Tag Archives: Christmas

A Joyful Sad Christmas

Anabelle and I spent many joyous Christmases in this house. Christmas is a time for joy for many people. Gift-giving, often lavish and extravagant, helps to make the season bright. Yet, the first Christmas was very simple and literally poor. … Continue reading

Posted in Discipleship, Spirituality, The Good News | Tagged | Comments Off on A Joyful Sad Christmas

The New Day Dawns

It’s Christmas Eve and tomorrow the new day dawns. For the first time in my life, I am missing all the joy and excitement I have always associated with Christmas. I can still see all the hustle and bustle of … Continue reading

Posted in Faith, The Good News | Tagged | Comments Off on The New Day Dawns

A Special Child

  At Christmas, the child born in the manger is special. Thus, Christmas is a special time for children. During Christmas, children are the focus and center of our special attention. This Christmas, I think of special children. Or children … Continue reading

Posted in Children, Generosity | Tagged , | Comments Off on A Special Child

Hail, Mary!

  Our usual image of Mary is that of a calm and collected lady. But I would imagine her otherwise during those days surrounding the birth of Jesus. Here was a young maiden betrothed to a man who was probably … Continue reading

Posted in Discipleship, Faith, The Good News | Tagged | Comments Off on Hail, Mary!

What Child Is This?

The Infancy narratives are among the most beautiful and moving of the stories in the Gospels. One can actually feel the peace, joy and love while reading them. These stories serve as the reason for the joy and happiness we … Continue reading

Posted in Change, Discipleship, Encounter, Presence, The Good News | Tagged | Comments Off on What Child Is This?

When It Is a Cold and Gray December

When it is a gray and cold December post-Christmas day, it is good to go snorkeling. There has a storm brewing the past few days and the cold and gray weather it brought matched the feelings in our souls. For … Continue reading

Posted in Faith, Love, Nature | Tagged , , | Comments Off on When It Is a Cold and Gray December

Evil in the World

There is evil in the world. One only needs to look around to realize this. War is evil. Violence is evil. Widespread poverty is evil. Oppression is evil. Evil is real and there are many would minimize it. They would … Continue reading

Posted in Evil, Sin, Uncategorized | Tagged , | Comments Off on Evil in the World

Bless the Children and the Innocents

With the last refrain of the angels’ song still hanging in the air, Herod is out to do the baby in whom he saw as threat. The Holy Family become refugees in Egypt, a tragedy oft repeated even in our … Continue reading

Posted in Children, The Good News | Tagged , | Comments Off on Bless the Children and the Innocents

What Lies Ahead?

We look with joy at the Child in the manger and wonder, “What Child is this who, laid to rest on Mary’s lap is sleeping?” The next time she would have her son in her lap would be at the … Continue reading

Posted in Discipleship, Life, The Good News | Tagged , , | Comments Off on What Lies Ahead?

The Morning After Christmas

A (favorite) nephew who often plays the cynic with a sardonic sense of humor posted this on his wall today, right after Christmas: To all the Non-believers… Happy Normal Tuesday!!! Unwittingly, he expressed the same sentiments as the Christian liturgy. … Continue reading

Posted in Discipleship, Life, The Good News | Tagged , , | Comments Off on The Morning After Christmas