Last time we looked at the shepherds, wondering what they could teach us. Now we are headed to the other end of the cultural spectrum to the Magi. A few picky details to clear up: they were probably not kings. Most likely they are Persian astrologers. We don't know how many of them there were, but three gifts are mentioned - gold, frankincense (incense), and myrrh (perfume). Talking about the Magi pushes the boundaries for thinking about Advent, because the Magi don't enter into the story until almost two years after … [Read more...] about Supporting Cast to the Christmas Story: The Magi
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Quote: Simone Weil on Effort, Attention, and Unexpected Results
Hannah Eagleson's first guest blog series, which she wrote before joining ESN as a writer/editor in 2014. At the time Hannah was a musician, writer, and recent PhD recipient living in central Pennsylvania. The Summer Quote Series offers brief reflections on quotes that she found helpful when thinking about her academic work. Thank you, Hannah! I've always loved Dorothy L. Sayers' Peter Wimsey mysteries. There are many reasons, but two of them are Lord Peter's love of quotations and his affirmation of … [Read more...] about Quote: Simone Weil on Effort, Attention, and Unexpected Results