The first frost will be this Saturday. The Holidays are here. Meaningful change has come. Few times in life is change needed or wanted more than now. Fear has gripped our hearts. Not the fear of the unknown…the fear of the demonstrated cruelty to our fellow human family. The cruelty is one terrible layer…the rejoicing in and approval of the cruelty is the scary reality of our times.

No political party has the corner on faith. Progressive Christians are people of faith. Denominational people of faith are apparent in the recent lights…Christianity was never hijacked…it was never coopted…Christ message is not locked in by rhetorical meanness.

Most of us regardless of political party do not accept hate and cruelty as part of doing business in today’s society. We can learn…we can be better. I have known important folks with some power and influence. They were class acts. Considerate and kind. Examples of aspirational goals. Politics should not be a blood sport nor the life we lead. There are things more important than money.

I think about reality and how we each perceive it. After seeing the recent documentary regarding Elizabeth Holmes I left the theatre believing she held fast to her reality that Theranos was legitimate. Certainly the idea of it was captivating…the realization of it was that the Edison machine designed to test over 200 blood samples from a nano container of blood did not function when she said that it did. Many powerful people wanted Elizabeth to succeed. Her company was worth 10 billion dollars. The only problem was Ms. Holmes reality was not the reality of the investors and the trusting people that received incorrect blood tests.

I have worked around leaders who slowly lost touch with reality. It is not a pretty sight. Usually their reality centered on what was best for them. Their leadership…thinking…was insular. They thought little or none about how their actions affected those they lead. This phenomenon happens at all levels of leadership. Often leaders who cannot find their peace…want to affect your peace.

The day was full of promise…the day was full of doubt. The Forgotten lifted their tired eyes to the sky. There had been so much fear. Fear that walked with you as you went about your daily life. In New Orleans the driver told the Old Man that he could not talk to the ICE Agents…they do not want to talk. He was an old man as well and noted he had never seen such a thing…an occupation. A foreigner in his own land. Guns were always close. Easily drawn at a moments notice…kill first ask questions later. Excuses given by powerful pretend people. Ready for a glamour shoot…and photo in front of poor wretched humanity in cages. Objects not people. Animals to be contained or eradicated. Established in the community…hard working…doing the work no one wanted to do. ‘Come off the roof…leave your tools…you are under arrest, the faceless official said with malice in his voice.

No money for food and gas and rent and heating of the home. Cries unheard or mocked. ‘Your cries are unheard…what you are saying is a Hoax…find a different source of protein if you cannot afford meat,’ Leaders said. Work for the well being of your betters. We care little for rules…ethics…the onerous rules of the Forgotten…we do as we please and we like it.

Hide the sins of the chosen. They are mentors for us. They sing from a different song book. They have their own music. They are beautiful people…their voices are melodious. To be seen in their presence is a blessing…their influence has no end. The children cried. The powerful look at their photos…they are suffering…they are naked and afraid…surely the beautiful people did not do these things. Where is the Lawgiver? How can the children be left on the rocky shores of the ocean…the beautiful people sail away martinis in hand… ‘They were poor kids…no one knew them…trailer park trash,’ the Woman said.

God forgive us for our willful blindness.

Change is coming. What will we do. Will we join Job among the potsherds and scrape our boils? We lost our way. Confidence in Party or People has never been the point…we have forgot the Forgotten.

So, we search for the solution. The autumn has settled our nerves and focused our minds. Focus is vital for success. . White Noise by Don Delillo. ‘…the effect of yoking together terror and wild humor as the essential tone of contemporary America.’ The White Noise of Don Delillo includes, ‘rampant consumerism, media saturation, novelty academic intellectualism, underground conspiracies, the disintegration and reintegration of the family, human-made disasters, and the potentially regenerative nature of violence.’

‘It seems there is always something capturing our attention,’ Chet said. ‘At times it is difficult to focus,’ Chet continued. ‘When I need to think about one knotty problem…there are ten in the queue,’ Chet observed. ‘How do we plan for what comes next,’ Chet asked. ‘We live in a transactional society…now is the moment…tomorrow is forgotten,’Chet mused. ‘How do we discover the path through modernity that leads to the promise of the ages,’ Chet whispered.

‘Alms…alms for the poor,’ the wise man called to the dusky dark of November. ‘Discover yourself by discovering others,’ Wiseman continued. ‘Look into the eyes of the poor…greet them with hope and focus,’ Wiseman proclaimed. ‘Shut out the static of the world…who is up and who is down…who has the fleeting power of the moment,’ Wiseman said softly.

‘Ten thousand things to occupy our attention,’ Jane observed. ‘Will we get the promotion or will the boss’s buddy receive it,’ Jane wondered. ‘Will we be able to buy the house of our dreams…or maybe a little more if we stretch our dollars,’ Jane wondered aloud. ‘Will this Christmas be a good Christmas or will we have to cut back due to affordability,’ Jane asked. ‘Charity must be considered at this time of year…but how much…will our budget allow for it,’ Jane noted with concern. ‘Will there be any time to think of the meaning of Christmas with the cakes to bake…the cookies to make…the Christmas parties,’ Jane laughed.

These are the days we waited for in the summer. Days of decision…days of reflection…days of joy. The future looks distant until it is upon us. Suddenly future is past. What a head spinning trip. A joyful and dangerous and complex ride. The realization of plans are more practical than the plan. Things seem a bit abstract until revealed in the light of day. The craggy caverns of the face of the future is known in the mirror of our hopes and dreams.

‘We shall not cease from exploration And the end of all our exploring Will be to arrive where we started And know the place for the first time.’ Little Gidding

‘Someone is coming over the hill,’ the Old Man said. ‘The explorer seems to be running,’ Old Man continued. ‘Let me take another look through the binoculars…he has a familiar face,’ Old Man noted. ‘Traveler is wearing peculiar garments and a Leather Outback Hat,’ Old Man commented.

‘Hello, my friends,’ Strange Traveller said. ‘I have come from a time in the past to see what the future holds,’ ST noted with a wink. ‘My friends call me the Old Man although I am only 35,’ Strange Traveler said. ‘Neva J has a magic floor length mirror that can transport a person or people through time…this is how I got to the Horizon and saw you looking at me through binoculars,’ ST explained. ‘Have you good folk discovered the Secret,’ Strange Traveler asked? ‘I have spent my life seeking the Secret,’ Strange Traveler noted. ‘Back at the Horizon there was a Great Door that was ajar…come with me and we will go through it together,’ ST laughed.

Now there is rain and cool weather. The family ghosts have had their fling. Remaining candy is being inspected. The Pilgrims are coming out. Today we remember those who came before us. Who helped us with a kind word and smile. Who let us know that we were important and needed. Those who liked us without hope of any recompense. Those who wanted to be our friend for friendship sake.

So, the holidays are here. Two months of slow contemplation and fast work. Santa’s Elves are busy. They are creating for boys and girls of all ages. The Head Elf Horace has already authorized as much overtime as is needed to fulfill the massive needs. The Elves create AI but no AI assists them in the Workshop. The work is left to the centuries old creation of Elves. The saw dust is flying as we visit the Shop and Horace give an impromptu speech.

‘This year will be special this year will be different,’ Horace said. ‘AI Robots are on all of the kids lists…they are wanting a little friend to call their own,’ Horace noted. ‘We will create the AIRs in all sizes colors and styles…their utility will be vast,’ Horace continued. ‘Our work will illustrate that you need live creatures to create robotic replicas,’ Horace winked. ‘We want our AIRs to engender confidence in our kids…enliven their imaginations…teach them to problem solve,’ Horace proclaimed.

‘Look Mom it is Sally Sue,’ Jane said. ‘She will be my very own friend…we will do everything together,’ Jane continued.

‘Santa has outdone himself this year,’ Jane’s Dad said. ‘I heard he delivered the Christmas presents in an hour rather than all night,’ Dad said. ‘Santa must have Ever Ready Batteries,’ Dad laughed.