Christmas

The Flight to Egypt and the Continuing Challenges of Refugees

Patricia Edwards-Konic 1-19-2010

Epiphany has passed as well as Coptic Christmas earlier in January. A beautifully carved olive wood figure I bought in Bethlehem a couple of years ago titled "The Flight to Egypt" is the last of my Christmas decorations.

Christmas in the Trenches

Jim Wallis 12-23-2009

We first published this reflection by Jim Wallis in 2002. It has since become our Christmas tradition, kind of our own Charlie Brown Christmas special, if you will. With the ongoing conflicts raging during each passing year, it remains tragically relevant, particularly this year as we think about Afghanistan.

Praying the Hand

Valerie Elverton Dixon 12-23-2009

I do not remember where I learned the idea that the hand represents a pattern of prayer. I do not recall my mother or other teachers teaching it to me.

Unconditional Incarnation

Edward Gilbreath 12-22-2009

O come all ye faithful, joyful and triumphant ...

Stepping Back from Bethlehem

Phil Haslanger 12-21-2009

For much of the world, the heart of Bethlehem is found down a narrow stairway in a small cave area under a huge church where a 14-pointed silver star marks the spot that, for at least 17 centuries, Christians have honored as the place where Jesus was born.

'Twas a Week Before Christmas: A D.C. Holiday Poem

Eric Sapp 12-21-2009

'Twas a week before Christmas, and all through my city
Politicians were scrambl'n, it wasn't very pretty.
Health care and climate were up in the air,

My Hometown Makes the Front Page of The Washington Post

Heidi L. Thompson 12-17-2009

At a recent holiday party, I tried to describe my hometown of Warren, Ohio.

"Warren?" I said. "Well, it's a lot like Detroit. With none of the perks."

'Stand up for Christmas'?!

Eugene Cho 12-17-2009

Here's a post from one of my favorite blogs titled, 'Stand Up for Christmas?'.

Rediscovering Values: A Book I Didn't Plan to Write

Jim Wallis 12-10-2009

Guess Who's Getting a Christmas Bonus

Sheldon Good 12-10-2009

Do you think you'll get a Christmas bonus this year? I know one person who will -- the new chief executive who will take over for Ken Lewis at Bank of America.

How 'Scroogenomics' Is Saving My Christmas

Helen Lee 12-09-2009

Fired Up About Financial Reform

Jennifer Kottler 12-09-2009

I'm mad as hell, and I'm not going to take it anymore

In Praise of Christmas Materialism

Ernesto Tinajero 12-08-2009

Advent: Hope for Immigrants Too

Crissy Brooks 12-08-2009

Last year at Christmastime one of my neighbors was deported. The next day his mother showed up to volunteer as a gift wrapper at our annual community Christmas Store.

I've Done It. I've Reclaimed Christmas.

Lynne Hybels 12-08-2009

I refuse to write a blog about how overwhelmed I am by the holiday season. I'm not going to wax eloquent about how the season I loved most as a child has become the source of excruciating stress.

Advent Echoes: Checkpoints and Childbirth on a West Bank Winter Night

Phil Haslanger 12-07-2009

Although Hani Abu Haikal is a Muslim, he probably can identify with the sense of panic Joseph and Mary must have felt as they searched for a place to stay as the time of Jesus' birth drew near.

Christmas Toy Drives Bring Protests of Anti-Immigrant Discrimination

Larry James 12-04-2009

Last week we received word from Houston, Texas, that some charitable organizations would screen out the children of undocumented residents of the city when it comes time to distribute toys and othe

Make Your Wish List a Giving List

LaVonne Neff 12-04-2009

I have mixed feelings about wish lists. They rob Christmas of creativity, surprise, and personal contact, but they make shopping much, much easier.

Christmas is Supposed to Be Crusty

Tracey Bianchi 12-02-2009

It's time to haul out the Christmas lights and stockings, Advent calendars, and odd-shaped Santa pillows from grandparents. Every year I sort of dread dragging all the chaos out of the basement.

World AIDS Day and Rosa Parks' Civil Disobedience

Ruth Hawley-Lowry 12-01-2009

December 1 is World AIDS Day. December 1 is also the day that Rosa Parks refused to yield her seat on a bus in Montgomery.