Shining Like Joseph: Building the Kingdom in Everyday Family Love

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Guest Post by: David Tonaszuck

A reflection on the Gospel of Matthew 2:13-15, 19-23

Dear brothers and sisters,

It was Christmas Eve in a small town nestled between snowy hills. The streetlights glimmered on the dusting of fresh snow, and every window on Maple Avenue seemed to glow with warmth. Inside one house near the end of the block, Daniel—a father of three—was finishing the last of the Christmas decorating with his youngest, Anna, perched on his shoulders. As she reached up to place a paper star atop the tree, a sense of hope and quiet joy filled the room.

Daniel had always loved Christmas, but this year was different. Only weeks before, he had lost his job. The security they’d known was gone and the search for new work in their small town was slow. There had been anxious late-night talks with his wife, Grace—whispered concerns about the mortgage, the future, how they’d stretch what they had to make it through. Yet Daniel refused to let fear steal the joy of Christmas from his family. As those familiar Gospel readings filled their home, Daniel heard them with new ears. The story of St. Joseph, quietly leading the Holy Family to Egypt, called to him—not as a figure out of reach, but as a father just trying to keep his family safe and wrap them in hope.

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Is Mary Foreshadowed in the Old Testament?

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By Edalat Hope from Virtue Books

If you’ve ever watched Dead Poets Society, you might notice something about that teacher.

He doesn’t dump all the information on the students at once.

Instead, he teaches them gradually, step by step. Only once they understand one concept does he move on to the next.

God teaches that way, too.

He doesn’t reveal the fullness of His plan all at once. That would be like teaching calculus to a five-year-old.

Instead, gradually, He builds truth upon truth to form spiritually mature people.

Even in the Old Testament, God uses this same method. He puts hints of who He really is and his future plans. When you realise this, it opens your eyes to an entirely new way of reading the Bible.

Many Jews didn’t fully understand Christ. But when they understood how verses from the Psalms, Law and Prophets quietly pointed to Jesus, then they converted.

The Apostles and Church Fathers understood this hidden thread that runs through scripture.

But Christ did not just appear on earth.

God’s plan to redeem humanity happened through Mary. It was through Mary that he chose to enter the world.

Mary’s life is inseparable from Christ’s mission. God’s perfect plan for redemption was that Mary, the sinless one, would bear the Redeemer.

What is less widely known, though, is that Mary herself is foreshadowed in the Old Testament. And it’s through a little something called typology.

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TECMO-MENTUM SWING: DALLAS DIGS DEEP, STEALS TITLE IN KITCHEN-TABLE CLASSIC

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Editor’s Note: Every once in a while, the memories you make with your kids are too good not to preserve in writing. What follows is a playful, over-the-top ESPN-style recap of an 8-team Tecmo Bowl the Board Game tournament my son and I played at our kitchen table.

It was one of those nights that reminded me how something as simple as a board game can become a snapshot of childhood, laughter, and the kind of moments you hope your kids remember long after the final score is forgotten. 

By Matt Chicoine, ESPN Family Desk

The dynasty was born somewhere between a bowl of Goldfish crackers and a bent corner of the kitchen-table playmat.

Eight teams entered. One left as champion. In the process, Tecmo Bowl the Board Game delivered a tournament that felt less like cardboard and dice and more like January football glory.

FIRST ROUND: DEFENSE WINS CHAMPIONSHIPS… UNTIL IT DOESN’T

The left side of the bracket opened with Minnesota edging Los Angeles, 10–7, in a game that felt like a vintage slugfest. Minnesota leaned hard into its scouting report of big passing offense and tough run defense, and it showed. Los Angeles was hard to tackle but could not shake loose when it mattered.

Meanwhile, Indianapolis blanked Chicago 7–0, bludgeoning its way through with power football that neutralized Chicago’s supposed advantages of great receivers and a brick-wall defense.

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The Play That Almost Lost the Game and Why It Ended Up Saving It

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The championship game of our Tecmo Bowl the Board Game tournament came down to a moment that still makes my stomach twist a little when I replay it in my head.

For those unfamiliar, Tecmo Bowl the Board Game is a tabletop version of the classic NES football game. Instead of controllers, you use play cards, dice, and team abilities to simulate drives, turnovers, and big plays. It feels part chess, part nostalgia, and part living-room Super Bowl. It is also shockingly intense for something made of cardboard.

In the final, I was playing as Dallas and my son was playing as Indianapolis. These are generic versions of the classic NFL teams, so there are no mascots or logos involved, just colors, stats, and a lot of competitive pride.

Dallas had the ball at the five-yard line. Four chances to punch it in. Four chances to ice the game.

They went nowhere on first down. Nothing on second. Stopped cold on third.

Then we made a call that felt heroic and foolish at the same time. We went for it on fourth down.

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A Christmas (Birthday) Letter to the Infant Son of God

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Nativity.jpg

Below is a letter I dedicated to our Lord Jesus Christ in celebration of his birth, December 25, 2020 Anno Domini.

Dear Baby Jesus,

In a stable, 2000 years ago, a seemingly ordinary infant was born. Through the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, shepherds and kings from afar learned about His incredible presence. God uses the most common of circumstances to work the greatest of all miracles–the Incarnation. God so loved the world He sent you–His only Son– to bridge the great gulf, the separation caused by sin.

Wrapped in swaddling clothes, laid in a manger, you my king took the form of mankind. I have heard the Nativity story dozens of times. This Advent I feared I would take your origin story for granted. Instead, I am grateful for the opportunity to gaze on the Nativity scene through new eyes–not merely of a follower, but also as a father.

My children are a reminder of your goodness, truth, and beauty. Seeing the twinkle in their eyes when they gaze at the Nativity Scene at home or church is priceless. The smiles on my kids faces as they color “presents” pictures for my wife and I remind me the true reason for the season!

People are born everyday on this earth, but only once a year do we remember the greatest birth of all.

Jesus my servant king, Emmanuel, Prince of Peace, God-hero, I adore you and celebrate with my family and friends the anniversary of your birth. I pray that my heart is enlarged to make room within the inn of my soul for you, my family, friends, and people I meet daily!

Praised be to God in the Highest and Alleluia for our Savior’s arrival.

With great love and gratitude,

Your adopted son,

Matthew

For us men and for our salvation

he came down from heaven,

and by the Holy Spirit was incarnate of the Virgin Mary,

and became man.

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Emmanuel: Welcoming God with Us into the Heart of Advent

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Guest Post by: David Tonaszuck

A reflection on the Gospel of Matthew 1:18-24

My friends, as we continue our journey through Advent, the Church invites us to look deeply at what it means to welcome Christ into our homes and our hearts right here and right now. Advent isn’t simply a time of waiting; it’s a season of recognizing that God is with us, even before the manger, and even in the messy and mysterious corners of our lives.

Let me begin with a story about a man named Jared. Maybe some of you can relate. Jared never thought of himself as a “church guy,” let alone someone who mentors children. He kept his life tidy and God at a respectful distance — present, but not too close. But when a friend asked him to become part of the “Big Brother” program as a mentor to Marcus, a quiet twelve-year-old whose father wasn’t around, Jared’s first instinct was to say no. He wasn’t good with kids, and his own childhood wounds still hurt. Despite his hesitation, he said yes.

Their first meetings were awkward and silent. Jared wondered if he was wasting anyone’s time. But gradually, things shifted. They fixed bikes together, swapped jokes, and looked at books about dinosaurs; and one evening, Marcus looked up at him and asked, “Why do you care?” Jared answered honestly: “I needed someone once too. And I think God cares, even when it’s hard to feel it.”

By stepping out of his comfort zone, Jared discovered something remarkable — Marcus found steadiness and friendship, and Jared’s own heart began to heal. Through his willingness to show up, with all his doubts, both Jared and Marcus were changed. God was with them — present in every hesitant step, every awkward pause, and every act of uncertain kindness.

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