Wise Words on Wednesday: The Christmas Paradox

“Christmas is built upon a beautiful and intentional paradox; that the birth of the homeless should be celebrated in every home.”
– G.K. Chesterton
"We are travellers…not yet in our native land" – St. Augustine

“Christmas is built upon a beautiful and intentional paradox; that the birth of the homeless should be celebrated in every home.”
– G.K. Chesterton

Matt and I wanted a little break, so today’s episode is a replay of our Christmas episode from last year. We’ll see you all in the New Year for Season 2 and “The Great Divorce”!
Episode 45: “Christmas Do-Over” (Download)
We praise thee, O God : we acknowledge thee to be the Lord.
All the earth doth worship thee : the Father everlasting.
To thee all Angels cry aloud : the Heavens, and all the Powers therein.
To thee Cherubim and Seraphim : continually do cry,
Holy, Holy, Holy : Lord God of Hosts;
Heaven and earth are full of the Majesty : of thy glory.
The glorious company of the Apostles : praise thee.
The goodly fellowship of the Prophets : praise thee.
The noble army of Martyrs : praise thee.
The holy Church throughout all the world : doth acknowledge thee;
The Father : of an infinite Majesty;
Thine honourable, true : and only Son;
Also the Holy Ghost : the Comforter.
Thou art the King of Glory : O Christ.
Thou art the everlasting Son : of the Father.
When thou tookest upon thee to deliver man : thou didst not abhor the Virgin’s womb.
When thou hadst overcome the sharpness of death :
thou didst open the Kingdom of Heaven to all believers.
Thou sittest at the right hand of God : in the glory of the Father.
We believe that thou shalt come : to be our Judge.
We therefore pray thee, help thy servants :
whom thou hast redeemed with thy precious blood.
Make them to be numbered with thy Saints : in glory everlasting.
[added later, mainly from Psalm verses:]
O Lord, save thy people : and bless thine heritage.
Govern them : and lift them up for ever.
Day by day : we magnify thee;
And we worship thy Name : ever world without end.
Vouchsafe, O Lord : to keep us this day without sin.
O Lord, have mercy upon us : have mercy upon us.
O Lord, let thy mercy lighten upon us : as our trust is in thee.
O Lord, in thee have I trusted : let me never be confounded.


Earlier this week, I posted the text of my acceptance speech for the Fiat Award which I received at the San Diego Young Adult Christmas Gala. One of my friends at the Christmas Gala recorded it all, as well as the introduction given by my friend Richael from Clumsy Theosis:

“In His kenosis is our theosis”
– Fr David Meconi

New book this week! Since The Lamp-post Listener have finished going through “The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe”, Matt and I thought we would devote an episode to discussing the themes and ideas found in this fantasy work which we see taught didactically in Mere Christianity. Since Matt hadn’t read the Chronicles of Narnia, it was also a perfect opportunity to begin to correct his deficient education…
Please send any objections, comments or questions, either via email through the new website or tweet us @pintswithjack or message us via Instagram!
Episode 44: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe (Download)