#may god bless the philippines

[catie-does-things]

Litany of American Saints

(Updated 2024)

In the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, Amen.

Lord, have mercy on us. Christ, have mercy on us. Lord, have mercy on us. Christ, hear us.

God, the Father of heaven, have mercy on us. God the Son, Redeemer of the world, have mercy on us. God the Holy Spirit, have mercy on us. Holy Trinity, one God, have mercy on us.

Our Lady of Guadalupe, pray for us.

Saint Isaac Jogues, pray for us. Saint René Goupil, pray for us. Saint Jean de Lalande, pray for us. All you holy North American Martyrs, pray for us.

Saint Frances Xavier Cabrini, pray for us. Saint Elizabeth Ann Seton, pray for us. Saint John Neumann, pray for us. Saint Rose Philippine Duchesne, pray for us. Saint Katharine Drexel, pray for us. Saint Mother Théodore Guérin, pray for us. Saint Damien de Veuster of Molokai, pray for us. Saint Marianne Cope of Molokai, pray for us. Saint Kateri Tekakwitha, pray for us. Saint Junípero Serra, pray for us.

Blessed Eduardo Farre, pray for us. Blessed Carlos Manuel Rodriguez, pray for us. Blessed Diego Luis de San Vitores, pray for us. Blessed Francis Xavier Seelos, pray for us. Blessed Lucas Tristany, pray for us. Blessed Carlos Manuel Rodriguez Santiago, pray for us. Blessed Michael McGivney, pray for us. Blessed Sister Miriam Teresa, pray for us. Blessed Stanley Rother, pray for us. Blessed Solanus Casey, pray for us. Blessed Leo William Miller, pray for us.

Venerable Antonio of Jesus, pray for us. Venerable Nelson Baker, pray for us. Venerable Frederic Baraga, pray for us. Venerable Cornelia Connelly, pray for us. Venerable Henriette DeLille, pray for us. Venerable Teresa Demjanovich, pray for us. Venerable Maria Kaupas, pray for us. Venerable Mary Theresa Dudzik, pray for us. Venerable Samuel Charles Mazzuchelli, pray for us. Venerable Mary Angeline Teresa McCrory, pray for us. Venerable Fulton J. Sheen, pray for us. Venerable Pierre Toussaint, pray for us. Venerable Félix Varela, pray for us. Venerable Augustus Tolton, pray for us. Venerable Rafael Cordero Molina, pray for us. Venerable Aloysius Schwarz, pray for us. Venerable Alphonse Gallegos, pray for us. Venerable Patrick Peyton, pray for us. Venerable Norbert McAuliffe, pray for us. Venerable Eusebio Kino, pray for us. Venerable Mary Elizabeth Lange, pray for us. Venerable Rose Hawthorne, pray for us.

Lord, be merciful. Lord, save your people. From all evil, Lord, save your people. From all sin, Lord, save your people. From your wrath, Lord, save your people. From injustice, Lord, save your people. From oppression, Lord, save your people. From hatred and intolerance, Lord, save your people. From anger and ill-will, Lord, save your people. From violence and bloodshed, Lord, save your people. From indifference to suffering, Lord, save your people.  From all the snares of the devil, Lord, save your people. By the mystery of your holy Incarnation, Lord, save your people. By your Coming, Lord, save your people. By your Birth, Lord, save your people. By your Baptism and holy fasting, Lord, save your people. By your Cross and Passion, Lord, save your people. By your Death and Burial, Lord save your people. By your holy Resurrection, Lord, save your people. By your wonderful Ascension, Lord, save your people. By the coming of the Holy Spirit, Lord, save your people. On the day of judgment, Lord, save your people.

Be merciful to us sinners, Lord, hear our prayer. That you will spare us, Lord, hear our prayer. That you will pardon us, Lord, hear our prayer. That it may please you to bring us to true penance, Lord, hear our prayer. Guide and protect your Holy Church, Lord, hear our prayer. Preserve in holiness the Pope and all the clergy, Lord, hear our prayer. Humble the enemies of the Church, Lord, hear our prayer. Give peace and unity to the whole Christian people, Lord, hear our prayer. Guide all those who serve us in civil government, Lord, hear our prayer. Protect all those who serve in our armed forces, Lord, hear our prayer. Grant eternal rest to all those who have died in defense of liberty, Lord, hear our prayer. Give courage to those who stand for justice, Lord, hear our prayer. Strengthen and preserve us in your holy service, Lord, hear our prayer. Deliver our souls from eternal damnation, Lord, hear our prayer. Grant eternal rest to all the faithful departed, Lord, hear our prayer. That it may please you to hear and heed us, Jesus, Son of the Living God, Lord, hear our prayer.

Lamb of God, who takes away the sins of the world, spare us, O Lord! Lamb of God, who takes away the sins of the world, graciously hear us, O Lord! Lamb of God, who takes away the sins of the world, have mercy on us.

Christ, hear us. Lord Jesus, hear our prayer. Lord, have mercy on us. Christ, have mercy on us. Lord, have mercy on us.

In the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, Amen. 

[ashleymasenado]

Do you like, books?

Do you like, Disney?

Do you like, fanfiction?

I'm looking at you, @gemwing1988, and you @sunny1927, and all other Disney fans who don't mind reading a little history about the company!

On this merry season, I'm making this post to not only greet all of you a Merry Christmas, but to promote a little story my friend Justin Blystone and I have been making since the beginning of 2024. The first book is almost complete, with plans for a second one already in the works, scheduled for release on either New Year's or January 2025, depending on our schedules.

About the fic in general: Anita the Animata is about a 17-year-old teenage girl who has taken up an internship at Walt Disney Animation Studios. With the help of a little Imagic (Imagination Magic, as dubbed by Justin and myself), she travels through time to learn in deeper detail about the history of the company she's always yearned to work for! If only she could stop thinking about what her teachers have been saying about her wanted future career…

You can read it right here on fanfiction.net, and might be cross-published to ao3 and/or Quotev. We only have a few readers from Thailand, the Philippines, US and Japan (thanks to Justin for the stats), so we'd really appreciate it if you guys could spread the word!

Thanks to you guys in advance, Merry Christmas and may God bless us all! Remember to keep hydrated!

[the-twelve-guardians]

It just started one day. You couldn’t sit still, or suddenly your energy was sapped. You became attuned to the ebb and flow of creation, the push and pull of the Heat Haze Boy and the Monsoon Girl. You became a swellbloom kid.

SWELLBLOOM KIDS is a ttrpg set within the various eras of Philippine history. Here, you play as a superpowered individual blessed by one of the gods of Philippine mythology. Involve yourself in revolutions, political intrigue, clan wars, and magical happenings, from the creation of the world to its eventual end. You'll meet various reimagined figures from folklore and myth, such as Mariang Makiling (here, a goddess of time and tradition) and the personified summer heat Apolaki (here, a deity of sun and war also called El Niño or The Heat Haze Boy).

Swellbloom Kids is a love letter to Philippine culture, the gods in our beliefs, and to being neurodivergent in a world that may not always understand us.

Click here to see the full module. | Click here to support this project.

[rightshewrites]

Prayers for the Philippines

To my friends around the world, I badly need your prayers. A strong typhoon is currently happening in my country, the Philippines. 😔 I am not asking for any donations, just prayers. Communal prayer is one of the strongest prayers ever and I badly need that for my fellow. Thank you so much and may God bless us all! Keep safe, too, wherever you all are. 🥺❤️

PS:

It's truly devastating on my part because I'm currently here in Spain with some of my Spanish relatives and cannot do anything except for prayers and cash donations. 💔

[dramoor]

I want thank ALL of the lovely people for their kind birthday wishes for me today on my 60th birthday.

I am the luckiest man in the world. I have a wonderful partner in life, my beautiful wife Patricia and three lovely daughters; Elle, Miranda and Madeline.

Today, I am reminded of what Dr. M Scott Peck told me over 30 years ago: At 40, you feel like you can conquer the world and there’s a sense that nothing can stop you.

But at 60 you realize the very real fragility of life and temporariness of it all. A humbling knowledge that there is indeed a time limit for all things and that God’s design though perfect, is precious far beyond its brevity.

Today, I am also reminded of the Hindu story that my friend Bill from Lowell Arkansas told me about a man at his funeral. Looking at the man, “Would this man lying here ask for more riches and Gold from the world? Would this man ask to be more famous and well regarded by others? Would he ask to be taller or look more handsome? No. The only thing this man lying here today would ask for was much simpler…more time.”

If you are reading this now, then you too have time! Use it wisely, use it unwisely too! But USE it. Be IN it. Be aware that you are part of ALL of it and that the separateness you sometimes feel is an illusion. Just as your heart beats without being told, you are as integral to the Sun that fires and the planets that circle it as your heart is a part of you.

For the atheists, God loves you too. The mistake you make is to think the universe is a stupid thing that just bumps into things and expands ignorantly and without reason or intelligence. And that somehow we human beings, with our intelligence is just some kind of ‘freak’ universal accident. To you I say this, if there is such a thing as kindness, empathy, compassion and love…it is because you found it in other people.

And as my dear friend Norm Macdonald once said, “We are part of this universe, indeed a mere fraction of it, so if we have kindness and love, how much more the universe itself.” For if we are capable of love, it is because it is endemic to the universe itself.

To quote Alan Watts, “For we didn’t come ‘in’ to the world, we came ‘out’ of it. We are the universe evolving to the point of consciousness, so that the universe, us, can experience existence and life in all it’s wonder and beauty and glorious exuberance.”

Lastly, as I am a new convert to Catholicism, I offer my apology for my lack of Christ’s forgiveness to my fellow man. I was so angry at the people who shut down schools and indeed the world and who coerced others to do things against their will which hurt many people deeply. I offer my unconditional forgiveness and amnesty.

For how can I stay mad at the famous singer who would not let others in to his Broadway show unless they had an experiential jab. I will never forget how kind he was to me and my friends when he was the musical guest on SNL.

How can I continue to hold a grudge against the actor who shamed people like me but has been such a great example for other actors to never give up and keep fighting for their dreams.

How can I still be mad at the lovely actress that said she could no longer be friends with people like me who didn’t ‘get’ it, knowing how incredibly kind she is with every child she meets.

I am humbled by the example of my mother Pilar and how she was able to forgive the WW2 occupiers of her Philippines who killed both her brothers.

At last it is forgiveness itself that is the gift that we give ourselves because it frees us as The Christ intends for all of us to be free. For His gift of ultimate and unlimited forgiveness is indeed the gift for all humanity.

May God bless you and your families now and forever.

With all my ��You can do it” love, Robbie Schneider

(X - twitter post Oct. 31, 2023)

[swellbloom-kids]

CHOSEN BY MAGWAYEN THE LOSTFINDER

Grimly watching as you board her boat, Magwayen represents transition, endings, and closure. Her duty is a solemn one - to ferry the souls of the dead to the endless marshlands of Sulad.

YOUR ABILITIES

Whispers From Beyond: By staying in a quiet place and listening intently, you can listen in on the whispers of dead souls wandering the area. You may make a Poise roll to gain their help in your current mission.

Pesky Pests: You can command insects and other creatures of pestilence to do your bidding. Once a session, you can gather a great swarm of such creatures; the swarm will remain with you for the rest of the scene.

Ferry to Elsewhere: Once a session, you can summon a spectral boat or similar vehicle and use it to cross any body of water, no matter how turbulent. It can also hover in the air for up to (Heart roll x 10) minutes.

Like a Ghost: You can turn yourself intangible for as long as you can hold your breath.

For the Mourning: You gain +1 at helping people recover from disaster or calamity, and once a scene can designate a person in mourning as your ward, granting them +1 on all rolls for the rest of that scene.

+++

Magwayen is the goddess of death and endings in Swellbloom Kids, my ttrpg about superpowered individuals blessed by the gods of Philippine mythology. Despite her appearance, she's not that scary!

Check out Swellbloom Kids here:

[narsdana]

Excited for 2025!

My yearly recap has been overdue for 7 days now! I got busy and had to recover from lack of sleep so I'm only writing this tonight.

I felt like I've been to so many places last year. I went to visit my family in the Philippines, joined mission trips, visited churches, celebrated my sister's birthday in Turkey and other small trips here and there. Thank you, God.

2024 made me more decisive.

I decided to become more honest with my feelings. Learning to say no if it's not healthy for me and ask for help if I need it.

I decided to become more patient. Like, really patient. Wait on the Lord and continue praying about a situation or things or people. I struggled with this because I tend to be hasty and do things my way most of the time but I knew this particular thing that I was praying for is just too precious to rush. They say beautiful things take time and I wanted to be worthy when I receive it. I decided to do it the right way and that is allowing God to do His will in my life. And He answered. I've been experiencing His faithfulness on this. It's still on the process but my hope is in the Lord no matter what the outcome is. Because my vision is narrow but He sees the bigger picture.

I decided to change my not-so-good habits. I've practiced vegetarianism for a few weeks but my body wasn't very happy about it. I guess I did it too suddenly. Now, I would eat vegetables only when I'm at home and eat some meat when I'm out with friends. My sleeping pattern is also getting better because of my new track at work. Trying to sleep early and wake up early for morning prayer and devotional.

2024 made me less confident in myself.

I got into a car accident. It was minor. I didn't obtain any injury but my car was damaged on the left-rear side, I was so heartbroken. I remember asking God so many why's but I could only think of it as a lesson to humble me and make me stop relying on myself, which worked. It crashed my self-confidence.

I got denied for my visa application. I went to the embassy twice to apply. The first time I got rejected should have been my sign already but because I was persistent, I went the second time only to be rejected again. I hated rejection. But I guess it's essential because not all things is meant and good for me. Or maybe NOT yet. This is God saving me from putting myself in a messy place.

Life is not perfect, it's not fair. But I think that's what makes it even more meaningful and it will only get better when you have Jesus in it. Let's stay connected to the One who entrusted us with this beautiful gift. Our relationship with Him should be our outmost priority. Pray hard and pray more.

To more answered prayers this 2025! May God bless your heart and its desires!

[ofpensandpapersblog]

Ending 2024 with gratitude

Picking up from my reflection on 2023, this year was a year of rediscovery.

Since what happened last year opened the already healed and the unresolved traumas I didn’t even know I had, I had to rediscover myself.

It’s funny because when I think I’ve already made progress, there will be something or someone to trigger me and I will crumble again… Back to square one.

“Sometimes, it seems easier to deny my pain than to do the hard work to deal with it and heal what’s really there.” C.S. Lewis said this, and it's a hard pill for me to swallow because I know what needs to be done, but I can’t do it... at least not yet.

Lysa Terkeurst said in her book, “When your heart has been shattered and reshaped into something that doesn’t quite feel normal inside your own chest yet, forgiveness feels a bit unrealistic.” I couldn't agree more. There’s a lot of push-and-pull involved—a lot of self-blame, denying, convincing and proving myself, of just forgetting and letting things be, of forgiving myself and the others. There’s a lot of spiraling down, giving up and staying at the pit, and then climbing up again.

But you see, that’s the beauty of healing. It doesn’t come in an instant; it is a process that only the Lord knows how really. And for it to be guaranteed, it needs our full commitment in order to progress and reconnect with ourselves, to piece together fragments of our identity in a way that feels truer and more whole. And it is something that we cannot do on our own. It is only through the grace of God that it is possible.

I can say, by God’s amazing grace, I’m able to have progress from that of last year. Don’t get me wrong, I still have my moments (like, a lot of it). I still get triggered because I care—so much that it hurts. But I’m taking the necessary steps to protect myself and my peace, for my health and well-being. It may take longer for me to completely heal but I know God is with me. In all the highs and despite the lows, God is faithful. His love never fails.

“But this I call to mind, and therefore I have hope: The steadfast love of the LORD never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.” – Lamentations 3:21-23

Over and above that, I want to cap this year full of gratitude to the Lord for the things I didn’t even realize I will be able to experience.

First, I am grateful to have celebrated with the love of my life our first anniversary as a couple. It may not be much, but it’s something I cherish the most and something that I continue to praise and thank God for. And I look forward to all the memories we will continue to make together in the years to come.

Second, I am grateful to have traveled to Germany even just for work. Never had I imagined I would be able to go to Europe in my life. I remember crying on the 9-hour flight to Doha because I was so scared, and I was overwhelmed by the foreign territory I was about to meet in a few hours. At the same time, I was crying because I could not believe it was happening. I felt surreal. But my God was there to carry me day by day. And He got us covered. We were also blessed during our trip because despite our hectic schedule, we could visit nearby sites, and He brought us people who accompanied us during those little side trips. I’m hopeful for more opportunities like this in the future (minus the work and hectic 😅).

Finally, I am grateful to have turned five years as a public servant and for the opportunity to represent my organization and my country for a month-long JICA training program. This made me appreciate even more being a Filipino, the Philippines, and its progress as a nation in spite of it all (if you know what I mean).

This experience also ticked off many points on my bucket list: it was the first time I went abroad all by myself, the first time I was away from home for a long time, the first time living alone, first time studying abroad or living abroad for a long period.

More importantly, I’m grateful for all the little things—the food on the table, the finances, the strength day-by-day, the good health, the genuine relationships created and maintained—all the blessings God poured into my life so that I may be able to share these blessings with others. God is good! His steadfast love endures forever!" (Psalm 107:1)

And because of that, I’m looking forward to welcoming the new year with renewed hope knowing that God will be with me through it all. #

[jdgo51]

December 17, 2024

Burdens into Joy

Theresa Reves (Rizal, Philippines)

"Is anything too hard for the Lord? I will return to you at the appointed time next year, and Sarah will have a son." - Genesis 18:14 (NIV)

"I am at a point in my life where nothing seems to be working out. I am a college freshman with too many bills to pay, parents who are on the verge of separating, and lots of anxiety about the future. I do not know what lies ahead.

What I do know for sure is that God is a miracle-working God. But there are moments when I find it difficult to see even a tiny glimpse of hope. I find myself wondering, Does God actually care? Can God turn my heart’s burdens into joy?

There are so many reasons for my heart to worry, to be anxious, to be restless. But I find peace knowing that nothing is impossible for God. After all, God was able to give Abraham and Sarah a child despite their old age. Remembering this, I find myself rejoicing in all my battles. The story of Abraham and Sarah is a call to trust the Lord even more in situations that we cannot understand. It is in those situations where God’s name is glorified. We may not be able to see the solutions for our problems, but we can trust that God can. Nothing is impossible for our great God." Absolutely nothing is beyond God's ability to accomplish. Your situation is all good and taken care of as we speak.

Today's Prayer

"Dear Lord, help us to trust your timing and your plans. You are our source of hope." Amen.

Genesis 18:9-14

"'9 They said to him, “Where’s your wife Sarah?” And he said, “Right here in the tent.” 10 Then one of the men said, “I will definitely return to you about this time next year. Then your wife Sarah will have a son!” Sarah was listening at the tent door behind him. 11 Now Abraham and Sarah were both very old. Sarah was no longer menstruating. 12 So Sarah laughed to herself, thinking, I’m no longer able to have children and my husband’s old. 13 The LORD said to Abraham, “Why did Sarah laugh and say, ‘Me give birth? At my age?’ 14 Is anything too difficult for the LORD? When I return to you about this time next year, Sarah will have a son.”' Even Sarah conceived, even though she was way up in years and not physically able to carry a child. (well not until God intervened and made it happen.) This child would be the forerunner to Jesus. Be so blessed in everything. Joe

[riszellira]

Reflection: Trust God with Your Prayer

In the Gospel, Jesus is making it very clear that even though He is born in Bethlehem and is fully human, He does not have a human origin.

It is the start of the traditional Simbang Gabi here in the Philippines. Whenever we begin a novena, we have certain expectations—that if “I stick with this Simbang Gabi, all the way through to the end and don’t miss any, I should expect something from God.” It can be an answered prayer about our health, family, and whatever concerns we may have. Whatever we pray for during the novena, we expect He will answer them.

God answers our prayers in four ways: When what you asked for is not right, God says, “No.” When you are not right, God says, “Grow.” When the timing is not right, God says, “Slow.” And when everything is right, God says, “Go.”

I’m going to zero in on the first one. When what you ask for is not right, God says, “No.” He loves you enough to say “no.” Sometimes the most loving answer a parent can give to their teenager when they ask them if they can go here or there is no. Why? Because the parents can see consequences that the young teenager does not see.

What we don’t realize is that when God says “no” to our prayers, even though we ask for something good, He always has our eternal salvation in mind.

And so, as you begin the Simbang Gabi, and you direct your prayers to God, remember how He answers them: “No,” “Grow,” “Slow,” and “Go.”

Remember, too, the three Ts when you pray:

Talk it over. At each Simbang Gabi, reinforce what you’ve been asking for in prayer. Talk it over with God. Don’t hold anything back.

Turn it over. Why? Because you don’t have any control over what happens next or what the answer to your prayer will be.

And finally, after you have talked it over and turned it over, pray, “I trust You with this prayer, Lord. I trust 

You.”

~Fr. Bob McConaghy

Reflection question

At the start of the Simbang Gabi, what is your most fervent prayer?

Father, give me the grace to trust You completely. And even though I might not understand Your answer to my prayer, I will trust in You. Amen.

Prayer

… for a deep and profound respect for life, especially for the unborn.

… for the strength and healing of the sick.

… for the healing and peace of all families.

Finally, we pray for one another, for those who have asked our prayers and for those who need our prayers the most.

GOD BLESS!

[gracefortheday]

DAILY GRACE

Log # 1 as a Married Woman

December 5, 2024. Entry: 1:58pm, 7th Heaven Coffee Shop, Brgy Holy Spirit Drive, Quezon City.

VERSE OF THE DAY: Juan 11:25-26 ASND

Sinabi ni Jesus sa kanya, "Ako ang bumubuhay sa mga namatay, at ako rin ang nagbbigay ng buhay. Ang sumasampalataya sa akin, kahit mamatay ay muling mabubuhay. Ang sinumang nabubuhay at sumasampalataya sa akin ay hindi mamamatay kailanman. Naniniwala ka ba sa sinabi ko?"

DEVOTIONAL: A BELIEF STRONGER THAN DEATH

The story of Lazarus:

Jesus knew that the raising of Lazarus was merely a foretaste of what was still to come. Martha may have a billion questions and doubts, but she had seen His power and she couldn't deny His Love.

"Yes Lord. I have always believed." John 11:27 NLT

Let us echo Martha's heart and believe that the Lord is exactly who He says He is. Trust God beyond what you can see, Have the faith to follow Him to the end.

PRAYER GUIDE:

God, You are the Lord over everything, both seen and unseen. You alone are the One with power over life and death. Help increase my own faith by Your Holy Spirit. I believe that You can do all things, and that You care for me, Help me live by faith, believing everything about You in Scripture. In Jesus' name, Amen.

HONOR GOD

Lucas 1:35 ASND

Sumagot ang anghel, "sasainyo ang Banal na Espiritu at lililiman ka ng kapangyarihan ng Kataastaasang Dios. Kaya ang banal na sanggol na ipapanganak mo ay tatawaging Anak ng Dios.

Our God does the impossible. Think about the miracle of Jesus' birth, and bless God with whatever words of worship come to mind.

PRAYER:

God, You are truly so Mighty, Powerful, and Astounding in Greatness! Lord, I praise You because of Who You are and what You did to save the world, Your people. You made a way for us to be saved and be welcomed again even when we don't deserve it, You are here for us always. You are wonderfully gracious Lord, I worship You in Jesus' Name and by the power of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

MY CONCERNS:

Lucas 1:33 ASND

Maghahari siya sa mga lahi ni Jacob magpakailanman; ang paghahari niya ay walang katapusan.

We can put our hope in God because His power and majesty will last forever. Tell God what you are hoping for today.

PRAYER:

God, My Loving and Gracious Father, Who gives grace to all and gives provision to the favored and loved. God, Thank you for this wonderful day, the privilege to serve you with my husband in this new chapter of our lives. This is ultimately for Your purposes Lord and nothing else. Let all our decisions today be pleasing to You and let our desires be aligned to Yours. Do not let us stray from Your Wisdom and Your Grace. Lord, We will attend the thursday worship gathering today at JLJM, I pray for travelling grace and Your power to descend over the lives and the hearts of all the people who will hear Your message today in the church and in the livestream. God, I know how much You love Your people and Your power is enough to save, Lord I pray that You'll remember Your people here today. We are longing for Your breakthrough, not for our own desires, but for Your glory to be displayed in us and through us by the Power of the Holy Spirit!. Nothing can be more powerful. Lord I also pray for good health and financial stability for my family in Nueva Ecija, and other parts of the Philippines and the world. Will you be the One to speak to them today, one by one, I know and I believe that the work is finished! Your have overcome the grave, there is not tossing and turning, no struggle, because You have won ultimately!! Im excited to see Your will be done to my family and our daily lives on earth until You come back again and reclaim Your people. Im here Lord and I will serve You. I also pray for the Campus Outreach and Ministry, SAHF/BMPC/HFG Christmas Party for this year, and my Dgroup Downlines (Ariana, Arriane, Rochelle, Kate, Joana, Josette, Janine, Dom, Quinn) In Jesus' Name, Amen.

THANK GOD

Mateo 21:9 ASND

Ang mga tao sa unahan ni Jesus at ang mga nasa hulihan ay sumisigaw, "Purihin ang Anak ni David! Pagpalain ang dumarating sa pangalan ng Panginoon! Purihin ang Dios!"

Jesus will reign as King forever!

Spend a few moments thanking JEsus because we can put out hope in His faithfulness.

PRAYER:

Lord Jesus, thank You for Your faithfulness, You're immutable and You're always so gracious and merciful. Lord Jesus, Thank You for being our Living Hope in times of changing economy, dwindling morality and degenerating world. Lord, You are my Light and my Salvation, I have no other hope in this world but You. If today, you arent faithful, the sun wont even shine. Lord all I need is You. Nothing is impossible in Your presence. So I put my trust in Your Name, Jesus, You are my secure foundation, strong and everlasting. Amazing God! In Your Name, Jesus, I pray and worship, Amen.

What is the Lord teaching you today?

Trust in the Lord always

God will never let anyone suffer or die without His loving and just consent and judgement.

Jesus reigns forever.

Believe and see miracles happen.

DAILY BIBLE READING:

Daniel 1-2/ 1 John 4

SI DANIEL AT ANG KANYANG MGA KAIBIGAN SA BABILONIA

Sinalakay ni Nebuchadnezzar (Babilonia) ang Jerusalem. Binihag si haring Jehoyakim ayon sa kalooban ng Panginoon. Kinuha niya ang mga gamit sa templo at dinala sa Babilonia. Inutos pumili ng kabataan mula sa angkan ng hari at mararangal, gwapo, malusog, matalino, mabilis kumilos, madaling turuan para maging karapatdapat maglingkod sa hari. Tinuruan ang wika at panitikan. Kakain mula sa hapagkainan ng hari. Napili sila Danial, Hanania, Mishael, at Azaria (mula sa Juda). Pinalitan ang kanilang pangalan. Pinasya ni Daniel na hindi siya kakain ng pagkain ng hair o iinom ng kanyang inumin para hindi siya marumihan. Nakiusap siya. Niloob ng Panginoon na kalugdan siya. Kumain sila ng gulay at tubig sa loob ng 10 araw. Naging mas malusog sila kesa sa iba. Binigyan ng Dios ang apat na kabataang ito ng karunugnan at panguanawa, pati na ang kaalaman sa ibat ibang literatura. sa pagpapaliwanag ng kahulugan ng mga pangitain at panaginip. 3 taon ang lumipas, pinili sila maglingkod sa hari. 10x sila mas mahusay kaysa sa kaalaman ng mga salamangkero at engkantador sa buong kaharian niya. Patuloy silang naglingkod hangang sa unang taon ng paghahari ni Cyrus.

ANG PANAGINIP NI NEBUCHADNEZAR

Noong pangalawang taon ng paghahari ni Nebuchadnezzar, nagkaroon siya ng mga panaginip at hindi makatulog. Hiniling ni Daniel na bigyan siya ng pagkakataon na ipaliwanag sa hari ang ibig sabihin ng panaginip. Hiniling niya na manalangin si Hanania, Mishael at Azaria para kaawaan sila ng Dios sa langit at para malaman niya ang kahulugan ng panaginip ng hari at upang hindi sila patayin. Pinahayag niya at pinuri ang Dios sa langit.

"Purihin ang Dios magpakailanman. Siya ay matalino at makapangyarihan. Siya ang nagbabago ng panahon, Siya nagpapasya kung sino ang maghahari at siya rin ang nagaalis sa kanila sa trono. Siya ang nagbibigay ng karunungan sa marurunong. Ipinapaliwanag niya ang mahihiwagang bagay na mahirap intindihin. Nasa kanya ang liwanag, at nalalaman niya ang anumang nasa kadiliman. O Dios ng aking mga ninuno, pinupuri ko kayo at pinasasalamatan. Kayo ang nagbigay sa akin ng karunungan at kakayahan. At ibinigay nyo sa amin ang aming kahilingan sa inyo na ipahayag sa amin ang panaginip ng hari. "

IPINALIWANAG NI DANIEL ANG PANAGINIP NG HARI

"Ang Dios sa langit ang naghahayag ng mga mahiwagang bagay. At inihahayag niya sa inyo sa panaginip ang mangyayari sa hinaharap. Ngayon, sasabihin ko po sa inyo, ginawa kayong hari ng Dios sa langit at binigyan ang kapangyarihan, kalakasan, at karangalan. kayo ang gintong rebulto. Ang susunod sa inyong kaharian at mas mahina kaysa sa inyo. ang ikatlong kaharian ay maghahari sa buong mundo. ang ikaapat ay mananatiling malakas, may mahina at matibay na bahagi. Magkakaisa ang mga pinuno ng mga kahariang ito sa pamamagitan ng pagaasawa ng lahi pero hindi magtatagal. Ang Dios sa langit ay magtatayo ng isang kaharian na hindi babagsak kailanman."

Nagpatirapa si Nebuchadnezzar upang parangalan si Daniel.

"Dahil sa ipinahayag mo ang panaginip ko at kahulugan nito, totoo na ang iyong Dios ang pinakamakapangyarihan sa lahat ng dios. Siya ang dapat kilalaning Panginoon ng mga hari. At siya lamang ang nakakapagpahayag ng mga hiwaga."

binigyan si Daniel ng maraming regalo, ginawang tagapamahala ng Babilonia at pinuno ng lahat ng marurunong. Hiniling ni Daniel ang kanyang mga kasama bilang katulong sa pamamahala at pumayag ang hari, namalagi si Daniel sa palasyo ng Hari.

A PRAYER FOR GOD'S WILL

Luke 22:42

Father, if You are willing, take this cup from me; yet not my will, but yours be done.

In the garden of Eden, Adam and Eve chose their own will over the will of their Creator. (Genesis 2:16-17) Their actions have affected all future generations. The garden of Gethsemane (Matthew 26:36-46) is the second garden to have universal impact on the course of human experience. There, JEsus was faced with a similar choice. Jesus Christ submitted to God's will and went to the cross (Luke 22:39-44)

"Ask and it will be given to you" - Matthew 7:7

We must be asking God for our will to line up with His. This is the assurance we have that we will receive what we asked for. Earnestly pray for God's will to be done in your life.

God's will in my life has become my ultimate prayer. This means I may desire things I don't know I want or need. I believe God's will was done.

What prayer request is on your heart?

I'm praying for a healthier body in order to freely serve God without hindrances and I'm also praying for direction of my career endeavors as a doctor, also I'm praying for direction on house church planting and evangelism, and leading praise and worship team, composing songs for the Lord and releasing them publicly.

What do you believe God is calling you to do?

I believe God is calling me to persevere and have a more consistent, stronger, bolder and abiding faith as a spiritual discipline that will serve as a powerful testimony of God's grace and mercy. God's power and sovereignty and supremacy in my life and over all.

PRAYER:

Heavenly Father, please guide me to do Your will. In Jesus' Name, Amen.

BURNOUT AND GOD'S INVITATION FOR REST # 2:

ARE YOU DANGEROUSLY TIRED?

You can train the human body to operate on only 4 hours of sleep per night. There's a difference between "good tired" and "dangerously tired".

Good tired is when we put on a day's work, go home and relax and recover, then come back rested and ready for the new day.

Dangerously tired is when we push too hard for too long. No recovery. Symptoms include irritability, stuck in anger or sadness, escapist behaviors (binge watching, drinking too much, inability to rest, cynicism, deep inner restlessness, no basic needs like shower or making appointments, fear). This isn't what God desires for us.

In Genesis, we see God's initial design for humans: to do the work he's set before us, not to fulfill the demands we or others have placed on ourselves. And to do the work from a place of partnership and presence with God, never apart from him. When we work under God's blessings, it brings fulfillment and joy, not burnout and exhaustion.

Embrace rest and work against burnout.

start small.

Drive the speed limit

Set a time limit for social media apps

Take a moment in prayer to invite God into where you're at today.

PRAYER:

Lord, Father God in heaven, right now, I'm beginning a new chapter as a wife in this life you have placed me in. I invite You to show me the way, lead the path to still waters, where I will not thirst for the wrong things, I will only drink from your living waters to have rest. Lord, Father God in heaven, I am also trying to patch up the consequences of my past mistakes, Lord please help me get through it and glorify your Name in the process. You are my only hope Lord. In Jesus' Name, Amen.

Creator God, who made humans with limits, I have been pressed beyond mine, and I'm not sure how to recover. Draw me into your rest, May it be my comfort, my safe place, where I can recover. As I read through these passages in Genesis, stir a longing in my heart for work that leaves me "good tired" and give me wisdom to know the difference. In Jesus' Name, Amen.

GENESIS 1:26-28

Pagkatapos, sinabi ng Dios, "Likhain natin ang tao ayon sa ating wangis. Sila ang mamamahala sa lahat ng uri ng hayop: mga lumalangoy, lumilipad, lumalakad at gumagapang." Kaya nilikha ng Dios ang tao, allaki at babaw ayon sa wangis niya. Binasbasan niya sila at sinabi, "Magpakarami kayo para mangalat ang mga lahi ninyo at mamahala sa buong mundo. At pamahalaan ninyo ang lahat ng hayop."

[deyzalee]

Dear God,

Thankful and blessed today. I woke up late because its my day off. I drank my vitamins. I prepared my meal which is fried chicken. I also ordered food at Pinoy Lamesa restaurant which is egg rice and mais con yelo. While waiting for my orders to arrived, I scrolled my social media accounts, chatted my family and friends. Fried chicken is done and I ate it with egg rice, mais con yelo and drank a little of pineapple juice. I also cooked gravy and partnered it with fried chicken. I was full after. I also watched random vlogs on Youtube. I did after care. I played cooking fever. I watched random videos on Youtube and Tiktok. I changed my bed linens and pillow cases. I folded my dry clothes and put inside the cabinet. I rested for a while and had a napped. I woke up. I took a bath and did my self and skin care routine. Christine arrived and She shared some pasalubongs all the way from Philippines. I ate fried chicken dipped in a gravy, egg rice and drink pineapple juice for dinner. I was full after. I ate banana chips, mini cake, lumpia. I read few pages of the Bible. I watched Lavender fields. I drank my medicines. Have mercy on us Oh God. Guide us always to the right path. Remove sickness, danger and negative things in our life. Answer our prayers in your perfect time. Thank you and I love you God.

[fortressofserenity]

Christmas At Ground Zero

Somebody going by the name of 'Handmaid Of The Most High' said that America will undergo so many mishaps that it's really going to officially fall from grace, an earthquake will divide the contiguous US landmass in half starting with the Mississippi River. The the US economy deteriorates real badly, where people are as powerless as they're hungry. So hungry that they eat their pets, then they start eating fellow humans.

So much for calling the Chinese nasty dog eaters that it's going to be the Americans' turn to eat dogs this time, yes the most popular pet in America will become a food source for starving Americans across the country. Russia might launch nuclear attacks on America, but with the aim of conquering this country and also to Canada as well. That's the sort of stuff I've been praying for, but to spare Canada from the same fate that will befall its neighbour and identical twin.

Celestial said that America will become a Russian colony, whilst Canada might luck out somewhat by becoming a Russian protectorate instead. It keeps its culture and government intact, but still reliant on Russia to some extent. New York City might get nuked around Christmas season, which is pretty near as we're in November this time around. It will not be the only American city to get this mistreatment, others will also follow.

As what she said, what America has done to other nations will be what they'll do onto it. If America nuked Japan and the Marshall Islands, then it will get nuked by Russia. If America enslaved many Africans, then Americans will get enslaved by the Russians and Chinese. Returning to the dog meat thing, if America constantly accuses the Chinese of eating dogs. But when famine strikes America, that's when Yankees start eating dogs themselves.

It's the whole don't point out the speck in someone's eye, when you have a log in your eye thing as what the Bible pointed out, to the point where America may emerge as perhaps the biggest hypocrite of all the countries around today. As blessings turn into curses and joy turns into mourning, so will America go from being the most powerful country in the world to the most corrupt and least powerful of all. Such is the fate of Mystery Babylon/America to fall at the hands of its enemies, to be hit by asteroids/millstones and no longer play music.

American music will no longer be widely heard on international radio stations, this will be supplanted by music from other countries. I even prayed to God to have Philippine radio stations play more older Philippine music, in addition to Chinese music in case if this happens at all. It wouldn't be easy making new alliances, but America's downfall necessitates a substitute in its place. My preference would be China because I feel this country's too westernised for its own good. Well any other country would do.

But the thing here is that America's going to fail as a country, then as a superpower and it's going to be forgotten in the future. Celestial even said that God's going to revoke this nation-state once and for all, that he's also going to revoke any trace of American influence even in the Philippines. So this is something those in the Philippines should heed do, as America will not be powerful enough to defend us from China.

To make matters worse, we Filipinos blaspheme God a lot that if we reap what we sow, then we're definitely going to be part of China in some way or another. If God allowed Babylon to take over Judah due to his people's sinning, then he'll allow China to do the same thing to the Philippines and likewise Russia with the western world. If it happens, it happens and this is something I've been talking about for some time. Many Filipinos commit sin, we blaspheme the Lord whilst calling ourselves a Christian nation.

As God's had enough of us doing this that he's going to let China take over the Philippines anyways, so if it happens then it's our fault for why we did this to ourselves. And why America will be powerless to stop China from taking over the Philippines, which is saying.

[thepolymathexcuse]

the beginning: an introduction to the blog

Hi everyone!

I am Pong, and I am 26 years of age as of this writing. This blog is mainly created for two main reasons: first, as an outlet for my creative expression and secondly, to potentially serve others who may be affected by the various stuff I write about.

A little background about me: I graduated with an engineering degree three years ago. However, I found out that this is not really what I want to be doing for the rest of my life, so here goes another try at maintaining a blog.

I come from a small city in the Philippines and have lived here since I was a child. I've always felt like I did not belong here, and maybe one day, I might actually have the courage to leave and find myself someplace where I feel like I would fit. Or I might not.

I have the tendency to overshare so please bear with me, but it's mostly stemming from my fear of losing a voice. I feel like I'm a great talker, and God gave me this gift (although to some, it might be annoying hehe) so I might as well put it to good use.

As an Enneagram Type Seven, there is no singular thing that interests me. In fact, spontaneity and variety are the two main attributes that you'll find in my daily life. Many of the people I've worked with and even my friends have noticed that because of these numerous interests, I tend to be a bit scattered and out of focus. There is some truth to that, but I have this inner belief that everything in the world exists for us to experience, at least even once (or several times if we're blessed enough). It absolutely makes me ecstatic that we're surrounded by all this beauty to indulge ourselves with for the entirety of our lifetime.

One of my core values is seeking fun and I'm keen to chase things that stimulate the pleasure areas of my brain. As of now, this journey to becoming a polymath or a modern Renaissance person will be a fun journey to finally traverse. This journey is the origin of the blog's name "The Polymath Excuse" because it's basically just my excuse for fully immersing in life. I am currently on a healing season and this particular project of being a polymath seems to me the best way to rekindle the fire within me.

You have to keep this in mind: as a seeker of new experiences, my interests may (and will probably) change along the course of the journey, but I have one thing that I know is for certain: I will never get tired of writing.

Writing was my first love and continues to hold a dear place in my heart. It's the first hobby I've committed myself into since high school. From reading fantasy, dystopian, and young adult books back then, I've always dreamt of becoming an actual writer. I once even dreamt of winning the Palanca awards when I was in college. Quite the crazy ambition, right? Writing is part of literature, and I can mostly attribute my love for literature from my high school English teacher, Ma'am Cynthia, and the friends I surrounded myself with during my high school and college years. My writing goals have evolved from winning awards to just becoming an outlet for self-expression. I had maintained a literary blog when I was in college but that project had long reached its final breath. At present, I mostly write to share my thoughts and to keep a record of my life. It's always fun to go back and reminisce the past versions of ourselves, after all. I have, over the years, regularly kept a journal and a commonplace book to store my thoughts and knowledge I've acquired from various pieces of content. Now, I continue to record my life in several pieces of writing—from little notes of my daily musings to commonplace books that hold insights from my own self and from other people.

But writing and literature aren't my only interests. You can't even describe me an expert in the field. As emphasized in the previous statements, my interests continue to expand and now they span across multiple disciplines: from philosophy to the natural sciences, from mathematics to something as obscure as tarot reading, and from mythology to the many subfields of arts and humanities. Sometimes these interests may not be related with each other, but the first challenge of a polymath lies in finding the connection of almost anything.

Hopefully, through combining my love of writing and my fascination with all that life has to offer, I could craft meaningful articles that could serve two main purposes: firstly, for my future self to look back on the things that previously have interested me; and secondly, to hopefully inspire others to do the same. The second one might be a long shot, but the probability of sparking even the tiniest bit of interest about any random topic isn't equal to zero, so I guess it's worth a shot! There's the second challenge to a polymath: creating unique ideas interweaved from multiple niches.

My former idealistic self dreamt of changing the world and it's a noble purpose in and of itself, but maybe it's time I "dial down the scope" [1] to just trying to become a better version of myself one word at a time.

Basically, there is no noble reason for starting this blog. In fact, I might even consider it inherently selfish since it's a project that mostly benefits me in case no one ever sees the things I create. It might even prove the perception of other people about me: that I'm all over the place--because, surprise, surprise, the topics that will be contained in this blog will not be about a single, particular niche, but basically a hodgepodge of my varied interests.

It's just an excuse--an excuse to make my life worth living. It's that simple.

If I didn't reach the outcome of eventually becoming a polymath, at least the journey had been fun. I might abandon this project a few months (gosh I hope not) or a few years from now, but at least, it was a fun road to have taken.

I appreciate you for reading that scattered, all over the place introduction about this blog. May this blog fulfill its purpose both for me and to my future readers, and may all our dreams turn into reality, even if it's just one step at a time.

All the love, Pong

—

Note(s): [1] I encountered the phrase "dial down the scope" from Tiago Forte's book, Building a Second Brain. It means breaking down certain projects to a more manageable size so we can actually finish them. He adopted it from the idea of "scope" from software developers, which refers to the full set of features a software program might include. From the usage of this phrase, dialing down the scope means making my dream into a more attainable one.

[shelivesingalaxies]

If it is too difficult to strengthen and make sure our Philippines coast guards are not bullied, can you at least ensure that they and their families are well provided for with proper healthcare and insurance?

May God have mercy on our country - the Philippines, our citizens - the Filipinos, the old and elderlies who cannot afford good healthcare and have to work because they need to eat despite being weak, the breadwinners (the widows and widowers and those who are children and singles too but had to take over when their father died) still paying lots of taxes and supporting their families even if it means forgetting their original dreams, the children and young adults who could barely eat three times a day, much less attend school and focus on education, our bullied Philippine Coast Guard, our teachers who have to pay for resources with their own money for good teaching materials, the students who need to limit their study hours because they have to share rooms, our commuters who are mostly employees who come to work, already exhausted because our transportation systems are too poor and in dire need of improvement, and everyone else. Everyone else. Every single Filipino.

Please. Please treat us well. Stop the corruption. Raise our moral. Dear government, you are there to serve. And we are here to support. But please treat us well and prioritize us. Do not waste our taxes on your own propaganda and on elevating yourselves. The real ones who need help are everywhere. The real ones who need our funds are everywhere. Do you feel their pain? Do you see us? We have been enduring for far too long. Do not hire people who are incapable and have their own motives. Do not waste money on poor materials and poor planning. Hire loyal and competent ones. Let them sign contracts that call for accountability. Let there be an audit team consisting of concerned and talented workers with a true heart to help ensure the work is properly done and the Filipinos are blessed with improvement. Let there be transparency in your spending to ensure every cent is accounted for and used for the right cause. Please treat OUR country and OUR people right. Respect OUR rights and OUR welfare, not another country's.

Pretty please. Do it well.

Please HELP our country beloved - the Philippines.

[tfblovesmusic]

Maligayang Pask-OH SHIP! Mixtape 1, Listening Guide 2

Section 7: 24 December 1842

The section whisks the listener back to the days of Charles Dickens’s seasonal novella, A Christmas Carol, with Charles Ward’s organ transcription of the English Country dance, Hole in the Wall. Organist William Neil and the Washington Symphonic Brass further adds highlights to the old-timey scene with their arrangement of the tenor aria from Bach’s Christmas Oratorio, “Nun mögt ihr stolzen Feinde schrecken.”

The listener then finds oneself in a snow-cloaked Central London. The Purcell Quartet, Dame Emma Kirkby, Michael Chance, Charles Daniels, and Peter Harvey – in Victorian Era winter finery – greet the listener in their rendition of Buxtehude's Das neugeborne Kindelein, das herzeliebe Jesulein, BuxWV 13. They all gather inside a house, where Harry Von Tiltzer and the The Parlour Orchestra welcome them with “Down at the Old Bull and Bush.”

Jose Mari Chan also appears in an 1840s Philippines barong, with Liza Chan and Jaymie Magtoto dressed in their mini Maria Clara dresses, singing “Christmas Children.” The Accademia Bizantinia plays a rousing rendition of the sinfonia from Cantata BWV 142 as hosts pass drinks and treats. Magtoto muses to the guests and the listener about “This Beautiful Day.”

Mr. Fezziwig and the cast of A Christmas Carol livens up the party, which turns out to be his "Annual Christmas Ball.”

The Canadian Brass, also in their mid-19th century getups, arrives and plays “Good King Wenceslas.” The listener and the attendees “Sing a Christmas Carol.” The listener leaves the festive, historical party with Charles Ward’s organ transcription of the English Country dance, Greensleeves & Epping Lace.

Section 8: Those Fenny Silver Bells

As the listener leaves 1842 London, one turns in the direction the the chiming “Silver Bells,” of which Stevie Wonder aptly sings about. Whitney Houston also hears the bells, asking one, “Do You Hear What I Hear?” The Black Dyke Mills Band echo the chimes in a Cornet Carillon. Lore Lixenberg and Chance also turn in the direction of the chimes, noticing them in Anthony Gilbert’s Those Fenny Bells.

The bells ring even louder, and David Foster duets with them with his epic arrangement of the Ukrainian Bell Carol. Mannheim Steamroller rocks with the bells in their instrumental cover of “God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen.” The chiming enchants Leo Valdez so much, that he breaks out into “Kampana ng Simbahan.” Liza Minnelli takes it upon herself to tell a story that provides a concluding moral: “Ring Them Bells.”

Section 9: A New Year’s Breakup

The listener finds oneself inside a Romanesque Revival church built in the 19th century. Inside, Catherine Bott, Chance, and Andrew King heighten the anxiety of the impending year at the start of the section with the terzetto – “Ach! Wann wird die Zeit erscheinen?” – from Bach’s Christmas Oratorio.

The listener can imagine Dan Fogelberg – or generally a lover who just broke up over the holidays – wander from the church in which Bott, Chance, and King sang their terzetto to a place outside a pub, in which Jaime MacDougall drunkenly commences the new year with Haydn’s arrangement of “Auld Lang Syne” with the Haydn Trio Eisenstadt. Ella Fitzgerald walks out of the pub, asking him, “What Are You Doing New Year’s Eve?”

Fogelberg walks through the blinding snow and biting gusts, as the Cambridge Singers incant, “Blow, Blow Thou Winter Wind.” He finally sings a ballad of his own – the “Same Old Lang Syne” – as the snow transitions to rain. Inside another nearby pub, Scott Bradlee’s Postmodern Jukebox sings his tale in their cover of “Last Christmas.” Outside, Jose Mari Chan comforts Fogelberg, singing to him, “May the Good Lord Bless and Keep You.”

Then, a nearby car skids to an abrupt stop. The listener, Bott, Chance, King, Fogelberg, and Chan rush over to help. The driver turns out to be Carrie Underwood, who fervently prays, “Jesus, Take the Wheel” as they help her with the car and the baby, sound asleep in the car seat.

Section 10: Maui, the Christmas Island

With most people traveling somewhere for Christmas, Anne Murray tells the tale of the “Snowbird” as the listener awaits the flight to Hawaii. The listener’s plane departs, with Aled Jones, Russell Watson, and The Snowman in flight besides them as the former two sing “Walking in the Air.” Once the plane lands, Sebastian and Ariel – in her The Little Mermaid green tail and purple bikini top – greet the listener on a rock off Maui, the “Christmas Island.”  

With Hawaii’s climate too warm for winter garb and biting snow and ice, Bing Crosby and The Andrews Singers wish the listener “Mele Kalikimaka” as they distribute floral leis. On Mākena Beach, “Little St. Nick” – in festive swimming shorts – surfs the waves as The Beach Boys croon.

The first playlist winds down as the listener sips a Yuletide tropical drink. Accompanied by Joshua Rifkin and The Bach Players, Jane Bryden, Drew Minter, Jeffrey Thomas, and Jan Opalach – in swimwear – serenade beachgoers in the final movement of Herz und Mund und Tat und Leben, BWV 147, “Jesus bleibet meine Freude,” concluding Part 1 of the mixtape.

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