A Carpe Diem Snapshot:
With the end of the year approaching, I'm beginning to reflect on what New Year's resolutions have now become habits. Well, the most obvious one is this daily practice of Calendar Class, which I'll continue to keep in one form or another. Another new habit I was particularly grateful for this morning is waking before the dawn (at this point I don't need an alarm to wake me around the same time each day anymore). This new natural instinct made it possible for me to capture this Carpe Diem moment for you-- a full moon setting on one side while the sun was thinking about rising on the other, and the bells of St. Peter's chiming between the two.
Liturgical: Third Sunday of Advent
"Rejoice: the Lord is nigh." As Christmas draws near, the Church emphasizes the joy which should be in our hearts over all that the birth of our Savior means for us. The great joy of Christians is to see the day drawing nigh when the Lord will come again in His glory to lead them into His kingdom. The oft-repeated Veni ("Come") of Advent is an echo not only of the prophets but also of the conclusion of the Apocalypse of St. John: "Come, Lord Jesus," the last words of the New Testament.
The Third Sunday of Advent is known as Gaudete Sunday. The term Gaudete refers to the first word of the Entrance Antiphon, "Rejoice." Rose vestments are worn to emphasize our joy that Christmas is near, and we also light the rose candle on our Advent wreath.
Bishop Barron's Sunday Sermon
Fr Plant's Homily
Sanctoral: Bll. Mary Frances Schervier, France +1876
Human: The Bill of Rights, first ten amendments to U.S. Constitution, ratified – 1791
1840 Napoleon Bonaparte receives a French state funeral in Paris 19 years after his death
Writer's Almanac edition today.
Natural: Full Cold Moon of December
Italian: Avere le mani in pasta (to be involved in an activity / many activities)
Quote: Gaudete, gaudete!
Christus est natus
Ex Maria virgine,
gaudete!
Tempus adest gratiæ
Hoc quod optabamus,
Carmina lætitiæ
Devote reddamus.
"Gaudete": some lyrics of the 16th-century Latin Christmas carol
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