Robin Baker offers a Reflection for Epiphany Although as Christians we have read St Matthew’s account of the magi’s adoration of Jesus many times, it is the traditions these exotic figures inspired that shape their image in our minds. [...]
John Gayford looks at how innocent children were put to death in the place of Christ by an evil king The only biblical account we have of the slaughter of the innocents by order of King Herod is in [...]
Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening by Robert Frost The American poet Robert Frost (1874–1963) was something of a laureate for the nation. The US Senate passed a resolution honouring his 75th birthday: ‘His poems have helped to [...]
Next to Nature A Lifetime in the English Countryside Ronald Blythe John Murray 2022 ISBN 9781399804677 Ronald Blythe will need no introduction for readers of the Church Times. For more than twenty years he contributed a short weekly article, [...]
Festus 2022 has been dominated by the Christ Church saga. The millionaire Martyn Percy has left the college, cathedral and Church of England itself but still blogs furiously for anyone willing to read his pearls of wisdom. He also [...]
Christopher Smith It’s nearly Christmas, and, by the time you read this, carol services will be in full swing and we will once again be bellowing those familiar verses. And, whilst we would ideally save all that until Christmastide [...]
Almost a thousand people gathered in York Minster on St Andrew’s Day for the consecration of Fr Stephen Race as the new Bishop of Beverley – an encouraging number for any new bishop, and especially those parishes which belong to [...]
Thurifer A correspondent writes, without comment: ‘Rosemary Hill, God’s Architect: Pugin and the Building of Romantic Britain [2008] p. 113: ‘ …with that Welby family talent of which Pugin himself was not devoid, for stating the uncomfortably obvious in [...]
Glyn Webster I retired in January this year with two farewell masses in Manchester and York. It was wonderful to see so many people at those services, in spite of the weather and distances. Although I have to admit [...]
Harri Williams commends the Life Profession of Br Michael Jacob SSF The prophet Micah challenged the people of Israel to consider what God required of them. The traditional offerings of calves, rams, oil, even one’s own firstborn were no [...]