Joy to the World hymn and Christmas reflections
A meditation on the hymn Joy to the World based on Psalm 98, noting its origins with Isaac Watts and Handel and exploring the tension between promised joy and the cost of living righteous lives. The piece reflects on modern lack of joy amid holiday shopping and scarce money, urging personal choice to embrace joy through love and mercy.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Joy
Isaac Watts
George F. Handel
Israel
Earth
Dameans Offer Christmas Joy and Saint Paul Prayer
The Dameans invoke Christmas reflection on joy and learning about Christ, urging humility and love as central to faith. They echo St. Paul’s prayer for Christ to dwell in hearts and for charity to be the life’s foundation, wishing Merry Christmas and Jesus joy to readers. Correspondence to The Dameans, P.O. Box 2108, Baton Rouge, LA 70821.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Dameans
St. Paul
Christ
God
Merry Christmas
Jesus
the Dameans
P.O
Baton Rouge
NC News Service
Symbols in Catholic life stir feelings and attitudes
Father Joseph M. Champlin reflects on wedding rings as more than mere signs of marriage. He notes that double rings are common and that the bands symbolize inner qualities and commitment shared by Mary and her spouse, beyond the legal bond.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Mary
Avery Dukes
Nazareth
Bethlehem
NC News Service
Reflecting on the first Christmas in Bethlehem
A devotional meditation imagines following the Star to Jesus in a humble manger. It invites readers to imagine the birth, reflect on God's choice of poverty, and consider why there was no room in the inn and what that means for today.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Bethlehem
Jesus
Mary and
Joseph
God
Earth
Symbols of Christmas Faith and the Bridal Metaphor
The piece reflects on the shepherds and angels at the first Christmas and how symbols like nuptial rings convey deep spiritual meanings. It discusses how actions, not just words, share the good news of Jesus and how imagery helps reveal inborn beliefs during the Incarnation.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Jesus
Also Mentioned on This Page
Life In Music
The
Jeremiah Bullfrog
Carole King
Joseph M. Champlin
Margaret Ferrone
Him
Dulles
Virginia Powell
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