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Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelensky addresses his nation every night with a speech that usually gives updates of war, whether good or bad. His delivery on Christmas Eve was more somber than upbeat. It discouraged Christmas lights and bells. He said meals aren't warm and that there may be an empty seat or two at this year's table.Zelensky described a loss of love, hope and even himself as the war hits the 10-month mark on Christmas Eve. "Our houses and streets can't be so bright. And Christmas bells can ring not so loudly and inspiringly. Through air raid sirens, or even...

Monday 26 December 2022Saint Stephen, the first Martyr Feast Saint Stephen Roman Catholic Church, Cleveland Readings at MassLiturgical Colour: Red. Year: A(I).First readingActs 6:8-10,7:54-59 ©The martyrdom of StephenStephen was filled with grace and power and began to work miracles and great signs among the people. But then certain people came forward to debate with Stephen, some from Cyrene and Alexandria who were members of the synagogue called the Synagogue of Freedmen, and others from Cilicia and Asia. They found they could not get the better of him because of his wisdom, and because it was the Spirit that prompted what...

WASHINGTON — This year, Christmas and New Year’s Day fall on Sunday, when Post Office locations nationwide are already closed. As a result, all Post Offices will be closed for the observation of both federal holidays on Monday, Dec. 26, 2022 and Monday, Jan. 2, 2023.

Dear Remnant Readers... A Christmas Message from Archbishop ViganòRex pacificus magnificatus est, cujus vultum desiderat universa terra.[1]The whole earth desires to contemplate the blessed face of the King of peace, who deigned to be born according to the flesh, two thousand twenty-two years ago, to redeem us from the yoke of Satan and acquire us for the glory of heaven with His most holy Passion.For unto us a Child is born, unto 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....

On Dec. 9, 1965, a young boy threw up his hands in despair and shouted, “Isn’t there anyone who knows what Christmas is all about?”“Sure, Charlie Brown,” the boy’s friend, Linus, answered. “I can tell you what Christmas is all about.”Dragging his trademark security blanket, Linus walked to the center of the school auditorium stage, where friends were rehearsing a Christmas play.“Lights, please,” Linus said.A spotlight clicked on. Then Linus delivered one of the most memorable monologues in television history: an account of Christ’s birth, recited word for word from the Gospel of Luke. It lasted a solid minute.CBS beamed...

Sunday 25 December 2022Christmas Day Solemnity Grotto of the Nativity, the Holy Land Readings at MassLiturgical Colour: White. Year: A(I).Readings for the Vigil Mass, celebrated during the afternoon or evening before Christmas DayReadings for the Midnight Mass, celebrated during the night before Christmas DayReadings for the Dawn Mass, celebrated at dawn on Christmas DayReadings for the daytime Mass on Christmas DayReadings for the Vigil Mass, celebrated during the afternoon or evening before Christmas Day:First readingIsaiah 62:1-5 ©The bridegroom rejoices in his brideAbout Zion I will not be silent,about Jerusalem I will not grow weary,until her integrity shines out like the...

At Christmas, instead of a lot of pop Christmas songs, I have been listening to passages from Handel's Messiah" oratorio, including the powerfully beautiful Christmas-oriented "For unto us a child is born" based on the writings of the Prophet Isaiah, and the soaringly magnificent Hallelujah Chorus. To hear these, compared to everything else makes me ask if this was the pinnacle of human musical achievement? Will there ever be anything greater? An argument can be made for it at least this far. This oratorio, after all, is touched by eternity. We listen to this joyful piece today, nearly 300 years...

Merry Christmas. A song by Chrissy Hynde and the Pretenders.

The Snowman is a children's picture book without words by English author Raymond Briggs, first published in 1978 by Hamish Hamilton in the U.K., and published by Random House in the U.S. that November. The book was adapted into a 26-minute animated film in 1982 which debuted on British television that 26 December "Walking in the Air" is a song written by Howard Blake for the 1982 animated film of Raymond Briggs' 1978 children's book The Snowman. The song forms the centrepiece of The Snowman, which has become a seasonal perennial on British television

Joe Biden declined to take phone calls from children about Santa's whereabouts on Christmas Eve - something the president has traditionally done in recent years. Instead, First Lady Dr. Jill Biden could be seen picking up the phone while sitting in front of a Christmas tree on Christmas Eve. 'It's almost time to set out the cookies and get the reindeers' carrots ready — NORAD Command just said Santa is on his way to your neighborhood!' she tweeted on Saturday evening.

The Ukrainian Carol of the BellsThe composer of the Ukrainian Carol of the bells, Mykola Leontovych, a simple, provincial musician, was killed by the Soviet secret police, after he had given hospitality to the assassin and had shared his bedroom for the night. Longfellow wrote "I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day" during the Civil War, his son having been wounded; the most dramatic moment is a reference to canons in the south. Longfellow's "The Three Kings" mentions "the myrrh for the body's burying" among the Magi's gifts. Christmas Bells have a sentimental legacy. But Bells are also a sign...

Merry Christmas to you and yours, friends!

For Unto You Is Born This Day... A Savior...Christ The LordMerry CHRISTmas, Troops!! LUKE 2:1-20 King James Version (KJV) 1..And it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be taxed. 2..(And this taxing was first made when Cyrenius was governor of Syria.) 3..And all went to be taxed, every one into his own city. 4..And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judaea, unto the city of David, which is called Bethlehem; (because he was of the house and lineage of...

I shared this about a Month ago, but decided to share it again on Christmas Eve. This story comes from chapter 22 of my recently published book, "Sleuthing The Scripture," It's an embellished story, so do not take it as inspired by GOD. I wrote this for pure entertainment, and thus it's but a figment of my active imagination mixed with some facts surrounding the times, the places and the characters. I pray it blesses your heart this Christmas Eve.When you think of the first story of Christmas, it’s usually about Mary and Joseph looking down at their new...

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Carol of the Bells https://www.sing-prayer.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/CarolOfTheBells.mp3Longfellow wrote "I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day" during the Civil War, his son having been wounded; the most dramatic moment is a reference to canons in the south. The composer of the Ukrainian Carol of the bells, Mykola Leontovych, a simple, provincial musician, was killed by the Soviet secret police, after he had given hospitality to the assassin and had shared his bedroom for the night. Longfellow's "The Three Kings" mentions "the myrrh for the body's burying" among the Magi's gifts. Christmas Bells have a sentimental legacy. But Bells are also a sign of...

“Christmas and Easter Rolled into One!” (John 1:1-18) This year we have the unusual circumstance of Christmas falling on a Sunday. This last happened in 2016, and before that, in 2005 and 2011. Christmas won’t fall on a Sunday again until 2033. Not only is it Sunday, the Lord’s Day, when Christians have been going to church for 2,000 years, but it is also Christmas Day, one of the major festivals of the church year. So you would think, with this double reason for going to church, that churches across the land would be packed this morning. Nah, nah! Think...

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