Praises! Praises mankind for this great holiday season. Tis the season of great joy. Be happy! The holiday season is a blessing. Prayers, songs, gifts, parties, food, decorations and fun! These glad tidings are for all of us. Enjoy! The winter is a wonderland of beauty, snow and winter fun. Enjoy!
Christmas is perfect. It’s the perfect time of the year for indoor games and outdoor winter activities. It’s the perfect time of the year for parties and social gatherings, perfect for baking and trying new recipes. It’s perfect. Throw another log on the fire and sing!
The joy of the season is the merriment that you make it. Come to us, oh blessed child. We rejoice.
1 can of drained mandarin oranges or crushed pineapple
1/3 cup of either brown sugar or maple syrup.
Put all of the ingredients together in a greased skillet. Break up the mandarin oranges into smaller pieces. Heat until boiling. Take off the stove and spoon over turkey or ham. Bake in the oven.
The dear birth that gives us so much joy. The angels, the choirs, the carols, heartwarming stories, this season is a gift. It’s a gift of love, of charity, of goodwill. The joy that fills our hearts this season, blessed child. The Adoration. The gift that never stops giving.
Oh most beautiful life, oh blessed savior, come to us. In our prayers there is hope in our minds there is light. Shine brightly. Shine for all of us, this holiday season.
The warm cozy fire, is a Canadian tradition. Hot chocolate, sweet treats, candy and cookies. The smell of a Christmas dinner baking in the oven. All of the good things of the home.
Its an exciting time of friends, family, parties and laughter, new recipes to try:
Peppermint truffles
1 package of candy canes, ground. divided in half
1 package of cream cheese softened
2 heaping tablespoons of icing sugar
2 heaping tablespoons of flour
1 package of white chocolate melted
Cream the cream cheese in a bowl, add half of the ground candy canes, sugar and flour. Mix together, form into one inch balls. Dip the balls into the melted chocolate and then coat with the remaining ground candy canes. They’re ready to eat.
The joy of the season is upon us, good eats, good company, good treats.
There’s still time. Time to sing, time to play, time for hope, time to pray. The season of merriment and joy is with us. Gladness and goodwill to share, is among us. Rejoice, oh great human. The world is still full of adventure and promise, discovery and fulfillment. There is still time to enjoy the goodness that life brings.
In the dead of winter, there is great joy. Look to the heavens for the sign of your saviour. His mark is in the sky. A rare event of celestial proportions rises in the night sky on December 21, 2020. A year that has been marked by pandemic, disease, isolation, poverty, death and despair. How obvious, oh shiny star, to light up the night sky this year. How obvious, oh shiny star to lead us once again.
The planets of Saturn and Jupiter will align to this degree, for the first time in 800 years. Celestial configurations occur frequently, but this planetary alignment is a precious sight. As Jupiter and Saturn meet in the south westerly sky, shortly after sunset on December 21, we will see the bright, shiny star of Christmas. Perhaps not the brilliant star that guided the wise men to Bethlehem, but still it is a Christmas star. A star to light up our lives and a star to wish upon.
This year has been a difficult one, full of disease and disaster. The world has been somewhat chaotic in environmental disaster, pandemic virus, economic doom. Our guiding light has been our ability to meet virtually on computer screens and cellphones which keep us connected to our friends and loved ones. Lockdown has been the message of choice, to control a health crisis which has escalated beyond our control. As fabulous as we are, we are only mortal.
The power of prayer is upon us. Store after store closes, awaiting a shift to normal business hours. Awaiting a vaccine to cure this pandemic and to praise the magnificent, once again. Save us! Save us, you mighty minds, we know that you know how to. Bankruptcy looms in the despair of a command. Stay home! Once again, we are shut in. Shut in, closed off, with few social contacts and no gatherings.
Shine, oh great magnificent light! Shine and bring us Christmastime! Shine oh holy light, the light of our life, oh star of Bethlehem. Shine.
Although the Bethlehem star is still not really explained, since there have been other conjunctions which produce a great, shiny light in the sky. This one that we will be witnessing on December 21, 2020, this winter’s solstice, will be the brightest that we will be able to see. The timing is perfect. It is Christmas. The vaccine has started to arrive. We will become well again, venture out again, rejoice again. Glad tidings to you and yours during this very difficult time, but it is passing. This Christmas star might not herald in a new savior, but it will bring in a new astrological shift. Coincidentally? Perhaps. The mysterious night sky and the the heavens bring in a new age in 2021. Behold, a new age is dawning. The age of Aquarius.
This is your duty, this is your strength, this is your chosen life, the destiny of your path, the choice that you made. Follow it with courage and determination. Follow it with all of your heart, with your soul, with your passion, your intellect and your being. Not all paths are easy, not all times will be grand, not all will understand and not all will help, but persevere regardless. Your story must be told. Told by you.
Bravely travel into the unknown, seek the refuge of the place, contact the people and share their lives. This mission has been accomplished before and will continue.
Venture into the lives of early Canada, the history of this great land. A sharing of cultures, of exchange, of markets, of language and peace. This is the fortitude of the people, the strength of their character, the bond that ties. A familiarity must be established, with honest communication and negotiation. These are the people, this is their land, their customs and their beliefs. A common bond must be found.
Now is the time of the Jesuit. Holy fathers of the faith, looking to convert the aboriginal people to follow the path of righteous and salvation. Hail almighty ones. It is your duty to persevere during these difficult times. Sometimes it’s easy, but frequently the work is difficult and ardurous. Not all of the people have an interest in these fine words. Not everyone views the world from this perspective and not everyone will listen. Of the thousands of people to preach to, the message is received slowly. One by one, over many years, the aboriginals start to convert. The faith must be accepted. People must understand each other and the world must be saved. Peace among us, oh fine nation. Peace among us, to the glory of God.
But it is with great joy that we travel these unknown, rugged and fabulously beautiful lands. It is with great joy that we meet these curious and eager people. It is with great joy that we pursue our mission to convert these people to Christianity and to help them to serve the Lord. The Jesuits are here as a dedicated group of missionaries, intent on fulfilling the directions of their education. These are the soldiers of God, intent on bringing the scripture to the aboriginal people of Canada. All united in the same faith, all members of the same church. It is with great joy that they fulfill their mission, their aptitude and their duty. It is with one call that they come forward, with the demand from their leader, that all peoples come to Christ.
Difficulties are met with gladness, for the challenge of the body is usurped by the spirit within. The spiritual awakening of the joy of bringing the faith to a people who are unknown to the world, but known by God. Come to the parish, learn and worship. The Call to the worlds peoples to unite! Unite as brothers and sisters of the faith. Be Christians! Make Jesus your Lord. Unite in the joy of the love of Jesus. Join us, we prey! Join us in gladness and in praises. Jesus went to the cross for you and rises again. Believe in the scripture and have faith. Be saved by the divine. Pray and be saved. Jesus is Lord.
The endless work to meet people, connect, converse and to find a common bond. The mission to bring the people under one church, with only one God
Be saved, all you mighty ones. Join together, worship together and be saved.
It is with great courage that we settle this country, filled with new adventures and difficult times. It is with bravery that we meet these new people in their own homeland and on their own terms. It is with faith and prayer that we negotiate a peaceful settlement, and with determination and recognition of the mission, that is required, proceed to our duty. To the new land, and to the people of it, we meet.
Such is the sturdy vow of the missionary, the Jesuits who landed to fulfill their duty. Bring the people religion. Bring them to Christianity. It is the solemn vow of the faith, these people must be saved. Saved in the eyes of God, save their everlasting soul. Save the people, even in death.
The mission was built in Huron (Wendake) territory, 1200 kilometers from Quebec. Started in 1639 and lasting only 10 years, it was the first settlement in New France, in the province that is now Ontario. It was set on a large tract of land between Lake Simcoe and Georgian Bay, in Huron territory. The the mission itself was on the Wye River.
Only a small group of men made the long journey from Quebec City to this remote place. All martyred for their faith. The Huron themselves, were curious and peaceful. They allowed the mission on their land and allowed the Jesuits to preach to them. Some converted, some did not, but pursue the faith is a must. Fulfill the mission of their lives, they must. Bring religion to the people. Serve God. No matter what the price is , it is not too high. Serve God. Bring Christianity to the people with the intention of everlasting peace. Peace on Earth, goodwill to your fellow human.
Canada’s first Christmas Carol, the Huron Carol, written in 1642 probably by Jean de Brebeuf.
Saint Marie among the Huron is a historical place of hope, dreams, hardship and abandonment. The security of the Jesuits, lost to the increasing hostility of the Iroquois in the insistent war with the Huron. Iroquois with guns, Huron with bow and arrow, missionaries with prayer. Peace among us, oh mighty human. This territory belongs to the Huron, the land of the Wendake.
But the dreadful incessant war proved the Iroquois to be a stronger and more aggressive people. Intent on murder, they continued their assault on the Huron and would not leave. Some of the Huron who survived fled to neighboring tribes, and to Quebec to re-establish themselves, on Ile de Orleans , just east of Quebec city in 1650. By 1649 the mission was in ruin, burned by the Jesuits so that the Iroquois couldn’t inhabit it. The Huron had departed, the Jesuits were gone. Gone, but saved. Other peace remained. The fur trade was still active, with trade and negotiation still intact. With the loss of this mission is an uncanny coincidence. The city of Montreal, founded in 1649.
The never ending adventure to voyage and discovery to meet and greet the new people, to learn their ways. Peace among us is a priority, gifts and exchange, routes of travel and a path to the new world. Discover, trade and progress, learn the language, the customs, the society. There are many peoples, many societies, many worlds to discover. Come with this explorer into the heart of our land and meet the people, listen to their stories, share their passions, learn their wisdom. This is New France, in 1615, with an exploration into the aboriginal territories of Ontario, as far as Georgian Bay and Lake Nippissing, in search of a route to the Orient.
The Orient. That spell binding, alluring destination of dreams. Silk, spices, riches. The Orient! Find the route through Canada, we know it’s there. Yes, it is, but not this time. Not in 1615, when the world was forested and filled with mighty, turbulent rivers, with rapids and waterfalls to portage. Not in 1615 when every few hundred kilometers brought new nations of aboriginals to meet and negotiate with. As skilled and brilliant as these explorers were, the land is too large, the peoples too many, the dangers too difficult and the demands too great. Still, the path to the Orient exists, but the people need to know these explorers, before extending such a substantial gift as the whereabouts of this sought after trail.
Travel and travel and travel, is a must. Explore the world around and before you. Go to these uncharted lands. Bring peace, negotiation and prosperity with you, if you can. It’s a daunting mission, to be the explorer, to discover and collaborate with people of unknown character. Meeting them in their own land, on their own terms. Peace and skilled negotiation. The intellect soars as the negotiations are successful and the peoples minds are set at ease, with this friend. Gratitude for such necessary gifts, as some burdens are lifted and some work is eased. Sharing and caring, the beginning of a new world. The start of a new land. This is now New France, being explored and documented and carefully mapped. Each river that is traveled, each new tribe that is encountered, each new language that is spoken and the forest of trees, plants and animals to marvel at as well. All carefully described, by this well educated person, who knew the land so well.
This is the life of a great explorer, Samuel de Champlain. His mission of discovery was so successful that it formed peaceful and prosperous relations with several aboriginal tribes and the French people, who earnestly sought common bonds and well intended relationships with the people of the new world. The needs for these negotiations for the fur traders were high. In the end Champlain died in Quebec city with only 150 settlers living in the colony.
With the explorer, came the missionaries. Jesuit priests from France, intent on bringing Christianity to the people of Canada. This seemed necessary for the aboriginals to understand the religion of the French people so that they would have a common bond in humanity to share. Peace among the people, brothers in Christ. Although the aboriginals had their own religion, with their own after life, it was deemed essential to bring these people to Jesus. Such was the quest of the Jesuits who pursued this mission to the ends of their lives.
The seas are rising and the crossing is dangerous. The water swells and ripples. The current is too strong and the rapids are too long, the danger of the crossing is too great for our skills. Save us! Or we shall perish. Be the strong and be the mighty, be the back that we can cling to, be our arms that plow the water, be our legs that withstand the current. Be our strength, be our courage, be our transport across the torrent. Hail to you, oh great Saint Christopher, patron saint of the traveler.
We are weary, tired and weak, you are the strong, give us your hand. You are strong, powerful and mighty, we are small, weak and puny. Help us with your bravery and the powerful strength of your body. Lucky are we to meet your acquaintance, the sight of such an enormous man. Courage and kindness to help these strangers, who are so desolate that they need his hand.
The crossing is difficult, the child is too heavy, all of the weight of the world on his back. This is the Christ Child the Redeemer of history, the merciful, the wondrous child. A small load, but so heavy, he carries our weighty sins. I am small but you are mighty, St Christopher, carry me.
Carry me across the turbulent oceans, carry me across the perilous land, carry me across the arid desert, deliver me home, by your strong hands. St Christopher we plead to you, save us, by your mighty strength. We are the travelers who need your company, your support, your superiority. we are the travelers who will perish without your generosity. Hail, St, Christopher save us! We know you can.
For centuries you have saved us, with your mighty, muscular build. Save us always, oh great and mighty one, our adventures are still perilous. Take us across the swelling ocean, take us to our home in this brave new land. Save us in our journey, as we cross the turbulent sea, save us in our travel to this new country. You are the mighty, you are the strong, we are the week who depend upon you. Support us in the grand adventure, carry us across the seas. Stay with us while we explore this wild, untamed new land.
Hail to you oh St, Christopher, we raise your medal high. You have been so much to us, and to you, we are meerly passersby.
The mighty is born. Now sing all of you in praises, for peace, love and everlasting kindness, for joy and merriment and laughter. This is the day of our saviour. The message is clear.Joy to the world, peace on Earth, love one another. It is with gladness that we celebrate this special day. A day of joy, of goodwill, of feasting, caring and sharing. The wisemen bring their gifts and so do we. Celebrate the love that is in us and all around us. Joy to the world.
In a time of darkness, a light shines. Prayers for the people, to overcome their fears. Fear of darkness, let their be light. Fear of loneliness, poverty, starvation, homelessness and despair. Gather together with your families and friends, your neighbors and colleagues, your aquaintenances and fellows. Don’t be strangers to the world. On this fine day, the feast is prepared. Rest, relaxation, comfort and sharing. On this fine day, we find peace. Joy and love, good will towards our fellow man. On this fine day, we find love.
Our instructions are simple, but immense. Oh come all yeah faithful, gather round the Christ Child. Bring your joy and your sorrow, bring your laughter and your tears. Here is a message of great importance. Cast aside your doubts, cast aside your fears. Listen to the message. A child is born, he will bring us peace. He will rise above the obstacle of defeat. Listen to his message, oh great and mighty, or small and lowly, for on this day we find peace.
Save us, oh great savoir. On this fine Christmas Day, may peace, love and goodwill, be in your hearts and minds and may the light of this day, bring joy to all of you, throughout the world.
The night is bright with stars so shiny, it is the time of Christmas Eve. The winter snow is deep and crisp, white and bright and full of it’s own delight. Christmas and winter are filling our lives. Fun in the snow and fun in the humanity of the season. Fill our lives with joy and celebration, fill our hearts with gladness and peace. Love for one another, joy to all of humanity, the child will soon be born.
Bless this season, all you fine people, fill your lives with joy. A baby will soon be born, bless the baby boy.
The hardship of the daily toil is sometimes overwhelming and dreary. Daily life can be difficult, tiresome and weary. Some are rich, some are poor, some are weak and some are far away. Now is a time for Christian giving, feasting and sharing and exchanging gifts. The tradition of family, friends and strangers, all connected to a child. Save us! Praises to you oh holy child. Save us!
Bring our loved ones to us, make their travels safe. Long journeys homeward, to our family to share Christmas Day. A tradition of joy that we celebrate with the world. Home for the holidays, all you Christian people. Celebrate the joy that this fine season brings.
The dead of winter for holiday delight. It’s perfect. Cold and wintry is the night with the fresh snow in the morning to greet us. There is nothing better than this season. Joy and caroling, Christmas is beautiful. A tradition of compassion, charity, giving, and friendship. The fabulous tradition of caring. Love one another, peace on Earth, goodwill towards your fellow man. May the blessings of the season fill your hearts with joy and kindness and be faithful to you throughout the year.
It is with great joy that we sing our songs, with duty and dedication that we donate our gifts of charity to the poor. Love eternally, love everlasting, that is the message of this baby boy. Jesus will soon be born, he rises again. From a birth in a manger to be king of our lives. A triumph for humanity, for the spirit of mankind. Rise in freedom, all of you fine people, shed your despair. Cheer and praises, the holy night is near.
Soon the wanderings of the spirit will end, soon the angels will sing, soon the stable will call us to rest, soon will be born, a king. Soon the darkness will reveal a light, soon the night will end, soon the witnesses of the glorious sight will be called, on this Holy Night.
A tradition of singing, of baking and feasting, a holiday most high. Gift giving and memories, the wisemen stopped by. Oh wise are we, to continue this tradition, in memory of a baby, so calm and bright. Such a wonderful gift, oh Holy Night. Oh Holy Night. Soon a child will be born.
The hardship of the colony, the death and despair that was endured, but strive oh Canada, your wealth and destiny will come. Oh homesteaders of yesterday, with toil and work and strife. It still is Christmas to all, regardless of where you are in life. In living the pioneer struggles, but the holiday looms in our minds. Yes, you must have Christmas, not just in your dreams. The holiday is for everyone, enjoy it before it passes. The festive season is with us, with fun and sharing and gifts. Laugh and sing, oh lucky humans, for the joy that this holiday season brings.
The winter is upon us, glistening. White snow falls softly, with blessings. Good cheer awaits those joyful hearts, as the spirit moves us in generous ways. A joyful time.
The quiet of wintertime soothes our souls. The merriment of song fills the world. Hopeful and happy, like squirrels gathering nuts, we hurry and scurry to gather our collections. Hoarding our gifts to bring delight to those most dear to us, oh Holy Night. Soon will be a gift of finery so rare, song and praises, fill the air. Copy the moment, all of the delight, majesty, wonder, goodwill to us all.
Hopeful are we, of an expectation already granted, enchanting, adoring, love.
We decorate and adorn ourselves, to express the riches of earthly gratitude and acceptance. The skies are sparkling with brightness and fill the world with glittering light. Wish upon these wondrous stars, the heavens bring glory to us.
Soon, in the quiet moments of the night, will a life of great joy, enter our world. Inspiration, love, happiness and cheer. Soon the gift of great joy fill our world with love. A child. A baby. Born of the delight of a prophecy, which will fill the world with a special guidance, a special leadership, a special light to guide the footsteps of the devoted.
Follow this light, for this leadership is for us all.
Animals, softly speaking, reminding us, this is for all life. All of the Earths creatures are adored and witness this special life. Why such a lowly birth? Surrounded by beasts who witness this life, humanity touches all of them. Humanely treat these affectionate creatures, they too are part of the glorious host, invited to share as witnesses.
Not just angels, not just maji, not just shepherds and humans, but sheep, camels, donkeys and cows. The Earth has so many creatures to care about. They celebrate with us, oh mighty human, they belong to us, for us to care for all throughout our lives. This is the message as well. Be kind.
Love each other all of your lives.
The animals were invited as well. This is not an accident that the birth is so lowly, but divine intervention to show us the way. How to treat the eternal wonder of the world. The heavenly hosts sing in praises, the Earthly creatures welcome with gladness. Song and joy fill the air. Humanity for us all. All of creation is important and must be protected. All welcome to this glorious birth. All are welcome to the joy and gladness, to share in the celebration of a gift of life to all life forms. Precious and compassionate, humane and loving, all of the Earth sing with joy.
Joy to this Earth, to the great planet of creation. Joy to the creatures who dwell upon it. This is the holy time of sharing and caring. This is the time of prayer and blessings. Sing joyously all of you people. A wonderful event is nearly here. Dress up your fine table, pull out Christmas cheer, with delicacies reserved only for this time of year. This is the coveted event that we wait for, to celebrate our Earthly delights gifted to us from the most high.
Joy to you, during this great holiday season. Joy to you, all of your life.
