We talk a lot about science here; how about a chance to do some science? If you have a real Christmas tree in your house, keep track of how much water you are putting into the stand. Then set out an equivalent volume of water in a bowl or cup or whatever. Making some allowance for initial replenishment of dehydration, all of the water you are putting into the tree stand is evaporating into the air. If it weren’t, the tree would be getting bigger. The water in the bowl is evaporating also, but most likely you’ll observe that the tree stand is losing water faster than the bowl. Trees are more efficient evaporators. In a sense, a tree is designed to optimize the flow of water from the ground into the atmosphere (among other things). Which is handy, since the tree needs water to flow back down from the atmosphere in the form of rain.
[Read more…] about Science Corner: H2O Christmas Tree
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Love Came Down at Christmas: Christmas Day
During the Christmas season this year, the Emerging Scholars Network is posting works by Christina Rossetti. As a thoughtful poet who engaged deeply with faith, Rossetti wrote a number of poems about the church calendar. Her imagery is rich and thoughtful, and we hope this poetry helps you to reflect on what it means to celebrate Christ’s birth. For material from our archives on Advent click here. To God be the glory! – Hannah [Read more…] about Love Came Down at Christmas: Christmas Day
Earth, Strike Up Your Music: Christmas Eve
During the Christmas season this year, the Emerging Scholars Network is posting works by Christina Rossetti. As a thoughtful poet who engaged deeply with faith, Rossetti wrote a number of poems about the church calendar. Her imagery is rich and thoughtful, and we hope this poetry helps you to reflect on what it means to celebrate Christ’s birth. For material from our archives on Advent click here. To God be the glory! – Hannah [Read more…] about Earth, Strike Up Your Music: Christmas Eve
A Joyful New Year
The season of Christmas continues as the calendar year begins. We pray for a year of rich growth and deep delight in God’s goodness. Here is a hymn for the new year.Â
Ev’ry Morning Mercies New
Greville Phillimore
Ev’ry morning mercies new
Fall as fresh as morning dew;
Ev’ry morning let us pay
Tribute with the early day;
For Thy mercies, Lord, are sure;
Thy compassion doth endure.
Still the greatness of Thy love
Daily doth our sins remove;
Daily, far as east from west,
Lifts the burden from the breast;
Gives unbought, to those who pray,
Strength to stand in evil day.
Let our prayers each morn prevail,
That these gifts may never fail;
And, as we confess the sin
And the tempter’s power within,
Feed us with the Bread of Life;
Fit us for our daily strife.
As the morning light returns,
As the sun with splendor burns,
Teach us still to turn to Thee,
Ever blessèd Trinity,
With our hands our hearts to raise,
In unfailing prayer and praise.
Lyrics courtesy of Hymnary.org: http://www.hymnary.org/text/every_morning_mercies_new
Image: Christ Our Light, Holy Rosary Priory, Bushey, Great Britain. Image courtesy of Brother Lawrence, OP and the Art in the Christian Tradition database, Vanderbilt University. http://diglib.library.vanderbilt.edu/diglib-fulldisplay.pl?SID=20141231152008056&code=act&RC=54167&Row=39
Merry Christmas!
As we celebrate our Savior’s birth, we wish you a full and rich time of worship and joy.
Enjoy this classic Christmas hymn with your friends and family.Â
Break Forth, O Beauteous Heavenly Light
Break forth, O beauteous heavenly light,
and usher in the morning.
O shepherds, shudder not with fright,
but hear the angel’s warning:
this child, now weak in infancy,
our confidence and joy shall be,
the power of Satan breaking,
our peace eternal making.