CENTENNIAL OF THE CHRISTMAS TRUCE
100 years ago, many British, German and French men laid down their guns in what became known as The Christmas Truce across the muddy trenches of World War I. Please, help us lift up that dramatic impulse toward peace by reading these stories and sharing them with friends:
- INTERFAITH PEACEMAKERS—Start here to see all of the inspiring World War I stories collected by peacemaker and author Daniel Buttry. Then, within that series, here is Buttry’s column (with several videos) that tells the story of The Christmas Truce.
- THE ANNIVERSARY—Stephanie Fenton’s Holidays column marks the centennial with two major headlines. First, she invites readers to enjoy a list of WWI feature films as recommended by Edward McNulty. Second, she reports on the controversy about the widely shared Sainsbury’s Christmas Truce advertisement. (Plus she shares that video.)
OUR VALUES: TASTE OF HOME
This week, sociologist Wayne Baker (the creator of the OurValues Project) is adding a new guide for group discussion to the resource page for his book, United America. It’s called “Taste of Home” and explores how talking about food traditions unlocks an appreciation of American Core Values. PLUS, this week’s OurValues series is publishing five delicious stories about food.
- PART 1—The story behind the American Christmas Ham.
- PART 2—What food makes you think of Freedom?
- PART 3—What food reminds you of a struggle to survive?
- PART 4—How foods build and define communities.
- PART 5—Want to build your own community? Make soup!
PRACTICE
‘PEACE-GIVING’
- GIFTS FOR 2015—Check out these books that are perfect for an inspiring new year.
- ‘CHANGING OUR MIND’—Evangelical ethicist David Gushee is a peacemaker calling for inclusion of LGBT Christians. This week, we thank Mennonite scholar Ted Grimsrud for publishing a thoughtful review of Gushee’s book in the website Thinking Pacifism.
- BULLYING IS NO LAUGHING MATTER—Get a copy of our anti-bullying comic book—a colorful volume showcasing dozens of beloved American comics. This week, our special comic section features: Pajama Diaries.
- SUZY FARBMAN—In Godsigns, she profiles Mosab Hassan Yousef, the Hamas insider who turned away from violence and is the subject of the upcoming DVD release, The Green Prince.
THE HOLIDAYS
- ALL THE HOLIDAYS—They’re easy to find at www.Interfaith Holidays.com
- SING ALONG WITH HANUKKAH—Jewish families still are lighting candles early this week, and our FaithGoesPop columnist Ken Chitwood brings us a delightful video parody of Tailor Swift’s Shake It Off.
- CHRISTMAS TRUCE—One of our stories is in this Holidays column.
- CHRISTMAS / NATIVITY—Our columnist spots some intriguing details and helpful online resources.
- KWANZAA—Learn about the values explored in this African-American festival.
- FEAST OF ST. STEPHEN—Remember Good King Wenceslaus? Stephanie Fenton tells about this venerable holiday, which includes mincemeat pie.
- NEW YEAR’S EVE—We’ve got the news, intriguing New Year’s Eve links and the story of American Watch Night, too.
- NEW YEAR’S DAY—It’s far more than a day to recover from parties. Stephanie Fenton’s column reports on Shogatsu in Japan as well as the Solemnity of Mary and the Feast of St. Basil.
FOOD, FILM,
POPULAR CULTURE
… AND MORE
- HAVE A SWEDISH CHRISTMAS—This week, our FeedTheSpirit column brings us a story from Kansas about the Swedish biscotti called Skorpor. And, of course, we have a delicious recipe as well!
- A SPECIAL DOSE OF HUMOR—We want to thank the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (a pioneering group battling this disease since the 1940s) for deciding to list Rodney Curtis’s unusually funny book about cancer, A ‘Cute’ Leukemia, in the group’s list of recommended resources. As we approach the new year, that book is a terrific, uplifting gift for a special person you might know.
- FLYING SPAGHETTI MONSTER? No kidding. Have you heard about all of the creative “alternative” holiday symbols that have accumulated this month? FaithGoesPop columnist Ken Chitwood is on the case!
- VISUAL PARABLES—Just a few days left for new subscribers to purchase a whole year of Edward McNulty’s popular monthly magazine, Visual Parables Journal, at $10 off the normal price.
- ‘THE HOMESMAN’—Faith and film writer Edward McNulty says you shouldn’t miss this gritty, suspenseful tale of the American West starring Tommy Lee Jones and Hillary Swank. (4.5 out of 5 stars)
- HOLIDAY MOVIES? Ed McNulty has you covered with reviews of all the major holiday releases. He does not like Exodus, dismissing it as “Gladiator Meets the Burning Bush” and giving only 2.5 out of 5 stars. But Ed highly recommends Into the Woods with 4.5 stars. And, he also likes the new Hobbit (4 stars), Unbroken (4 stars) and Annie (4 stars).
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