On the Christian walk, in the words of CS Lewis: “Indeed, if we consider the unblushing promises of reward and the staggering nature of the rewards promised in the Gospels, it would seem that Our Lord finds our desires, not too strong, but too weak. We are half-hearted creatures, fooling about with drink and sex and ambition when infinite joy is offered us, like an ignorant child who wants to go on making mud pies in a slum because he cannot imagine what is meant by the offer of a holiday at the sea. We are far too easily pleased.”

On people, in the words of Jane Austen: “I do not want people to be agreeable, as it saves me the trouble of liking them.”

On twisting and shouting, in the words of The Beatles: “Well, shake it up, baby, now, (shake it up, baby) Twist and shout. (twist and shout) C’mon, c’mon, c’mon, c’mon, baby, now, (come on baby) Come on and work it on out. (work it on out).”

On the best Christmas quote ever, in the words of Dr. Seuss:“He puzzled and puzzled till his puzzler was sore. Then the Grinch thought of something he hadn’t before! Maybe Christmas, he thought, doesn’t come from a store. Maybe Christmas… perhaps… means a little bit more!”

On a close second to the above, in the words of Michael Scott – The Office Regional Manager: “Unbelievable. I do the nicest thing that anyone has ever done for these people and they freak out. Well, happy birthday, Jesus. Sorry your party’s so lame.”

On holiness in the here and now, in the words of Elizabeth Barrett Browning: “Earth’s crammed with heaven, And every common bush afire with God: But only he who sees takes off his shoes.”

On renown, in the words of the Psalmist: “Not to us, O Lord, not to us but to your name be the glory, because of your love and faithfulness.”