I receive comfort through scriptures that bring me back from approaching the brink of my endurance.

I should be able to handle life at this point, but fail daily.

Peace be to you, my kindred traveler on this road. 🕯 💙

So some of the biblical scriptures are new and amazing sometimes.

I know, some days I think I am at the brink of my endurance.
Not sure anyone is handing these severe crises well at this point.
Someone who can send out such a lovely message is not failing.

Pax Vobiscum (Latin)
Peace be with you.

Auntie would always have Christmas Eve 'Vilija' [Vigil Supper]. Orthodox and Catholic together. Her mom provided the oplatki/host that we would break and pass to one another. A meatless supper. Observed by both Orthodox and Catholic on Christmas Eve.

I just reminisced. You were the catalyst. 💖

I attended a Catholic high school. Had Latin as a language. I way loved it!! Excelled in it. Heh. My parents were pleased and amazed.

We still do that tradition. As much in memory of family departed as any other reason.

It is a wonderful act of togetherness.

Latin is a hard language, that is cool you were so good at it.

Interesting about the vigil supper. I had not heard of that. In our Irish Catholic family Christmas dinner was a big meal with all the trimmings.

Advent was also to be a time of denial re abstaining, etc.
It was not advocated as much as in Lent.

Christmas Eve was a sacred evening.
But our Irish Catholic family did not fast on Christmas Eve, we went to Mass on Christmas Day.

and Santa (parents) then prepared the gifts under the tree. Thus no midnight Mass at that age.
Later, when college age and young adult went to Midnight Mass.
Now, way too tired to contemplate going out at that hour.

The Orthodox continue 40 days of Nativity Fast with Christmas Eve a strict fast. Eastern European Orthodox usually prepare 12 dishes representing the 12 Apostles. And decorate under the table with straw to replicate rhe manger. Other traditions include small dishes of garlic cloves and honey: bitter and sweet. When my Baba had Christmas Eve Vigil Supper, when we were done, she'd announce for us kiddos to hurry to the frontroom/parlor. Whoever got there first was going to be fast in the New Year. Of course she was never sure, so we all were honored as being the fastest in the coming year!

I have recently reconnected on Facebook with an acquaintance from employment; she was a convert to the Orthodox church nearly 40 years ago and appears to be very close to fellow members. I am sure this is a great consolation to her as we and she age. She frequently posts thoughts and prayers from Orthodoxy on her FB page, so I relate her thoughts with yours, Sprinkle - all good.