Project Gutenberg 2005-01-10 Public domain in the USA. 183 Bennett, Arnold 1867 1931 Bennett, Enoch Arnold Bennett, E. Arnold The Feast of St. Friend E-text prepared by Juliet Sutherland, Project Gutenberg Beginners Projects, "The Feast of St. Friend" by Arnold Bennett is a reflective essay on the traditions of Christmas, capturing the essence of goodwill and the impact of modernity on this cherished holiday. Written in the early 20th century, this work delves into the reasons behind the changes in how Christmas is celebrated, emphasizing its festival nature and the importance of community and personal relationships during this season. It serves as a philosophical exploration of the meaning of Christmas within the context of societal expectations, human connections, and the inherent need for celebration. The book unfolds in a series of thoughtful chapters, starting with the contrast between past and current Christmas experiences and exploring themes of faith, joy, and the significance of feasting. Bennett argues that while the spirit of Christmas may feel diminished in modern times, the underlying essence remains vital. He advocates for the revitalization of Christmas through the cultivation of goodwill and greater empathy towards others, encouraging readers not just to partake in the festivities but to engage with the spirit behind them. The narrative culminates in the idea that Christmas should be regarded as the "Feast of St. Friend," highlighting the importance of personal connections and the joy of togetherness in fostering a genuine understanding of one another, thus celebrating the true meaning of the holiday. (This is an automatically generated summary.) Reading ease score: 59.0 (10th to 12th grade). Somewhat difficult to read. en Christmas PR Text Christmas Category: Essays, Letters & Speeches Category: Philosophy & Ethics Category: Religion/Spirituality 100828 2025-08-06T10:45:24.057045 text/html 79453 2024-10-28T21:41:20 text/html 106039 2025-08-06T10:45:28.440040 application/epub+zip 106143 2025-08-06T10:45:25.822021 application/epub+zip 104568 2025-08-06T10:45:24.712016 application/epub+zip 213231 2025-08-06T10:45:30.385044 application/x-mobipocket-ebook 193608 2025-08-06T10:45:27.767041 application/x-mobipocket-ebook 154352 2022-09-07T17:37:19.777904 application/x-mobipocket-ebook 89466 2025-08-06T10:45:23.628044 text/plain; charset=us-ascii 69675 2024-10-28T21:41:20 text/plain; charset=us-ascii 16863 2025-08-06T10:45:30.520996 application/rdf+xml 12650 2025-08-06T10:45:25.217026 image/jpeg 3638 2025-08-06T10:45:24.970019 image/jpeg 102799 2025-08-06T10:45:24.069049 application/octet-stream application/zip Archives containing the RDF files for *all* our books can be downloaded at https://book.klll.cc/wiki/Gutenberg:Feeds#The_Complete_Project_Gutenberg_Catalog en.wikipedia