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Galli: God’s Favor to Miserable Little Disciples
A new article from Christianity Today‘s Mark Galli, keynote speaker at the upcoming 2011 Mockingbird Conference, has this typically scorching humdinger on the annunciation and what it says about God’s...
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Perfect Power Casts Out All Love: Joseph Stalin, Behavior Modification and...
Two excerpts from the biography Young Stalin by Simon Sebag Montefiore chronicling the early religious education of Joseph Stalin: The Empire’s seminaries were “notorious for the savagery of their...
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‘Tis Better to Give Than to Receive…Or So They Say!
During this time of year I am always reminded that it is better to give then to receive. Not because it’s what we’re supposed to do, but because I feel good when I give and I have a hard time...
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"Christmas," a poem by John Betjeman
The bells of waiting Advent ring,The Tortoise stove is lit againAnd lamp-oil light across the nightHas caught the streaks of winter rain.In many a stained-glass window sheenFrom Crimson Lake to...
View Article(Not to be believed) Awesome Christmas Funk!
“Who can say they don’t need help in any way? Who can show me someone who’s strong enough today?”“We all need somebody to lead us… We need a brand new Christmas right away.“
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Luther on the Nativity
From Martin Luther’s Christmas Book: Let us, then, meditate upon the Nativity just as we see it happening in our own babies. I would not have you contemplate the deity of Christ, the majesty of Christ,...
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Christmas Cheer, According to T.S. Eliot
The following is from Eliot’s “The Cultivation of Christmas Trees.” While less popular than Eliot’s other Christmas poems, it is his last- and probably his most insightful. There are several attitudes...
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Another Christmas Arrives: DFW on Federer, Pinsky on Donne, Gervais on...
Just the links this time, for some holiday reading: 1. On Slate, if you have time for a mind-bender, The Philosophical Underpinnings of David Foster Wallace’s Fiction (hint: rhymes with Littgenstein)....
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The Twelve Thank You Notes of Christmas
An imaginary (and increasingly hostile) series of letters to someone’s True Love. Hoping it will inspire you in your thank you notes this season.
View ArticleThat’s Christmas!
With Christmas now upon us, something I posted last year that (for me at least) sets the right mood for the season: That’s Christmas! from St Helen’s Church on Vimeo.
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Another Week Ends: Galli on Resolutions, Anger at God, Last Words, Sex &...
1. The final word on the New Year from 2011 Mockingbird Conference speaker Mark Galli over at Christianity Today, in his column “Blessed Are the Poor in Virtue”: At the risk of derailing someone’s hard...
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William Porcher Dubose
Last week we were fortunate enough to have a visit from (Mockingbird favorite) Fitz Allison, the retired twelfth Episcopal bishop of South Carolina. He was invited to speak to the book club at my...
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Conference Preview: Grace for Single Moms
From Andrea Zimmerman, who, with her husband Aaron, will lead one of our breakout sessions on Friday morning at the upcoming 2011 Mockingbird Conference. “Am I allowed to come to Christmas services at...
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Christmas Itself Is By Grace: Frederick Buechner Riffs on the Incarnation
Christmas is coming (ready or not!), and while Mockingbird can’t help trim your stockings or stuff your tree, we hope in all humility to be able to offer a little food for thought this season. In that...
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December Playlist: Happy Birthday Baby Jesus 2012
‘Tis (almost) the season, Mbirders, Dave has asked me to put up my annual Xmas mix again this year for your easy listening pleasure. Per usual, it showcases this years’ particular pop obsessions (Roxy...
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To Christ Our Lord – Galway Kinnell
The legs of the elk punctured the snow’s crust And wolves floated lightfooted on the land Hunting Christmas elk living and frozen; Inside snow melted in a basin, and a woman basted A bird spread over...
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Another Week Ends: Heresy vs. Apathy, Cartoon Boba Fett, Grown-Up...
1. Another fascinating piece by Tanya Luhrmann over at the New York Times argues that “Hark, the Herald Angels Didn’t Sing.” Amidst sobering reminders from strict biblical constructionists that many...
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