Sports Moment of the Year

Bob Ryan is one of the better sports talking-heads out there. "Around the Horn" is always better when he's on the panel (incidentally, the show is so much better since they gave Jay Mariotti the boot). For further proof that the guy knows what he's talking about, here's his "Moment of the Year" in sports:



While his description causes all Butler fans to relive the pain of Gordon Hayward's almost-there buzzer beater, he's right in saying that Butler's tournament run proves that anything really is possible.

The Holy Innocents

Today our Roman Catholic brethren are observing the Feast of the Holy Innocents, where they recall the story from Matthew's gospel where Herod orders the massacre of male infants in an attempt to wipe out anyone who would usurp his throne.

While this historicity of this story is pretty doubtful (Matthew includes it to strengthen the theme of Jesus as the new Moses), it does remind us that throughout human history, even at this very moment, there are untold numbers of holy innocent children that suffer and die needlessly.

It's estimated that as many as 30,000 children die every single day all over the world from malnutrition and other hunger related conditions. As an American who consumes far more than my fair share of the world's resources, I'm led to conclude that in many ways, I stand in the shoes of Herod on this Feast of the Holy Innocents.

So today I'm making a small gesture to help those holy innocents, most of whom will not be remembered by the world. I'm making a donation to Bread for the World, which is a great organization helping to fight hunger all over the world.

If you could find a way today to make a gift to them or any other charity you deem worthy, those holy innocents who are forgotten by the world, but are precious in God's sight, will be very grateful.

Archbishop Williams' Christmas Message

This morning (after presents, stockings, breakfasts, etc.), I was perusing the Christmas messages of prominent religious figures, and I found Dr. Rowan Williams, Archbishop of Canterbury's Christmas Eve sermon particularly moving. The challenge he issues is aimed primarily at Britons, but it's quite applicable to us here in the states.

Canterbury's website has the text, and ITN has a small portion of the video:



(someone please let me know if you find the full video).

May you all have a blessed and peaceful Christmas.

12 Days of Christmas

I haven't been blogging much lately, not because I don't have thoughts that I want to share, I'm just not able to put them together in any coherent fashion. Once I've had some space to reflect on what I've been experiencing lately, I'll share more.

That said, in the spirit of the season, here's something that brings a smile to my face. I hope it does yours, too.

1 Corinthians- Christmas Version

A colleague forwarded this to me today, and it really spoke to where I'm at right now. I'm having trouble experiencing any sort of peace or joy this Advent, and Paul's word interpreted to the season helped remind me of what is really important. May it be a blessing to you, as well.

1 Corinthians 13 (Christmas Version) –Author unknown

If I decorate my house perfectly with plaid bows, strands of twinkling lights and shiny balls, but do not show love to my family, I’m just another decorator.

If I slave away in the kitchen, baking dozens of Christmas cookies, preparing gourmet meals and arranging a beautifully adorned table at mealtime, but do not show love to my family, I’m just another cook.

If I work at the soup kitchen, carol in the nursing home and give all that I have to charity, but do not show love to my family, it profits me nothing.

If I trim the spruce with shimmering angels and crocheted snowflakes, attend a myriad of holiday parties and sing in the choir’s cantata but do not focus on Christ, I have missed the point.

Love stops the cooking to hug the child. Love sets aside the decorating to kiss the husband. Love is kind, though harried and tired. Love doesn’t envy another’s home that has coordinated Christmas china and table linens.

Love doesn’t yell at the kids to get out of the way, but is thankful they are there to be in the way. Love doesn’t give only to those who are able to give in return but rejoices in giving to those who can’t.

Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. Love never fails. Video games will break, pearl necklaces will be lost, golf clubs will rust, but giving the gift of love will endure.