Christmas around the world

It was rather encouraging to see pictures on Andrew Cusack's blog of Christmas celebrations in Iran, which to be honest wasn't something I expected to encounter (please note that this is nothing to do with politics, merely the fact that Iran's Christians are a minority who I am afraid I had not considered much before).

You may disagree with me on this, and I may well be wrong, but I would consider it accurate to say that at this time of year more people consider the situation in the Holy Land than usual, but at any rate, I am sure many of you will find these descriptions of Christmas in the Holy Land interesting.

Possibly the most encouraging story which I have encountered so far this Christmas however, has been this one of churches in Baghdad.

I for one look forward to adding all of these to my currently non-existent "Commonplace Book" and coming back to to them each Christmas. Amongst everything which has been happening recently, this news is greatly encouraging. Deo Gratias!

Holy Mary, Mother of the Church, pray for our brethren in the Middle-East.

Happy Christmas!

Yes I know today is the feast of St John the Apostle, but we are still in the Christmas octave and I did not get round to wishing you a Happy Christmas earlier. As you can see, I haven't posted anything for a while (although I narrowly managed to miss Mac's cull earlier this year!)mainly because I have been without easy access to a computer and have been trying to devote more time to prayers, study, and so forth. I can't promise anything for now, but heartily recommend this honest post by Cathy. God bless you all, and I wish you all had a holy and happy Christmas!