True story

THE MYSTICAL NATIVITY (DETAIL), SANDRO BOTTICELLI, c. 1500-1501

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God; all things were made through him, and without him was not anything made that was made. In him was life, and the life was the Light of men. That Light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.

There was a man sent from God, whose name was John. He came for testimony, to bear witness to the Light, that all might believe through him. He was not himself the Light, but came to bear witness to the Light. 

The true light that enlightens every man was coming into the world. He was in the world, and the world was made through him, yet the world knew him not. He came to his own home, and his own people received him not. But to all who received him, who believed in his name, he gave power to become children of God; who were born, not of blood nor of the will of the flesh nor of the will of man, but of God.

And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, full of grace and truth; we have beheld his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father. There is one who enlightens every soul born into the world; he was the true Light.

The Gospel According to St. John 1-14

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‘Ex Ore Infantium’

By Francis Thompson (1859–1907)

LITTLE Jesus, wast Thou shy Once, and just so small as I? And what did it feel like to be Out of Heaven, and just like me? Didst Thou sometimes think of there,         5 And ask where all the angels were? I should think that I would cry For my house all made of sky; I would look about the air, And wonder where my angels were;         10 And at waking ’twould distress me— Not an angel there to dress me!   Hadst Thou ever any toys, Like us little girls and boys? And didst Thou play in Heaven with all         15 The angels that were not too tall, With stars for marbles? Did the things Play Can you see me? through their wings? And did thy Mother let Thee spoil Thy robes, with playing on our soil?         20 How nice to have them always new In Heaven, because ’twas quite clean blue!   Didst Thou kneel at night to pray, And didst Thou join thy hands, this way? And did they tire sometimes, being young,         25 And make the prayer seem very long? And dost Thou like it best, that we Should join our hands to pray to Thee? I used to think, before I knew, The prayer not said unless we do.         30 And did thy Mother at the night Kiss Thee, and fold the clothes in right? And didst Thou feel quite good in bed, Kiss’d, and sweet, and thy prayers said?   Thou canst not have forgotten all         35 That it feels like to be small: And Thou know’st I cannot pray To Thee in my father’s way— When Thou wast so little, say, Couldst Thou talk thy Father’s way?—         40 So, a little Child, come down And hear a child’s tongue like thy own; Take me by the hand and walk, And listen to my baby-talk. To thy Father show my prayer         45 (He will look, Thou art so fair), And say: ‘O Father, I, thy Son, Bring the prayer of a little one.’   And He will smile, that children’s tongue Has not changed since Thou wast young!         50   t  t  t

Finally, in a lighter vein, what would Christmas be without a visit to the world of Twin Cities children's television and the immortal Axel, with his famed rendition of "The Night Before Christmas." Yes, it's Christmas morning, but it's the spirit that counts, right?

And from Lunch With Casey, here's Casey (Roger Awsumb) with "Vinter Undervear."

To all of you, my sincere and heartfelt wish for a blessed and very Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays, until we meet again! TV