OerYw’rGwr (Nos Galan); translated into English as Soon The Hoar Old Year Will Leave Us for New Year’s Eve, is now a traditional Christmas carol, based on a Welsh melody, dating back to the sixteenth century. The repeated “fa la la” also goes back to the earlier Welsh and may originate from medieval ballads. The old Welsh air, was first found in a musical manuscript by Welsh harpist John Parry dating back to the 1700s. The tune soon spread widely, with Mozart allegedly using it in his 18th violin sonata (1778) and later arranged by Haydn with the original Welsh title, Nos Galan (1803).

What he lacked in historical preservation, St. Nicholas made up for with a charitable heart. Losing his parents to a plague that wiped out a large swath of the population, he acquired a great inheritance. He joined the church and used his fortune to serve the poor and sick, becoming the bishop for Myra. One famous legend is that he knew a man on hard times was so in debt he might have to sell his three daughters into prostitution. One night Nicholas threw a sock filled with gold coins through the older daughter’s window, allowing the man to pay his debt.

Thirty-one missionaries serving in South East Asia came to this spot for this annual conference. These dedicated individuals deserve immense appreciation for leaving behind the comforts and conveniences of their home countries—often easier lifestyles with stable routines, familiar communities, and modern amenities—to venture into Asia and spread the gospel. Their selflessness in facing cultural adjustments, language barriers, and sometimes challenging living conditions truly inspires us, as they commit to sharing faith and hope in regions far from their own.

Have you ever had one of those dreams where you’ve fantasized about a gorgeous South Seas Pacific island beach that’s surrounded by pristine, crystal clear waters so beautiful it makes you wonder if such a beach might REALLY exist somewhere in the world?

Some diners are savoring tasty cured meats, cheese boards and other gourmet treats that provide a flavorful European flair. Others chow down at food prepared by a chef whose cooking has earned him a Michelin star, a stint on the Top Chef Masters TV show and seven James Beard Awards.

According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control & Prevention, more than one in four adults in the United States suffer from some type of disability. Fortunately, this doesn't prevent many of them from traveling to places near and far from where they live.

There was not a hint of litter on the street. Mexican children frolicked on the beach. Los Pacenos (La Paz natives) offered gentle smiles as they jogged and strolled past me along the Malecón – La Paz’s bay-front boardwalk that stretches along the historic downtown.

Naturally we started our trip off with a glass of wine at lunch. After all, it was too late for breakfast… Deux verres de vin rouge – um, uh — pas sec. Un peu… Finally I just threw my hands in the air and laughed. I meant well but it seemed unfair to make our poor waiter suffer for my …

By guest photographer Joanne Kawamura and a friend Nestled along the jagged coastline where the Atlantic whispers secrets to ancient pines, Maine beckons with its blend of rugged beauty and quirky charm. From Boothbay Harbor’s enchanted gardens to Kennebunkport’s presidential pews, this autumn drive reveals the state’s offbeat treasures. Pack your flannel and a sweet tooth—here’s a taste of Maine’s …

The Canary Island of Lanzarote is a UN recognized Globally Important Agricultural Heritage System and a UNESCO designated Biosphere Reserve. But I know it from a previous visit as a party island with barren lava and volcanic ash landscape and some gorgeous beaches. This trip I vowed to reconcile the world view with my own admittedly narrow tourist vision, to experience the history and culture I had missed before.