Lauren Jelencovich to Perform in Borrego Springs

By Fr. Michael Plekon Every year in December we come around to a holiday that still for many is a holy day. It has different names in different languages and cultures—Yuletide, Jul, Weinachten, Noel, Navidad, Natale, Rizdvo and more. Christmas comes from “Christ’s Mass,” denoting the sacred service known in many churches and languages as the “Mass.” There are feasts of other faith traditions that often come close to the end of the year. Hannukah is the Jewish celebration of the victory of the Maccabees and the restoration of the sacred lights on the menorah or candlestick in the Jerusalem Temple. Despite not being filled with enough oil, the lamps burned for eight days. There is the Hindu celebration of light in darkness, Diwali. And the African-American holiday of Kwanzaa. Christmas also has other special days associated with it. December 6 is the feast of St. Nicholas, the original Santa Claus, a 4th century bishop renowned for his generosity to those in need. In some countries this is the day of the exchange of gifts. Likewise January 6 is the feast of Epiphany or the day of the Three Magi Kings, when in Hispanic countries gifts are given. Central to Christmas is the celebration of Jesus’ birth. The gospel of Luke tells the familiar story of the parents, Mary and Joseph’s journey to Bethlehem to enroll in a census. While there, lodging in a stable, their son is born, wrapped in swaddling clothes and placed in a manger, a feed trough for domestic animals. Angels announced this birth to shepherds in the surrounding countryside. These herdsmen came and honored the newborn child, having heard a song from the angels: “Glory to God in the highest, peace to all people on earth.” Later, in Matthew’s gospel, three astronomers, perhaps also royalty, came from further East to visit the child, following a star which led them to where the family was. This gospel does not mention the angels, the manger or shepherds, but notes that King Herod was fearful of the newborn as a threat to his power, asking the three astronomers to report back and disclose where the child was. They did not do this and went home on another route. The male children of Bethlehem were subjected to a massacre. Thus, the birth of Jesus was not without pain and suffering also. Christmas evokes images of trees twinkling with lights and ornaments, dinner tables loaded with food, the faces of children lit up with glee, not just at their presents but also at the warmth of family and friends. Christmas is an event that was to bring peace to the world, the birth of someone who became a teacher and healer later in life, one whom his followers saw, in Matthew’s words as “God with us,” Emmanuel, God becoming a human being, part of our world, of space and time. But Jesus was born in a land under the occupation of the Roman Empire, in a society in which most people teetered on the edge of extreme hunger and poverty. The birth happened in a barn where domestic animals lived, and the first visitors were scruffy sheep herders, thought of as not trustworthy. Two thousand years later, Christmas remains a moment in a world torn apart by suspicion, hatred, violence and anger. The holiday sees millions of dollars spent on gifts, parties, decorations, and entertainment. And yet, the story of how this birth came to take place remains one that faces us with a helpless infant, loving parents, the sense of joy from heavenly beings, the welcome of very humble as well as some very elite, privileged visitors. Christmas can still stand as a sign of light in the darkness, a message of joy and goodness despite everything that might appear as opposed to this. You don’t need to be religious to see in this holiday something of hope and joy. Merry Christmas! --- The Rev. Michael Plekon, PhD Professor Emeritus: Sociology, Religion & Culture The City University of New York - Baruch College Learn More About Borrego Springs

Winter brings early wildflower blooms to Borrego Springs and Anza-Borrego Desert State Park. Hike, golf, explore art galleries, farmers markets, and dark skies—before spring crowds.

Guadalupe Procession Honors Tradition in Borrego Springs Borrego Springs observed the annual Guadalupe Procession on Saturday, December 13, as community members marked the occasion with prayer, music, and a public walk led by Fr. Anthony “Tony” Stanonik of St. Richard’s Catholic Church. The route started at Christmas Circle, continued past the Borrego Art Institute and the Borrego Springs Post Office, and made its way to St. Richard’s Catholic Church. The observance centers on Our Lady of Guadalupe, the name given to the Virgin Mary following her 1531 apparition to Saint Juan Diego in Mexico. According to Catholic tradition, her image appeared on Juan Diego’s cloak, becoming a powerful and enduring symbol of faith, Mexican identity, and the Catholic Church. Her feast day, celebrated annually on December 12, is among the most significant religious observances in the Americas and draws millions of pilgrims to the Basilica of Our Lady of Guadalupe in Mexico City. Throughout the walk, traditional music filled the route, and several participants wore masks and attire reflecting Guadalupe symbolism. Families, longtime residents, and visitors took part, highlighting the multigenerational nature of the tradition. The gathering continued at St. Richard’s Catholic Church with Mass and an evening celebration. For many in Borrego Springs, the annual procession remains a meaningful expression of faith during the Advent season and a reflection of the area’s enduring cultural and spiritual heritage.

Pottery Sale Returns

Three Kings Day in Salton City

New Season, Big Changes—Get Your Tickets Today The new 2025–2026 season at Borrego Springs Performing Arts Center (BSPAC) has officially kicked off! Tickets are now available online at www.bspac.org. This year’s lineup includes 11 exciting events in the 2025–2026 BSPAC Season, along with a wide variety of local productions presented at the theater by the Borrego Springs Film Festival, the Community Concert Series, the ABDNHA Lecture Series, and more. Richard Helvig, who recently stepped down after serving as BSPAC President, guided the theater through a period of major improvements. Under his leadership, BSPAC completed a full interior update, introduced modern stage lighting, and most recently launched the successful “Turn Up the Sound” campaign, which brought in a state-of-the-art sound system ensuring every seat in the house enjoys crystal-clear audio — including assisted listening devices for the hearing impaired. Now, with Gary Edwards elected as the new president, BSPAC looks forward to the next phase of improvements. Gary is already taking on the lobby and planning more exciting upgrades that will continue enhancing the theater experience for the community. You can find the full season schedule and other community performances on the BSPAC website: www.bspac.org.

SHORT | 24:35 | THE 2026 BSFF COMMUNITY FILM!

Ricardo Breceda’s New Sculptures Installed on Borrego Springs Road The community gathered on December 5 for the unveiling of Battle of the Desert, the newest addition to Borrego Springs’ iconic Sky Art by sculptor Ricardo Breceda. Installed at 4990 Borrego Springs Road, the pair of towering steel figures—a Greater Roadrunner and a Western Diamondback Rattlesnake—now join the region’s well-known collection of more than 130 Breceda sculptures that define the local landscape. Commissioned by Rams Hill and Borrego Community Builders, a Rams Hill initiative supporting community development and Borrego Community Homes, the installation highlights the wildlife and ecological relationships that shape the Anza-Borrego Desert. The roadrunner and rattlesnake are two of the desert’s most recognizable species, each playing a key role in rodent control and ecological balance. A permanent interpretive sign was also introduced during the event, explaining the meaning behind the sculptures and Breceda’s long-standing impact on desert art in Borrego Springs. Speakers included Rodney Bruce (Rams Hill), Wade Beane (Borrego Art Institute and Honorary Mayor of Borrego Springs), Gabriela Dow and Jennifer Sencion (Borrego Community Builders), Harry Turner (COO), and Ricardo Breceda, who spoke about the creativity and craftsmanship behind his work. The program acknowledged the collaborative planning behind the installation and the ongoing efforts to expand public art in the community. Following the unveiling, attendees were invited to a reception at Rams Hill. Breceda’s new roadrunner and rattlesnake join the larger Sky Art story—a regional landmark that continues to draw visitors, celebrate desert wildlife, and honor the artistic history shaped by the late philanthropist Dennis Avery’s original vision for large-scale, outdoor public sculpture in Borrego Springs.