A life in words

  • 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…

  • 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.…

He who knows only his own side of the case, knows little of that. His reasons may be good, and no one may have been able to refute them. But if he is equally unable to refute the reasons on the opposite side; if he does not so much as know what they are, he has no ground for preferring either opinion…. Nor is it enough that he should hear the arguments of adversaries from his own teachers, presented as they state them, and accompanied by what they offer as refutations…. He must be able to hear them from persons who actually believe them; who defend them in earnest, and do their very utmost for them. He must know them in their most plausible and persuasive form….John Stuart Mill, On LIberty