A Mary and Joseph kind of Christmas

Stepping outside onto our back patio, the frigid early morning air startles me, smacking my cheeks like a trainer popping the face of a prizefighter, making sure the boxer is fully conscious. Moments before I had been inside, listening to the news reports: the murders in San Bernardino, CA., were likely the result of a …

Paying attention to detail

After Mass, the nun ever so gently placed the remaining consecrated bread (the “Blessed Sacrament”) in the tabernacle—a wood carved, locked box, beautiful in its simplicity. I watched her precise and meticulous movements as she focused her complete attention on the placement of the bread: first she unlatched the door of the tabernacle, carefully positioned …