A celestial Christmas miracle will unfold on December 21, one that mankind has not seen in nearly 800 years.
On the night of the winter solstice, Jupiter and Saturn will so closely align in the sky, manifesting a radiant beacon referred to as the “Star of Bethlehem” or the “Christmas Star.”
This heavenly sight was last observed before dawn on March 4, 1226.
Astronomer Patrick Hartigan says that planetary alignments usually happen once every 20 years or so. But the upcoming Great Conjunction is exceptionally rare because of how close the planets seem to be to one another.
Saturn will be ten au (astronomical units) from Earth, and Jupiter will be five au away, but they will appear to be less than the diameter of a full moon apart. A clear southwest horizon about 45 minutes after sunset on December 21 offers a good view of the event.
The “Christmas Star” will still be visible from anywhere on Earth for about one hour after sunset in the northern hemisphere for the entire fourth week of December. With a telescope, one can see the largest moons of Jupiter and Saturn orbiting the planets that week.
The next Great Conjunction is on March 15, 2080.
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Look up, people. Witness the Star of Bethlehem that astronomers of old beheld in 3/2 BC and what Biblical prophets and Gospel writer Matthew might have spoken of and written about.
The brilliant holiday spectacle may tell a lot about the Christmas scene in Bethlehem – the cave and the animals, Mary and Joseph and baby Jesus in a manger, the Three Magi and the shepherds, the angel and the star .
Stare up, people! Seek the message of Faith, Hope and Love that is etched in the Heavens for eternity.
Perpetuate the message of Faith, Hope and Love found in every human heart for a lifetime.
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The parol (Christmas Star lantern) is a traditional Christmas fixture in Filipino residences, and Tenny’s parol used to adorn and light the entrance to the Soriano home.
For many Yuletide seasons, Tenny’s parol was a gleaming one-of-a-kind unique delight in the neighbourhood.
It served as the beacon that led family and friends to an abode of joy and laughter, good food and festive music, friendship and camaraderie, and all things Santa nice.
Sadly, Tenny had gone Home.
But where is Tenny’s parol? It is in the heart of all who have profound and unforgettable Christmas memories.
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One other star that drew Tenny, family and friends together in fun, food and music is The Beatles. The British band, Tenny’s iconic favourite, actually has a star next to Elvis Presley’s at the Hollywood Walk of Fame.
Nights never seemed to end when the barkada sang the melodies of The Fabulous Four: Paul McCartney, John Lennon, George Harrison and Ringo Starr.
When the universe of beautiful and harmonious sound marked the second score of John Lennon’s death anniversary on December 8, I imagined Tenny sharing the heavenly stage and golden microphone with John: “Imagine all the people living life in peace … sharing all the world.”
I could picture Tenny and John blending in with the choir of angels in a Yuletide greeting: “A very merry Christmas and a happy New Year. Let’s hope it’s a good one without any fear.”
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It was so nice and reverent of Notre Dame University co-alumnus “Atorni” Pons Villegas to have reminded all and sundry of the Feast of the Immaculate Conception on December 8.
He proudly professed the holy stature of Mama Mary as the Principal Patroness of the Philippines, as declared by Pope Pius XII in 1942.
“Viva Mama Mary! May She continue to pray and intercede for us!” Pons asserted.
The assertion rings a bell for all boatmen, fishermen and sea voyagers who know the importance and the relevance of stars; and how glittering sky dots steer them safely through the open sea until they reach port.
In times of trouble, believing seafarers seek the protection and intercession of Mother Mary, who holds the ancient title of Stella Maris or Star of the Sea.
According to Wikipedia, ninth century theologian Paschasius Radbertus allegorically explained that the Stella Maris is to be followed on the way to Christ, “lest we capsize amid the storm-tossed waves of the sea.”
Other web-based sources tell of this advice from Saint Bernard of Clairvaux: “If the winds of temptation arise; if you are driven upon the rocks of tribulation look to the star, call on Mary. If you are tossed upon the waves of pride, of ambition, of envy, of rivalry, look to the star, call on Mary. Should anger, or avarice, or fleshly desire violently assail the frail vessel of your soul, look to the star, call on Mary.”
But more than looking up to Stella Maris, let us praise Mama Mary for Her stellar humility in the Nativity.
Overflowing with meekness, Mother Mary allowed the bright beam of the Star of Bethlehem to shine above her and light up the cave where she gave birth to the Messiah.
Enveloped with modesty, Mother Mary let the gleaming rays of the Christmas Star to illuminate her zone as she wrapped baby Jesus in swaddling clothes and gently laid the Saviour in a manger for all to behold and adore. #####
Happy Ducks Don’t Tweet
It’s Thanksgiving! Lame duck pardons turkeys with a clarion call: Be kind to animals!
It’s Christmas! Here’s hoping that the names and memories that lame duck and fiends mocked will be as kind.
I’m also praying that the surging number of lives that lame duck and puppets messed up will be as pardoning.
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Officials of the justice agency down south seem to be at ease in putting death row inmates to eternal rest before and until after the holidays. For them, “not now” is no flip for “it’s time.”
Two received the lethal injection on December 10 and 11. Three more are set to humanely go in the new year.
Wait. What?! Didn’t lame duck just recently grant ally-convicts full pardons?
Lame duck is also said to be mulling over pre-emptive pardon — in case of future hot water dips — for its self, its raft and its cabal of lapdogs caught in the sinister web of lie, deny and defy.
Benevolence goes to those who repent and have served time. I plead that history, always so harsh on sore losers and facile bootlickers, will be as kind and forgiving.
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TIME Magazine named Joe Biden and Kamala Harris, president-elect and vice president-elect of the US of A, its 2020 Person of the Year.
Among those that the internationally read magazine also cited were Zoom CEO Eric Yuan as Businessperson of the Year; racial justice activists Assa Traoré and Porche Bennett-Bey and pandemic frontliner Dr. Anthony Fauci, Guardians of the Year; professional basketball star LeBron James, Athlete of the Year; and Korean pop group BTS, Entertainer of the Year.
In pandemic-impacted 2020, the headline-hogging lame duck was lost in time.
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Global positive life-changing legacies of nominees defined TIME’s Person of the Year since 1927.
However, in 1938, TIME editors carried bad boy Nazi as (Worse) Man of the Year.
Not one of lame duck’s beloved strongmen pals from the East has dipped into bunker boy’s fantasies.
By the way, Digong slept out his membership in the coterie.
Respect, please. Stop laughing and shouting “Loser!” out loud.
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Unsigned, bereft of a vote count and lacking of public dissents — this was how the order from the bench looked, after America’s highest court quickly blocked and threw out a desperate bid from the cult to sue Georgia, Michigan, Pennsylvania and Wisconsin, and void millions of votes in those four states where lame duck lost.
The December 11 order states: “The State of Texas’s motion for leave to file a bill of complaint is denied for lack of standing under Article III of the Constitution. Texas has not demonstrated a judicially cognizable interest in the manner in which another State conducts its elections. All other pending motions are dismissed as moot.”
That was the second spanking the whiners got from SCOTUS.
In lower courts, more than 30 attempts to undermine poll results without evidence were quashed.
With that aggression and persistence, does lame duck really want to have a day in court, despite grapevine whispers that the campaign and legal teams have thrown in the towel?
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Pateros resident Mang Sol is all in for happy healthy ducks.
“Just let them enjoy being ducks.” Mang Sol points to hundreds of webbed feet waddling around and to pointed heads bobbing up and down the water in a nearby pond.
Happy ducks will gladly lay eggs, meaning a lot of balut and itlog maalat and a thriving livelihood.
Ducks are great security guards too. In chorus, they quack loudly when they sense an alien.
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I love ducks too. And I have four major reasons to do so.
Reason #1: Ducks do not tweet. Sesame Street’s Big Bird never tweets too, but speaks to people.
Reason #2: Ducks do have fun and frolic with geese, most of which have flown south.
Reason #3: The Mighty Ducks is a real sporty entertaining feel-good silver screener.
Reason #4: Four ducks grace the cheerful carol “12 Days of Christmas.”
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Mang Solomon insists that there are no sad ducks. He says that if Disney does not even think about it, then all ducks are meant to be happy.
Excuse me, the cook interjects: “What about the Peking duck?”
Perhaps, it is time for Mr. Dictionary, Ms. Thesaurus etal to stop referencing ineffectual or unsuccessful persons or things as lame ducks. Do I hear a big and loud quack?
A moment, please! What about white elephants? #####
Soon It’ll Be Christmas Day
The radio was playing Christmas carols.
Out of the blue, my 87-year old mom sang along: “City sidewalks, busy sidewalks dressed in holiday style. In the air, there’s a feeling of Christmas. Children laughing, people passing, meeting smile after smile. And on every street corner you’ll hear: Silver bells, silver bells …”
Mom was battling with advanced memory loss. I was in awe to see Mom recall lyrics and sing. Minutes earlier, she called me Chitong, my late father’s nickname, after asking who I was.
The radio played on. I joined in. “… Soon it will be Christmas day.”
At song end, mom smiled. Tears of joy rolled down my cheeks. Mom is well.
Eighteen days after Christmas 2019, my mom Isabel peacefully passed on.
Yes, Mommy, soon it will be Christmas Day. The family will miss you.
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Journalist-colleague and kumpare Rommel Rebollido shares: At the police station, I calmly asked the driver if he is a family man. “May 2 ko na anak, sir, 3yo ug 1yr.” (I have two children aged three years and one year old.)
I can imagine (my son) Gio maghilak kon wa koy dalang (will cry if I don’t bring home) food.
Pasko raba ron, tunaw akong kasingkasing (It’s Christmas, my heart melted).
The car sustained damage. I gained a new friend.
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Rommel’s year-round message: “Negotiate with kindness and forgiveness instead of anger and hate.”
After all, Christmas is neither a one-day thing on December 25 nor is it defined by 12 days a partridge started.
Christmas is a 24/7 unconditional show of joy, respect and love in all of 365 days of forever and beyond.
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Over any pandemic and all other statistics, the numbers of lives that may be saved do matter!
This Christmas, respecting the meaning and value of life may be the greatest present – and brightest future — we can give each other. #####