BY HANNAH BARR How silently, how silently The wondrous gift is given. So God imparts to human hearts The blessings of His heaven. No ear may hear His coming But in this world of sin Where meek souls will receive him still The dear Christ enters in. On Christmas Day 2011, the message of the …
BY HANNAH BARR Christmas is increasingly associated with stress and striving, the overwhelming desire to have a celebration that is Instagram-ready. An artsy Christmas card featuring the whole family in matching festive pyjamas? A dinner spread to rival Nigella? And the presents under the tree to materially express your love for them? I like joy …
BY HANNAH BARR Yet with the woes of sin and strife The world has suffered long; Beneath the angel-strain have rolled Two thousand years of wrong; And man, at war with man, hears not The love-song which they bring; O hush the noise, ye men of strife, And hear the angels sing. 1849: 14,000-15,000 civilians …
BY HANNAH BARR O come, O come, Emmanuel, And ransom captive Israel, That mourns in lonely exile here, Until the Son of God appear. Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel Shall come to thee, O Israel. Advent is a special time of the year. It’s a time of waiting expectantly for what is to come; waiting to celebrate …