site-wide context variables for Express apps

views.js

// the route is defined
app.get('/notices', ensureLoggedIn('/'), routes.notices);

// these variables should be available from the template even if not explicitly returned
user = getLoggedInUser();
activeNavigation = getCurrentPage();

// some old view
exports.notices = function (req, res) {
    var notices = getNotices();
    res.render('pages/notices', {notices: notices});
};

// template should be able to access all three variables
<ul class="{{activeNavigation}}">
  <li>Homepage</li>
  <li>Notices</li>
  <li>Logout {{user.username}}</li>
</ul>

{{#notices}}
<p><strong>{{type}}:</strong> {{text}}
{{/notices}}