by Morning Reflections | Dec 7, 2020 | Uncategorized
The typical nativity scene includes Mary, Joseph, Jesus, shepherds, and Magi – not to mention a cow, a few sheep, and perhaps a humble-looking donkey.One prominent character in the original Christmas accounts, however, never makes the cut. That would be King...
by Morning Reflections | Dec 4, 2020 | Uncategorized
When you think about, I Saw Three Ships Come Sailing In is a rather unusual Christmas carol. There are no boats in the accounts of Jesus’ birth. The Jews of Bible times, in fact, were generally terrified of open water. Only fishermen routinely set...
by Morning Reflections | Dec 3, 2020 | Uncategorized
Which Christmas carol has the distinction of being written in its entirety on Christmas Eve?That would be Silent Night, which sprang from a musical 911 call at St. Nicholas’ Church in Oberndorf, Austria, in 1818.On December 22 assistant priest Josef Mohr learned...
by Morning Reflections | Dec 2, 2020 | Uncategorized
As 2020 draws to a close, people everywhere are hungry for good news. Here are some happy news stories that have managed to stay under the radar this year: Giant pandas and manatees were taken off the endangered species list in 2020, and tigers are...
by Morning Reflections | Dec 1, 2020 | Uncategorized
Which traditional Christmas carol is not really a carol at all? That would be Joy to the World. This 1719 song, which is based on Psalm 98, makes no reference to the standard images of Christmas and was originally intended to be sung year-round. But...
