A number of my efforts today were stymied. But I used "stymied" in a sentence. That's gotta count for something.

If you know that the stories of Christmas aren’t entirely factual:

May you still wonder at love that lights up the night sky, coos through a baby’s lips, laughs out loud from a fat man on a sleigh and shows up in unexpected gifts. Despite all evidence to the contrary, may Christmas still be true.

Mary’s Magnificat

As Jesus entered a village, the people harassed him, shouting insults.

But Jesus said prayers for their happiness.

A disciple said: 'You prayed for these men, aren't you filled with anger toward them?'

Jesus answered: 'I could only spend from what I had in my purse.'

—Attar, The Way of the Sufi

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What’s your 3rd place?Sociologists describe social spaces that aren’t people’s homes or work as “3rd places.”

For 24 years, church was my third place. Now it’s not. I’m on hiatus, for my own mental health.

So to those who don’t have church as your third place, what is that space for you?