Our coming New Year sounds futuristic. We are a quarter of the way to the next century. How could this be I thought as I reminisced about President Carter. An exemplary ex-president. A man who demonstrated each day of his life that it is not what you say but what you do as a Christian.

The Christmas Tree came down today. The Santa Claus and Nativity Scenes were stored for next Christmas. Cold weather is in the forecast although you could not tell it today as I walked in the woods. Soon we will be shivering.

2024 has his walking stick. He is heading for the exit. 2025 is but a babe. He is at the door ready to emerge onto the stage. He has big ideas and bigger plans. 2025 is much like us. The sky is the limit. Reality bites. A year can play ‘Bitey’ with us at times. ‘The best-laid plans of mice and men suddenly come arye.’

Life is a game of chance. From the moment that the doctor slapped our butt…we are risk takers. School and then more school…then the School Of Hard Knocks… There is a reason we old people have white hair or no hair at all. We have seen a lot…

The minister sets his cap to help people. His heart is full of faith and often a calling. Yet the slings and arrows of outrageous fortune slow his pace. People misunderstand and mistake his motives. The call to the Gospel is not a get-rich-quick scheme. Yet the faithful carrier of Christ’s teachings trudges on to deliver the Good Word.

So it goes with our lives…we seek to make a difference. We 2025 to be better than 2024. Helping those less fortunate than we are is our creed. Heal the earth. Heal the broken…feed the hungry.

Months fly by quickly. Soon we will hear the bells again. Christ came to deliver peace, build homes for the homeless, and live a life that inspires those watching to want what you have.

As I walked through Kroger Market this morning on the Sunday before New Year I noticed the fading gleam in the eyes of the shoppers. Last Sunday had been Christmas Sunday. Santa had not come yet. Advent was still underway. The gifts were wrapped neatly under the Christmas Tree. Today brought the knowledge that the Christmas Tree comes down tomorrow. Santa Claus in various derivations goes back into the closet. I found the last two Peppermint Creamers…leftovers from Christmas and snatched them greedily. But the thrill was gone…

As I approached the checkout person they greeted me with a happy you came in and introduced me to the person doing the bagging. How nice I thought. Proceeding to the door another Kroger person invited me to take a Poinsetta for Free by the exit. Suddenly Christmas was alive! It is time to think of next year. It will be grandeur…better…the best!

‘Jimmy…come look at your Christmas presents,’ Little Peanut said. ‘We have Turkey and Dressing,’ LP said with joy. ‘Mama told me she saw you through her binoculars as you walked over the hill,’ LP laughed.

‘You know I feel strong…better than I have in years,’ Jimmy said with a big grin… ‘The last few days have been tough but now seem like distant memories,’ Jimmy noted. ‘Remember we start building New Year’s Day,’ LP winked.

‘Everything everywhere all at once,’ LP said. ‘All seems the same yet strangely different…as if in Technicolor with no Tears,’ LP said…

On The Second Day Of Christmas…I met Jonathon for coffee and record shopping. Did you know that the 12 Days Of Christmas is after Christmas? We often stop when the gifts are unwrapped but the message of Christ’s birth is for every day of the year.

Do you listen to Christmas music throughout the year…I do. If there is a Christmas Shop Around The Corner…I visit. A kind woman in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee thanked me for keeping the spirit of Christmas alive all year long.

2025 is knocking at our door. This year my New Year’s Resolution is to write a monthly story along with my daily blogging. I wrote one about my brother and I visiting Maine not long ago. I enjoyed it.

The mystery is mysterious. What will happen next? Who will we meet…what will we see…where will we go? We are bound by our own mental shackles. No one is holding us back…the world is our oyster.

‘Come quickly Mom and see what Billy B is doing now,’ Little Girl said with glee! ‘He is writing on his Writing Porch about Records and Coffee after Christmas,’ Little Girl laughed. ‘He is a Pip…so much fun to watch especially when he has two Dirty Martinis, Little Girl laughed.

‘I have been watching Chet as he plays with his Daniel Boone Action Figure,’ Little Boy said. ‘He is focused and sees little of what is happening around him,’ LB continued. ‘Chet is sad about the passing of his Dad…he cried himself to bed last night…the night after Christmas,’ LB observed with hurting eyes.

‘Who wants a glass of Merlot,’ Neva J asked with a big grin. ‘I have put the Christmas Tree in its box for next year,’ Neva J said with satisfaction. ‘Was not the Christmas Coffee Cake excellent this year,’ Neva J asked with a wink?

‘Spray…Spray…Spray’…went the bottle of Windex as MaMa wiped the glass. ‘Now you will be able to see your tiny friends better,’ MaMa said with a smile on her lips. ‘They are so cute after Christmas…but do not shake the Snow Globe…it scares the tiny ones….’ MaMa said…

Christmas Day it rained hard. Today it is 54 degrees. After all of the build-up to Christmas now it is over. The memories remain. Oh, what wonderful memories…

Now what? Old Man 2024 is packing his bags for a trip to the beach…Baby 2025 is preparing his entrance. We are a quarterway through this century. Time flies. ‘What thou doest, do quickly.

I admire my niece Tara. She has a good heart. I have known her almost her entire life. She helps others. I am a fan.

What will the New Year bring? Much of it depends on us. Will we harken to the Angels of our better nature or submit to our narcissistic self-interest? The clock keeps ticking.

The Story Of Life intrigues me. Yesterday at a wonderful Christmas celebration at Ira Kaye and Rons I ruminated on the fazes of life. The chapters blow by so quickly in the wind of time. We set out on Life’s Journey with excitement… zeal…trepidation, and hope. Suddenly we look up to find we are middle-aged. Another snore and rubbing of sleepy eyes…we are old.

The great philosopher Forest Gump told us that life is like a box of chocolates…you never know what you are going to get.

The little Babe lay in the manger. Shepherds knew they were witnessing a change in history. Mary and Joseph did not understand their role…but they would. Pontius Pilate said I find no fault in the man.

Riches or prosperity was not the answer. Boldness for boldness sake was not the solution. The quiet counsel of Christ speaks softly to the heart of humanity.

Rain is forecast through Christmas. I like rain. It is better than ice. Kroger was full of people this morning…you would think it was Christmas. Many men are getting ready to do their Christmas shopping.

At Southern Illinois University it is the first day of the Christmas Holiday. One of my biggest Christmas presents is the 32 years, 2 months, and 3 weeks of my career. I admire my good friend Cyndy’s photos of Christmas Decorations that she posts on Facebook. Cyndy made Christmas special in Building Services.

Christmas heightens our senses. We see through new eyes. The warmth of our Christmas Tree adds to our peace.

Today is a Festivus Marathon on the Comedy Channel. On Seinfeld Georges’s father Frank introduced us to the holiday. It began with his shopping for a doll for George as a boy. He got into an altercation with another shopper for the last doll. As they rained blows on each other Frank realized that there must be a better way. Thus Festivus For The Rest Of Us… The primary components of the special day are an aluminum pole in place of a Christmas Tree and the Airing of Grievances. George was required to fight his father to the point of pinning him before the special day concluded.

All of us share Fuzzy Memories. Strange or unusual occurrences occurred at Christmas with varying degrees of shock or laughter. Perhaps your Christmas past was reminiscent of the iconic movie Christmas Vacation. Have you ever had Yuppie Neighbors? Did Grandma offer you a quarter to rub her bunions? Was Christmas such a big deal to Dad that he overdid it with laughable results?

We are all trying to keep Christmas in our own way… Bob Cratchit kept it in his way. He was not deterred by little money a sick Tiny Tim and a bad boss. Bob chose to look on the bright side of life.

Mary and Joseph chose faith. In the midst of the impossible, they believed. The angel told her that she was carrying the son of God. Joseph heeded what his wife told him…he believed Mary. The world was oblivious to them. The religious world did not know them. The Heavens helped out. A Star to guide the Wisemen. Shepherds heard the call of a magnificent event. The animals were overjoyed at the coming of peace.

A bit like today. We are all occupied with our life events. We rush from cradle to grave as if someone is keeping time with a stopwatch…a race. Yet, the story of the ages is transpiring before our eyes.

It was a crystal clear sky. Stars painted the heavens. Tomorrow will be a busy day. Government officials were in town. The heart of business is business…they said. That meant money filling the coffers of the state. More money for roads building new temples and for the pockets of the well-connected.

No one noticed the young couple. Her belly was large with the child. He had the care of the world on his shoulders. They were not well-connected. Government officials did not know their names. His hands were rough with blisters. She looked uncomfortable on a donkey. She gave her husband a sense of place. She was his home. When she told him something he believed it.

All doors were shut. No one had time or place for an unknown couple when famous folks were everywhere.

Julio and Abigail hovered under a threadbare blanket outside the Broadway Theatre. Brilliant lights lit up the Great White Way. The merry people laughed and loved as they walked the street of gold. Red and green were everywhere. Abigail wept as she listened to the Carolers. Julio did not know that she was pregnant. She was afraid to tell him. What would they do…where would they go…who would care. They had no friends…no one knew them. Their skin was dark in a place where light skin had cache.

‘Behold this day in the city of David a Saviour is born…Christ the Lord.’

‘Please come in we have a place for you to sleep in our Costume Shop,’ Wendy said. ‘I will fix some chicken noodle soup for you,’ Wendy said with a wonderful smile. ‘There is an abundance of clothes in the Shop and the cots are comfortable…tomorrow I will take you to see an OBGYN to aid in your pregnancy,’ Wendy said with a beatific smile.

‘How did you know I was pregnant,’ Abigail asked? ‘I have told no one…not even Julio,’ Abigail said.

‘An Angel told me…tomorrow is Christmas,’ Wendy said…

The first day of winter is here. The shortest day of the year. We have transitioned from sweater weather to sweater and jacket weather. A day or two ago, a cold wind cut to the core of your being. I thought of Christmas in Chicago a long time ago.

‘Hurry Billy B…Ivy will soon be here…she is bringing Susie and Steve,’ Neva J extorted. ‘The movie starts at 1:00 p.m. and we do not want to be late as it will be full for Christmas,’ Neva J laughed. ‘Seeing it on the silver screen will be like being in the movie with them,’ Neva J noted.

‘The Magnificent Mile will truly be Magnificent today…Christmas Day,’ Ivy said with glee! ‘Susie is in love with Lady and she thinks Tramp is handsome,’ Ivy chortled. ‘Susie says we must get a Cocker Spaniel in honor of Lady,’ Ivy smiled.

‘Set by me Billy B,’ Susie said with her beautiful smile. ‘You are my hero for bringing us to see Lady And The Tramp on Christmas Day’ Susie said as she clutched Billy Bs hand. ‘It is cold outside but warm in this Theatre,’ Susie smiled.

‘It is good to see you again Billy B,’ Lady said with a lovely face and a wag of her beautiful tail. ‘Have you seen the Siamese Cats…they are trouble,’ Lady continued. ‘Trusty is on the hunt for them with Jock helping him…you know Trusty is a senior citizen,’ Lady laughed.

‘Greetings Billy B…you making time with my girl,’ Tramp asked with a wink? ‘Soon we will open the Christmas gifts at the Darlings…you must join us,’ Tramp said with a little dance. ‘Pidge told me that you were her special friend,’ Tramp advised with a pat on Billy Bs back.

‘Come on Billy B…you slept through the movie but never let go of my hand,’ Susie said with a kiss on the cheek…

Cold Today. Cold and windy…making it chillier. I remembered the multicolored leaves of a few weeks ago as I looked at the bare branches. It felt like 14 degrees. Arthritis rheumatism and all the other isms are felt in the bitter wind.

Driving over to Polar Whip for cheap cheeseburgers I thought of Christmas gone by. Christmas has a pervasive feeling. The celebration of what has come before…the anticipation of what is next. Understanding that you are in the midst of your story.

Great Christmas memories are forming. Tara coming to see us before Thanksgiving. Christmas gifts from Marcy and Brock.

Two Black Friday trips to Paducah, Kentucky. The second was with Jennifer where we had fun at a Cigar Bar.

Christmas brings the mysterious peculiar impression that you have been there before. The look of the sky…the emotions of the moment…feeling of Home and Place. Looking for the Perfect Christmas when you are living in the Snow Globe now.

We seek the joys of Next. Seeking the perfect when the good better and best is all around us. A trap it is…a snare…to compare with others’ experiences when ours are so rich…

‘Well, this year I have asked Santa for a Big Swinger Polaroid Camera,’ Billy B said. ‘Neva J informed me that money is tight and that I should not get my hopes up,’ Billy B continued. ‘I failed to mention that I was hoping for some Rock-Um-Sock-Um-Robots as well,’ Billy B noted with a downcast stare.

‘You know the Rock-Em-Sock-Em-Robots are for smaller children,’ Chet asked? ‘I wanted them when I was younger but got a Daniel Boone Action Figure instead,’ Chet observed. ‘I like Daniel B better,’ Chet grinned.

‘In this corner is Red Rock weighing 200 pounds,’ the Announcer said. ‘His opponent is Blue Dog at 195 pounds,’ the Announcer continued. ‘In the Christmas Spirit they have chosen not to fight but to give Christmas gifts to needy children,’ the Announcer intoned.

‘Much of the year Blue Dog and I fight for our political beliefs with little thought for the children of our world,’ Red Rock said with a tear in his eye. ‘We are so concerned with winning and knocking each other Block-Off that we forget what we are fighting for,’ Red Rock said with feeling. ‘This year we must be the year of the children,’ Red Rock said.

‘All I look for is to see Red Rock’s Block rise above his body with the metallic squeak of victory,’ Blue Dog said. ‘However the sound of victory has become less satisfying through the years…nothing changes…we have the same problems of hunger and homelessness,’ Blue Dog said with sorrow. ‘There has to be a better way,’ Blue Dog said as if in prayer.

‘Oh my what happened,’ Billy B said with amazement. ‘Suddenly we were at a Boxing Match of the Rock-Em-Sock-Em-Robots and they were experiencing an Epiphany.

‘Stranger things have happened at Christmas,’ Chet advised with a wink…

‘You better watch out you better not cry…Santa Claus is coming to town.’ Our year is fast approaching its conclusion. As a young man, I enjoyed the fast passage of time. It seemed surreal to me. A workshift was like an hour and a workweek was like a day. I enjoyed my job and the hours flew by. This time of year spirits were high at SIUC. There were several days off with pay in store for us. Colleagues brought in all manner of sweet treats. Hope was at its zenith as I wore my long black coat around campus.

Working with young people keeps you young. The eyes were full of Christmas wonder. Students from around the world enjoyed Christmas at Southern. The University was Home. Everyone held a feeling of mission. Laughter filled the halls.

Christmas is a mystery. Its sights, sounds, smells and tastes are different from the rest of the year. The end of one year is the beginning of another. After the rest, there is good work to be done. People need to help. Making church better, working stronger, and making the home complete.

Aaron and Jonathon looked on…eyes of wonder and delight. Bruiser and Abigail tore up the Christmas paper. Possibilities abound. What comes next?

Daily trip to the Theatre between Christmas and New Year. The best movies were out. A Christmas Vacation was much like a Christmas we had experienced. After seeing the comedy classic Christmas was never the same…it was better…

Christmas is being a part of something big. I heard a program in the New York Times regarding variations of Christianity. The person advocated for ‘Thick Christianity.’ Christians endeavoring to imitate Jesus. People practice their bold faith by helping and forgiving others. He spoke of replacement constructs of life replacing Christianity such as MAGA and WOKE. The podcast noted that politics was a poor substitute for faith. Although he is an atheist he hoped for the bedrock principles of forgiveness and hope of Christ Teaching.