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. Life got in the way of our getting our tree and putting it up with lights for Gaudete Sunday, but we are going with Alexander and Autumn and Amelia to get trees for both our houses together. We will do the normal Christmas Eve decorating of the tree with the older kids next week.

We had a Christmas party to attend last night and broke the fast for the law of hospitality. We ended up coming home with two smoked turkey carcasses. Since we tend to loosen or break the fast on Sunday evenings with our parish family, as most are not required to keep the fast, we decided to make a creamy, smoked turkey soup to share for dinner.

This whole Advent has been racing. 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: Cranberry Bars, Tea and Coffee
  Dinner: Creamy Smoked Turkey and Vegetable Soup, Pinto Beans, Coleslaw, Olives, Doritos, Crackers and Cheese Dip, Mandarin Oranges
• Monday
  Breakfast: Lenten Tropical Muffins with Almond Butter, Fruit Plate, Tea and Coffee
  Dinner: Potato and Vegetable Hash, Green Salad, Rolls, Fruit Plate
• Tuesday
  Breakfast: Oatmeal with Dried Fruit and Brown Sugar, Tea and Honey
  Dinner: Leftovers
• Wednesday
  Breakfast: Scrambled Chickpeas, Toast, Sliced Pears, Tea with Honey
  Dinner: Braised Italian Green Beans and Potatoes, Rice, Pomegranates
• Thursday
  Breakfast: Apple Coconut Breakfast Bowls with Cashew Butter Drizzle, Tea with Honey
  Dinner: Vegetarian Ranchero Beans, Salsa Rice, Sliced Mangoes
• Friday
  Breakfast: Potato Hash Burritos with Salsa, Fruit Plate, Tea with Honey
  Dinner: Potato Curry and Jasmine Rice to break the fast after Liturgy
• Saturday
  Breakfast: Ful, Sah'awiq, Toast, Fruit Plate, Tea and Coffee
  Dinner: Falafel, Sah'awiq, Taratoor, Khoubz Araby, Olives and Veggies, 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, Tales from the Kitchen