tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6958766762972922702.post2240777701159288761..comments2019-11-02T07:00:30.939-05:00Comments on Pro Caritate Veritatis: Waiting to Celebrate ChristmasCaseyThttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16323015436136011866noreply@blogger.comBlogger1125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6958766762972922702.post-38253170116344308162010-12-03T21:44:12.890-06:002010-12-03T21:44:12.890-06:00My family is Carpatho-Rusyn (a region in Slovakia)...My family is Carpatho-Rusyn (a region in Slovakia) by heritage. Though we don't do it in the Midwest due to weather, it is a beautiful custom at Christmas Eve dinner to leave the door open and an empty seat at the dinner table for the Christ-child who is coming that night.<br /><br />One Eastern European custom we DO observe is the serving of a traditional, ethnic meal on Christmas Eve. This meal opens with the serving of oplatky dipped in honey. Imagine a thin, postcard-sized communion wafer with a nativity scene stamped into it. That is the only thing on your plate when you sit down for the Christmas Eve meal. You break the oplatky and pass a piece to your neighbor. Some families share an apology with their loved one for a way they've wronged them as they share this symbolic food.<br /><br />So, I guess my suggestion to add to Casey's would be this: research your heritage. There might be beautiful, meaningful things your ancestors did that could add to your Advent/Christmas traditions. <br /><br />On another note regarding music, I'm running an upcoming holiday party for the Over 60's group at the parish where Casey and I work. It happens to fall on Dec. 8th. We wanted to have a sing-a-long and have come to a great solution that is liturgically appropriate. We're singing a few Advent & Marian hymns (People, Look East & Immaculate Mary) as well as secular Christmas songs, but not hymns. We're singing things like Silver Bells, White Christmas, Jingle Bells that talk of wonderful holiday things without acknowledging that Christ has been born (since He hasn't yet). Everyone is excited for the sing-a-long and we're in line with the Church. Hurray!<br /><br />Have blessed Lenten and Christmas seasons- however you choose to celebrate them!Kant Thinkhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02361889435356515176noreply@blogger.com