Christmas codes

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So seeing as half of my 6-Pack no longer officially believes in Santa I have thrown a bit of fun into the mix this year. Unofficially, as soon as they no longer believe in Santa (or choose to ruin the Santa game for younger siblings) they no longer get those special “Santa” gifts. This keeps older mouths quiet in front of younger children’s ears. It’s a magical time of excitement and wonder! If you ruin this for my child I will smack you.

While mine have been appreciative of what has been done for them in the name of Santa (thanking us gratefully when I they figure it out), during some really bad times our family has twice been the recipient of a Christmas in the name of Saint Nicholas. Our family makes Santa a game, but we honor the man and the tradition of the real St. Nicholas and his loving selfless giving done in honor of his love for Christ.
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Gaudete!

Advent Wreath3
This entry is part 3 of 3 in the series Advent 2011

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Today is the third Sunday of Advent! Gaudete, gaudete! (Rejoice, rejoice!)


Gaudete, guadete

Refrain: Gaudete, gaudete! Christus est natus
Ex Maria virgine, gaudete!

Tempus adest gratiæ
Hoc quod optabamus,
Carmina lætitiæ
Devote reddamus.

Refrain

Ezechielis porta
Clausa pertransitur,
Unde lux est orta
Salus invenitur.

Refrain

Ergo nostra contio
Psallat iam in lustro;
Benedicat Domino:
Salus Regi nostro.

Refrain

Refrain: Rejoice, rejoice! Christ is born
Of the Virgin Mary — rejoice!

The time of grace has come—
This that we have desired,
Verses of joy
Let us devoutly return.

Refrain

The closed gate of Ezechiel
Is passed through,
Whence the light is born,
Salvation is found.

Refrain

Therefore let our gathering
Now sing in brightness
Let it give praise to the Lord:
Greeting to our King.

Refrain

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Second Sunday of Advent

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This entry is part 2 of 3 in the series Advent 2011

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Let All Mortal Flesh Keep Silence

1. Let all mortal flesh keep silence,
And with fear and trembling stand;
Ponder nothing earthly minded,
For with blessing in His hand,
Christ our God to earth descendeth
Our full homage to demand.

2. King of kings, yet born of Mary,
As of old on earth He stood,
Lord of lords, in human vesture,
In the body and the blood;
He will give to all the faithful
His own self for heavenly food.

3. Rank on rank the host of heaven
Spreads its vanguard on the way,
As the Light of light descendeth
From the realms of endless day,
That the powers of hell may vanish
As the darkness clears away.

4. At His feet the six winged seraph,
Cherubim with sleepless eye,
Veil their faces to the presence,
As with ceaseless voice they cry:
Alleluia, Alleluia
Alleluia, Lord Most High!

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Juggling and White Trash

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Today was oh so very busy. I’ll not bore you with the details, but I saved big bucks today hitting each item I needed with at least 50% off. I am talking the mundane stuff like toilet paper and parchment paper and boring household items and a few Christmas goodies that shall remain unshared because of spying eyes that lurk around.

We are now, again, a one car family. I so love that we have been blessed with hand-me-down vehicles so many times, but can I be frank and honest. I miss my van. I really, really, really miss having a second car than can hold most of us. It is so tiring to have to plan each day around who has more children at what hour and when we need to swap it up and if either one of us has to go to The Next Town Over (36.2 miles one way not including errands/classes), which is usually more than once a week then that person gets the Suburban no matter how many children are still at home and the one who stays home is most likely stuck at home because the other car will not hold the ones left behind. Yeah, I know. #firstworldproblem #largefamilyproblem #iwantaflexfuelcrossover It is actually not too bad most days. In the summer it is atrocious because the second car has no air conditioner and down here in the south it gets triple digits in June and in a car it is worse even with the windows down. At least we have the 2nd car and for that I am grateful. Truly, I am.
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First Sunday of Advent

Advent Wreath1
This entry is part 1 of 3 in the series Advent 2011

The Advent of Our God

The advent of our God
Shall be our theme for prayer;
Come, let us meet him on the road
And place for him prepare..

The everlasting Son
Incarnate stoops to be,
Himself the servant’s form puts on
To set his people free.

Come, Zion’s daughter, rise
To meet your lowly king,
Nor let your faithless heart despise
The peace he comes to bring.
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