10th Anniversary: St. Stephen, the First of Many

One of the more poignant posts of the ten years of this blog came on St. Stephen’s Day last year.  Sadly, it is even more true this year.

There is a particular parallel between the martyrdom of Stephen and the martyrdom of now thousands of Christians in the Middle East today that we must not ignore.  After the stoning of St. Stephen, the church was for the most part forced to flee from Jerusalem. (Acts 8:1)  Today, the church is being pressured by Muslims (There. I said it.) to flee from much of the Middle East.  The population of Christians in several Middle East countries is shrinking precipitously.  It is distressing, and it is hard to see what can be done about it.

And I am at a loss even what to say, except to pray and to remember that the holy Army of Martyrs will grow yet larger and will triumph in the end.

This St. Stephen’s day particularly, let us continue to pray for those displaced, suffering and dying for the name of Jesus.

Christmas Has Begun

In the Chapel of Kings

A lone boy has sung.

The glorious feast of Christmas

Has begun.

For Christmas Eve Shoppers

I have never been a Christmas Eve shopper although I might become one this year for an extra gift or two.  In part because of events with my novel Pilot Point, finding the time and energy for Christmas preparation has been a push this year.

So this post is not to condemn Christmas Eve shoppers (who may be enduring self-condemnation already) but to help.

Now, at the risk of repeating myself, remember Christmas is a season that begins on Christmas Day and lasts twelve days.  There is no shame is giving Christmas gifts after Christmas Day.

But I know most would rather not use that Anglican excuse and go that route.  So may I once again suggest e-books?  They are very easy and often inexpensive to give, certainly in the case of Kindle books.  There is no wrapping, and delivery is immediate.  Yes, you can buy a gift today, and it gets delivered today.  And no one need know of your procrastination.

It does not have to be the Kindle version of Pilot Point that you give.  Many, perhaps most, books that come out nowadays are available in Kindle.  But if you do choose to give Pilot Point, which I think a good gift for Anglicans and Texans especially, you certainly have my festive thanks. :)

Christmas Eve shopper or not, I hope you enjoy this Christmas Eve and Christmas season as much as I intend to do.  And, as always, thanks for your support.

Have a Happy Christmas.

10th Anniversary: Christmases Past

Long time readers know Christmas is important to me – and I can get downright insufferable about it.  In keeping with that, I thought this 10^th Anniversary year of this blog would be a good time to look back at past Christmasy posts.

My first Christmas as an Anglican and the first one of this blog was bittersweet.  On Christmas Eve and the day itself, I missed out on having an Anglican churchy Christmas, and I was disappointed about that.

But then I walked into a favorite Anglican church the 1^st Sunday after Christmas, and I discovered Christmas is a season.  I got my churchy Christmas after all.

My next Christmas Eve was my first one to participate in a Lessons and Carols service (as I will this Christmas Eve).

My 2007 studies in Oxford brought about a tutorial paper that is one of the best things I’ve written, if I may say so myself.  It ties together the Black Death with our celebration of Christmas today, if you can imagine that.

I’ve mentioned I have a weakness for Christmas lights.

I’ve excoriated Christmastime abominations, religious, political, and retail.

I’ve created and used a chant for Christmas Eve.

And, of course, I’ve fretted over when I should allow Advent to become Christmasy.

Yes, it’s been good to be an Anglican at Christmas.

But I cannot let this Christmas pass without mentioning a past Christmas far more memorable than any of mine.  This Christmas Eve will be the 100^th anniversary of the Christmas Truce near the beginning of World War I.  I recommend this BBC documentary.  

That was a bittersweet Christmas indeed.

May you have a memorable and happy Christmas.

Christmas is less than a week away. DON’T PANIC!

Yes, some may be so behind on preparing for Christmas that they may find my admonition not to panic not helpful.  But I do indeed want to be helpful and will do so with two suggestions concerning a task that should be a joy but often becomes a burden - gift giving:

1. Remember that Christmas Day, glorious as it is, is the first day of Christmas.  Christmas is not only a day; it is a season of twelve days.  And, as in the song The Twelve Days of Christmas, it is perfectly fine to give Christmas gifts that arrive after Christmas Day (although trying to give the particular gifts mentioned in said song will not make anyone’s Christmas easier).  So do not be in a mad rush.  Gifts that come in the midst of the Christmas season are often a greater surprise and even more (and certainly more leisurely) appreciated than gifts opened on the 25^th.

Yes, there are a few who hold up their nose at gifts that arrive after Christmas Day.  They consider them “late”.  As one who used to have that attitude, such are in need of prayer for repentance.

2. There are numerous ways to make gift giving quicker and simpler.  I will suggest one here.

If you have friends or family who like e-books, it is very easy to give the gift of a Kindle book.  I’ve done it myself.  At the Amazon Kindle page for a book, click “Give as a Gift” on the right.  Then once you’ve signed in, you can select “E-mail the gift directly to my recipient” and fill in their e-mail address (the method I’ve used) or you can have the Kindle book e-mailed to yourself, and you can pass it on yourself.  (Note that you can write a personal message when having Amazon e-mail the gift to someone.)

Finish the order, take care of the payment, and it’s done! No messing with gift wrap.  No worries about snail mail delivery.  And Kindle books usually cost less than print books, sometimes a lot less as is the case with my novel.

Speaking of which, I of course do hope you use this tip to give my novel Pilot Point, which is only $2.99 in Kindle form.  But if you have other books in mind to give, as the owner of too many books, I understand and am glad to help.

May you have a blessed last week of Advent and a happy Christmas free from unnecessary stress and fretting.

10th Anniversary: The Choir of King’s College Cambridge

As I began looking forward to this year’s Nine Lessons and Carols service from King’s College Cambridge, I remember that I first saw the great choir ten years ago this month in Dallas.  I wrote of my experience here.

And, yes, I do plan to see them again in Dallas this March.

I later found out the name of the cheeky soloist.  Any guesses?

----

Housekeeping:

Like many of you I’m sure, I am behind on getting ready for Christmas and other matters.  So I may imitate a favorite blog, Instapundit, and have short posts with links instead of my usual erudite commentary.

I do have some treats in mind for you nonetheless, particularly with Christmas upon us and with the 10^th Anniversary of this blog coming to an end.

By the way, if you need some assistance with gifts, don’t forget my novel Pilot Point.  Thanks.

Pilot Point Gun Show Tour Update

I’ve mentioned here the possibility that I will take my novel Pilot Point to the Fredericksburg Gun Show this weekend.  Well, the show is so full that it is unlikely I can get a vendor’s table.  And, with the grace of my presence desired closer to home, I have decided to cancel.

But I do have a big book signing lined up for Christmas Eve Eve, on this Tuesday the 23^rd at Half Price Books, Corpus Christi, from 4 to 7pm.

Yes, it is not a gun show.  Sorry.

For those unable to make the trip, remember it is now only one week until Christmas Eve.  And remember that I do not have a tip jar.  To assist with both situations, Pilot Point is available in both Kindle and paperback.  You’re welcome. :)

May this last week of Advent be a great blessing to you.  (This Advent has been a blessing to me, and I hope to find the time and energy to share some of that.)