Christ is with us.

 In the midst of a bleak mid-winter, Christ is with us.  Whether alone or in person with loved ones, we remember God's unconditional love in Jesus.

Winter light

 On this shortest day of the year, the sun and winter clouds shine through three of our nativity sets.

More than a Memory

 “Mayfield More than a Memory,” says a mural on the side of a downtown building that still stands in Mayfield, Kentucky. This 200 years old town of 10,000 had been working to revitalize itself for the 21st century. Some may believe that memories are all the people in Mayfield have after the huge tornado ripped through there last Friday night. 

I have such admiration for the mayor and governor, and other leaders who with calm, and courage carry on, giving thanks for the support they have received from the nation. Neighbors helped neighbors, pulling them out of the rubble. Mayfield is a community of people.  That's what makes a small city, a small town, and needs to make the world.

Only a memory? No, because we have a God who was, and is, and is to come. 

Our Hearts Go Out

 Burton wrote this in the snow across the street from our home for me on Saturday while I was taking a nap. (BE + NE in a heart). We had a slight snow storm; however, most of all we send our hearts and our support to those who experienced a storm of tornadoes in 6 states in the lower Midwest and Mid-South Saturday.

Angela Merkel: A Leader of Stability, Civility and Service

 I will miss Angela Merkel. She has been Chancellor of Germany for 16 years, since 2005. Before that she was leader of the opposition from 2002-2005. During her tenure as chancellor, Merkel frequently was referred to as the de facto leader of the European Union.

Angela Merkel grew up in East Germany, daughter of a Lutheran Clergyman. She obtained a doctorate in Quantum chemistry in 1986 and worked as a research scientist. At the age of 51 she became Germany's first woman Chancellor. 

Merkel hands over power to Olaf Scholz who becomes chancellor on Wednesday, Dec. 8, part of a 3-party, coalition.

Angela is a strong, modest, calm woman; she is seen as a political giant. Leading through many challenges in Germany and throughout the world, she believes in the importance of ongoing communication, saying, "Look at the world from other people's perspective." She always kept lines of communication open maintaining some kind of dialog even with those with whom she disagreed. Angela Merkel has constantly talked about and lived out the need for world cooperation. She became an icon of stability, civility, and service.

Angela knew how to sustain stability. She calmed the nation and the European Union during the global financial crisis. At the time of the refugee crisis, she left the German borders open; about one million people came into Germany.  She said that failure to integrate them was not an option.

A scientist herself, she did not hesitate to recognize the magnitude of Climate Change and the COVID pandemic. Angela Merkel has garnered widespread esteem and is deeply respected in many countries. What a role model for global leaders and for all of us!

The short days of winter

 Sunrise this morning: 7:30 (lower picture)

Sunset this evening: 4:30 (upper picture)

We used to sit out on our deck until 9:30 in the evening. Winter dark is here, but the temperature was almost 50 degrees so we went for a walk in Central Park this afternoon.