Thoughts & Updates

Epiphany, January 6th, is one of the greatest days in world history and now one of the worst in American. The magi, whose visit to the Christ child we celebrate on the 6th, take the news of Jesus’ birth out to the world. Epiphany celebrates the manifestation, the shining, of the light of Christ for all people.

January 6th will also now forever be remembered as the day rioters chanting “Four more years,” carrying Trump 2020 flags, overran the capitol. These individuals bear responsibility for their actions. President Trump also bears responsibility. Republican US Representative Liz Cheney, from Wyoming, daughter of former Vice President Dick Cheney, told Fox News. “The president incited the mob. He lit the flame.” Five people are now dead, one from gunfire, three due to medical emergencies, and one from injuries. The halls of congress have been looted. Our democracy damaged. These actions must be condemned.

The other day I was at Vom Fass, Julie Ginsler’s wonderful shop in Cary, talking about Christmas dinner. She and Bill are planning to have their famous crab dip appetizer, followed by roasted cauliflower prime rib, twice baked potato and Boston cream pie. Cindy is planning to make a delicious vegetarian lasagna for us! Many households today include other delicacies instead of or in addition to the traditional Christmas menu.

This past year has been hard. We have all struggled to varying degrees with wearing masks, social distancing, and the loss of our accustomed routines and ways of interacting with one another.

Yesterday, birds were everywhere in the backyard. Ever since getting a few birdfeeders, I’ve noticed that shortly before a storm they disappear. They flock back, once it’s over. Without satellite imagery, radar or sophisticated computer modelling, birds know rain is coming.

Tiny birds have incredible abilities. They sense changes in barometric pressure and hear sound waves below the limits of human ability. They actually hear a large storm approaching. Many bird species also see ultraviolet light. Our eyes have three cones, enabling us to see red, green and blue. They have a fourth for UV.  Birds see the world in a way we can’t imagine.

 The fall colors were more vivid than usual this year. It was as if God, like an abstract expressionist painter, wildly threw reds, yellows and oranges all around. Or, perhaps, God simply revealed the colors that had been there all along.

Of course, there is a scientific explanation. The combination of warm days and cool nights produced brighter colors.

I’ve been thinking about Christmas. You might be wondering if I’m having an escapist fantasy, longing for a happy time without COVID-19. That might be part of it, but I’m thinking about Christmas, because every year whether or not I’m ready, Christmas arrives. It doesn’t matter how many or few Christmas cards I mailed, whether or not I found the perfect gift for Cindy, or if I’m feeling the spirit of the season.

Although we don’t think about it at Easter, since we’re not under the same pressure to buy gifts, decorate and mail cards, the same is true for it. Neither the birth of Jesus nor His resurrection depend us. They happened. Jesus was born! Christ has risen!

The start of a new year is a hopeful time! The year ahead is full of possibility. Each of us wants to have a great year. Faith can show us how to have one, because God created each of us with unique gifts and abilities.

If you want to have a great year, perhaps, your  best ever, reflect on what you’ve enjoyed doing most in your life. These are your keys to a great year. Focus on doing more of them in 2020.

In a board room, a person defiantly states to the suits around the table that they should call their party a Christmas party instead of a Winter Gala. They should also give baskets to the homeless instead of spending money on food and drink because “giving defines Christmas.” The only problem with this movie scene, which I saw last night, is giving doesn’t define Christmas.

Don’t get me wrong! I’m all in favor of giving, especially to those in need! Jesus said, “It is more blessed to give than to receive” (Acts 20:35). It’s simply that Christmas is about much more than giving. Giving at Christmas historically is a recent phenomenon.