December 26, 2018

Stephen

December 26, 2018:  St. Stephen, 1st Martyr

See 18 connections with today?
Legend below
Listen
  • Look it up/ Presley, Orrall:  country song with verse about how hard it is for us to forgive ("Jesus has [forgiveness] in store for you, but I don't...")  This Bailey/Lowe cover avoids the original's bad language.  lyrics+ (1st reading:  Stephen forgave his murderers)
For Psalm 31
Pope Francis Angelus
Forgiveness broadens the heart, generates sharing, and gives serenity and peace.  The contrast between the joyful birth of the Child and the cruelty of Stephen’s martyrdom is not strange; the Child is the Son of God who will save humanity by dying on the cross.  Stephen was the first person to follow in Jesus’ footsteps through martyrdom, entrusting his life to God and forgiving his persecutors.  As he was stoned, he displayed an attitude of faithful acceptance.  Trust in God helps us to welcome difficult moments and live them as an opportunity for growth in faith and building new relationships.
Stephen also imitated Jesus with an attitude of forgiveness, praying for his persecutors.  We're called to learn from his example to forgive always.  The logic of forgiveness and mercy opens up horizons of hope.  Forgiveness is cultivated through prayer, which allows us to keep our gaze upon Jesus.  Stephen could forgive his killers because, full of the Spirit, God opened his eyes.  Prayer gave him the strength to suffer martyrdom.  Holy Spirit, give us strength to heal our fears, weaknesses, and small-mindedness.
Read


  • Acts 6:8-10; 7:54-59  Many couldn't withstand Stephen's wisdom; they stoned him.  “Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.”
  • Mt 10:17-22  When they hand you over, don't worry; the Spirit will speak through you.  Endure and be saved.
Reflect
  • Creighton:  Today's liturgy helps us interpret how the Church understands the Incarnation and its consequences.  The Christian Tradition recognizes that God became human so that we may become divine in God (not on our own terms).  God creates human beings to be sacraments of the divine.  But because we're created in God's image, we have freedom to choose away from God’s desires.  When we do what God wants, we encounter God's light, see God around around us, are happy, and can serve those who suffer and are lost, but those who want to be god on their own terms seek to destroy us.  Today's readings invite us to enter into Christmas, God’s becoming fully human, so we may become all God intends us to be, agents of God’s presence in the world, participants in Christ, moved by his Spirit to effect justice and reconciliation through practicing mercy.  May your eyes be on Christ even when stones fall.
  • One Bread, One Body:  "Do you hear what I hear?"  Persecution is a consequence of worshiping Christ as Ruler and Lord.  Bowing before the manger leads to lying exposed before the cross.  When Stephen was persecuted, he fixed his eyes on Jesus.  Isaiah prophesied that a Child would lead us. May we follow that Child....
  • Passionist:  The St. Stephen story stands in stark contrast to yesterday's readings about angels singing and shepherds heading to the manger.  People rejected Stephen for working wonders and signs; wanting no part of what he was saying, they stoned him.  There's much we don’t want to hear, either, but Jesus came to take upon himself all that's broken, sinful, and shameful.  His Passion contains our passions.  May we take all that weighs us down and place it at the manger....
  • DailyScripture.net:  "Those who endure will be saved":  The Son of God took flesh to redeem us and give us new life as God's adopted children.  The way to glory in the kingdom is the cross.  To share in Jesus' glory, we must take up our cross and follow him.  Our privilege is to follow in the footsteps of him who died for us. The Lord gives us grace to follow him and bear our cross with courage and hope.
  • Universalis:  Stephen, first martyr, apostles-appointed deacon, organized food distribution to the poor, performed miracles, confounded Jews in debate, preached Christ to and prayed for persecutors; see also New Advent.
Dress legend
  • 'Owl' tie pin:  Debaters couldn't withstand Stephen's wisdom (1st reading)
  • 'Car with mouth' pin:  They ground their teeth at Stephen (1st reading)
  • 'Feet' pin:  Witnesses laid their cloaks down at Saul's feet (1st reading)
  • Red shirt, 'blood drop' pin:  Stephen's martyrdom (1st reading)
  • 'Dove' pin:  Stephen was filled with the Spirit (1st reading); when you're handed over, the Spirit will speak through you (gospel)
  • 'Stone/rock' tie pin:  they stoned Stephen (1st reading); be my rock of refuge (psalm)
  • 'Hands' pin:  Stephen saw the Son of Man at God's right hand (1st reading); into Your hands I commend my spirit (psalm); you'll be 'hand'ed over... as a witness (gospel)
  • 'Helm' tie pin:  You will lead and guide me (psalm)
  • 'Musical notes with "joy"' pin:  I'll rejoice and be glad... (psalm)
  • 'Boundless mercy' pin:  ...because of your mercy (psalm)
  • 'Happy birthday, Jesus' and No-L pin (legend):  Christmas season
  • Tie with Christmas music:  Christmas time, plus tonight's sing-along Messiah at private home, complete with full orchestra
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December 25, 2018

Christmas

December 25, 2018:  Nativity of the Lord

See 44 connections with today?
Legend below
Listen

From Handel's Messiah
    Christmas psalms
Jason Silver renditions
More...
For future Christmas season celebrations
Pope Francis

 "Night Mass" homily:  'Bethlehem' means 'house of bread,' and Mary laid Jesus in a manger, as if he wanted to say, "Here I am, as your food."  Jesus gives himself to us, teaching us to live not by devouring and hoarding but sharing and giving.  We feed on Jesus, Bread of Life, and are reborn in love, breaking the vicious cycle of grasping and greed.  Humanity’s original sin was to take and eat forbidden food.  We became greedy and voracious, but the food of life is not material riches, gluttony, or ostentation but love, charity, and simplicity.  Jesus knows we need to be fed daily, so he offered himself every day of his life.  Today too, he becomes bread broken for us.  If we welcome God, history changes.  Once Jesus dwells in our heart, the center of life is no longer ego but the One born for love.  Jesus invites us to rise from the table and serve others, sharing our bread.

 On Christmas night, shepherds welcomed Jesus.  An angel said, “Fear not.”  We hear that phrase so often in the Gospels because God knows we sinners are afraid.  Bethlehem is the remedy, because despite our no’s, God-with-us says yes.  God makes himself a child so as not to frighten us.

 The shepherds were keeping watch, not sleeping, when the angel came.  Our life can be marked by waiting or wanting.  If we await the Lord amid our problems, we'll receive his life, but if we spend our lives in selfish want, we'll be closed to God’s light.  The shepherds set out immediately and took a risk by leaving their flocks unguarded.  After seeing Jesus, they proclaimed his birth.  Keeping watch, setting out, risking, and recounting the beauty are all acts of love.  The road to Bethlehem is uphill:  the heights of our selfishness need to be surmounted, and we must not lose our footing or slide into worldliness and consumerism.  Take me upon your shoulders, Good Shepherd; loved by you, I'll be able to love others....

 Urbi et orbi message:  Halt in wonder like the shepherds, and worship.  The Christmas message is about a child who came to tell us that God is a good Father and we're all brothers and sisters.  Without Jesus’ gift of fraternity, what we do to build a more just world would be soulless and empty.  So my wish for a happy Christmas is a wish for fraternity.

 I wish for fraternity among all.  Jesus revealed God’s face through a human face.  The variety and differences we experience are a source of richness, like the variety of tiles in the hands of a mosaic artist.  God binds us together and is the foundation and strength of our fraternity.

 May Israelies and Palestinians resume dialogue and the path to peace.  May Syrians find fraternity; may those who have fled be able to return home.  May the Yemen truce hold and bring relief.  In Africa, may the King of Peace silence the clash of arms and allow fraternity to rise over the continent.  In the Korean peninsula, may fraternal bonds set in motion this year consolidate.  May Venezuelans recover social harmony so as to work fraternally toward the country’s development.  In the Ukraine, may the Newborn Lord bring relief the lasting peace possible only through respect for the rights of every nation.  May Nicaraguans see themselves again as brothers and sisters through reconciliation and building Nicaragua’s future together.

 May freedom and identity be restored where compromised through modern forms of colonization....  May all live peacefully through respect for religious freedom.  May the Child watch over all children and every frail, vulnerable, and discarded person.  May all receive peace and consolation.  Through the Savior's birth we know the Father loves us.  May we realize we're all brothers and sisters and live as such.

 Read

 Night

  • Is 9:1-6  The people in darkness have seen a great light; they rejoice.  A son is born to us:  Wonder-Counselor, God-Hero, Father-Forever, Prince of Peace.
  • Ps 96: 1-3, 11-13  "Today is born our Savior, Christ the Lord."  Sing a new song of God's salvation; the Lord comes to rule with justice.
  • Ti 2:11-14  God's grace has appeared, saving, training us to live temperately, justly, and devoutly as we await the appearance of the glory of Christ.
  • Lk 2:1-14  Mary gave birth to a son.  An angel appeared to shepherds and said, “Fear not; I proclaim news of great joy for all:  a savior, Christ, and Lord has been born for you.  You'll find an infant in a manger.”  “Glory to God, and peace to those on whom God's favor rests.”
Dawn


  • Is 62:11-12  God proclaims, your savior comes!  They shall be called the redeemed of the Lord.
  • Ps 97:1, 6, 11-12  "A light will shine on us this day: the Lord is born for us."  Rejoice; the Lord is king.  Light dawns for the just.  Be glad in the Lord, and give thanks.
  • Ti 3:4-7  When God's love graciously appeared, he saved us through rebirth and renewal by the Spirit, poured out on us through Jesus Christ, so we might be justified and become heirs of eternal life.
  • Lk 2:15-20  Shepherds went to Bethlehem and found Mary, Joseph, and the infant.  They made known the angel's message, the hearers were amazed.  Mary reflected on this in her heart.  They returned, praising God.
  • Is 52:7-10  How beautiful those who bring glad tidings, announcing peace and salvation.  Sing out, for the Lord comforts and redeems his people.  All the ends of the earth will behold the salvation of our God.
  • Ps 98:1-6  "All the ends of the earth have seen the saving power of God."  The Lord has revealed his salvation, justice, kindness, and faithfulness.  Sing praise!
  • Heb 1:1-6  Before, God spoke through the prophets; now he's spoken to us through the Son, heir of all, imprint of his being.  He's now at the Majesty's right hand, superior to angels.  Let all God's angels worship him.
  • Jn 1:1-18  In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.  All life came to be through him, and this life was the light of the human race, and darkness hasn't overcome it.  God sent John to testify to the light, so all might believe.  The true light came to what was his own.  The Word became flesh and dwelt among us.  From his fullness we've received; while Moses gave the law, Jesus Christ brought grace and truth.  No one has seen God; the Son, at the Father’s side, revealed him.
Reflect
  • Creighton:  The good news came first to shepherds, who slept side by side with their sheep, carrying their smell, and so would have been less than welcomed in the town market.  They were reassured (“Fear not”) and invited to seek out the baby and be the first to meet him.  Israel had been waiting for the Messiah who would save them from their hard life.  Isaiah writes of a “people who walk in darkness” and a “land of gloom.”  The people in Isaiah’s and Jesus’ times faced war and wondered if they'd ever be safe, but Isaiah promises them, and us, hope.  The gospel describes how the oppressive Roman government ordered a census.  Joseph and Mary made the journey, arduous for a pregnant woman, leaving family and friends to comply.  They had to stay in a stable, where, exhausted, Mary gave birth, and the dirty shepherds straggled in.  As we celebrate, may we too embrace humility and so find “peace on earth” and the Light shining into our lives. Jesus has come for the challenging moments as well as the wonderful ones.  When I'm disappointed, angry, or frustrated, may I remember how much Jesus longs to hold and love me; he's not waiting for me to behave better.  Imagine yourself amid the smell and noise of the stable and shepherds, meet your Savior, and rejoice.
    Birth of Christ mural/ Bjorgen
    (more Nativity art)
  • One Bread, One Body:  "Messenger from heaven":  Today we celebrate the feet of Jesus, Messenger from heaven, who gave us the good news:  divine revelation, and the Church, his Body.  In the past, people longed for news of loved ones but needed a messenger. We long for news from heaven but need the Messenger. Jesus is the One sent from heaven, who knows what he's saying . Believe him, sit at his feet, and listen to, believe, and obey him.
  • Passionist:  If today’s dinner were the last one with your family, what would you say?  It wasn’t accidental that our savior was born to a poor then-homeless peasant of an occupied country in an animal stall.  The Holy Family became refugees and had to flee their country because the most powerful political ruler felt threatened by Christ's coming.  How does the Light penetrate our darkness?  God isn’t stingy, miserly, angry, or grumpy; he wants to lavish us with light and love....
  • DailyScripture.net:  "The shepherds glorified God":  Jesus' birth fulfilled the prophecy that the Messiah would descend from David and be born in Bethlehem.  The first to hear the news of the savior's birth were not the rulers and leaders but the humble ready to receive him. Just as God chose lowly shepherd David to become shepherd king, so Jesus chose lowliness and came as the shepherd king to lay down his life for us.  After the angels sang in the shepherds' presence, the shepherds adored the newborn king and sang.
"Heaven and earth are united, for Christ is born!  God has come upon earth, and we've gone up to heaven. The invisible one is seen in the flesh.  Glorify him and cry, glory to God, and on earth peace!  I hear the angels:  glory to God whose pleasure it was that there be peace!  The Virgin is more spacious than the heavens.  Light has shone on those in darkness, exalting the lowly:  Glory to God!  Beholding Adam who was in God’s image but fell, Jesus came down, taking up his dwelling in a virgin womb, that he might refashion Adam fallen in corruption, and crying out, glory to your epiphany, my Savior and God!" (John the Monk, Hymn of the Nativity of the Lord)
We needed a savior to reconcile us with God. The Word became flesh for us to show us God's love and mercy for us sinners.  We celebrate Jesus Christ our redeemer who reigns in heaven and in in our hearts through the Holy Spirit, and we commemorate the birth of the newborn Messiah King. We praise God for how he saved us by sending his son.  God wants to fill us with joy and gratitude for the gift of his Son.  God freely assumed a human nature to save us.  Jesus came to release us from slavery to sin and open heaven's gates. The Spirit invites us to adore Jesus our King, our good shepherd, who guides and cares for us and gives us everlasting life and union with God.  Today heaven joins with all believers in a song of praise.  "To you is born a Savior, Christ the Lord."  Christmas joy isn't just for today or the season; it's forever.  It's the joy of Jesus given to us through the Spirit; no one can take it away, and no pain nor sorrow can diminish it....
Dress legend
  • 'Blood drop,' 'fire' pins:  Every cloak rolled in blood will be burned as fuel for flames (night 1st reading)
  • 'Boundless mercy' button:  God's generous love appeared because of his mercy (dawn 2nd reading)
  • 'Alps,' 'feet' pins:  How beautiful on the mountains are the feet of him who brings glad tidings (day 1st reading)
  • 'Eyeball' pin:  Your sentinels see the Lord before their eyes (day 1st reading)
  • 'Peace sign' tie bar:  They name the child Prince of Peace (night 1st reading); how beautiful those announcing peace and saying... (day 1st reading)
  • 'Crown' tie bar:  ...“Your God is King!” (day 1st reading, dawn psalm); Child confirms/sustains his kingdom (night 1st reading)
  • 'Olympics' tie pin:  All the ends of the earth will behold/have seen salvation... (day 1st reading, psalm); the Lord proclaims the Savior to the ends of the earth (dawn 1st reading); let the earth rejoice (night psalm)
  • 'Musical notes with "joy"' pin:  You have brought them abundant joy (night 1st reading); let the plains and all in them be joyful (night psalm); let the earth rejoice (day psalm); I proclaim good news of great joy (night gospel); your sentinels shout for joy (day 1st reading);
  • 'Hand' tie pin:  The Lord's right hand has won victory (day psalm); the Son took his seat at God's right hand (day 2nd reading)
  • 'Prize' pin:  Here is his reward with him (dawn 1st reading)
  • 'Train' tie bar:  God's grace saved all and trains us to live temperately, justly, and devoutly (night 2nd reading)
  • 'Angel with trumpet,' 'horn' pins:  God's son is superior to the angels; let the angels worship him (day 2nd reading); angel appeared to shepherds (night gospel); sing to the Lord with trumpets and the sound of the horn... (day psalm); the angels went away from them to heaven (dawn gospel)
  • 'Christmas lights' tie:  Life, the light of the human race, came through the Word (day gospel); a light will shine on us (dawn psalm); the people have seen a great light (night 1st reading); the Lord's glory shone around the shepherds (night gospel)
  • 'Dove' pin:  He saved us through... renewal by the Spirit (dawn 2nd reading)
  • 'Sheep' tie bar:  Shepherds:  "Let us go to Bethlehem..." (dawn gospel); shepherds were keeping watch over their flock (night gospel)
  • 'Mary,' 'heart' pins:  'They found Mary, Joseph, and the infant..."; "Mary kept these things, reflecting on them in her heart" (dawn gospel); gladness dawns for the upright of heart (dawn psalm)
  • 'Happy birthday, Jesus' pin:  Nativity of our Lord!
  • 'No-"L"' button:  Joyeux Noël!
  • 'Tree' pin:  Trees shall exult for the Lord comes (night psalm)
  • 'Abacus' tie pin:  Census (night gospel)
  • White shirt:  Liturgical color of Christmas
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December 24, 2018

Dec. 24 / Christmas Eve

December 24, 2018:  Monday, 4th week, Advent / Christmas Eve

See about 3 dozen connections with today?
Legend below
Listen
For AM gospel
Read


  • 2 Sm 7:1-5, 8b-12, 14a, 16  Lord to David via Nathan:  “Should you build me a house?  I chose you, have been with you, and will make you famous.  My people will dwell safely.  I'll establish a House for you, raise up your heir, make his Kingdom firm, be father to him.  Your throne shall stand forever.”
  • Ps 89:2-5, 27, 29  "For ever I will sing the goodness of the Lord."  God's covenant with David will stand firm.
  • Lk 1:67-79  Zechariah prophesied:  “Blessed be God who came and freed his people, raising up a Savior from the House of David.  He promised to save, show mercy, remember his covenant, and free us to worship him.  You, John, will prepare the Lord's way, giving people knowledge of salvation by forgiveness.  In God's tender compassion, dawn shall shine on those in darkness and to guide us to the way of peace.”
Evening:  Christmas vigil

  • Is 62:1-5  Nations shall behold your vindication and kings your glory.  You'll be a crown in the Lord's hand.  People will no longer call you “Forsaken” but rather “My Delight”; God will marry you and rejoice in you.
  • Ps 89:4-5, 16-17, 27, 29  "For ever I will sing the goodness of the Lord."  I'll maintain my covenant, my kindness, and your throne forever.  Blessed those who walk in your light; they rejoice and are exalted.
  • Acts 13:16-17, 22-25  Paul:  “God chose our ancestors, led them out of Egypt, raised up David as king, and from his descendants brought a savior, Jesus.  John heralded his coming:  ‘One is coming after me; I'm not worthy to unfasten his sandals.’”
  • Mt 1:1-25  Genealogy of Jesus, son of David, son of Abraham:  14 generations from Abraham to David, 14 from David to the Babylonian exile, 14 from the exile to Christ.  Before Mary and Joseph lived together, Mary was found with child.  Joseph was about to divorce her, but angel appeared:  “Take Mary into your home; the child was conceived through the Spirit.  Name the child Jesus; he'll save his people.”  This fulfilled the prophecy, “The virgin shall bear a son, and they shall name him Emmanuel, God-is-with-us.”  Joseph did as the angel commanded.
Reflect
  • Creighton:  Today’s readings take us to our forebears struggling to see God's promises take form.  We share with them their struggle to maintain faith and hope when fulfillment of God’s promises seems far off.  King David's comparison between his house and the Lord's disrupted his comfort.  God told him that God alone would bring about a great change, the way God wanted and in his time, through David's offspring.  God requires patience from us all.  After Zechariah's skeptical response to Gabriel earned him silence, he waited for months for his wife to bear a son in their old age.  During that time, Zechariah connected the dots:  he knew God was working but didn't know how his promises would be fulfilled.  Years would pass before his son starts to prepare the way for the Messiah, but he trusted God, finding faith and hope that God would fulfill his promises. We know God has fulfilled his promises through the revelation of his Son, but the fullness of his reign, including peace, requires us to wait, be patient, hope, and trust in God's goodness and mercy....
  • One Bread, One Body:  "Make it snappy":  Zechariah couldn't speak for months, but when he repented, obeyed God, he "snapped out of it," and was filled with the Spirit."  The Church is full of Zechariahs:  good but in some ways spiritually deaf, mute, blind, or paralyzed; . something is holding them back from full life in the Spirit.  Today the Lord is giving the grace to "snap out of it."  People are waking spiritually, facing reality, repenting, and giving their lives to him.  Hearts are being opened to love Jesus, tongues loosed to witness. The Lord is freeing us to serve him devoutly and fearlessly."
  • Passionist:  In the New Testament Jesus is described as compassionate about 15 times!  The word used in the gospel, one of the most emotional in Scripture, σπλάγχνον ("tender mercy"), comes from one’s innermost organs like intestines, heart, lungs, liver....  Our Father feels very deeply about each of us!  In the incarnation of his Son God is humanly capable of being moved by our infirmities.  Ponder God's love for us in taking on our flesh. God can feel our hurt in a human heart, experience our rejection, pain,.and weakness, our sorrowful condition.  In this Baby see the miracle of God’s compassion, the closeness he shares with us. Society can't shut out the light and joy caused by the coming of God’s Son!
  • DailyScripture.net:  "Nothing is impossible with God":  When the Lord comes to redeem us, he fills us with his Spirit, the source of our joy and hope.  John the Baptist was born shortly before Mary delivered her son, Jesus. When John was circumcised, his father was "filled with the Spirit" and joy.  Inspired by the Spirit, he prophesied and sang a hymn for God's redemptive work.  He foresaw that David's dynasty would endure through the coming of the Messiah.  This King would establish peace and security.  The peace the Messiah restores our broken relationship with God.  The Spirit gave Zechariah a vision for his son as prophet and forerunner to prepare the way for the Messiah.  The Spirit wants to give us vision, joy, and confidence in the knowledge of God's mercy, protection, and care.  We too are called to prepare the way that leads to Christ.  Life is a journey; we either move towards the Lord or away.  The Lord comes to visit us each day with his Word and Spirit.  Those who hunger for the Lord won't be disappointed.  In sending the Messiah, God visited his people to redeem them.  Jesus was sent into the world to redeem sinners.  At Christmas we celebrate God's gift of sending his Son to redeem us.  May the Spirit inspire us and fill us with joy and boldness to proclaim the message of the Lord's visitation and redemption.
Dress legend
  • 'Phone' tie bar:  You'll be 'called' by a new name,... (vigil 1st reading)
  • 'Car with mouth' pin:  ...pronounced by the mouth of the Lord (vigil 1st reading); "my mouth shall proclaim Your faithfulness" (psalm)
  • 'Wood block' tie pin:  David:  "Here I am living in a house of cedar, while the ark of God dwells in a tent!" (1st reading)
  • 'Sheep' tie bar:  "I took you from the pasture and care of the flock" (1st reading)
  • 'Boundless mercy' button:  He promised to show mercy to our fathers (gospel)
  • 'Helm' tie pin:  You'll prepare the Lord's way (gospel)
  • 'Feet' pin:  The dawn shall break upon us to guide our feet into the way of peace" (gospel); I'm unworthy to unfasten the sandals of his feet (vigil 2nd reading)
  • 'Fire' pin:  I won't be quiet till her victory shines like a torch (vigil 1st reading)
  • 'Musical notes with "joy"' pin:  Your God shall rejoice in you (vigil 1st reading); blessed those who know the joyful shout (vigil psalm)
  • 'Bear' tie bar:  "Mary will 'bear' a son" (vigil gospel)
  • 'Crown' tie bar:  I'll raise up your heir and make his Kingdom firm (1st reading); God raised up David as king (vigil 2nd reading); kings in Jesus' genealogy (vigil gospel); you'll be a glorious crown... (vigil 1st reading)
  • 'Hand' tie pin:  ...in the Lord's hand (vigil 1st reading); he'll free us from our enemies' hand (gospel); Paul motioned with his hand (vigil 2nd reading)
  • 'Heart' clip:  I have found David a man after my own heart (vigil 2nd reading)
  • 'Castle' pin:  House of David (1st reading); Joseph taking Mary into his home (gospel)
  • 'Angel' pin:  Angel appeared to Joseph in a dream (vigil gospel)
  • 'Dove' pin:  Zechariah, filled with the Spirit, prophesied (gospel); Mary was found with child through the Spirit (vigil gospel)
  • 'Abacus' tie pin:  14 × 3 generations (gospel)
  • 'Rock' tie pin:  "My God, the rock" (psalm)
  • 'Mary' pin:  Mary in genealogy and birth story (vigil gospel)
  • 'Peace sign' tie bar:  the dawn shall guide us to the way of peace (gospel); Jesus, Prince of Peace
  • 'Christmas lights' tie:  Jesus, Light of the World
  • 'Cross with purple robes' pin:  Last day of Advent
  • 'Christmas trees' suspenders, button (legend):  Christmas!
  • Sandals (not shown):  John the Baptist:  ‘I'm not worthy to unfasten the sandals of the one coming after me.’ (vigil 2nd reading)
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