religion

The Angels on High
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The Angels on High

Hail Brave Hearts

Joy and Peace to all of you on this blessed Christmas Eve.  The Angels on high are with our Lord.  God saves all.

21 Fascinating Facts About Angels in the Bible

It is with great joy that we celebrate this birth.  Joy to all of us, a saviour is born.  Happy days, happy celebrations, happy gift giving and food sharing.  This is a joyous time, filled with fun and good cheer.

The nights are long, the deep chill is here, temperatures drop and wind blows in storms, howling in our ears.  It’s perfect!  That perfect time of the year for decorating our homes in bright lights, finding gifts to give to loved ones so dear and to share with friends and acquaintances as well.  The wallet opens, cash seems abundant, stores offer everything your heart desires.  What could be more special than that fun filled holiday spending.  Spending on gifts, spending on dining, spending on drink, spending on holidays, spend, spend, spend.  The money wheel spins faster and Ho Ho Ho, Santa Clause climbs down your chimney.

Stockings are hung, gifts for Santa, gifts for us.  The retail financial success story made and paid for.  The gift exchange makes us so merry and of course, don’t forget your substantial gifts to the poor,  And while all of this fun and celebration occurs, a child is born.  A child of magnificence, a child of hope, of peace, of goodwill.  A child who will change our lives, not just with a birthday, but with love and forgiveness.  This is the child of the Christmas Story, a story of gifts, of poverty becoming greatness, of a lowly birth becoming a king.  A success story of greatness being born from despair.  The Christian story offers a promise to the world, a promise of hope for all of us, regardless of birth that there will be the opportunity for success.

The celebrations of Christmas unite the community.  Events of caroling, of parades, of Christmas lights, of dinner parties.  Doubts are cast aside, people smile, they hug one another, families unite. The joy of a blessed saviour fills us with hope, charity and community.  Peace amongst us as we enjoy the good company of friends and sometimes strangers.  The season awakens the spirit  of acceptance, of kindness, of  tolerance, of goodwill.  Love eternal.

And then there are Angels.  The heavenly choir makes us sing.  Our voices are lifted in praises for the new born king.  Oh happy day that this Christmas gift was given to us.  Now the teacher teaches us, the student listens.  These lessons learned help and support us during our journey on this planet.  A journey of discovery, of adventure of humanity.  A journey that must be kept worthy, must be kept fulfilling, must be kept in learning.

In the quiet hours of the eve of this great night, comes the greatest gift of love.  Joy to us, there is life. Joy to us, there is Love.

Written by Dr. Louise Elaine Hayes

This Christmas Eve 2025

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A Child Arrives

Hail Brave Hearts

Praises!  The blessings of this holiday season abound.  Friends and family, acquaintances and colleagues, all are united in the spirit of holiday giving and sharing.  Joy to all of us during this happy and generous time.  Joy to all of us, all throughout the year.

It is with joy that we surround ourselves with the festive season.  The lights, the trees, the singing, sharing, praises to one another and to the joy of humankind.  Gifts from God.  Love eternal.  Love and kindness.  Oh Holy One.  Love from most high.  All Heavens and Earth rejoice.  Praises to the Lord, our King.

During these cold winter days, when the wind blows from the North, where Santa fills his sleigh and the elves prepare the parcels of toys and movies and delights galore.  Reindeer in harnesses to fly in the sky.  Myth and fantasy to light up your life.  Stockings by the fire with the world all aglow.  This is when the Holy family travel.  That long and difficult journey over many days, with child.

The cold blast of winter, reminds us to think of others.  Gifts of warm clothing and blankets to the shelters, the thrift shops and the churches.  Gifts to food banks, charities and the poor.  Gifts to family and friends.  The gift of a child.  Gift giving and singing, all praises to our King, a gift as well, a gift from God.

Oh that the world is so cold and downtrodden.  Of that the world is blessed with a savior.  Oh that this great planet is unique, with life, with living, with joy and giving.  Oh that holy night, when the angels sing.  Blessed are we to share this great Earth.  Blessed are we to rejoice in God’s world.  All heaven and Earth rejoice.

The animals are quiet as the child lies sleeping.  The angels sing and a star shines bright.  This bright beacon from heaven guides the Maji from afar.  Oh holy night, we will all be blessed.

There are many stories to tell of Christmas, of how this holiday season comes to pass,  of saints in our midst who follow a path of  direction, discerned from teachings of wondrous works and guidance.   The miracle of birth, the joy of the child.  Happy are we to be a part of the celebration.

A Look at Popular Christmas Traditions Around the World

Jingle bells, Christmas parades, candy, baking and special recipes.  A joy of a holiday all throughout the world. As the season fills with gladness, sharing and community gatherings,  the special sounds of the season, fill the air.  The Angels sing.  The Christmas Choir is exuberant.  Joy.

The Best Old Christmas Songs with Fireplace 🎅🏼 2 Hours Best Classic Christmas Hits, Original

On this very Holy day, of Christmas, may your world be filled with joy and laughter.  Praises to you, all of you for the blessed gift of this genius child.

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year

written by Dr.  Louise Elaine Hayes

December 18, 2024

 

Bunnies and Eggs
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Bunnies and Eggs

Good Day Brave Hearts

Happy Easter to all.

The Easter Bunny is hop, hop, hopping into our world again, to help us celebrate the Easter story, with a twist.  An animal twist that supports the rabbit as a part of the celebration of life.  The resurrection of Jesus on Easter Sunday and the traditional Easter Egg hunt.

Regardless of your faith, Easter is celebrated by most of us, in a manner of religion, or fun.  The furry animal, with eggs and candies kind of fun.  A bunny, or a rabbit, maybe a hare, of noteworthy cuteness, bringing Easter eggs in many colours and many candy forms.  Chocolate, for the chocoholics, who cherish the world of chocolate treats.  Chocolate bunnies and eggs, hollow or filled,  jelly beans and cream centred eggs, a dietary delight of candy.   Lovely candy, full of richness and sugar, the confectioners delight.  Easter is a booming business in the candy trade.

Of course, there’s also flowers, with the traditional flower of Easter being the  Calla Lily, which blooms at Easter time and gives us a  festive tradition to participate in, whether you believe in the Christian story of resurrection or not.

Spring is here, the wild crocuses are in bloom and the Easter bunny is hopping along, spreading Easter eggs in hiding places for us to find.  It’s a fun story, which capitalizes on an ancient story of death and resurrection.  The rise of Jesus of Nazareth from the tomb, which  coincides with the passing of winter into spring.  A symbolic passing from the dead of winter to the new life of spring, immortalized by the death of the Savior on the cross, to the revelation of a vacant tomb and new life.  The new life of rebirth, of being reborn, of the passing of death to life.  It’s a symbolic time, a holy time, a time to cherish the Lord and the representation that all life will live.

Easter Symbols and Traditions – Easter Bunny, Eggs & Lilies | HISTORY

Julius Caesar noticed that in old England, no one would eat hares.  Hares had been connected to the Virgin Mary, Jesus and the Holy family.  The prolific rabbit, sends a message of fertility to us, with large families.  So does the egg.  Painting eggs is part of the Easter past time and egg painting is a celebrated art in some countries. The tradition of painting eggs in bright colours, so that we can find them under pillows, in the yard, hiding in trees and in plants, is a joyous part of Easter celebrations, but it also sends a message.  Eggs are fertility  It’s spring and rebirth is all around us.

The fabulous Savior, who survives death and is resurrected into this world, only to ascend to Heaven, is a story of awesome wonder at the miraculous life of Jesus.  The miracle of death and resurrection, life and death, rebirth.   It is also a time of family holiday and a celebration of the impossible.  Rising from the dead, speaking to people, walking streets.  It’s a mystery still unsolved.  It’s a mystery of faith.

The easy way to resolve Easter, is to paint Easter eggs and adore the bunny, who comes hop, hop, hopping along.

Written by Dr. Louise Hayes

March 30, 2024

 

Oh Happy Day
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Oh Happy Day

Dear Brave Hearts

The glory of this special holiday season surrounds us.  Joy!  The world is filled with merriment and hope, love everlasting, the eternal spirit of goodwill is with us.  It is Christmas time, the time to rejoice in gladness that God is with us.

Praises to the world.  A joyous world.  A wondrous world.  Oh wondrous Love that adores us.

It is during this festive holiday season, that we sing, give thanks and remember that child that brings love into the world and joy to our lives.  It is with gladness that we praise this child and the special message that He brings.  The gifts, the joy, the singing, the angels, the Christmas tree and lights, the fabulous food.  A message of love and humanity for all of us.  Praises to this King.  Not a king of a kingdom, but a king of our hearts.  Oh Holy One, Oh Blessed One, this birthday of Christ the King.

Oh joy to us, all the world of God’s creation.  Not only to mankind but to the animal world as well.

Top Christmas Music Playlist 🎅🏼 Best Christmas Songs Playlist 🎄 Merry Christmas 2023 (youtube.com)

For now, while we play and smile, visit with family and friends and join in the fun of a fabulous holiday, we give thanks,  Thank you for the season, thanks for the Love, the joy, the happiness of having a time to rejoice.  A time for us.  A special time of prayer.  A time of rest, of peace, of remembrance.

Oh save us, great saviour!  This weary world rejoices.  It is Christmas time.  We live.

written by Dr. Louise Hayes

December 24, 2023

Christmas Cheer
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Christmas Cheer

Hail Brave hearts

 

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.

Best Classic Christmas Music Mix 2022 – 1 Hour Playlist 🎁🎄❄️ – YouTube

Holiday Glaze

only 3 ingredients

1 can of cranberries

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.

This recipe is also good with meatballs.

written by Dr. Louise Hayes

December 24. 2022

The Weather Outside is Frightful
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The Weather Outside is Frightful

Hail Brave hearts

Brave the snow.  It’s wintery Christmas outside and the warm glow of Christmas inside.  It’s the happiest time of the year!

 

Frank Sinatra – Let It Snow! Let It Snow! Let It Snow! (Official Music Video) – YouTube

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.

Traditional Christmas Carols – YouTube

Written by Dr. Louise Hayes

December 23, 2022

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Merry Christmas

Good Day Brave Hearts

The Magnificent Almighty Man is born!  Praises!  Praises to you for the glorious birth.  Praises!  Sing and be merry, for this great day is upon us.  Joy and happiness fill the air.  Angels sing and gifts are given.  Jesus is born.

In a lowly stable in Bethlehem the manger holds a sight of wonder.  A child.  The Christ Child.  Born to rise and be a king.  Born to give us the message of God.  Born to rule over Heaven and Earth.  Born in majesty, born is greatness, born in a lowly stable with Angels singing, animals watching, Shepherds visiting and Kings from afar bringing gifts.  Born to us all, born for us all.  This illustrious day of Christmas is a day to celebrate the glorious birth.

Praises mankind, for this great day, this magnificent birth.  Lucky are we to be the receivers of this gift.  The gift of the message of God.

Share with each other, help each other, take care of each other.  Praise God and pray.  All people great and small, rich and poor are precious to this Lord.

written by Dr. Louise Hayes

Christmas Day, 2021

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A New Age is Dawning

Hail Brave Hearts

As peace keepers and pathfinders, your quest for adventure has summoned you into the world.  A world filled with strife, disease and difficulties this year.  A world that shuns us and forbids us to travel.  Stay home, brave hearts. Stay home and be well.  Stay home and be healthy.  2021 promises to be a better year.

Fortunately, a fabulous planetary shift is about to occur.  The great conjunction of 2020 will see Saturn and Jupiter in an alignment that will bring in an astrological change of immense proportions.  Finally, Saturn and Jupiter will shift into the astrological sign of Aquarius and bring in a brand new age.  An age that we haven’t seen in over 50 years.  Although Saturn and Jupiter align every 20 years or so, they have been fading into earth signs.  This year will be different.  This year, the great conjunction of 2020 will pass into an air sign, the zodiac sign of Aquarius.

A new age is dawning in this astrological alignment.  Jupiter and Saturn will meet in Aquarius and herald in the new age of Aquarius.  Songs have been written, sung and performed.  Aquarius is praiseworthy as is brings enlightenment, inspiration, new energy, creativity and imagination.  The cosmos will be interacting differently in our lives and the planetary interactions will give us a new focus.  It will give us a new purpose, a change in thinking.  The power of Jupiter in this sign, brings inner peace, humanitarianism, fulfillment, balance and harmony.  The power of Saturn is self discipline,  wisdom.

These combined forces will help us to embark on a new path of community, of social connectedness and awareness.  The world will move from it’s focus on materialism to a path of humanity, caring for the world and it’s people.  This change in planetary influence will shift our attitudes and guide us for another 200 years.

Written by Dr.  Louise Hayes

December 21, 2020

 

The Great Conjunction: Jupiter and Saturn Align in Aquarius December 2020

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The Christmas Star

Hail Brave Hearts

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.

https://www.timeanddate.com/astronomy/planets/great-conjunction

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.

Written by Dr. Louise Hayes

December 20,2020

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Missionaries

 

Hail Brave Hearts

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.

written by Dr. Louise Hayes

April 12, 2020