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And Speaking of Tavistock

By Anna Von Reitz

The single worst incubator of mind-control and propaganda technology on Earth got its start even before the League of Nations and called its less-than-savory pastimes by innocuous-sounding labels like: "social-psychology" and "group dynamics" and more recently, "systemic psycho-dynamic approach".

What Tavistock actually specializes in, is manipulation of public opinion and human emotions using lies, False Flags, fake opinion polls, and fake news. It's job is to sell us on wars and to excuse and justify wars when no such justification exists, so that we can all feel good about acting as underpaid mercenaries, and then later, agree to pay all the war debts, too.

When they aren't ginning up excuses for war, war, and more war (for profit---they just don't mention that part), they are busy concocting fodder for politicians that will support war, war, and more war (for profit) and feeding the crappola through wire services owned and operated by their own biggest clients.

In this way, they not only manipulate Public Opinion, they manipulate politicians, elections, belief systems and human emotions.

They rule the air waves and the communications industries, and if anyone says anything they don't like on one of the major networks, they have that person fired or they slap a "National Security" label on the story, whether it has anything to do with any national security issue or not.

Tavistock and its organizational predecessors killed journalism as a profession during the First World War, and when our American journalists threatened a resurrection after World War II, they hired Walter Cronkite, the original Silver-Tongued Devil, to make us feel comforted at the same time he calmly and sonorously announced assassinations, massacres, and body counts.

Thanks to Tavistock, the Mainstream Media Outlets are all owned by members of the Bilderburgers who also just happen to be members of the Committee of 300 and major stockholders in the Federal Reserve ---- and almost nobody knows that and nobody questions that, because Reuters and the AP have reduced journalists to the level of Zombies endlessly repeating themselves and echoing each other.

Tavistock's mission is and has always been to put a thick, hard, smooth shell of psychological shellac on the most hideous and heinous acts imaginable. And make us feel justified for doing these awful things, too. It's an evil institution involved in evil research which it happily and without conscience or remorse applies to evil purposes.

Tavistock and its Evil Step-Sister, the Council on Foreign Relations, have their real roots in Germany even prior to the Nazis, with propaganda and lies developed by the Fabians and the Frankfurt School of Socialism to attack Kaiser Wilhelm II. After World War I, the scum bags attached themselves like barnacles to the trendy League of Nations, and began calling their troupe of academic perverts "The Inquiry" as in "Inquisition".

This, then morphed into The Pilgrim Society in Britain, though their activities had no religious interest beyond how to prey upon people's religious beliefs, and then, they became known as "The Tavistock Institute of Psychological Warfare" ---- the only time in their history when they have had the chutzpah to tell people what they were really up to and paid to do.

Next, the fledgling Council on Foreign Relations became known as "The Round Table" in England -- may King Arthur throw up in his grave---and next, the very proper-sounding label "The Royal Institute for International Affairs" was plastered over their activities, until finally the worldwide brand name became: The Council on Foreign Relations.

Tavistock meanwhile dropped the "of Psychological Warfare" part of its moniker to become the propaganda and dirty deeds scriptwriter for The Council on Foreign Relations and thus it has been since 1946, until recently, when the American branch of the Tavistock Institute was re-branded and re-named the "A.K. Rice Institute" ---- which most people won't recognize as anything related to Tavistock.

That's the whole point.

The whole purpose of re-naming and re-branding is so that the Tavistock Institute can continue to do what the Tavistock Institute does under a nom de guerre and not have its fat footprints readily identified every time it opens its mouth or puts together a False Flag.

"Oh, no, that doesn't have anything to do with us. That's the A.K. Rice Institute"...."

And if you believe that, I am Lady Flamolare del Chesa, faithfully reporting from Big Lake, Alaska.

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Speaking of Tin Hats....

By Anna Von Reitz

Were you one of those who sat through the debacle of 9/11 with your brow furrowed up under your hat and a dozen questions roaming  through your head?  

Questions that were never answered? 

Like how does a fifty story building disintegrate in under a minute? 

Who was there set up--obviously in advance-- and filming all this from every angle and in Hollywood-quality technicolor?  

How are these steel girders being laterally ejected?  Like they were being shot out of a canon? 

Why are these girders trailing white plumes of smoke?  Steel doesn't  smoke. It melts, if it gets hot enough.... and speaking of that.... 

How does iron and steel melt like geysers at 600 degrees? (The temperature of jet fuel burning.) 

No office fire on Earth burns hot enough to melt steel, either.... so....can't be jet fuel, can't be the heat of paper and office fixtures burning.... 

Even with the most generous unlikely estimates applied, you'd still need a thousand degrees more heat to melt iron and steel like that.....so where is the heat coming from?  

How and why did Building Seven collapse with no apparent cause ---and hours after the other two towers? 

Why did the BBC report that Building Seven was gone--- with it still standing there in the background behind the reporter? 

If you were one of those who gave the Blue Ribbon Commission an "F Minus" grade when they issued their non-report, you are not alone. 

Every architect, engineer, materials scientist and demolition guy I know snorted at the official story, rolling their eyes skyward at the time and ever afterward. 

Some of them formed the Architects and Engineers for 911 Truth and soldiered on for the better part of two decades-- first being laughed at and then ignored and now, finally, the traction of the facts is taking hold. 

Those two jets never caused the collapse of those two buildings. Period. Most of us have known that since September 11, 2001. 

So now what?  

A Federal Grand Jury is finally being summoned to consider the evidence and do what should have been done almost twenty years ago:  

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=emqrI1I1tNY    

Dear Fellow Tin Hats, thank you for so nobly advancing the cause of logic and your dedication to the Truth despite everything that the Liars could throw at you.  It's a great moment for all of us.  Huzzah!  Huzzah! Huzzah!  

May the victims of this atrocity find sweet rest and their families finally know what happened, who did it, and why.  May we all find peace at last.  Bring it on and let the chips fall---right on Dick Cheney and the Tavistock Institute. 

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GOA Files Suit Against ATF’s Illegal and Unconstitutional Bump Stock Ban

December 26, 2018
For immediate release

GOA Files Suit Against ATF’s Illegal and Unconstitutional Bump Stock Ban

Springfield, VA – Gun Owners of America (GOA) and its Foundation (GOF) filed suit today against the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms & Explosives (ATF) for their regulations on bump stocks.

Erich Pratt, executive director of Gun Owners of America said, “Our suit challenges the legality of ATF’s action and asks for an injunction to stop enforcement of the regulations.

“These dangerous regulations can go much farther than just bump stocks. The goal of the anti-gun left is, ultimately, not just banning bump stocks, but, rather, putting ‘points on the board’ toward its goal of banning civilian ownership of all firearms.”

The suit is filed strategically in Western District of Michigan, and GOA is joined by other pro-gun groups and individuals.

“Not coincidentally, Michigan is located within the jurisdiction of the Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals -- a circuit which is not only very pro-gun, but also has been more skeptical of illegal government regulatory actions than many other circuits in the country,” Pratt stated.

“GOA is happy to announce that the Virginia Citizens Defense League has joined the suit as a plaintiff -- as well as Tim from the Military Arms Channel and GOA’s Texas state director Rachel Malone,” Pratt continued. “And I’m pleased to report that several state gun organizations, such as the Oregon Firearms Federation and BamaCarry, have contacted GOA and will be contributing financially, and by other means, to this case.

For more information about the suit, please see here.

Erich Pratt, or another GOA spokesman, is available for interviews. Gun Owners of America is a nonprofit lobbying organization dedicated to protecting the right to keep and bear arms without compromise. GOA represents over 1.5 million members and activists. For more information, visit GOA's Newsroom.

See the actual filed complaint here:  https://gunowners.org/images//GOA_COMPLAINT-.pdf

What I Know About Warnings and Arrests

By Anna Von Reitz

A large number of criminal networks have been uncovered both here and abroad, which have been siphoning large amounts of money out of the American economy and which have been contributing to illegal arms and drug markets, human trafficking rings, and even darker purposes, such as murder related to organ harvesting, Satanic rituals, and pedophilia.

The bunny trail has led to some of the highest offices in government and down to the local subcontractor level. The clean up began in Arkansas and is spreading outward from that initial beach head. Most likely it will hit Nevada or New Mexico next, which have similarly been hot beds of racketeering, illegal gambling, smuggling, and other criminal activities.

Arkansas, Bill Clinton's old stomping ground, was Ground Zero for the clean up operation, because so much of this corruption was connected through contacts in Arkansas or started there.

A pernicious system of "kickbacks" from the Federal level down to the local government units is apparent throughout. This system promotes racketeering and kickbacks based on racketeering and extortion.

About 70,000 indictments have been processed thus far and the number of total indictments continues to grow as more evidence surfaces and more criminals turn on their compatriots and provide evidence against them. Nobody knows how many people will eventually be indicted by so-called Operation Clean Sweep, but it could easily go over 100,000.

Some of these cases will be tried by military courts because the persons and activities fall under that jurisdiction. Others will be tried by civilian courts.

People can expect to see some famous names in the line-ups and will be shocked by scope and ferocity of these criminals.

The best thing for us to do during the "rodeo" is to stay at home and off the streets. Just hunker down and let the police and military units assigned do their jobs.

Children and pets need to be kept under close supervision.

It's highly recommended that you pick up extra prescription medications you might need during the next month.

Every effort has been and is being made to assure the continuation of utility services, but it can't hurt to have extra food, extra water, and a "camp potty"--- a five gallon bucket with a toilet seat and lid on it, ready to go, if needed.

The idea is to be ready to just stay home for a week to ten days and not go anywhere. Be ready in the event that the lights go out or the local grocery store closes.

And other than that, be psychologically ready, as much as you can be, for the sight of military units guarding public buildings and people ---even well-known people--- being arrested and accused of heinous crimes.

This is not a Kodak Moment in our country's history, but it is a necessary effort to put an end to institutionalized crime.

Once the roll-up starts, nobody knows how long it will take to meet the primary objectives, but the best estimates I have heard are a week to ten days. That may be optimistic, but gives at least a reasonable parameter to plan for.

I advocate everyone being ready for at least a couple weeks of shut down at all times, simply because I have lived through two disasters already --- a wild fire and an earthquake -- and know the score.

The time to plan is BEFORE you actually need extra food, water, blankets, a do-it-yourself toilet, prescription refills, heat, and some means to cook food and boil water. If you have those emergency needs provided for and have your emergency plan in place, it will be a lot less stressful when and if you need to deploy and actually make use of these provisions.

So far as I know, the indictments are real and will be enforced, which gives rise to the reasonable expectation that at least in some places and for some period of time, it will be desirable for Americans to find a seat and stay home.

Better to plan for that and not need to do it, than to need extra supplies and to not have them on hand.

  

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1862

By Anna Von Reitz

Yesterday's Mail -- 1862

[This note got "dropped out" because of my location during the holidays. It's a personal post -- a reflection of how the past follows us forward in many ways. For example, I wouldn't exist if the Lakota hadn't attacked New Ulm, Minnesota, in 1862. My Great-Grandmother and her first husband, who was killed in the attack, would have just continued on to California like so many others....]

Today, the Day After Christmas, we have definite diagnosis from a canine cancer expert that no, my Labrador Retriever does not have lymphoma and yes, he does have laryngeal paralysis and is a good candidate for "Tie Back" surgery. 

So, so far, so good. 

After a morning appointment to determine this, I came home to deal with still more wreckage from the Earthquake-- both oddly dating to 1862 and Minnesota. 

The first was the breaking apart of my giant Christmas Cactus, a 15th generation of one that Charlie Mayo gave my Great-great Grandmother, Hannah Knight Alexander. 

The large Majolica Pot it was in hurtled off a plant stand and broke in a hundred pieces. The Cactus which was just beginning to bloom broke into many pieces of fronds, too. 

These I picked up and am endeavoring to root, thinking of that long-ago Christmas when Charlie Mayo came home from Edinborough, and brought my Great-Grandmother a rooted slip of the latest horticultural discovery: a Christmas Cactus. 

We have kept it going all these years, through all these generations: Charlie Mayo's Christmas Cactus made the journey to Alaska in 1987, and has been here growing in a variety of pots ever since. 

The giant Majolica pot that bit the dust in the November 30, 2018 Earthquake was only the most recent home of The Family Christmas Cactus. 

It first came away with me when I left home for college when it lived in a plain earthenware pot and has been part of my adventures ever since. Even now, when it is suddenly split in a hundred pieces and searching for new roots. 

The other attachment also comes back to the Mayos and 1862 and Minnesota and the Second Battle of New Ulm.  My Great-Grandmother and her husband, Merton Eastlick, were traveling westward with a party of pioneers headed by Dr. William Worrall Mayo the fateful August of that year and all were caught in the midst of the Great Sioux Uprising of that year. 

Merton Eastlick and two of the small children were killed outright by the Lakota and Mary Alexander Eastlick was seriously wounded and left a widow with three surviving children.  Together with Dr. William Worrall Mayo the survivors limped back to Rochester and yet another story began. 

This winter on Christmas Eve I received a gift of Magic from a Lakota Grandmother.  She sent me two exquisite Dream Catchers and many other items and totems of faith in life and the Great Spirit that binds us. She did not tell me her name, but she sent me her spirit. 

So here we are, all together, after all these years.  I am hoping that Charlie Mayo's Christmas Cactus will--as it has so many times before-- grow new roots. And I am hoping that the Lakota Elder read this and know that I understand and cherish their prayers. 

We are all in this together. 

And as if to make the point all that much more obvious, I sat down after dinner and did the clean up and repair of my essential oils cabinet. 

My Great-Great Grandfather, Joseph Alexander, was the "Green Witch" for the Mayo brothers, the early form of a pharmacist. My earliest memories are of his herb lawn and tumbling headlong down a slope robed in Violets and thyme. 

Today, I carry on the family tradition of herb lore and use of natural medicine and have a large collection of essential oils in small vials in wooden cases. 

Amazingly, only four vials were damaged: Damiana, Hyssop, Violet, and Chinese Lotus. 

So tonight I sat at the table in my dining room pouring over my essential oil collection and re-bottled and re-labeled those four oils and contemplated all the nuances of scent pouring over me and my household. 

It smells wonderful and alive in my house tonight and I feel very close to my Great-Great Grandfather, his wounded daughter who became my Great-Grandmother, the Lakota whose lives entwine with ours, the plants and the Earth that are our common heritage. 

Hyssop, the bitter herb of the Last Supper, Damiana, the herb of women and the moon, Violet, the sweet floral scent of my home state and youth, and Chinese Lotus, the magnificent warm power of sun and water combined. 

The air is full of their natural magic and the keynote of all these many elements come back to 1862, all now and present in the winter of 2018 --Charlie Mayo's Christmas Cactus, the Lakota Elder's gift, the memory of the young widow who remarried and became my Great-Grandmother, Mary Alexander, the essential oils whose scents were cherished then and now. 

God bless us all in this New Year. May the past be at peace at last. 

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Christmas Eve and Christmas Day

Rev. Fr. Leonard Goffine's
The Church's Year

CHRISTMAS EVE

"Let us therefore make him a little chamber, and put a little bed in it for him and a table, and a stool, and a candlestick, that when he cometh to us, he may abide there" (IV Kings 4:13). Such was the Sunamite woman's regard for the prophet Eliseus, that she would make such preparations for his entertainment! Will we do as much for Christ who is ready to come to us? Take pains, O Christian, to occupy this night in pious thoughts, and aspirations, for the love of God and for the good of your own soul, making yourself worthy to receive the graces which He is ready when He comes, to give you. Think how Mary, who was near her time, and Joseph her spouse obedient to the Imperial command, and perfectly submissive to the will of God, journeyed with the greatest inconvenience to Bethlehem, and when, because of the multitude of people, they found no place to receive them they took refuge, as God willed it, in a most miserable stable, at the extreme end of the town. What love does not the Savior deserve, who for love of us so humbled Himself!

COLLECT O God, who makest us rejoice in the yearly expectation of the feast of our redemption: grant, that we who cheerfully receive Thy only-begotten Son as a Redeemer, may behold without fear the same Lord Jesus Christ, coming as our judge. Through our Lord.

CHRISTMAS DAY

What is Christmas Day?

It is the day on which Christ Jesus, our Redeemer, was born of the Blessed Virgin in a stable at Bethlehem.

Why is this festival called "the Holy Night"?

Because this night has been especially blessed and sanctified by the holy, mysterious birth of the Redeemer of the world.

Why do priests say three Masses on this day?

In commemoration of the threefold birth of the Redeemer: of His birth from all eternity in the bosom of His Heavenly Father; of His birth in the fullness of time; and of His spiritual birth in the hearts of the faithful who, by lively faith in Him, receive the power to become children of God (Jn. 1:12).

Why is the first Mass said at midnight?

Because Christ, the true light which came into the world to enlighten those who sat in darkness and the shadow of death, that is, of unbelief and of sin (Lk. 1:79), was born at night, and because the divine birth is incomprehensible to us.

Why is the next Mass said at daybreak, and the third after sunrise?

To signify that the birth of Christ, expelling the darkness of ignorance and infidelity, brought us the clear daylight of the knowledge of God, and that the spiritual birth of Christ can take place at any time in the pure soul.

When does this spiritual birth take place?

It takes place when the soul, having been cleansed from all sin, makes the firm, unalterable resolution to die to the world and all carnal desires, and arouses in itself the ardent desire henceforth to live only for Christ, and, by His grace, to practice all virtues.

INSTRUCTION ON THE FIRST MASS

The Introit of this Mass reminds us of the eternal birth of Christ, the Lord.

INTROIT The Lord hath said to me: Thou art my Son, this day (that is, from all eternity) have I begotten thee (Ps. 2:7). Why have the Gentiles raged, and the people devised vain things (Ps. 2:1)? Glory be to the Father and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost, as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.

COLLECT O God, who hast made this most sacred night to shine forth with the brightness of the true light: grant, we beseech Thee, that we may enjoy His happiness in heaven, the mystery of whose light we have known upon earth. Through our Lord Jesus Christ Thy Son, who liveth and reigneth with Thee, in the Unity of the Holy Ghost, God, world without end, Amen.

EPISTLE (Tit. 2:11-15). Dearly beloved, the grace of God our Savior hath appeared to all men, instructing us, that denying ungodliness and worldly desires, we should live soberly, and justly, and godly in this world, looking for the blessed hope and coming of the great God and our Savior Jesus Christ, who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and might cleanse to himself a people acceptable, a pursuer of good works. These things speak, and exhort, in Christ Jesus our Lord.

In what special manner has the grace and goodness of God been manifested to us?

In the incarnation and birth of Christ, His Son, whom, in His infinite love, He has made like unto us, our brother and our teacher, by whom we have become children of God, and co-heirs of His kingdom.

What does Christ by His incarnation desire to teach us especially?

That we should put aside all unrighteousness, all infidelity and injustice, and endeavor to become like unto Him, who, except in sin, has become altogether like unto us. But especially that we repress the desires of lust, wealth, and honor, and not rest until we have rooted them from our hearts.

How do we live soberly, justly, and godly?

We live soberly, when we fulfill all duties towards ourselves; justly, when we fulfill all duties towards our neighbor; and godly, when we fulfill all duties to God.

ASPIRATION Blessed art Thou, Oh! new-born Savior, who hast descended from on high to teach me the ways of justice, hast become man and equal to me. In return for this goodness of Thine, I renounce all evil, all sinful desires, words, and deeds. In return for Thy love, I will ever uproot from my heart all carnal desires, and always live soberly, justly, and godly; do Thou by Thy grace, strengthen me in this resolve.

GOSPEL (Lk. 2:1-14). At that time there went forth a decree from Caesar Augustus, that the whole world should be enrolled. This enrolling was first made by Cyrinus, the governor of Syria. And all went to be enrolled, every one into his own city. And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth into Judea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and family of David, to be enrolled with Mary his espoused wife, who was with child. And it came to pass, that when they were there, her days were accomplished, that she should be delivered. And she brought forth her first-born son, and wrapped him up in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn. And there were in the same country shepherds watching, and keeping the night-watches over their flock. And behold, an Angel of the Lord stood by them, and the brightness of God shone round them; and they feared with a great fear. And the Angel said to them: Fear not: for behold I bring you good tidings of great joy, that shall be to all the people: for this day is born to you a Savior, who is Christ the Lord, in the city of David. And this shall be a sign unto you: You shall find the infant wrapped in swaddling clothes, and laid in a manger. And suddenly there was with the Angel a multitude of the heavenly army, praising God, and saying: Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men of good-will.

Why, at the time of Augustus, were all the Roman subjects enrolled?

This happened by a special ordinance of God, that by this enrollment Mary and Joseph should be obliged to go to Bethlehem, that it might be made known to the world that Christ was really born at Bethlehem, of the tribe of Juda, and the house of David, and that He was the Messiah who had been foretold by the prophets (Mich. 5:2).

Let us learn from this how the providence of God directs all things according to His will, and consider the obedience which Mary rendered to the command of a heathen emperor, or rather to God who caused the command.

Why is Christ called the "first-born" of Mary?

Because she gave birth to no child before Him; she bore none after Him, He was the only son of Mary, as He was the only-begotten Son of the Heavenly Father.

Why was Christ born in such poverty?

To teach us not by words but by example that which He afterwards so often preached and forcibly taught, namely: the love of poverty, the practice of humility and patience with contempt of the world, and also to confound by His humble birth the foolish wisdom of the world which seeks only honors, pleasures and riches.

Why was the birth of Christ announced to poor shepherds, and not to King Herod and the chief priests?

That it might be known that God loves to dwell with poor, simple, pious, faithful people, such as the shepherds were, and reveals Himself to those who are little in their own eyes (Mt. 11:25), while He despises the proud and leaves them over to their own spiritual blindness.

Let us learn from this to acquire simplicity and humility, and despise pride and cunning, that God may reveal Himself to us by His interior inspirations.

What is meant by the angelic song of praise: "Glory be to God on high"?

By this song of praise which the priests usually say in the Mass is meant that the greatest praise and the most heartfelt thanks are due to God for having sent His Son into the world; and that those who have the good will to glorify God by all their actions, will receive peace, that is, all happiness, blessings, and salvation.

Rejoice with the angels over the birth of the Savior, return thanks to God, and honor Him alone in all things, that you may have that peace: peace with God, peace with yourself and peace with all men.

Learn also from the angels, who rejoiced in the graces which man would receive from the birth of Christ, to rejoice, and thank God for the favors which He gives your neighbor, and by rejoicing participate in them.

INSTRUCTION ON THE SECOND MASS

In the Introit of this Mass the Church makes use of the words of Isaias:

INTROIT A light shall shine upon us this day: for our Lord is born to us: and he shall be called Wonderful, God, the Prince of peace, the Father of the world to come; of whose reign there shall be no end (Is. 9). The Lord hath reigned, he is clothed with beauty: the Lord is clothed with strength, and hath girded himself. Glory be to the Father.

COLLECT Grant, we beseech Thee, Almighty God, that we, who are filled with the new light of Thy incarnate Word, may show forth in our works what by faith shineth in our minds. Through our Lord.

EPISTLE (Tit. 3:4-7). Dearly beloved, the goodness and kindness of God our Savior hath appeared: not by the works of justice which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the layer of regeneration, and renovation of the Holy Ghost, whom he hath poured forth upon us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Savior: that, being justified by his grace, we may be heirs according to hope. of life everlasting, in Christ Jesus our Lord.

To whom do we owe our salvation?

Not to ourselves, nor any good works we may have performed, but entirely to the mercy of God who from all eternity decreed our redemption, and sent His only-begotten Son into this world to accomplish it; which redemption is bestowed upon us in baptism, where we are washed from the stain of sin, and by the rich infusion of the Holy Ghost born again, heirs of eternal life.

Why, then, had God no mercy on the fallen angels?

To this question St. John of Damascus replies: "We must know here that the fall was to the angels what death is to man; for the angels there was no repentance after the fall, as for man there is no repentance after death" (De fid. orthod. lib.2. c.4). In eternity there is no available contrition and penance, so God showed no mercy to the fallen angels. Let us learn from this, to make ourselves participators in the mercy of God, by contrition and penance while there is yet time.

GOSPEL (Lk. 2:15-20). At that time the shepherds said one to another: Let us go over to Bethlehem, and let us see this word that is come to pass, which the Lord hath showed to us. And they came with haste; and they found Mary and Joseph, and the infant lying in a manger. And seeing they understood of the word that had been spoken to them concerning this child. And all that heard wondered, and at those things that were told them by the shepherds. But Mary kept all these words, pondering them in her heart. And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God, for all the things they had heard and seen, as it was told unto them.

INSTRUCTION

I. The shepherds follow at once the voice of God which calls them to the manger; they exhort one another to do so; they seek the Redeemer and happily find Him; they make Him known to others, and heartily thank God for the grace given them.

Let us follow the inspirations of God with ready obedience; let us exhort one another to virtue by our good example and edifying conversation; let us make good use of the knowledge given us by God, give it to others, and praise God for the same.

II. Mary kept all these words, spoken about her Son, and pondered them in her heart. Let us learn from her to prepare food for our souls

by careful meditation on the divine truths that are made known to us: so that we may be preserved and strengthened in spiritual life.

INSTRUCTION ON THE THIRD MASS

The Introit of this Mass reminds us of the spiritual birth of Christ, by which He is spiritually born in us:

INTROIT A child is born to us, and a Son is given to us; whose government is upon his shoulder; and his name shall be called the Angel of great counsel (Is. 9). Sing ye to the Lord a new canticle: for he hath done wonderful things (Ps. 97). Glory be to the Father.

COLLECT Grant, we beseech Thee, Almighty God, that the new birth of Thine only-begotten Son in the flesh may deliver us who are held by the old bondage under the yoke of sin. Through our Lord.

EPISTLE (Heb. 1:1-12). God, who diversely and many ways, spoke in times past to the fathers by the prophets, last of all, in these days hath spoken to us by his Son, whom he hath appointed heir of all things, by whom also he made the world. Who being the brightness of his glory, and the figure of his substance, and upholding all things by the word of his power, making purgation of sins, sitteth on the right hand of the majesty on high: being made so much better than the angels, as he hath inherited a more excellent name than they. For to which of the angels bath he said at any time: Thou art my son, today have I begotten thee? And again, I will be to him a father, and he shall be to me a son? And again when he bringeth in the first-begotten into the world, he saith: And let all the angels of God adore him. And to the angels indeed he saith: He that maketh his angels spirits, and his ministers a flame of fire. But to the Son: Thy throne, O God, is for ever and ever: a scepter of justice is the scepter of thy kingdom. Thou hast loved justice, and hated iniquity: therefore, God, thy God, bath anointed thee with the oil of gladness above thy fellows. And: Thou in the beginning, O Lord, didst found the earth; and the works of thy hands are the heavens. They shall perish, but thou shalt continue; and they shall all grow old as a garment, and as a vesture shalt thou change them, and they shall be changed; but thou art the self-same, and thy years shall not fail.

INSTRUCTION The greatness of Christ Jesus, the dignity of His divinity and humanity, the love and goodness of His Heavenly Father, who has given Him to us as our teacher, could not be more gloriously described than in this epistle. Learn from it how much you are obliged, because of this, to serve God, to be grateful to Him, and to follow Christ who governs heaven and earth; and whom the angels serve.

ASPIRATION I thank Thee, a thousand times, O Heavenly Father, that Thou hast spoken to us through Thy only-begotten Son, in whom Thou art well pleased. With my whole heart, O Father of Mercy, will I listen to Him, and be obedient to all His instructions.

GOSPEL (Jn. l:1-14). In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. The same was in the beginning with God. All things were made by him, and without him was made nothing that was made. In him was life, and the life was the light of men; and the light shineth in darkness, and the darkness did not comprehend it. There was a man sent from God whose name was John. This man came for a witness, to bear witness of the light, that all men might believe through him. He was not the light, but was to bear witness of the light. That was the true light, which enlighteneth every man that cometh into this world. He was in the world, and the world was made by him, and the world knew him not. He came unto his own, and his own received him not. But as many as received him, to them he gave power to be made the sons of God, to them that believe in his name. Who are born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God. And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us (and we saw his glory, the glory as of the only-begotten of the Father), full of grace and truth.

What does St. John mean by the Word?

That the Son of God, who was begotten and brought forth like a word of the mouth from the Father, but in a manner incomprehensible and inscrutable to us, is one with the Father in the divine nature, but different from Him in person; He is also called the Word of the Father, because through Him the Father has spoken and made known the divine will (Heb. 1:2; Mt. 17:5).

What is meant by- In the beginning was the Word, ,and the Word was with God?

When all things had their beginning the Son of God already was, not made or created, but born of the Father from eternity, with whom and in whom He therefore existed from all eternity. St. John here teaches the divinity, the eternity, and the equality of Christ with the Father.

What is meant by: All things were made by Him?

That the Son of God, Himself true God, with the Father and the Holy Ghost, has made all things, visible and invisible.

What is meant by: In Him was the life?

It means: The Son of God is the origin and fountain of the spiritual life of our souls upon earth, and of the glorious life in eternity. To give this true life to us, He became man, whereby we are born again, newly created, as it were, from the death of sin to the life of grace and righteousness.

Why is this life the light of men?

Because this true life of the soul which Christ has obtained for us, consists in the ever increasing knowledge of God and his salvation, which knowledge also comes from Christ, either externally through holy words and examples, or inwardly by divine inspiration.

How did the light shine in darkness?

The Son of God has given the necessary grace to find the true faith to mankind. He still imparts to all men the necessary light, especially by His holy Word which is preached to them, but the hardened sinners reject it, because they wish not to hear of faith and repentance.

How did St. John the Baptist bear witness of the light?

By announcing the Savior to the world, and even pointing Him out when He appeared.

Who receive Christ?

Those who walk in the light of His grace, co-operate with it, and so become the children of God.

How are we to understand: The Word was made flesh?

We are to understand by it that the Word was not changed into human nature, but that He became incarnate by the Holy Ghost of the Virgin Mary, and was made man, thus uniting in Himself two natures, the divine and the human. So Christ is true God, and at the same time true man, therefore God-Man; consequently there are in Christ two wills, the divine and the human. In His humanity He is less than the Father (Jn. 14:28), in His divinity He is equal to the Father On. 10:30); His humanity filled Him with a natural terror of His suffer­ings, but His divinity was perfectly united with the will of His Heav­enly Father, and could pray: Not my will, but thine be done.

ASPIRATION O God, our Heavenly Father, Who this night has given to us sinners, in the form of a child from the immaculate womb of Mary, Thine only-begotten Son as our Mediator and Redeemer, we give Thee thanks with heart and lips, and humbly beseech Thee that Thou wilt never permit us to forget such a grace, and that we may sustain ourselves by it in all temptations; that we may be ever grateful to Thee for it, and until death praise, honor and serve Thee in sanctity. Amen.

Whence comes the custom of representing in our churches and houses the crib of Bethlehem?

This custom was introduced by St. Francis of Assisi who, having a particular devotion to the Infant Jesus, was accustomed to represent to himself in this way the stable and manger at Bethlehem the further to excite his love; and as this pious practice is calculated to assist exceedingly in the instruction of the unlearned, especially of children, it was introduced into many congregations.

Tin Hats United

By Anna Von Reitz

It is just over three weeks since the Earthquake that hit my hometown, tiny Big Lake, Alaska. My fingertips are sore as I type, from tiny cuts from shattered glass embedded in throw rugs that I have had rolled up, waiting for thorough cleaning, glass picking, and washing.

It's a nasty and perilous job. Fingernails get nicked, fingertips suffer jabs, but someone has to do it. The only alternative is the throw the rugs out and there have already been enough losses.

Thanks to all of you, we are beginning to get things back in order much more quickly than would have been possible otherwise. I have just received a computer to replace the one we lost in the power surge and a new monitor screen, too. Thank you, Allen and Family! You went the Extra Mile!

Other donations have reduced the Misery and Suffering Index to manageable proportions for the members of our Living Law Firm team.

For those who have never been through a real honest-to-God disaster--- recovery is a long process. It takes time. You plod through it, day by day, chiseling away at what has to be done, assessing what is lost, finding what is damaged, and just toughing it out.

Yesterday, I found a can of beans that had rolled behind a shelving unit and discovered that all the blades for my food processor had been bent in an odd collision with a freezer, which also got dented. I can hardly imagine how much force was involved. The blades must have slid under the freezer at the exact moment it was in the air and then the foot of the fully loaded freezer came down and crunch!

Even stainless steel is not immune. I have proof.

But, that's okay. I went to Walmart for something unrelated (extra foam insulation to help a friend re-caulk around replacement windows in his home office) and there in the vast pile of dented and damaged goods was a brand new food processor for less than half the original price, complete with the blades. Only the carton and the instruction book were mashed.

That's the way things happen in a disaster. You zig and you zag your way through it. One thing goes up, and another goes down, and we do the Hokey Pokey and we turn it all around---- and three weeks later, I guarantee you, my basement looks WORSE than it did two weeks ago.

It's the same process as house cleaning. You have to tear everything apart before you can put it back together? And as you do this, everything gets more messed up instead of less for a while? We are in that stage of recovery and it will probably take months to get back to being truly organized.

My books, for example, are all back on shelves. That was a major endeavor all by itself. But they are in no particular order anymore, so it's good-luck-hunt-and-peck to find the volume I am looking for, because it might not be in the same bookcase, much less the same shelf.

Now apply that to almost all the paperwork in a Law Office..... thank God my super-competent Executive Officer has his own way of segregating and organizing all the most important and current work, or we would have been up the proverbial creek.

We still face months of reorganizing older files and correspondence and considerable furniture moving and repairs to undertake that will take time and energy, but, with enough thrust even pigs can fly.

It is a real satisfaction to me that our lowly Food Storage Club now has six more families signed up. They are mostly shame-faced neighbors who showed up at my door in search of food, fuel, and water. And blankets. And medicine. And do I have an extra emergency cook stove they could borrow?

We just smiled (maybe a little grimly, remembering how these same people made fun of us) and took care of them. Count that as six more American families wearing Tin Hats and damned proud of it. Next time the world burps or burns or floods, they, too, will be as ready as they can be to deal with the situation.

It's just too bad that so many people have to actually experience a disaster before they understand how important all the things they take for granted really are. Just stop and think.

What would you and your family do if the lights went off and didn't come back on? Where would you get water? Where would you get food? How would you stay warm?

Trotting down the street to Anna's house might not be an option for you, so best to address these questions before you are standing there going --- "Uh-oh! Now what?"

The Tin Hats came through again. And as usual, the "government" did nothing timely or useful beyond a week of Free Dump fees.

When push comes to shove in a real disaster, it is always the same: what you've got to work with is limited to your own resources and pre-planning, and whatever help you can reach out for from family and friends and other private networks like clubs and churches.

To the extent that most communities in America have a disaster plan, it is limited to how to save public buildings, not individual families. Take note. That means you. And yours.

The "government" isn't going to feed you, supply your with water, or guarantee you any shelter or medical care. In most cases, the "government" isn't even going to be present for days after a disaster. If you live in urban areas, the grasshoppers among us will be looting and rioting on top of everything else. .

The fabric of society quickly breaks down in a disaster. When people get scared and hungry, all sorts of things happen. What happens in a disaster that continues for more than a few days?

As one of my more sardonic Tin Hat friends grimly remarked, "In three weeks, it would all be over."

Most of the grasshoppers would be dead of starvation, thirst, dysentery, or killed in the mob violence that results from thirst and starvation and uncontrolled sewage.

Most Americans don't know how to dig a latrine.

It's time we all remembered the Basics of life on Earth and planned for our own needs and the needs of our families in case of a disaster. It just makes good common sense--- if there is any of that left outside the Tin Hat Community.

My husband and I and our little group of like-minded friends prepared for a lot of eventualities, but once you get beyond your own little circle it is painfully apparent how many of your neighbors didn't plan and now are in desperate need of help.

We have people here digging out holes for rocket stoves in the dead of winter, minus 14 temperatures. That's the kind of thing that happens in a disaster. And of course, there's no extra money tor these emergency needs, either, even if you can find the parts or order them from somewhere.

So we've got guys in garages "making do" and cutting sheet metal with pliers, constructing things the old-fashioned way, thanking God that some of the Old Timers still know how and still have the right tools squirreled away.

But I have to tell you, as I look around, I notice that those who know these practical skills are few and far between, and mostly my age or older.

We've got women baking bread in outdoor ovens in this kind of weather, too. We've got our Sourdough Crocks sitting in the warmest spot in the house, next to the cat, of course. This earthquake has been quite a wake-up call and motivator.

This whole last week as I have been "shoveling" through things, I've been pulling out children's toys and games left over from my own kids umpteen years ago and recycling these treasures to children who won't be having much of a Christmas this year.

It's amazing how much a dog-eared Monopoly set can mean to a family with no TV, no computer, and nothing but a couple oil lamps to read by at night. For them, the technological advances of the last two centuries just about disappeared.

I've also been sharing out my vast collection of children's books and rummaging through the closets for old flannel sheet sets and shirts that don't quite fit and jeans that are too small and all those other things that tend to collect. They are all going out the door to new owners.

A disaster has a way of "tuning people up" --- making them more aware, and more grateful for the little things that too often get taken for granted. It's Christmas Eve. We are still bundling up care packages for those in need.

Your donations to me have spread a circle of light and protection around the researchers and lawyers of The Living Law Firm, and we, in turn, have spread that light out to others, sharing what we have this dark and cold December.

We are very grateful to be warm and fed, to have good water and good friends. It's going to be an odd Christmas, but a good Christmas, too----one that forces us to remember all the things that are most important.

I found enough plates in the wreckage (not all the same pattern, but what the hey?) to serve dinner. There's still one string of Christmas lights blazing away. My husband is stomping the snow off his boots. My son is curled up with his dog in front of the fire. He will get three small presents tomorrow -- things I bought early and squirreled away earlier in the year.

Every spare penny is being parceled out for practical things now -- to keep the work going and the people going. The Tin Hats United have stepped to the plate, and so far, somehow, we are all getting through the earthquake, the holidays, and the winter.

From our house to yours, Merry Christmas and God Bless us all in the coming year! May the needed changes come and may we meet all the challenges together, with courage, with generosity, and with compassion for each other.

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