Tag Archives: Christmas

A Christmas Crisis

Posted on November 30, 2021 by Mark

It was a personal crisis he could never have imagined. Joseph is taken completely by surprise when he learns that Mary, his future wife, is pregnant. Joseph knew he was not the father. Mary had told him of the angel … Continue reading →

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A Nativity of Imagination or Reality?

Posted on December 22, 2016 by Mark

The Gospels provide two nativity scenes. Luke’s gospel tells of humble shepherds heeding the instruction of an angel and worshipping the Christ Child as He lay in a manger in Bethlehem. Matthew’s gospel tells of reputable magi following a star to Bethlehem and worshipping … Continue reading →

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Doing Things the Hard Way

Posted on December 17, 2015 by Mark

“And while they were there, the time came for her to give birth. And she gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped him in swaddling cloths and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them … Continue reading →

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“How Long ’til We Get There?”

Posted on December 15, 2013 by Mark

When I was a kid, traveling was part of our Christmas holiday.  My family lived in Maryland and my grandparents lived in New York state.  As soon as Christmas break arrived my parents, four siblings and I would pile into … Continue reading →

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Code Red Christmas

Posted on December 9, 2012 by Mark

Alert systems are put in place to give warnings.  In the wake of 9/11 the newly formed Department of Homeland Security instituted a five-level terror advisory scale: low, guarded, elevated, high, and severe.  Because that system proved to not be … Continue reading →

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The Sound of Silence

Posted on December 6, 2012 by Mark

Almost everyone has something to say about nearly everything these days.  There appears to be little, if any, restraint in the stream of words flowing out of mouths and from fingers.  It seems to me that we have forsaken the … Continue reading →

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Waiting

Posted on December 3, 2012 by Mark

My daughter desperately wants an iPod but doesn’t have enough money to buy one.  She’s been trying every angle with her parents and brothers to see if she can beg, borrow, or steal enough to purchase one.  She’s offered to … Continue reading →

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A Father Who Loves to Give

Posted on December 28, 2011 by Mark

Christmas day has come and gone.  The tree and decorations are still up and family will be arriving soon for a few more days of celebration.  I have some moments for reflection. I was the recipient of a number of great … Continue reading →

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The Season of Advent

Posted on November 28, 2011 by Mark

A front page story in last Saturday’s The Plain Dealer read, “Black Friday brings ‘riot’ in Strongsville, pepper spray in LA.”  Now there’s a great way to begin the Christmas season — consumers gone wild!  As appalling as it is for … Continue reading →

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