Happy New Year

Happy 2026 to all!

Merry Christmas!

2 In those days a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be registered. 2 This was the first registration and was taken while Quirinius was governor of Syria. 3 All went to their own towns to be registered. 4 Joseph also went from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to the city of David called Bethlehem, because he was descended from the house and family of David. 5 He went to be registered with Mary, to whom he was engaged and who was expecting a child. 6 While they were there, the time came for her to deliver her child. 7 And she gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped him in bands of cloth and laid him in a manger, because there was no place in the guest room.

Source:

Luke 2:1-7, NRSVUE 

Happy Hanukkah!

52 Early in the morning on the twenty-fifth day of the ninth month, which is the month of Chislev, in the one hundred forty-eighth year, 53 they rose and offered sacrifice, as the law directs, on the new altar of burnt offering that they had built. 54 At the very season and on the very day that the nations had profaned it, it was dedicated with songs and harps and lutes and cymbals. 55 All the people fell on their faces and worshiped and blessed heaven, who had prospered them. 56 So they celebrated the dedication of the altar for eight days and joyfully offered burnt offerings; they offered a sacrifice of well-being and a thanksgiving offering. 57 They decorated the front of the temple with golden crowns and small shields; they restored the gates and the chambers for the priests and fitted them with doors. 58 There was very great joy among the people, and the disgrace brought by the nations was removed.

59 Then Judas and his brothers and all the assembly of Israel determined that every year at that season the days of dedication of the altar should be observed with joy and gladness for eight days, beginning with the twenty-fifth day of the month of Chislev.


Source:

1 Maccabees 4:52-59, NRSVUE 

Arango's Apologetics Page: On Enoch

In this post I am simply sharing something published back in September on Arango's Apologetics Page. Blessings and just click on the link below!

Arango's Apologetics Page: On Enoch

Reference:

https://arangoapologeticspage.blogspot.com/2025/09/on-enoch.html?m=0

 

Birth and Death

Around 385,000 babies are born daily.

Deaths per day are around 172,000.

Sources:

https://worldpopulationreview.com/countries/deaths-per-day

https://www.theworldcounts.com/stories/how-many-babies-are-born-each-day

Are we ready for faith?

Now faith is the assurance (reality) of things hoped for, the conviction (evidence) of things not seen....

- Epistle to the Hebrews

Personal note: can we imagine that?

When praying

Concerning Prayer

5 “And whenever you pray, do not be like the hypocrites, for they love to stand and pray in the synagogues and at the street corners, so that they may be seen by others. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward. 6 But whenever you pray, go into your room and shut the door and pray to your Father who is in secret, and your Father who sees in secret will reward you.[a]

7 “When you are praying, do not heap up empty phrases as the gentiles do, for they think that they will be heard because of their many words. 8 Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask him.

9 “Pray, then, in this way:

Our Father in heaven,

    may your name be revered as holy.

10     May your kingdom come.

    May your will be done

        on earth as it is in heaven.

11     Give us today our daily bread.[b]

12     And forgive us our debts,

        as we also have forgiven our debtors.

13     And do not bring us to the time of trial,[c]

        but rescue us from the evil one.[d]

14 “For if you forgive others their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you,

 

Read full chapter

 

Footnotes

a.           6.6 Other ancient authorities add openly

b.            6.11 Or our bread for tomorrow

c.            6.13 Or us into testing

d.           6.13 Or from evil. Other ancient authorities add, in some form, For the kingdom and the power and the glory are yours forever. Amen.

 

 

 

Sources:

https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew%206%3A5-14&version=NRSVUE

New Revised Standard Version Updated Edition (NRSVUE)