Tag: Magical Realism

Christmastide: Feast of the Nativity Raphael left behind his life as parish priest on Christmas Eve. It was a tradition that none of the angels should remain enfleshed through the feast day of the Lord’s…

Fourth Week of Advent After receiving a phone call, Charles drove fifteen miles to the hospital in Maquoketa. Lillian had been under observation without any serious injuries, although she remained in a state of confusion….

Third Week of Advent “What’s that?” Charles looked up in surprise. Raphael stood at his office door. “Nothing. A book of art.” Raphael took a seat. “What kind of art?” Charles slid the book across…

Second Week of Advent “Well, I just don’t think we can stay with this parish. This isn’t what the Church teaches.” John Gottschalk’s lips remained tight, and without making eye contact, he left with his…

Drifting through the house, Raphael passed the kitchen table where a wreath encircled four candles propped in brass holders. One of the candles had been burned, its tapered contour lined with a hardened flow of wax. By custom he knew the candle to be violet and the wreath pine, but in his spiritual form he could not distinguish such features.