The Ballad of Befana

"Befana put off seeking the Christ Child until her work was done. She has become a cautionary tale and giver of gifts in Italian lore. American poet Phyllis McGinley shared her story in verse.

In the middle of the holiday rush, Befana's story bears remembering."

Read McGinley's poem here.

Christmas Light: The Birth of Jesus from the Gospels of Matthew, Luke...and John?

"Light is quite an interesting word. It carries dozens of different and distinct meanings and is used hundreds of times in scripture, in both the Old and New Testaments. Jesus described himself as 'the Light of the World,' which certainly seems most appropriate."

For more insight into Christmas Light, click here.

God's Inconvenient Call

"Of all the miracles recorded in the Bible, none has been derided as much as the virgin birth. The skeptic who turns a cool ear to stories about walking on water, healing the sick, and raising the dead will, more often than not, sneer at the very mention of the virgin birth. For many folks it is a difficult doctrine, one that has caused them to stop short of faith, or so they claim."

Click here for more on how God's call may seem inconvenient to us as humans, but is perfect in His timetable.

Opportunity for families and groups to volunteer, helping those in need this Holiday Season

"This holiday season, World Vision is providing families and groups an opportunity to get involved with "Santa's Workshop." On Saturday, December 18, World Vision’s Bronx warehouse will host volunteers to help sort "Santa's" toys going to needy families."


Click here for more on this big-hearted effort.

Sacred Heart’s goal is family involvement

"The entrance of the Sacred Heart Catholic Church has an Angel Christmas Tree and a Jesse Tree that looks a lot like a colorful paper wind chime.

The Jesse tree has symbols from the Old and New testaments. Each ornament consists of a symbol that represents a story from the Old Testament."

For more on this heartwarming story, click here.

The Night Before Christmas from The Baltimore Sun

"Baltimoreans read lines from Clement Clarke Moore's poem, 'A Visit from St. Nicholas,' also known as 'The Night Before Christmas.'"

To enjoy this delightful video, click here.

BookTrends: Advent Conspiracy: Can Christmas Still Change the World?

"Rick McKinley, Chris Seay, and Greg Holder have written a book looking at the meaning of Christ's coming to that manger in Bethlehem and the world in general. Take a look at an excerpt from this powerful book."

Click here to learn more.

New Orleanians can walk in a winter wonderland once again at the Roosevelt

"Kathleen Graythen's childhood memories of Christmas at The Roosevelt in the '50s are vivid, as vivid as that of any youngster growing up in New Orleans who saw the majestic hotel lobby transformed into a winter wonderland every holiday."

Read more about this restored tradition. To visit New Orleans history, click here.

Postal Service to resume North Pole Santa letters

"Wide-eyed children around the world will be hearing from Santa's 'elves' at the North Pole after all."

Click here to read more about North Pole mail service.

Does every little gift really make a life-changing impact for children around the world? World Vision goes around world to find the answer – and the true spirit of Christmas

"Beginning November 19, join World Vision and thousands of people around the world on the 'Spirit of Christmas' tour as a team from the Christian humanitarian agency travels around the globe in search of the Christmas spirit. The month-long tour will feature interviews and stories with children and families in the United States, Ecuador, Cambodia, Zambia and Ethiopia. World Vision’s team will circle the globe highlighting both the heartbreaking circumstances of the poor and the inspiring impact even small donations of a few dollars can make in helping families provide for their children."

Good News for January 9, 2009 submitted by Mary Beth

Grace Cathedral, San Francisco, CA


Photo copyright Mary Beth Magee 2009

One of San Francisco's famed cable cars passes in front of Grace Cathedral, an Episcopal church. The Cathedral is home to two labyrinths in addition to an abundance of architectural detail. Read more about this lovely church at GraceCathedral.org

Plate of the Union: The Picky Presidential Palate

To land the job of "First Chef" you definitely need culinary chops. And while haute cuisine may be a job requirement, the White House chef takes orders, literally, from the prez. From creating ethnic menus to impress heads of state to whipping up White House kids’ favorites, First Chefs must be quick on their toes. Especially for the ever-changing palate of the most powerful (and sometimes picky) diner they'll ever have -- the president of the United States of America.

Click here to sample the menu of presidential preferences.


PTA Digest: a look back at the news of the past week from a Christian point of view

This week’s PTA Digest begins with our conversation with Dr. J Peter Pham, director of the Nelson Institute for International and Public Affairs at James Madison University. Dr. Pham talked with us about strategic hotspots in Africa, especially in light of President-elect Obama’s interest in that continent. Next, apologist Dr. Ravi Zacharias takes on the skeptics who would say that Christian faith is delusional. And finally, Dr. Tim Keller talks with us about the ministry he helped found—the Gospel Coalition. I hope you enjoy the PTA Digest! – Greg Wheatley

Click here to listen to this week's PTA Digest.


Save the Children-funded Newborn Study Nominated for Lancet Paper of the Year

A Lancet article presenting the dramatic findings of a study co-funded by the global humanitarian organization Save the Children has been nominated to receive the prestigious medical journal's Paper of the Year 2008 award.

Click here to learn more about the study and nomination.


Let your Christmas tree swim with the fish

DuPage Forest Preserve District wants holiday trees for underwater 'cribs' at man-made lake near Wayne, IL. Click here for the details of this "fishy" plan.

When is Christmas, Christmas

When is Christmas, Christmas? It isn’t always easy to find the joy in the season. Many things can overshadow our hearts. Enjoyment of the Christmas season can be replaced with stress, hurried schedules and fatigue.

But Christmas has a way of becoming Christmas for us if we give it a chance. It is a holiday we share but it is also uniquely celebrated in the heart; different traditions, memories, special friends embrace… and missed.

We all bring something different to the holiday. Christmas first became Christmas for me this year when I watched the movie The Nativity. It was a story behind the familiar story. Fleshing out the struggle behind the Chritsmas story made the movie unique and different from the often sanitized version we carry from childhood. It brought a pathos to a fairy tale, a Christmas that almost didn’t happen. It gave weight to the words, The Word became flesh and dwelt among us.

Christmas became Christmas for me when I attended the Plano Civic Chorus production of Handel’s Messiah. The beauty of the sanctuary, the music and decoration of the season brought grandeur to this time of year.

I am thankful that Christmas is not just a one day affair but a season as complex and wonderful as the people who embrace it; the lights on the houses, homemade fudge, visits from friends and relatives give the holiday meaning.

Good News Now is about the heart’s response to life. We celebrate the good in life all year long.

Here are some of the highlights that made Christmas, Christmas.

The Dogs

The mandatory family group photo that everyone hates.

Almost Perfect

Trixie Claus

The News That Made Christmas, Christmas.

Renewed peace brings pilgrims to Bethlehem

Iraqi, Coalition Soldiers Celebrate Christmas with Assyrian Christians in Kirkuk

Christmas tree survives war, Hiroshima bomb

Pastor's Challenge Shocks Congregation

New Secret Santa takes over mission of helping strangers

A casserole for Christmas

Some of the Photos from around the world.

Weihnachtsbeleuchtung / Christmas lighting

laterne .. und sterne

Merry Christmas from Good News Now.