A life in words

  • Christmas Carols in Prose #10: With Wondering Awe (a.k.a. Laudis Corona)

    The wise men, with wondering awe, saw the star springing in heaven. And with delight they heard the angels singing in the peaceful nighttime: “To his name hosanna, hosanna, hosanna!” They traveled far by starlight to seek the lowly manger—the humble bed wherein the wondrous little stranger was laid. “To his name hosanna, hosanna, hosanna!”…

  • Christmas Carols in Prose #9: Hark! The Herald Angels Sing

    Listen! The angel heralds sing glory to the newborn king! “Peace and mild mercy on earth, God and sinners are reconciled!” All you nations rise joyfully. Join the skies’ triumph. Proclaim with the angelic host—Christ is born in Bethlehem! Hail the heaven-born prince of peace! Hail righteousness’s son! He brings light and life to all.…

  • Christmas Carols in Prose #8: O Little Town of Bethlehem

    Little town of Bethlehem, we see you lie so still. The silent stars go by above your deep and dreamless sleep, yet the everlasting light shines in your dark streets. Tonight the hopes and fears of all the years meet in you. For Christ is born of Mary, and the angels, all gathered together up above,…

Of a commonwealth, whose subjects are but hindered by terror from taking arms, it should rather be said, that it is free from war, than that it has peace. For peace is not mere absence of war, but is a virtue that springs from force of character….Baruch Spinoza, Tractatus Theologico-Politicus V.4, 1670, trans. A. H. Gosset 1883