For Christ is Near

Escape

The Springtime of Advent

Great Expectations

Painting: Georg von Rosen, The Christmas Fair

Gaudete!

(To our e-mail subscribers: this post features a video, which can be viewed by going to the blog itself)



Painting: Benozzo Gozzoli, Os Anjos em Adoração, detail

Expectation

Making Ourselves Ready

Mark the Season

There's Something in My Shoe

Why, look at this! It's December 6th, and is this a letter from Santa that I see in my blog-shoe?

Dear Boys and Girls,

I have a confession to make. I'm not exactly who you think I am.

Oh, I'm real all right, and I hope my telling you that right off the bat will make you feel better. But I confess that I'm not the precise person, technically, specifically, who, in all honesty, places toys by that pretty tree on Christmas. Your tree looks especially nice this year, by the way, and yes - I can see it. I live where I can see lots of things, someplace much cooler than the North Pole.

I live with God.

I am, you see, a saint. I was a bishop and I lived in the fourth century and I fought heresy. Oh yes, I did. You can go read about that by clicking on this line right here.

People who teach heresy lead God's people away from Him, and that's just not nice. I guess you could say little Arius wound up on my naughty list.

So yes, Virginia, there is a me. And as for you, Harold and Jason and Emma - why, look here! Everybody who's reading this is on the Nice List!
 

Keep up the good work, boys and girls. Stay in touch with God, and have a HO HO HO Meerrrrrrrrrry Christmas!

Love,
Nicholas of Myra, Bishop
(but you can call me Santy as long as you want)  

(This was originally posted on a blog I had several years ago.  Shared here because, well, sometimes we just need a touch of whimsey....)

Vanishing Sorrows

That We May Prepare His Ways

Painting: Andrea Mantegna

The Chiselling

America, Overrun

A Quality of Soul

A Morning Prayer

Do Not Be Satisfied

Painting: Winslow Homer, The Herring Net

Your Real Longing

Where You Are Meant To Be

Shall We Advance?

Painting: Winslow Homer, In Autumn Woods, c. 1877

We Give Thanks