Catholic Thought discussion

It is time again to think about what we'll be reading for Christmas. As I have done in the past, here is the list of the titles we have read followed by a list of suggestions divided into fiction and non-fiction. First we will open the floor for one week (deadline Sat. Nov 9th) for anyone who would like to add further suggestions. Then we'll enter a normal nomination process.

Now last year we had voted for Fyodor Dostoevsky's A Christmas Tree and a Wedding: Short Story but ended up not discussing it as we were knee deep in Quo Vadis. Is there still interest in re-visiting this story? Please comment.

Works we have read:

No date – Pope Benedict XVI: Jesus of Nazareth: From the Baptism in the Jordan to the Transfiguration
2017 – Adalbert Stifter: Rock Crystal, 96 p, published 1863
2018 – Scott Hahn: Joy to the World: How Christ's Coming Changed Everything
2019 –
1. Charles Dickens: The Cricket on the Hearth, 84 p, published 1845
2. Henry van Dyke: The Story of the Other Wise Man 50 p, published 1895
3. Dylan Thomas: A Child's Christmas in Wales, 48 p, published 1952
4. J.R.R. Tolkien: Leaf by Niggle, 22 p, part of Tales of the Perilous Realm
5. Leo Tolstoy: Where Love Is, There God Is Also, 12 p (to 89 p ??), published 1885
2020 - Sir Gawain and the Green Knight, 114 p, Medieval Romance
2021 –
1. Fr. Dwight Longenecker: Mystery of the Magi: The Quest to Identify the Three Wise Men 320 p, published 2017
2. T.S. Eliot: Journey of the Magi, 2 p, published 1927
2022 - George MacDonald: The Christmas Stories, 96 p, second half 19th century
2023 - Fyodor Dostoevski: A Christmas Tree and a Wedding: Short Story, 25 pages, published 1848 – we had voted for this story, but we didn’t discuss it as we were still deep into Quo Vadis


Suggestions for Group Read:
Of the books/stories I have read I’ve added a short synopsis or comment.

Fiction:
1. Truman Capote: A Christmas Memory, 48 p, published 1956 http://www.sailthouforth.com/2009/12/...
2. G.K. Chesterton: The Shop of Ghosts, 2-4 p, part of Tremendous Trifles published 1909
3. Charles Dickens: A Christmas Carol, 104 p, published 1843
The perennial favorite and probably known by most. It contains deeply Christian elements that are not often actively explored in our current culture.
4. Charles Dickens: The Chimes, 116 p, published 1844 (the story is usually published as part of a compilation)
5. Arthur Conan Doyle: The Adventure of the Blue Carbuncle - a Sherlock Holmes Short Story, 72 p, published 1892
6. Selma Lagerlöf: The Holy Night, 40 p, published 1904
7. George MacDonald: At the Back of the North Wind, 346 p, 1871
8. Nikolai Gogol: The Night Before Christmas, 65 p, published 1832
A perennial favorite in Russia. In this humorous tale Gogol explores the fallen weaknesses of man.
9. E.T.A. Hoffmann: The Nutcracker and the Mouse King, 196 p, published 1816
10. J.R.R. Tolkien: Letters from Father Christmas, 111 p, 1920s – 1940s
This is an epistolary collection. Tolkien had three children, and each Christmas he would write a letter from Father Christmas accompanied with a watercolor painting.
11. Fyodor Dostoevski: The Heavenly Christmas Tree, 12 pages, published 1876
Without giving anything away, this story has very much the feel of a Hans Christian Anderson story.
12. Willa Cather: Shadows on the Rock, 229 pages, published 1931
13. Raymond MacDonald Allen: Why the Chimes Rang, 4 pages, published 1908
High, high up in a church steeple is a set of wondrous chiming bells. They used to always ring on Christmas, but for many, many years they have been silent. Nobody knows how to make them ring again.


Non-Fiction:

1. Augustine: Christmas Sermons 189 and 194, 4th century, (need to find texts)
2. Benedict XVI: The Blessing of Christmas: Meditations for the Season, 140 p, published 2005
These are seven meditations for Advent and Christmas filled with the beauty and depth characteristic of Pope Benedict XVI.
3. Leo the Great: Christmas Sermons (sermons 21 – 28), 5th century, http://www.newadvent.org/fathers/3603...
4. Francis de Sales: The Sermons of St. Francis de Sales: For Advent and Christmas, 160 p, 16th / 17th century
5. Dietrich Bonhoeffer: The Mystery of Holy Night, 48 p, 1930s / 1940s
6. William P. Saunders: Celebrating a Merry Catholic Christmas: A Guide to the Customs and Feast Days of Advent and Christmas, 179 p, published 2018
7. Dwight Longenecker: The Secret of the Bethlehem Shepherds, 144 p, published 2022
8. Elizabeth Lev: The Silent Knight: A History of St. Joseph as Depicted in Art, 277 p, published 2021
9. Alfonso Maria de Lugouri: Eight Meditations on the Great Mystery of the Incarnation of the Eternal Word For the First Eight Days of Advent, kindle edition, no page numbers
10. Caryll Houselander: The Reed of God, 187 pages, published 1944
11. St Athanasius: On the Incarnation, 120 pages, 4th century
12. Hilaire Belloc: A Remaining Christmas, essay, published 1928 https://hearthandfield.com/a-remainin...
This is a reflection on the value of tradition and traditions and how much we loose when we no longer follow what binds the generations together.

Daily Advent and Christmas Reflections for Private Devotions
The following titles were suggested over the years but are hard to put in practice in a forum such as ours.

1. Edward Sri: The Advent of Christ: Scripture Reflections to Prepare for Christmas, 104 p, published 2013
2. John Paul Thomas: Advent and Christmas Reflections, 128 p, published 2016
3. Fulton Sheen: Advent Meditations with Fulton J. Sheen 32 p, mid-20th century

My gosh, time flies! Could I nominate Redeemer in the Womb: Jesus Living in Mary? I think it's a little over 180 pages. It was recently brought to my attention in an email from Bishop Barron.

I just got this non-fiction book as a gift. I had it in mind to be a Christmas reading: Saints and Sinners in the Cristero War: Stories of Martyrdom from Mexico.
Can I nominate it? :-)

Michael wrote: "I just got this non-fiction book as a gift. I had it in mind to be a Christmas reading: Saints and Sinners in the Cristero War: Stories of Martyrdom from Mexico.
Can I nominate it? :-)"

Does it have a Christmas theme? If it wasn’t clear, our Christmas read should be associate with the holiday in some way. Look at the books in Kerstin’s list. They are Christmas themed books.

Chirp is an audiobook seller, if you not come across them before, with very reasonable prices. They have a special on The Christmas Stories of Louisa May Alcott for $1.99. The book format is on Goodreads as well, The Christmas Stories of Louisa May Alcott

https://www.chirpbooks.com/audiobooks...

Michelle wrote: "My gosh, time flies! Could I nominate Redeemer in the Womb: Jesus Living in Mary? I think it's a little over 180 pages. It was recently brought to my attention in an email from Bisho..."

That looks great Michelle.

Manny wrote: "Does it have a Christmas theme? If it wasn’t clear, our Christmas read should be associate with the holiday in some way. Look at the books in Kerstin’s list. They are Christmas themed books."

OK, Manny, got it :-)

Thanks to Manny's tip and Kerstin's list, I looked for a more fitting book. I picked up this some time ago and haven't read it yet. It's about the Truce of 1914, when some opposing soldiers stopped fighting to celebrate Christmas during World War I. I think it would be a nice reading: Silent Night: The Remarkable Christmas Truce of 1914 :-)

Oh that’s a good one Michael. I’m surprised it’s not already on our list. I’m sure Kerstin will add it.

Michael wrote: "Thanks to Manny's tip and Kerstin's list, I looked for a more fitting book. I picked up this some time ago and haven't read it yet. It's about the Truce of 1914, when some opposing soldiers stopped..."

Oh, that looks good...

Manny wrote: "Oh that’s a good one Michael. I’m surprised it’s not already on our list. I’m sure Kerstin will add it."

This is why I ask ;-)

Michelle wrote: "My gosh, time flies! Could I nominate Redeemer in the Womb: Jesus Living in Mary? I think it's a little over 180 pages. It was recently brought to my attention in an email from Bisho..."

This would also be good to read starting with the Annunciation March, 25th. Just a thought...

Michelle wrote: "Oh, that looks good..."

Manny wrote: "Oh that’s a good one Michael. I’m surprised it’s not already on our list. I’m sure Kerstin will add it."

Good, then! I'm glad. :-)

Kerstin, here's another for your list, though I'm not nominating. Washington Irving (author of Rip Van Winkle and The Legend of Sleeping Hallow) has a book of essays I guess they would be on Christmas traditions of his day. Old Christmas: From the Sketch Book.

Also Chirp, the audiobook company I mentioned above, has the audio of it on sale for 99 cents.

https://www.chirpbooks.com/audiobooks...

Manny wrote: "Kerstin, here's another for your list, though I'm not nominating. Washington Irving (author of Rip Van Winkle and The Legend of Sleeping Hallow) has a book of essays I guess they would be on Christ..."

I just realized I've read this before! It is lovely.

Here's another to add to your list. It was just re-published by Word on Fire, so not available in paperback yet. Perhaps for next year if hardcover is too pricey. It is available on kindle.
Redeemer in the Womb: Jesus Living in Mary

Here is the updated nominations list for the Christmas Read. Sorry it is a day late.
Please nominate the title you wish to read for Christmas. We'll keep the nominations going until Saturday (16th) and/or we have eight titles.

Suggestions for Group Read:
Of the books/stories I have read I’ve added a short synopsis or comment.

Fiction:
1. Truman Capote: A Christmas Memory, 48 p, published 1956 http://www.sailthouforth.com/2009/12/...
2. G.K. Chesterton: The Shop of Ghosts, 2-4 p, part of Tremendous Trifles published 1909
3. Charles Dickens: A Christmas Carol, 104 p, published 1843
The perennial favorite and probably known by most. It contains deeply Christian elements that are not often actively explored in our current culture.
4. Charles Dickens: The Chimes, 116 p, published 1844 (the story is usually published as part of a compilation)
5. Arthur Conan Doyle: The Adventure of the Blue Carbuncle - a Sherlock Holmes Short Story, 72 p, published 1892
6. Selma Lagerlöf: The Holy Night, 40 p, published 1904
7. George MacDonald: At the Back of the North Wind, 346 p, 1871
8. Nikolai Gogol: The Night Before Christmas, 65 p, published 1832
A perennial favorite in Russia. In this humorous tale Gogol explores the fallen weaknesses of man.
9. E.T.A. Hoffmann: The Nutcracker and the Mouse King, 196 p, published 1816
10. J.R.R. Tolkien: Letters from Father Christmas, 111 p, 1920s – 1940s
This is an epistolary collection. Tolkien had three children, and each Christmas he would write a letter from Father Christmas accompanied with a watercolor painting.
11. Fyodor Dostoevski: The Heavenly Christmas Tree, 12 pages, published 1876
Without giving anything away, this story has the feel of a Hans Christian Anderson story.
12. Willa Cather: Shadows on the Rock, 229 pages, published 1931
13. Raymond MacDonald Allen: Why the Chimes Rang, 4 pages, published 1908
High, high up in a church steeple is a set of wondrous chiming bells. They used to always ring on Christmas, but for many, many years they have been silent. Nobody knows how to make them ring again.
14. Louisa May Alcott: The Christmas Stories of Louisa May Alcott 252 p, compiled 2014


Non-Fiction:

1. Augustine: Christmas Sermons 189 and 194, 4th century, (need to find texts)
2. Benedict XVI: The Blessing of Christmas: Meditations for the Season, 140 p, published 2005
These are seven meditations for Advent and Christmas filled with the beauty and depth characteristic of Pope Benedict XVI.
3. Leo the Great: Christmas Sermons (sermons 21 – 28), 5th century, http://www.newadvent.org/fathers/3603...
4. Francis de Sales: The Sermons of St. Francis de Sales: For Advent and Christmas, 160 p, 16th / 17th century
5. Dietrich Bonhoeffer: The Mystery of Holy Night, 48 p, 1930s / 1940s
6. William P. Saunders: Celebrating a Merry Catholic Christmas: A Guide to the Customs and Feast Days of Advent and Christmas, 179 p, published 2018
7. Dwight Longenecker: The Secret of the Bethlehem Shepherds, 144 p, published 2022
8. Elizabeth Lev: The Silent Knight: A History of St. Joseph as Depicted in Art, 277 p, published 2021
9. Alfonso Maria de Lugouri: Eight Meditations on the Great Mystery of the Incarnation of the Eternal Word For the First Eight Days of Advent, kindle edition, no page numbers
10. Caryll Houselander: The Reed of God, 187 pages, published 1944
11. St Athanasius: On the Incarnation, 120 pages, 4th century
12. Hilaire Belloc: A Remaining Christmas, essay, published 1928 https://hearthandfield.com/a-remainin...
This is a reflection on the value of tradition and traditions and how much we loose when we no longer follow what binds the generations together.
13. Stanley Weintraub: Silent Night: The Remarkable Christmas Truce of 1914, 256 p, published 2001
14. Washington Irving: Old Christmas: From the Sketch Book, 65 p, published 1820
Here is my goodreads review: This book is a lovely, leisurely walk down the Christmas memory lane of Regency England. Published in 1820, it tells of the merriment of Christmas at an estate that still treasured customs of days gone by.
15. John Saward: Redeemer in the Womb: Jesus Living in Mary, 184 p, published 1993

I am going to nominate the John Saward book, Redeemer in the Womb: Jesus Living in Mary

Thanks, Kerstin. Here my nominations At the Back of the North Wind and Silent Night: The Remarkable Christmas Truce of 1914

Manny! You stole my nomination right out of my hands 😂 In that case, I'll nominate The Mystery of Holy Night.

Maybe I shouldn't have nominated two books at once. Sorry :-P
If I have to choose: Silent Night: The Remarkable Christmas Truce of 1914

Michelle wrote: "Manny! You stole my nomination right out of my hands 😂 In that case, I'll nominate The Mystery of Holy Night."

I’m sorry. I wanted to get the nominations started.

Hi everybody, so sorry I am a bit confused on the voting process! Now we are voting for books that are going to be nominated, and then we will vote on the actual Christmas read?

Ellie wrote: "Hi everybody, so sorry I am a bit confused on the voting process! Now we are voting for books that are going to be nominated, and then we will vote on the actual Christmas read?"

Oh, once the nominations are over this week, Kerstin or I will set up a poll to vote. So nominations through Saturday and next week we'll have a poll up to vote. The poll will last a week.

Michael wrote: "Maybe I shouldn't have nominated two books at once. Sorry :-P
If I have to choose: Silent Night: The Remarkable Christmas Truce of 1914"

Yes, that is correct. One nomination per person.

The poll is up for the Christmas Read 2024

https://www.goodreads.com/poll/list/4...

We had three titles and I've added another. The poll will be up for a full week until Monday, November 25th.

Thanks Kerstin.

Thanks, Kerstin!

Too late for this year but in the future you might want to add this to your Christmas list. The Saintmaker's Christmas Eve. Paul Horgan is a very good Catholic author of both fiction and history. You can read about him in his Wikipedia entry.
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paul_...

My vote goes to Mystery of Holy Night. There's a movie out about Bonhoeffer that looks interesting.

I hope we read the Bonhoeffer book at another time. He was a truly heroic figure in the history of Hitler’s Germany.

Madeleine wrote: "My vote goes to Mystery of Holy Night. There's a movie out about Bonhoeffer that looks interesting."

I bought a copy last year after our Christmas poll. Unfortunately there wasn't a kindle version so I had to buy the physical copy. My eyes like the kindle much more.

We have a clear winner. Let me jump n here for Kerstin. Redeemer in the Womb has won. Let me send a PM to everyone since there are no email notifications. We can go out and get the book in about a week well be reading it. Either Kerstin or I will put out a reading schedule.

Great news! This one does have a kindle version for those needing to know.

Michelle wrote: "Great news! This one does have a kindle version for those needing to know."

Yes, I just sent out links in a PM to the entire club.

Manny wrote: "Yes, I just sent out links in a PM to the entire club."

Got it! Thanks Manny.

Fr. Richard wrote: "Thanks, Manny. John Saward taught me in the seminary. He's a fine teacher and a good man."

Oh that’s fantastic.

Hi everybody! I don't know if I'm allowed to say this, but Internet Archive has the book for free!! Unfortunately, I'm not able to buy the book (my student budget is limited!), and while this option is a bit inconvenient, I was able to download it in a PDF version! (it's not downloadable from the site proper, but I found a way around it, so if somebody wants the document, I can provide it via email) I hope this helps somebody and I hope you won't condemn me for stealing books like this, haha!

Ellie wrote: "Hi everybody! I don't know if I'm allowed to say this, but Internet Archive has the book for free!! Unfortunately, I'm not able to buy the book (my student budget is limited!), and while this optio..."

I'm telling, Ellie :)

That's wonderful Ellie. Students are so ingenious!

Ellie wrote: "Hi everybody! I don't know if I'm allowed to say this, but Internet Archive has the book for free!! Unfortunately, I'm not able to buy the book (my student budget is limited!), and while this optio..."

Great Ellie! Famine breeds innovation :-)

Ellie wrote: "Hi everybody! I don't know if I'm allowed to say this, but Internet Archive has the book for free!! Unfortunately, I'm not able to buy the book (my student budget is limited!), and while this optio..."

Of course you can use Internet Archive. I've done so many times over the years.

After a very busy Thanksgiving week I am fully back now :-) I hope all of you had a wonderful day with your families and friends. I am looking forward to this read!