The Joy Remains

Jax at Christmas 2019
December 25, 2019
Odenton, MD

The celebration may be over, but the joy remains. 

The day has passed, but a new one is dawning outside of my window.

Memories of the day will be kept forever in my mind. The family, the food, the gathering, the conversation, the game we played and the presents exchanged. 

Christmas is not over, because it is a season and we are children of Christmas! The joy of the season lives within us and we are fulfilled when we share the joy. Christmas is not about the gifts, or the food, or the activity--it is about people and and how we each touch each other.

We improve the world, one person at a time when we share our inner joy with others that we meet and know just by doing our everyday tasks.

Merry Christmas, may your joy fill others with hope.

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

Christmas 2019

Christmas 2019
Elkridge, MD

It is hard to believe that the last Christmas of the 2010's is here. 

I am sitting my chair, alone in the room with the Christmas tree lit reveling in the quiet of the house. All I hear is the sound of the furnace pumping out warm air and the cat munching on the tree. It is artificial and the imitation needles he consumes means he is going to be puking later. Merry Christmas, here is a pike of puke to clean! Cats!

Chris is asleep. She will be down in a few minutes and we will share that special morning time together before the start of the day. The day is devoted to family. The gathering of the clan, so to speak. 

And now, the day begins. 

May your Christmas wishes all come true and may peace find its way into our tortured world.

A prayer of thanks for the first Christmas gift of our Savior and we are off.

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

Christmas Eve 2019

It has arrived--the day before the day!

I remember that when I was a kid, Christmas Eve was the longest day of the year. It would drag on forever and I would look forward to church and the candle light service because I knew that after church it was time for bed and then the BIG day would arrive. 

In retrospect, Christmas Eve is an important day. It is the epitome of preparation. 

Today we will gather the family for a brunch to start what has become a two-day holiday. And this year, thanks to an Executive Order for the President, federal workers have an official two-day holiday, so I did not have to take leave, as I usually do, to enjoy the holiday. 

And so, on the Christmas Eve, let me offer a prayer to all. It is not of my own writing, but I found it on Crosswalk and it spoke to me. 

Lord, in a season when every heart should be happy and light, many of us are struggling with the heaviness of life—burdens that steal the joy right out of our Christmas stockings. Crazy weather disasters strike at unsuspecting areas, ravaging peaceful homes and interrupting the lives of unsuspecting residents. Tragedy arrives as innocent victims suffer, and an inner voice whispers, “Be afraid!” We need your peace, Jesus.

Lord, we still carol the wonderful message, huddled beneath winter caps on snow-covered porches, or from churches, led by enthusiastic musicians or choir members. Yet we confess that our hearts are too often filled with wonder of a different kind: wondering when the bills will be paid, when the terror will stop, when rest will come. Will it ever? Is the message still true?

In a world where worry, not peace, prevails, stir up that good news again. This Christmas, make it real in our hearts. Never have we needed Your joy and peace more than now. Thank You for the gift of Jesus, our Immanuel, the Word made flesh. Forgive us for forgetting—that Your love never changes, never fades, and that You never abandon the purpose for which You came: to save us from our sinful condition, and to give us life eternal, the joy of relationship with a holy God. Your birth—and Your death—sealed Your promise to us forever. Amen.

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

Monday Musings - December 23, 2019

1. The year is drawing to a close. This is the next-to-last Monday of the year. There are two short days until Christmas and only 8 days remaining in 2019.

2. Winter began on Saturday night Eastern Standard Time. I almost did not notice it.

From Saturday Night Live
December 22, 2019

3. I do not usually watch Saturday Night Live because it is on too late and often I do not appreciate the humor. This Saturday, however, we recorded the show to review later and on Sunday we watched the show because it had Eddie Murphy as the host. It was very funny. One of the funnest parts was the comparison of Mitch McConnell to a Star Wars character. It made me laugh. 

4. Family NFL Results. There is one week remaining in the NFL season.
  
    Steelers lost to Jets 10-16 (Playoff hopes on life support)
    Cowboys lose to Eagles 9-17 (Playoff hopes on life-support)
    Redskins lose to Giants 35-41
    Ravens defeat Browns 31-15 (Earned 1st seed in AFC)

5. The packages are bought and everything is ready for the holiday! Really? No, but it is great to think about.

6. Dual youth basketball games highlighted my Sunday. The boys split with one win and one loss, but both had great performances.

7. The temperatures are going to be in the 50's for Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. Yay! I wonder if there is any way I'll play golf. Who am I kidding?

8. Today in History. On December 23, 1888, Dutch painter Vincent van Gogh, suffering from severe depression, cuts off the lower part of his left ear with a razor while staying in Arles, France.  He later documented the event in a painting titled Self-Portrait with Bandaged Ear. Today, Van Gogh is regarded as an artistic genius and his masterpieces sell for record-breaking prices; however, during his lifetime, he was a poster boy for tortured starving artists and sold only one painting.



Headlines


Three Big Child Predator Sites Were Closed.  - The New York Times

In France, Holiday Skating Rinks Are an Unlikely Climate Battleground - The New York Times

'Bull's-eye' landing for Boeing's Starliner - Reuters

Hong Kong braces for protests over Christmas holidays - Reuters

Ronald Reagan Quote for the Week


Christmas is also a time to remember the treasures of our own history. We remember one Christmas in particular, 1776, our first year as a nation. The Revolutionary War had been going badly. But George Washington’s faith, courage, and leadership would turn the tide of history our way. On Christmas night he led a band of ragged soldiers across the Delaware River through driving snow to a victory that saved the cause of independence. It’s said that their route of march was stained by bloody footprints, but their spirit never faltered and their will could not be crushed. The image of George Washington kneeling in prayer in the snow is one of the most famous in American history. He personified a people who knew it was not enough to depend on their own courage and goodness; they must also seek help from God, their Father and Preserver.

Ronald Reagan Christmas Address 1983

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

Star Wars - The Rise of Skywalker, Review

In short, if you have seen, or in some cases suffered through, the other 8 Star Wars movies you MUST see the latest installment, which is also touted as the last installment of this fantastic series that began during 1977. 

Think about it--42 years of Star Wars--and the official end has been announced. 

Rotten Tomatoes critiqued the film: Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker suffers from a frustrating lack of imagination, but concludes this beloved saga with fan-focused devotion.

Let me say that while I can see some truth in the critics assessment, the film completes the story in a creative and consistent manner. I found the movie filled with action, although the "flight" scenes seem to be almost continual, they did not drag and added to the story. There are surprises and tears. Laughter and groans. I experienced a wide range of emotions as I watched the heroes of my adult life conclude their saga. I have learned about good and evil and the force form these cinematic heroes. They have been consistent if not at times unwilling heroes through these 42 years.  

RECOMMENDATION: See this movie. It is worth the time investment. The is the triumphant completion to the saga that redefined science fiction moviemaking and has crossed generations of moviegoers. It remains as relevant today as it was in the 70's.

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

Uncouth--A Cogent Response

The White House
December 9, 2016

I am shocked at the reaction to statements made recently by the President. Mostly shocked that so many people are defending the wanton thuggishness that was on display in Michigan the other night. Have we degraded ourselves as a society to the point that we want our President to act like a fighter in a cage match?

We know what was said about former Congressman Dingell from Michigan. According to one news source Those remarks suggested John Dingell, who passed away in February, may be watching from hell, not heaven. It was an offhand comment--the kind, unfortunately that our president is famous for making. But it is precisely these comments that reveal the nature of the man inside of the facade that is our President. 

And these are not isolated incidents.

The man who most represents America to the rest of the world is uncouth! 

The vilification of the Democrats as the source of every problem in America is getting tiring to hear. It is an old tune and is striking similar to similar themes which have been used throughout history.

Finally, however, a cogent voice from America's mid-section was heard yesterday as Christianity Today, a magazine founded by Billy Graham, laid out that the immorality of the president is inconsistent with governing this nation. They wrote:

But the facts in this instance are unambiguous: The president of the United States attempted to use his political power to coerce a foreign leader to harass and discredit one of the president’s political opponents. That is not only a violation of the Constitution; more importantly, it is profoundly immoral.

The reason many are not shocked about this is that this president has dumbed down the idea of morality in his administration. He has hired and fired a number of people who are now convicted criminals. He himself has admitted to immoral actions in business and his relationship with women, about which he remains proud. His Twitter feed alone—with its habitual string of mischaracterizations, lies, and slanders—is a near perfect example of a human being who is morally lost and confused.

And after reviewing similar words written about President Clinton in 1998, they continued to provide this assessment,

Whether Mr. Trump should be removed from office by the Senate or by popular vote next election—that is a matter of prudential judgment. That he should be removed, we believe, is not a matter of partisan loyalties but loyalty to the Creator of the Ten Commandments.

To whom are we loyal?

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

Bankrupting the Economy and the Environment

I fear for our nation, our society, and the world. 

While listening to the impeachment proceedings I was constantly reminded about the great economy that we are experiencing. One of the great successes ascribed to the current administration is the roaring economy. An economy which is on fire and growing. 

Here is the scary truth--the economy is not on fire--it is being bought and paid for with the national debt. The national debt was $19.573 trillion when the current administration took over. It is estimated to be  $24.057 trillion at the end of 2020. In four years the national debt has risen $5 trillion!!! That is a 23 percent increase in the national debt which will stand at 106% of out total GDP. (source: National Debt by Year Compared to GDP and Major Events)

Where do we think this will end? The bills are going to become due someday. We are mortgaging the future prosperity of our children and grandchildren for transient prosperity right now. They will have to pay the bills. 

The second aspect of the current administration that is frightening is the wanton disregard for environmental issues. A opinion piece in the New York Times titled Trump and His Party of Pollution, provides some hard thoughts on the subject. These are even scarier than the economy because it is likely that we could damage the Earth in such a manner that it will be rendered unable to support human life. The United States used to be one of the world leaders in protecting the planer all the way from the snail darter to the whales. The weird part is the the reduction of pollution controls is not saving us money! It is actually, according to the article, costing us $89 billion per year. 

The United States must be the leader and advocate for the planet! Abrogating that responsibility is leaving our grandchildren with a problem that they may not be able to solve. When the oceans die and the ice caps melt--the world will become a very hostile place to try to eke out an existence. 

The Economy and Environment--lost in the facade of a boom economy. What will our grandchildren think?

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

Jesus Christ Superstar

Chris and I attended a Broadway Across America show of Jesus Christ Superstar last evening which provided an interesting juxtaposition of the Christmas and Easter seasons. The Rock Opera, as Jesus Christ Superstar is correctly known as, provides an intimate look into the final days of Jesus's life while of course now we are in the midst of the Christmas season celebrating his birth. 

The traveling Broadway show was nothing short of fantastic. It is the 50th Anniversary of the show and it is touring the country. Last week they were in Omaha, Nebraska. The cast and crew did a great job updating the music. The set was unique. The show reminded me of my youth as the music was first released when I was in high school. The show provided a nice trip down memory lane. 

The Hippodrome, however, while a beautiful theater is uncomfortable. The seats are too close and it is worse than an airline seat in terms of leg room. Last evening I could not see the entire stage because of people sitting in front of me. We were in Center stage seats in the balcony. I do not recommend the Hippodrome as as venue to see shows.

But it was overall a good evening and at least parking  was convenient.

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

Holiday Concert, Part 2

Ethan on the Risers
Arundel High School
Odenton, MD
December 17, 2019

Music runs in our family. 

Last evening, Chris and I attended our second Holiday Concert in two weeks. This one was held at Arundel high School and was principally a choir concert. There was a short interlude with a guitar ensemble which was very nice. 

The high school choral concert did not disappoint and Chris and I recalled our years in high school when we both sang in the concert choir.

But, last evening it was about Ethan, who is a true bass and sang some excellent holiday music. 

The music was a pleasant mix of songs for the season and the two choirs also reorganized by gender and performed as all female and all male choruses. 

It was enjoyable evening, even with the rain! Which has not stopped for two days. I am not really complaining because it could have been snow.

Well--on to the holidays!

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

Winter is Afoot

Snow Falling on the Drive
Elkridge, MD
December 16, 2019

And there it was yesterday morning as let Makayla out for her morning stroll in the yard. 

Snow. Falling from the sky and covering the ground. 

Real snow this time. More than the trace we received last week. It caused a small disaster as schools closed, but the real problem was that it rained all of the day. Nonstop. 

It always amazes me that life seems to stop in Maryland when the snow falls. Schools were canceled or delayed over much of the state. 

It can only mean that Winter is afoot.

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD