It is often observed by foreigners in China that the “love language” of 1.4 billion Chinese people is giving gifts. Gifts are given when visiting someone’s home, when returning home from travel, as a way to express concern for one’s health, or as a way to say “thank you” (to name just a few examples)….
Month: December 2020
Favorite Books of 2020
Once again this year, I set a goal of reading 50 books. With just a few more days to go, I should be able to reach it. Some books were more memorable than others, of course. Herewith, then, is the list of my ten favorites (in alphabetical order): American Nations: A History of the Eleven…
Final Christmas Hymns
To end the Christmas season, Gracie has has chosen 4 carols: While Shepherds Watched Their Flocks by Night; What Child is This, O Come, Angels from the Realms of Glory; O Come, O come, Immanuel; O Come, All Ye Faithful See you next year!
Christmas Bells
Gracie wishes you all a Merry Christmas. She loves playing hymns for you every week. On this Christmas Day, she shares one of her favorite carols: I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day. The lyrics were written by the great American poet Henry Wadsworth Longfellow. Writing for The Gospel Coalition, Justin Taylor provides this background…
Hymns for Christmas Eve
Before we headed back up to the the North Shore for the weekend, trying to outrace a blizzard (we succeeded), Gracie recorded this collection of carols for Christmas Eve. (email readers, please go here to see the video) Watch for a special song tomorrow.
Mandarin Christmas Medley
One of my favorite YouTube channels for learning Chinese is Chinese Buddy Songs. It uses quirky songs and animation to teach basic Chinese words, phrases, and structures. Chinese Buddy is the brainchild of a New Zealander named Timothy. He is a trained musician and is passionate about “using music and technology to grow Mandarin learning.” Awhile…