If you are a fan of G.K. Chesterton, you are likely familiar with his book titled Orthodoxy: The Romance of Faith. The quote on this little mug is from the chapter called "The Ethics of Elfland." I relate deeply to this particular chapter! If you would like to find out why, please read on and do visit us again!
Dear Reader,
Do you ever feel like this modern and scientific world is a bit of a sham? Or, I should say, worldview instead of world. The world is a beautiful and magical creation, but moderns tend to take that away and turn the miracle of life into mindless chemical reactions from time immemorial with no purpose and no meaning—this idea has led to many devastating consequences.
G.K. Chesterton had something to say about this. He says, “This modern universe [modern idea of the universe] is literally an empire; that is, it is vast, but it is not free.” His own senses told him otherwise. He realized that his old fairytales were more true in their perception of reality. There was something “magical” about existence, something “economical” even. He writes, “For economy is far more romantic than extravagance. To them (moderns) stars were an unending income of halfpence; but I felt about the golden sun and silver moon as a schoolboy feels if he has one soverign and one shilling.”
He also says that the world does appear to be a work of art and that there is someone speaking to us through the miracle of creation.
And that brings us to another idea—one Chesterton calls “the fairy feeling about strict limits and conditions.” We know deep in our souls that we are not truly free without limtitations. This sounds counterintuitive, but it is true. There are laws, which can be broken. And as we learn in fairyland, our joy rests on what Chesterton calls an “incomprehensible condition.”
He writes, “A box is opened, and all evils fly out. A word is forgotten, and cities perish. A lamp is lit, and love flies away. A flower is plucked, and human lives are forfeited. An apple is eaten, and the hope of God is gone.”
That story, and it is what I call the Grand Story and J.R.R. Tolkien calls the “true myth,” goes on. That hope is rescued, but not without sacrifice.
These “limits and conditions” infer unfathomable value and purpose to our very existence, which should encourage us. We are meant for something we can scarcely understand! This is the true romance, the standard from which all romance is measured. The “true myth,” from which all myths glean their varied narratives. One can see shadows of truth in these stories, passed down through the years.
C.S. Lewis wisely states, “Someday you will be old enough to read fairytales again.” Perhaps that day is today!
Stay awe-struck and romanctic!
Nora Lamar
Shipping and Processing Time: There is no charge for shipping. The average shipping times in the U.S. are about 6-8 business days. This product is made especially for you as soon as you place an order, which is why it takes us a bit longer to deliver it to you. Making products on demand instead of in bulk helps reduce overproduction, so thank you for making thoughtful purchasing decisions!
Returns policy: All sales are final; however, if we made a mistake or the item arrived damaged, please contact us immediately. We want to make it right. Thank you so much!
Item description:
• Ceramic
• 11 oz mug dimensions: 3.74” (9.50 cm) in height, 3.15″ (8.00 cm) in diameter
• Lead and BPA-free material
• Dishwasher and microwave safe
• Blank product sourced from China
If you are a fan of G.K. Chesterton, you are likely familiar with his book titled Orthodoxy: The Romance of Faith. The quote on this little mug is from the chapter called "The Ethics of Elfland." I relate deeply to this particular chapter! If you would like to find out why, please read on and do visit us again!
Dear Reader,
Do you ever feel like this modern and scientific world is a bit of a sham? Or, I should say, worldview instead of world. The world is a beautiful and magical creation, but moderns tend to take that away and turn the miracle of life into mindless chemical reactions from time immemorial with no purpose and no meaning—this idea has led to many devastating consequences.
G.K. Chesterton had something to say about this. He says, “This modern universe [modern idea of the universe] is literally an empire; that is, it is vast, but it is not free.” His own senses told him otherwise. He realized that his old fairytales were more true in their perception of reality. There was something “magical” about existence, something “economical” even. He writes, “For economy is far more romantic than extravagance. To them (moderns) stars were an unending income of halfpence; but I felt about the golden sun and silver moon as a schoolboy feels if he has one soverign and one shilling.”
He also says that the world does appear to be a work of art and that there is someone speaking to us through the miracle of creation.
And that brings us to another idea—one Chesterton calls “the fairy feeling about strict limits and conditions.” We know deep in our souls that we are not truly free without limtitations. This sounds counterintuitive, but it is true. There are laws, which can be broken. And as we learn in fairyland, our joy rests on what Chesterton calls an “incomprehensible condition.”
He writes, “A box is opened, and all evils fly out. A word is forgotten, and cities perish. A lamp is lit, and love flies away. A flower is plucked, and human lives are forfeited. An apple is eaten, and the hope of God is gone.”
That story, and it is what I call the Grand Story and J.R.R. Tolkien calls the “true myth,” goes on. That hope is rescued, but not without sacrifice.
These “limits and conditions” infer unfathomable value and purpose to our very existence, which should encourage us. We are meant for something we can scarcely understand! This is the true romance, the standard from which all romance is measured. The “true myth,” from which all myths glean their varied narratives. One can see shadows of truth in these stories, passed down through the years.
C.S. Lewis wisely states, “Someday you will be old enough to read fairytales again.” Perhaps that day is today!
Stay awe-struck and romanctic!
Nora Lamar
Shipping and Processing Time: There is no charge for shipping. The average shipping times in the U.S. are about 6-8 business days. This product is made especially for you as soon as you place an order, which is why it takes us a bit longer to deliver it to you. Making products on demand instead of in bulk helps reduce overproduction, so thank you for making thoughtful purchasing decisions!
Returns policy: All sales are final; however, if we made a mistake or the item arrived damaged, please contact us immediately. We want to make it right. Thank you so much!
Item description:
• Ceramic
• 11 oz mug dimensions: 3.74” (9.50 cm) in height, 3.15″ (8.00 cm) in diameter
• Lead and BPA-free material
• Dishwasher and microwave safe
• Blank product sourced from China
