Saints of the Day & More

By tradition Joachim and Anne are considered to be the names of the parents of Mary, the Mother of God. We have no historical evidence, however, of any elements of their lives, including their names. Any stories about Mary's father and mother come to us through legend and tradition. We get the oldest story from a document called the Gospel of James, though in no way should this document be trusted to be factual, historical, or the Word of God. The legend told in this document says that after years of childlessness, an angel appeared to tell Anne and Joachim that they would have a child. Anne promised to dedicate this child to God (much the way that Samuel was dedicated by his mother Hannah -- Anne -- in 1 Kings). For those who wonder what we can learn from people we know nothing about and how we can honor them, we must focus on why they are honored by the church. Whatever their names or the facts of their lives, the truth is that it was the parents of Mary who nurtured Mary, taught...

The Nativity of Our Lord is one of the world's most celebrated Christian Traditions. Christ was born in the manger in the town of Bethlehem. The Nativity was announced at the Annunciation and ended at the Nativity. Before that was the birth of Saint John the Baptist. While the Virgin Mary was pregnant Saint Joseph took her on a donkey to Bethlehem so the Child Jesus could be born among us. While Christ was being born the Three Wise Men went to King Herod's temple. They thought that the new born king was in the temple. They asked Herod where the new born King Of The Jews was. Herod got worried that Jesus was going to throw him of his throne. Herod told them when they found Jesus to tell him where he was so he could pay his salutations to Christ. The Three Wise Men followed a star to get to Jesus. While Mary and Joseph were looking for some place to stay they saw an inn but it was full. They went to the manger where people put their donkeys,horses,cows,and pigs. Once they went in...