Christmas Eve and Christmas Day

We had a beautiful Christmas Eve and Christmas day!

***

A few moments I want to treasure always....

when I was packing cookies, I was thinking of a certain woman

who comes to church but I don't know well,

but she always seems care-worn... so it was a great joy

that she was there on Christmas and I was able to give her cookies and tea,

telling her with joy and truth that I was thinking of her especially 

when I was preparing these cookies... 

***

We went out to a dinner for after church Christmas meal;

it was really nice and I had the French Toast with Cinnamon Swirl,

was really delicious! 

***

We were spoiled this year with gifts from others;

we are saving those to open tomorrow.

That's a special treat!

***

I am not sure why, but I have a lot of insomnia the last 2 days.

We still do have some unbloggable worries

but I am not sure if that is the cause....

***

I always feel so full on Christmas and Pascha,

as in my senses are full of the deep beauty that is in the church

and the church services... It's such a happy time, 

often intermingled with sorrow, but yet, the hope is there

and the beauty brings us back to the HOPE we have...

***

It was our first Christmas with +Patrick and we miss him...

***

I read this lovely Christmas story by L'Engle...

***

Last year my Husband and I were sick and missed Christmas.

We are really hoping not to get sick this year.

We can honestly say that last year was a really difficult year

for us in terms of health and we are praying for better in 2018 but

we are in God's hands and that is all that matters,

is being there.

***

Wishing everyone on the Julian calendar a very

Merry Christmas and a peaceful 12 days of Christmas!

***

Christ is Born!

Glorify Him! 

Christmas Eve Night ~ Holy Supper and Vigil for Christmas

We had a beautiful Holy Supper,

traditional foods and some non-traditional

and all wonderful.

 St. John of Shanghi and San Fransico 

Vigil bread, with wine and oil,

anointing us all with joy!

This night is always deeply beautiful,

outside of time, with much praise and magnification 

for the Birth of Christ and the unfolding of our salvation.

The Norman Baron by H W Longfellow ~ a poem my husband sent me for Christmas Eve

The Norman Baron

In his chamber, weak and dying,
Was the Norman baron lying;
Loud, without, the tempest thundered,
      And the castle-turret shook, 

In this fight was Death the gainer,
Spite of vassal and retainer,
And the lands his sires had plundered,
      Written in the Doomsday Book. 

By his bed a monk was seated,
Who in humble voice repeated
Many a prayer and pater-noster,
      From the missal on his knee; 

And, amid the tempest pealing,
Sounds of bells came faintly stealing,
Bells, that from the neighboring kloster
      Rang for the Nativity. 

In the hall, the serf and vassal
Held, that night, their Christmas wassail;
Many a carol, old and saintly,
      Sang the minstrels and the waits; 

And so loud these Saxon gleemen
Sang to slaves the songs of freemen,
That the storm was heard but faintly,
      Knocking at the castle-gates. 

Till at length the lays they chanted
Reached the chamber terror-haunted,
Where the monk, with accents holy,
      Whispered at the baron's ear. 

Tears upon his eyelids glistened,
As he paused awhile and listened,
And the dying baron slowly
      Turned his weary head to hear. 

"Wassail for the kingly stranger
Born and cradled in a manger!
King, like David, priest, like Aaron,
      Christ is born to set us free!" 

And the lightning showed the sainted
Figures on the casement painted,
And exclaimed the shuddering baron,
      "Miserere, Domine!" 

In that hour of deep contrition
He beheld, with clearer vision,
Through all outward show and fashion,
      Justice, the Avenger, rise. 

All the pomp of earth had vanished,
Falsehood and deceit were banished,
Reason spake more loud than passion,
      And the truth wore no disguise. 

Every vassal of his banner,
Every serf born to his manor,
All those wronged and wretched creatures,
      By his hand were freed again. 

And, as on the sacred missal
He recorded their dismissal,
Death relaxed his iron features,
      And the monk replied, "Amen!" 

Many centuries have been numbered
Since in death the baron slumbered
By the convent's sculptured portal,
      Mingling with the common dust: 

But the good deed, through the ages
Living in historic pages,
Brighter grows and gleams immortal,
      Unconsumed by moth or rust.

Holy Supper

Did a simple version of the Holy Supper.

Borscht, Perogies, Bread, Fruits.

The bread I saved from my Oma's

Panahkyda.

Today liturgically is her birthday;

as well as in actuality my Grandpa's birthday;

I talked to my Grandma today

as I try to always do to remember my

Grandfather;

my Grandma always told him he was born on the

12th day of Christmas,

Epiphany as they know it....

The borscht turned out really well!

Did it a simple way as I did not have

a lot of time.

1 can beets with juice

1 can northern white beans

2 very big carrots chopped up small

3 large potatoes chopped up small

half of a larger can of tomato sauce

sauteed until caramelized onion with lots of margarine

added three or so cloves of garlic half way through

and some ground sea salt and pepper

chopped up and added lots of dill at the end.

Perogies with lots of caramelized onions

done in a generous amount of margarine.

Dried apricots and figs.

Water for dinner

and black tea afterwards,

as per request of guests.

It was a lovely meal!

Then we went to church for Great Compline and

the Litya.

We made it to Christmas Eve!!

Christ is born! Glorify Him!