Notes from the Catacombs

In our Advent/Christmas issue you will find a traditional Radix variety–with flavors of hope infusing all. Essays cover a good deal of breadth, too. These include the sage advice of George MacDonald on story; ponderings on carols and theology; reflective and instructive thoughts from a spiritual director on this strange 2020 year; five Christmastime book suggestions from a beloved bookseller; a look at Boris Pasternak’s Doctor Zhivago; a warming tale and reflection on “Shirley, Goodness and Mercy;” a review of a timeless movie, Joyeux Noel (2005); some carefully reasoned perspectives on conspiracy; and finally, two heartfelt (and meaningful!) perspectives from

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When Christmas is Threatening

by Salim J. Munayer
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I was about to enter my house when a neighbor stopped me and pointed to my Christmas tree, visible through the window. He said, “Your Christmas tree is offensive to…

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Shirley, Goodness and Mercy

by Sharon Fish Mooney
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...It reminds me of the annual pageant at a care center for developmentally disabled children. Jim, the local chaplain, would go all out to make it a special time of celebration and group involvement each December. He was known to drive three sheep in the back of his van from the local petting zoo to the pageant. Jim named the sheep, who had personalities of their own, Shirley, Goodness, and Mercy.

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