Late last December, I made some New Year’s resolutions that included writing a letter every week to two of my grandchildren at a time and bringing treats once a month to our public librarians and the baristas of the coffee shop I frequent. Usually, my resolutions have the life span of a mayfly, but this…
Spirit of Giving Inspired by a Homeless Woman on Chicago’s West Side
CHICAGO—Ruby Humphrey, now deceased, was a homeless woman on Chicago’s West Side who was a light for others despite her own hardships. She especially touched one young woman, Aisha Oliver. Humphrey had words of encouragement and kindness for Oliver amid her darkest time. Humphrey is one of the people in Oliver’s life who have inspired…
Teen Delivers ‘Notes’ of Christmas Cheer to Veterans, Seniors
Young Franki Moscato is on a mission. Several missions, actually. First, the talented 18-year-old singer and performer from Oshkosh, Wisconsin, believes that veterans and members of law enforcement across the country deserve our robust and enduring thanks for all that they’ve done—and still do—to protect the vast freedoms we enjoy in America. She goes out…
In Praise of Christmas Carols
Commentary At Christmas carol time I generally get asked for “Silent Night.” And not the song. But while my singing leaves something to be desired (melody, harmony and rhythm, chiefly), I have something to say about carols: that I’ve always loved them and they exist for a reason. The former might seem unimportant. But it’s…
The Unwritten Rules of Christmas Cozonac
Each December, a few days before Christmas Eve, cozonac is baked in homes across Romania. Since childhood, I knew that cozonac was something very special. This sweet, enriched yeast bread owes much of its deliciousness to its swirls of sticky sultanas or bittersweet walnut paste and rum, two of the most popular fillings across the…
Wife Crafts Unique Christmas Ornament in Late Husband’s Memory: ‘He Is Watching Over Us’
When Christy Hester, from Twin Lake, Michigan, lost her husband, Richard, in January, she had trouble parting with his glasses. However, recently, she decided to turn them into a unique remembrance ornament for the Christmas tree, and unbeknownst to her, the loving gesture went viral. “You get rid of some things and hold onto some things,…
US Shoppers Grab Last-Minute Holiday Gifts, Pick Up Online Orders In-Store
NEW YORK—Many U.S. holiday shoppers, wary of spending time in stores during the latest surge of COVID-19 cases and nervous about packages not arriving before Christmas, were on a mission on Saturday: snatch up last-minute gifts fast or pick up online purchases in-store. The “Super Saturday” before Christmas is traditionally the busiest day of the…
Remembering the Sacred at Christmas: ‘The Adoration of the Magi’
It’s easy to forget the purpose of Christmas with the hustle and bustle that comes with holiday shopping. This holiday season, I wish to use Jan Gossaert’s painting “The Adoration of the Magi” to remind us why Christmas is so special. The Birth of Jesus “The Adoration of the Magi,” also known as “The Adoration…
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