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Is "Merry Christmas" a thing of the past, a greeting from a bygone era, a remnant of a past with which we no longer want to be associated? We might not be there yet, but if current trends continue, we're not far off. If so, it's a shame, a further coarsening of the culture -- and worse. It is yet another an example of the removal of religion, specifically Christianity, from a country that has long been the most religious major industrialized democracy in the world. Proponents of "happy holidays" argue that this is no big deal. They say the...

President Trump and first lady Melania Trump receive the 19 1/2-foot-tall Fraser fir at the north portico of the White House in a horse-drawn carriage.

Controversy erupted over Christmas week when the Washington Post tweeted out an opinion article by Raphael Lataster they had published in 2014. It claims to show that the existence of Jesus as a historical figure is likely no more than a myth. Critics questioned the timing of the tweet as a slap in the face to Christians preparing to celebrate one of their holiest days.Possibly more importantly, many seized on the reaction to the 2014 publication. Historians, including a professor who had taught Lataster in a class about the historical Jesus, demolished the claims. Its ideas were described as...

“I don't think the term Happy Holidays will ever annoy me so much again.” My dearest of friends Ralph and Margaret may have unknowingly ignited a Christmas trend that puts Christmas Greetings into a proper perspective that originates from natural order. Watching television is sometimes the only link to the outside world when small towns like the one where we live become snowbound when the main highway leading out of it is shut down. Like many others, Ralph and Margaret turn to Fox News when blizzards keep them house bound. Though Fox is their standby network, they were disconcerted to...

(Reuters) - Snow piled up in Erie, Pennsylvania, on Wednesday after two days of record-breaking snowfall that had already surpassed 5 feet (1.5 meters), breaking city and state records, according to the National Weather Service. Though residents are used to winter snow squalls blowing in from adjacent Lake Erie, which straddles the border with Canada, the Christmas storm is already one for the ages. "This is an incredible amount of snow that we're trying to move," the Erie Police Department said in statement after the city declared a "snow emergency" on Tuesday, imploring people to stay off the streets.

The best thing about the first day after Christmas: The Christmas curmudgeons ’ carping starts to wane right up until the calendar draws near to next Christmas. The progressive left are the collective Christmas curmudgeons. They’re worse than the Grinch, who at least ultimately acknowledged that there is such a thing as Christmas. Carp, carp, carp is all the Christmas curmudgeons know how to do. The beautiful Christmas Greeting, “Merry Christmas!” sends them retching over the nearest curb. Unfortunately for the marginalized majority, they don’t keep their misery to themselves but spread it whenever and wherever they can.

I'm very proud to be the Prime Minister of Israel. A country that says Merry Christmas, first to its Christian citizens, and to our Christian friends around the world! #MerryChristmas

Merry Christmas, everyone! Prayers up for good cheer, good health and happiness. Praying for continued success in draining the swamp and making America great again! May God bless us all.

A Knock at Midnight – A Homily for Christmas Mass Msgr. Charles Pope • December 25, 2017 • No Room at the Inn, Simon de VosIn this reflection, perhaps we can consider just a single line in the Gospel, one that both challenges our love and acts as a sign of God’s humble and abiding love for us: For there was no room for them in the inn. I. The Scene – There is a knock at midnight. Joseph, speaking on behalf of both Mary and Jesus (who is in her womb still), seeks entrance to the homes and...

President Trump wished Americans a "Merry Christmas" in a video message he posted to Twitter on Monday morning. "My fellow Americans, Melania and I are delighted to wish America and the entire world a very Merry Christmas," Trump says in the video message. "At this time of year, we see the best of America and the soul of the American people," Melania Trump says in the video. President Trump says that in the season of joy, people spend time with their families, renew the "bonds of love and goodwill between our citizens" and celebrate the "miracle of Christmas." "On behalf...

Bela Fleck-12 Days of Christmas

President Trump rang in the Christmas holiday at a midnight church service in Florida and wished America an unabashed Merry Christmas on Twitter. Mr. Trump and first lady Melania Trump attended Christmas Eve services at the Episcopal Church of Bethesda-by-the-sea in Palm Beach, Florida — the same church where they were married. They are spending the holiday at their Mar-a-Lago resort. The president also tweeted, “People are proud to be saying Merry Christmas again. I am proud to have led the charge against the assault of our cherished and beautiful phrase. MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!!!”

TubaChristmas is a great tradition, but this shows why there is no (!) trumpet christmas ...

Merry Christmas to everyone! It has been a wonderful Christmas here.

For Unto You Is Born This Day... A Savior...Christ The LordMerry CHRISTmas, Troops!! LUKE 2:1-20 King James Version (KJV) 1..And it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be taxed. 2..(And this taxing was first made when Cyrenius was governor of Syria.) 3..And all went to be taxed, every one into his own city. 4..And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judaea, unto the city of David, which is called Bethlehem; (because he was of the house and lineage...

December 25, 2017 - Nativity of the Lord (Christmas) - During the Day The Nativity of the Lord (Christmas)Mass During the Day Reading 1 Is 52:7-10 How beautiful upon the mountainsare the feet of him who brings glad tidings,announcing peace, bearing good news,announcing salvation, and saying to Zion,"Your God is King!" Hark! Your sentinels raise a cry,together they shout for joy,for they see directly, before their eyes,the LORD restoring Zion.Break out together in song,O ruins of Jerusalem!For the LORD comforts his people,he redeems Jerusalem.The LORD has bared his holy armin the sight of all the nations;all the ends of...

December 25, 2017 - Nativity of the Lord (Christmas) - Dawn The Nativity of the Lord (Christmas)Mass at Dawn Reading 1 Is 62:11-12 See, the LORD proclaimsto the ends of the earth:say to daughter Zion,your savior comes!Here is his reward with him,his recompense before him.They shall be called the holy people,the redeemed of the LORD,and you shall be called "Frequented,"a city that is not forsaken. Responsorial Psalm Ps 97:1, 6, 11-12 R. A light will shine on us this day: the Lord is born for us.The LORD is king; let the earth rejoice;let the many isles be glad.The heavens...

December 25, 2017 - The Nativity of the Lord (Christmas) – Midnight The Nativity of the Lord (Christmas)Mass - Midnight Reading 1 Is 9:1-6 The people who walked in darknesshave seen a great light;upon those who dwelt in the land of glooma light has shone.You have brought them abundant joyand great rejoicing,as they rejoice before you as at the harvest,as people make merry when dividing spoils.For the yoke that burdened them,the pole on their shoulder,and the rod of their taskmasteryou have smashed, as on the day of Midian.For every boot that tramped in battle,every cloak rolled in blood,will be...

In what has become an annual, Christmas Eve tradition of sorts, I wonder if anyone else out there is spending your Christmas Eve solo. I suppose we're never really alone if we have FR and the wonderful people who make up the membership here. Merry Christmas, everyone.

December 24, 2017 - The Nativity of the Lord (Christmas) The Nativity of the Lord (Christmas)At the Vigil Mass Reading 1 Is 62:1-5 For Zion's sake I will not be silent,for Jerusalem's sake I will not be quiet,until her vindication shines forth like the dawnand her victory like a burning torch. Nations shall behold your vindication,and all the kings your glory;you shall be called by a new namepronounced by the mouth of the LORD.You shall be a glorious crown in the hand of the LORD,a royal diadem held by your God.No more shall people call you "Forsaken,"or your land...