vox

Advent Reflection – Dec. 1

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​Each of us has to decide on what or whom we will build our spiritual security.

-From the Reflection portion of Daily Reflections for Advent & Christmas: Waiting in Joyful Hope 2016-17 by Bishop Robert F. Morneau

While we’re in anticipation of the birth of Christ, it is a good time to evaluate or re-evaluate our own spiritual security and/or foundation.

Today is World AIDS Day, and while things are much better than they once were, there is still a long way to go as we strive to help those afflicted and find a cure.

Two days ago was Giving Tuesday, a charitable follow up to Black Friday. Before the end of the year, our family will contribute to:

ACLU
Planned Parenthood
NAACP
Random Acts, and

my local church parish or St. Vincent de Paul Society.

Three of these have stemmed from the recent election here in the United States. Find where you want to support with your money, time, and talents and discuss your reasons with your children. Let them make their own suggestions for charitable contributions.

I’m pretty clear on my spiritual foundation and when I have concerns or a lack of faith, I find a way to think more about it and get through that period.

I’m enjoying praying and meditating privately on a daily basis.

I’d like to share this article that I read this morning on Vox: 

Advent, explained

We’re Fools for April

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There is no way to pinpoint precisely when April Fool’s Day began, but it was already a part of life in the mid 1700s. It’s possible that it began in as part of the changeover of the calendar year. With the year ending on March 25th, there was a period of spring gift giving that culminated on April 1st. it might also be in response to the change by keeping a ritual on the first day of April.

It is also suggesting that it may have evolved from the Hindu Feast of the Fools or the Roman holiday of Hilaria.

Read more on the prank filled day’s history from Vox [dot] com’s piece from this morning.

Here are a few others that I saw today that are worth visiting:

Berkeley Breathed revises Bill Watterson’s Calvin & Hobbes.

Netflix and John Stamos present John Stamos: A Human. Being.

Kings College Choir finds a way to keep high male voices.

New Han Solo movie will feature a computer generated Han Solo.

Canada releases archival documents regarding Wolverine

Friends with Government Benefits starring George Takei and Cloris Leachman

From 2013, the Mishapocolypse. I participated in this and it was surreal. This gives the best description that I was able to find.

We also convinced my son to apply for a job as a kiosk ambassador for Redbox, and my daughter that her beautiful brown eyes were now blue. (It was 7am so she was a little susceptible to suggestion.)

Enjoy the rest of your April Fool’s, and the irony of the following graphic:

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Taken from George Takei's Facebook page, 4/1/16