LifeNet

St. Nicholas and Christmas

Merry Christmas!

A brief essay - and neat picture - from Ethika Politika

Nicholas committed his single most notable act of charity in his youth: He provided dowries anonymously and out of his own inheritance for three young women who would otherwise have had no way to support themselves over the long term other than slavery or prostitution. By providing dowries, Nicholas made it possible for these young women to avoid the worst indignities of desperation. He had no desire to scold the young women or their father for their circumstances or for the terrible choices that they were contemplating. He gave them—without question, condition, or lecture— a way out of their desperate circumstances, and, when he was caught and confronted, he explained simply that he wanted the credit to be given to God.

If Joseph and Mary used Facebook

With over 300,000 views - it was posted on youtube in December, 2010 by the United Pentocostal Church of Maricopa, Arizona.

A Merry and Holy Christmas!

An ultrasound Baby Jesus poster

Sent to us by a correspondent, Nancy.

You can find it here - from the Franciscan Friar of the Renewal website: www.franciscanfriars.com Click on e-Letter, then scroll down to:

Ultra Sound Baby Jesus Poster found here

Bishop Joseph Finn of Kansas City - Christmas message: "What is the Worth of a Person?"

Seven great paragraphs:

What is the worth of a Person? - Bishop Finn's Christmas Message

When Jesus Christ, the eternal Son of God, took our flesh in the mystery of the Incarnation, He became flesh: True God and True Man. So what is the worth of a person? It is not primarily the sum of our actions. It is certainly not limited in any way to the status of our citizenship. Nor is it tied to the measure of our I.Q., the quantity of our material possessions, or our position in the community or the Church. Our lasting and irrevocable worth is grounded in the fact that we are a son or daughter of the heavenly Father. Our inestimable value is tied to the fact that Jesus Christ has united Himself in some fashion with each person. He has died for me and you. He has given our mortal nature, immortal value. Because of His Plan we are destined for eternity, and even now He has made it possible for us to live in His grace and life. Mankind has become new – newborn – in this mystery of Christmas. And while we adore the Christ-child, we must be ready to honor each person – all of whom share His image.

Christmas - Nollaig Shona Duit

Which means, Happy Christmas to You! With thanks to the Irish online publication Lifezine -

Botticelli - this is his only signed work - The Mystic Nativity. You can go here to learn about it.