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This Sunday, Christians in El Paso and worldwide begin their observance of Advent -- a special religious season that has varying significance for diverse traditions. According to the Encyclopedia Brittanica, “Advent” is from the Latin adventus (“coming”) and relates to the period in the Christian church calendar when Christians prepare not only for Christ’s birth (Christmas) but also for his Second Coming. In the Western Christian tradition, the Sunday nearest to November 30th initiates not only Advent but the liturgical year.

Introducing my connection to Mary Baker Eddy, the founder of Christian Science, emerges as a familial figure in my ancestry, per Ancestry. Specifically, she occupies the position of a distant relative — a 6th Cousin, 3X removed — with whom I share a common ancestor in Deacon Tristram Coffin (1632 – 1704). Our family ties weave through a historical tapestry, connecting us through surnames such as Coffin, Little, Moody, Lovewell, Baker, and McAyeal.

The Destiny Churh is inviting people to celebrate the hope and anticipation of Christmas with them this holiday season. People may join in person or online. They are hosting services for Christmas messages, hope, and cheer.

Hope is a powerful word that holds the promise of a brighter future. It brings comfort to those in despair and inspires perseverance in the face of adversity. For many, hope is found in the unwavering love and grace of Jesus Christ. His teachings offer a path to redemption and the gift of eternal life, providing a source of hope that can withstand even the darkest of times. In a world of uncertainty, finding hope in Jesus can bring peace and a renewed sense of purpose.

We have a whole bunch of historic places in Alabama that we have talked about here on Mint Message. Now, we have a historic church that was added to the National Register of Historic Places, or NRHP for short. For those who do not know, the NRHP is a program started by the National Park Service in the United States of America in order to keep track of places that should be preserved for being historically significant or culturally significant to the United States of America. Places for the NRHP vary and include ancient pre-historic locations within the United States and places about fifty years old attached to the interesting history of the United States.

A former high school student who describes herself as a "strong Christian" reached a settlement with Chicago Public Schools after alleging that she and others were forced to take part in Hindu rituals in secret.

Christianity, like any major religion, encompasses a wide range of beliefs and practices. While many Christians strive to embody the teachings of love, compassion, and forgiveness that Jesus Christ preached, there are instances where certain individuals or groups within the faith exhibit hatefulness. It's important to emphasize that this is not a characteristic of Christianity as a whole, but rather a behavior displayed by some Christians. To better understand this issue, it's crucial to distinguish between believers and followers within the Christian community.

There was a small micro-state in an area that is part of modern Lithuania and Poland, but at the time was a part of the territory that made up the Polish–Lithuanian Commonwealth. Despite that, this particular democratic society was a unitary parliamentary democratic republic that existed with its own unique parliament, small army, and legal structure that enforced the rules of the nation. The country was interesting when it came to its existence because it was able to come into being with such a small amount of territory for the country. This nation was made up of an area of 11.7 square miles worth of territory or 30.4 square kilometers for those who are used to using the metric system.

We at Mint Message wrote earlier about the Commune of Rome and how it was established in 1144 and lasted 50 years, following a form of democracy almost the same as the original Roman Republic within the territory of modern Italy. Here is some interesting information on that amazing democratic society that influenced the end of feudalism in parts of Italy during the late 1800s.

The Feast of Saint Marinus, celebrated annually on September 3rd in San Marino, is a significant holiday that honors the country's patron saint, Saint Marinus. This religious occasion is there to celebrate the founding of San Marino by Saint Marinus in 301 AD. As we described previously here at Mint Message, Marinus founded the community when he was a stonemason and built it in the mountains where it had de facto independence from Rome. The community was free from the influence of Rome and even free from feudalists and the theocracy of the Catholic Church years later due to a series of military alliances & guerrilla warfare tactics!

Now, the Middle Ages was a time of feudalism and a type when the Catholic church had authoritarian theocracies in the form of Papal States that ruled over parts of Europe with autocratic control from 756 to the 1800s. Because of that, you would assume all Catholics would be authoritarians and feudalists controlling people's lives with an iron fist, but fortunately, history shows that is wrong with the Duchy of Amalfi with its unique form of democracy known as an elective duchy.

Knowing that you have little control over your life can make you feel more anxious or unsettled. However, it can lead to a better relationship with God. Being intimate with God means experiencing more joy and having a richer prayer life. Surrendering control can bring greater happiness to your life, says married couple and Christian Authors Michael and Lauren McAfee. They are set to release their new book, Beyond Our Control: Let Go of Unmet Expectations, Overcome Anxiety, and Discover Intimacy With God.

This post includes content written by AI. Religion has always played a significant role in shaping the cultural, social, and personal lives of individuals across the globe. In Texas, Christianity is the dominant faith, with over 77% of the adult population identifying as Christian according to data from the Pew Research Center. However, it's essential to acknowledge that the Lone Star State is also home to various other religious groups, including Jews and Muslims.

The Bible is certainly not a good role model for young girls as most of the Bible’s famous stories have betrayed women in such a negative light, beginning with the opening act of Adam and Eve.

We have written previously on Mint Message about the historic town of Elberta, Alabama, and how this particular town was established. This particular town also includes a single place that is considered to be so important that the National Register of Historic Places - or NRHP for short if you do not want to say the whole thing - has decided that it is worth keeping around for future generations to learn about. They still have congregations and meetings to this day, but it is also considered to be a historic landmark. This location is named the St. Mark's Lutheran Church.

In the annals of Roman emperors, few figures stand out as distinctly as Julian, also known as Julian the Apostate. Born in 331 AD as a nephew of Constantine the Great, the first Christian emperor, Julian's life and reign were marked by a complex dance between paganism and Christianity, making him a unique and intriguing character in history.

Disclaimer: This author, Ann Lancaster, utilizes AI in the research & development of her articles. The author has personally watched all eight "The Chosen" episodes on Netflix.

A well-respected atheist speaker argues against the existence of God and the validity of Christianity in front of a large crowd. After he finishes his speech, an old preacher stands up and approaches the speaker, taking a bite from an apple. The preacher asks a simple question: was the apple bitter or sweet? The speaker admits he cannot answer that question because he didn't taste the apple. The preacher then throws away the apple core and states that the speaker has also never tasted "his Jesus." The story emphasizes that many people criticize Jesus and Christianity without truly experiencing the goodness and truth within it.

If you live in New Jersey, you already know that there isn't anything better than a stroll by the beach in the summer. In most Jersey Shore towns, you won't have a problem with this regardless of the day of the week.

There has been a Wiccan Prison Ministry in the State of Kansas prison system for more than twenty years… until now and Robert Miller, an elder of Moonshadow Coven in Topeka, believes he and the coven are victims of religious persecution by the Kansas Department of Corrections, which has banned all mail from him and his Wiccan ministry.