It's easy -- and fun -- this time of year to get lost in the Hallmark version of Christmas, especially when it comes to Mary, Joseph and the baby. But when you think more about it, you realize that "born in a manger" was really a pretty tough place to be, and Mary, the mother of Jesus, must have been frightened, to say the least.

Click here to read my Christmas Eve column about looking for Mary on the streets of Memphis, and remember, again, to count the blessings in your life.

For me, this work, and my writing both in the paper and on this blog, have been more of a blessing than I ever could have realized. Thank you so much for reading and responding.

Merry Christmas!