It was Christmas Eve. I was at the office late, putting out the Christmas Day edition at the newspaper where I worked. Everyone else had gone, save one or two other souls who were printing the paper. A woman appeared at the door, desperate. She had just driven back into town after spending the past week with her husband, who
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By Jim Nichols As the American Christmas season nears, positive images are beginning to surround us. Memorable music, aromas, colorful lights, perfectly prepared special foods—we each have our favorite aspects. In many ways, it is a wonderful time. A friend once proposed to me that he thought the incarnation, not the resurrection, was the fundamental activity of Christianity. He defended
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By Danny Minton “I believe in the sun, though it be dark.I believe in God, though He be silent.I believe in neighborly love, though it be unable to reveal itself.” Beneath the old buildings of Cologne, Germany, Catholic Scouts discovered unused passageways. When the German Gestapo was moving “undesirables” from the streets of the cities, many Jewish families fled to
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What Christmas is about can be said in two words.Love triumphs.The story of Jesus, whose birth we celebrate, is about that very simple message.Loving is better than hating.Hate destroys. Love builds.Hate divides. Love unites.Hate produces enemies out of friends. Love produces friends out of enemies.Hate arouses suspicion. Love offers forgiveness.Jesus came to say, “There is a better way to live.
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By Loretta Fulton Bishop Michael Sis of the Diocese of San Angelo will preside over a Mass at Our Lady of Guadalupe Church in Midland at 7 a.m. Dec. 12, which is the feast day of Our Lady of Guadalupe. Later that day, he will be at St. Vincent Pallotti Church in Abilene for the diaconal ordination of Humberto Diaz
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By Loretta Fulton December is filled with religious observances, including Christmas, the best known locally. Although Abilene has a small representation of religions other than Christianity, some of the following observances are celebrated in private homes. Some holy days are fixed, like Christmas always falls on Dec. 25. Other religions are lunar based, meaning their observances fall on different dates
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By Carlo Sosa-Ortiz I, therefore, the prisoner in the Lord, beg you to lead a life worthy of the calling to which you have been called, with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, making every effort to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. – Ephesians 4:1-3 Faith and doubt, grace
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By Loretta FultonThe Abilene Zoo is adding Santa’s reindeer to its population–but just for a short time! Santa, Mrs. Claus, and the reindeer will be at the zoo Dec. 12-23, perfect timing for a unique Christmas experience.Each day, from 4 to 9 p.m., the zoo will become a winter wonderland, with over 1 million lights and interactive experiences. Among the
Read moreHE IDLE AMERICANCommentary by Dr. Don Newbury Since when do I feel the freedom to “lump” more kinfolks into the bin already spilling over with “we-should-have-known-better” contents? Regrettably, we must make room for one more–my wife’s cousin. Paula Ward–wedded to Jason Ward of Christchurch, New Zealand, 13 years ago–is a native Texan. The couple resides in his homeland, almost halfway around
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Spirit Of Abilene 