Blog – Page 137 – Avellina Balestri

Sageth: A Star Trek Story

BY ELISE STRIPLING “I have looked up her intelligence scores in the personnel files. Very impressive even for a Vulcan.”

THE BALLAD OF NIKOLAUS By Manuaelmelwie Word count: 317 Rating: G Summary: Dedicated to St. Nicholas A very long time ago In a land very far away All the heat had since departed And winter was here to stay.

“There’ll Be Whales Here!”: Star Trek IV-The Voyage Home-30 Years Later

BY MICHAEL GOTH Leonard Nimoy knew he and Harve Bennett had found a compelling and topical story in the subject of whales.

The Holly Bears a Berry: On the Celtic Spirit at Christmas

BY ELIZABETH ROPER Both the pagan and early Christian Celts were nothing if they were not elemental beings.

On the Edge of Waiting

“Just for a moment. Let me share with you once again what we forget in our festive frenzy…”

A Journey of Virtues: Reflections of Advent Ideas in The Lord of the Rings

BY MARTINA JURICKOVA In this time we should, just like Frodo, concentrate on and get ready for our role in the world.

The Coming of the King

“Come, oh come, oh spotless Sacrifice; You have come to pay our heavy price…”

Lux Fulgebat Super Nos: a Tolkienian Blessing for Christmas

BY JON MENTXAKOTORRE As the Gospels tell, the Light came to us in this world ruled by the Prince of Darkness. Evil was defeated; Death, conquered.

An Ordinary Christmas: Reflections on the Gospel of Luke's Nativity Narrative

BY JAMES MICHAEL GILL Now married, both are poor and are having no luck feverishly trying to find a place to spend the night.

Give Me the Words: A Bardic Rhapsody of Winter Feasts

BY AVELLINA BALESTRI Breathe through me as if through silver, purifying all, that my soul may be clean as white snow and warm as white flame.

Evergreen: The Origins of the Modern Christmas Tree

BY GRAEME RESTORICK The tradition of using evergreen trees as festive decorations during the winter holidays is so ancient that it predates Christmas itself.

Winter Solstice: The Year’s Compline

BY LAWRENCE “MACK” HALL The winter solstice is the year withdrawing from all the busy-ness and being-ness and life in all its transfigurations.

Letters from Bidbid

BY PAMELA Q. FERNANDES You truly have no idea how much your letters mean to me. They have been my strength and sustenance.

Snow Globes

BY AMANDA PIZZOLATTO Turn their world upside-down, shake it up, and place the globe back down so the snow may begin anew.

Faith and Fantasy: Tolkien the Catholic, The Lord of the Rings, and Peter Jackson’s Film Trilogy

BY STEVEN D. GREYDANUS The Lord of the Rings film trilogy is an extraordinary cinematic tribute to a great work of Catholic imagination.

Born in Your Heart: Mary's "Yes" and Why It's Relevant Today

BY MERCIA VAN DER VYVER A young girl from Nazareth said ‘yes’ to God and in so doing changed the course of human history.

First Yule: A Lord of the Rings Story

BY ANNE MARIE GAZZOLO “Oh, my Sam, I’m so sorry. How hard this must be for you, your first Yule away from everyone. I’m so glad you are here with me.”