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.

Christ is coming 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: Pancakes with Maple Syrup, Fruit Plate, Milk, Tea and Coffee
  Dinner: Parish Providing Dinner
• Monday
  Breakfast: Scrambled Eggs with Cheese, Toast, Fruit Plate, Milk and Coffee
  Dinner: Potato and Vegetable Hash, Green Salad, Rolls, Fruit Plate
• Tuesday
  Breakfast: Scrambled Chickpeas, Toast, Fruit Plate, Tea with Honey
  Dinner: Tomato and Olive Pasta (GF for Jerome), Fruit Plate
• Wednesday
  Breakfast: Oatmeal with Dried Fruit and Brown Sugar, Tea and Honey
  Dinner: Curried Red Lentil Soup, Tamis (using safflower oil) (GF Pocket Bread for Jerome), Fruit Plate
• Thursday
  Breakfast: Apple Coconut Breakfast Bowls with Peanut Butter Drizzle, Tea with Honey
  Dinner: Vegetarian Ranchero Beans, Salsa Rice, Fruit Plate
• Friday
  Breakfast: Potato Hash Burritos with Salsa, Fruit Plate, Tea with Honey
  Dinner: Potato and Chickpea Curry, Jasmine Rice, Fruit Plate
• Saturday
  Breakfast: Fluffy Gluten-Free and Vegan Peanut Butter Pancakes with Jam, Fruit Plate, Tea and Coffee
  Dinner: Florida Style Black Beans, Rice, 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, Family, Homemaking, Menu Plans, Prayer Requests, Tales from the Kitchen