“Winter is the time for comfort, for good food and warmth, for the touch of a friendly hand and for a talk beside the fire: it is the time for home.” ~ Edith Sitwell
“There are adventures of the spirit and one can travel in books and interest oneself in people and affairs. One need never be dull as long as one has friends to help, gardens to enjoy and books in the long winter evenings.” ~ D. E. Stevenson.
Our newsletter for Christmas 2021, which features both original literary works and holiday/winter reflections from the likes of J.R.R. Tolkien, C.S. Lewis, and G.K. Chesterton. Additionally, we have ten pages of photos submitted by staff and regular contributors featuring the decorations they have for the festive season!
With this holiday season again clouded by the ongoing pandemic, we hope this newsletter may help to lift hearts and spirits, as well as reflect on what is important and valuable. We hope you enjoy it and that you spend a safe and comfortable end to the year, with a view of a far better 2022 to come.
Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays, and Happy Reading!
With Warmth and Blessings,
~ The Staff of Fellowship and Fairydust
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Table of Contents
Advent Poem – St. John of the Cross, Page 5
The Journey – Hannah Skipper, Page 6
The Shepard’s Carol – Bob Chilcott, Page 7
The Desire of All Our Race – Gregory Wilcox, Page 8
O Watchman, Watchman – Sophia Helmkamp, Page 11
The Burning Babe – St. Robert Southwell, Page 12
The Box the Held the Songs – G. Conner Salter, Page 13
Theophanies – Sarah Bingham, Page 16
Christmas Eve Meditation – Pope St. John XXIII, Page 17
The Wild Wood Carol – John Rutter, Page 19
Christmas Choirs – Amanda Pizzolato, Page 20
Christmas Day Sermon – St. Augustine of Hippo, Page 23
What Child Is This? – William Chatteron Dix, Page 25
You Were in Bethlehem, Don’t You Remember – Lawrence “Mack” Hall, Page 26
Homily of the Virgil of the Nativity – St. Bonaventure, Page 27
Christmas Mishaps – David Glenn, Page 30
The Dawn Carol – Abigail Falanga, Page 33
Finding Uncertainty in an Uncertain World – Benjamin Fearn, Page 34
The House of Christmas – G.K. Chesterton, Page 36
Christmas Reflection 2021 – Elizabeth Roper, Page 38
Annunciation – Jalal-al-din Rumi, Page 41
Muslim Thoughts on Jesus, Page 43
Vision of the Nativity – St. Brigid of Sweden, Page 52
Meditation on a Eucharistic Christmas Carol – S. Kirk Pierzchala, Page 55
Mary’s Lullaby – George MacDonald, Page 56
Noel – J.R.R. Tolkien, Page 57
Let Us Envision: A Christmas Reflection on St. Joseph – The Traveling Troubadour, Page 58
For a King on his Birthday – Leah Fisher, Page 61
Tin Soldier – C.S. Lewis, Page 62
Can We Eat, Drink, and be Merry This Christmas? – Philip Booth, Page 64
The Ancient Yule of the Forest – Ray E. Lipinski, Page 67
A Savior of a Saviour – Sean Earner, Page 69
The History of Light – Regan King, Page 72
The Hidden Life – Warren Herman, Page 75
The Strange Gift – Michael Haldas, Page 77
Christmas Tears – Avellina Balestri, Page 79
The Real Meaning of Our Christmas Traditions – Father Gerard Hatton, Page 80
The Archbishop Preaches in the Cathedral on Christmas Morning, 1170 – T.S. Eliot, Page 82
Down in Yon Forest, Page 85
Christmas Tree’s and Decorations – Pages 86-96
Image Contributor’s: David Glenn, Charlie Godwin, Charlie Keeble, Nicholas Cardarelli, Leah Fisher, Abigail Falanga, Sara-Jayne Smith, Elizabeth Roper, Kenneth McIntosh, Wini Russell, Katrina Harper, Safwan Ahmad, Wesley Hutchins, Patrick Hilleary, Vanessa Parry, Amanda Pizzolatto, Martina Jurickova, Francis Granger, Hannah Skipper, MacGoilla Bhuide, Sean Earner, Father Gerard Hatton, Dawn Cramner, James Ramirez, Rap Lipinski, Avellina Balestri
Original Artwork, “Lady Mary” – Zaineb Sajjad Al, Page 97