Another year bites the dust, a great and peaceful New Year to everyone! And lets cut the hate and find the things we agree upon --while we're here. A peaceful New Year....!
Perhaps, use the example of "It's a Wonderful Life" - and this Christmas, think about the effect you've had on the lives of those you love, and their lives on you.
If you want a compelling story about the spirit of Christmas, all the more compelling because it is true, a would urge all of you to go to antiwar.com and read the the late William Norman Grigg’s article The Christmas Truce of World War I. Peace on earth and goodwill towards men. The men in the trenches of WWI, both German and British acted on this principle not only by their words but by their deeds. Action from principle, that is what Henry David Thoreau advocated in his essay Civil Disobedience. This would seem all the more important for a principle that many people hold as holy writ. If only men would act on principle, like those men in the trenches of WWI did, not just on Christmas, but everyday of their lives then indeed we could have peace on earth and goodwill towards men.
And from one of my favorite Star Wars characters "There has been a great disturbance in the Force". I used this with a younger group of Palestinian supporters and it did not seem to resonate with them, but I think world-wide support for Palestine is growing because timeless stories reflect a genuine caring for each other.
Yes, Bill, you are so right. Peace should be on everyone's lips every day of the week. I have my own message of hope. This is my holiday greeting card to the world, a song I wrote several years ago, performed by my wife and I here in my home studio. May I wish the best year ever for you, those you love, and the many admirers you have here!
If only amid the consumption and spending frenzy there would be a thought for the kind of life that Jesus proposed and lived. People are so eager to find other intelligent life in the universe and yet from what I can see, Jesus is as alien to how we live as an alien from outer space could be. All we have in common with him is that he looked human like we do.
Virgin birth? Miracles? Nonsense. What is believable because realistic about the story of Jesus is that he was executed by his fellow men. One can say he was deluded, thinking he was the son of god, but what strikes me as odd is this delusion resulted in him modeling a behavior that was kind to others and asked nothing of people but that they see beyond themselves.
His philosophy is symbolized by his rejection of wealth because wealth is obtained at the expense of others. Capitalism is excused by us under the idea that people only buy what they want. Overlooked is that material desire is deliberated stoked to create every want, far beyond any need. We now have an incoming administration of millionaires and billionaires as "leaders"
Jesus tried and failed. The proof is in what Christmas is today, a blizzard of materialism and excitement over things with the holiday standing out as the top consumer spending binge of every year. Jesus set out to save. Trump vows to punish. What a world we live in and consider normal.
Possibly a Historical Jesus existed the Supernatural elements though miracles, & the resurrection to me anyway cannot be ascertained as really happened. So to me they must be a matter of faith to believers...This is Lifes Ultimate Question! Jesus, God, & the Holy Spirit do they exist?
I feel much the same, Bill. My Christmas cards mainly feature one message from me: Peace. And wishing it to you, and everyone else here will have to substitute for the cards I'd otherwise like to send.
The Message that 1st Christmas Eve still resonates in People's hearts for these 2000 years later, but like Thanksgiving, it's concentrated and celebrated for that Day, but not practised with family, Friends and Strangers the rest of the Year by too many, making it ineffective putting Society on the right track;
And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying, Glory to God in the highest, and ON EARTH peace, good will toward men.
The Good Will and God Faith is lacking these Days!
Another year bites the dust, a great and peaceful New Year to everyone! And lets cut the hate and find the things we agree upon --while we're here. A peaceful New Year....!
Yes, and may God's kingdom come and His will be done, on earth as it is heaven. Thank you for your voice Bill.
And, peace to you.
Peace to all here as well. Merry Christmas.
Happy holidays to you!
Have a Happy Christmas of Peace, Love and Joy to all, and a Happy New Year of the Lord 2025!
Perhaps, use the example of "It's a Wonderful Life" - and this Christmas, think about the effect you've had on the lives of those you love, and their lives on you.
Merry Christmas.
If you want a compelling story about the spirit of Christmas, all the more compelling because it is true, a would urge all of you to go to antiwar.com and read the the late William Norman Grigg’s article The Christmas Truce of World War I. Peace on earth and goodwill towards men. The men in the trenches of WWI, both German and British acted on this principle not only by their words but by their deeds. Action from principle, that is what Henry David Thoreau advocated in his essay Civil Disobedience. This would seem all the more important for a principle that many people hold as holy writ. If only men would act on principle, like those men in the trenches of WWI did, not just on Christmas, but everyday of their lives then indeed we could have peace on earth and goodwill towards men.
Merry Christmas, Bill.
May you find peace always.
Thanks, Bill. Same to you! We need your support as much as you need ours.
Star Trek? Star Wars: Trust the Force!
Merry Christmas to you and all here.......
And from one of my favorite Star Wars characters "There has been a great disturbance in the Force". I used this with a younger group of Palestinian supporters and it did not seem to resonate with them, but I think world-wide support for Palestine is growing because timeless stories reflect a genuine caring for each other.
Dear Bill;
This is in regard to your earlier posting on language and the discussion about language in Thucydides. I want to refer you to a recent Mondoweiss article about the PA in Jenin: https://mondoweiss.net/2021/12/nizar-banat-extrajudicial-killing-is-just-the-tip-of-palestinian-authority-corruption/--especially to the section on the language of Abu Mazen's 'honesty.' I would be very interested in your response to it.
Aside from that, I do very much wish you happy holidays and all of us a peaceful new year, however impossible that seems.
beth
For some reason the link you provided gives me an error message, Beth.
Happy holidays to you as well.
Dear Bill;
Not sure what happened. I also get a 'page not found' notice, Here is another excellent article on the same topic by Abdeljawad Omar: https://mondoweiss.net/2024/12/the-politics-of-betrayal-jenin-abbas-and-the-hellscape-of-gaza/?ml_recipient=141695844636165937&ml_link=141695788084365021&utm_source=newsletter&utm_medium=email&utm_term=2024-12-25&utm_campaign=Daily+Headlines+RSS+Automation. The relevant section on Abu Mazan's 'honesty' is actually in this essay, not the other. Or, if you like, here is Bethlehem Lutheran Pastor Munther Isaac on this year's Christmas: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PUYzd2Z1NyE. I wish I had more cheerful news to share--beyond the Palestinians' amazing persistence in the face of everything.
cheers,
beth
Yes, Bill, you are so right. Peace should be on everyone's lips every day of the week. I have my own message of hope. This is my holiday greeting card to the world, a song I wrote several years ago, performed by my wife and I here in my home studio. May I wish the best year ever for you, those you love, and the many admirers you have here!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DGXsZ3BsWjs
Good thoughts, Bill. Thanks.
If only amid the consumption and spending frenzy there would be a thought for the kind of life that Jesus proposed and lived. People are so eager to find other intelligent life in the universe and yet from what I can see, Jesus is as alien to how we live as an alien from outer space could be. All we have in common with him is that he looked human like we do.
Virgin birth? Miracles? Nonsense. What is believable because realistic about the story of Jesus is that he was executed by his fellow men. One can say he was deluded, thinking he was the son of god, but what strikes me as odd is this delusion resulted in him modeling a behavior that was kind to others and asked nothing of people but that they see beyond themselves.
His philosophy is symbolized by his rejection of wealth because wealth is obtained at the expense of others. Capitalism is excused by us under the idea that people only buy what they want. Overlooked is that material desire is deliberated stoked to create every want, far beyond any need. We now have an incoming administration of millionaires and billionaires as "leaders"
Jesus tried and failed. The proof is in what Christmas is today, a blizzard of materialism and excitement over things with the holiday standing out as the top consumer spending binge of every year. Jesus set out to save. Trump vows to punish. What a world we live in and consider normal.
Possibly a Historical Jesus existed the Supernatural elements though miracles, & the resurrection to me anyway cannot be ascertained as really happened. So to me they must be a matter of faith to believers...This is Lifes Ultimate Question! Jesus, God, & the Holy Spirit do they exist?
I testify they do, because of my personal experience I can't deny, my awareness changed suddenly, unexpectedly February 1, 1975 from Living BC to AD.
It took 36 years to understand why: https://rayjc.com/2011/12/25/day-of-awakening-david-vs-goliath-vs-armageddon/
I feel much the same, Bill. My Christmas cards mainly feature one message from me: Peace. And wishing it to you, and everyone else here will have to substitute for the cards I'd otherwise like to send.
The Message that 1st Christmas Eve still resonates in People's hearts for these 2000 years later, but like Thanksgiving, it's concentrated and celebrated for that Day, but not practised with family, Friends and Strangers the rest of the Year by too many, making it ineffective putting Society on the right track;
And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying, Glory to God in the highest, and ON EARTH peace, good will toward men.
The Good Will and God Faith is lacking these Days!
All so true, Ray. Peace to you; Peace on Earth.