This year the phrase "Merry Christmas" was finally choked to death by the vapid, opportunistic ambiguity of "Happy Holidays." Read more
This year the phrase "Merry Christmas" was finally choked to death by the vapid, opportunistic ambiguity of "Happy Holidays." Read more
People are always wondering what the birds and characters represent in the song “The Twelve Days of Christmas.” It seems awfully clear to me that the song is meant as a morality tale. The song is about the inevitability with which everything in this life—including what always feels like the most important/intense thing, which is romantic love—fades and perishes. It’s the story of that happening. Here’s the trajectory of that woeful (and hopefully instructive) narrative trajectory as it unfolds in... Read more
A notebook recently discovered in the attic of a London thimble inspector turned out to have belonged to the great writer Charles Dickens. In it, Dickens recorded the following ideas for endings he apparently considered as alternatives to the one upon which he finally settled for his much-beloved, “A Christmas Carol.” — Scrooge, his joyous mind steeped in its new found glee, his aged limbs and extremities veritably vibrating with unfettered delight, throws open the shutters of his third-story bedroom... Read more
(Whoops–sorry. I cut all this, cuz the book’s totally taken a new direction. Sorry! Thanks for understanding!) Read more
In the nearly three years I’ve been writing this blog, I’ve never recommended anything for purchase. But about three weeks ago I brought the New Advent CD-ROM, and it’s such an extraordinary resource that I wanted to be sure to bring it to your attention this Christmas season. (more…) Read more
As a former rabid anti-Christian who suddenly saw the light, do you mind if I say that Osama Bin Laden himself would drop to his knees and give his life to Jesus if ever he heard Ralph Stanley’s “Listen to the Shepherd”? ********************************************************************************************************** Follow: http://twitter.com/johnshore Befriend: http://www.facebook.com/john.shore1 Be Fan: http://www.facebook.com/pages/John-Shore/89494795412?ref=s Read more
Tomorrow I’ll announce a new monthly giveaway for those who’ve joined my Facebook fan page. Prizes will be books of my own, books I co-wrote with Steve Arterburn, books from my personal library, CD’s, DVD’s, Starbucks gift cards, and more. It’s the only way I can think of to show my appreciation for those who’ve shown their appreciation to me. thangya. thangyaverymuch. Read more
TIGER, tiger, burning bright In the forests of the night, What immortal hand or eye Could frame thy fearful symmetry? In what distant deeps or skies Burnt the fire of thine eyes? On what wings dare he aspire? What the hand dare seize the fire? And what shoulder and what art Could twist the sinews of thy heart? And when thy heart began to beat, What dread hand and what dread feet? What the hammer? what the chain? In what... Read more
Want to this year spread so much holiday cheer that even your boss is sure to commend you for it? Then show up to work, every day for twelve days in a row, dressed like a different character from The Twelve Days of Christmas ! Here are some simple costume ideas to help you make this classic Christmas carol come alive for you, your co-workers, and all of the people sure to point and stare at you on the street.... Read more
So recently (with Is It EVER Okay To Be Facebook Friends With an Ex? and The Radical Immaturity of True Romantic Love), we’ve had some fun (and even a little drama!) talking about whether or not a married person should ever be Facebook friends with an ex. I asserted that Facebook-friending an ex is never okay (assuming there are no children between you), on the grounds that doing so means either lying to your spouse about it, or asking your... Read more
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