During the month of nativity scenes, here’s the story of why Croatia minted an official state coin featuring an unborn baby, plus a bit about commemorative Irish coins:

#gript

https://gript.ie/why-croatia-minted-an-official-coin-featuring-an-unborn-baby/

The Swiss Federal Council has rejected a parliamentary proposal to introduce a third gender on official records

https://gript.ie/swiss-federal-govt-rejects-idea-of-third-gender-on-official-records/

#gript

Mathew Otieno writes from Nairobi on Christmas traditions in Kenya

#gript


https://gript.ie/christmas-a-kenyan-story-2/

“For Ireland to voluntarily surrender one of its key, indeed few, comparative advantages in pursuit of some ideological agenda is tantamount to a gross betrayal of national interests,” writes MATT TREACY.

#gript

https://gript.ie/time-for-the-irish-state-to-put-national-interests-before-climate-extremism/

THADE ANDY: "The crib, on its narrative level, is a story of hope, charity and love. These are the "Three-Olds" of Christianity. This is why the crib is attacked."

#gript

https://gript.ie/anti-crib-a-culture-that-engages-in-iconoclasm-has-lost-its-way/

THE EDITORS: "What we do here, we do only with your consent, and with your contribution"

A message of thanks to our readers, and of our best wishes to you all this Christmas.

#gript

https://gript.ie/to-our-readers-thank-you-and-happy-christmas/

Many Irish homes still follow the custom of placing the Christmas Eve candle in the window, traditionally a red candle, big enough to burn all night, to show the welcome for Christ that He had never received in Bethlehem.

#gript

https://gript.ie/why-we-had-a-red-candle-in-the-window-on-christmas-eve-2/

Willie Clancy was born into a musical family in Miltown Malbay, Co Clare. His parents both sang and played concertina, and his father also played the flute. Clancy’s father had been heavily influenced by local blind piper Garret Barry.

ON THIS DAY: 24 DECEMBER 1918: Birth of Uilleann Piper, Willie Clancy

#gript


https://gript.ie/on-this-day-24-december-1918-birth-of-uilleann-piper-willie-clancy-4/

CYRIL CUSACK – LÁR AN STÁITSE ar Lá Nollaig, 9.30pm

#gript

https://gript.ie/cyril-cusack-lar-an-staitse/

MARGARET HICKEY: Times change, but the magic of Christmas is eternal

#gript

https://gript.ie/times-change-but-the-magic-of-christmas-is-eternal-2/

A very happy Christmas to all our readers, subscribers and contributors!
Happy Christmas
#happychristmas #gript

We are sorry to report that Donal Rogers, who came to prominence this year amid a fight to save the life of his dog, Kim, passed away on Christmas Day. He was 85 years old.

https://vimeo.com/757127017?fbclid=IwAR0kga9NFIZkqaQ81oziLEW6d-qxGx_o_bd7bAxfmOiqGBdoiq8GaWJt8DY

ON THIS DAY: 26 DECEMBER: Feast of St. Stephen or Wren Day

#gript

https://gript.ie/on-this-day-26-december-feast-of-st-stephen-or-wren-day-3/

"I was sixteen years old when the troubling of my life began. It was then that the fatal ambition to be a poet seized me."

Maolsheachlann Ó Ceallaigh writes

https://gript.ie/the-woes-of-a-traditionalist-poet/

PAT SHEEHAN: Christmas: The Greatest Revolution

#gript


https://gript.ie/christmas-the-greatest-revolution/

ON THIS DAY: 27th DECEMBER 1969: Death of Dan Breen

#gript

https://gript.ie/on-this-day-27th-december-1969-death-of-dan-breen-4/

“I have lost count of the number of times I have pleaded with former Taoiseach, Micheál Martin, to create a ministerial role that would accord fisheries the level of respect and concentrated full-time engagement that it demands,” said Deputy Collins.

#gript

https://gript.ie/fisheries-left-on-the-hook-as-government-fails-to-appoint-dedicated-junior-minister-michael-collins/

LOOK BACK: The Irish Times advice column openly encourages a woman who is also a wife and mother to pursue life as a gay man after she says she was encouraged by members of the trans community to do so

https://gript.ie/irish-times-encourages-mother-to-live-as-gay-man-is-this-the-worst-advice-ever/

#gript