As we get ready for Candlemas and pancakes, we pack away our Alleluias until Easter and, our Christmas decorations until next year.  Maybe your collection of ornaments, like mine, includes some that have been broken and  mended more than once. They still have sentimental value. But sometimes the thing is really beyond repair, yes?

Many of us have an old image of God as Santa Claus. You know, the one who not only can bring amazing gifts, but knows whether we’ve been naughty or nice.  Who doles out rewards and punishments accordingly.  Richard Rohr’s essay explores where this notion came from historically and how it has hurt us, and distanced us from awareness of the mercy and grace of God.