‘Comfort, Comfort my People’
AN ADVENT TALE—In the midst of growing darkness in our Northern Hemisphere, the world’s Christians begin Advent. ReadTheSpirit Editor David Crumm offers this column contrasting the latest news from New York and Rome on darkness, hope and the need for compassion. There’s even a suggestion of an inspiring quote you may want to print out and carry with you through the weeks preparing for Christmas.
EASTERN ORTHODOX Christians began their annual Nativity Fast on November 15. Holidays columnist Stephanie Fenton has that story. Western Christians began Advent, their liturgical period anticipating Christmas on November 27.
MANY CHRISTIAN families around the world also are looking ahead to the Feast of St. Nicholas, the forerunner of our pop-culture Santa Claus. We have that story, as well.
Check out all the holidays! Tell friends about the simply Web address: www.InterfaithHolidays.com
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INTERNATIONAL ARTS COMMUNITY
GODSIGNS—Columnist Suzy Farbman brings us an inspiring story, this week, about Michelle Perron, a tireless promoter of the arts who finally landed in Detroit, Michigan. Through various organizations in Detroit, she is actively developing resources for the international community of artists gathered in this city. This is a good-news story about one remarkable woman making a big difference in our world.
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FILM, FAITH
& POPULAR CULTURE
ED McNULTY—Enjoy all of the free resources from Ed McNulty’s faith-and-film website: VisualParables.org.
Among Ed’s new movie reviews are:
- ARRIVAL—One of the best science fiction films in quite a while, says Ed. (5 stars)
- AMERICAN PASTORAL—Based on a Philip Roth novel, the film gets 4 stars.
- CHRISTINE—The new based-on-fact movie about a TV reporter who commits suicide on live TV is interesting and gets 4 stars.
- GIRL ON A TRAIN—This murder mystery starring Emily Blunt is only so-so. (3.5 stars)
- CERTAIN WOMEN—Kelly Reichardt’s feature focusing on four women living in or near the small village of Livingston, Montana, is not for everyone—but it’s a 5-star film, says Ed.
- MASCOTS—Christopher Guest’s latest gets 4 stars.
- MISS HOKUSAI—Director Keiichi Hara’s beautifully animated film is not for children, but is a marvelous experience for adults. (4.5 stars)
- A MAN NAMED OVE—Writer/director Hannes Holm’s tragicomedy, based on the best-selling novel by Fredrik Backman, is Sweden’s official Oscar nomination for 2016. (5 stars)
- MAX ROSE—Jerry Lewis’s performance as an aging, widowed jazz musician is truly magical, says Ed. (4.5 stars)
- THE DRESSMAKER—A tale of vengeance set in Australia, starring Kate Winslet. Ed says: This movie is never dull! (4 stars)
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