Areopagus Volume LXXV

Seven short lessons every someday.

Welcome one and all to the seventy fifth volume of the Areopagus. Winter is at the door; the Solstice has passed and with it many an ancient festival is upon us. Jollity, mystery, sanctity, loneliness, passion — 'tis a season for feelings many and all deep. It was John Milton that first came to mind when, in the cheerful chaos of London, I saw the Christmas lights today:

Ring out ye crystal spheres!
Once bless our human ears
(If ye have power to touch our senses so)
And let your silver chime
Move in melodious time,
And let the bass of Heav'n's deep organ blow;
And with your ninefold harmony
Make up full consort to th'angelic symphony.

Winter is also, I dare say, a time for reading. Long nights, if not by the fire then at least by the lamp, and a book on the lap. Or, in the 21st century, a digital device! Times change and we cannot but go with the tides. Another Volume of the Areopagus washes in on the waves of the world wide web...