Category Archives: Holidays and Feasts

True Valentine

True Valentine
How did a bachelor priest come to represent a day celebrating romantic love? Despite the cupids and hearts that we see today, Saint Valentine was a real person. The strongest traditions put Valentine in third century Italy. He was a physician turned priest and fell under the persecution of the pagan Emperor Claudius II. During…
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Embracing St. Nick

Embracing St. Nick
As some kids were sorting out Santa Claus and Jesus, one stated confidently to his friend that Santa Claus works for Jesus. That's actually truer than most would realize. The legend of Santa Claus is derived from the historic figure of Saint Nicholas. St. Nicholas was a 4th century Greek bishop from Myra, a city on…
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Prepare the way

Prepare the way
This is the season of advent. A time when we prepare for Christ’s coming. Long ago the prophets foretold of the Messiah’s coming, though the day and hour were not known. The people of Israel must have tired of looking – hoping and waiting over hundreds of years. During the darkest times of need, the…
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First Day of Advent

First Day of Advent
As a child, Sunday nights in December meant Advent devotions. The tradition pointed our hearts to the true reason for the Christmas holiday and sticks with me to this day as a meaningful and worthwhile tradition. My brother and I would take turns reading (after fighting to see who would light the candle) as our…
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