Spirit of Christmas

Henry Van Dyke

Description

In the consumerism-addled hustle and bustle of the typical twenty-first century Christmas, it can be difficult to find time to reflect on the true significance of the season. Theologian Henry van Dyke's placid meditation on the meaning of Christmas is a wonderful way for believers to reconnect with the key tenets of their faith, at Christmastime or at any time of the year.

Sujets

• Philosophie et théologie
• Christianity

Informations

• Publié par: The Floating Press
• Date de parution: 01 août 2009
• Nombre de lectures: 0
• EAN13: 9781775416395
• Langue: English

Extrait

THE SPIRIT OF CHRISTMAS
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HENRY VAN DYKE
 
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The Spirit of Christmas From a 1911 edition.
ISBN 978-1-775416-39-5
© 2009 THE FLOATING PRESS.
While every effort has been used to ensure the accuracy and reliability of the information contained in The Floating Press edition of this book, The Floating Press does not assume liability or responsibility for any errors or omissions in this book. The Floating Press does not accept responsibility for loss suffered as a result of reliance upon the accuracy or currency of information contained in this book. Do not use while operating a motor vehicle or heavy equipment. Many suitcases look alike.
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Contents
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A Dream-Story A Little Essay A Short Christmas Sermon Two Christmas Prayers
A Dream-Story
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THE CHRISTMAS ANGEL
It was the hour of rest in the Country Beyond the Stars. All thesilver bells that swing with the turning of the great ring of lightwhich lies around that land were softly chiming; and the sound oftheir commotion went down like dew upon the golden ways of the city,and the long alleys of blossoming trees, and the meadows of asphodel,and the curving shores of the River of Life.
At the hearing of that chime, all the angels who had been workingturned to play, and all who had been playing gave themselves joyfullyto work. Those who had been singing, and making melody on differentinstruments, fell silent and began to listen. Those who had beenwalking alone in meditation met together in companies to talk. Andthose who had been far away on errands to the Earth and other planetscame homeward like a flight of swallows to the high cliff when the dayis over.
It was not that they needed to be restored from weariness, for theinhabitants of that country never say, "I am tired." But there, ashere, the law of change is the secret of happiness, and the joy thatnever ends is woven of mingled strands of labour and repose, societyand solitude, music and silence. Sleep comes to them not as it does tous, with a darkening of the vision and a folding of the wings of thespirit, but with an opening of the eyes to deeper and fuller light,and with an