Dr. Lucie Pentz grew up in Czechoslovakia (now the Czech Republic) surrounded by rich reminders of her country’s faith heritage—from towering cathedrals to sacred compositions. As the ruling Communist Party aimed to diminish the influence of religion, holidays like Easter and Christmas were reinvented as cultural celebrations rather than Christian remembrances. Still, each Christmas Eve, children eagerly anticipated the arrival of Ježíšek (“little Jesus”), who would come bearing gifts. Continue Reading...