Published inMy Sleeve Where It Should Be·7 hours agoMember-onlyCreating the Magic of ChristmasThrough Acts of Kindness and Reflection — As the festive season approaches, I’m reminded of the timeless charm of an idea that never loses its sparkle during Christmas: the act of serving others. It’s a tradition that I’ve embraced, often finding opportunities to give back through my church. But service isn’t confined to organized activities; it’s about…Giving3 min readGiving3 min read
Published inMy Sleeve Where It Should Be·1 day agoMember-onlyMelody of MysteryThe Haunting Beauty of a Christmas Carol — A timeless Christmas carol that resonates with haunting beauty is the old folk song, “I Wonder As I Wander.” Its origins are shrouded in mystery, but a captivating tale is told by Ace Collins, the author of “Stories Behind the Best-Loved Songs of Christmas.” This story, as recounted by John…I Wonder As I Wonder3 min readI Wonder As I Wonder3 min read
Published inMy Sleeve Where It Should Be·2 days agoMember-onlyO Holy NightA Carol’s Journey from Controversy to Ubiquity — Christmas carols, with their humble and often unexpected origins, embody the true spirit of Christmas — a celebration of unity, peace, and universal goodwill. This spirit is vividly illustrated in the story of “Silent Night,” a simple carol that emerged from a small town and gained worldwide acclaim. …O Holy Night2 min readO Holy Night2 min read
Published inMy Sleeve Where It Should Be·3 days agoMember-onlyAwake Before DawnMemories of Christmas at the Mair Household — Rising early on Christmas morning, my ‘ever-so-helpful’ brother nudged me back to reality with his wake-up call. “What’s the time?” I mumbled, half awake. “It’s around 2:30,” he replied. 2:30? I thought, bewildered. Why on earth would he wake me at this hour? I recalled our parents’ firm rule: no…Family3 min readFamily3 min read
Published inMy Sleeve Where It Should Be·4 days agoMember-onlyFinding Peace in a Winter WonderlandFrom Snowy Struggles to Christmas Revelations — As I trudged through the snow, my 11-year-old self struggled up the street to the next house on my paper route. With each step, my frustration towards my father simmered. How could he be so heartless? I thought as I reached into my bag of folded and mostly wet newspapers. …Paperboy2 min readPaperboy2 min read
Published inMy Sleeve Where It Should Be·5 days agoMember-onlyThe Bittersweet CarolOur Last Christmas with Dad — The year 2004 brought significant challenges for our family. We faced the heart-wrenching loss of my nephew, who passed away after months of medical complications following his premature birth. My grandfather’s health necessitated his move to a care facility. Amidst various other family trials, I navigated a career change. My…Bittersweet Memories4 min readBittersweet Memories4 min read
Published inMy Sleeve Where It Should Be·6 days agoMember-onlyChristmas Spirit in EverythingFinding Life Beyond the Tinsel — In the spirit of Christmas, I want to share a heartwarming perspective my wife, Christy, has gifted me. Christy views the world uniquely, seeing a deeper spirit in all things, even the inanimate. Her approach has transformed my own, turning everyday objects into vessels of life and story. For instance…Christmas2 min readChristmas2 min read
Published inMy Sleeve Where It Should Be·Dec 4Member-onlyAngels and ShepherdsReflecting on the Celestial Anthem “Gloria in Excelsis Deo” — As the festive season of Christmas approaches, the timeless proclamation “Gloria in Excelsis Deo” — “Glory to God in the highest” — resonates in our hearts. This celestial anthem, heralded by angels on the holy night of Christ’s birth, continues to inspire generations. …Christmas4 min readChristmas4 min read
Published inMy Sleeve Where It Should Be·Dec 3Member-onlyThe Light of HopeA Personal Journey into Advent — As December's chill envelops our world, it ushers in a season of introspection and excited expectation. My personal journey into the heart of this season began a few years ago, thanks to a remarkable couple who had served as missionaries in Austria for many years. Their stories and traditions, particularly…Advent4 min readAdvent4 min read
Published inMy Sleeve Where It Should Be·Dec 2Member-onlyEmbracing the True Spirit of ChristmasLessons from Tiny Tim and Scrooge — As the holiday season approaches, it’s easy to get lost in the commercial frenzy and forget the deeper meaning of Christmas. Often, we are reminded of the essence of this festive time through various mediums, such as TV specials and literature. A perfect example is the character of Tiny Tim…Gifts4 min readGifts4 min read
