Advent with the Saints: Elizabeth

Greg Friedman, OFM December 22, 2025

Elizabeth must have had a pretty good press agent. Her story gets three days’ worth of exposure in the run-up to Christmas!

Humble Shepherds

Herman Sutter December 22, 2025

The first to hear of Jesus’ birth are not priests, scribes, or emperors, but humble shepherds—ordinary people.

woman wearing a flower crown standing in a field during sunset.

Advent with the Saints: Ruth

Greg Friedman, OFM December 21, 2025

A Scripture scholar once commented that the genealogy in Matthew’s Gospel is one of the least-appreciated parts of the Bible.

The Beauty of the Incarnation

Ela Milewska December 21, 2025

The beauty of the Incarnation is this: the God who created galaxies chose to dwell among us. Emmanuel means “God with us”—not just beside us, but within and around us.

Advent with the Saints: Joseph

Greg Friedman, OFM December 20, 2025

Joseph is the silent figure in the Christmas stories. We never hear him speak; his annunciation—in Matthew’s Gospel—narrates Joseph’s story without giving us any of his words.

holy refugee; refugee boy in a tent; salad darkish/unsplash

The Holy Family knew the hardship of being refugees, outsiders dependent on the kindness and generosity of others. Mary, Joseph, and Jesus—in this sense—are icons of the refugee, orphaned from their homeland, a new Israel.

People walking up stairs in Istanbul, Turkey, being surrounded by Turkish flags.

Advent with the Saints: John XXIII

Greg Friedman, OFM December 19, 2025

In our day, “Good Pope John” carried the message of the Good News to the world with graciousness and humor.

Embrace Silence and Solitude

Martin J.P. Gianotti December 19, 2025

How often are you surrounding yourself with noise? Do you allow yourself the time necessary to call God to mind with silence and solitude?

Advent with the Saints: Elizabeth Ann Seton

Greg Friedman, OFM December 18, 2025

The prophets often use the metaphor of interrupted marriage to describe the relationship between God and Israel—a metaphor entwined with cultural values distant from our own.

Open Your Senses to Creation

Bruce Epperly December 18, 2025

For those who open their senses, despite its tragedy, we live in a beautiful world. Beyond the tumult of national uncertainty, God sings through all creation.