What is your New Year's resolution?

I'm not sure who started the New Year's resolution tradition, as they never seem to last very long. At the top of the list of favorites is spend more time with family and friends, followed by improved fitness, and losing a ton of weight, even though in past years we seem to weigh in at the same amount at the end as we did at the beginning, despite our well-intended efforts. Other people commit to learning a new word every day, quit drinking or smoking, pay off all debts, read a certain number of books, or read through the Bible in a year, take up a new hobby, drive within the speed limit, and on and on. You get the idea.

Now don't get me wrong, I like commitments and goals as much as anyone, but I know the importance of being realistic and honest with ourselves, too. So, if you make a resolution, make it meaningful, measurable, and memorable, not only for yourself, but others around you as well.

Happy New Year, and may it be your most memorable.

Merry Christmas!

One way to get attention in public is to say, "Merry Christmas," especially in response to someone who wishes you a politically correct, "Happy Holidays," for fear of offending someone, or not getting the sale. Perhaps it's even out of fear of being reprimanded, or even fired by their employer. Businesses, city halls and many public squares avoid controversy by not displaying anything in celebration of Christmas, or even Chanukah.

As we were looking for inspiration for our Christmas card this year, we photographed the nearly 300 year old restored Neapolitan Creche at the Abbey of Regina Laudis in Bethlehem, Connecticut. It is believed to have been presented to Victor Amadeus II, King of Sardinia at his coronation in 1720.

When we looked closely at the 68 figures in the 16 foot wide creche, we noticed, like today, many were in awe that they were in the presence of God while others were too busy with their everyday activities to even notice. Some of the faces showed joy, others anger and even contempt because people were making such a big deal about a baby. I guess some things just never change, just times, places and cultures.

It's hard to ignore history and even harder to change it. So, in view of this historical event, we extend to you our warmest Christmas greetings as we celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ, the Son of God, who was born in Bethlehem over 2000 years ago and is with us each day of our lives regardless of where, or who we are.

Tiffany & Co. to the rescue

For the first time in years, our Christmas shopping was done with a week to spare. Fortunately we did the bulk of it on the Internet. While I have the enviable reputation of repeatedly getting the parking place closest to the door of any mall the day before Christmas, it doesn't help fight the crowds inside stampeding for the last wrong sized ugly sweater or the last scented Christmas candle that smells more like a Bethlehem stable than a pine tree.

As I cruised the Internet this afternoon, I found most of the online stores where I shopped have switched from, "Order now and get delivery by Christmas," to "Order your gift card online and have it in time for Christmas." In other words, if you haven't bought it yet, there is no way you will have it by Christmas. Sorry guys.

Oh wait a minute, the cutoff for ordering online and delivery by Christmas from Tiffany & Co. is 3:00 p.m., December 23, and they don't even charge for shipping. So, gentlemen there is still time to avoid the traffic, shop at one of the most prestigious stores in the world, and have your gift delivered for free in time for Christmas. She'll say, "Oh honey you shouldn't have," while you'll be thinking, "You're right I shouldn't have, but at least it was free delivery."

We three kings of orient are . . .

In order to get into the spirit of Christmas this year, we decided to photograph nativities in some of northwestern Connecticut's town squares. We started, of course, at the nativity on  the town green in Bethlehem, Connecticut. Lois took a few shots until she realized I was beginning to have conversations with some of the characters and thought it was time to hide behind the manger until I was done. I mean how often does one get to talk to wise men from the East. Passing cars slowed down to watch and listen, but no one interrupted us.

They told me about the star that they had followed and how far they had traveled to pay homage to the infant king that had long been prophesied and to give him some very valuable gifts. They also told me how king Herod had tried to trick them into telling him where Jesus was as he thought the newborn king would usurp his throne. Fortunately, they caught on, Mary and Joseph took Jesus to Egypt, and the Magi left by a different route to avoid Herod.

Is it any wonder that Lois went behind the stable to wait until we were done with our conversation? I look forward to the day when I will have the opportunity to finish the conversation with the Magi in heaven. But then I have so many questions, it will take an eternity to get them all answered.