“God bless all of you, all of you on the good earth”—Remembering Apollo 8’s Christmas at the Moon.
Have we lost sight of the goodness of Earth, this remarkable, fragile, sanctuary that teems with life and possibility amid the cold, indifferent, expanse of space? Have we lost sight of the remarkable gift of life that is ours to enjoy, however fleetingly, amid the immeasurably vast expanse of time and space?
Awakening: Mary’s Vision
You tap me on the shoulderOf my soulAnd wake me fromA deep sleep.“Who are You?” I ask.You say,“I am Gabriel…”
Readers Write: Fear
We asked readers to submit brief reflections on words associated with Advent. Here is a response on the word “fear.”
Readers Write: Truth
We asked readers to submit brief reflections on words associated with Advent. Here is a response on the word “truth.”
Pondering Christmas, from both sides
Life has its valleys and when joy becomes an illusion, Christmas easily intensifies emptiness. That emptiness is expected for, say, widows or widowers, for those in nursing homes or hospitals, but beware the walking wounded. They sit next to us in cubicles or on the bus—smiling every day without sharing the deep, hard realities of their lives—aching inside.