possible, not probable

…it was supposedly not possible,

to survive the fireswamp

but Westley and the Princess did

therefore, we must regard this – the traversing of the fireswamp, as possible, despite its improbability

this is our only option – which is why mesez must, if we adhere to intellectual honesty…

‘nobody survives the fireswamp,’ is a misstatement (a false declaration)

despite this – simple, uninformed minds will remain intransigent

nobody survives the fireswamp

…which of course, leads us quite naturally to a consideration of Christmas

the story belongs to the Christian faith, and to some – both the account and the religious tradition are objectionable

critics and skeptics of Theism in general, and specifically that of Jesus Christ – His work of redemption and claim of deity, are nothing new

religious expressions have an uncanny provocative power to them

I vigorously defend the right of those who mock and deride Christianity – to ridicule and scoff the faith and the traditions and practices of those who assent to the Gospel

…for from what I gather, even God Himself permissively tolerates such defiance

and if God so permits this, His children ought to as well

eventually, we will discover how it all works out in the end

for now, we find ourselves only days away from the celebration – of Christ‘s birth

forces continue in retaliation, and freely alter the core of the tradition

…I pass this yard daily

snowmans, foxes, reindeer and giraffes

hot tea, cinnamon rolls and the morning news on CNN

rocks and rusty nails and plastic bags

secular manifestations bereft of meaning, essence and the sacred

…even Ben Franklin‘s postal service has usurped the tradition

these realities are inevitable, in a world indifferent, in a culture that appeals to man’s ego

when my soul enjoys those occasional moments of contemplation,

metries to appreciate their viewpoint

fellow humans who can take it or leave it – this fable of the Christ child

…admittedly, the account is as strange as it is mysterious

there’s a young Jewish girl who gets pregnant but is still a virgin…

there’s a great star that leads wise men to the remote location of His birth…

the might of Rome is disturbed, a census is taken, babies are put to the sword…

what Child is this?

rich with mention of Messiah, John the Baptist, Herod, Isaiah and the Hebrews

it’s worthy of a chuckle, hmmmm…

God occupies the uterus of a girl, is born of flesh as a man, is raised the son of a carpenter, wanders about the region Jerusalem healing the sick, casting out demons, feeding the multitudes, giving sight to the blind, raising the dead and walking on water…

and then,

His own people – the Jews, have Him executed (crucified) but He rises from the grave (oh, right…) and ascends into heaven, promising ‘I shall return‘

this…

all of this is to wash away our sin and heal the rift of alienation from the Heavenly Father

a strange tale indeed

and one that some assert is anathema to the bonum publicum

which leads me to ask,

on the eve of His birth, that Silent, Holy Night…

what’s your take on all of this?

the virgin Mary and Joseph gazing with amazement at the Christ child who lay sleeping in a makeshift manger…

or Snoopy, the giraffe and a cute little furry fox?

the nature of faith is mysterious indeed

St. Luke writes of angels, a great company of them – who appeared…

and they were singing ( a noise – very splendid, audible and magnificent )

Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men, on whom His favor rests

the Christian season of Advent isn’t very probable,

but is it possible?

be it a Winter holiday or reverence for the birth of The Saviour

may yours be sweet and tender, warm and cozy, steep with nourishment for your soul

Merry Christmas!

on earth peace to men, on whom His favor rests.

Tom