Monday Meals 2021

Part II of G. K. Chesterton on Christmas

December 13, 2021 • Kenwyn Trotter, Devin O'Donnell

This week we will consider the second part of an essay by G.K. Chesterton on celebrating Christmas. Chesterton makes the point that although there is indeed a cost to the joyous celebration of Christmas—the purchase of large amounts of food, the preparations for a proper feast, the travel to another's house, the mess of having people in your house—the cost is worth it. It's the point of a festivity. Celebrating divine things elevates man to his proper place, above the animals, yet just a little lower than the angels, and "crowned with glory and honor." Kenwyn Trotter reads Part II of G.K. Chesterton on Christmas.

What G.K. Chesterton says about "Christmas"

December 6, 2021 • Kenwyn Trotter, Devin O'Donnell

In this essay, Chesterton reminds us about the wisdom of waiting. With typical humor, he instructs us about the danger of trying to celebrate something before its time.

Even the Pagans knew Complaining Was Wrong

November 29, 2021 • Devin O'Donnell

Welcome to another Monday Meal for Nov. 29, 2021 AD. Given our recent holiday this past week, I want to read an article on thankfulness. This is something I wrote for my Classical Literature students called, “Even the Pagans Knew Complaining Was Wrong.” Enjoy!

A Portable Faith

November 15, 2021 • Devin O'Donnell

In today's Monday Meal, we hear the story of how the Lord blessed our 6th grade students with a new portable classroom. Turns out getting a new classroom is not as easy as you might think. Praise the Lord for His great kindness!

Leave It Better Than You Found It

November 1, 2021 • Ken Trotter

For today's Monday Meal, Ken Trotter, the Dean of Upper School at The Oaks, joins us to read an article from "The Mighty Oaks Foundation." The title is the theme of our school culture this year: "Leave It Better Than You Found It."

The Real and the Fake

October 18, 2021 • Devin O'Donnell

Why does a "Rhetoric" school matter? Why do we bother to hold programs such as "music" or "art"? Today’s Monday Meal comes from an article I wrote on why creating beautiful things matters to classical Christian education. As you know, we place great value on the arts, with our Conservatory, Visual Art courses, Theatre, etc. Hopefully, this article explains why we do this. Enjoy.

Gratitude: The Road Less Traveled (Part 2)

October 4, 2021 • Ben Palpant

Sustainable nourishment for the long-distance journey. In today's Monday Meal, Ben Palpant follows up with another great article on "gratitude." He offers a great example of how family's can practice this virtue together in their homes.

Blessed Are They Who Can't Fully Explain Their Child's Classical Education

September 27, 2021 • Devin O'Donnell

Often parents find it difficult to explain their child's classical Christian education. Today I read an article encouraging parents that that's okay.

Gratitude: The Road Less Traveled

September 20, 2021 • Ben Palpant

In this the first our Monday's Meals this year, poet and author Ben Palpant discusses the value of gratitude.

The Oaks Classical Christian Academy

Food for the good fight