Gaudete in Domino semper: iterum dico, gaudete. Modestia vestra nota sit omnibus hominibus: Dominus enim prope est. Nihil solliciti sitis: sed in omni oratione et obsecratione cum gratiarum actione petitiones vestræ innotescant apud Deum. Benedixisti Domine terram tuam: avertisti captivitatem Jacob.

Rejoice in the Lord always; again I say, rejoice. Let your forbearance be known to all, for the Lord is near at hand; have no anxiety about anything, but in all things, by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be known to God. Lord, you have blessed your land; you have turned away the captivity of Jacob. — Philippians 4:4–6; Psalm 85 (84):1

Rejoice! And again, I say, rejoice! This is our little break in the darkness as we prepare for the Light to enter the world. This is a reminder that our fasting and preparation are in joyful expectation of the Lord who has come, and who is coming. He will redeem the earth and resurrect the faithful to life. This is not a fast of strict penitence, but of self examination and preparation to meet our Savior with joy. We are still in the Advent anticipation, and still busy with fasting, praying and almsgiving, but are also taking time to remember the happiness that awaits us in His Incarnation and return in glory. Normally, we would be putting up our tree with the lights today, as we used to do at our former home, in honor of Gaudete Sunday. Nutcracker kind of threw a wrench in that for us, so we will be getting our tree sometime this week, and putting up the lights, then doing our normal decorating on Christmas Eve after the liturgy.

This whole Advent has been going quickly and we've been a little off our normal observance. We didn't do any of our Jesse Tree devotions at all. Regardless, Christ will come and come again.

May your fast be fruitful, so you may welcome the Christ Child in your heart and home, and prepare for His coming in glory!

• Sunday - Third Sunday of Advent - Gaudete Sunday
  Breakfast: Egg and Vegetable Breakfast Burritos, Pomegranates, Tea and Coffee
  Dinner: Spaghetti with Marinara, Salad, Garlic Bread, Cheesecake with Raspberry Sauce, Ballet Cookies
• Monday
  Breakfast: Almond Butter Toast, Sliced Apples, Tea with Honey
  Dinner: Black Bean Enfrijoladas, Cuban Rice, Oranges
• Tuesday - Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe
  Breakfast: Leftovers, Tea and Coffee
  Dinner: Kusheri, Green Salad, Mandarin Oranges
• Wednesday - Feast of Saint Lucy
  Breakfast: Sourdough Crumpets, Peanut Butter and Honey, Grapes, Tea and Coffee
  Dinner: Lentil Chimichangas, Cabbage Salad, Sliced Apples
• Thursday
  Breakfast: Oatmeal with Chopped Apples and Cinnamon Sugar, Tea and Honey
  Dinner: Pasta Trapanese*, Roasted Brussels Sprouts, Fruit
• Friday
  Breakfast: Vegetable Hash, Pomegranates, Tea with Honey
  Dinner: Vegetarian Ranchero Beans, Salsa Rice, Fruit Plate
• Saturday
  Breakfast: Ful, Chopped Tomatoes and Onions, Harissa, Toast, Tea with Honey
  Dinner: Lemon Garlic Scallops with White Wine and Olive Oil, Parsleyed Rice Pilaf, Roasted Brussels Sprouts, Fruit Plate

What is on your menu this week? If you want a recipe, ask and I will provide it as soon as I can. If there are any starred recipes, I will follow up separately with a weekly recipe round up on Saturday.

Labels: Advent, Church Year, Faith and Morality, Fasting as a Family, Gaudete, Homemaking, Menu Plans, Prayer Requests, Tales from the Kitchen