“I love Christmas, not just because of the presents but because of all the decorations and lights and the warmth of the season.” —Ashley Tisdale

The Birth of Jesus, Luke 2:1-20 In those days Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should be taken of the entire Roman world. 2 (This was the first census that took place while Quirinius was governor of Syria.) 3 And everyone went to their own town to register. 4 So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in […]

4 So Joseph also traveled from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David. 5 He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child. 6 While they were there, the time came for the baby […]

Although recently there has been a bit more violence in European countries, traditionally the crime overseas is less violent. Guns are not widely available in European countries, so drive-by shootings, hold-ups, and theft at gunpoint rarely happen. Instead, thieves are more likely to focus on pickpocketing. They focus on travelers who may have wallets full […]

“Happy, happy Christmas, that can win us back to the delusions of our childhood days, recall to the old man the pleasures of his youth, and transport the traveler back to his own fireside and quiet home!” —Charles Dickens.

One of my daughters lived and worked in Germany for a little over two years. All my daughters studied German in high school and college. Even though my heritage is Dutch, I have a fondness for all things German. My family members and I have visited Chicago during the Christmas season every year for about […]

“At Christmas, all roads lead home.” —Marjorie Holmes

I traveled to Northfield, Minnesota, this past weekend with my sister and brother-in-law. The main purpose of our trip was to attend my niece’s concert at St. Olaf College on Saturday evening, but we also shopped, explored the town and university, and spent time relaxing. Mall of America We flew into Minneapolis on Friday morning. […]