The name also appears 30 times in the Old Testament in reference to four separate characters -- including a descendant of Aaron who helped to distribute offerings of grain (2 Chronicles 31:15) and a man who accompanied former captives of Nebuchadnezzar back to Jerusalem (Ezra 2:2) ...</a></blockquote><br />
How would Christ have been addressed by those around him? <br />
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He certainly would not have been addressed as "Mister Christ." After all, "Christ" was not a name, but an honorific, a title if you will, from the Greek <i>Khristós</i> for "anointed one." The Hebrew word was <i>Moshiach</i> or "Messiah." He would have been known by His given name, and the name of His father -- <font color="darkred"><b><i>“Yeshua bar Yehosef”</i></b></font> or <b><i>“Jesus Son of Joseph.”</i></b> In later centuries, or in present-day Iceland, we might easily surmise His being addressed as <b><i>“Jesus Josephson,”</i></b> Or, given the nature of the family business, He might have been known as <b><i>“Jesus Carpenter.”</i></b><br />
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We also know that He eventually left Nazareth in Galilee, the town of His childhood, for other parts of that country, as well as Samaria and Judea. In those places, He would have been just as likely addressed as <font color="darkred"><b><i>“Yeshua Nasraya”</i></b></font> or <b><i>“Jesus of Nazareth.”</i></b> The Gospel accounts tell us of the inscription on the Cross, which gave both His name and His offense, in three languages: <b><i>“Jesus of Nazareth, King of the Jews”</i></b> (actually, <i>“Iesus Nazarenus Rex Iudaeorum”</i> in Latin, <i>“Ihsoûs ó Nazoraîos ó Basileùs tôn ’Ioudaìov”</i> in Greek, and <i>“Yeshua HaNazarei v Melech HaYehudim”</i>, or more precisely, <i>"<b>ישו מנצרת מלך היהודים</b>"</i> in Hebrew). After all, a guy from a hick town like Nazareth would have been rather conspicuous in a high-falutin' place like Jerusalem, especially outside of the High Holydays.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNqWUJpyJ5yd_Kk3G0ZF124pbyNaXhUHW0dUyB94hApA7rlbbnNVOOYw8Y5KHG7rnFporEvnMzj4oPMYUDWpdByJ5q8S91AP80F_3TGfRiF7SGWBLB6hhAFjjgGHApzOxbUB4K/s1600/names-of-jesus.jpg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNqWUJpyJ5yd_Kk3G0ZF124pbyNaXhUHW0dUyB94hApA7rlbbnNVOOYw8Y5KHG7rnFporEvnMzj4oPMYUDWpdByJ5q8S91AP80F_3TGfRiF7SGWBLB6hhAFjjgGHApzOxbUB4K/s1600/names-of-jesus.jpg" width="265" height="181" style="float:right;margin:0 5px 10px 20px;" /></a>The Scriptures also record him being addressed as <b><i>“Jesus Son of David.”</i></b> A man would also have been known for his extended family; that is, his tribe or house, as in <font color="darkred"><b><i>“Yeshua ben David”</i></b></font> or <b><i>“Jesus of the House of David.”</i></b> But even though family lineage was everything in Jewish society, such an address might not have been as common in everyday use.<br />
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<font color="purple"><b>+ + +</b></font><br />
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Devotion to the Holy Name has also been the inspiration for the <a href="https://www.nahns.org/" target="newwindow"><b>National Association of the Holy Name Society</b></a>. HNS chapters have been the basis for men's clubs in Catholic parishes for generations. Their mission includes the corporal works of mercy (feeding the hungry, clothing the naked, comforting the afflicted, that sort of thing), and acts of reparation for the misuse of the holy name.<br />
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<font color="purple"><b>+ + +</b></font><br />
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On that note, we have a couple of Holy Name stories.<br />
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First is an account from an old veteran Scouter, an American living in Mexico.<br />
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<blockquote><i>"While visiting my present Mexican hometown several years ago, I got an urgent message to call collect to an unfamiliar number in Chicago. Turned out it was the FBI, hoping I could help them; did I know anyone in México named 'Chuy,' a common nickname for anyone, male or female, carrying the name Jesús. When I told the agent yes, explained that there were seven in the village where I was staying, including the sheriff, he responded, 'Oh, you mean there's more than one?'"</i></blockquote><br />
And of course, I have one of my own.<br />
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Once I had a confessor who gave me very good advice, for those occasions when I would, shall we say, use a very short form of the Jesus Prayer in an inappropriate context. He advised me that I say immediately afterward, <font color="darkred"><b>“Blessed be His holy name.”</b></font> It's no substitute for the Sacrament of Penance, but it's a rather handy form of reparation.<br />
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Whatever works.<br />
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<font color="purple"><b>+ + +</b></font><br />
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<font color="#339966"><b>*</b></font> At one time combined with the Feast of the Circumcision on 1 January, before the 1913 calendar reforms of Pope Pius X, thus the revisionist conspiracy is even worse than many are led to believe. Adding to the mystery, is that the controversial liturgist Annabale Bugnini was only born the previous year, calling his own part in said conspiracy into question.<br />
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<i>See all twelve days in progress at the "<a href="https://manwithblackhat.blogspot.com/search/label/xmas12days2023-2024" target="newwindow">xmas12days2023-2024</a>" label.</i><br />
<br />David L Alexanderhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13871706129906941567noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3589378.post-62863821106546520002024-01-01T01:00:00.008-05:002024-01-01T01:00:00.131-05:00Christmastide: Day 8 (Circumcision/St Basil)<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhn7xw8usjjrrEbhKq4yEGl6RKCEuj2H3RshocpnbR7VqJXoBdIlky5Hi2a1U1Shm7BERK7JAhQtNbeyDIQbHKOMq7aS0M1a9w8lb0ilHpVEKcbRzPLq-DuBw1w6PFd6wwlob3pb91zkw8l1VHaztoTF0t2lo0iWDBCucKbfw6dLepx6_t5ew/s1600/cpi-2022-08-maidsmilking.gif" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhn7xw8usjjrrEbhKq4yEGl6RKCEuj2H3RshocpnbR7VqJXoBdIlky5Hi2a1U1Shm7BERK7JAhQtNbeyDIQbHKOMq7aS0M1a9w8lb0ilHpVEKcbRzPLq-DuBw1w6PFd6wwlob3pb91zkw8l1VHaztoTF0t2lo0iWDBCucKbfw6dLepx6_t5ew/s1600/cpi-2022-08-maidsmilking.gif" width="200" height="200" style="float:right;margin:0 5px 10px 20px;" /></a><span style="color:darkred;"><b><i>“On the eighth day of Christmas, my true love gave to me, eight maids a-milking ...”</i></b></span><br />
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<i><font color="#000099">The Eight Maids-A-Milking reflect the Federal Minimum Wage, which remains unchanged this year. Therefore, the maids are available for $58.00 this holiday season. (In other words, up by 0.0%.)</font></i><br />
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<font color="purple"><b>+ + +</b></font><br />
<br />
The world knows it as New Year's Day. The Church knows it by several other names.<br />
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First and foremost, it is the <font color="#000099"><b>“Octave-day”</b></font> or eighth day of Christmastide (or "Twelvetide," if you will). Such was its name in the earliest liturgical books, thus remembered as the day of <font color="#000099"><b>Circumcision</b></font>, when a son of Israel was marked according to the Law. (It hurts just thinking about it.) <br />
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In both forms of the Roman Rite, the brief account from Luke is proclaimed:<br />
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<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhP2LeMkz_DS5PB6diWFwrZr__8AIlxvgQUPc_STUYKbzQZYCjt-UTThM-DOUlqiV5HqtFLu1K8dTgQEq_GAVRXQv3xYq2qZIZLmmunSM0wCazk_84_pvgVBXyg3xmv0SpQAb-4/s1600-h/circumcision_detail.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 20px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 315px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhP2LeMkz_DS5PB6diWFwrZr__8AIlxvgQUPc_STUYKbzQZYCjt-UTThM-DOUlqiV5HqtFLu1K8dTgQEq_GAVRXQv3xYq2qZIZLmmunSM0wCazk_84_pvgVBXyg3xmv0SpQAb-4/s320/circumcision_detail.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5286533704557553074" border="0"></a><blockquote><font color="#000099">At that time, after eight days were accomplished, that the Child should be circumcised: His Name was called Jesus, which was called by the angel before He was conceived in the womb. <i>(Luke 2:21)</i></font></blockquote><br />
In the reformed Missal, the day is primarily known as the <font color="#000099"><b>Solemnity of Mary the Mother of God</b></font>. While appearing as a break in tradition, it is a reminder of the Marian emphasis of the Feast, as found even in the orations of the <i>usus antiquior</i>. It was the tradition in Rome that the Pope would go to one of the many churches in the city, whichever was the "Station" for that particular feast -- in the case of this one, the Basilica of Saint Mary Major.<br />
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<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwRBkNS-u-utYlujtudzLk3EJNsdutvi-mU534fg2bXUjJkG3ndQXYqKLD85UFRu1cV1bE29hoHQRGrBHi_YZarXP9nig6Hn-JqhCFz_ABX5WDs_UWYcqTJ89rgvraaOJgNW11/s1600-h/250px-Basil_of_Caesarea.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 5px 10px 20px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 135px; height: 184px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwRBkNS-u-utYlujtudzLk3EJNsdutvi-mU534fg2bXUjJkG3ndQXYqKLD85UFRu1cV1bE29hoHQRGrBHi_YZarXP9nig6Hn-JqhCFz_ABX5WDs_UWYcqTJ89rgvraaOJgNW11/s200/250px-Basil_of_Caesarea.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5286534769615628034" border="0"></a>But wait, there is one more ...<br />
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In the East, today is known not only for the Circumcision, but as the <font color="#000099"><b>Feast of Saint Basil the Great</b></font>, bishop of Caesarea in the fourth century, and one of the great Fathers of the Eastern Church. Today is when the Greeks would traditionally exchange gifts. For many years, when I couldn't meet with Paul for Christmas (and as he was raised in the Byzantine Rite of his mother), I would make an occasion of this day.<br />
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With all that arcane information, you still have to admit that four names for one day are a lot. And to think the year is just getting started.<br />
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<i>See all twelve days in progress at the "<a href="https://manwithblackhat.blogspot.com/search/label/xmas12days2023-2024" target="newwindow">xmas12days2023-2024</a>" label.</i><br />
<br />David L Alexanderhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13871706129906941567noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3589378.post-65177818196978739762023-12-31T01:00:00.003-05:002023-12-31T01:00:00.437-05:00Christmastide: Day 7 (St Sylvester/Sunday Within Octave)<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSgIrmdn8WxcZkdLXGmerTZq7UIkajR5aHK0maxwGbXRSZk6bSzYtd87m9hM9IY8Aqe7toX2TAbqnuPy_wGrolGYcgEv-ymyMgPW93EoeeefB-1BZbql2hCEgCI1vuICSRKKZStnjqyDO99RBR9EoyDvUv834E-j8YRPghMLVUk3ruvl-kig/s1600/cpi-2022-07-swans-swimming.gif" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSgIrmdn8WxcZkdLXGmerTZq7UIkajR5aHK0maxwGbXRSZk6bSzYtd87m9hM9IY8Aqe7toX2TAbqnuPy_wGrolGYcgEv-ymyMgPW93EoeeefB-1BZbql2hCEgCI1vuICSRKKZStnjqyDO99RBR9EoyDvUv834E-j8YRPghMLVUk3ruvl-kig/s1600/cpi-2022-07-swans-swimming.gif" width="200" height="200" style="float:right;margin:0 5px 10px 20px;" /></a><span style="color:darkred;"><b><i>“On the seventh day of Christmas, my true love gave to me, seven swans a-swimming ...”</i></b></span><br />
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<i><font color="#000099">Inspired by their very expensive swan cousins, the Six-Geese-a-Laying have been on a growth run in recent years. Since 2018 they’ve grown in total price by almost $500 (to $780.00, an increase from last year of 8.3%).</font></i><br />
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<font color="purple"><b>+ + +</b></font><br />
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Allowing for corruptions evolving the text as described earlier, the "seven swans a-swimming" completes the first seven days being represented by birds, in honor of the seven sacraments. The song is just more than half over, and we can already see that someone obviously put a great deal of thought into it.<br />
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What do birds and sacraments have in common? We may never know, but we already know this much ...<br />
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<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0iacfyalkuy2xiq9HIV_oCGcIbUuocLOtBcvcPG35j0Bo6LnEKu2hUEADfjXTdf7ZeS1WgywZaNP_-HbppHhi07w_QgbrdHp2eF75VJJUQ0JVuW5SOY0bCg6ZmhY8TN1bNeCh/s1600-h/800px-Sylvester_I_and_Constantine.jpg"><img style="margin: 0 20px 10px 0; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 195px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0iacfyalkuy2xiq9HIV_oCGcIbUuocLOtBcvcPG35j0Bo6LnEKu2hUEADfjXTdf7ZeS1WgywZaNP_-HbppHhi07w_QgbrdHp2eF75VJJUQ0JVuW5SOY0bCg6ZmhY8TN1bNeCh/s320/800px-Sylvester_I_and_Constantine.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5285967666443656274" border="0"></a>For the current year, this day of Christmastide is the <font color="#000099">Sunday Within the Octave of Christmas</font>, but by virtue of the date itself, it is also the <a href="http://catholicexchange.com/great-bridge-feast-st-sylvester" target="newwindow"><font color="#000099">Feast of <b>Saint Sylvester</b></font></a>, who was Pope from 31 January, 314, until his death on this day in 335. He was the first bishop of Rome to refer to himself as "Pope," or more specifically, "Father (Papa)." His reign would have occurred during that of Emperor Constantine, as well as the First Council of Nicea in 325, which composed the Nicene Creed proclaimed at Mass on Sunday. (Sylvester did not attend this council, but sent a delegation.) He is also one of the ten longest-reigning popes in history.<br />
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<iframe width="265" height="200" style="float:right;margin:0 5px 10px 20px;" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/P3inR1xszQg?rel=0" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>In present-day Germany, this day of New Year's Eve is known as "Silvester." Beverly Stevens of Regina Magazine tells us: <b><i>"Okay, this is TRADITIONAL in Germany to play this clip on 'Sylvester' -- that is, New Year's Eve."</i></b> The English comedian Freddie Frinton (1909-1968) is a butler in his famous <b>"Dinner for One"</b> scene, from the 1948 British short comedy <b>"Trouble in the Air."</b> Other countries know the day better by the saints name as well (such as "la Saint-Sylvestre" in France).<br />
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As for the year of our Lord, two thousand and twenty-three, the clock is running out. May it please the Almighty that the year to come may be a blessed one for all.<br />
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Brace yourselves.<br />
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<i>See all twelve days in progress at the "<a href="https://manwithblackhat.blogspot.com/search/label/xmas12days2023-2024" target="newwindow">xmas12days2023-2024</a>" label.</i><br />
<br />David L Alexanderhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13871706129906941567noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3589378.post-15129945196062870992023-12-30T01:00:00.002-05:002023-12-30T01:00:00.186-05:00Christmastide: Day 6 (St Egwin of Evesham)<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCi7X_YtoGvNrxin1ea5vzLx0kBbYeS4RRYFYr2L8SYdyo7rreUHbdyuJRTxnJLhwVZTuwDq5xfK_NjDUCS3lndj7f6ek9kJmyso7KPOJsgjo2SHLXDvetXcyy4U69ooL04kyS23SJiFe_TmjBt1Id7VIh9JS0YO76QpWIrVciMrUp-cz4lA/s1600/cpi-2022-06-geeselaying.gif" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCi7X_YtoGvNrxin1ea5vzLx0kBbYeS4RRYFYr2L8SYdyo7rreUHbdyuJRTxnJLhwVZTuwDq5xfK_NjDUCS3lndj7f6ek9kJmyso7KPOJsgjo2SHLXDvetXcyy4U69ooL04kyS23SJiFe_TmjBt1Id7VIh9JS0YO76QpWIrVciMrUp-cz4lA/s1600/cpi-2022-06-geeselaying.gif" width="200" height="200" style="float:right;margin:0 5px 10px 20px;" /></a><font color="darkred"><b><i>“On the sixth day of Christmas, my true love gave to me, six geese a-laying ...”</i></b></font><br />
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<font color="#000099"><i>Inspired by their very expensive swan cousins, the Six-Geese-a-Laying have been on a growth run in recent years. Since 2018 they’ve grown in total price by almost $500 (to $780.00, an increase of 8.3%).</i></font><br />
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<font color="purple"><b>+ + +</b></font><br />
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Geese were among the first birds to be domesticated. As our ancestors made the transformation from hunting and gathering to settling and farming, they found they could keep a supply of them penned up, and with sufficient breeding, to supply eggs and meat for a period of time. Thus did geese emerge as a common barnyard fowl in England.<br />
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Closer to the present, <b>Katy Sirls</b> is an English professor at Dixie College in St George, Utah, where she teaches English classes at Dixie College. After completing her Master of Fine Arts degree in writing, with an emphasis on fiction, she published one of her academic essays.<br />
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<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhR3bGqrUXwPxT8_MJBpQtSemuPbY33GHd0GB5uBLKtXaeTKY3clf6YcybTN8wAQPZyqJ0W3pmrrs28628I9nH5Ve8c52QOQFRZHXLCrfNtwSPYBz-kys9MA7oV4j9lhV0DgXX6/s1600-h/Six_Geese_A_Layi_494a6249dd9b3.png"><img style="float:left; margin:0 20px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 284px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhR3bGqrUXwPxT8_MJBpQtSemuPbY33GHd0GB5uBLKtXaeTKY3clf6YcybTN8wAQPZyqJ0W3pmrrs28628I9nH5Ve8c52QOQFRZHXLCrfNtwSPYBz-kys9MA7oV4j9lhV0DgXX6/s320/Six_Geese_A_Layi_494a6249dd9b3.png" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5285572054314377186"></a><blockquote>After several months overseas, Stacia is ecstatic to return home for Christmas. It’s been too long since she’s seen her boyfriend, Luke and she longs to be in his arms again. She even has a seductive and sexy “present” planned for their first night together.<br />
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With arrangements to celebrate the holidays with Luke’s family, Stacia soon discovers her plans are going to be quite difficult to carry out. Her first night back is spent getting to know his beloved pet geese. It seems as though their night of passion will have to wait—until, that is, she discovers Luke has plans of his own.<br />
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Stacia soon finds herself following the mysterious trail of presents Luke has left her: Christmas-wrapped goose eggs, each one with a clue that will lead her to the next ... and, ultimately, to a night she’ll never forget!</blockquote><br />
Today, neither the traditional nor reformed general Roman calendars have a mandatory commemoration of a saint. With the former, it appears only as a day within the Octave of Christmas. However, the oldest of religious orders -- the Benedictine, Carmelite, Dominican, Franciscan, to name a few -- have their own calendars of saints particular to themselves. In addition, many countries have local celebrations on their calendars, lesser-known saints with a popular local cult of devotion.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgiMVy9ArLNdhfDc-TvMSOvtWUiAnHcrOWfXQ3xRS-rOWoVRZ5fz11ACz3Pcswaj6cAw4f3nKJeW5cmfQkrvvk5h3NHxLj4EapLOJQpvVXm5P8KFMeKtTaWY3dQPAaK58Z6A_c/s1600/640px-De_montfort_evesham.jpg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgiMVy9ArLNdhfDc-TvMSOvtWUiAnHcrOWfXQ3xRS-rOWoVRZ5fz11ACz3Pcswaj6cAw4f3nKJeW5cmfQkrvvk5h3NHxLj4EapLOJQpvVXm5P8KFMeKtTaWY3dQPAaK58Z6A_c/s1600/640px-De_montfort_evesham.jpg" width="200" height="300" style="float:right;margin:0 5px 10px 20px;"></a>On this day, the Benedictines remember <b>Saint Egwin of Evesham</b>, the late 7th and early 8th century bishop of Worchester. Born of noble blood to a royal family of the English midlands, he joined the Order of Saint Benedict, and was eventually made bishop. He was known for his protection of the widowed and orphaned, which made him very popular. He was also known for his strict enforcement of the Church's justice, and of her discipline, especially (wait for it!) priestly celibacy, which made him, well, not so popular. A canonical case was made against him, for which he traveled all the way to Rome to appeal, and win.<br />
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After seeing a vision of the Blessed Mother, and at her request, he founded Evesham Abbey, one of the great Benedictine houses of the British Isles. He died in 717, and was buried at the Abbey, after which many miracles were attributed to him. (The church in England and Wales commemorates him on January 11, the date of the transfer of his relics.)<br />
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Depicted here is the bell tower of the abbey, which is all that remains following the suppression of monasteries during the Reformation.<br />
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And so it goes.<br />
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<i>See all twelve days in progress at the "<a href="https://manwithblackhat.blogspot.com/search/label/xmas12days2023-2024" target="newwindow">xmas12days2023-2024</a>" label.</i><br />
<br />David L Alexanderhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13871706129906941567noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3589378.post-82286257196326369962023-12-29T01:00:00.008-05:002023-12-29T01:00:00.179-05:00Christmastide: Day 5 (St Thomas of Canterbury)<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhM-_GZVue2Vz0Gqh2yAslmM_zw8-eGKKgyWxHlw-Qc204zxMBw0-Z2klQ1X4jt8MvHkkDxU2dEk1XzeoBhE9dbLlreSKrUEJvzi4uCZvFIFBgX8NNl4edjNwFsPPPgn5ZoS_7V27518-uJ_-OEWfrDweZDhe4lL9vdzaYwdWwhg_ehpXcIKQ/s1600/cpi-2022-05-goldrings.gif" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhM-_GZVue2Vz0Gqh2yAslmM_zw8-eGKKgyWxHlw-Qc204zxMBw0-Z2klQ1X4jt8MvHkkDxU2dEk1XzeoBhE9dbLlreSKrUEJvzi4uCZvFIFBgX8NNl4edjNwFsPPPgn5ZoS_7V27518-uJ_-OEWfrDweZDhe4lL9vdzaYwdWwhg_ehpXcIKQ/s1600/cpi-2022-05-goldrings.gif" width="200" height="200" style="float:right;margin:0 5px 10px 20px;" /></a><font color="darkred"><b><i>“On the fifth day of Christmas, my true love gave to me, five gold rings ...”</i></b></font><br />
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<i><font color="#000099">Gold never goes out of style, but apparently plain gold bands do. The price for Five Gold Rings stayed flat for the first time in more than five years (0.0% at $1,245.00).</font></i><br />
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<font color="purple"><b>+ + +</b></font><br />
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The fifth day's gift of gold rings (or "golden rings" in some versions) refers not to gold jewelry, but to a characteristic of the ring-necked pheasant. This becomes significant later. The day after tomorrow. Just wait, we'll get there.<br />
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But you don't have to wait for today's feast, which in the western Church is that of <a href="http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/14676a.htm" target="newwindow">Saint Thomas à Becket, also known as Thomas of Canterbury, named for where he was Archbishop at the time of his death</a>. Born around 1162, he became the confidant and High Chancellor of King Henry II of England. Then the King got the idea for Thomas, already an archdeacon, to be consecrated Archbishop of Canterbury and Primate of All England. This did not have the effect for which the King had hoped. Eventually, Thomas was embroiled in conflict with Henry over the rights and privileges of the Church and was assassinated by the King's followers in Canterbury Cathedral, on this day in 1170. He was canonized less than four years later by Pope Alexander III.<br />
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<iframe width="300" height="170" style="float:left;margin:0 20px 10px 0;" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/ArLJHj4WKYA?rel=0&showinfo=0" frameborder="0" gesture="media" allow="encrypted-media" allowfullscreen></iframe>This story became the subject of a stage play, and eventually the great 1964 film, <font color="purple"><b><i>Becket</i></b></font>, starring Richard Burton as Thomas Becket and Peter O'Toole as King Henry. It won an Academy Award for Best Screenplay, and received eleven other nominations, including Best Actor (Burton and O'Toole).<br />
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Following an extensive restoration process, the original 1964 film was made available in limited theatrical re-release in 2007. It is currently available on DVD and at <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Becket-Richard-Burton/dp/B0031ZG0WI/ref=sr_1_3?crid=11VO1H1WNUNWV&keywords=becket+dvd&qid=1672192190&sprefix=becket+dvd%2Caps%2C93&sr=8-3" target="newwindow">Amazon Prime Video</a>.<br />
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And the celebration of <font color="darkred"><b>"Twelvetide"</b></font> continues.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5P-MDTfsqI2KagJIdgTZ52oiymbJWnBYbPssQbCn5TYVxW3XGzqR01cDVhTha9ShInBDLX_1EpNAhtdTz8RAPOBp-Z7hPyWr8zDH77sMwcaf2k3ozvyNvQe4yBXpQ79IKXKjt/s1600/David-icon.jpg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5P-MDTfsqI2KagJIdgTZ52oiymbJWnBYbPssQbCn5TYVxW3XGzqR01cDVhTha9ShInBDLX_1EpNAhtdTz8RAPOBp-Z7hPyWr8zDH77sMwcaf2k3ozvyNvQe4yBXpQ79IKXKjt/s1600/David-icon.jpg" width="200" height="222" style="float:right;margin:0 5px 10px 20px;"></a><font color="purple"><b>+ + +</b></font><br />
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It is a little-known fact, that today the Western church also celebrates the feast of an Old Testament figure, none other than <a href="https://www.newadvent.org/cathen/04642b.htm" target="newwindow">King David</a>. In the West, we rarely address Old Testament people as "Saint So-and-so," although it is quite common in the East. ("Saint Elias," for example, is a popular name for Eastern Catholic and Orthodox parish churches, a name otherwise rendered as "Elijah.")<br />
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<i>See all twelve days in progress at the "<a href="https://manwithblackhat.blogspot.com/search/label/xmas12days2023-2024" target="newwindow">xmas12days2023-2024</a>" label.</i><br />
<br />David L Alexanderhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13871706129906941567noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3589378.post-11318303306984500372023-12-28T13:00:00.015-05:002023-12-28T13:00:00.350-05:00Now We Are (Sixty) NineI have always said that the greatest gift my Celia ever gave me was ... <b>grandchildren</b>.<br />
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I met them in the Philippines four years ago at Christmas. The little boy, <font color="darkred"><b>Luic</b></font> (pronounced loo-EEK, a Filipino variant of the Spanish "Luis") became eleven years old last month, and is hardly a little boy anymore. He loves video games, dinosaurs, and drawing manga characters, and when he comes to America, wants to see three things; snow, Disney World, and going camping. It's gonna be fun taking him everywhere, watching him grow up. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUeXJ58gaEGUBBqXvKw0mkck_yspkXIS5uAr672Mel2IFTGbe61ImGVKSfbefmy9l6qQjCVgmyKC22z3EgziMjUklgBi8L3r7w6N9X6zvuKG8bn20AH12r-XVRPYCvHbRwPNBr2TAewfGchjHtNICDKYQADRZ1Ac31R9dvivY4BDUzGbJFIA/s1600/scarlett-the-igorot-princess.jpg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUeXJ58gaEGUBBqXvKw0mkck_yspkXIS5uAr672Mel2IFTGbe61ImGVKSfbefmy9l6qQjCVgmyKC22z3EgziMjUklgBi8L3r7w6N9X6zvuKG8bn20AH12r-XVRPYCvHbRwPNBr2TAewfGchjHtNICDKYQADRZ1Ac31R9dvivY4BDUzGbJFIA/s1600/scarlett-the-igorot-princess.jpg" width="200" height="320" style="float:right;margin:0 5px 10px 20px;" /></a><font color="#339966"><i>IMAGE: Scarlett as a princess of the <b>Igorot</b>, an indigenous people of the mountains in northern Luzon.</i></font><br />
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Then there is his little sister <font color="darkred"><b>Scarlett</b></font>, who turns nine years old today, on the same day I turn sixty-nine. Together, they call me "Lolo" (pronounced "LOW-low," Tagalog for "Grandpa").<br />
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As is obvious to anyone who knows the family that she takes after her mother. In her younger days, Sarah was a professional model of national renown, gracing teen magazine covers and all that sort of thing. That being the case, our little one has been choosing her own wardrobe on a daily basis since before she was three, about the same time instinctively poses as a model for photos. She is precocious, whimsical, and occasionally likes to pick on her "Kuya" (prounounced "KOO-yah," a title for the oldest brother), who is very protective towards her just the same.<br />
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We will talk on video tonight, comparing notes on who had the biggest birthday (and it won't be any contest). But why the name "Scarlett"?<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6zV4siNq3C5OxM7gPltCoHJMrUIHIiNN7L8d5fUI0tWwRfeAcI5X4coKYbjP3qAWfObrBFXtwfWhr1kDMBKrE8C4fcdHaqr-uPsxk8GCQJr89lybgnmnvVxw8tDBxo-kjUW5BrOk_-zfHvzI0Cf-wLxOKWjjY_SD4nORviykDkacKz-VyVp2O/s1600/scar-and-luic-drinking-in-bali.png" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6zV4siNq3C5OxM7gPltCoHJMrUIHIiNN7L8d5fUI0tWwRfeAcI5X4coKYbjP3qAWfObrBFXtwfWhr1kDMBKrE8C4fcdHaqr-uPsxk8GCQJr89lybgnmnvVxw8tDBxo-kjUW5BrOk_-zfHvzI0Cf-wLxOKWjjY_SD4nORviykDkacKz-VyVp2O/s1600/scar-and-luic-drinking-in-bali.png" width="200" height="200" style="float:left;margin:0 20px 10px 0;" /></a><font color="#339966"><i>IMAGE: Scarlett and Luic "on the town" in Bali, Indonesia.</i></font><br />
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In the Philippines, children are often traditionally named for the saint on or near whose feast day they are born. Today is the feast of the Holy Innocents. This called for improvisation by her resourceful parents.<br />
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The name "Scarlett" is reminiscent of the blood of the little infant boys, martyred on the order of King Herod in an attempt to eradicate the threat that a newborn King might pose to his rule. Having been raised to the altar of sainthood with their sacrifice, our little princess enjoys the patronage of a throng of special little angels to protect her, much as her older brother would do, at times in spite of her boldness.<br />
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At the end of the day, she is adorable, just like her mother, not to mention her grandmother. What's more, our little one certainly loves her Lolo, as can be seen in this video from New Year's Eve four years ago (at the family home in Malabon City, Metro Manila), given her fear of the sudden noise of fireworks.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="float:right;margin: 0 5px 10px 20px;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='300' height='170' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dwRAv-WjkZgqdRBo7BNYdMKCj5xgO_2KbpXzjIUAxJGMrC7FM4_aGOB7sv9_8qt8hTVv1MVIw_x_6k' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div><br />
<br />David L Alexanderhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13871706129906941567noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3589378.post-35287838161416273032023-12-28T01:00:00.001-05:002023-12-28T01:00:00.289-05:00Christmastide: Day 4 (Childermas/Niños Inocentes)<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWz4pUJPsYe-AHShrXW5kn4rMZCSS4ierq0M9JdAT5GfqWAQWpSpfyJJwAX27jx1prSTojf-f2QvUZQEEExIn9J2X6EmxgiDID3soEpuIyJi1L8y5MJCt1Mz1gw3UCxwe-YMowR7zFi6PPZ-a6oIfpM5hqmai8CtVChVgJ10zzOh4bkizCaA/s1600/cpi-2022-04-callingbirds.gif" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWz4pUJPsYe-AHShrXW5kn4rMZCSS4ierq0M9JdAT5GfqWAQWpSpfyJJwAX27jx1prSTojf-f2QvUZQEEExIn9J2X6EmxgiDID3soEpuIyJi1L8y5MJCt1Mz1gw3UCxwe-YMowR7zFi6PPZ-a6oIfpM5hqmai8CtVChVgJ10zzOh4bkizCaA/s1600/cpi-2022-04-callingbirds.gif" width="200" height="200" style="float:right;margin:0 5px 10px 20px;" /></a><font color="darkred"><b><i>“On the fourth day of Christmas, my true love gave to me, four calling birds ...”</i></b></font><br />
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<i><font color="#000099">It’s easy to budget for the Four Calling Birds. They’re the same price as they were last year (0.0% at $599.96). And the year before that, and the year before that, and ... </font></i><br/>
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<font color="purple"><b>+ + +</b></font><br />
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Actually, they would have been referred to as "colly birds," meaning a form of blackbird. This is one of a number of lines that had become corrupted over the centuries. But enough about the song. Today is the <font color="darkred"><b>Feast of the Holy Innocents</b></font>, the infant males in Bethlehem under the age of two years, that King Herod had put to death, in the hopes of doing away with the newborn King, which he saw as a threat to his power (Matthew 2:16-18).<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggEbypd9Oyx2Q9833qeApLZXs4g6XspVS-LZZLAVNQi2hpvzWYVxvEehcHkXFXagXM0kj7HL0tAkbJ2nmZGJFzlsK8NnVouNOAw7ARzkSy67mhyphenhyphenbzoaCYlQ5SiLnXfeiisak_l/s1600/640px-Guido_Reni_-_Massacre_of_the_Innocents.jpg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggEbypd9Oyx2Q9833qeApLZXs4g6XspVS-LZZLAVNQi2hpvzWYVxvEehcHkXFXagXM0kj7HL0tAkbJ2nmZGJFzlsK8NnVouNOAw7ARzkSy67mhyphenhyphenbzoaCYlQ5SiLnXfeiisak_l/s1600/640px-Guido_Reni_-_Massacre_of_the_Innocents.jpg" width="200" height="313" style="float:left;margin:0 20px 10px 0;"></a>In this 1611 painting by Guido Reni, we see the depiction of that which fulfilled the prophecy: <font color="#000099"><b><i>“A voice is heard in Ramah, mourning and great weeping, Rachel weeping for her children and refusing to be comforted, because her children are no more.”</i></b> (Jeremiah 31:15)</font><br />
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Some historians have debated whether the tale actually occurred, as the ancient historian Josephus fails to mention it, but the consensus of biblical scholars attest to its authenticity. An ancient tradition has placed the death toll at fourteen thousand, most likely an allusion to the many atrocities committed by Herod, including the killing of his own son. However, given that the "little town of Bethlehem" had a population of only about one thousand at the time, the estimated number of victims has been more realistically placed at around twenty.<br />
<br />
<iframe width="300" height="170" style="float:right;margin:0 5px 10px 20px;" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/Wit-jGD4wCw?rel=0&showinfo=0" frameborder="0" gesture="media" allow="encrypted-media" allowfullscreen></iframe>In Spanish-speaking countries (including, uh, Spain), as well as former colonies such as the Philippines, this is traditionally a day given to playing practical jokes, much like April Fools' Day elsewhere. The pranks are known as "inocentadas" and either the pranksters or their victims are referred to as "inocentes." <br />
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I suppose it depends on which ones you ask.<br />
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<font color="purple"><b>+ + +</b></font><br />
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It is also a day of remembrance for yours truly, as an entry scheduled for later today will attest. Stay tuned ...<br />
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<i>See all twelve days in progress at the "<a href="https://manwithblackhat.blogspot.com/search/label/xmas12days2023-2024" target="newwindow">xmas12days2023-2024</a>" label.</i><br />
<br />David L Alexanderhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13871706129906941567noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3589378.post-84062576167666252982023-12-27T01:00:00.004-05:002023-12-27T01:00:00.129-05:00Christmastide: Day 3 (St John the Apostle)<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgj6BaL8q7GPBBLWpFMhuJoPd7hpYisEXcuBmCvthEHsRYHV5ul4G6vX4v1_iNk3gL2o4lO8aLYI6C9Lu9i7HlwLOfp67EB6M9bO7J6319F1XtUfbWUHCA6-OjX3nviOUo6M_EztwuD7Cm8Zd_uu79hNIhy2UaaC-r46JeMWfAUgdehSgpIHA/s1600/cpi-2022-03-frenchhens.gi" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgj6BaL8q7GPBBLWpFMhuJoPd7hpYisEXcuBmCvthEHsRYHV5ul4G6vX4v1_iNk3gL2o4lO8aLYI6C9Lu9i7HlwLOfp67EB6M9bO7J6319F1XtUfbWUHCA6-OjX3nviOUo6M_EztwuD7Cm8Zd_uu79hNIhy2UaaC-r46JeMWfAUgdehSgpIHA/s1600/cpi-2022-03-frenchhens.gi" width="200" height="200" style="float:right;margin:0 5px 10px 20px;" /></a><font color="darkred"><b><i>“On the third day of Christmas, my true love gave to me, three French hens ...”</i></b></font><br />
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<i><font color="#000099">The French Hens grew modestly in price this year, due to rising labor and energy costs. They’re still among the most affordable birds in the index at just $330 (an increase of 3.5%).</font></i><br />
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<font color="purple"><b>+ + +</b></font><br />
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“The disciple whom Jesus loved” (“ο μαθητης ον ηγαπα ο Ιησους”) was, for a time, banished under Emperor Domition to the island of Patmos in the Aegean Sea. This was before returning to Ephesus to remain for the rest of his days. John was the only one of the Twelve to die a natural death. Tradition says he lived to be nearly one hundred years old, yet it was not for want of his enemies trying. Upon an attempt to kill John by poisoning his wine, the evil substance miraculously took the form of a serpent, as it dissipated from his cup.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsVnrnZ0wm7tKiWLqd9CKytcK40ZkI3MTkf6k2j_67otahLlhjAxKX6gXRbMqVVc3iPOKnLVYbz5FPYMyHleae8V82eNLvv1BLa2wTR3Z02BQ96HyKGYZtsHvhjgW_gTJ2MbMx/s1600/640px-San_Juan_Evangelista_El_Greco_1610.jpg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsVnrnZ0wm7tKiWLqd9CKytcK40ZkI3MTkf6k2j_67otahLlhjAxKX6gXRbMqVVc3iPOKnLVYbz5FPYMyHleae8V82eNLvv1BLa2wTR3Z02BQ96HyKGYZtsHvhjgW_gTJ2MbMx/s1600/640px-San_Juan_Evangelista_El_Greco_1610.jpg" width="200" height="265" style="float:left;margin:0 20px 10px 0;"></a>Here he is in a circa 1610 painting by <b>El Greco</b> with a look that says:<br />
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<font color="#339966"><b><i>“Dude, seriously? This is the best you can do?”</i></b></font><br />
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Today, families can celebrate the Feast of Saint John by drinking to the health of each other, following a German tradition known as <font color="darkred"><b><i>Johannissegen</i></b></font>. <a href="http://www.fisheaters.com/customschristmas4.html" target="newwindow"><i>Fisheaters</i> has a recipe for mulled wine that is customary to the occasion.</a> Before the evening meal begins, the head of the house recites the blessing over the wine, as recorded in the <i>Rituale Romanum</i>:<br />
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<blockquote><font color="#000099"><i><b>Lord Jesus Christ, Thou didst call Thyself the vine and Thy holy Apostles the branches; and out of all those who love Thee, Thou didst desire to make a good vineyard. Bless this wine and pour into it the might of Thy benediction so that everyone who drinks or takes of it, may through the intercession of Thy beloved disciple, the holy Apostle and Evangelist John, be freed from every disease or attack of illness and obtain health of body and soul. Who livest and reignest forever.</b> (Amen.)</i></font></blockquote><br />
He then lifts his glass toward the next person (or touches the rim of his glass to theirs), saying, <font color="#000099"><b><i>“I drink you the love of Saint John.”</i></b></font> The receiver says in response, <font color="#000099"><b><i>“I thank you for the love of Saint John.”</i></b></font> The second person turns to the third, and the process is repeated all around the table. That's the long form. <br />
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The short form is where all present clink their glasses together saying, <font color="#000099"><b><i>“Drink the love of Saint John.”</i></b></font> This is especially handy for young children who cannot wait to chow down.<br />
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To each his own.<br />
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<i>See all twelve days in progress at the "<a href="https://manwithblackhat.blogspot.com/search/label/xmas12days2023-2024" target="newwindow">xmas12days2023-2024</a>" label.</i><br />
<br />David L Alexanderhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13871706129906941567noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3589378.post-46298017285600769392023-12-26T01:00:00.003-05:002023-12-26T01:00:00.146-05:00Christmastide: Day 2 (Boxing Day/St Stephen)<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAMN3qzUEnRWt2zJGOKQvJEaCNF9ml1sUeSQp2rAGdnq7BgPVELJd97A6QKIfUz3rC90Dns8H9cmEB4XSmoy_BUYNzufMF5O2kJNF8LnG4RBjvaC1zGm4xNEyc0AQZX8k886psI7VKBFMqBxfz2rcxUJgK_etb75WiwDEyzIAO7QMf8C8-og/s1600/cpi-2022-02-turtledoves.gif" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAMN3qzUEnRWt2zJGOKQvJEaCNF9ml1sUeSQp2rAGdnq7BgPVELJd97A6QKIfUz3rC90Dns8H9cmEB4XSmoy_BUYNzufMF5O2kJNF8LnG4RBjvaC1zGm4xNEyc0AQZX8k886psI7VKBFMqBxfz2rcxUJgK_etb75WiwDEyzIAO7QMf8C8-og/s1600/cpi-2022-02-turtledoves.gif" width="200" height="200" style="float:right;margin:0 5px 10px 20px;" /></a><font color="darkred"><b><i>"On the second day of Christmas, my true love gave to me, two turtle doves ..."</i></b></font><br />
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<i><font color="#000099">The Turtle Doves are the most volatile gift in the index this year, growing by 25% in price (to $750.00). Their cost increase reflects their rarity.</font></i><br />
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<font color="purple"><b>+ + +</b></font><br />
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I always love to show this video of the á capella group <a href="https://www.sncmusic.com/" target="newwindow"><i>Straight No Chaser</i></a> singing their own unique version of "The Twelve Days of Christmas." <br />
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<iframe width="300" height="170" style="float:left;margin:0 20px 10px 0;" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/3F20Rc1F2PM" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen></iframe>Today still feels a little like Christmas, only the stores are open, bustling continued consumer spending in spite of everything. I know, some people may think that's a concession to the over-commercialization of the holiday, but as we mentioned before, it's better than pretending it's anything other than Christmas.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidui5YhZPgClkqLMVItycuYYRQi6MICSo88W9LBQDcw2PM8NEQrdy2Udhz54wA20g8rd4r6L6RzFXFxyh39yS4GS4pF2q8CMW2sAlh3d3YqR5ZkGP_BimkuYGr-yh7HrqOkYem/s1600/398677_503140619709142_279469990_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear:right; float:right; margin-left:1.5em; margin-bottom:1em"><img border="0" height="265" width="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidui5YhZPgClkqLMVItycuYYRQi6MICSo88W9LBQDcw2PM8NEQrdy2Udhz54wA20g8rd4r6L6RzFXFxyh39yS4GS4pF2q8CMW2sAlh3d3YqR5ZkGP_BimkuYGr-yh7HrqOkYem/s400/398677_503140619709142_279469990_n.jpg"></a>Today is <font color="#000099"><b>“Boxing Day”</b></font> in Canada, the UK, and other nations of the present and former British Empire. Traditionally, Christmas Day was when the master of the house would give presents to his family. On the following day, he would arrange for leftovers from his great feast to be given to his domestic staff, in boxes that they could take home. Eventually, it became customary to box other gifts as well.<br />
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Whatever works.<br />
<br />
<iframe width=“300” height=“170” style="float:left;margin:0 20px 10px 0;" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/zkAP6Uw897o" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen></iframe>Meanwhile, the Irish celebrate this as a national holiday, too, only as <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/St_Stephen%27s_Day#Ireland" target="newwindow">Saint Stephen's Day</a>, honoring one of the seven deacons appointed in the Book of Acts, to assist the apostles in their ministry. He was stoned to death by the Jews -- <b>no, not <i>all</i> of the Jews, just some of them, and all of <i>those</i> guys were Jews, alright already???</b> -- and so is known in the Churches of the East as the "Protomartyr," as he was the first recorded to die for the Faith. And let's not forget that <a href="http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/15587b.htm" target="newwindow">"Good King Welceslas"</a> of Bohemia went out on the feast of Stephen, when the snow lay on ground, yada yada yada ...<br />
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It is also when Irish children would go from house to house, begging pennies to bury the <font color="black"><b>wren</b></font>, a tiny little bird whose size and scale for burial is exaggerated for the occasion, as demonstrated in the above video of "The Cutty Wren" by <a href="https://nowellsingweclear.com" target="newwindow"><b><i>Nowell Sing We Clear</i></b></a>.<br />
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And so it goes.<br />
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<i>See all twelve days in progress at the "<a href="https://manwithblackhat.blogspot.com/search/label/xmas12days2023-2024" target="newwindow">xmas12days2023-2024</a>" label.</i><br />
<br />David L Alexanderhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13871706129906941567noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3589378.post-76802589694771747562023-12-25T01:00:00.015-05:002023-12-25T01:00:00.149-05:00Christmastide: Day 1 (Nativity)<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVoUy01HfUVdjXmGZlEKUSoJ2PJh9xweQsV4ij_syJ8JMGTM_QGSnB5sE53ccztFDo0KAEAEx6QIP7eWJdsChGK2eaXTCZnnI-KeoFWGPjnm4lgN5GKrZhZBWYsVSHE-dR81SYiecZwImcltSRZM6VHVfuUPUNdgOyN0mMP8S6X7ehHivCig/s1600/cpi-2022-01-partridge.gif" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVoUy01HfUVdjXmGZlEKUSoJ2PJh9xweQsV4ij_syJ8JMGTM_QGSnB5sE53ccztFDo0KAEAEx6QIP7eWJdsChGK2eaXTCZnnI-KeoFWGPjnm4lgN5GKrZhZBWYsVSHE-dR81SYiecZwImcltSRZM6VHVfuUPUNdgOyN0mMP8S6X7ehHivCig/s1600/cpi-2022-01-partridge.gif" width="200" height="200" style="float:right;margin:0 5px 10px 20px;" /></a><font color="darkred"><b><i>“On the first day of Christmas, my true love gave to me, a partridge in a pear tree.”</i></b></font><br />
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<i><font color="#000099">Rents are rising again for the Partridge in 2023. The price of the bird stayed flat, but the tree it lives in grew by 13.9%, reflecting overall growth in housing costs (at $319.18).</font></i><br/>
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<font color="purple"><b>+ + +</b></font><br />
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The period known as Christmastide begins with the Feast of the Nativity itself; specifically, with the evening of this first day, and into the dawn of the Feast of the Epiphany. And so the first day of Christmastide is 25-26 December, ending with Twelfth Night on 5-6 January. <br />
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By tomorrow, you will stop hearing Christmas music on some radio stations, but here at <font color="darkred"><b><i>Chez Alexandre</i></b></font>, whether here or on the road, as well as here at <font color="purple"><b><i>man with black hat</i></b></font>, the Christmas season is just beginning. Most of us are familiar with the song <b>"The Twelve Days of Christmas"</b> and the significance of the symbolism therein. But for those who are not ...<br />
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<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiELZodgCf6uaKKTTBkH_HDZQDqd1YOzAJe_f9a3D5A2kJyHF5qVajuDWA-twXyRsSP5DfEHAP3OhmkCl4gsm1h8nl520gEArTNjf2RfNGEpgqFNeJXPVXFrQXKwy9pol5H78DF3Q/s1600-h/nativity-icon.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 20px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 190px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiELZodgCf6uaKKTTBkH_HDZQDqd1YOzAJe_f9a3D5A2kJyHF5qVajuDWA-twXyRsSP5DfEHAP3OhmkCl4gsm1h8nl520gEArTNjf2RfNGEpgqFNeJXPVXFrQXKwy9pol5H78DF3Q/s320/nativity-icon.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5419165173835142258"></a><blockquote><font color="#339966"><b>Twelve Drummers Drumming</b></font> refers to the twelve points of doctrine in the Apostle's Creed<br />
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<font color="#339966"><b>Eleven Pipers Piping</b></font> refers to the eleven faithful apostles<br />
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<font color="#339966"><b>Ten Lords A-leaping</b></font> refers to the ten commandments<br />
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<font color="#339966"><b>Nine Ladies Dancing</b></font> refers to the nine Fruits of the Holy Spirit<br />
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<font color="#339966"><b>Eight Maids A-milking</b></font> refers to the eight beatitudes<br />
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<font color="#339966"><b>Seven Swans A-swimming</b></font> refers to the seven gifts of the Holy Spirit, and/or the seven sacraments<br />
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<font color="#339966"><b>Six Geese A-laying</b></font> refers to the six days of creation<br />
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<font color="#339966"><b>Five Golden Rings</b></font> refers to the first Five Books of the Old Testament, the "Pentateuch", which gives the history of man's fall from grace.<br />
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<font color="#339966"><b>Four Calling Birds</b></font> refers to the Four Gospels and/or the Four Evangelists.<br />
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<font color="#339966"><b>Three French Hens</b></font> refers to Faith, Hope and Charity, the Theological Virtues.<br />
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<font color="#339966"><b>Two Turtle Doves</b></font> refers to the Old and New Testaments.<br />
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<font color="#339966"><b>One Partridge in a Pear Tree</b></font> refers to Christ on Earth being crucified upon a tree.<br />
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<font color="#339966"><b>True Love</b></font> refers to God, who sent his only son to us.</blockquote><br/>
<i>[NOTA BENE: The use of this song as a "secret catechism" for children, employed by Catholics persecuted in post-Reformation England, is a matter of some dispute, as pointed out in this article from <a href="http://www.snopes.com/holidays/christmas/music/12days.asp" target="newwindow">Snopes.com</a>. Leave it to them to bring the party down, especially when they're actually wrong some of the time.]</i><br />
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<font color="purple"><b>+ + +</b></font><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDu1jT5nSPFzojFNf3g7TSvSEX2lZyj4E5bbkrKi9wK5_Yz8fdWL1XpKTL_DzVoAY2V7VnUUBOHsnuNWOlxCb1NSke94x2hcRBxucfqYk9kZI2GXmxN6j8JEGn9H9Ocz-FopqVv0fvr_zxyIRY8Q97b8pRzIr2Gz6yQrbxuAQSW86YbVjtZg/s1600/cpi-2022-finaltitle.gif" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDu1jT5nSPFzojFNf3g7TSvSEX2lZyj4E5bbkrKi9wK5_Yz8fdWL1XpKTL_DzVoAY2V7VnUUBOHsnuNWOlxCb1NSke94x2hcRBxucfqYk9kZI2GXmxN6j8JEGn9H9Ocz-FopqVv0fvr_zxyIRY8Q97b8pRzIr2Gz6yQrbxuAQSW86YbVjtZg/s1600/cpi-2022-finaltitle.gif" width="300" height="180" style="float:right;margin: 0 5px 10px 20px;" /></a><br/>
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Now then (and this should be a treat for those of you new to us), we present the continuation of a venerable <font color="purple"><b><i>man with black hat</i></b></font> tradition.<br />
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For forty years, <b>PNC Bank</b>, one of the largest financial institutions in the United States, has calculated the prices of the twelve gifts from the classic carol “The Twelve Days of Christmas.” The result is the <font color=“darkred”><b><a href=“https://www.pnc.com/en/about-pnc/topics/pnc-christmas-price-index.html” target="newwindow">PNC Christmas Price Index</a></b></font>, originally the brainchild of <font color="black"><b>Jim Dunigan</b></font>, the former managing executive of investments with PNC Wealth Management. The result is a unique and whimsical holiday tradition that makes learning about the economy fun. <br />
<br />
<iframe width="300" height="170" style="float:left;margin: 0 20px 10px 0;" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/pdZK_tAIT-0?si=wu6WfnZ3P8G0kYn4" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe>For many years, Mr Dunigan himself presented the complete rundown of the cost of the entire entourage on video. For now, you can get this year's short version from WXIX, the Fox affiliate in this writer's old stomping ground known as Cincinnati.<br />
<br />
<blockquote><font color="#000099"><i>Even with its small basket of goods and services, the PNC Christmas Price Index is not immune to the rising costs in the broader U.S. economy, as measured by the Bureau of Labor Statistics’ Consumer Price Index, at <b>$46,729.86</b>, or <b>plus 2.7 percent</b>.</i></font></blockquote>
<br />
<b>In the years following his departure, Mr Dunigan's legacy presses on.</b><br />
<br />
<iframe width="300" height="170" style="float:right;margin:0 5px 10px 20px;" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/bTbq2pPLW6I" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen></iframe>Meanwhile, from all of us at <font color="black"><b><i>Chez Alexandre</i></b></font>, we wish you <font color="darkred"><b>"Maligayang Pasko at Makabagong Bagong Taon!"</b></font><br />
<br />
<b>You get the idea. Now, dear minions, go forth and spread joy!</b><br />
<br />
<font color="purple"><b>+ + +</b></font><br />
<br />
<i>See all twelve days in progress at the "<a href="https://manwithblackhat.blogspot.com/search/label/xmas12days2023-2024" target="newwindow">xmas12days2023-2024</a>" label.</i><br/>
<br />
<i>(The illustrations for the PNC Christmas Price Index are from the website of PNC Bank, NA, and are used here without permission or shame. It's the least they can do for charging me twenty-five bucks a month to earn interest off my damn money.)</i><br />
<br/>David L Alexanderhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13871706129906941567noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3589378.post-3429928837335427962023-12-24T03:00:00.001-05:002023-12-24T03:00:00.129-05:00Advent IV: Love<iframe width="265" height="200" style="float:right;margin:0 5px 10px 20px;" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/muPw2j6VCSw?rel=0" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe><font color="#000099"><b>Reading</b><br />
<i>1 Corinthians 4:1-2</i></font><br />
<br />
Brethren: Let a man so account of us as of the ministers of Christ and the dispensers of the mysteries of God. Here now it is required among the dispensers that a man be found faithful.<br />
<br />
<b>R. Thanks be to God.</b><br />
<br />
<font color="#000099"><b>Oration</b></font><br />
<br />
<b>V.</b> O Lord, hear our prayer.<br />
<b>R. And let our cry come unto Thee.</b><br />
<b>V.</b> Let us pray ...<br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfLGrk_Yguw8g36wRo9KI-o2SlfHn_9mcbkM3ZA16n2H011Qws0xlXM0UbrUEr9APU0vCVx-sxeYTEBcimI_pU8RpQf86fD7mYZW7RupzLeKaVKEiVF6yHuKDOmpwKOYQELg5R/s1600/4-aw.gif" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfLGrk_Yguw8g36wRo9KI-o2SlfHn_9mcbkM3ZA16n2H011Qws0xlXM0UbrUEr9APU0vCVx-sxeYTEBcimI_pU8RpQf86fD7mYZW7RupzLeKaVKEiVF6yHuKDOmpwKOYQELg5R/s1600/4-aw.gif" height="120" width="135" style="float:left;margin:0 20px 50px 0;" /></a>O Lord, we beseech Thee, stir up Thy power, and come, and with great might succor us: that by the help of Thy grace that which is hindered by our sins may be hastened by Thy merciful forgiveness: Who livest and reignest, with God the Father, in the unity of the Holy Ghost, world without end.<br />
<br />
<b>R. Amen.</b><br />
<br />David L Alexanderhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13871706129906941567noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3589378.post-55802910611248455262023-12-24T01:00:00.002-05:002023-12-24T17:55:34.309-05:00Novena for the Christ-Mass: Day 9 (The Vigil)<iframe width=“300” height=“220” style="float:left;margin:0 20px 10px 0;" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/g6U1ozB8Tkc" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen></iframe>Three days ago, winter officially began, the longest night of the year. In the days following in the northern hemisphere, the darkness of the world begins to give way to light, as we anticipate the coming of the Savior.<br />
<br />
For all the turmoil in the headlines, whatever the challenges in the lives of any of us, nothing will stop us from living our lives and remembering the coming holyday. <br />
<br />
And why?<br />
<br />
<blockquote>The people who walked in darkness
have seen a great light;
those who dwelt in a land of deep darkness,
on them has light shined.<br />
<br />
Thou hast multiplied the nation,
thou hast increased its joy;
they rejoice before thee
as with joy at the harvest,
as men rejoice when they divide the spoil.<br />
<br />
For the yoke of his burden,
and the staff for his shoulder,
the rod of his oppressor,
thou hast broken as on the day of Mid'ian.<br />
<br />
For every boot of the tramping warrior in battle tumult
and every garment rolled in blood
will be burned as fuel for the fire.<br />
<br />
For to us a child is born,
to us a son is given;
and the government will be upon his shoulder,
and his name will be called
"Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,
Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace."<br />
<br />
Of the increase of his government and of peace
there will be no end,
upon the throne of David, and over his kingdom,
to establish it, and to uphold it
with justice and with righteousness
from this time forth and for evermore.
The zeal of the LORD of hosts will do this.<br />
<br />
(Isaiah 9:2-7)</blockquote>
<br />
<iframe width=“300” height=“220” style="float:right;margin:0 5px 10px 20px;" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/SXh7JR9oKVE" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen></iframe>There are a fair number of flash mob videos on YouTube rendering the "Hallelujah Chorus" from Handel's Messiah, but the favorite of yours truly remains this one from 2010, at an unidentified food court of an equally unidentified shopping mall. <font color="#339966"><b>*</b></font><br />
<br />
The plans of men to the contrary are all for naught, for the LORD has come upon the earth. The epicenter of human history is played out again in the next 24 hours. No earthly force can stop that which is beyond earthly means. <br />
<br />
And so it goes.<br />
<br />
<font color="#339966"><b>*</b></font> <i>I have committed most of the tenor part to memory, and would not have hesitated to join in.</i> <br />
<br />David L Alexanderhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13871706129906941567noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3589378.post-44836775039998331212023-12-23T01:00:00.001-05:002023-12-23T01:00:00.133-05:00Novena for the Christ-Mass: Day 8 (O Emmanuel)<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjBMWP75Ezt2FSisQ8Xau_jgcKZNWUXMGjuZzoXd9hH0VQFKrW46coFWVRqGMPC_1-WeNw6DZePF6qoR81gtZowkjeS_4dKaVI3X8rTL5752B_QRgM9NcSqIYW0XHaoPp_13rggysN62xGsI9-rRzX50Gms8AXwETqWI7dm_EdULm-Y0qIosQ" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjBMWP75Ezt2FSisQ8Xau_jgcKZNWUXMGjuZzoXd9hH0VQFKrW46coFWVRqGMPC_1-WeNw6DZePF6qoR81gtZowkjeS_4dKaVI3X8rTL5752B_QRgM9NcSqIYW0XHaoPp_13rggysN62xGsI9-rRzX50Gms8AXwETqWI7dm_EdULm-Y0qIosQ" width="135" height="225" style="float:right;margin:0 5px 10px 20px;" /></a><i><font color="darkred"><b>Veni, Veni, Emmanuel!</b></font><br />
O come, o come, Emmanuel,<br />
<font color="darkred"><b>Captivum solve Israel!</b></font><br />
And ransom captive Israel,<br />
<font color="darkred"><b>Qui gemit in exsilio,</b></font><br />
That mourns in lonely exile here,<br />
<font color="darkred"><b>Privatus Dei Filio.</b></font><br />
Until the Son of God appear.</i><br />
<br />
<i><font color="darkred"><b>Gaude, gaude, Emmanuel</b></font><br />
Rejoice, rejoice, Emmanuel<br />
<font color="darkred"><b>Nascetur pro te, Israel.</b></font><br />
Shall come to thee, O Israel.</i><br />
<br />
<iframe width="300" height="170" style="float:left;margin:0 20px 10px 0;" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/PFhMCFPw4Zc" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen></iframe>Isaiah had prophesied, <span style="color:#339966;"><b><i>“The Lord himself will give you this sign: the Virgin shall be with child, and bear a son, and shall name him Emmanuel.”</i></b></span> (7:14). “Emmanuel” means “God is with us.”<br />
<br />
<font color="purple"><b>+ + +</b></font><br />
<br />
<span style="color:darkred;"><b><i>“O Emmanuel,</i></b></span> <span style="color:#000099;"><b><i>king and lawgiver, desire of the nations, Savior of all people, come and set us free, Lord our God.”</i></b></span><br />
<br />
<font color="purple"><b>+ + +</b></font><br />
<br />
<i>(Commentary for this series of the “O Antiphons” is authored by <b>Father William Saunders</b>, a priest of the Diocese of Arlington, with copyright 2003 from the Arlington Catholic Herald. Images in the upper right corner are taken from the <a href="https://www.sophiainstitute.com/products/item/the-illustrated-liturgical-year-calendar-subscription" target="newwindow"><i>Illustrated Liturgical Year Calendar</i></a>, a series of posters available by subscription from <b>Sophia Institute Press</b>, and featured at a marvelous internet resource entitled <a href="https://www.liturgyofthehome.com" target="newwindow"><font color="darkred"><b>Liturgy of the Home</b></font></a>, which we are fortunate to promote here once again. Both commentary and calendar illustrations are used in this series without permission or shame.)</i><br />
<br />
<a href="http://wdtprs.com/JTZ/o_antiphons/o_ant_23_dec.htm" target="newwindow"><font color="#000099"><b>Z</b></font></a><br />
<br />
<i>This entire series can be found in progress at the <a href="http://manwithblackhat.blogspot.com/search/label/xmasnovena2023" target="newwindow">"xmasnovena2023”</a> tag.</i> (Won't be long now ...)<br />
<br />David L Alexanderhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13871706129906941567noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3589378.post-67035852276446211842023-12-22T01:00:00.001-05:002023-12-22T11:10:44.623-05:00Novena for the Christ-Mass: Day 7 (O Rex Gentium)<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhWxUPbBfFurasB_G-3aHoItSwz4O8dEEW96YKZE-dkQtooOUBibG8kTujz9GU5HgkX5SVWkeW7gF4tUaYw9O-sw_pqfddpogxoLLuaVQ4XOOEKfOaYVgVWZp89KZikFqKN60mg27tUgZyt5XuqELx6FRcg9K0GaP3lWZWQrMXZLL7CqU8YhQ" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhWxUPbBfFurasB_G-3aHoItSwz4O8dEEW96YKZE-dkQtooOUBibG8kTujz9GU5HgkX5SVWkeW7gF4tUaYw9O-sw_pqfddpogxoLLuaVQ4XOOEKfOaYVgVWZp89KZikFqKN60mg27tUgZyt5XuqELx6FRcg9K0GaP3lWZWQrMXZLL7CqU8YhQ" width="135" height="225" style="float:right;margin:0 5px 10px 20px;" /></a><i><font color="darkred"><b>Veni, Veni, Rex gentium,</b></font><br />
O come, Desire of nations, bind,<br />
<font color="darkred"><b>veni, Redemptor omnium,</b></font><br />
In one the hearts of all mankind;<br />
<font color="darkred"><b>Ut salvas tuos famulos</b></font><br />
Bid Thou our sad divisions cease,<br />
<font color="darkred"><b>Peccati sibi conscios.</b></font><br />
And be Thyself our King of peace.</i><br />
<br />
<i><font color="darkred"><b>Gaude, gaude, Emmanuel</b></font><br />
Rejoice, rejoice, Emmanuel<br />
<font color="darkred"><b>Nascetur pro te, Israel.</b></font><br />
Shall come to thee, O Israel.</i><br />
<br />
<iframe width="300" height="170" style="float:left;margin:0 20px 10px 0;" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/LVrfv5qJWnc" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen></iframe>Isaiah had prophesied, <font color="#339966"><b><i>“For a child is born to us, a son is given us; upon his shoulder dominion rests. They name him Wonder-Counselor, God-Hero, Father-Forever, Prince of Peace.”</i></b></font> (9:5), and <font color="#339966"><b><i>“He shall judge between the nations, and impose terms on many peoples. They shall beat their swords into plowshares and their spears into pruning hooks; one nation shall not raise the sword against another, nor shall they train for war again.”</i></b></font> (2:4)<br />
<br />
<font color="purple"><b>+ + +</b></font><br />
<br />
<font color="darkred"><b><i>“O King of all the nations,</i></b></font> <font color="#000099"><i>the only joy of every human heart; O Keystone of the mighty arch of man, come and save the creature you fashioned from the dust.”</i></font><br />
<br />
<font color="purple"><b>+ + +</b></font><br />
<br />
<i>(Commentary for this series of the “O Antiphons” is authored by <b>Father William Saunders</b>, a priest of the Diocese of Arlington, with copyright 2003 from the Arlington Catholic Herald. Images in the upper right corner are taken from the <a href="https://www.sophiainstitute.com/products/item/the-illustrated-liturgical-year-calendar-subscription" target="newwindow"><i>Illustrated Liturgical Year Calendar</i></a>, a series of posters available by subscription from <b>Sophia Institute Press</b>, and featured at a marvelous internet resource entitled <a href="https://www.liturgyofthehome.com" target="newwindow"><font color="darkred"><b>Liturgy of the Home</b></font></a>, which we are fortunate to promote here once again. Both commentary and calendar illustrations are used in this series without permission or shame.)</i><br />
<br />
<a href="http://wdtprs.com/JTZ/o_antiphons/o_ant_22_dec.htm" target="newwindow"><font color="#000099"><b>Z</b></font></a><br />
<br />
<i>This entire series can be found in progress at the <a href="http://manwithblackhat.blogspot.com/search/label/xmasnovena2023" target="newwindow">"xmasnovena2023”</a> tag.</i><br />
<br />David L Alexanderhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13871706129906941567noreply@blogger.com0