St. Nicholas’ Night

January 5, 2023.Reading time 2 minutes.

The original Santa Claus / Was a man who lived in Turkey / A very long time ago, tis true / A jolly, dear old Bishop / Who took his duties seriously / And a smile when times were blue

The Christmas Puzzle

December 29, 2022.Reading time 4 minutes.

Oh Christmas crib, oh Christmas crib, / What a privilege you were blessed to have / From you food to animals was given / And now you carry the Bread of Heaven / Oh Christmas crib, oh Christmas crib, / What a privilege you were blessed to have

Children Following the Star on Christmas Eve

December 27, 2022.Reading time 1 minute.

Good children dress warmly to watch for the star / The star of Bethlehem, the shepherds’ star / The star of the magi, true-guiding star / And more than all of these, the children’s star

The Rag Man

December 24, 2022.Reading time 12 minutes.

Jesus looked at me and said, “My children are out on the streets!” The warm air from His breath puffed against the silent chill and His words hung there for a minute like snowflakes suspended in the air.

Kyrie Eleison

December 22, 2022.Reading time 6 minutes.

“One of the engines ingested a chunk of ice during the de-icing procedure in Philadelphia,” explains the pilot in a calm, even voice. “We shut down that engine and are returning to Philadelphia. We will be landing in about 30 minutes.”

Word Sung as Light

December 20, 2022.Reading time 1 minute.

A deep, slow stream of tones, of modes, of chants / Where time and all eternity flow as one / Through voices and dreamlike echoings / Among the Altars of the earth and sky

Christmas Choirs

December 17, 2022.Reading time 4 minutes.

Oh listen, listen, how the bells doth ring
Echoing over the blankets of winter’s sting
Like a single candle flickering in the night
Giving off some hope, warmth and light
Burn bright, burn long, and send incense up above
Like the Seraphim burning bright with love

The Legend of Kristof Kringel

December 15, 2022.Reading time 11 minutes.

Once upon a time in medieval Germany, a Knight named Kristof saw a glowing figure with a long white beard and wearing the garments of a Bishop. Somehow, Kristof knew in his heart that it was Saint Nicholas.

The Man Who Popularized the Modern Christmas

December 13, 2022.Reading time 4 minutes.

“The Man Who Popularized the Modern Christmas”, or something along the lines of “The Man Who Defined Christmas Traditions”, would have been better a better title than The Man Who Invented Christmas. I mean, it’s not a bad title, but there are implications that can be, shall we say, that becomes kinda problematic. But besides that and the fact that this is obviously a fictionalized account of Charles Dickens writing the book of A Christmas Carol, the movie was actually pretty well done.

A Tiny Tinsel Star

December 6, 2022.Reading time less than 1 minute.

While cleaning house I found a tinsel star / A tiny tinsel star from long ago / When once upon a time it shone so far / Above a Christmas scene in cotton snow

Faithful Friday: The Magi

January 7, 2022.Reading time 1 minute.

Little indeed is known for sure about the magi who visited the child Jesus, bringing Him gold, frankincense and myrrh. Matthew is the only Gospel writer to mention them, detailing their visit in the second chapter of his gospel. Matthew does not call them kings, but ‘magi’ or ‘wise men’.

The Christmas Witch

January 6, 2022.Reading time 27 minutes.

‘Twas the week after Christmas and all through the house, not a creature was stirring. That would be me, the sleeping creature. Everyone else was stirring. Anyway, the sound of my cell phone going to town interrupted my slumber.

Toy Trains, Grandmother’s Good China, and Children

December 30, 2021.Reading time 4 minutes.

Childhood Christmases are often the metaphorical benchmark for our present Christmases, and that won’t do. The magic of opening a package under the tree on Christmas morning is for little children; it won’t work for us and it’s not meant to.

While We Search The Heavens For That Star

December 28, 2021.Reading time 5 minutes.

That star that led us to a stable long ago /
And now bathes our souls with its silver glow

A Christmas Prayer

December 25, 2021.Reading time less than 1 minute.

We pray that this Christmas Day
Brings you peace,
Hope,
Love for God and Man,

Another Christmas

December 21, 2021.Reading time 8 minutes.

We bring our gifts to Mary’s fair-born Child: /
A pen, a broom, a book, a welding rod, /
A wrench, a mop, some papers neatly filed – /
Our daily labors offered up to God /

Behind the Scenes at the North Pole

December 18, 2021.Reading time 28 minutes.

“Alright everybody, listen up!” an old tontu announced. “We only have ten days until Christmas! Time to get things moving faster if we want our two month break! We were able to finish on time for December sixth and thirteenth. Great job everyone!”

Christmas Spirit

January 7, 2021.Reading time 14 minutes.

Where has the love gone, the magic that everyone associated with Christmas? Is it because we insist that the world should be devoid of the love that Jesus Christ brings in the manger, that it should be devoid of the wonder and magic that Santa Claus brings down every chimney?

Christmas Joy

January 5, 2021.Reading time less than 1 minute.

The lakes are frozen this time of year
The carolers are out, singing of joy and cheer…

Midnight Mass Christmas Eve

December 31, 2020.Reading time 3 minutes.

All around lays a gentle silence, as if the world is holding its breath in anticipation of a momentous occasion. In sharp contrast to the silence, cold, and darkness is a church all aglow with the light of several candles as voices raise in joyous song. Jesus Christ has been born!