Virginia Crow's Blog: Crowvus Book Blog, page 35

#HistFicThursdays - Writing from Artefacts

Last Christmas (no, don't worry, I'm not about to burst into song!) one of my sisters got me a box file. Inside it, were a number of artefacts linking back to - or around - the year 1863, including letters, a death card, a penny and several other things. On the box was written the challenge:

It was a little bit sneaky of her because, after the Crimean War, I had decided to put my family saga to rest. But, given that I loved those characters so much and - more to the point - so did she, I re-awoke them and gave them a chance at an alternative sort of adventure: espionage.
This was a very different way of writing. In the past, I had collected things which linked in with my story ideas or completed books. Now, the challenge was to start with the objects and built up from there. And what a mixed box of goodies it was!

Included in the box was this letter from the esteemed polymath, Henry Thompson, to his daughter. It showed a very different side of him to the one you read about. This was an opportunity too good to waste, so Henry Thompson appeared in the novel as one of the only "real life" people.
Another was a lace collar which begat this excerpt from Ann Adler [whose character was inspired from the mirror in last fortnight's blog!]:
Collecting a second sheet of paper, she gave a girlish smile. She set it on the slope and rolled the pen backward and forward between her fingers as she tried to decide how to open this letter.
"My dearest Timothy," she muttered, trying to hold back the excitement of this secret correspondence with this unknown gentleman. In this, she was unsuccessful, and her pen glided across the page with such haste she could scarcely keep up with it. "I have been in Brussels for several weeks now. I confess, I had hoped I might finally make your acquaintance, and to such an end I am daring to share my address with you. Belgium I find to be a quaint place, so little and yet so unique as they strive to establish their own kingdom. By far my favourite distraction has been in admiration of the beautiful lace and I must own to having already purchased a collar for myself. Were I a better seamstress, I would have attached it at once to my gown, but have commissioned this to a dressmaker on Rue de Dam. You can be in no doubt, my dear Timothy, of my desire to finally make your acquaintance, and it is my sincere hope that I might assist you in your need to resolve financial and business difficulties. Though I may be a lady, I have an astute knowledge of the gentleman's world, and I have chosen to lay this before you. I remain your humble admirer and devoted servant. Ann."
She lifted the paper, tilting it towards the window where the sunlight was beginning to penetrate, and read through the epistle. She had no blotting paper and did not wish to waste her writing stationary, so shook the letter dry.
This box of bits and bobs was a perfect Christmas present and, if you're stuck with what to get for an historical fiction writer, consider putting one of these together! Here are a few of the other bits and pieces which were contained in the box file:

Day 24 of Quotes - Merry Christmas

 So, this is it, folks! The final blog of the year. I wonder what our theme will be for 2021! I've enjoyed searching for different quotes about Christmas or Winter, but I feel particularly privileged to have the Christmas Eve blog to do. It's like when we take it in turns to open a door on the Advent calendar. We have a tub with our names in, and one gets picked out each time. Everyone wants to be the one who gets Christmas Eve!

I know this Christmas is not exactly as many of you have planned, but just remember why we celebrate and you'll find yourself having a better time.

Here are my 24 quotes, specially for Christmas Eve.

It was the afternoon of Christmas Eve...

and Scrooge was conscious of a thousand odours... - The Muppets Christmas Carol
Look. My lads. Dusk has fallen. The lamplighters are at work. It's Christmas Eve for certain. - The Muppets Christmas Carol
How silently, how silently, the wondrous gift is given,So God imparts to human hearts the blessings of his heaven. - O Little Town of Bethlehem
It came upon a midnight clear,that glorious song of old.Of angels bending near the Earth,to touch their harps of gold. - It Came Upon a Midnight Clear
What sweeter music can we bring
Than a carol, for to sing
The birth of this our heavenly King?
Awake the voice! Awake the string!  - What Sweeter Music
Silent Night, Holy night,All is calm, all is bright.Round yon virgin mother and child,Holy infant so tender and mild.Sleep in heavenly peace.Sleep in heavenly peace - Silent Night
It was on a starry night,When the hills were bright.Earth lay sleeping,Sleeping calm and still.Then in a cattle shed,In a manger bed.A boy was born.King of all the world. - It was on a Starry Night
Born in the night,Mary's child.A long way from your home.Coming in need,Mary's child.Born in a borrowed room. - Born in the Night
O Holy Night,The stars are brightly shining,It is the night of the dear Saviour's birth. - O Holy Night
Christmas is not a time or a season, but a state of mind. To cherish peace and goodwill,to be plenteous in mercy, is to have the real spirit of Christmas. - Calvin Coolidge
Christmas is the day that holds all time together. - Alexander Smith
Merry, merry Christmas,Santa comes tonight.With his eight reindeerReady for their flight. - Katy Renaud
Christmas is a necessity. There has to be at least one day of the year to remind usthat we're here for something else besides ourselves. - Eric Sevareid
See how the shepherdssummoned to his cradle,Leaving their flocks,draw nigh with lowly fear. - O Come All Ye Faithful
Sometimes life is not all it can be,And here we are.Wondering just how far this road can leave,And here we are.Then in the darkness shines a bright burning star,And who we are is changing within our hearts.One night, one moment,And everything's changed. - Nativity!
Say, ye holy shepherds, say,What your joyful news today?Wherefore have ye left your sheepOn the lonely mountain steep? - See Amid the Winter's Snow
Tomorrow shall be my dancing day,I would my true love didst so chance,To see the legend of my play,And call my true love to my dance. - Tomorrow Shall be my Dancing Day
Out into the moonlight came St Christopher himself, huge and gentle and with his head among the stars,taking the stone child on his shoulders to Midnight Mass - The Children of Green Knowe
See him lying in a bed of straw,A draughty stable with an open door.Mary cradling the babe she bore,The prince of glory when he came. - Calypso Carol
Now light one thousand Christmas lights,On dark Earth here tonight.One thousand thousand also shines,To make the dark sky bright. - Now Light One Thousand Christmas Lights
Thou who wast rich beyond all splendour,
All for love's sake becamest poor;
Thrones for a manger didst surrender,
Sapphire-paved courts for stable floor.
Thou who wast rich beyond all splendour,
All for love's sake becomes poor.  - Thou Who Wast Rich Beyond All Splendour
Shepherds, rejoice! lift up your eyes
And send your fears away;
News from the region of the skies:
Salvation's born today! - Shepherds, Rejoice!
Christmas is here
Bringing good cheer
To young and old
Meek and the bold  - Carol of the Bells
May the joy of the angels, the gladness of the shepherds, the worship of the wise men,and the peace of the Christ child be yours this Christmas. - A Christmas Blessing
Merry Christmas, from the Crowvus Team! :)

Day 23 of Quotes: Sing, Sing, All Earth!

Ask anyone from any church what they've missed most about worship during the Covid crisis this year and I'm willing to bet that 9 out of 10 of them say communal singing.There's something really wonderful about joining around the crib clutching Christingles and singing "Away In A Manger", or belting out the last - "forbidden" - verse of "O Come All Ye Faithful" at the end of Midnight Mass.Here are a few lines from just some of the wonderful carols which we will be singing at home and in our hearts during the next couple of days.
Where charity stands watching and faith holds wide the door,The dark night wakes, the glory breaks, and Christmas comes once more.(O Little Town of Bethlehem - Phillips Brooks)
So bring Him incense, gold and myrrh,Come peasant, king, to own Him.(What Child Is This? - William Chatterton Dix)
Radiance beams from Thy holy faceWith the dawn of redeeming grace.(Silent Night - Joseph Mohr)
Look now! for glad and golden hours come swiftly on the wing;O rest beside the weary road and hear the angels sing.(It Came Upon A Midnight Clear - Edmund Hamilton Sears)
Led by the light of faith serenely beaming,With glowing hearts by His cradle we stand.(O Holy Night - John Sullivan Dwight)
This fruit doth make my soul to thrive,
It keeps my dying faith alive;
Which makes my soul in haste to be
With Jesus Christ the apple tree.
(Jesus Christ the Apple Tree - R.H.)
Veiled in flesh the Godhead see;Hail th'incarnate Deity!(Hark! The Herald Angels Sing - Charles Wesley)
But only His Mother
In her maiden bliss
Worshipped the Beloved
With a kiss.
(In the Bleak Midwinter - Christina Rossetti)
Mine are riches, from your poverty,
From your innocence, eternity;
Mine, forgiveness by your death for me,
Child of sorrow for my joy.
(Calypso Carol - Michael Perry)
I love thee, Lord Jesus, look down from the skyAnd stay by my side until morning is nigh.(Away In A Manger)
Ye who sang creation's storyNow proclaim the Messiah's birth!(Angels From the Realms of Glory - James Montgomery)
Lo, he slumbers in a manger,Where the horned oxen fed.(Watts' Cradle Song - Isaac Watts)
Let men their songs employWhile fields and floods, rocks, hills and plainsRepeat the sounding joy.(Joy to the World - Isaac Watts)
Why does the chilling winter's morn
Smile, like a field beset with corn?
Or smell like a meadow newly-shorn?
(What Sweeter Music? - Robert Herrick)
Ye who now will bless the poor,Shall yourselves find blessing.(Good King Wenceslas - John Mason Neale)
When sin departs before His grace,
Then life and health come in its place.
(Sussex Carol - Luke Wadding)
Glorious now behold Him arise,King and God and Sacrifice!(We Three Kings - John Henry Hopkins)
Bethlehem Down is full of the starlight
Winds for the spices, and stars for the gold,
Mary for sleep, and for lullaby music
Songs of a shepherd by Bethlehem fold.
(Bethlehem Down - Bruce Blunt)
O Christmas Tree, O Christmas Tree,How sturdy God has made thee!Thou bidst us all place faithfullyOur trust in God unchangingly.(O Christmas Tree)
Sacred infant, all divine
What a tender love was thine
Thus to come from highest bliss
Down to such a world as this'
(See, Amid the Winter's Snow - Edward Caswell)
Clear shining light, Mary's Child,your face lights up our way;light of the world, Mary's Child,dawn on our darkened day.(Born In The Night - Geoffrey Ainger)
O come Thou dayspring, come and cheer Our spirits by Thine advent here:Disperse the gloomy shades of night And pierce the clouds and bring us light.(O Come, O Come, Emmanuel)
and, of course...
Yea, Lord, we greet Thee!Born this happy morning!Jesus to Thee be glory given!Word of the Father,Now in flesh appearing. (O Come, All Ye Faithful - Frederick Oakeley after John Francis Wade)
As this is my last blog for 2020, I'll take this opportunity to wish you a very merry Christmas and a new year which heralds an infinitely better year than 2020 has been for so many!

Day 22 of Quotes - What They Said About The Nativity

In yesterday's blog there were quotes from the Bible. Today, here's how people interpreted them. There should be something here which links to every person in the Christmas story - can you work out which is which? Some are more obvious than others!

Every mother, when she picks up the young life that has been born to her, looks up to the heavens to thank God for the gift which made the world young again. But here was a Mother, a Madonna, who did not look up. She looked down to Heaven, for this was Heaven in her arms.

Fulton Sheen

We may share in the song of the angels, the gladness of the shepherds, and the worship of the wise men.

Robert Louis Stevenson

Oh that my baaing nature would win thence
Some woolly innocence!

C.S. Lewis

The Christ-child stood at Mary’s knee,
His hair was like a crown.
And all the flowers looked up at Him,
And all the stars looked down.

G.K. Chesterton

Love came down at Christmas, Love all lovely, Love Divine, Love was born at Christmas, Star and Angels gave the sign.

Christina Rosetti

There are two parts to the equation: feel good + take action. The ancient Sufi proverb says; Trust in Allah, but first tie your camel to a post.

Andrew Matthews

It is something even more than what happened that night in starlit little Bethlehem; it has been behind the stars forever. There was Christmas in the heart of God before the world was formed.

Roy Rogers

Watch where he comes walking
Out of the Christmas flame,
Dancing, double-talking:
Herod is his name.

Charles Causley

I saw a stable, low and very bare,
A little child in a manger.
The oxen knew Him, had Him in their care,

Mary Elizabeth Coleridge

Ah! Dearest Jesus, Holy Child, Make thee a bed, soft, undefiled; Within my heart, that it may be, A quiet chamber kept for thee.

Martin Luther King Jr.

"Why do you want to play an innkeeper?"
"Because I'd love to, 'cause he swears all day."

Nativity!

How wise the wise men must have been
To find the Child in Bethlehem

Kenny Rogers

God goes to those who have time to hear him-and so on this cloudless night he went to simple shepherds.

Max Lucado

Pre-Christmas is very important, and it is stressful, and, you know, even in the biblical story... travelling on the donkey in a stressful environment.

Michael Leunig

At Christmas, I am always struck by how the spirit of togetherness lies also at the heart of the Christmas story. A young mother and a dutiful father with their baby were joined by poor shepherds and visitors from afar. They came with their gifts to worship the Christ child.

Queen Elizabeth

I brought her to a stable where she made a tiny bed
A place for Baby Jesus to lay His little head

Rita S Beer

Shepherds would soon arrive and later, wise men from the East. Later yet the memory of that night would bring Santa Claus and Frosty and Rudolph — and all would be welcome. But first and forever there was just a little family, without toys or trees or tinsel. With a baby — that's how Christmas began.

Jeffery R. Holland

Saint Joseph, a figure apparently of secondary importance, but in whose attitude is enclosed all Christian wisdom.

Pope Francis

Am I not here who am your Mother? Are you not under my shadow and protection? Are you not in the crossing of my arms? Is there anything else you need?

You have only to read the Gospels, and to look with willing eyes, and you shall behold in Christ all that can possibly be seen of God.

Charles Spurgeon

Were it not for the shepherds, there would have been no reception. And were it not for a group of stargazers, there would have been no gifts.

Max Lucado

And finally, signing off from my contributions to this blog, here's a personal favourite:

Yet in thy dark streets shineth, the everlasting light
The hopes and fears of all the years are met in thee tonight.

Phillips Brooks 

Day 21 of Quotes - Heading Back to the Source

We have reached the beginning of Winter. The twenty first of December calls for twenty one quotes and today I've chosen to take all twenty one from the Bible. Whatever your holy book may be, and if you have none, I think you will enjoy these goodies from the holy book of the Christian Church at Christmas.

Romans Chapter 13 v12

The night is nearly over; the day is almost here

Isaiah Chapter 11 v6

The wolf will live with the lamb, the leopard will lie down with the goat., the calf and the lion and the yearling together and a little child shall lead them.

Matthew Chapter 7 v 24

Therefore, everyone who listens to these words of mine and acts upon them will be like a sensible man who built his house on rock.

Isaiah Chapter 30 v19

He will be gracious to you when he hears you cry; when he hears he will answer.

Isaiah Chapter 35 v 3

Strengthen all weary hands, steady all trembling knees and say to all faint hearts, "Courage! Do not be afraid."

Isaiah Chapter 40 v11

He is like a shepherd feeding his flock, gathering lambs in his arms, holding them against his breast.

Matthew 11 vv 28-29

Come to me, all you who labour and are overburdened, and I will give you rest. Shoulder my yoke and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.

Isaiah 54 v10

. . . for the mountains may depart, the hills be shaken, but my love for you will never leave you.

Matthew 1 v24

When Joseph woke up he did what the angel of the Lord had told him to do: he took his wife to his home.

Isaiah 9 v6

For there is a child born for us, a son given to us and dominion is laid on his shoulders; and this is the name they give him: Wonder-Counsellor, Mighty-God, Eternal-Father, Prince-of-Peace.

Luke Chapter 2 v16-18

So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger. When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about the child, and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them.

Matthew Chapter 2 vv1, 8 and 11

After Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, during the time of King Herod, Magi from the east came to Jerusalem . . . He sent them to Bethlehem . . . On coming to the house they saw the child with his mother Mary, and they bowed down and worshipped him. They opened their treasures and presented him with gifts of gold, and of incense and of myrrh.

Luke Chapter 2 vv39-40

When Joseph and Mary had done everything required by the Law of the Lord, they returned to Galilee to their own town of Nazareth. And the child grew and became strong; he was filled with wisdom, and the grace of God was upon him.

1 John Chapter 3 v16

This has taught us love - that he gave up his life for us . . .

1 John Chapter 2 v30

Think of the love that the Father has lavished on us, by letting us be called God's children; and that is what we are.

Revelation Chapter 3 v20

If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with him, and he with me.

Colossians Chapter 3 v16

Let the message of Christ, in all its richness, find a home with you.

Hebrews Chapter 1 v1

At various times in the past and in various different ways, God spoke to our ancestors through the prophets; but in our own time, the last days, he has spoken to us through his Son, the Son that he has appointed to inherit everything and through whom he made everything there is.

Isaiah Chapter 9 v2

The people that walked in darkness has seen a great light; on those who live in a land of deep shadow a light has shone.

Matthew Chapter 15 v18

A man's words flow out of what fills his heart.

Luke Chapter 2 vv13-14

And suddenly with the angel there was a great throng of the heavenly host, praising God and singing: "Glory to God in the highest. . . and peace to men".

This is my final bog for Advent but there are three more to come to take you up to Christmas. Have a peaceful and very special Christmastime and may 2021 be a year to treasure.

Day 20 of Quotes - Winter

I've been thinking it's winter for some time now, but in actual fact winter starts tomorrow. In the same week as Christmas. Theologians (of which my sister is one) will tell you that this is no co-incidence. For thousands of years, people have understood the rotations and the orbit of our planet in their own way. They have recorded when the shortest and longest days have been. And, for thousands of years, those times of year have been seeped in religion and tradition.

No-one actually knows when Christ was born. They can make accurate guesses by researching the famous census, but they can't know for certain. The beginning of Winter just seemed like a suitable time to place Jesus' birthday. It's the Christian festival of light, and a beacon of home in the darkest time.

This time of year also lends itself to star gazing, which in itself is a decidedly Christmassy activity. We saw tonight the two planets (Jupiter and Saturn) almost in line. The best time to see it will be tomorrow (21st December)

So, here are my 20 winter quotes for today.

“Even the strongest blizzards start with a single snowflake.”
Sara Raasch (Snow Like Ashes)

“A cold wind was blowing from the north, and it made the trees rustle like living things.”
George R R Martin (A Game of Thrones)

“No animal, according to the rules of animal-etiquette, is ever expected to do anything strenuous, or heroic, or even moderately active during the off-season of winter.”
Kenneth Grahame (The Wind in the Willows)

“It seems like everything sleeps in winter, but it's really a time of renewal and reflection.”
Elizabeth Camden (Until the Dawn)

“Summer is for surrendering; winter is for wondering.”
Debasish Mridha

“It was a black and white day of frost, which crawled along the dark trees and outlined twig and branch. The air was misty, and distant objects assumed a mysterious importance."

Robert S Hichens

“The pale, cold light of the winter sunset did not beautify - it was like the light of truth itself."
Willa Cather

“The wastes of snow on the hill were ghostly in the moonlight. The stars were piercingly bright.”
Maud Hart Lovelace (Betsy and Tacy Go Downtown)

“A few feathery flakes are scattered widely through the air, and hover downward with uncertain flight, now almost alighting on the earth, now whirled again aloft into remote regions of the atmosphere.”
Nathaniel Hawthorne

“Honest Winter, snow-clad, and with the frosted beard, I can welcome not uncordially.”
George Gissing

“It was bitter cold, for the snow clouds had blown away, and the stars seemed mirrored in the icy glitter of the white-crusted fields.”
Geraldine Brooks (Year of Wonders)

“Sometimes in winter there comes a spell of snowstorms and sunshine and terrific contentment. On snowy afternoons there is a special blessedness in saying, oh it is too snowy to chop wood this afternoon."
Elliott Merrick (Green Mountain Farm)

"See, Amid the Winter Snow,
Born for us on Earth below."
Edward Caswall

“The most amazing thing about the winter is that even a frozen world may be perceived as a heaven!”
Mehmet Murat ildan

"In the Bleak Midwinter,
Frosty winds made moan,
Earth stood hard as iron,
Water like a stone.
Snow had fallen, snow on snow,
Snow on snow.
In the Bleak Midwinter,
Long ago."
Christina Rosetti

“Winter was creeping in and, at barely three o'clock in the afternoon, the day was losing substance and dissolving into a dusty twilight.”
C J Tudor

“For winter was coming. The days were shorter, and frost crawled up the window panes at night. Soon the snow would come."
Laura Ingalls Wilder (The Little House Collection)

“One little girl didn't mind the fading sun. Her mittened hands sculpted a snowman, happy to work without distractions. She whispered apologies as she thrust a carrot into his face, assuring him it was for the best and he'd be able to breathe much better now, just try and see.”
Angela Panayotopulos (The Wake Up)

“Winter was come indeed bringing with it those pleasures of which the summer dreamer knows nothing—the delight when the fine and glittering day shows in the window, though one knows how cold it is outside; the delight of getting as close as possible to the blazing range which in the shadowy kitchen throws reflections very different from the pale gleams of sunlight in the yard, the range we cannot take with us on our walk, busy with its own activity, growling and grumbling as it sets to work, for in three hours time luncheon must be ready"
Marcel Proust (Jean Santeuil)

“Don't forget to enjoy the winter, but never give up hopes for the spring.”
Debasish Mridha

Day Nineteen of Quotes: A Ghostly Christmas...

The "Ghost" of Christmas Present is a good representation of the English tradition of Father Christmas, before he merged with the American Santa Claus.

Scholars believe that the habit of telling ghost stories at Christmas (or at any midwinter festival) dates back thousands of years. The natural darkness lends itself to spookiness, and our imaginations are more open at this time of the year. Here are a few fabulous ghosts from Christmassy literature...

Amongst the indulgence, I see starvation, amongst the affluence, I see poverty.

The Globe (Isabelle Mills)

 

She needed reminding of the warm Christmas smells that blew in through the open doors as they hissed open.

Present (Gemma Dobson)

 

Peering out of the window I saw the impossible; flickering candlelight in the abbey, turning the stained glass into jewelled kaleidoscopes, belying the horror of the night’s events. Midnight Mass was being sung.

Time and Tide (Claire Marsh)

 

Then, the whole form becoming paler, melted, as it were, into the moonlight, and faded away.

A Christmas Tree (Charles Dickens)

 

There comes in a young woman, deadly pale, and with long fair hair, who glides to the fire, and sits down in the chair we have left there, wringing her hands.

A Christmas Tree (Charles Dickens)

 

But how much greater was his horror, when the phantom taking off the bandage round its head, as if it were too warm to wear indoors, its lower jaw dropped down upon its breast!

A Christmas Carol (Charles Dickens)

 

The air was thick with phantoms, wandering hither and thither in restless haste, and moaning as they went.

A Christmas Carol (Charles Dickens)

 

It thrilled him with a vague uncertain horror, to know that behind the dusky shroud, there were ghostly eyes intently fixed upon him, while he, though he stretched his own to the utmost, could see nothing but a spectral hand and one great heap of black.

A Christmas Carol (Charles Dickens)

 

Marley’s face was a dismal shade of green, rather like bad fish glowing in the dark

A Christmas Carol – Ladybird Children’s Classics (Charles Dickens)

 

May it haunt their houses pleasantly, and no one wish to lay it.

A Christmas Carol – foreword (Charles Dickens)

 

“And I hope to God,” said he, “that she will be with you by day and by night till an end is made of you.”

Martin’s Close (M. R. James)

 

Black Ferdie saw that it was as free and relentless as he was, and that there was a quality if moonlight in its eyes and teeth that his nerves could not endure.

The Children of Green Knowe (Lucy M. Boston)

 

“I spy!” he shouted, whisking round to chase them, but they did not run away, they simply vanished.

The Children of Green Knowe (Lucy M. Boston)

 

For some reason he felt convinced that until his great-grandmother returned, not so much as a marble would move in the house. He felt no such assurance about the garden.

The Children of Green Knowe (Lucy M. Boston)

 

She played, but it was Tolly who sang alone, while, four hundred years ago, a baby went to sleep.

The Children of Green Knowe (Lucy M. Boston)

 

As to whether it found rest once it had shared its burden, the farmer said it had not been seen since then, but sometimes at twilight his dogs would start to bark for no good reason, and he always took great care to get back home before the sun had set.

The Man from No Man’s Land (John Pritchard)

 

There was a sound coming from out in the yard. It was half-hummed and sweet like an almost forgotten lullaby or a word stuck on the tip of your tongue.

The Abbey (Eoin Gough)

 

I cannot describe the thrill that seized upon me, when, close at the mouth of the tunnel, I saw the appearance of a man, with his left sleeve across his eyes, passionately waving his right arm.

The Signalman (Charles Dickens)

 

Her tradition has become their tradition. It is part of their love.

Salt Dough Stars (Lorraine Thomson)

 

 

Day 18 of Quotes - Explaining Christmas (only it's too big!)

 A mixed bunch of quotes today! No theme, just quotes!

Christmas is the day that holds all time together.

Alexander Smith

The xmas holidays have this high value: that they remind Forgetters of the Forgotten, & repair damaged relationships.

Mark Twain

Faith is salted and peppered through everything at Christmas.

Amy Grant

Christmas is built upon a beautiful and intentional paradox; that the birth of the homeless should be celebrated in every home.

G.K. Chesterton

Christmas is not as much about opening our presents as opening our hearts.

J.L.W. Brooks

For it is good to be children sometimes, and never better than at Christmas, when its mighty Founder was a child himself.

Charles Dickens

Christmas waves a magic wand over this world, and behold, everything is softer and more beautiful.

Norman Vincent Peale

The smells of Christmas are the smells of childhood

Richard Paul Evans

It is Christmas every time you smile at your brother and offer him your hand.

Mother Teresa

Christmas is not just a day, an event to be observed and speedily forgotten. It is a spirit which should permeate every part of our lives.

William Parks

What is Christmas? It is tenderness for the past, courage for the present, hope for the future.

Agnes M Pharo

Peace on earth will come to stay, when we live Christmas everyday.

Helen Steiner Rice

Christmas will always be as long as we stand heart to heart and hand in hand.

Dr. Seuss

Christmas is a bridge. We need bridges as the river of time flows past. Today's Christmas should mean creating happy hours for tomorrow and reliving those of yesterday.

Gladys Taber

A good conscience is a continual Christmas.

Benjamin Franklin

Christmas! 'Tis the season for kindling the fire of hospitality in the hall, the genial flame of charity in the heart.

Washington Irving

Mankind is a great, an immense family. This is proved by what we feel in our hearts at Christmas.

Pope John XXIII

And I'll leave you with this final - anonymous - quote, by which I live my life:

May you never be too grown up to search the skies on Christmas Eve.

Day 17 of Quotes - Winter/Christmas According To Shakespeare

Day 17 and I've chosen "Winter/Christmas According To Shakespeare" as the theme for today's seventeen quotations. Will I find seventeen? Not sure - I know a few old favourites but did he mention more? Here goes!

Now is the winter of our discontent
Made glorious summer by this sun of York . . .

RICHARD THE THIRD

The seasons alter: hoary-headed frosts
Fall in the fresh lap of the crimson rose . . . 

A MIDSUMMER NIGHT'S DREAM

For the red blood reigns in the winter's pale . . . 

THE WINTER'S TALE

Some say that ever ‘gainst that season comes
Wherein our Saviour’s birth is celebrated,
The bird of dawning singeth all night long:
And then, they say, no spirit dare stir abroad;
The nights are wholesome; then no planets strike,
No fairy takes, nor witch hath power to charm,
So hallowed and so gracious is the time. 

HAMLET

At Christmas I no more desire a rose
Than wish a snow in May's new-fangled mirth . . . 

LOVE'S LABOUR'S LOST

Blow, blow thou winter wind,
Thou art not so unkind
As man's ingratitude . . . 

AS YOU LIKE IT

Love's gentle spring doth always fresh remain
Lust's winter comes ere summer half be done . . . 

VENUS AND ADONIS

When icicles hang by the wall,
And Dick the shepherd blows his nail . . . 

LOVE'S LABOUR'S LOST

Winter, which, being full of care, makes summer's welcome thrice more wish'd, more rare  . . . 

SONNET 56

And after summer evermore succeeds 
Barren winter, with his wrathful nipping cold . . . 

KING HENRY SIXTH PART TWO

Should from her vesture chance to steal a kiss
And, of so great a favour growing proud,
Disdain to root the summer-swelling flower
And make rough winter everlastingly. 

THE TWO GENTLEMEN OF VERONA

Crabbed age and youth cannot live together:
Youth is full of pleasance, age is full of care;
Youth like summer morn, age like winter weather;
Youth like summer brave, age like winter bare.

SONNET 12

A sad tale's best for winter: I have one of sprites and goblins . . . 

A WINTER'S TALE

How like a winter hath my absence been
From thee, the pleasure of the fleeting year! 

SONNET 97

Yea, and furr'd moss besides, when flowers are none,
To winter-ground thy corse. 

CYMBELINE

In winter with warm tears I'll melt the snow
And keep eternal spring-time on thy face . . .

TITUS ANDRONICUS

I, that did never weep, now melt with woe
That winter should cut off our spring-time so.

HENRY SIXTH PART THREE

Found 'em - seventeen quotes for the seventeenth day of December. Now I know it's time I brushed up my Shakespeare! (I have to admit that I'll take David Essex and his Winter's Tale over Will Shakespeare's!)

Day 16 of Quotes - The Animals of Christmas

They're there for all to see, but so few notice.

Today, here are 16 quotes relating to animals, the silent stars of the Christmas story (with some stories of their own!).

If you have men who will exclude any of God's creatures from the shelter of compassion and pity, you will have men who will deal likewise with their fellow men.

St Francis of Assisi

Among the asses (stubborn I as they)
I see my Saviour where I looked for hay;

C.S. Lewis

The simple shepherds heard the voice of an angel and found their lamb;

Fulton J. Sheen

The cattle are lowing, the baby awakes

Martin Luther

A barn with cattle and horses is the place to begin Christmas; after all, that's where the original event happened, and that same smell was the first air that the Christ Child breathed.

Paul Engle

Suddenly the door of the church swung wide, and up the aisle came, of all things, a little burro, soggy and wet and covered with mud.

Eric P. Keely

On every branch of the little fir-tree candles wavered their tongues of flame. Little red and gold fruits hung from the tips of the boughs. On the ground under the branches were bowls of hazel nuts, round loaves of barley bread, piles of wheaten cakes, small sacks of corn, and platters of berries. There were jars of honey, as big as thimbles, and bottles of heather-ale, as big as acorns. Icicles and hailstones shone like diamonds among the branches, brightly coloured feathers and shells were fastened to the bark, and chains of frozen water-drops swung to and fro, reflecting the candle-light.

Alison Utterly (from Little Grey Rabbit's Christmas)

'It's Robin Redbreast,' thought the old man. 'There he is, right up on the holly bush. He's singing for me, and he shall share my meal!'

Mrs Gatty

It was a sledge, and it was reindeer with bells on their harness.

C.S.Lewis

When what to my wondering eyes did appear,
But a miniature sleigh and eight tiny rein-deer,

Clement Clarke Moore

Thus every beast by some good spell,
In the stable dark was glad to tell
Of the gift he gave Emmanuel

Traditional

Enough for Him, whom angels fall before,
The ox and ass and camel which adore.

Christina Rossetti

Quite some way away, under an enormous oak tree in a big forest, was a rabbit burrow. The burrow was full of life.

Ulf Stark and Eva Eriksson

We pictured the meek mild creatures where
They dwelt in their strawy pen,

Thomas Hardy

So the soldiers passed on, and left the holy family in peace because a little spider had spun his web across the entrance to the cave.

William Barclay

Once in our world, a stable had something in it that was bigger than our whole world.C.S. Lewis