Catholic Thought discussion

As promised, I’ve put a few suggestions together for our December Christmas Read. We have about 4 ½ weeks to cover until the New Year and the beginning of our long read. This list is not comprehensive by any stretch. There are so many stories out there, and the challenge is to find those that will fit our format. As you can see, I’m having trouble too to whittle it down myself. So here is what I propose: Take a look at these and/or suggest one yourself. In a separate post give us your top three choices in no specific order. I'll keep track. We'll look at the results next Sunday.

One of these…
Benedict XVI: The Blessings of Christmas, 140 p
Francis de Sales: The Sermons of St. Francis de Sales: For Advent and Christmas, 160 p
Dwight Longenecker: Mystery of the Magi: The Quest to Identify the Three Wise Men, 320 p

…Or a selection of Short Stories
Some of these are shorter than others, so we’ll adjust how many we'll read depending on interest. Also, the page numbers are only approximates. Depending on the publication they can range pretty widely. Most of them should be available on public domain. I'll post links when we get closer.

G.K. Chesterton: The Shop of Ghosts, 2-4 p, the story is in the book Tremendous Trifles
Charles Dickens: The Cricket on the Hearth, 84 p
Henry van Dyke: The Story of the Other Wise Man, 50 p
Sir Gawain and the Green Knight, 114 p
Dylan Thomas: A Child's Christmas in Wales, 48 p
J.R.R. Tolkien: Leaf by Niggle, 22 p, story is part of the book Tales from the Perilous Realm
Leo Tolstoy: Where Love Is, There God Is Also, 12 p

I just read Leaf by Niggle with well-read moms

I love your selections, Kerstin. How to pick one from so many exceptional choices?

Frances wrote: "I love your selections, Kerstin. How to pick one from so many exceptional choices?"

Ah Frances, you just pointed out the weakness in my thinking!! Thank you!
Let me rethink this...

OK, I changed our procedure a little. You can still suggest another work. No change there, but! Everyone post his/her top three choices, and I'll keep track. Next Sunday we'll look at the numbers and go from there.
Will this work for everyone?

Lisa wrote: "I just read Leaf by Niggle with well-read moms"

I used to look into the website and see what they're reading, but now one can't just browse anymore. You have to sign up. Too bad, I liked them very much for inspiration.

Kerstin, I also like the idea of your three short selections!

Mystery of the Magi
The story of the other Wise Man
The Cricket on the Hearth

Sermons of St. Francis
Story of the Other Wise Man
Where Love Is

I think everything can be found online except the Pope Benedict XVI book and the Fr. Longenecker book..

My three picks:
A Child's Christmas in Wales
Leaf by Niggle
The Story of the Other Wise Man

A Child’s Christmas in Wales
Leaf by Niggle
Where Love Is, There God Is Also

Cricket on the Hearth
A Child's Christmas in Wales
Where Love Is, There Is God Also

I don’t know how you’re going to sort all this out Kerstin. Seems like a jumble...lol.

It will work :) All I do is keep a tally sheet and the most popular titles we'll read.

Tales from the Perilous Realm By J.R.R. Tolkien

Ramón wrote: "Tales from the Perilous Realm By J.R.R. Tolkien"

Ramón, if you wish, you can vote for two more titles.

Oh, what a difficult choice. All look so good. In the interests of time during the busy Christmas season, and of money during same, I'm picking the following short reads that are available online. But I'll be happy no matter what the final picks are!

The Story of the Other Wise Man
Leaf by Niggle
Where Love Is, There God Is Also

De Sales
Chesterton
Dickens/Tolstoy

Welcome Judy. We’re happy to have you with us. Thank you for selecting.

Thank you Manny.

Here are the results for our Christmas Reads:

5 Votes:
Leo Tolstoy: Where Love Is, There God Is Also, 12 p

4 Votes:
Henry van Dyke: The Story of the Other Wise Man, 50 p
J.R.R. Tolkien: Leaf by Niggle, 22 p, story is part of the book Tales from the Perilous Realm

3 Votes:
Charles Dickens: The Cricket on the Hearth, 84 p
Dylan Thomas: A Child's Christmas in Wales, 48 p

2 Votes:
Francis de Sales: The Sermons of St. Francis de Sales: For Advent and Christmas, 160 p

1 Vote:
Dwight Longenecker: Mystery of the Magi: The Quest to Identify the Three Wise Men, 320 p
G.K. Chesterton: The Shop of Ghosts, 2-4 p, the story is in the book Tremendous Trifles

0 Votes:
Benedict XVI: The Blessings of Christmas, 140 p
Sir Gawain and the Green Knight, 114 p

December is such a busy time, so Manny and I thought to keep it light and do these Christmas stories after we finish the Gospel of Matthew and we'll get into the Long Read after New Year's.

For the Christmas stories I will open a thread for each story with links to the text that received 3 - 5 votes. That's roughly 200 pages in total, and everyone can decide which ones to read and in what order. On a personal note, I'm a little sad Sir Gawain didn't win a single vote. I enjoyed it immensely when I read it. Maybe next time :-)

I didn't vote for Sir Gawain because I've already read it. I don't mind re-reading it. Perhaps next year.

I currently am reading The Other Wise Man.