“Of all thetyrannies, a tyranny sincerely expressed for the good of its victims may be themost oppressive. It may be betterto live under robber barons than under omnipotent ideological busybodies.” C.S. Lewis (1898-1963)
True Grit
“Courage is nothaving the strength to go on; it is going on when you don’t have thestrength. Industry anddetermination can do anything that genius and advantage can do and many thingsthat they cannot.” TheodoreRoosevelt (1858-1919)
New Year Celebrations
Thecelebration of the New Year did not occur on the first day of January until after theintroduction of the Gregorian calendar in 1582—and even then only in France, thenorthern Italian city states, Portugal, and in the Spanish nations of Castileand A…
Thinking About Sanctity of Life Sunday
“The Modern world is full of the old Christian virtues gone mad. The virtues have gone mad because they have been isolated from each other and are wandering alone. Thus some scientists care for truth; but their truth is pitiless…
Childermas
Often called Childermas,this day on the Christian calendar has traditionally been celebrated as theFeast of the Holy Innocents. It is a day that solemnizes the slaughter ofthe children of Judea by Herod the Great following the birth of Christ.It …
The Spirit of the Age and Christmas
This day,In sadness borne,We must confess:The Spirit of the AgeHas crushedThe infant in the cradle.And yet:O glorious yet,One day, in gladness shown,We must profess:The infant from the mangerHas crushedThe Spirit of the Age.–Tristan Gylberd
The Conversion of the World
Christians have celebrated the incarnation and nativity of the LordJesus on December 25 since at least the early part of the third century—just afew generations removed the days of the Apostles. By 336, when the Philocalian Calendar—one of th…
Gloria in Excelsis Deo
I love Advent. I love Christmas. I loveEpiphany. I love all the holidayholy days. And I love everythingthat goes with them. I lovemistletoe, plum pudding, Stir-Up-Sunday, holly and ivy, Advent wreaths,nativity scenes, carol…
Chesterton and Christmas
Gilbert Keith Chesterton was surely among the brightestminds of the twentieth century—a prolific journalist, best-selling novelist,insightful poet, popular debater, astute literary critic, grassroots reformer,and profound humorist. Recognizedby…
St. Thomas’ Day
Thoughhe was doubter at first, the Apostle Thomas (c. 10-60) came to believe thatChrist was not only risen from the dead, but proclaimed Him “my Lord and myGod.” His anticipation of the fullrevelation of the Kingdom has been celebrated o…
Comfort, Comfort
Comfort, comfort ye my people,speak ye peace, thus saith our God;comfort those who sit in darkness,mourning ‘neath their sorrow’s load;speak ye to Jerusalemof the peace that waits for them;tell her that her sins I cover,and her warfare now is over.For …
Schaeffer and Worldview
On this day in 1979, Francis Schaeffer gave an historicspeech which would form the basis of his landmark book A ChristianManifesto. He asserted that”the basic problem with Christians in this country” over the last twogenerations or more has …
The Twelve Days of Christmas
Every day, fromDecember 25 to January 6, has traditionally been a part of the Yuletidecelebration. Dedicated to mercy and compassion–in light of the incarnation ofHeaven’s own mercy and compassion–each of those twelve days between Christmasand Epip…
Christmas Favs
1. “On Christmas” by G.K. Chesterton2. “Christmas Stories” by Charles Dickens3. “On the Incarnation” by Athanasius4. “Nativity Hymns” by Isaac Watts5. “The Birth of the Savior” by C.H. Spurgeon6. “No Holly for Miss Quinn” by Miss Read7. “Corrie’s Chris…
“The Whip of Advent” by Tristan Gylberd
The pitch of thestall was gloriousThough the straw wasdusty and oldThough it blew bitterand coldThe wind sang with orchestral beautyThe night wasmysteriously gleamingThough the earth wasfallen, forlornFor under the eavesof splendorA child-The Chi…