In this episode, our citizens complete our third fishing dock and we lose our first citizen to death. Who dies and how does that citizen die? You’ll have to watch the episode to find out!
Episode 21: Envy and Kindness
In this episode, I delve into the deadly sin of envy and its antidote, the virtue of kindness. From a Roman Catholic and Biblical perspective, I explore the destructive nature of envy and the transformative power of kindness.
People of the First Christmas – St. Joseph
Greetings and welcome back to this mini-series on the people of the First Christmas. In this mini-series, I’m taking a look at what the Bible has to say about each of the characters there and this week, I will be examining St. Joseph, the earthly husband of Mary and the earthly father of Jesus. Let me point out that by ‘earthly’ I mean that it was according to what people saw – he was Mary’s husband and Jesus’s father (even though we know Mary was a virgin and conceived Jesus through the Holy Spirit).
Joseph, a just man, faced a difficult decision upon learning of Mary’s pregnancy. Rather than public shaming, he chose a more compassionate path. His initial plan to quietly divorce Mary reveals his integrity and concern for her reputation. However, his character, marked by justice and mercy, set the stage for his ultimate obedience to God’s divine plan.
By examining Joseph’s character and actions, we can gain valuable insights into faith, trust, and obedience. As we delve into his story, let’s consider how we can apply these lessons to our own lives, both during the Christmas season and throughout the year.
St. Matthew describes Joseph as a righteous man. When faced with Mary’s unexpected pregnancy, he chose compassion over condemnation. Rather than publicly shaming her, he intended to quietly divorce her, sparing her from the harsh punishment of stoning, a fate common for unmarried women in such circumstances. Had Joseph chosen a different path, the course of human history would have been dramatically altered. His choice of compassion over anger was a pivotal moment, one for which we should be eternally grateful.
We can learn a valuable lesson from Joseph’s example. By choosing compassion over anger, even in the face of challenging circumstances, we align ourselves with God’s righteousness. While righteous anger exists, our emotions often stem from frustration and impatience rather than a desire for justice. By opting for compassion, we choose a more godly path.
St. Matthew then reveals a divine intervention that would alter Joseph’s plans. In a dream, an angel of the Lord appeared to him, revealing the truth about Mary’s pregnancy. The angel instructed Joseph to marry Mary and name the child Jesus, a name chosen by God. St. Matthew tells us in his first chapter that when he awoke “he did as the angel of the Lord commanded him; he took her as his wife, but had no marital relations with her until she had borne a son; and he named him Jesus.”
Joseph’s unwavering obedience to God’s command, even when it defied all human understanding, is a powerful example for us all. He reminds us of the importance of trusting in God’s plan, no matter how difficult it may seem. By choosing faith over fear, Joseph played a crucial role in the fulfillment of God’s promise to send a Savior to the world.
Joseph’s character, marked by justice and mercy, set the stage for his ultimate obedience to God’s divine plan. His initial response to Mary’s pregnancy, while compassionate, was rooted in human understanding. However, when confronted with God’s revelation, he willingly surrendered his own plans, demonstrating a profound trust in divine providence.
As we reflect on the life of St. Joseph, let us be inspired by his unwavering faith and obedience to God’s will. May we strive to emulate his example of compassion, mercy, and trust in God’s plan. By following in his footsteps, we can live lives of purpose and significance, ultimately contributing to the fulfillment of God’s eternal plan.
Don’t miss the rest of the series!
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Next week, I’ll be examining the shepherds and their response to the angelic announcement they received that First Christmas.
Creative Engineering E2: Flint Mesh and Lava
In this episode, Swag continues his modded Minecraft flatworld survival challenge. He upgrades his mesh in the oak sieve and takes on the daunting task of generating lava from cobblestone. With limited resources and a flat world to work with, Swag faces unique challenges as he pushes the boundaries of his creative engineering.
Don’t miss this episode to see how much effort and determination it takes to achieve even the most basic goals in modded Minecraft!
Swag Plays Factorio S2 E18: Automating Railroad Tracks
In this episode, Swag sets up a railroad track production area, and works to make his factory more efficient via research and upgrades.
Swag Plays Banished S2 E08 – The First Stone House
In this episode, the citizens finish building their first stone house, and work to avoid a food shortage in Otterview. What else happened? Watch the episode to find out!
Episode 20: Wrath and Patience
In this episode, I examine the deadly sin of wrath and it’s opposing virtue of patience. Come learn how by learning to be patient, we can deal with life’s challenges and avoid falling into wrath.
People of the First Christmas: The Virgin Mary
Welcome everyone to the first post in this mini-series where I’ll be looking at some of the people who participated in that first Christmas about two thousand years ago. In this week’s blog post, I’d like to examine one of the central characters, the Virgin Mary.
As a Roman Catholic, I deeply admire the extraordinary woman of faith that Mary is. However, for this post, I’ll focus solely on the biblical accounts of her life, rather than delving into later traditions. While such traditions are good, they don’t help us understand the woman God the Father chose to become His Son’s earthly mother. With that being said, let’s examine three pivotal moments in Mary’s life that are central to the Christmas story:
- The Annunciation of the Archangel Gabriel: The moment when Mary receives the life-changing news of her divine mission.
- The Visitation to Elizabeth: Mary’s encounter with her cousin Elizabeth, a moment of joy, revelation, and shared faith.
- The Nativity in Bethlehem: The fulfillment of the prophecy and the birth of Jesus Christ.
Imagine, if you will, a time long ago. The Promised Land, once a beacon of hope, now groans under the weight of Roman occupation. A people yearn for the Messiah, the long-awaited deliverer. In the quiet town of Nazareth, nestled in the hills of Galilee, lived a young woman named Mary, a descendant of the royal line of David. Her life was about to be forever changed.
Mary, a young woman of Nazareth, was going about her daily routine when a startling interruption shattered the quietude. A radiant figure, bathed in celestial light, appeared before her. The man, a messenger from heaven, announced a divine mission that would forever alter the course of human history. Let’s turn to the biblical account to delve deeper into this extraordinary event. According to the Gospel of St. Luke, chapter one, we read:
And he came to her and said, “Greetings, favored one! The Lord is with you.”[b] 29 But she was much perplexed by his words and pondered what sort of greeting this might be. 30 The angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. 31 And now, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you will name him Jesus. 32 He will be great, and will be called the Son of the Most High, and the Lord God will give to him the throne of his ancestor David. 33 He will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of his kingdom there will be no end.” 34 Mary said to the angel, “How can this be, since I am a virgin?”[c] 35 The angel said to her, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you; therefore the child to be born[d] will be holy; he will be called Son of God. 36 And now, your relative Elizabeth in her old age has also conceived a son; and this is the sixth month for her who was said to be barren. 37 For nothing will be impossible with God.” 38 Then Mary said, “Here am I, the servant of the Lord; let it be with me according to your word.” Then the angel departed from her.
Let’s ponder Mary’s response. Despite her initial confusion, she didn’t shy away from questioning the angel. Her honest inquiry, ‘How can this be, since I am a virgin?’ reveals her humility and desire for understanding. Yet, when she fully grasped the divine plan, she responded with unwavering faith: ‘Here am I, the servant of the Lord; let it be with me according to your word.’
Like Mary, we too are called to embrace God’s plans, even when they seem impossible. Her example teaches us the importance of both questioning and accepting God’s will in our own lives. By questioning what we think is God’s will, we can truly discern His divine plan and avoid being misled by worldly desires.
After the astonishing encounter with the angel, Mary wasted no time. She set out for the hill country of Judea, to the home of her elderly cousin Elizabeth. Elizabeth, miraculously pregnant with St. John the Baptist, was also carrying a child of divine destiny. As soon as Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting, the unborn baby leaped in her womb, and Elizabeth, filled with the Holy Spirit, exclaimed, ‘Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb!’ Mary, filled with the Holy Spirit, responded with a beautiful prayer, now known as the Magnificat: ‘My soul glorifies the Lord, and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior, for he has looked on the humble estate of his servant. From now on all generations will call me blessed, for the Mighty One has done great things for me. Holy is his name…’
Mary’s visit to Elizabeth offers profound spiritual insights. Let’s delve deeper into the significance of this encounter. Elizabeth’s proclamation, ‘Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb!’ (Luke 1:42), is a powerful affirmation of Mary’s divine role. This clear declaration from Scripture leaves no room for doubt about Mary’s unique position as the Mother of God. Mary’s visit to Elizabeth also serves as a powerful example of gratitude. Despite the life-altering news she had received, Mary responded with praise and thanksgiving. Her Magnificat, a beautiful hymn of praise, reveals her deep faith and trust in God’s plan.
After the shepherds visited the newborn Christ, Mary continued to ponder the extraordinary events unfolding before her. As Luke’s Gospel tells us, she ‘treasured these things in her heart’ (Luke 2:19). She likely reflected on the shepherds’ awe-inspiring encounter with the angels, the humble circumstances of Jesus’ birth in a stable, and the kindness of the innkeeper who offered shelter to the holy family.
As we celebrate the birth of Christ this Christmas season, let us follow Mary’s example by pondering the wonders of God’s love. May we, like her, treasure the blessings in our lives and strive to serve God with all our hearts. May we, too, be open to the unexpected ways God may call us to serve Him.
Want to learn more about the other fascinating figures of the first Christmas? Be sure to follow my Ko‑fi page to stay updated on future posts in this series. Your support, no matter how small or what type, helps me continue creating content that inspires and uplifts. Thank you for your continued support!
Creative Engineering E1: The Beginning
Join Swag as he embarks on an epic modded flatworld survival adventure, focused on Create, Immersive Engineering, and Farmer’s Delight. Watch him overcome challenges, build incredible structures, and master the art of survival in a world of endless possibilities. Don’t miss the first episode as he sets up his unique world and sets off on a thrilling journey!
Swag Plays Factorio S2 E17: Advanced Circuits
In this episode, Swag sets up production of advanced circuits, then uses them to increase efficiency with stack inserters in a few key areas as well as speeding up the belts coming from his iron mining operations.