Have you found a way to “spiritualize” your preparations for Christmas, which might include shopping, decorating or cooking and baking? I’ve always believed that we can bridge the gap between our society’s commercial-driven Christmas and its true meaning. But we have to go beyond the hype. We have to keep in mind the truth of the Incarnation, which is, after all, what we’re celebrating. 

Each year, I struggle with the feelings of nostalgia as I remember the Christmas celebrations of my childhood and confront the expectations of making this year’s celebration the “best ever.” As an antidote, we offer our seasonal programming, which can help your listeners focus on the present. Centering on the meaning of Christmas as found in our symbols of the season and in the Scriptures can lead us to embrace the gift of God in Jesus and to appreciate family, parishioners and friends as reflections of God’s gift—ways to celebrate the Christmas-that-is-now!

Father Greg Friedman, O.F.M.

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Highlights from this episode include:

St. Nicholas is a real-life saint who, over the centuries, was transformed into a secular icon of Christmas. We offer the true story of Santa Claus.

National Public Radio's Heather King tells her personal story, which took her from alcoholism to Catholicism. Her most recent book, Redeemed: A Spiritual Misfit Stumbles Toward God, Marginal Sanity, and the Peace That Passes All Understanding, is the story of her ongoing conversion to Catholicism. Heather believes that faith and the arts have a vital role to play in reviving today's world.

Father Hilarion Kistner, O.F.M., responds to questions: Who wrote the books of the Old Testament? Didn't God know beforehand that Adam and Eve would sin? What is meant by blasphemy against the Holy Spirit?

Ephesus
In observance of the Year of St. Paul, we bring you another “Portrait of Paul” from Father Norman Langenbrunner. Paul’s third missionary journey included a three-year stay in Ephesus. Even today, in western Turkey, you can visit the well-preserved site of this ancient port city. Perhaps the stones still remember the footprints of Paul, and his ministry there.

Amy Heyd, author of Saints at the Dinner Table (recently published by St. Anthony Messenger Press), offers both recipes and lives of the saints to inspire. A graduate of the University of Dayton, Amy has been a finalist in many cooking contests, including the Pillsbury Bake-Off, which in turn published her award-winning recipe in 100 Pillsbury Bake-Off Finalist Recipes. She spoke with producer John Feister about seasonal cooking.

Highlights from this episode include:

The Blessed Virgin Mary is one of the central figures in our Christmas nativity scene whose “yes” to God’s invitation is a part of the history of salvation.

Thousands will pass through our nation’s airports this holiday season. Don Kelsey, one of two Catholic deacons of the Interfaith Airport Chaplaincy in the Atlanta International Airport, talks about his ministry. He makes himself available to both workers and travelers who cross his path.

Father Greg Friedman, O.F.M., answers questions: What is the feast of the solemnity of Mary, Mother of God? How old was Jesus when the Wise Men visited? Why is it wrong to decorate for Christmas before Advent ends?

Paul’s Helpers
In observance of the Year of St. Paul, we bring you another “Portrait of Paul” from Father Norman Langenbrunner. Paul had many collaborators in his mission work. Barnabas and Timothy are two of his better-known co-workers. Father Norm tells us about one who’s probably not a household name—Epaphras—who ministered in the city of Colossae.

Sister Jean Frisk, a Schoenstatt Sister of Mary, works on art and special projects for The Marian Library/International Marian Research Institute located at the University of Dayton (Ohio). A teacher and frequent speaker on biblically based Marian devotion, she is the author of meditations for two award-winning books published by St. Anthony Messenger Press—Mary's Flowers: Gardens, Legends & Meditations and Healing Plants of the Bible. She spoke with producer John Feister about the custom of the Christmas crèche and its effect on popular culture.