A life in words

  • Christmas Carols in Prose #13: The First Noel

    The first “Noel” the angel said was to certain poor shepherds as they lay in fields—in fields where they lay while keeping their sheep on a cold, deep winter night. Noel! The king of Israel is born! They looked up and saw a star shining far beyond them in the east. It gave great light…

  • Christmas Carols in Prose #12: Far, Far Away on Judea’s Plains

    Shepherds of old far, far away on Judea’s plains heard the joyous melody: “Glory in the highest to God. Let there be peace on earth and goodwill to everyone!” This melody of redeeming love is a sweet message of mercy from heaven above. “Glory in the highest to God. Let there be peace on earth…

  • Christmas Carols in Prose #11: While Shepherds Watched Their Flocks

    The angel of the Lord came down at night while shepherds watched their flocks. They were all seated on the ground, and glory shined around. He said, “Fear not,” for mighty dread had seized their troubled minds. “I bring to you and all humankind glad tidings of great joy.” “To you this day the Savior who…

The principal difficulty lies, and the greatest care should be employed in constituting this Representative Assembly. It should be in miniature, an exact portrait of the people at large. It should think, feel, reason, and act like them. That it may be the interest of this Assembly to do strict justice at all times, it should be an equal representation, or in other words equal interest among the people should have equal interest in it. Great care should be taken to effect this, and to prevent unfair, partial, and corrupt elections.John Adams, Thoughts on Government, April 1776