28-Dec-2018 - 4th Day of Christmas

I am grateful to the various sites from where I picked up ideas for the write-ups, images and videos that happened to touch my heart while preparing myself and my children on this Advent journey in faith .. I have tried giving credits where I could.. I have tailored the materials accordingly to suit my needs. My sincere apologies if I have not given due credit in all places. - Sabrina D'Mello

Feast Of The Holy Innocents, Martyrs

Today the Church celebrates the memory of the small children of the neighborhood of Bethlehem put to death by Herod. They are the glorious martyrs who died not only for Christ, but in His place. Vestments will be red or purple in mourning, and the Alleluia and Gloria will be suppressed at mass. As to customs, it is the youngest child who "rules the day". The youngest one decides the food, drinks, entertainment etc.

On the 4th day of Christmas my true love gave to me...

Four Calling Birds

The Four Gospels: 1) Matthew, 2) Mark, 3) Luke, and 4) John, which proclaim the Good News of God's reconciliation of the world to Himself in Jesus Christ.

Let’s watch the Scriptures Luke 2:11-12

(Credits: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TnkDMQmHeYE)

Reflection

The angels announce the birth of a Saviour.  We definitely don't need an advisor or a governor or a president, but the people were longing for a Savior. The angel also calls him Christ the Lord.   Even Elizabeth has mentioned Jesus in the womb of Mary as Lord. Remember "Why should the Mother of my Lord come to meet me".  Christ means the anointed. Formerly kings were anointed before they could ascend the throne. Our Lord was anointed with the Holy Spirit as Prophet, Priest and King from his birth. 

With Jesus as our Savior, all our sins are taken away, and we can be confident we will be able to stand spotless before His judgment seat.

 Christmas Symbol : 

Xmas

(Credits:https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/f/f2/ChiRho.gif)

While Xmas is seen by some as a secular way to "cross Christ out of Christmas," the word actually is an abbreviation for Christmas.  In Greek, the "X" comes from the letter Chi, which is the first letter of the Greek word Χριστός, which in English is "Christ" The "mas" part is from the Latin-derived Old English word for Mass.

Constantine had a vision that led him to create a military banner emblazoned with the first two letters of Christ on it: chi and rho.   These two letters, then, became a sort of shorthand for Jesus Christ.

Today send out your Xmas messages to your loved ones without feeling the guilt of abbreviating it. 

Prayer

Lord, how can we cross You out of Christmas when the holiday exists because of Your birth? Help us to put You into the center of our celebrations, on Christmas and every day of the year. Amen!.

Let’s sing this Carol -

Silver Bells 

(Credits: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RYIv9IPkxJQ)

Quiz Time 

Christmas waves a magic wand over this world, 
and behold, everything is softer and more beautiful.