
Sunday marked the third week of Advent for us, so Christmas is now very near. Our halls are nearly decked and many pathways lit with welcoming lights entwining evergreens. And though we sing “Rejoice!” our hearts are heavy for the massacre of the innocents of Connecticut. Red and green, the traditional colors of Christmas, also recall the mystery and paradox of martyrdom and new life. The Babe of Bethlehem knew the same.