And a Merry Christmas to All!

The first service of religion is to show to man, "isolated in the universe and unable to compare himself to anything," "how much he cost." The sacrifice of the god himself demonstrates "the enormity of the crime that demanded such an expiation; the inconceivable grandeur of the being that could have committed it; the infinite price of the victim who said here I am."

The inconceivable grandeur of man that required to redeem it an infinite price is emphasized all the more when Maistre cites Aeschylus's Prometheus: "Look at me, it is a God who has made a God die."

- A Modern Maistre: The Social and Political Thought of Joseph de Maistre

    O holy night! The stars are brightly shining,
    It is the night of our dear Saviour's birth.
    Long lay the world in sin and error pining,
    'Til He appear'd and the soul felt its worth.
    A thrill of hope the weary world rejoices,
    For yonder breaks a new and glorious morn.

        Fall on your knees! O, hear the angel voices!
        O night divine, the night when Christ was Born;
        O night, O holy night, O night divine!

    Led by the light of faith serenely beaming,
    With glowing hearts we stand by the Babe adored.
    O'er the world a star is sweetly gleaming,
    And come now, Shepherds, from your flocks unboard.
    The Son of God lay thus w'thin lowly manger;
    In all our trials born to be our Lord.

        He knows our need, our weakness never lasting,
        Behold your King! By Him, let Earth accord!
        Behold your King! By Him, let Earth accord!

- O Holy Night (composite of first and second versions), Christmas Carol


[Picture credit: Flickr: Matilde]

And for the Bodega Boys:


[Photo Credit: Amusing Pics]

Have a good one!