You know, while I sit and have my early morning coffee and read this, I find myself feeling hopeful. Not just because the article is hopeful, but because you wrote about Christ’s birth. Thank you again.
Thank you, Mary, for a message that captures so well what Christmas, this year especially, should be all about. As Christina Rossetti wrote, it was, metaphorically at least, in the bleak mid-winter that the first Christmas was celebrated and as a result there is hope no matter how bleak the winters may be. Have a hopeful and peaceful Christmas and New Year!
So sweet, Mary. And yes, a relief from the news cycle. But I’m even more hopeful. I don’t think we’re past peak anything because mankind hasn’t peaked. All of Creation is waiting for us.
Yes, we’re warned the dark will get darker. But we’re also sure the light will get lighter. I’m trying to forcefully turn my eyes to see more of the light while not being ignorant of the dark. I have all my hope in God. And this season, as you said, is our beautiful reminder that he warrants that hope.
You may be interested in Michael Oakeshott’a book The Politics of Faith and the Politics of Scepticism, which he wrote in the 1950s but was published after his death. It is very short and he lays out the destiny of what he calls the politics of faith - which I think is what you describe here - very succinctly and effectively.
Merry Christmas Mary, this was a lovely article to wake up to on the other side of the pond. Thank you. My prayer is that all of the apparently increasing numbers who came and are coming to the feast for the progress theology stay for the grace and hope.
You know, while I sit and have my early morning coffee and read this, I find myself feeling hopeful. Not just because the article is hopeful, but because you wrote about Christ’s birth. Thank you again.
Christmas; Bane of Nihilism
Thank you, Mary, for a message that captures so well what Christmas, this year especially, should be all about. As Christina Rossetti wrote, it was, metaphorically at least, in the bleak mid-winter that the first Christmas was celebrated and as a result there is hope no matter how bleak the winters may be. Have a hopeful and peaceful Christmas and New Year!
This world is ultimately not *our* project.
So sweet, Mary. And yes, a relief from the news cycle. But I’m even more hopeful. I don’t think we’re past peak anything because mankind hasn’t peaked. All of Creation is waiting for us.
Yes, we’re warned the dark will get darker. But we’re also sure the light will get lighter. I’m trying to forcefully turn my eyes to see more of the light while not being ignorant of the dark. I have all my hope in God. And this season, as you said, is our beautiful reminder that he warrants that hope.
Thank you Mary - that was beautiful and gave me some hope too. Merry Christmas to you and your family.
How nice of you to ACTUALLY be spreading hope and good cheer at Christmas 😊
This world is holy, too. Yes! In all this bleakness there is light. Thank you for writing this piece - my inbox needed it desperately.
You may be interested in Michael Oakeshott’a book The Politics of Faith and the Politics of Scepticism, which he wrote in the 1950s but was published after his death. It is very short and he lays out the destiny of what he calls the politics of faith - which I think is what you describe here - very succinctly and effectively.
Thank you for this beautiful essay on Christmas Eve. A timely reminder of the virtue of Hope. Merry Christmas.
Fantastic and insightful post as always Mary. Merry Christmas ☀️🙏
Wonderful read. Yes to hope and humanity.
Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to all.
Flannery O’Connor navigates the Vale of Tears.
Thank you Mary.
Amen! and thank you.
Merry Christmas Mary, this was a lovely article to wake up to on the other side of the pond. Thank you. My prayer is that all of the apparently increasing numbers who came and are coming to the feast for the progress theology stay for the grace and hope.