Is It Another Year Yet?

Observations on the comings & goings of new years by David L Lewis

It does appear selection of January 1^st as ‘first day of the year’ was done arbitrarily by some forgotten person with dubious motivations. In fact, in the earth’s annual orbit around the sun, any random day would work as well…
     According to tradition, during his reign (c. 715–673 BCE) Numa revised the Roman republican calendar so that January replaced March as the first month. It was a fitting choice, since January was named after Janus, the Roman god of all beginnings. March celebrated Mars, the god of war, and Spring is ‘when kings to forth to war’. [Wikipedia]
     Chinese calendar is based on the changes in the moon and is only sometimes changed to fit the seasons of the year based on how the Earth moves around the sun. Because of this, Chinese New Year is never on January 1. It moves around between January 21 and February 20. [Wikipedia]

Coming of this randomly imposed new year thing supposedly brings with it hopes of a new season, of a new opportunity, of a new beginning. The past was past, the future all brand-new! Such hope is a delusion. Whenever it begins, no year starts brand new, divorced from the past. Earth continues to revolve around the sun, today picking up where yesterday left off, ignorant of what we call a new year.

Turns out there is nothing much this old man can do to change the past nor modify the future. So, this is what I intend to do as the earth circles the sun; and humanity recklessly goes on without seeking my wise counsel, nor giving me authority to solve anything:

• Stay out of hospital! This should be easier than it sounds, unless I’m unlucky enough to get one of them diseases touted in TV ads. Turns out in-home hospice gives you just enough really kool meds and loving care to keep a fellow at home.

• Reach 3,000 Solitaire matches on my computer! This, of course, is solely because we old folk have to keep our brain alert. It is definitely Not because I am some kind of Obsessive Compulsive Player. I mean, you know, I only paused writing this here diatribe three times while I completed important Solitaire games. Besides, will need something to do if not going to hospital multiple times a year.

• Hope to continue writing my inane ramblings; although less often -- I’m running out of anything to say, Only started writing to find out what I think; now it’s more a matter of finding out if I’m still thinking at all. As youngest son Benjamin put it, am I still me? Hopefully enough people who love me will read what I write and realize if I’m no longer me and tell me so. Who knows? I might even listen.

So, have lots of important stuff to do in the 365¼ days they’ll name 2024, whenever it starts. Is it another year yet?

theDayOlderDaddy!

 Breaking News!

BABY BORN IN BETHLEHEM BARN

Unprecedented story compiled & edited by David L Lewis, BA in Biblical Studies

WARNING: Rated GRR – Granddaddy Required Reading

Approved for All Grandchildren

Some readers have encountered problem following Christmas story. This is primarily because events have not always been told "in order". We have sorted through reports from the field to effectively relate how it all came about, including special reports from:

• John, an early disciple, who wrote his version of gospel account last, actually starts the narration before either of the others.

• Luke, a physician, relates what he learned from his source, belived to ne Mary, baby’s mother.

• Matthew, also early disciple, provides Hebrew law and prophetic prospective; and tells story from viewpoint of witness Joseph, step-father.

• Mark, a later follower, begins at beginning of the ministry of Jesus.

After exhaustive review of all available testimonies, the true story can now be told step-by-step:

Background John 1.1-5

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. The same was in the beginning with God. All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made. In him was life; and the life was the light of men. And the light shineth in darkness; and the darkness comprehended it not.

That was the true Light, which lighteth every man that cometh into the world. He was in the world, and the world was made by him, and the world knew him not. He came unto his own, and his own received him not. But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name: Which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.

Gabriel sent to Mary Luke 1.26-38

And [Elizabeth’s] sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent from God unto a city of Galilee, named Nazareth, To a virgin espoused to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David; and the virgin's name was Mary.

And the angel came in unto her, and said, “Hail, thou that art highly favoured, the Lord is with thee: blessed art thou among women”.

And when she saw him, she was troubled at his saying, and cast in her mind what manner of salutation this should be.

And the angel said unto her, “Fear not, Mary: for thou hast found favour with God. And, behold, thou shalt conceive in thy womb, and bring forth a son, and shalt call his name Jesus. He shall be great, and shall be called the Son of the Highest: and the Lord God shall give unto him the throne of his father David. And he shall reign over the house of Jacob for ever; and of his kingdom there shall be no end.”

Then said Mary unto the angel, “How shall this be, seeing I know not a man?:

And the angel answered and said unto her, “The Holy Ghost shall come upon thee, and the power of the Highest shall overshadow thee: therefore also that holy thing which shall be born of thee shall be called the Son of God. And, behold, thy cousin Elisabeth, she hath also conceived a son in her old age: and this is the sixth month with her, who was called barren. For with God nothing shall be impossible”.

And Mary said, “Behold the handmaid of the Lord; be it unto me according to thy word”. And the angel departed from her.

Angel appears to Joseph in a dream Matthew 1.17-25

Now the birth of Jesus Christ was on this wise: When as his mother Mary was espoused to Joseph, before they came together, she was found with child of the Holy Ghost. Then Joseph her husband, being a just man, and not willing to make her a public example, was minded to put her away privily.

But while he thought on these things, behold, the angel of the Lord appeared unto him in a dream, saying, “Joseph, thou son of David, fear not to take unto thee Mary thy wife: for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Ghost. And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins”.

Now all this was done, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken of the Lord by the prophet, saying, “Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name ‘Emmanuel’”, which being interpreted is, God with us.

Then Joseph being raised from sleep did as the angel of the Lord had bidden him, and took unto him his wife: And knew her not till she had brought forth her firstborn son: and he called his name JESUS.

Birth of Jesus at Bethlehem Luke 2.1-20

And it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus, that all the world should be taxed. (And this taxing was first made when Cyrenius was governor of Syria.) And all went to be taxed, every one into his own city.

And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judaea, unto the city of David, which is called Bethlehem; (because he was of the house and lineage of David:) To be taxed with Mary his espoused wife, being great with child.

And so it was, that, while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered. And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn.

And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night.

And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid.

And the angel said unto them, “Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord. And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, 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, good will toward men”.

And it came to pass, as the angels were gone away from them into heaven, the shepherds said one to another, Let us now go even unto Bethlehem, and see this thing which is come to pass, which the Lord hath made known unto us.

And they came with haste, and found Mary, and Joseph, and the babe lying in a manger.

And when they had seen it, they made known abroad the saying which was told them concerning this child. And all they that heard it wondered at those things which were told them by the shepherds.

But Mary kept all these things, and pondered them in her heart.

And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, as it was told unto them.

Trip to Jerusalem on 8th Day Luke 1.21-24, 39-40

And when eight days were accomplished for the circumcising of the child, his name was called Jesus, which was so named of the angel before he was conceived in the womb. And when the days of her purification according to the law of Moses were accomplished, they brought him to Jerusalem, to present him to the Lord; (As it is written in the law of the Lord, Every male that openeth the womb shall be called holy to the Lord); And to offer a sacrifice according to that which is said in the law of the Lord, A pair of turtledoves, or two young pigeons.

And when they had performed all things according to the law of the Lord, they returned into Galilee, to their own city Nazareth. And the child grew, and waxed strong in spirit, filled with wisdom: and the grace of God was upon him.

Visit of the Wise Men Matthew 2.1-11

Now when Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judaea in the days of Herod the king, behold, there came wise men from the east to Jerusalem, Saying, “Where is he that is born King of the Jews? for we have seen his star in the east, and are come to worship him”.

When Herod the king had heard these things, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him. And when he had gathered all the chief priests and scribes of the people together, he demanded of them where Christ should be born.

And they said unto him, In Bethlehem of Judaea: for thus it is written by the prophet, ‘And thou Bethlehem, in the land of Juda, art not the least among the princes of Juda: for out of thee shall come a Governor, that shall rule my people Israel’.

Then Herod, when he had privily called the wise men, enquired of them diligently what time the star appeared. And he sent them to Bethlehem, and said, Go and search diligently for the young child; and when ye have found him, bring me word again, that I may come and worship him also.

When they had heard the king, they departed; and, lo, the star, which they saw in the east, went before them, till it came and stood over where the young child was. When they saw the star, they rejoiced with exceeding great joy. And when they were come into the house, they saw the young child with Mary his mother, and fell down, and worshipped him: and when they had opened their treasures, they presented unto him gifts; gold, and frankincense and myrrh.

Joseph Warned (Matthew 2.13-14)

And when they were departed, behold, the angel of the Lord appeareth to Joseph in a dream, saying, Arise, and take the young child and his mother, and flee into Egypt, and be thou there until I bring thee word: for Herod will seek the young child to destroy him.

When he arose, he took the young child and his mother by night, and departed into Egypt:

Summery John 1.4

And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.

Announcement of the Ministry Mark 1.1

The beginning of the gospel of Jesus Christ, the Son of God!

 

Here I Come a Caroling!

Christmas Carols curated by noted congenital amusia songsmith David L Lewis

My third grade teacher needed a volunteer to sing “Away in the Manger”. Of course I volunteered! I knew all the words – by heart! The teacher kept hitting a key on the piano and telling me to sing like it. Silly teacher; everybody knows all the keys on a piano sound alike.

This last Thanksgiving evening there was supposedly a “Christmas Music” show on PBS. These are usually good, so made an effort to see what it was about. Apparently “Christmas Music” now involves random noises, fireworks, and very distracting flashing lights. I turned back to the more sedate and comfortable football game.

It seems to me that what people think Christmas IS shows up in what they think of as being Christmas Music. The following is taken from blog posted to the Brazil Times website in December 2010.

****************************************************************

One of the best things about Christmas surely is the music. Much of what we Americans think of as “Christmas” comes from music associated with the day. How would we know about Rudolph, or Santa seeing us while we sleep, or many other such traditions without some songwriter informing us? In fact we wouldn’t know it was “merry” and not “happy” if some 19^th century Englishmen had not stopped to “wish ye a merry Christmas.”

The airwaves are full of the wide variety of music for Christmas. We are beginning to hear it on radio, and the TV specials have already begun in earnest. And, I do look forward to the various Christmas specials aired on PBS. Given the status of our society most of these performances will be Santa oriented rather than birth of Jesus emphasized, but I will play it all until it drives Kay crazy.

My own tendency is to prefer “sacred” above the secular approach to Christmas music. This, as with most all Christmas traditions, has its roots in childhood. We children of the 50’s associate with the day with carols learned for grade school Christmas programs presented for our parents “enjoyment” right before the Christmas break. One wonders if “the holidays” have any carols, the “winter break” any tradition, or our children any embedded Christmas memories?

Did something of an inventory on our home collection of Christmas CDs. We have a total of twelve, four of which came free from some advertiser or another. The CDs include a total of nearly 160 renditions by ten different artist and two vocal groups, with some orchestra pieces and one Mannheim Steamroller CD. Can I call that “eclectic”?

My personal all-time favorite Christmas carol is “O Holy Night”. To me this is the great, majestic annunciation of the birth of Christ. It’s a man’s song that takes a strength few women in the popular genre can bring to it. Unfortunately few men sing, and fewer sing great. Included in our library are eight interpretations of Holy Night, the best we have being by Charlotte Church. Duty compels me to here restate my well-established total lack of musical acumen.

Of the 160 renditions available there are actually only 77 different songs, something less than half. They tell me I could put these 77 on some sort of electrical device -- “a 10 year old kid could do it”. This would allow me to have something continuously playing all the way to next Christmas. Unfortunately I neither know myself how to so combine the 77 nor have any 10 year olds around.

Since above was written in 2010 I can now play almost any kind of music at any time on YouTube. Odds against it are astronomical, but if I am ever asked to sing again I’ll just play my top five YouTube videos.

#1 O Holy Night by Charlotte Church

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fp59f4C0VRc

#2 Silent Night by Songs and Everlasting Joy

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6U3Hb4oqbSA

#3 Hark! The Herald Angels Sing by Tabernacle Choir

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SFjMPaOBzXc

#4 O Come, All Ye Faithful by Jackie Evancho

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lGjMcH8M7bo

#5 Away in the Manger (kid’s version)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M2ULTkNmIEY

And, I knew all the words – by heart!

Memo to the Afterlife

From David L Lewis – the little brother of Terrance Richard Lewis

DATE: December 11 2023

TO:      The ‘Great Cloud Of Witnesses’ of Hebrews 12.1

RE:      Terrence “Terry” Richard Lewis

               Born November 5 1938
             Passed from this life December 11 2003

Dear dearly departed,

On theory he’d still be five years older than me, thought I’d check in with you folks on other side of Jordan as to how my big brother is doing. Does he still want to be called Terry? Am I still only one who could get away with calling him Terrence Richard? How about his piano playing – does he still just sit down and play anything he’s heard only once? For that matter, has he had time to actually learn to read music? And, how about his signing, surely you have him in the choir? You know I will be rejoining him someday, hope you don’t expect any of that music stuff from me.

No idea what he’s told you folks in Afterlife about his childhood, but suspect his perspective is not much like how this little brother saw him. Should tell you I was in absolute awe of him throughout my life. I grew taller than him, but he was always bigger. In almost every way he was the opposite of this little brother.

• My brother was absolutely fearless. When our uncle Ralph built a playhouse in backyard Terry would jump from its roof, over the sidewalk, and on to the garage roof. He was citywide Champion high driver in high school. Once in grade school he came to my defense, climbing down from his perch on the building’s roof. It is possible that me looking at him so high up is reason for my Acrophobia.

• Terry was popular and well spoken. He was President of first graduating class of O’Fallon High School in St Louis. He spoke at first graduating class of St Louis Christian College. And, as something of a connoisseur of such things, he was a very good and well liked preacher. He was also a decent writer, at least he was bether than me.

• When he married at 19 (seemed old enough to me) I got his room, which included a stash of 1950s Playboy magazines he’d hidden away (I knew where). He was too young to marry and I was too young to appreciate the value of his stash.

• Naturally he was Best Man at our wedding. As it is with life, ours went in different directions. We crossed later as we made various efforts at different business ventures. We made a good combination. As our mother pointed out, I am good with having a macro view and he saw the micro. Nothing much came of any of it until we both ended up in tax return preparation business.

• It doesn’t happen as often as it used to, but just recently our sister Diane and I were discussing something and I thought, ‘I’ll call Terry”.

When he departed our world for yours I was not able to be there. We had an agreement that whoever died first had to buy White Castles for the survivor. Do hope you guys really serve them in heaven.

Whenever I get there you folks up there in the Afterlife shouldn’t compare me with Terry, nor compare me with our sister Diane for that matter. They both have done a better job living this life that I. I’m just me, a long story which Afterlife will learn soon enough.

Just writing so that some future generation may know about Terry when they get up there.

theLittleBrother! 

 Sum of Human Knowledge

which is available to Bart Simpson but not necessarily accessed by David L Lewis

There is a story I’ve told many times about how when I was seventeen my father said, “There’s no future in computers”. For a number of years it seemed he was right. The first computer I ever saw took up most of the space of an enclosed room the size of our dining room. In the 1970s my brother and I stopped at an IBM office to ask about a computer which would do simple bookkeeping. It was about 10 feet long and cost $55K. A friend of mine used to say he was the last person on earth able to buy a floppy-drive driven desktop computer for only $40K.

The world changed. The other day our daughter pointed out she had all the worlds knowledge in her pocket. She is right. With the cellphone I have I could find what I want to know about, well, anything. Apparently these ‘smart-phone’ things can track air flights, recommend restaurants, reserve hotel rooms, post on something called social-media, order lunch, and reach any other person on face of the earth whose phone number is known to user.

Unfortunately, though, even Bart Simpson has a better idea than I as to how to do any of that. Maybe if I actually ever needed to do those smart thingees I could figure out how to use the darn thing.

All I know about ‘puters was learned from our son Nathan while we ran Computer Central. Eight years later a lot of that learning has either become outdated or been forgotten. I have all the world’s knowledge at my fingertips, and don’t know how to access 10% of what’s available from a handheld device. For the record, accessing the other 90% is the only reason we had kids and grandkids.

Having come to the game when it was driven by floppy drives, do have an idea how to get some good out of my laptop. There are two things I know how to do on the laptop used to write these inane diatribes ‘to find out what I think’:

Google it! As Nathan said many times, “Google knows everything”. All you need is to ask the right question.

YouTubing for the masses! If you want to do it, hear it, or learn it, several folks have made videos about it. And, as advertised, I have an eclectic mind, so YouTube recommends a vast array of new stuff to learn.

Often wonder what my father would say about sitting at a laptop and connecting instantly with absolutely anything included in the sum of human knowledge?  He wasn’t wrong about many things, but he was definitely wrong about computers. What they did have was a future. A future in which the sum of human knowledge can be carried in our daughter's pocket.

Now all I have to do is figure out how to fit a laptop into my pocket.

theNotComputerGeek!