Beannachtaí na Nollag - A Blessed and Peaceful Christmas to One and All

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May you all be blessed

With the spirit of the season, which is peace,

The gladness of the season, which is hope,

And the heart of the season, which is love. 


                      


The light of the Christmas star to you,

The warmth of home and hearth to you,

The cheer and good will of friends to you,

The hope of a childlike heart to you,

The joy of a thousand angels to you,

The love of the Son,

And God’s peace to you.


                

Comments

  1. 雲水21 December 2023 at 12:22

    I played 'O Come, O Come, Emmanuel' at a charity recital on Sunday. The line, 'and ransom captive Israel' took on a different meaning this year, in light on the poor souls still held hostage in Gaza.

    In Japan at this time of year, we mark tōji, or the winter solstice. Rooted in the Chinese philosophy of yin and yang, it's believed that the cold and darkness of 'yin' is at its most dominant on the shortest day of the year, after which it begins to give way to the coming warmth and light of 'yang', which is a cause for celebration and looking forward to the approaching spring. It's also a reminder that the darkest times do not last forever and that the darkness is always darkest before the coming of the light.

    Christian mystics speak of three stages on the spiritual path - purgation, illumination and union. It's often necessary, as Job found out, to pass through the darkness of purgation before emerging into the light; the agony of Gethsemane precedes the joy of the empty tomb.

    At this darkest time of year, both temporally and perhaps spiritually, the promise of light will soon break over the horizon again. As Isaiah tells us, in words taken up by St. Matthew, 'The people walking in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of the shadow of death, a light has dawned'. Even in the depths of night, or grief, or despair, this light, says St. John, 'shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it'.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Happy Jack21 December 2023 at 20:20

      Yes, wise observations.

      in the Northern hemisphere, the season of Advent is a time when we celebrate peace, hope, joy, and love amid darkness. The light of the Christmas is juxtaposed to the very real presence of darkness and death. The days are growing shorter; tomorrow, the winter solstice is the shortest day of the year. It is no coincidence that many cultures and religions hold festivals of light during this time.

      Will you be with your family over Christmas?

      Delete
    2. 雲水23 December 2023 at 18:39

      Yes, I shall be blessing my dear family with my infinite wisdom this Yuletide. It is, in my opinion, the greatest of all Christmas gifts. 😊

      I hope that you and your family will find some peace and comfort this Christmas.

      Delete
    3. Happy Jack24 December 2023 at 13:54

      Please convey my sympathies to your long suffering father and mother.

      Yuletide? I guess you won't be opening your Christmas gifts until January 7th.

      Delete
    4. 雲水24 December 2023 at 18:39

      Your sympathies that I'm not there for longer, I presume!

      In a spirit of ecumenical magnanimity, I'm prepared to accept Christmas loot tomorrow. Also, we're on the new calendar, so Christmas is on the same day for us, too.

      Delete
  2. Gadjo Dilo22 December 2023 at 11:30

    I know that I haven't been here for a while, but Happy Christmas to Happy Jack and all who sail in his blog!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Happy Jack22 December 2023 at 12:39

      Hey, welcome stranger! Good to hear from you. Hope all is well,

      A Happy Christmas to you too.

      Delete
    2. Gadjo Dilo23 December 2023 at 14:17

      Gajdo's absence was nothing personal, he would like Jack to know, just tireness in the old mouse-clicking finger, etc. All is reasonably well with with Gajdo personally, thank you. Praying for the good health of all of you this Christmas.

      Delete
    3. Happy Jack25 December 2023 at 18:36

      It's good you dropped in to wish us all Happy Christmas, Gadjo.

      Delete
  3. Anonymous22 December 2023 at 14:26

    Wishing you and your family and everyone here a Happy Christmas. Thank you for your kindness Jack. ...Cressida

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Happy Jack22 December 2023 at 14:36

      God Bless you and China, Cressie.

      [Please note: This is a spontaneous, non-liturgical, blessing offered as an intercessory prayer!]

      Delete
    2. Prof Generaliter22 December 2023 at 20:52

      To add an ecumenical element to all this, Gawd bless you everyone!

      Delete
  4. Grutchyngfysch22 December 2023 at 20:49

    Nollaig shona duit and blythe Yuletide to all ye exiles :)

    ReplyDelete
  5. Anonymous24 December 2023 at 16:37

    Nollaig shona daoibh — Nollaig chridheil — Nadolig llawen — Glæd Geol

    to one and all.

    from Neanderthal Èireannach.

    ReplyDelete
  6. Ray Sunshine24 December 2023 at 17:25

    A Happy Christmas to you, @Happy Jack, and to all Crannoggy Islanders!
    Joyeux Noël!
    ¡Feliz Navidad!
    Feliz Natal!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. 雲水24 December 2023 at 18:42

      Merry Christmas to you, Ray and everyone who posts here. May you be blessed.

      メリークリスマス！🎄

      Delete
    2. Happy Jack25 December 2023 at 18:35

      Happy Christmas, Ray.

      Delete

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