Tag Archives: Christmas

Christmas Around the World

Posted on December 22, 2023 by mitchteemley

“Blessed is the season which engages the whole world in a conspiracy of love.” ~Hamilton Wright Mabie Click on any image to enlarge it, or to begin slideshow. “And when we give each other Christmas gifts in his name, let … Continue reading →

Posted in Quips and Quotes, Religion/Faith | Tagged , , , , , , , | 60 Comments

The Holidays Are Upon Us!

Posted on December 20, 2023 by mitchteemley

“Once again, we come to the Holiday Season, a deeply religious time that each of us observes, in his own way, by going to the mall of his choice.” ~Dave Barry “I bought my brother some gift-wrap. I took it … Continue reading →

Posted in Humor, Quips and Quotes | Tagged , , , , , , , | 24 Comments

If You Think This Season’s Hard for You…

Posted on December 18, 2023 by mitchteemley

Thought for the Week The holidays are, for some, about present love and past pain. But for others they are the reverse, a time of loneliness and isolation, of only faintly remembered love. I’ve had both, as I’m sure you … Continue reading →

Posted in Humor | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 51 Comments

The Holes in Our Reality

Posted on December 17, 2023 by mitchteemley

The familial warmth and sentiment of Christmas can, ironically, obscure the real reason Christ came: to reveal the holes in our reality. Our world isn’t a natural one, he showed, but an unnatural one, a broken shadow place hidden from … Continue reading →

Posted in For Pastors and Teachers, Quips and Quotes, Religion/Faith | Tagged , , , , , , | 6 Comments

Was Mary a Virgin?

Posted on December 12, 2023 by mitchteemley

My Real Memoir My first semester of college was ending and Winter Break was looming like mistletoe. So my Folklore and Mythology teacher Dr. Glickman, to whom Christianity was the biggest myth of all, decided to treat us to a … Continue reading →

Posted in For Pastors and Teachers, Humor, Memoir, Quips and Quotes, Religion/Faith | Tagged , , , , | 45 Comments

The Ugly Time?

Posted on December 11, 2023 by mitchteemley

Thought for the Week I used to consider late autumn with its leafless trees and sullen skies the ugly time But then I grew up and came to understand its barren beauty how it saw the loss and longing in … Continue reading →

Posted in Poetry, Quips and Quotes | Tagged , , , , , , , | 15 Comments

The Strasbourg Christmas Market

Posted on December 6, 2023 by mitchteemley

My Featured Bloggers this week are Stéphanie and Jérôme of the travel blog Strafari. Oslo, Norway-born Stéphanie and Strasbourg, France-born Jérôme regularly combine their infectious love of travel, useful facts, and marvellous photos in always-engaging posts. Visit them to see … Continue reading →

Posted in Writing | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 16 Comments

And So It Begins

Posted on December 3, 2023 by mitchteemley

The season of Advent begins today. The word advent means “to arrive” in a notable or surprising way (Oxford Dictionary). Hence, it serves as the root of our word “adventure,” which implies daring, the unknown. In short: An experience that can … Continue reading →

Posted in For Pastors and Teachers, Quips and Quotes, Religion/Faith | Tagged , , , , , , | 8 Comments

Our Yule Log Tradition

Posted on November 30, 2023 by mitchteemley

It’s the end of November when my wife and I celebrate our yule log tradition: Wife: “You’ll log off that computer right now and help me with the Christmas decorations, if you know what’s good for you!” Me: (traditional festive … Continue reading →

Posted in Culture, Humor, Quips and Quotes | Tagged , , , , , , | 34 Comments

I Forgive You for Not Being Perfect, Dad

Posted on January 10, 2023 by mitchteemley

My Real Memoir Mark Twain famously said, “When I was a boy of 14, my father was so ignorant I could hardly stand to have him around. But when I got to be 21, I was astonished at how much … Continue reading →

Posted in Humor, Memoir | Tagged , , , , , , , | 57 Comments