This morning, I’ve been thinking about all the complications surrounding the birth of Jesus. Just think with me – Mary was pregnant out of wedlock. She was under threat of stoning. Hanging over Mary’s head was the question of…
Some nativities include the wise men who traveled from afar to visit the young child, Jesus. Really, these figures don’t belong near the manger. I suppose if I were to be correct, I’d place them across the room somewhere.…
I’ve been exploring (the last couple days), just who I might relate to the most, around the Nativity Story. Decidedly, I’m no Mary. I do not have a “handmaiden” mentality; in other words, I’m not quick to say, “Lord,…
No nativity is complete without the man hand-picked by God to be the step-father of His Son, namely, Joseph. What a responsibility! I often wonder what kind of thoughts ran through Joseph’s mind as Jesus was growing? What kind…
I collect nativity scenes. I have them from all over; and they are placed all over my house. I enjoy putting them out every Christmas. Some years I hold back on just how many get unwrapped; I go for…
This is my favorite Christmas ornament. It happens to be the only Santa-anything I have in our house this time of year. Every year that I put up my little fake tree that is home to every nativity ornament…
As a little girl, every Christmas Eve vespers service I ever attended began with this song, written out below (here’s a link to listen): O come, O come, EmmanuelAnd ransom captive IsraelThat mourns in lonely exile hereUntil the Son of…
There are a lot of “do not fear” statements in the Christmas story. Ever noticed? As I was re-reading the various accounts in the four gospels, the “do not fear” comments (mostly from a visiting angel) were spoken to…
Every time I turn on the Pandora Christmas-music-station, I hear someone crooning, “I’ll be home for Christmas…” It’s such a sad, nostalgic Christmas song, made more so by the fact that not everyone I love can be home for…
(…a continuation from yesterday) Tis the season for Magnificats. Last night even God was verbalizing one of sorts in His own glorious display. He continues to remind me, even in His simple acts, I have a BIG GOD who…