In these crazy times, take a moment to savor the story of Christmas

“And it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from Caesar Augustine, that all the world should be taxed.

(And this taxing was first made when Cyrenius was governor of Syria.)

And all went to be taxed, everyone into his own city.

And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judaea, unto the city of David, which is called Bethlehem; (because he was of the house and lineage of David:)

To be taxed with Mary his espoused wife, being great with child.

And so it was, that while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered.

And she brought forth her first-born son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn.

And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night.

And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid.

And the angel said said unto them, Fear not: for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.

For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, which is Christ the Lord.”

St. Luke, Chapter 2, verses 1-11/King James Version

A blessed and merry Christmas to everyone.

Lessons and Carols at Trinity

The Heightened Hearts Foundation will present the children of single parents in need with holiday gift bags from 11:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sunday in Trinity Cathedral’s Cathedral Hall, 464 NE 16th St. Everyone is welcome, but children need to be present to receive a gift bag.

Also, the Cathedral will host the festival of Lessons and Carols at 5 p.m. Sunday in the sanctuary. The Anglican Chorale of Southeast Florida will be joined by the Girl Choir of South Florida.

The community is invited to the Cathedral’s Christmas Eve Family Service and Christmas Pageant at 5 p.m. Tuesday and the Christmas Eve Midnight Mass at 11 p.m. The Mass will be preceded by carols at 10:30 p.m..

At 10 a.m. on Christmas Day, the community is invited to celebrate Christmas Eucharist in English with the choir. At 11:45 a.m., there will be a Spanish service.

A Ukrainian Christmas

The community is invited to celebrate the Nativity of Jesus at 10 a.m. Christmas Day at the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church, 39 NW 57th Ct.

Pastor Andril Romankiv, spiritual leader of the church, will lead the service and will be assisted by Deacon Paul Galadza. The church choir, directed by Donna Maksymowich-Waskiewicz, which has been invited for the past three years to sing in the Candlelight Concerts at Epcot during the Christmas season, will sing liturgical refrains from Ukrainian Christmas Carols.

Following the service, there will be more caroling in the church hall with “Schedryk,” or “Carol of the Bells.” Refreshments will be served. For information, call 786-592-1563.

Christmas at Coral Gables Congregational

Christmas Eve services at Coral Gables Congregational United Church of Christ will be in the historic sanctuary at 3010 De Soto Blvd., and will begin at 3 p.m. with the German language services of Lessons and Carols.

At 5:30 p.m., the church will host the Family Service. The children’s choir will lead the service, with the youth handbell choir.

Christmas Eve candlelight services will be at 7:30 p.m. and 10:30 p.m. Following the 10:30 service, a trumpet fanfare will herald the midnight hour from the church grounds. All Christmas Eve services include Christmas cookies.

Christmas musical at Christ the King

An original Christmas musical, “Journey to Bethlehem — The Midwives’ Tale,’ will be performed by the CTK Singers at 5:30 p.m. Sunday at Christ The King Lutheran Church, 11295 SW 57th Ave.

After the performance, attendees will be treated to sweet delicacies and to carols sung by the CTK singers.

The event supports “Patches,” a licensed pediatric nursing day-care facility dedicated to serving children with medical needs.

Hanukkah Party at Temple Emanu-El

The congregation at Temple Emanu-El, 1701 Washington Ave., Miami Beach, will throw a Hanukkah party at 6:30 p.m. Sunday.

On Dec. 27, the synagogue will host a Hanukkah Shabbat dinner at 7 p.m. The dinner is open to the public but reservations are required. To RSVP, call 305-538-2503.

Book on Jewish history

The Jewish Museum of Florida is offering a comprehensive history of the Jews of Florida from colonial times to the present, by noted author Marcia Jo Zerivitz.

The book, which includes 700 images, is the result of more than three decades of research by Zerivitz.

The book is available in the Orovitz Museum Store at the Jewish Museum of Florida — FIU, 301 Washington Ave. in Miami Beach. For more information, call the museum at 786-972-3176.

Birthday wishes, congratulations

I want to wish my lifelong friend, N. Patrick Range, a warm and happy belated 80th birthday. Range, a well-known businessman and the son of the late Athalie Range, was honored recently with a surprise party at the historic Hampton House.

Hosted by his son Patrick, the black and gold affair was a musical tribute to the honoree, who shed tears of joy at the outpouring of love to him.

Congratulations are also in order for Professor Peter J. Cistone, Ph.D., who was honored at the Dec. 11 School Board meeting for his contribution to education.

Cistone is a professor of educational leadership in the Department of Educational Policy Studies at Florida International University. He has been a member of the university’s faculty since 1982, was dean of the College of Education for five years, and has been a doctoral dissertation adviser to many Miami-Dade County Public Schools administrators.