Merry Christmastide

From now on until next Monday, blogging will be light to non-existent. After that it will be hit and miss until the first of the year.  Thanks for all who have been coming by and taking part in this new community.  Things will unfold as I go and get better with the whole blogging thing.  I appreciate all the support and input.  Feel free to spread the word, comment, join as a Follower, and generally get the word out.  For my part, I'll try to make it worth your while.  In the meantime, have a joyous and blessed Christmas season.  Remember, it begins on the 25th, it doesn't end.  My family and I will be having wonderful celebrations, outings, feasts, and remembrances of the blessings God has given us this year.  For while we might find things we could complain about, globally speaking we have been blessed beyond measure.  So enjoy this Holy season with those you love and in ways that draw you closer to the One who has always loved you.  I leave you with the lyrics from one of my favorite carols.  Whenever I get to feeling down, worried about the world, economy, wars, and troubles that infect our age as they have every age, the poetic journey of the lyrics reminds us why in the face of the most troubling times, we can still retain that joy shared with the shepherds all those years ago.

I heard the bells on Christmas day
Their old familiar carols play,
And wild and sweet the words repeat
Of peace on earth, good will to men.

And thought how, as the day had come,
The belfries of all Christendom
Had rolled along the unbroken song
Of peace on earth, good will to men.

Till ringing, singing on its way
The world revolved from night to day,
A voice, a chime, a chant sublime
Of peace on earth, good will to men.

Then from each black, accursed mouth
The cannon thundered in the South,
And with the sound the carols drowned
Of peace on earth, good will to men.

It was as if an earthquake rent
The hearth-stones of a continent,
And made forlorn, the households born
Of peace on earth, good will to men.

And in despair I bowed my head
“There is no peace on earth,” I said,
“For hate is strong and mocks the song
Of peace on earth, good will to men.”

Then pealed the bells more loud and deep:
“God is not dead, nor doth He sleep;
The wrong shall fail, the right prevail
With peace on earth, good will to men.”

Merry Christmas to all!