Christmas Meditation

So when the wise men (not kings) came from the east to see Jesus, they said something that in almost every other context would be incorrect. They asked to see the one who was "born king of the Jews." Except that future rulers are not kings when they are born--they are princes. No one went to London however many years ago it was and asked to see King Charles; they would have asked to see the Prince of Wales.

Jesus wasn't born to later become the king; He was and always will be the King...even as a baby. Yes, He was a babe in a manger (and He cried, despite what the song says), but even then He was the King. I think we should remember that more than we do.

The Curmudgeon Speaks

So we visited the Christian (sic) bookstore (sic) the other day...more of a relgious kitsch market if you want an accurate name...and while I was walking past another row of stuff that wasn't book, I saw a line of toy Bible hero characters for little kids.

Just a small word to any of you who create or promote such things: I'm pretty sure Samson didn't have flowing blonde hair. That action figure only needed a hammer to pass for Thor. I get marketing; that's what I do for a living. But for Heaven's sake, can we try for at least a little bit of historical accuracy?

(Yes, the Scrooge is strong in this one...why do you ask?)

Rick Perry and Old Spice

Just saw a Rick Perry campaign ad on TV. As we don't live in Iowa, it must have been a national buy. The ad was great. It touched the right themes to appeal to both the GOP base and disgusted independents. There's just one little problem. Unscripted, Perry is...well let's be charitable...he makes Bush 43 look eloquent.

And I just couldn't help it (well I could have but what fun would that be?)

Look at your candidate

Now back at me

Now at your candidate

Now back at me

Sadly he is not me

But if he used Old Spice,

Maybe he could speak like me!

Seriously, what is wrong with the GOP? Out of thousands of elected officials all over the country (more than at any time in history following the crushing victory of 2010) we can't find a single conservative candidate capable of stringing two coherent consecutive sentences together? President Obama deserves the same 40 state defeat that ended President Carter's disastrous single term...but you can't beat something with nothing. One blogger I read from time to time says that his Pomeranian could beat Mr. Obama. He might be right, but I'm not at all confident that any of the current Republican candidates can equal a show dog.

A Question from the Grocery Aisles

Why is Captain America's picture on the 2 liter bottles of Canada Dry?

Taking Chance

This evening for Memorial Day we watched Taking Chance. Based on the journal kept by Marine Lt. Col. Mike Stobl when he escorted the body of a young Marine killed in Iraq in 2004 home, the film follows his journey to Montana. It was astonishingly powerful. It's understated, moving, beautiful and deeply patriotic. I can't think of a anything we've ever done that made me more grateful for the price that has been and is still being paid for America to remain the nation we know and love.

Trust me when I tell you that you do NOT appreciate fully the sacrifices being made every day for our freedom unless you have seen this movie. I would have said I did, but I would have been wrong. It's not an easy thing to watch, but it's vital. Find a copy. You'll be glad you did. (Get a box...or two...of Kleenex first.)

Thirty Years Ago Today

Thirty years ago today John Hinckley tried to kill President Reagan. Three decades ago I was a college freshman, walking toward the college bookstore when someone ran by and told us the news. I remember listening to WBBM radio much of the afternoon and early evening. As Peggy Noonan wrote later, it's a bad sign when the news people don't know any more than you do. Only later did the details emerge--how close the bullet was to Reagan's heart, how the decision of one Secret Service officer to go directly to the hospital rather than back to the White House first saved the President's life, and how Reagan insisting on walking inside under his own power before collapsing just inside the hospital doors. It was, as the Duke of Wellington said after the Battle of Waterloo "the nearest run thing you ever saw." It was one of the great pleasures of my life to turn 18 in time to vote for Reagan (and perhaps as importantly, against Carter...who I once assumed had permanently locked up the title of worst President ever...until recent events have posed a serious threat to his claim). Reagan remains one of the truly great men as well as having been one of our greatest Presidents. Reagan famously told his wife "Honey I forgot to duck." I'm glad he lived through that awful day. Our nation is the better for it.

My Favorite Christmas Song

Years ago when the kids were very young, we were driving to church for a Christmas Eve service. On the way we were singing Christmas songs. We did carols, hymns and fun songs (but no "Grandma Got Run Over by a Reindeer"...that came later...). After we had sung a few, Brenda said, "Let's sing our favorite Christmas songs."

So I started with my favorite, "What Child Is This?" After that, it was Bryant's turn. I think he was either four or five that year. And without hesitation he said, "Jesus Loves Me."

I opened my mouth to tell him that wasn't a Christmas song. And then I closed my mouth to words and started singing with him. Because really, is there a better one? Is there anything else that describes the purpose and meaning of Christmas better than those simple words? I know lots and lots of Christmas songs, but I can't think of a more fitting or appropriate one still today:

Jesus loves me
This I know
For the Bible tells me so
Little ones to Him belong
They are weak
But He is strong
Yes Jesus loves me
Yes Jesus loves me
Yes Jesus loves me
The Bible tells me so.