Christmas
He's ba-a-a-ack!
He’s ba-a-a-ack! by David Benjamin MADISON, Wis. — Sirens screaming, lights throbbing, Car 54 jumped the curb, dodged several trees, skidded violently and spun in a circle before lurching to a sudden stop in a snowbank just shy of the playground. By several inches, it missed flattening a little boy in a purple snowsuit. Officer…
Read MoreHow Joseph Saved the Nativity Scene
How Joseph Saved the Nativity Scene by David Benjamin BETHLEHEM, 0 A.D. — This usually sleepy village was bustling and noisy with pilgrims who’d been ordered there by Caesar to register for the Roman census. Among them was an aged carpenter named Joseph, who had just arrived after the long trek from a grubby little…
Read MoreIzzy Glick, Nativity impresario
WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 10, 2014 The Weekly Screed (#702) Izzy Glick, Nativity impresario by David Benjamin BETHLEHEM, 0 A.D. — Contrary to popular legend, the desk clerk at the inn — whose name was Nahim — was sympathetic to the bedraggled couple who arrived from Nazareth and asked for a room. After giving them the bad…
Read MoreChristmas through a glass, darkly
MONDAY, DECEMBER 1, 2014 The Weekly Screed (#701) Christmas through a glass, darkly by David Benjamin On a recent visit to New York, I got together with a lifelong friend, Pat Keeffe, who was in the first graduating class (‘65) at LaFollette High. Earlier this year, Pat and his family had mourned the too-soon loss…
Read MoreThe Night before Christ…Mouse?
SUNDAY, DECEMBER 15, 2013 The Weekly Screed: Christmas Bonus The Night before Christ…Mouse? by David Benjamin … with apologies to Clement Moore and all those who are sick and tired of silly parodies (To be read aloud, with gusto, between renditions of “Jingle Bells” and “Santa Baby”) ‘Twas the night before Christmas, when all through…
Read MoreHairbreadth Harry and the great Christmas escape
THURSDAY, DECEMBER 12, 2013 The Weekly Screed (#655) Hairbreadth Harry and the great Christmas escape by David Benjamin MADISON, Wis. — I’ve always loved Christmas… after a fashion. From the first time I could figure it out (after getting past the big Santa Claus deception), I grew more and more fond of Christmas as an…
Read MoreInterview with the Virgin
SATURDAY, DECEMBER 25, 1998 The Weekly Screed (Xmas #1) Interview with the Virgin by David Benjamin MADISON, Wis. — This time of year, Nativity scenes — many very elaborate — start popping up in front of every church. They feature real straw, hand-hewn mangers, lifesize papier-maché cows, sheep, shepherds, donkeys, Magi, Josephs, Christchildren, not to…
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