What We're Loving This Winter
What we're reading, enjoying, and can't stop talking about this winter
Like Advent, the season of winter is a season full of darkness, cold, and waiting. Winter creates limits–the days are shorter, we’re stuck inside, and the sun itself (or at least its warmth) is elusive. Often we can even be closed off in our own minds, as the dark and cold work their way inward.
But the story doesn’t end there. The limits aren’t just a challenge–they are an opportunity.
The constriction–of time, space, and everything we do with both–gives us a chance to work within it. To create concentrated warmth and cheer. To make rich food and hot drinks. To tell stories. To linger. To see each other more fully, in long conversations by the fire.
This is a poignant picture of the life of the church. We see darkness and cold all around us. But with our redeemed imaginations, we can not only acknowledge these things; we can live in intentional defiance of them, for the life of the world.
In this abbreviated quarter before we launch our first fully planned quarter in March, our content will focus on this theme–the reality of the darkness, but a calendar full of warmth, cheer, and hope that go out in defiance of it.
With that in mind, here is what we are loving this winter!
What We’re Reading This Winter
Brian Brown, Executive Director and Imagination Redeemed Host:
“Rejigging Christian Culture,” in Comment, by Peter Leithart
A Father’s Tale by Michael O’Brien
Anita Palmer, Senior Editor:
Waiting on the Word: A Poem a Day for Advent, Christmas, and Epiphany, by Malcolm Guite.
“I'm in my third year of keeping this small, beautiful book by my side during these contemplative seasons. Despite being an English lit major, my knowledge of poetry has always been weak. Using the genre as a way to be drawn closer to our Lord is a double win: I'm both exposed to the highest level of poetry (from Herbert to Cairns, Spencer to Lucy Shaw) and immersed in Guite's brilliant, gentle exposition.” —Anita Palmer
Sarah Howell, Managing Editor and Imagination Redeemed Cohost:
Small Things like These by Claire Keegan
The Last Leaf, O. Henry
Putting Art (Back) in Its Place, by John E. Skillen
“[Putting Art (Back) In Its Place] is an excellent book recounting the role art has played (and can play again) in community - particularly the community of the Church.” — Sarah Howell
Caroline Williams, Associate Editor:
The Wood at Midwinter by Susanna Clarke
Reclaiming Quiet by Sarah Clarkson
Culture Making by Andy Crouch
What We Can’t Stop Talking About This Winter
Brian:
I can’t stop talking about these courses by the Symbolic World. At the Anselm Society, we're big fans of The Symbolic World and Jonathan Pageau. We believe deeply that the world is full of meaning and points to the nature of its Creator, and Jonathan is one of the best voices out there for actually unpacking the details of that, as well as telling new stories rooted in the ancient traditions.
Anita:
I can’t stop thinking about the rebirth of Notre-Dame de Paris, five years after a terrible fire gutted the magnificent 860-year-old Roman Catholic cathedral. The pageantry and symbolism of the opening services gripped my attention as I (and millions around the world) marveled at the restored architecture and artwork. I can’t get enough of the history and meaning in everything I’m seeing and hearing about the restoration. I’m in awe.
Sarah:
I can’t stop talking about 100 Days of Dante, the world’s largest Dante reading group!
Caroline:
Every winter, my friends will tell you that I do not stop talking about hygge and hunting for ways to defy seasonal depression. I loved this Time article and I’m finding so many new ways to add light and embrace winter, a season I used to dislike.
What We’re Enjoying This Winter
Brian:
Recipe: Gingerbread Latte Cookies (made these for our family and Arts Guild assistant director Gianna Soderstrom’s family, and they didn’t last long!)
Anita:
Listening and relistening to the choral work and the performances in honor of the reopening services of Notre-Dame de Paris, notably cellist Yo-Yo Ma, young singer Pretty Yende singing “Amazing Grace,” and even Pharrell Williams singing "Happy" backed by the Voices of Fire gospel chorus.
Sarah:
Biola’s Advent Project, bringing together visual art, music, poetry, and scriptures in meditation on Christ’s coming!
Caroline:
This podcast episode featuring Malcolm Guite: “Incarnation and Imagination”
Making lattes at home, like this maple sea salt recipe
Which items on this list stand out to you? Do you have your own recommendations? Let’s continue the conversation in the comments below!