"A cold coming we had of it, Just the worst time of the year For a journey, and such a long journey: The ways deep and the weather sharp, The very dead of winter.’ And the camels galled, sore-footed, refractory, Lying down in the melting snow. There were times we regretted The summer palaces on slopes, the terraces, And the silken girls bringing sherbet. Then the camel men cursing and grumbling And running away, and wanting their liquor and women, And the night-fires going ou

Today, we hear of the magi - these kings, scholars, and spiritual seekers - who discover and bear witness to the fact that the universe changed at the birth of Jesus. Given what we, ourselves, have seen, heard, learned, and experienced, we too have to tell the world what we know to be the truth. Therefore, through prayer and sacrifice, sacrament and knowledge, each and every day of our lives we choose to serve God and one another. This is our witness. This is our joy. This is

Mary said "yes" with her entire being: Mind, body, soul, and spirit. Joseph gave it his all: Husband, dad, protector, teacher. Christ the Savior was born in a manger: Not as a powerful, political figure. That is when the earthly hunt began: A race to erase divinity. Herod's fear was Satan's plan: The kind of money, power, and sex that destroys and distracts. Lifestyle as an aphrodisiac Not as a path to salvation. The shepherds knew differently They saw the heavenly hosts and