The Bishop and the Butterfly: Murder, Politics, and the End of the Jazz Age
    oleeb's picture

    A Christmas Message

    By oleeb on Fri, 12/25/2009 - 3:21am |

    During his lifetime I heard my father give this blessing countless times.  I share it this Christmas with all who are open to it and the spirit in which it is given. 

    Gloria In Excelcis Deo!

     

    Go out into the world in peace;

    have strength;

    hold on to that which is good;

    return no one evil for evil;

    strengthen the fainthearted;

    support the weak;

    help the suffering;

    honor all human beings;

    love and serve the Lord your God,

    rejoicing in the power of the Holy Spirit.

    Amen

     

    Comments

    Nice.

    =D


    by Bwakfat (not verified) on Fri, 12/25/2009 - 3:43am

    O oleeb, can we mortals accomplish these things?

    I wonder from whom your Father received these words. Perhaps his father, perhaps a teacher, or even a preacher.

    What a wonderful list of graces. Wonderful.

    I wonder if your Father knew you would take these things to heart.

    Merry Christmas.


    by dickday (not verified) on Fri, 12/25/2009 - 4:40am

    The way I see it DD, we must at least try to accomplish these things. I don't know if he knew how I would take them, but this blessing is frequently on my mind.

    Merry Christmas to you too!


    by oleeb (not verified) on Fri, 12/25/2009 - 5:13am

    Merry Christmas, oleeb...thank you for sharing the beautiful prayer!


    by stillidealistic (not verified) on Fri, 12/25/2009 - 5:50am

    Amen!


    by Watt Childress (not verified) on Fri, 12/25/2009 - 6:10am

    I have read and have responded


    by Resistance (not verified) on Fri, 12/25/2009 - 10:11am

    Would that all of our papas had shared this fine prayer with us; thanks, Oleeb.
    Good Christmas to you and yours.


    by wendy davis (not verified) on Fri, 12/25/2009 - 11:58am

    Lovely.

    Merry Christmas!

    May we all aspire to live and be the best of who we are.


    by synchronicity (not verified) on Fri, 12/25/2009 - 2:06pm

    Thank you for sharing that. Merry Christmas to all and here's hoping for a better 2010.


    by The Commenter F... (not verified) on Fri, 12/25/2009 - 2:25pm

    Amen!

    A blessed Christmas to all!

    A wonderful 'gift' oleeb, I am printing it out and placing it near to my desk so that everyday I can read and remind myself to embrace this and attempt to live it.

    And of course, I will send it on to many.

    Greatly appreciate.


    by Aunt Sam (not verified) on Fri, 12/25/2009 - 2:58pm

    Nice, and Merry Christmas, Oleeb!!


    by Overreach THIS! (not verified) on Fri, 12/25/2009 - 4:16pm

    Thank you, mystic Eye of Horus!


    by ttarleton (not verified) on Fri, 12/25/2009 - 4:41pm

    ps - your blessing reminds me of this by Walt Whitman:
    "This is what you shall do: love the earth and sun, and animals, despise riches, give alms to every one that asks, stand up for the stupid and crazy, devote your income and labor to others, hate tyrants, argue not concerning God . . ."


    by ttarleton (not verified) on Fri, 12/25/2009 - 4:48pm

    Merry Christmas, Oleeb, to you and yours.


    by LisB (not verified) on Sat, 12/26/2009 - 3:24am