Tuesday

Dec. 24, 1996

A Christmas Hymn

by Richard Wilbur

O Little Town of Bethlehem

by Phillips Brooks

TUESDAY 12/24

Today's Reading:"O Little Town of Bethlehem" by Phillips Brooks. "A Christmas Hymn" by Richard Wilbur from ADVICE TO A PROPHET & OTHER POEMS, published by Harcourt Brace & Co.

Today is the birthday of journalist I. F. Stone, born in Philadelphia in 1907.

Explorer and Indian scout Kit Carson was born on this day in 1809.

It's the birthday of English poet and critic Matthew Arnold born in Laleham, Surrey, 1822.

It was on this day in 1888 that Vincent van Gogh cut off his ear.

The Christmas holiday was a moveable feast up until the 6th century. Christmas was observed in New York beginning in the 17th century, although it was considered a crime in Massachusetts around that time, given the holiday's pagan origins.

Charles Dicken's story A CHRISTMAS CAROL was published in the United States in 1843 and became immensely popular.

Be well, do good work, and keep in touch.®

 

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