Feast of the Baptism of the Lord

Jean-Baptiste-Camille Corot. The Baptism of Christ. 1844-45

Today the Church celebrates the Solemnity of the Baptism of Our Lord. This brings to an end the season of Christmas. The Church recalls Our Lord's second manifestation or epiphany which occurred on the occasion of His baptism in the Jordan. Jesus descended into the River to sanctify its waters and to give them the power to beget sons of God. The event takes on the importance of a second creation in which the entire Trinity intervenes.

Read more about this feast day at Catholic Culture.

Christmas - finishing the season

Isn't it funny that at Christmas something in you gets so lonely for -- I don't know what exactly, but it's something that you don't mind so much not having at other times.

Kate L. Bosher

Return of the Holy Family from Egypt

Giovanni Baglione, Return of the Holy Family from Egypt

Best of 2025 — TV

 Here are my top picks from our year of TV viewing. Our television viewing was not extensive but we discovered some that were pure gold. In no particular order.

I began my "Best of" lists way back in 2008. To see them, check the label cloud in the sidebar under "Best of ..." 

 

 

2025 BEST TV

Only Murders in the Building
(Seasons 4 and 5)

Most people know what to expect from this mystery series about three misfit friends and their true crime podcast. We were impressed that season 4 (a movie about the podcast?!) and season 5 (the old/new mob in New York) still hold up so solidly. This is a great team on all fronts.

Lupin

(Season 3)

Not as many people know this French series. Lupin is a French mystery thriller series starring Omar Sy in the role of Assane Diop, a man who is inspired by the adventures of master thief Arsène Lupin. As with Only Murders in the Building, the storytelling, production, and acting remain solid. It kept us running solution ideas up until the very end. And Omar Sy. Enough said.

Taskmaster

Five comedians are set tasks challenging their creativity and wit. The tasks are supervised by Alex Horne but the Taskmaster, Greg Davies, gives points based on his own personal, occasional whimsical criteria. Genuinely funny.

(My review here)

Korean Odyssey

A stylish urban fantasy about the Monkey King, a powerful immortal banished to the human world, and a young woman who can see ghosts and spirits. Tons of fun and we really grew to love the characters.

(My review here)

Beyond Evil

As a killing resembling a cold case resurfaces in a small town, the chase for the truth falls on two policemen who each harbor secrets of their own. This morphed into a multi-layered investigation into much more than a serial killer, which I didn't expect.

(My review here.)

Good Cop, Bad Cop

We love police procedurals and this is a good one — a fun, quirky show that wasn't too over-the-top while providing a murder-of-the week. Lou and Henry, an odd couple sister and brother detective team in a small Pacific Northwest police force, must contend with colorful residents, a lack of resources, and their own complicated dynamics.

(My review here.)

Devil Judge

My favorite series of the year. I was drawn in by the name but found more than I expected. Set in a dystopian version of South Korea, this multi-layered, fast paced story kept us talking about it in the days between watching episodes. At the heart of this exciting drama is justice — from a wide variety of vantage points. Is Judge Kang Batman? Or The Joker?

(My review here.)

Rest on the Flight into Egypt

Luc-Olivier Merson, Rest on the Flight into Egypt

I love this imaginative flight. It never would have occurred to me to put the Holy Family together with the Sphinx.

Christmas with Charles Dickens - again!

What better way to wind down our Christmas season than with a quote from Dickens?

I have always thought of Christmas time as a good time; a kind, forgiving, charitable, pleasant time; the only time I know of, in the long calendar of the year, when men and women seem by one consent to open their shut-up hearts freely.

Charles Dickens

Best of 2025 — Movies

 Here are my top picks from our year of viewing around 130 movies.   We continued in our Oscar winner/nominees series and, as always, there is a generous dose of our Indian and Korean discoveries. All are listed in the order we encountered them.

As always, the movies may be old, but my viewing was brand new this year. In no particular order.

I began my "Best of" lists way back in 2008. To see them, check the label cloud in the sidebar under "Best of ..."

2025 BEST MOVIES

Raat Akeli Hai
(The Night is Lonely)

A truly classic style noir that reminded us irresistably of Chinatown. With a subplot of the mother trying to find the detective a bride which made it truly Indian. Featuring one of our favorite actors, Nawazuddin Siddiqui. A real gem.

Cinderella (1950)

The original animated classic, which was considerably enhanced by watching it with our 5-year-old grandson. I saw this so long ago that it might as well have been new to me.

Kai Po Che!
(I've Cut the Kite!)

I don't usually like coming of age stories but this was simply delightful as we saw 3 friends drawn to what they cared about most, finding ways to follow their dreams while making a living. And while remaining friends. Real historical events disrupted their lives but we also see how those are handled and the difference they make in the young men's decisions.

Thelma

When 93-year-old Thelma falls prey to a phone, she sets out to reclaim what was taken from her. This was a delight. Thelma being inspired by Tom Cruise to track down the scammers who tricked her into sending cash is just the first level.

(My review here.)

Noryang: Deadly Sea

The last in the trilogy about naval genius Admiral Yi. The director brilliantly manages to show huge sea battles in a way that conveys the incredible chaos while making the strategy crystal clear. That's important because Admiral Yi's genius only becomes clear as the battle proceeds. Not to be missed.

(My review here.)

Hi Nanna!

An ill child, her protective father, and a mysterious woman journey through love, parenthood, and destiny. Against all odds I loved this film, especially with the insane number of plot twists in the second half. Read the review to get the vibe.

(My review here.)

Chhaava

Indian historical movie about the Marathis battling to save their land from the Moguls. The link between the king and his wife along with what we know of his lifelong question about his mother add depth to the love of country and devotion to the gods. This was really well done and surprisingly moving at the end. (Not for beginners to Indian movies.)

Along with the Gods: The Two Worlds
Along with the Gods: The Last 49 Days

And I thought Dante's circles of hell were bad. In The Two Worlds, we follow a soul on trial as his three accompanying guardians defend him through the Buddhist circles of hell. This is a really entertaining fantasy. The imaginings of the hells were wonderful and probably would really resonate with those who know Buddhism basics.

The Last 49 Days is essentially the second half of the story and, as such, is a strong finish.

Frankenstein

Director Guillermo del Toro somehow managed to stay true to the book while whirling around with his own different details a lot of the time. Best of all, the point of the story was articulated enough to be sure that we really got it. Really good.

(My review here.)

The Host

Really solid monster movie although, as is often the case, it is more about the people than the monster. It holds up wonderfully for a 20 year old film, helped considerably thanks to our experience with Covid.

Good Ol' Freda

This was a gentle, sweet look at the Beatles' 10 year run through the eyes of their secretary, Freda.

Wake Up, Dead Man

The latest in the Knives Out mystery series by Rian Johnson. Best depiction of a modern priest since Calvary. Also a pretty good murder mystery with everyone's favorite detective, Benoit Blanc. Clearly Rian Johnson was interested in religion and, as from my vantage point as a Catholic believer, he gets it right.

Almond Boneless Chicken

 It's how we started the New Year! Truly delicious — check it out at Meanwhile, Back in the Kitchen.

Flight Into Egypt - Icon

Flight into Egypt (detail of the icon Nativity, Saint Catherine's Monastery, Mount Sinai)

Three Magi

The Three Magi, Byzantine mosaic c. 565,
Basilica of Sant'Apollinare Nuovo, Ravenna, Italy;(restored during the 18th century).
As we see here Byzantine art usually depicts the Magi in Persian clothing
which includes breeches, capes, and Phrygian caps.

Christmas — The Bells!

I heard the bells on Christmas Day
Their old, familiar carols play,
And wild and sweet the words repeat
Of peace on earth, good-will to men!

Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

Best of 2025 — Books

  My top picks from the over 130 books I read last year.

You may find old books here but if they're on this list, then they were new to me! In no particular order.

Note: I've been doing this since 2008 — check the label cloud in the sidebar for "Best of" to see other lists.

2025 BEST BOOKS

All Flesh is Grass

by Clifford Simak

I didn't actually review this as it turns out so here's the synopsis of a book with a really unique take on aliens. "Nothing much ever happens in Millville, a small, secluded Middle-American community—until the day every resident is confined within the town’s boundaries by an invisible force field that cannot be breached."

Vera Wong's Guide to Snooping on a Dead Man

by Jesse Q. Sutanto

The second in a cozy mystery series about a meddling Chinese grandmother. The first (Vera Wong's Unsolicited Advice for Murderers) was entertaining. This one took it to a more complex level and with Vera herself growing deeper as a character, showing tenderness and love when needed. And still cooking up a storm for everyone.

The Cartiers

by Francesca Cartier Brickell

Unexpectedly layered, this is a tale of marketing, design, loyal to customers, family dynamics, and world history. I gave this to a lot of people for Christmas.

(My review here.)

Complete Encyclicals of John Paul II

by Saint Pope John Paul II

I unexpectedly fell into this reading project which took me 9 months off and on. Totally worth it and I discovered that if we love JPII it's because we love Vatican II (whether we know it or not). My review looks at all the encyclicals briefly.

(My review here.)

The Lord's Prayer

by Romano Guardini

A short books of meditations where Guardini looks carefully for the riches of Christ in things we think we already understand. Like the Our Father. Superb.

(My review here.)

The Retired Assassin's Guide to Country Gardening
The Retired Assassin's Guide to Orchid Hunting

by Naomi Kuttner

If Don from The Rosie Project were a retired assassin and trying to solve a murder along with Elizabeth from The Thursday Murder Club, it might look like these two books.

Children of the Book

by Ilana Kurshan

Kurshan takes us through the Torah in a year, echoed by the children's books she is reading to her family. It links our journey of faith with our own journey as readers.

(My full review.)

Undaunted Joy

by Shemaiah Gonzalez

"Joy is transcendent. It is from God. It is Him, peeking from behind the curtain or veil to reach out to us."  This book led to me looking for — and finding — a spark of joy everyday, no matter how the day was going otherwise. My second favorite book of the year.

(My full review.)

Pollyanna

by Eleanor H. Parker

I read this because the author of Undaunted Joy recommended it so strongly. And she was right. It's a good book. A simpler version in many ways of books like A Little Princess and Anne of Green Gables, both of which I enjoy.

The Motor Maid

by A.M. and C.M. Williamson

More of a travelogue than mystery but light and fun. As Lys tries to escape a pre-arranged marriage, she's forced to become a lady's maid to the wife of a nouveau riche couple touring France. The benefit is that the motor-car is a new and trendy item and the chauffeur is a handsome and fun fellow. We can see where it's going but who cares? Light and fun.

Fearfully and Wonderfully Made

by Dr. Paul Brand, Philip Yancey

My favorite book of the year. Three in one — an inspiring science book, wide-ranging meditations on the body of Christ, and human stories that illuminate both. Ultimately a powerful experience of illuminating God's love and our role as part of his body. 

(My full review.)

24 Hours in Ancient Rome

by Philip Matyszak

Each hour of the day we see a different person who made up the bustling metropolis of Rome — from emperor to slave girl, gladiator to astrologer to clock maker. This was entertaining, enlightening and told with tongue-in-cheek jokes. 

(My full review.)

Never Split the Difference

by Chris Voss

A former FBI hostage negotiator gives guidelines to negotiating in all circumstances of your life — illustrated with real life hostage negotiation scenarios. I'd never normally read this sort of book but since a friend gave it to me, I read it. And it was really worth it.

(My full review.)

Adoration of the Magi

Gentile da Fabriano, Adoration of the Magi, 1423 (Uffizi Gallery, Florence)

Click on the link to go to the original and then click again on the photo to enlarge it. You can see a fascinating amount of detail. And in this painting, detail matters!

I was made aware of this magnificent piece by my friend Patsy. It is just the sort of thing I love, with tons of details and other small related paintings to enrich the story and our inspiration. She points out a deep meaning in the portrayal of the kings.

My favorite detail is the "magi" themselves.

The old one is first, on his knees, his gift already in the hands of the maids, and his crown forgotten on the ground, out of the way. Most precious of all--the old king is kissing the foot of Baby Jesus, while Jesus' tiny hand is on his bare head.

The second king, a mature man, is beginning to kneel to present his gift, and is ready to take off his crown. His eyes are on the Baby Jesus.

Now the third king, a young man, maybe not yet so wise, is still standing fully upright, his elaborate crown firmly on his head. One of this man's feet is, of all places, on the hem of the old king's robe. A valet is removing, after the long journey, his golden riding spurs. The young king's gift for the King of Kings, is proffered delicately, almost impersonally. He is still very young and independent.

Easy to see the artist is depicting stages in a spiritual life, growth in seeing, understanding, familiarity with our loving Lord (playful, as one writer sees him) who lets us feel his touch as we humbly reverence his tiny feet. We take off our shoes in his holy presence, lay our triumphs at his feet, and return to him our most precious treasures to use as he wishes.

Flooded with details, the painting boasts of a rich narrative as well. Notice the attendants behind Mary as they curiously examine the first gift. Or in the right foreground, observe the royal dog that looks precariously up at the horse who is about to carelessly step onto him. Indeed intriguing are the gold anklet spurs of the third king being taken off by a squire as the Magus prepares to approach the Christ Child.

Aletia

Be sure to go to the Aletia article for lots more good insight into this work.

I also found an article from Khan Academy looking at this work, and the many details, from a different angle. It too is well worth reading.

In the middle predella panel, the new family flees to Egypt against a landscape bathed in the blazing midday sun – a raised golden orb amid a blue sky showering the nearest hillsides in gold. ...

Gentile used real gold to achieve many of these subtle lighting effects, demonstrating his ability to combine intricate manipulation of precious materials with an interest in naturalism. Perfecting a technique that would be copied by many other artists, he layered gold leaf underneath layers of paint to lend brightly lit surfaces an added glow—an effect that would be more readily apparent in candlelight. This means precious metals are woven underneath the surface, on the surface, and protruding from the surface, like a tapestry made of paint and gold.

Christmas Spirit

Because, yes, it is STILL Christmas! We're in this mighty celebration until the Feast of the Baptism of the Lord which isn't until January 11.

For the spirit of Christmas fulfils the greatest hunger of mankind.

Loring A. Schuler

Solemnity of Epiphany

Giotto, Adoration of the Magi
via Wikipedia

We are perhaps in danger of not realizing fully how close Our Lord is to our lives because God presents himself to us under the insignificant appearance of a piece of bread, because he does not reveal himself in his glory, because he does not impose himself irresistibly, because he slips into our life like a shadow, instead of making his power resound at the summit of all things ... How many souls are troubled because God does not show himself in the way they expected! (J. Leclerq, A Year with the Liturgy)

In Conversation with God: Advent and Christmastide

The Solemnity of the Epiphany is celebrated either on January 6 or, according to the decision of the episcopal conference, on the Sunday between January 2 and January 8. Epiphany celebrates the visit of the three kings or wise men to the Christ Child, signifying salvation for the Gentiles. Read more at Catholic Culture.