When I was 10 years old, I remember sitting in the den of our house in Arcadia with my parents, on Christmas Eve, watching the astronauts of Apollo 8 conduct the first TV transmission back to Earth.  Since then, 42 years have come and gone, on this, the Good Earth:

Photo information here.Mary's Songby Luci ShawBlue homespun and the bend of my breastkeep warm this small hot naked starfallen to my arms. (Rest …you who have had so far to come.)Now nearness satisfiesthe body of God sweetly. Quiet he lieswhose vigor hurled a universe. He sleepswhose eyelids have not closed before.His breath (so slight it … Continue reading Mary's Song

Into The Darkest Hourby Madeleine L’EngleIt was a time like this,War &  tumult of war,a horror in the air.Hungry yawned the abyss-and yet there came the starand the child most wonderfully there.It was time like thisof fear & lust for power,license & greed and blight-and yet the Prince of blisscame into the darkest hourin quiet … Continue reading Into the Darkest Hour

And so, it’s December again, and how did we get here?  Each of us finds ourselves confronted with the Holiday reveling, rushing, purchasing, partying, and some mild forms of panic.  If you are even a bit like me, you promise yourself that, finally, this year, maybe you will slow down, take some time, and ponder … Continue reading Norris Family Christmas 2010

Nativity CarolBorn in a stable so bare,Born so long ago;Born neath light of starHe who loved us so.Far away, silent He lay,Born today, your homage pay,Christ is born for aye,Born on Christmas Day.Cradled by mother so fair,Tender her lullaby;Over her son so dearAngel hosts fill the sky.Far away, silent He lay,Born today, your homage pay,Christ … Continue reading Nativity Carol

Tonight, I sat in the comfort of our home, and watched the beginning episode of The Pacific on DVD.  I was again reminded that 69 years ago today, the world was changed forever by the events of this date.I remain thankful for those of my fathers generation, who defended our freedom, and of the countless … Continue reading December 7, 1941 – Remembering 69 Years Later

Little Lamb, who made thee?Dost thou know who made thee?Gave thee life, and bid thee feedBy the stream and o’er the mead;Gave thee clothing of delight,Softest clothing, woolly, bright;Gave thee such a tender voice,Making all the vales rejoice?Little Lamb, who made thee?Dost thou know who made thee?Little Lamb, I’ll tell thee,Little Lamb, I’ll tell thee:He … Continue reading Little Lamb

The Wexford CarolChristmas Hymn & Carol LyricsGood people all, this Christmas time,Consider well and bear in mindWhat our good God for us has done,In sending His belovèd Son.With Mary holy we should prayTo God with love this Christmas Day;In Bethlehem upon the mornThere was a blest Messiah born.The night before that happy tideThe noble virgin … Continue reading Wexford Carol – December 1, 2010