Reading 1 Is 9:1-6

The people who walked in darkness
have seen a great light;
upon those who dwelt in the land of gloom
a light has shone.
You have brought them abundant joy
and great rejoicing,
as they rejoice before you as at the harvest,
as people make merry when dividing spoils.
For the yoke that burdened them,
the pole on their shoulder,
and the rod of their taskmaster
you have smashed, as on the day of Midian.
For every boot that tramped in battle,
every cloak rolled in blood,
will be burned as fuel for flames.
For a child is born to us, a son is given us;
upon his shoulder dominion rests.
They name him Wonder-Counselor, God-Hero,
Father-Forever, Prince of Peace.
His dominion is vast
and forever peaceful,
from David’s throne, and over his kingdom,
which he confirms and sustains
by judgment and justice,
both now and forever.
The zeal of the LORD of hosts will do this!

Gospel Lk 2:1-14

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In an effort to keep the Daily Open Thread a little more open topic we are going to start a new daily thread for “2016 Presidential Politics”. Please use this thread to post anything relating to the Trump/Pence presidential victory.

Transition Website HERE

This thread will refresh daily and appear above the Open Discussion Thread.

Merry Christmas

Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy Name. Thy kingdom come. THY WILL BE DONE, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation, but DELIVER US FROM EVIL.
For Thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory, forever and ever. Amen †

This might mean Hope Hicks takes over formally as White House Director of Communications….
Palm Beach, Florida (CNN) – Jason Miller, President-elect Donald Trump’s spokesman, has decided he will not take the job of White House communications director he was tapped for just two days earlier.
Citing family reasons, Miller announced he will not continue on to the White House and will hand off his responsibilities as communications director to Sean Spicer, the Republican National Committee communications director who was announced this week as the incoming White House press secretary.
“After spending this past week with my family, the most amount of time I have been able to spend with them since March 2015, it is clear they need to be my top priority right now and this is not the right time to start a new job as demanding as White House Communications Director,” Miller said in a statement he provided to CNN, adding that he is also expecting the birth of his second daughter next month. (more…)

This tweet from President-elect Donald Trump directly implies his willingness to lean into the problem:

And President-Elect Donald Trump is not alone carrying optimism: (more…)

Luke 2-8 And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. 9-And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid.
10 And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. 11-For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord. 12-And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger. 13-And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying,
Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.

After a shameful political move against Israel at the U.N. yesterday, the scope of this hypocrisy is stunning:

(link)

The feedback people are sending to Secretary of State Kerry’s tweet are exactly what you would think it would be.  Unreal, he would send this out.

Thank you to those who serve our nation and are unable to be home with family this Christmas. We appreciate you, we are thankful for you, and we send our prayers to you and your families who we recognize also sacrifice on our behalf.

We also remember those who have given the fullest measure of devotion, and those families who cope with the void in all holiday’s to come. (more…)

Joe Dan Gorman produces another edition of Intellectual Froglegs, “Christmas Edition”.
Merry Christmas.  Anyone who utilizes the word “idnit” is a brother in arms.

Time for your favorites folks. We’ll bump the thread later this week, so if you want to start with snacks, appetizers, and treats that’s fine and you can come back later and add your best ham recipe or Aunt Polly’s green beans. Whatever works for you.
Has your menu changed throughout the years, or is it the same favorites your family has always loved? We kind of have it both ways in our family. We used to have a huge breakfast after Midnight Mass (with gravy nyet, made from bacon grease ZM) but we’ve had to bump the breakfast up to morning hours thanks to the three little ones who really make our Christmas special now.  (more…)