#the Christmas story

[penspagesandpulses]

Go watch Journey to Bethlehem, here's why

These days, it feels like every movie that is released is unwatchable by anyone who seeks out good, clean, uplifting entertainment. These movies attack family values. Characters swear worse than any sailor I’ve ever met. The production companies look to the alphabet soup of “gender identities” when deciding which characters to include. Any man in a movie is either a weak punching bag or a…

[wordingg]

Chapters: 8/8 Fandom: Batman (Comics), Batman - All Media Types, DCU, DCU (Animated) Rating: General Audiences Warnings: No Archive Warnings Apply Relationships: Jokester vs. Batman, Jokester vs. Joker, Jokester & Robin, Batman & Jokester Characters: Jokester, Batman, Robin (DCU), Dick Grayson, Joker (DCU), Alfred Pennyworth Additional Tags: Earth-3, Mirror Universe, Mirror Universe Crossover, Humor, Mistaken Identity, Heroes, Arch-Nemesis, Improvised weapons, Misunderstandings, Explosions, Child Briefly In Danger, Snark, Team Up, Batmobile, Clowns, Defenestration solves all problems, Dynamic Duo, Optimism, Class Issues, getting shot is not good, the Batcave was decorated by a hyperorganized eight-year-old wasn't it?, Christmas Presents, The Buttlemeister, scentless baby penguin, irrepressible urge to quote Victor Hugo Series: Part 1 of Sideshows Triumphant Summary:

The Jokester has gotten used to his face not being the most reassuring sight in the world, what with the scars, but everyone he meets all of a sudden acting like they think he's some kind of puppy-kicking monster, that's...new.

It's almost a relief when Owlman shows up. The black outfit is also new, but at least here's someone who's supposed to hate him.

[grits-galraisedinthesouth]

The Christmas Story

[christmascomics]

The Christmas Story (2021) by Flix Gillett.

[ailelie]

What I love about the Christmas story and what I wish more people within my faith really internalized is that Jesus came to earth as a baby.

Jesus, the one whose coming is super hyped in the Bible and who is meant to save everyone, came to earth as a baby.

Not a warrior. Not a powerhouse.

Babies are vulnerable and needy. They dirty their diapers. They cry all the time because they don't yet have another way to communicate with the world. They're so easy to break.

And that's how God came to earth.

He purposefully chose to be weak.

This wasn't a power move. It was an act of faith. In us.

"For God so loved the world, he sent his only begotten Son."

Love requires trust. God loved us, so God trusted us.

My hermeneutic for the Bible is love. And this is one of the ultimate acts in the Bible, in my opinion. To make yourself vulnerable, to take a wild leap into the unknown, and to trust that you will not fall.

God trusted us to catch him.

And how does that one verse go? As you've done to the least of these, so, too, you've done to me?

Perhaps showing kindness, mercy, and generosity toward others are just things we should do because it is righteous or that rot, but rather because these acts are our way of continuing to show up for God. Our way of saying to God that He doesn't need to work constant miracles because He's not alone.

Love should be mutual.

[sasha4books]

CHRISTMAS BOOK COUNTDOWN 🎄 (Day 20)

Title: The Christmas Story: My First Nativity Book

Author: DK

[obsessivegirlblog]

Advent 2023 - Carefully Investigated (December 7)

Matthew was evidence for the Jews. Mark was an action-packed presentation for the Romans. John is a relational tale for new believers and searching non-believers. Luke is evidence for the Gentiles–those of us who love God and are not Jews. Luke, a doctor, carefully investigated the life of Jesus so we can be certain of the truth we are taught. I’ve celebrated 30 Christmas seasons I’ve been in…

[lecirueblr]

I am a little proud to say I haven't seen Home Alone or Home Alone 2: Lost in New York once this December. I would've watched it, except for the fact that during December, the tv channel Freeform only plays this, The Santa Clause trilogy, Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer(occasionally) and The Grinch (2018). If they played a large variety of movies I would've watched that channel more. However, last year, I watched Home Alone maybe 10 times because that is nearly all that plays on that channel.

But hey, at least it's better than The Christmas Story playing 24 hours a day.

Home Alone 2: Lost in New York (1992) dir. Chris Columbus  

[its-a-crazy-world-aintit]

Music Analysis Time!

It is Christmas Time!

Which means Christmas music! It is after thanksgiving so I pull out my Christmas playlist since most of my favorites are not regularly played on the radio. As an adult I get a much later start on the Christmas music than I did in high school since I am no longer in chorus, community choir, the local youth choral, and my church's living christmas tree. Even with my work starting on November 1st.

ANYWAY, I'm listening to one of my favorites, "What Child Is This" by Jars of Clay and SHEL.

Its a slightly haunting classic carol, that I have sung since I was a small child. Most modern renditions tend to speed it up or give it more of a jazz feel but Jars of Clay and SHEL lean into the eeriness. AND THEN add to it by adding the Coventry Carol in after the second verse!!

For those not familiar the Coventry Carol is from a medieval pageant that became popular as a Christmas carol. It is about the Massacre of Innocents when King Herod slaughtered all the boys under 2 in Bethlehem. It is a lullaby sung by the mothers of the children who will be slain.

Even in a church setting today, the Massacre of Innocents is not often discussed much and the song rarely performed. I have been in numerous Christmas productions and never learned the whole song.

Adding the Coventry Carol, even by subtly humming the lullaby, to What Child Is This is heavy. The placement of it only enhances it.

In the Christmas story, when the wise men come to see Jesus, they first go to Herod, looking for the one "who has been born King of the Jews". Since Herod was king at the time this didn't exactly go over well. After talking with the priests and scribes Herod sends them to Bethlehem based on what Prophets had said and asks them to come back and tell him where the child is "so that I too can go and worship him." The wise men are warned by an dream after meeting Jesus not to return to Herod. Shortly after this an angel warns Joseph to flee to Egypt as Herod wants to kill Jesus. When the wise men don't return, Herod orders "all male children in and around Bethlehem" to be killed.

Putting the lullaby after the verse about the gifts brought by the wise men and after:

Raise, raise a song on high His mother sings her lullaby

is not incidental and makes the carol even more haunting. It is a wonderful way to remind those who know the story and to point to prophecies about the Messiah being fulfilled.

My christmas playlist if anyone wants to hear some things not always played on the radio:

[just-some-trans-nobody]

(Nsfw)

Orc boyfriend who's really into breeding kink, but his human mate don't want/can't have children, so he just keep filling up his mate anyway

December Christmas Monster stories

December 4.) Orc Breeding

Orc boyfriend x gender neutral reader

Thank you for this request! Hope you and everyone else enjoys. This gave me way to much trouble, for some reason everytime I went to save it, it just wouldn't save.

Warning: NSFW, breeding, cream pie, unprotected sex, no prep before sex, mention of pregnancy, small amount of alcohol

Minors don't interact!

-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-

Wanting to do something romantic for your boyfriend on christmas you kicked him out for a few hours so you can set everything up. He left with friends to go get drinks, promising you he would be back in two hours giving you plenty of time to set everything up. 

Spreading flower petals down on the floor from the front door you made a trail of them to the bedroom you shared with your large hunk of an orc you loved oh so dearly. Next you set up candles here and there letting their sweet aroma fill the air. Turning on the stereo you put on a long playlist of songs to get nasty too, you knew to put on an extra long one, Grogmar loved to take his sweet time having his way with you and you loved that. The last step was to put on sexy Christmas lingerie. It was lacey with fuzzy white trim, leaving nothing to the imagination. 

Picking your phone up you shot him a text to check and see when he would be back. Playing it safe you sent another text telling him to come alone for his surprise, you didn’t want to risk his buddies seeing you like this. You didn’t get a text right away so you set your phone down on the nightstand walking away just as you got a text back from him saying he had just parked. Going to the kitchen you pulled out two glasses and poured some champagne into them.

Hearing the door unlocking you picked the two glasses and stepped out of the kitchen right in time for Grogmar to open the door. His eyes looked to you and widened as he went stiff taking in the sight of you dressed like that. Grinning you struck a pose popping your hip out lightly. “Merry christmas~” You purred while holding up one of the glasses for him. Stepping inside he closed the door not breaking his stride as he approached you. With one hand he took the glass from you, his other hand going to your ass. His hand covered all of your cheek with it’s large size. “Now this is a merry christmas. Might be my favorite gift so far.” He chuckled, leaning in catching your lips with his in a heated kiss. Moaning against his lips you pressed your body against him feeling that he was already growing hard. Pulling away he trailed kisses down to your neck, his tusks rubbing against you as he kissed you like a desperate man. “Let’s take this to the bedroom.” You moaned as he continued to attack your neck in kisses. 

“Can’t wait that long.” He mumbled against your neck before he hosted you up in one arm. Carrying you to the table he set you down on the edge before setting his glass down next to you. Watching him step back you brought your own glass up to your lips taking a long sip as he fumbled with his pants. “So eager to use your gift hmm~?” You teased watching as he finally got it off. “Always eager when it’s with you.” Grogmar said as he stepped in between your legs going back to kissing you neck drawing a moan from your lips. His hands gripped your thighs rubbing them at a rough pace as he gave them a squeeze. Moaning he grinded against you wanting any sort of friction. “Grog please.” You whispered, leaning your head back. “Please fuck me, fill me up with your cum.” You knew how exactly to push his buttons, you knew just how much that would rile him up and it did. Groaning against your next he pulled your legs open wider as he pushed his wide tip into you earning a moan from you. Grabbing onto his shoulders you had to hold onto him for support as he pushed more of his cock into you. No matter how many times he had taken you he was always just so damn big, he had to be careful at the start.

Panting you pressed your head against his chest, a soft whine leaving you as he stretched you open wide. “Doing so good for me baby, gonna fill you up so much. Yer gonna look pregnant once I’m done with you.” Grogmar knew that was impossible but the thought always got him hot and bothered. It rubbed a more feral part of his brain so nicely thinking about breeding you. Hearing your loud moan brought him back to reality, he was getting easily lost in the pleasure already. “You take me so well.” He moaned, thrusting into you harder causing you to cry out. “Oh fuck! Grog! Yes fuck just like that.” You screamed out not caring how loud you were getting, you couldn’t care less at that moment. His cock just felt too good, you didn’t think you could hold in any sounds even if you tried to. The wet sounds of his sloppy thrusts were barely covered up by the music playing in the background. “You love it when I pound you like this don’t you? You love when my cock stretches you so well.” Grog moaned, lifting your legs up onto his shoulders. Leaning down he pressed his chest to yours. His cock reaching into you deeper with his new position. Trying to answer him your words came out as moaning gibberish unable to talk as he fucked you stupid. “Gods look at you. The devinines would be jealous of your beauty.” He praised kissing your jaw. “Fuck! Grog!” Was all you were able to say as you let out a choked moan. “F-fill me up… Need it… please please!” You whined as you started to claw at his back. Grogmar groaned feeling your nails on his back, it was a good kind of pain he was more than happy to feel. He would gladly show them off if you managed to leave a scar from it, though it was unlikely to happen. You could feel his cock twitch inside of you as he grew closer to his orgasim, you were close too. “How could I say no when you're asking so nicely?” He asked as he started to thrust faster slamming his hips into in a unrelenting pace. Throwing your head back against the table you let out a scream of pleasure as you tightened around him cumming. Your tightness drove him to the edge causing him to cum inside of you. “Yes of fuck Grog fill me up with your cum!” You moaned encouraging him. Bending over you he grunted and groaned as he kept thrusting, riding out his orgasmism making sure he got every drop of his seed into you. Panting his hips slowed to a stop as he pressed his head against your shoulder. “Haa~ felt so good.” He mumbled gently rubbing your thighs. “You're always so good for me.” Grogmar praised placing gentle kisses all over your shoulder and neck. “Mm you do too Groggy. Now let's get cleaned up and unwrap the other gifts.” You said trying to sit up a little. “Did you forget what I said?” Grogmar whispered tusks grazing against your neck as he spoke. Confused and a little dazed, you looked down at him. Opening your mouth you began to ask what he meant when you let out a sudden moan feeling a harsh thrust. “You're going to look pregnant once I’m done and you don’t look pregnant yet so I ain’t done yet.” He explained, his grip on your thighs tightening again as he continued to thrust into you. Moaning you laid back down on the table more than happy to keep going. This definitely was your best Christmas yet.

[vavoom-sorted-art]

Of Kings and Kids - A Good Omens Christmas Story

"Preparing for the arrival of the Messiah, The Son Of God, King Of The Jews and Saviour Of Mankind is stressful enough, but Silas the Shepherd (Happiest goats this side of the Jordan!) a.k.a Aziraphale, Angel Of The Eastern Gate, seems to have it all under control... until a certain demon shows up with some more than alarming news..." - written by @gaiaseyes451 and illustrated by yours truly - coming on Dec 22nd!

Completed now, read on Ao3!

[61below]

Massacre of the Innocents - Léon Cogniet

One of the things that I didn’t grasp as a child was just how dangerous is was for Mary to have to travel that close to her due date (even if she did have a donkey. Actually? Especially. Riding that late in term is RISKY!) And then they had to flee from their own government’s purge and live as refugees in a foreign land for years.

Recentering Christ in Christmas

(original post on my Instagram)

"Keep Christ in Christmas" is often lauded by reactionaries in their crusade in the so-called culture war. There is a fear amongst them that Jesus Christ can somehow be removed from the very essence of Christmas. And that the only way to "protect" Jesus is for the mainstream culture to be blatantly Christian and the corporate world to sell us a specifically religious Christmas.

Christians should not be concerned with such worldly matters. Capitalism and its systemic nature of greed, consumption, and waste should not be the center of our Christmas.

We should have no desire to align Jesus Christ with the worldly powers of capital. Rather, this is an encouragement for centering religious practice and embodiment.

It has become profoundly clear that more people are becoming disillusioned by capitalism. There has been a long critique of the festive consumerism that has been a part of Christmas for hundreds of years... and has only gotten more extreme in the past century. So consider this an invitation into the spiritual root of Christmas.

Let us talk about the birth of Jesus Christ. More specifically, recognizing the Christ that is all around us.

Christmas is not a story without suffering. Christmas is a story surrounded by darkness and despair.

The world Jesus was born into was far from ideal, both historically and mythologically. Christ was born from an unwed mother who was forcibly displaced along with her fiancé. The people of this land were living under the Roman occupation and were coerced into obeying the laws of this empire.

After being born, Christ was placed into a lowly manger, since the Virgin Mary and Saint Joseph were only able to take shelter along with the animals.

This is where God chose to be born.

Throughout the Gospel, Jesus identifies Himself as literally being the poor, the foreigner, the infirm, the prisoner, and the hungry. It is clear why Christ was born in that manger in destitution, and not amongst the wealthy who were happily aligned with the state.

The Logos (the pre-existent Jesus Christ) was intentional in where They would manifest themselves in this world.

When upon approaching the liturgical calendar, it is important to note that Advent and then Christmas mark the cycle of rebirth of Jesus Christ. For Christ is not born just once, but again and again perpetually.

This Advent and Christmas, I encourage you to look around you and seek out the Christ child (He is closer, and more relevant, than you might expect). Meditate on the True Peace that comes from Liberation and allow that Peace to be your guide. And find time to rest in the Hope of God's promise to us: we belong to Love.

[christmascomics]

Crazy Magazine #35 (1978) by Bob Larkin

[randomnestfamily]

Life is in the Hands of God

***Today's Devotion*** is called, "Life is in the Hands of God." . You can never be too small for God to take care of. We hope today's devotion encourages you! . #nativity #Christmas #birthofChrist #holidays #faith #inspiration #Savior #randomnestfamily

“But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah,Though you are little among the thousands of Judah,Yet out of you shall come forth to MeThe One to be Ruler in Israel,Whose goings forth are from of old,From everlasting.”MICAH 5:2 Was the birth of Jesus the beginning of His existence? The answer is no because He always was. In fact, the same God who created the heavens and the earth and said, “Let there be,” was…

[ryllen]

Would Sebek be jealous that Yuu's hand got kissed by skully?

well, nevertheless he was still winning when this happened

[selleryattack]

Part 22

(Trying to post a comic page every day till christmas)

💋💋💋

Part 23 here

Part 21 here