Let’s Get Practical

The great English writer, G. K. Chesterton, once was playing a little quiz game with some friends. One of the questions was, “If you were shipwrecked and alone on a deserted island, what one book, above all others, would you wish to have with you?” One of the players immediately said “The Bible,” and gave a very pious reason for his selection. Another said “A volume of Shakespeare,” and gave a very learned reason for wanting Shakespeare. Chesterton said, “Well, if I were allowed just one book on that deserted island, I would choose a one-volume manual of instruction for amateur boat-builders.” Chesterton was a very practical person.

As we move deeper into the Advent Season, the real preparation for Christmas Day must come not so much in putting the Spirit of Christmas into words, but into our everyday, practical life experience. No amount of pious words about Christmas can serve as an easy substitute for the experience of Christmas.

Practically speaking, we…