Fear came upon the neighbors of Elizabeth and Zechariah at the birth of John the Baptist as they tried to understand the import of the signs that accompanied the event. In the wake of a delay in official results in the first free presidential vote since the ouster of Hosni Mubarak, Egyptians nervously . . .

The Lord’s servant will be made “a light of the nations,” this Sunday’s first reading from the Book of Isaiah promises. World development organizations know that good reading habits light the way to a better future . . .

The psalmist this Sunday praises God for having been “knit in my mother’s womb” and having a frame that was “wonderfully made.” Many frames these days are carrying around more weight than is good for them—or the planet . . .

The reading from the Acts of the Apostles this Sunday describes the long process by which God brought Israel its great prophet, John the Baptist, and its savior, Jesus. Myanmar’s long-imprisoned opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi, who last week accepted the Nobel Peace Prize awarded her 21 years ago . . .

“I am convinced he genuinely believes he will be sent to America and will face something terrible there.”

Thanks to a recent referendum, people caught swearing in public in MIddleborough, Mass. will have to pay a $20 fine.