One of my biggest dislikes about December is the busyness of Christmas shopping, parties and the stress associated with year-end activities at work. Today, thankfully, I had the opportunity to take a break from the stress of Christmas and take a brief moment to remember the reason for the season.
Author Archives: Brian Duffin
A Live Nativity
One of my favorite Christmas traditions is attending the live presentation of the Nativity at my in-law’s parish.
I hope you enjoy this “live” blogging event.
Before the Nativity starts, the kids get to pet the animals in a gated area. My daughter loves the goats.
The presentation starts with the cantor singing “The First Noel” and the procession of Mary and Joseph to a makeshift manger.
And no Nativity would be complete without shephards and bleating goats. Oh, don’t let me forget the Llama! (It’s Arizona, afterall.)
The story of the Nativity is told, with a reminder that St. Francis of Asissi conducted the first re-enactment of the Nativity. Again, the cantor sings “Away in a Manger” and the priest reads from the Gospel of Luke.
The deacon then reminds the gathering of the simple nature of Jesus’ birth and a reminder how much He loved us to come down to die for us.
Just so you know, Mormons do not have a monopoly on good food at gatherings. After the Nativity, we have chili, hot dogs and hot chocolate in the parish hall.
What are some of your favorite Christmas traditions, or Nativity re-enactment stories?
Gratitude
As I ponder tomorrow as a day of thanks and giving, please permit me to share with you those things for which I am most grateful.
A quantum leap for blogging!
M* is proud to welcome prolific Bloggernacle commenter Ben Pratt as the newest permablogger. Interestingly enough, Ben has ties to the original Millennial Star (see Ben’s bio for details).
Ben and I served together as Youth Guides at the Arizona Temple Visitor’s Center prior to our missions and I am thrilled that he has consented to join us at M*.
Here is how Ben describes himself:
I am married to a brilliant and lovely woman. Our union has produced two brilliant and lovely daughters! We enjoy reading, going for walks and bike rides, and Friday night pizza picnics in the family room. Descended from Parley P. Pratt (founding editor of this blog’s namesake), Charles Henry Wilcken, Zachariah Bruyn Decker, Jesse N. Smith, Frederick G. Williams, and a host of farmers, missionaries, colonizers, businessmen, and pilots, I was raised in Chandler, AZ. I have degrees in physics from both Brigham Young University (BS) and the University of Washington (MS). Currently on leave from the UW physics PhD program, I live in south King County, WA, where I am (for now) a stay-at-home-dad. My recently rediscovered dream is to work on fundamental theoretical physics where quantum mechanics and general relativity collide.
A special fast
Over the years, I have been impressed with the members of the Bloggernacle who have reached out to those in need.
Today I am posting a request from one of the people I home teach to join in a special fast for a family member injured in an accident. Here is the text of the email she sent me today:
Hi everyone,
Melody and Brett’s oldest, Carter (age 15), was hit by a truck at 9:00 this morning while riding his bike. It was the truck’s fault. Carter was not wearing his helmet and has sustained head injuries. He is in the UMC trauma center pediatric ICU. His vitals are good but he is in a coma and has been unconscious since the accident. He has had a CAT scan but Melody is waiting to hear from the neurosurgeon as to the results. I am going to go to Las Vegas later tonight.
Mike had a great idea to have a family fast. If we ever needed one, it’s tomorrow. Their names have been called in to the temple here and Mike and Diane have called their names in to the Snowflake temple.
I’ll keep you posted as I hear anything.
Please keep Carter and his family in your thoughts and prayers. The family appreciates those who can join them in their fast tomorrow.