In today's Advent post, David Russell Mosley reflects on the figure of Father Christmas. Drawing on Tolkien's argument in On Fairy Stories, that fairy tales and mythical figures point beyond themselves to the truth of the Gospel, Mosley describes how he sees the Good News in Father Christmas. David will share more about Faerie and the Gospel in future Scholar's Compass posts. Quotation Some of the pictures of Father Christmas in our world make him look only funny and jolly. But now that the children actually stood … [Read more...] about Scholar’s Compass: Learning From Father Christmas
Advent
Advent: The New Year Begins (Scholar’s Compass)
Reading Collect for the First Sunday of Advent, Book of Common Prayer (see below) Reflection We are arrived at the beginning of the New Year. Yes, to the world, the New Year is still a month and two days off, but for the Church, the year begins in Advent. It is initially odd to think that the Church Calendar begins in Advent. Advent, after all, is a time of waiting, waiting for the coming of Christ. It is as if the New Year begins only to stop suddenly in its tracks, sit down and wait for something. Yet, on further … [Read more...] about Advent: The New Year Begins (Scholar’s Compass)
The Day After Christmas
On Sunday, December 29th, Gene Wingert[1] wove The Day After Christmas throughout the morning worship service at Elizabethtown Brethren in Christ Church (referred to as EBIC in the PDF). The meditation was so stirring that I asked for a copy to share with you (click here for a PDF). How apt to post on Epiphany, The Day of Three Kings, and in anticipation of sharing gifts in ministry with InterVarsity staff at our triennial staff conference (January 7 - 11, St. Louis). As a teaser, below is the first part. May you … [Read more...] about The Day After Christmas
Supporting Cast to the Christmas Story: Angels
This time of year in churches all over, little children dress up in white robes, put on wings and halos, and in general, look cute! Children dressed as angels are a staple of Christmas plays everywhere. Congregations voice their “Ahhhhs” and parents and family members hope that their “angels” behave themselves. This is as it should be - angels do play a part in the Christmas story. Christmas pageants are stylized portrayals of the story of Jesus' birth, and children dressed as angels fit right in. But we should, from … [Read more...] about Supporting Cast to the Christmas Story: Angels
An invitation to support ESN at year end . . .
The Emerging Scholars Network provides encouragement, vision, and connections that are vital to Christian students and faculty. In isolation, we wither; in community, we flourish. —David A. Vosburg, Associate Professor of Chemistry, Harvey Mudd College As we continue to await the coming of the Christ-child in these hopeful days of Advent, we are reminded of our call towards generosity in this season of gifts. InterVarsity's Emerging Scholars Network (ESN) could not exist without the generous efforts of its members … [Read more...] about An invitation to support ESN at year end . . .