It seems as if we just go through Christmas. After all when you’re both a Christmas performer and a procrastinator, it might just be possible that you’ve not entirely restored the house after taking the decorations down. It might be even more possible that you still have some decorations up outside.
Be kind, if you’ve been reading here, you know that 2022 hasn’t been the skippiest of years. Not to mention the fact that, thanks to COVID, my Santa season didn’t really end on a high note…or any note since my show was shut down early.
It’s also true that as a wearer of the red suit, my season is never really over. Sure the appearances are officially over. But you never really stop thinking about the next season and how to be a better Claus.
I did give myself two months off from officially working on things Claus-ish. But this month I’m returning to
But not today. Today begins the season of Lent.
In the Christian tradition, Lent is a 40 day season of prayer and fasting leading from Ash Wednesday (today) to Holy Thursday, the night on which Jesus was betrayed.
People observe Lent in many ways. For some it’s the giving up of treats, or indulgences (not that kind, stay with me).
While traditions may vary, what is most important is that we take a time to reflect.
Reflect on what Christ has done for us through his sacrifice on the cross and through his resurrection.
These are turbulent times.
But in my sixty-some years I’m not sure that I’ve ever lived in non-turbulent times. There is always conflict. There is always suffering. There is always poverty. There is always hunger. There is always disease.
The Follower of Jesus understands that these things happen because this is not our home.
But the journey that begins today and follows through Easter morning and beyond is a reminder that He has indeed gone to prepare a new place for us.
A new heaven and a new earth.
But it begins with the journey to the cross.
American singer-songwriter, and gospel music legend, Dottie Rambo, was born on this day in 1934. (d. 2008)
THINGS YOU SHOULD READ
BREAKING: Biden says Americans should not be concerned about nuclear war
The Post Milleniall
Speaking to the question of nuclear confrontation, White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki said that concerns that nuclear war is imminent are overblown. Read More…and tremble.
REP. JIM BANKS: Joe Biden’s State Of Disunion
Daily Caller
Biden has succeeded in one important thing: uniting Americans around his own divisiveness. Nearly seven in ten Americans have little to no confidence in his ability to bring the country together. Read More.
Ukraine crisis: US must lead again on energy before it is too late
Governor Rick Perry at FOXNews
President Biden is correct when he says “defending freedom will have costs,” but those costs shouldn’t be needlessly self-inflicted. Read More.
ALSO BORN ON THIS DAY
1904 – Dr. Seuss, American children’s book writer, poet, and illustrator (d. 1991)
1917 – Desi Arnaz, Cuban-American actor, singer, and producer (d. 1986)
1931 – Mikhail Gorbachev, Russian lawyer and politician, President of the Soviet Union, Nobel Prize laureate
1952 – Laraine Newman, American actress and comedian
1962 – Jon Bon Jovi, American singer-songwriter, guitarist, producer, and actor
1968 – Daniel Craig, English actor and producer
WHAT I’M READING
BENEDICTION
The Lord bless you and keep you;
the Lord make his face shine on you and be gracious to you;
the Lord turn his face toward you and give you peace.
Numbers 6:24-26