This page contains a single entry from the blog posted on December 25, 2011 12:01 AM.
The previous post in this blog was Cheers.
The next post in this blog is May your 'dogs be merry and bright.
Many more can be found on the main index page or by looking through the archives.
Now it came to pass in those days, there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus, that all the world should be enrolled. This was the first enrollment made when Quirinius was governor of Syria. And all went to enroll themselves, every one to his own city. And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judaea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and family of David; to enroll himself with Mary, who was betrothed to him, being great with child. And it came to pass, while they were there, the days were fulfilled that she should be delivered. And she brought forth her firstborn son; and she wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.
And there were shepherds in the same country abiding in the field, and keeping watch by night over their flock. And an angel of the Lord stood by them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid. And the angel said unto them, Be not afraid; for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy which shall be to all the people: for there is born to you this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord. And this is the sign unto you: Ye shall find a babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, and lying in a manger. 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 among men in whom he is well pleased."
And it came to pass, when the angels went away from them into heaven, the shepherds said one to another, Let us now go even unto Bethlehem, and see this thing that is come to pass, which the Lord hath made known unto us. And they came with haste, and found both Mary and Joseph, and the babe lying in the manger. And when they saw it, they made known concerning the saying which was spoken to them about this child. And all that heard it wondered at the things which were spoken unto them by the shepherds. But Mary kept all these sayings, pondering them in her heart. And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, even as it was spoken unto them.
Merry Christmas all. Great giving year, and not only at Jack's site. I saw it it happen at several other worthy locations like no other time before. Those with the means really stepped up for this tough holiday season.
Steve, no worries. All the really good atheists will get into Heaven too :)
And there were shepherds in the same country abiding in the field, and keeping watch by night over their flock.
And thus it became known that the infant Jesus was born in Spring,for lo,it is during the lambing season that shepherds abide in the field.
Yet we celebrate in late December as a means to avoid, chameleon-like, persecution - for in the great scheme of things, dates matter not; they are, after all, set by mortal Man.
The event itself is immortal; it is that which we celebrate and humbly honor.
Best wishes to all, and may you carry the spirit with you daily, regardless of what we refer to as "the present date".
Among biblical scholars of the non-literalist persuasion it is generally agreed that the Luke birth story is mythical, as is the Matthew birth story (which differs in many ways). Mark and John say nothing about Jesus' birth in their gospels.
But true Christian faith means you believe the message even if the story is not literally true.
Benjie, you're correct, believers BELIEVE what is revealed in the Bible, they don't think it mythical or 'not literally true.' "All scripture is inspired of God and beneficial for teaching ..." 2 Tim 3:16. Your 'biblical scholars of the non-literalist persuasion' might want to acquaint themselves with that scripture.
Thank you for sharing this. . . we had the good fortune to be in Merida Mexico for Christmas and popped into the cathedral on Christmas Eve. Even in my rusty Spanish, I could follow along as the bishop read this story. Wonderful.
Charamba, Douro 2008
Horse Heaven Hills, Cabernet 2010
Lorelle, Horse Heaven Hills Pinot Grigio 2011
Avignonesi, Montepulciano 2004
Lorelle, Willamette Valley Pinot Noir 2011
Villa Antinori, Toscana 2007
Mercedes Eguren, Cabernet Sauvignon 2009
Lorelle, Columbia Valley Cabernet 2011
Purple Moon, Merlot 2011
Purple Moon, Chardonnnay 2011
Abacela, Vintner's Blend No. 12
Opula Red Blend 2010
Liberte, Pinot Noir 2010
Chateau Ste. Michelle, Indian Wells Red Blend 2010
Woodbridge, Chardonnay 2011
King Estate, Pinot Noir 2011
Famille Perrin, Cotes du Rhone Villages 2010
Columbia Crest, Les Chevaux Red 2010
14 Hands, Hot to Trot White Blend
Familia Bianchi, Malbec 2009
Terrapin Cellars, Pinot Gris 2011
Columbia Crest, Walter Clore Private Reserve 2009
Campo Viejo, Rioja, Termpranillo 2010
Ravenswood, Cabernet Sauvignon 2009
Quinta das Amoras, Vinho Tinto 2010
Waterbrook, Reserve Merlot 2009
Lorelle, Horse Heaven Hills, Pinot Grigio 2011
Tarantas, Rose
Chateau Lajarre, Bordeaux 2009
La Vielle Ferme, Rose 2011
Benvolio, Pinot Grigio 2011
Nobilo Icon, Pinot Noir 2009
Lello, Douro Tinto 2009
Quinson Fils, Cotes de Provence Rose 2011
Anindor, Pinot Gris 2010
Buenas Ondas, Syrah Rose 2010
Les Fiefs d'Anglars, Malbec 2009
14 Hands, Pinot Gris 2011
Conundrum 2012
Condes de Albarei, Albariño 2011
Columbia Crest, Walter Clore Private Reserve 2007
Penelope Sanchez, Garnacha Syrah 2010
Canoe Ridge, Merlot 2007
Atalaya do Mar, Godello 2010
Vega Montan, Mencia
Benvolio, Pinot Grigio
Nobilo Icon, Pinot Noir, Marlborough 2009
Portuga, Rose 2011
Revelation, Chardonnay, Pays d'Oc 2010
Beaulieu, Cabernet, Rutherford 2005
Monte Alto, Tinto Reserva 2005
Chateau Ste. Michelle, Cabernet, Indian Wells 2009
Espiral, Vinho Rose
Vin-Koru, Pinot Gris 2011
14 Hands, Hot to Trot Red 2009
Rodney Strong, Cabernet, Sonoma 2009
Abacela, Vintner's Blend #11
Portuga, White 2010
La Bourgeoisie, Red 2009
Januik, Red 2009
Three Rivers, River's Red 2008
Kirkland, Alexander Valley Merlot 2008
Muga, Rioja Rose 2010
Quinta das Amoras, Vinho Tinto 2009
Mauro Molino, Barbera d'Alba 2009
Garda Chiaretto Rose
Columbia Crest, Two Vines Vineyard 10 White
Chateau Ste. Michelle, Pinot Gris, Columbia Valley 2009
L'Hortus, Rose de Saignee 2010
Maculan, Pino & Toi 2008
McKinley Springs, Bombing Range Red 2008
Trader Joe's Pinot Gris 2009
Montes Alpha, Cabernet 2007
Gran Sasso, Sangiovese, Terre di Chieti 2009
Garda, Classico Chiaretto Rose
Beaulieu, Cabernet, Rutherford 1999
Picos del Montgo, Tempranillo 2008
Chateau de Montmirail, Vacqueyras 2008
La Granja 360, Syrah 2009
Montgras, Carmenere Reserva 2009
Lange, Pinot Gris 2009
Columbia Crest, Horse Heaven Hills Cabernet 2008
Kirkland, Pinot Grigio 2010
Trader Joe's Coastal Syrah 2009
Columbia Crest, Horse Heaven Hills Merlot 2008
Trader Joe's Coastal Chardonnay 2009
Vieux Papes Red
Domaine de l'Aujardiere, Chardonnay 2009
Santa Rita, Cabernet, Medalla Real 2007
Penfold's, Koonunga Hill Shiraz Cabernet 2008
Guild, Red, Lot #02 2008
Dievole, Dievolino Sangiovese 2008
Laforet, Burgogne Chardonnay 2009
Columbia Winery, Merlot 2007
Bonterra, Cabernet 2008
Elk Cove, Pinot Gris 2009
Maquis Lien 2006
Scott Paul, Pinot Noir, Le Paulee 2007
The Occasional Book
Hope Larson - A Wrinkle in Time, the Graphic Novel
Rudyard Kipling - Kim
Peter Ames Carlin - Bruce
Fran Cannon Slayton - When the Whistle Blows
Neil Young - Waging Heavy Peace
Mark Bego - Aretha Franklin, the Queen of Soul (2012 ed.)
Jenny Lawson - Let's Pretend This Never Happened
J.D. Salinger - Franny and Zooey
Charles Dickens - A Christmas Carol
Timothy Egan - The Big Burn
Deborah Eisenberg - Transactions in a Foreign Currency
Kurt Vonnegut Jr. - Slaughterhouse Five
Kathryn Lance - Pandora's Genes
Cheryl Strayed - Wild
Fyodor Dostoyevsky - The Brothers Karamazov
Jack London - The House of Pride, and Other Tales of Hawaii
Jack Walker - The Extraordinary Rendition of Vincent Dellamaria
Colum McCann - Let the Great World Spin
Niccolò Machiavelli - The Prince
Harper Lee - To Kill a Mockingbird
Emma McLaughlin & Nicola Kraus - The Nanny Diaries
Brian Selznick - The Invention of Hugo Cabret
Sharon Creech - Walk Two Moons
Keith Richards - Life
F. Sionil Jose - Dusk
Natalie Babbitt - Tuck Everlasting
Justin Halpern - S#*t My Dad Says
Mark Herrmann - The Curmudgeon's Guide to Practicing Law
Barry Glassner - The Gospel of Food
Phil Stanford - The Peyton-Allan Files
Jesse Katz - The Opposite Field
Evelyn Waugh - Brideshead Revisited
J.K. Rowling - Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone
David Sedaris - Holidays on Ice
Donald Miller - A Million Miles in a Thousand Years
Mitch Albom - Have a Little Faith
C.S. Lewis - The Magician's Nephew
F. Scott Fitzgerald - The Great Gatsby
William Shakespeare - A Midsummer Night's Dream
Ivan Doig - Bucking the Sun
Penda Diakité - I Lost My Tooth in Africa
Grace Lin - The Year of the Rat
Oscar Hijuelos - Mr. Ives' Christmas
Madeline L'Engle - A Wrinkle in Time
Steven Hart - The Last Three Miles
David Sedaris - Me Talk Pretty One Day
Karen Armstrong - The Spiral Staircase
Charles Larson - The Portland Murders
Adrian Wojnarowski - The Miracle of St. Anthony
William H. Colby - Long Goodbye
Steven D. Stark - Meet the Beatles
Phil Stanford - Portland Confidential
Rick Moody - Garden State
Jonathan Schwartz - All in Good Time
David Sedaris - Dress Your Family in Corduroy and Denim
Anthony Holden - Big Deal
Robert J. Spitzer - The Spirit of Leadership
James McManus - Positively Fifth Street
Jeff Noon - Vurt
Road Work
Miles run year to date: 32
At this date last year: 66
Total run in 2012: 129
In 2011: 113
In 2010: 125
In 2009: 67
In 2008: 28
In 2007: 113
In 2006: 100
In 2005: 149
In 2004: 204
In 2003: 269
Comments (14)
I was an atheist at the age of 8
Posted by Steve | December 25, 2011 9:13 AM
Merry Christmas all. Great giving year, and not only at Jack's site. I saw it it happen at several other worthy locations like no other time before. Those with the means really stepped up for this tough holiday season.
Steve, no worries. All the really good atheists will get into Heaven too :)
Posted by Gibby | December 25, 2011 11:27 AM
...and Peace to Men of Good Will.
(Steve, never let the messenger distract from the message.)
Posted by Old Zeb | December 25, 2011 12:58 PM
Who can name the source:
"Heaven is for people who enjoy things like watering pot plants, and talking to god."
Posted by Dreadie | December 25, 2011 2:47 PM
Sure do prefer the King James Version of Luke 3.
"...And on earth peace among men in whom he is well pleased..." is about as clumsy as a Sam Adams Tweet.
Posted by Nonny Mouse | December 25, 2011 3:27 PM
"... and on earth peace to men on whom his favor rests." NIV.
"... and upon earth peace among men of goodwill." NWT.
Posted by Molly | December 25, 2011 5:54 PM
RIP, Christopher Hitchens!
Posted by cros | December 25, 2011 6:29 PM
Amen.
It's always a fine thing to share our faith. Thank you, Jack, for printing the story here.
Posted by Don | December 25, 2011 7:22 PM
Prince Edmund, in Black Adder, played by Rowan Atkinson, is one source for the quote.
I sort oh would likeed it to have been Hitchens.
Posted by Nonny Mouse | December 25, 2011 7:53 PM
And there were shepherds in the same country abiding in the field, and keeping watch by night over their flock.
And thus it became known that the infant Jesus was born in Spring,for lo,it is during the lambing season that shepherds abide in the field.
Yet we celebrate in late December as a means to avoid, chameleon-like, persecution - for in the great scheme of things, dates matter not; they are, after all, set by mortal Man.
The event itself is immortal; it is that which we celebrate and humbly honor.
Best wishes to all, and may you carry the spirit with you daily, regardless of what we refer to as "the present date".
Posted by Max | December 25, 2011 10:38 PM
Among biblical scholars of the non-literalist persuasion it is generally agreed that the Luke birth story is mythical, as is the Matthew birth story (which differs in many ways). Mark and John say nothing about Jesus' birth in their gospels.
But true Christian faith means you believe the message even if the story is not literally true.
Posted by Benjamin J. | December 26, 2011 1:34 PM
Benjie, you're correct, believers BELIEVE what is revealed in the Bible, they don't think it mythical or 'not literally true.' "All scripture is inspired of God and beneficial for teaching ..." 2 Tim 3:16. Your 'biblical scholars of the non-literalist persuasion' might want to acquaint themselves with that scripture.
Posted by Molly | December 26, 2011 11:01 PM
Through statistical regression I've narrowed down the One True Faith to one of two religions with 99% certainty.
Either Xenu or Moroni will punish you all.
Posted by Cave-Man | December 27, 2011 6:29 PM
Thank you for sharing this. . . we had the good fortune to be in Merida Mexico for Christmas and popped into the cathedral on Christmas Eve. Even in my rusty Spanish, I could follow along as the bishop read this story. Wonderful.
Posted by Sarah Carlin Ames | December 31, 2011 11:48 AM