Valentine’s Day offers a distraction from dreary Pacific Northwest winter weather and actually signals a beginning of the end of winter in the Boise Valley. Southwestern Idaho’s winter climate is affected by the Pacific Ocean, which protects Idaho from the … Continue reading →
Many ancient civilizations celebrated the start of a new year at the time of spring planting. Ancient Rome used the vernal equinox as the beginning of the year. March 25 was New Year’s Day. But Roman politicians moved public observances … Continue reading →
Saint Anthony of Padua, Italy was a beloved preacher and Bible scholar in the Catholic Church. Born in Lisbon, Portugal in 1195, he was a missionary to the Muslims in Morocco before returning to Europe. While at Padua, he developed … Continue reading →
On the day of Christ’s crucifixion, a little bird sang to Jesus. “Svale! Svale!,” it called. That meant “Cheer up! Cheer up!” People called it the “Bird of Consolation.” From the sound of its cry they named it the swallow. … Continue reading →
February 14 is the feast day for Saint Valentine, who was martyred in Rome on that day in 269 A.D. Valentine’s Day became associated with older celebrations inspired by the Roman goddess Juno, the protector of women. Juno’s festival included … Continue reading →
The following program was first presented in 1880. It has been broadcast for many years by the BBC on Christmas Eve from Kings College in Cambridge. Nine Bible readings are given, separated by musical interludes. The music changes from year … Continue reading →
Although Chanukah is known as the festival of light, Christmas celebrations rival or surpass it in wattage. Public buildings, stores, and homes sparkle with lights and tinsel. Warmth, jolly music, and the appetizing odors of spices pour through opened doors … Continue reading →
In America, we are used to thinking of the week between Christmas and New Years Day as a special time. Schools are closed, and parents often try to take part of the week off from work. Our modern celebration is … Continue reading →
Trying to fit all of the food and fun of the holidays into two days, Christmas and New Years, can result in exhaustion for Mom (cook and chief event planner), not to mention making kids overfed and cranky. Why not … Continue reading →
It is a common observation that the Christmas season is filled with frantic activity to the tune of beeping cash registers. Some folks become anxious that their family’s holiday celebration will not be meaningful enough or provide enough warm memories. … Continue reading →