Christmas from A Woman's Perspective
      By Irene Baron      7 December 2022

To a Christian woman, Christmas is one of the most significant days of the year. This day celebrates the birth of the Christ who was born to the Virgin Mary, the most important woman to ever be born on Earth. 

Mary’s birth was preordained by God. Prior to her conception, she was consecrated by God to be the mother of His Son, the Savior of mankind. Messenger angels instructed Mary’s elderly parents to name their daughter Mary…

MITCH SAYS ... THE BENSEL CROSS EXPLANATION  
  As told to Irene Baron  January 2022

Mitch Bensel creates his Bensel Crosses using driftwood  found along the banks of the Ohio River.  Every cross is different as the woods are tossed by the waters to erode and change in color and shape from wherever they originate. When the cross is purchased, prayers of peace and perhaps protection and or healing are said over the cross. Mitch then asks God to bless each cross before they are shipped to the buyer. Those who…

THE BENSEL CROSS    
 By Irene Baron August 2021

Mitch Bensel, made a wooden cross for me from driftwood washed upon the banks of the Ohio River below the Ohio falls. His crosses are like no others, not only because of the unique exterior, but also for what they contain inside. 

My cross is twelve inches high. Some buyers order much larger ones. The wonder of all the Bensel Crosses is that many prayers are said over each cross as they are being constructed.

Prayers and blessings in the cross are for healing…

CHRISTMAS STAR     
  by IreneBaron.com

Interview with Jerry Godinho

This essay was written for an October 2020 internet interview concerning the first nonfiction book I wrote, Unraveling the Christmas Star Mystery. 

Unraveling the Christmas Star Mystery was awarded the Gold Medal and First Place as the exemplary Christian Education Book in 2014.

JERRY GODINHO PROMPT : Unraveling the Christmas Star Mystery is a fascinating book where 68 NASA astronomy computer programs looked at 15 years of ancient skies…

 Large Mural Completed      
  www.irenebaron.com

The mural of the Holy family is finished and hanging in front of the sanctuary at Coburn UM Church in Zanesville, Ohio. Tours can be arranged by calling the church  740-454-0186.

. The creation, drawing and painting of the mural took many hours and days during 2017. Many sketches were made and discarded. The final one was enlarged to fit the 12"-square grids on the canvas. The grid was placed with lightly applied, graphite lines over the canvas. The grid…