Eloquent Finds: Home for the Holidays

Greetings and Merry Christmas! :) What a whirlwind of a year 2016 has been on many fronts. If anyone had told me I’d travel across the world and back and then move 11 hours from my hometown this year I would have looked askance for sure. But I’m so glad I did all of that. The past few months have given me so many new friends, new purpose, a new church, and much refreshment. And I’ve found that it’s really true that absence makes the heart grow fonder, because I’m so glad to be home for Christmas for the next week or so and catching up with friends and family. I’ll be back before the end of the year with my must-have post about my favorite books of the year, but for now, here are some Christmasey Eloquent Finds to enjoy while sipping your hot beverage by the fire (or maybe a Coke by the pool if you live in the south). Merry Christmas to you and yours!

My wonderful FRC crew on our last day at the office together. Love them so!

Ladies' Christmas Tea at Capitol Hill Baptist

The True Story of Pain and Hope Behind “I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day” 
When I discover the history behind well-known hymns, their meaning becomes instantly richer and more moving. This is a great one of those histories as well as a poignant one for those who may find the holidays difficult. 

The Best Christmas Scenes in English Literature 
There are some pretty solid choices here. At first glance, I’d naturally add the Trenwith Christmas party in Winston Graham’s first Poldark book to the list. And perhaps the part in Jane Austen’s Emma when the near Christmas snow-in at the Westons’ leads to Mr. Elton’s notorious proposals. What would you add? 

[Official Video] “Hallelujah” – Pentatonix 
This isn’t officially a Christmas song, but it’s on Pentatonix’s new Christmas album and it is BRILLIANT. Beautiful, measured, powerful, harmonized, haunting, and much more describe it well.

Carrot Top Paper Shop 
If you’re celebrating Christmas late or for another reason you still have time to scrounge for last minute gifts, allow me to introduce my new favorite Etsy shop! It’s literary-themed and focused on many of the classics, especially classic heroines. Everything in it basically equals my Christmas lists for the next few years. 

The Modern Mrs. Darcy 2016 Gift Guide for Book Lovers 
Speaking of Christmas lists, this. This right here. Yes to everything in it. Just yes.

Jane Austen vs. Emily Brontë: The Queens of English Literature Debate 
Also not officially Christmas-themed, but I thoroughly enjoyed this lighthearted debate on whether Jane Austen or Emily Brontë was the better author. An expert argues in favor of each author and several gifted actors also participate by reading excerpts from the various novels. Poldark fans, we’re in luck! Our own Eleanor Tomlinson of Demelza fame brought her talent to the readings and she was a natural, even before Poldark when this took place :) The debate was fun to watch as a whole, and likely to no one’s surprise, I remained firmly in the Jane Austen camp from start to finish. 

There's no place like home for the holidays :) Have a great one, friends!