Click here to see exactly what Hope looks like. Helping to fund works like this is why I get up out of bed and go to work each day.

The text below is taken from Pope Benedict's Christmas Message, given earlier today in Vatican Square:Dear brothers and sisters, today, “the grace of God our Saviour has appeared” (cf. Tit 2:11) in this world of ours, with all its potential and its frailty, its advances and crises, its hopes and travails. Today, there shines forth … Continue reading To The City, To the World

I am not big on most contemporary Christian music. Perhaps its because I feel following Jesus is much more beautiful, troublesome, ridiculous, and sublime than obvious, and very hard to condense into music.There is one middle-aged fellow I have liked for about oh, 30-some years. His name is Bob Bennett. I am amazed at the … Continue reading Carol of the Moon and Stars – An Advent Gift

The darling of the world is come and fit it is we find a room to welcome Him. To welcome Him. The noble part of all the house here is the heart. Which we receive him and bequeath this holly and this ivy wreath.  To do Him honor who's our King and Lord of all … Continue reading 2008 Norris Family Christmas Greeting

His name was Jdimytai Damour. He worked security at a Wal Mart on Long Island. He was 34, and now, he is dead, because, well, we need to have our stuff. I have been haunted by Mr. Damour's death ever since the day it occurred, on the Friday after Thanksgiving, when a mass of "Blitz … Continue reading The Wal Mart Death in All of Us

This never gets old for me:

The other day I found this touching piece, by composer Morten Lauridsen. O magnum mysteriumet admirabile sacramentum,ut animalia viderentDominum natum, jacentem in præsepio. Beata virgo, cujus viscerameruerunt portareDominum Christum, Alleluia! Translation: O great mysteryand wondrous sacrament,that animals should seethe newborn Lord lying in their manger. Blessed is the Virginwhose womb was worthyto bear the Lord … Continue reading O Magnum Mysterium – O Great Mystery

I have written before about my friend Tony. I came across the video below several days ago. As it turns out, Tony translated the lyrics into Latin of this piece for the composer.To me, this is the perfect piece for the Advent time of waiting.Lux, (Light) calida gravisque (warm and heavy) pura velut aurum (pure … Continue reading Advent and Lux Aurumque

My good friend KC found this video on the web the other day. "In the Bleak Midwinter" is one of my favorite Christmas choral pieces, and this simple arrangement is wonderful. Advent is upon us, even in unlikely places, like coffee houses. I had never heard of Corrine May before. Check her out.KC and I … Continue reading Coffee House Advent – Corrine May

From the Los Angeles Times today:One day after an F/A-18D Hornet fighter jet fell from the sky and crashed into his two-story house in San Diego's University City neighborhood, Dong Yun Yoon returned to a home and life in ruins.Rescue workers sifting through the debris on Cather Avenue had found the bodies of his wife, … Continue reading Tragic Loss and Forgiveness