His Holiness Pope Benedict XVI today broadcast a Christmas Eve message on the BBC to listeners in the United Kingdom. Here’s an excerpt. Our thoughts turn back to a moment in history when God’s chosen people, the children of Israel, were living in intense expectation. They were waiting for the Messiah that God had promised… Continue reading The Pope’s message at Christmas
Tag: Christmas
A church that gets it!
I’ve said on numerous occasions that as far as I’m concerned, religious faith isn’t something you believe; it’s something you live, something you do. Anything less is an intellectual fad rather than something really meaningful and life-changing. I was very pleased to read about a church in Alabama that seems to grasp that reality. We… Continue reading A church that gets it!
Pre-Christmas music 2
Another one for your listening pleasure and thoughtful contemplation. The history of the piece, and the words, may be found here. Peter
Pre-Christmas music 1
In preparation for our celebration of the birth of a Savior, here’s one of the most ancient Advent carols, and one of my personal favorites. This particular version is modern, but the words date back to the 8th century. If you’d like the words, you’ll find them here. This version uses only three verses, 7,… Continue reading Pre-Christmas music 1
The 12 Politically Correct Days of Christmas
Er, sorry – that should have been Winter, not Christmas! Courtesy of Grouchy Old Cripple, here’s a somewhat revised version of the old carol. Old NFO also offers his take on what is, or is not, politically correct this Christmas. Worthwhile reading. (Oh – and just to make my position clear: whatever you believe [or… Continue reading The 12 Politically Correct Days of Christmas
Targeting Santa’s reindeer, perhaps?
A tip o’ the hat to reader J. M. for sending me the link to this video. Have you ever wondered how to dispose of your old Christmas tree? These two young men have a suggestion. Yep, I’d say that’s pretty original! Peter
The meaning of the feast
I wrote last year about the night Christmas became real for me. It was very difficult to write that tale – I’d never told it in full before, and even now there are parts of it that I don’t share in public. Nevertheless, it was a life-changing Christmas for me. If you haven’t read it… Continue reading The meaning of the feast
Why Christmas falls on December 25th
No, it’s almost certainly not because an old Pagan festival was taken over, as popular myth would have it. Biblical Archaeology Review reports: It’s not until the 12th century that we find the first suggestion that Jesus’ birth celebration was deliberately set at the time of pagan feasts. A marginal note on a manuscript of… Continue reading Why Christmas falls on December 25th
OK, that’s creative!
It seems a cement truck owner has decided to get into the seasonal mood. I have to admit, I never thought I’d see a Christmassy cement truck! Peter
Sounds like King Henry VIII had a very merry Christmas indeed!
An article describes the sorts of food and festivities that Henry VIII would have enjoyed. The pacing of a Tudor Christmas was very different to our own. When Henry wanted to divorce Katharine and marry Anne Boleyn, he broke away from Rome and set up his own Church, but he still kept the Roman Catholic… Continue reading Sounds like King Henry VIII had a very merry Christmas indeed!