One reason for the great popularity of the children’s classic Goodnight Moon is that it’s really a prayer—a nighttime prayer of thanksgiving, a gentle, joyous litany of ordinary blessings.
Author Archives: Mike Mason
Habakkuk: Prophet of Faith and Joy
Years ago my friend John had a life-changing encounter with the book of Habakkuk, an experience he recalls with deep gratitude to this day. At a point in his life when he was full of confusion and distress, in one great insight he moved from doubting God to praising Him.
Brand New Things for a Happy New Year: A 30-Day Experiment
My house overlooks the beautiful Muskoka River. Since moving here three years ago, I’ve made a practice in my morning quiet time of gazing out the window (or in good weather, sitting outside) to enjoy the beauties of nature, and waiting for—and expecting—something unusual to strike my attention.
Spooky Santa: My New Christmas Story!
In early December the Reverend Philip Croswell stood at the front window watching a light snow sift through the darkening day. At least, Alice assumed he was watching the snow, until he spoke.
Advent with Evelyn Underhill: The Music of Reality
Evelyn Underhill was a wonderful spiritual writer and teacher from a century ago. Last year during Advent I greatly enjoyed a little book called Advent with Evelyn Underhill. Here’s just a sample:
In the Stillness of the Night: A Christmas Story
In 2014 I published a book of Christmas stories entitled Twenty-One Candles. To mark the beginning of Advent, what follows is an excerpt from my favorite story in that collection, “In the Stillness of the Night.” All you need to know is that the main character, Paul, is falling in love with a Polish woman, Agnieszka.
The Castle and the Shed: A Parable
A man lived all alone in a beautiful castle. His fortress had sturdy walls of stone, many towers with fine turrets, a moat and drawbridge, and a parapet with a long walkway.
Saint Dave: Memories of a Childhood Friend
My childhood friend, Dave Raymond, died at 67, having spent his last decade struggling with a rare neurological disorder called Primary Progressive Aphasia (PPA), which gradually destroys a person’s ability to understand language. When Dave finally lost all ability to communicate either with spoken or written words, he became a prisoner in his own body.
Unknown Martyrs: Saint Mehdi (Iran)
Artist Paul Hobbs has produced a series of thirteen ‘icons’ honoring Unknown Martyrs: ordinary Christians who have been persecuted for their faith.
Predestined to Freedom: A Poetic Parable
Here’s my attempt to resolve, in a poetic parable, that old riddle of predestination versus free will. See what you think. (By the way, alia iacta est is Latin for “the die is cast”.)