One of the first things you might hear about Atlanta, GA is “That Awful Atlanta Traffic!” as if it is our dominant ambience. Traffic here can be horrible, in the same way that there can be sharks at the beach, or bears in the woods. The two big traffic tangles here are “The Downtown Connector”—where I-75 and i-85 travel the same 7.5 mile stretch through, well, downtown; the other is “Spaghetti Junction”—the Northeast interchange at I-85 and the Atlanta Perimeter—I-285. Tales from those two can poison almost any traffic discussion.

I posit that “Hurry” is the silent source of most traffic tangles. I won’t try to diagnose the ills, nor point to possible solutions. I am as guilty as anyone contributing to talk of traffic troubles. So today I point to polite drivers—people who tend to be overlooked, not appreciated; they do exist.

An example; the entrance to our neighborhood comes off a busy through-street. In heavy traffic times it can be difficult to enter or exit the busy street (Or to make a left turn into our neighborhood). I often see polite drivers who stop in their line of traffic to allow another driver to enter the line of traffic. I also try to do that when possible, myself—it is not always safe to do that. But it is a good practice; often drivers offer such courtesy.

Until Paige’s illness, I taught in the AARP Driver Safety Program. We always discussed “Distracted Drivers;” —cell phones and eating etc., also reacting to other drivers—a real No-No! Pay attention to your own driving, your own attitude, situation-awareness. It goes a long way toward safe driving. More drivers show politeness than are given credit.

In fact Jesus had something to say about this; no, Jesus and his disciples did not drive a Honda (Well, they were usually in one Accord!) He said, do not judge, complain, argue with others. He said the likely problem is, you look for wrong in others while letting the trash in your own eye confuse you (RWV Revised Willis Version). Complaining about others only complicates your own thinking and behavior. Don’t do it! Be nice, Jesus said (also RWV).

To a great extent, most of us learn to find “work-arounds”. When we can, we schedule our trip accordingly. “When someone cuts me off, “a friend said, “or speeds on ahead, I toss a quick “dart-prayer” for that person. I do not know what that driver is dealing with.” Paige, my late wife, applied her own aphorism—“Everyone is dealing with something!”

The Apostle Paul told his friends at Philippi that he had learned the secret of contentment. No matter how people treated him, or what circumstances he may be found in, he said, “I have everything I need.” I have known people like that. It is rare, but possible—-possible for all of us; it depends upon one’s own propensity for finding deep faith. I do not mean that faith is some form of Santa Claus, or a panacea.

Viktor Frankl, a German psychiatrist, discovered this among his fellow prisoners in Nazi Concentration Camps. He found that those who had clung to a deep meaning for life tended to thrive—as contrasted with those with no sense of purpose—even though they were physically better off; who usually died. Hope infused with deep purpose is life-giving!

©Copyright Willis H. Moore 2023

Recent winter storms raised the issue of being equipped—on many levels. Snow on travel routes, flood damage to communities, mudslides of all kinds, being dressed for the weather, myriad reasons for being equipped. It matters much to anticipate, plan, prepare, and pack needs for what is, or may be next. I remember fondly, the careful, even meticulous details we planned for every adventure, when I was a Boy Scout leader. As the Scout motto says, “Be prepared;” and we were. Those who weren’t learned for next time—the hard way as in missing a meal if no food was badly planned or not. If harm threatened due to the lack of being prepared, Scout leaders were, and did a rescue.

It is important to be equipped for exigencies that come up in life; First Aid kits, basic emergency tools and equipment for your vehicle etc. When I qualified as a Mission Chaplain in the USAF Civil Air Patrol, we kept a “Go Bag.” It was well supplied with everything that could be needed for as much as a two-day deployment. That equipment stayed “ready” to grab and go. Recently I saw a list of essentials from my ‘Go Bag from years ago— (I was amused at one item; “A roll of dimes.” for an emergency call on a pay-phone–you young folks won’t know what that is!).

In 2014 “Snowmageddon” struck. Metro Atlanta was brought to a standstill. Roadways were covered in 2 1/2 inches of snow. Not so bad per se, but underneath solid ice had frozen most roadways. Folks in distant places laughed at us in Atlanta; “What! You can’t handle a couple of inches of snow?!” they sniffed.

In a large measure, Atlanta was not prepared. It is virtually impossible to maintain ready equipment for every kind of disaster; as almost every community discovers at one time or another. But as most learn (some better than others) planning and equipping goes a long way to survive the assaults of nature—which have been since the beginning of time.

As Moses and Aaron were about to lead the Children of Israel out of Egypt’s bondage into “The Promised Land,” careful precise directions were given to them—to equip them for the travel. It would be a long (40 years) and difficult journey. They would need preparation, direction, and courage, and the assurance that God would be with them. And you know the victory of that enterprise. I am reminded of the Astronauts ‘ preparation for a journey into space; details, repeat, details, repeat…

The Apostle Paul taught the church at Ephesus to prepare for for difficulties they may face, by putting on the whole armor of God. He warned that their life would not be easy, but to equip themselves for what ever may come. Paul, also admonished the church to equip themselves for service to God. There are five passages in the New Testament (all of them from Paul) that speak of being equipped for what comes.

We can have our goals. We can have our hopes. We can even have specific plans; any endeavor must be adequately equipped for successful completion. As the Scouts chant at every Scout meeting! “Be Equipped! (actually, they say, “Be Prepared” —kinda the same thing!)

©Copyright Willis H. Moore 2023

I don’t know about yours, but my rain gauge read 4.5 inches of rain one day last week. That is the most rain I’ve measured since moving here. Weather warnings routinely projected “River Flooding.” Friends spoke of basements flooded. We were wet all around. However, our local woes were far less devastating than in other places in the United States; snow bombs, blizzards in the double digits, flooding, tornadoes, violent winds hit far and wide.

A maxim about water is that “Water seeks its own level.” That is so precise. I learned from a contractor friend, that he uses a “Water Level” tube to assure level accuracy while building. Actually, it is a vintage method of assuring level in construction. When he needs to check the level at two separate spots, he uses a clear plastic tube nearly filled with water to spotcheck as needed. It is especially necessary when checking spots around a corner from each other. It is so accurate and so simple it boggles my mind.

The recent water woes demonstrated a less desirable facet of water seeking its own level; Mudslides out West were as frightening as they were devastating. Not only was property and scenery lost, but also people were injured and lives were lost. Water can (and sometimes does) move mountains.

Water presents a paradox; too much is devastating. So is too little. My grandson Zach, a graduate student, is studying water use and its impact on environmental sustainability. He came face-to-face with water issues during his internship last year. Agriculture, healthcare, transportation,—–well, you name it—-our need for water and its role in our lives are critical issues.

Who can forget mom scolding you for using a bad word an saying, “I’m gonna wash your mouth with soap!”—soap AND water! Have you noticed the sales attraction water has to us human types? 93.05% of commercials on TV include water! (That’s according to The Willis Moore famous Magnum Rejoinder). Water is often called the universal solvent, It isn’t but it seems like it.

The very first sentence in the Bible, speaks of water; there are 722 mentions of water in the Bible—the Creation, the rescue of Moses, the parting of the Reed Sea, cleansing (often) and baptism, all speak of water. As I write this, Christians the world over are celebrating the Baptism of Jesus (January 8), in the Jordan River, by John The Baptizer.

When Jesus met the Samaritan woman at Jacob’s well, water, of course became the center topic. Very likely, she had come for more than one reason. The obvious reason was the necessity of getting water. But she left, after a frank discussion with Jesus, with her thirst for life’s meaning quenched. Again, water gave a lucid reflection , almost as if God had said again, “Let there be light!.” It is worth noting that in the final words of the Bible, the final chapter of the Book of Revelation, in the vision of John of Patmos, the Angel gives him a view of the river of Life-giving water.

So, check your water level; it matters a great deal. Whether it is life giving water ( H₂O), or the metaphor for Life-giving Water, Our vitality depends on it. 

©Copyright Willis H. Moore 2022

Over Christmas and New Year’s holidays in Austin, TX, our whole family worked intermittently on Jigsaw puzzles (4 completed successfully). The activity offered, for the generations of blended families, a welcomed spirit of quietude—during the typical excitement of the days. When someone wanted quiet, distraction—-or simply felt compelled to find the place for some strangely-shaped puzzle piece to fit—the puzzle of the day provided just that.

I’m good at doing 25-piece jigsaw puzzles! Not so much on one with 1,000 or 2,000 or so pieces. Those nearly give me Hyperopia! Also, I have trouble sticking with that sort of activity. Not my family! There were always people around the table—one, two, or more. Simply seeing such peaceful hum of fun was pure joy. The fun didn’t stop upon our return to Georgia— at least not for Jennifer. She single handedly completed a 750 piece puzzle in two days! (Well, I did connect two or three pieces.)Late one night, I found her still leaning over the table—it was relaxing, she said.

No Jigsaw puzzle has any identical pieces, making a good challenge. The nicer ones (read, more expensive) snap into place, therefore only the correct piece will fit in its proper place. The production process for puzzles is long, intricate, and precise—from the artwork all the way to the packaging. Steel curlique bands are then shaped for the press (die cutting machines), to produce the pieces. Small wonder the puzzles tend to be pricey.

Human beings are puzzles too. No two are identical ones there either. And according to the Psalmist, we, too, are intricately created. We do, however, have similarities to; our skeleton, our skin, our social needs. Yet each one is unique. Just as our jigsaw puzzle activity over Christmas week engaged us, each one taking a slightly different approach. The human spirit in its diversity gives an attractive component to our social interaction. In positive ways, this interaction can temper community strength.

In a measure, a jigsaw puzzle is somewhat like life. One person wants to rush toward the goal—graduation, marriage, career, whatever. Another person wants simply to savor the journey—much like the person who lays out the puzzle pieces on a table, and works on it for weeks, even months. The difference is that the jigsaw puzzle is inanimate. Life is not. Life moves on—with or without outside help. Life awaits personal decision. Even no decision is a decision.

A big difference between a jigsaw puzzle and life, is that life is dynamic; there is no box with a full-color picture as a guide. There are patterns for life; health, nutrition, shelter, safety. But to a large degree we figure it out as we go. Although Scripture, prayer, fellowship, and worship are basic guides, we make our own choices. That is the marvel free will affords. We are not puppets. Therein lies wonder and joy; choice lies before us. A vision of hope, joy, and love beckons to us as surely as any full color jigsaw puzzle picture.

©Copyright Willis H. Moore 2023

I have said, “I don’t like change.” I might as well have said, “I don’t like to breathe.” It amounts to the same. Change is happening as I write this. It will continue. You know it must; it is essential to life. In our bodies, our families, our contexture, our world, the Universe—change is immutable. I think resistance to change derives from our human proclivity toward comfort.

Usually, when I resist change it tends to be one over which I have little or no control. When I choose a change, I expect some, or much discomfort, uncertainty—at least some puzzlement; I accept the unknowing because I want, or hope for a desired result. While learning to ride a bicycle (a change from walking) I got cuts, scrapes, and bumps—just short of broken bones. But the freedom and speed I desired eclipsed my fears—and scars.

One of the memorable changes in my past was leaving the tiny rural Deepstep elementary school and mounting the bus for high school in town. There were more people in my freshman class than in the entire school I left. Hallways, changing classes, schedules, rules—all wrought knots in my stomach. That change was more formidable than my eventual move to college—though a change toward my life goals, it was a challenge nevertheless.

Change carries the unknown in its bosom. While change may not exactly mean choosing “The Lady or the Tiger,” yet some change can portend so. A new job, moving to a new location (far or near)—most change, chosen or forced means adjustment; adjustment in direction, comfort, and attitude (or the need thereof). Ponder that; can you think of anything that you would want always to remain the same? Ironically, some people seem to. Don Gorske, of Fond du Lac, Wisconsin, has eaten a Big Mac everyday for over 50 years, according to Guinness World Records. However (and I don’t have irrefutable knowledge of this) he accepts other changes—as we all must (well, he did change from the original nine (9)-a-day to two-a-day).

Navigating change is often fraught with uncertainty, difficulty, and complexity. It is reassuring to know that God’s love and faithfulness are renewed every morning! We human beings may get weary or give up hope in the midst of assaults of uncertainty, or a difficult patch. But we are reassured that the steadfast love of God remains, well, steadfast!

The Apostle Paul gave final assurance of a final permanence (sounds redundant), and to that end, the uncertainty, pain, and loss migrate into hope. Very likely, just recently, in your place of worship, you heard words from the ancient prophet Isaiah Look! Look! I am doing a new thing! He was announcing that Hope, Love, Joy, and Peace are possible. In the thick of our doubts, fears, and missteps, we are not alone as we navigate this New Year! Hope is possible. Joy is possible. Love is possible. Peace is possible; and as the Apostle Paul spotlit “The greatest of these, is Love!.” (v13).

© Copyright Willis H. Moore 2022

Twenty years ago, we remodeled our kitchen—taking in part of the asymmetric den, all of the outside patio, adding a bathroom, and enlarging the laundry room. We discovered some unexpected “neighbors.” Chipmunks. The aging, undulating patio was paved with brick overlaying a sand base. Over the years, chipmunks had created a labyrinthine mass of trails; shall I say chipmunk village?

Since we had only recently moved into this house, we had not experienced chipmunks bothering us. Their scurrying across the yard was actually endearing. Our construction was dramatic; we needed to remove their entire playground, so they relocated themselves. Having lived in South Georgia all my life—surrounded by Pine trees, I seldom saw chipmunks. Now I was hearing stories of how annoying chipmunks can be.

Speaking of bothersome chipmunks, recently, while listening to Christmas music, I heard “Alvin, and the Chipmunks.” It opened another window to how annoying they ca be—(but I still think they are cute!) You may be old enough remember that raucous song, “Christmas Don’t Be Late” by David Seville and the Chipmunks from the late 1950’s. The recording featured a sound distortion depicting the misbehaving Alvin. The distortion was created by recording the song at half the speed; then over-recording at regular speed.

The days leading up to Christmas—-parties, shopping, friends and family gatherings, and preparing for the visit of Santa Claus—tend to create stress, on many levels. As much as Alvin and the Chipmunks may annoy you, they do give you a chance for comic relief, as you identify with David Seville and his dealing with “Alvin… ALVIN! Very likely, one of the common New Years Resolutions is “Next year, I will plan more carefully and not clutter my days.”

Chipmunks, one of God’s creatures, are of Canadian origin (often called “Red Squirrels” or “Striped Squirrels”), They play vital roles in our ecology. For one, they gather, store, and scatter seedlings; they are virtual farmers. They are also valuable for consuming fungi, in a significant role in the symbiotic relationship of tree root systems.

Usually, humans become annoyed by God’s creatures when they make our lives inconvenient, or they hinder (sometimes destroying) our daily lives. But it is we who have moved in on their natural habitat. All living creatures play a role in the natural world, albeit sometimes inconvenient to their human neighbors. All the way from The Old Farmer’s Almanac to University classrooms/laboratories, reliable, beneficial means of beneficial coexistence by humans and animals are studied.

The old Prophet, Isaiah had a vision of “The Peaceable Kingdom;” He was convinced that it is possible. Although overly romanticized, the world of Native Americans did make a lot of progress in this area; as did other civilizations. If you listen you can glean stories of families, tribes, and assorted groups being good stewards; putting to maximum use the produce of the land. The fathers of the Faith heard and passed on to generations, the intention of God’ The purpose of all Creation is to live together in harmony, benefitting from our common connectedness.

So Alvin & company, enjoy your sorties into lawns and forests! We’ll learn to live in harmony, living into the Peaceable Kingdom.

©Copyright Willis H. Moore 2022

I thoroughly enjoy Christmas music; “Jingle Bell Rock” by our own Brenda Lee (from Conyers, GA), “White Christmas” with Bing Crosby, “We need a Little Christmas,” The New Christy Minstrels, “Silent Night,” or “We Wish You a Merry Christmas.” When Christmas music begins on radio, I tune in; satellite radio is better, in that it is available anywhere. Some people object to Christmas music being broadcast before December 1. I can understand—when your workplace plays the same loop 24/7 for two months straight, it gorges. But I do like to hear Christmas music, the old and the new.

Christmas music made its entrance long before ubiquitous streaming and Mall Music assaulted our ears; there wasn’t as much variety or rapid spread, but it made its impact. I don’t know of a collection of Christmas carols, or songbook that does not include “Hark! The Herald Angels Sing.” written by hymnist, Charles Wesley. (He also wrote “Come, Thou Long Expected Jesus”—though not as popular). It is said that he wrote over 650 hymns. More than fifty of them are in the current United Methodist Hymnal (1988).

Charles Wesley’s birthday is one week before Christmas (December 18). He had a passion for the Church and Jesus hymns; maybe in the process he decided to create a Christmas Carol. Could it be that “Hark! The Herald Angels Sing” is the result? Whatever his motivation, the hymn is a classic.

Unlike much of the contemporary “Christmas” music we hear, the hymns of Charles Wesley have joy—and substance. Apparently he wrote hymns constantly— nor was he glib or glitzy. His hymns invited a sense of the wholeness of the Christ he knew, loved, and desired to introduce to people of every walk of life.

Typical of the Wesley brothers, the lyrics are packed with solid theology, undergirding the power and impact of what Christmas is all about. John, Charles’ brother, wrote some hymns as well as preaching theologically sound sermons. Charles’ hymns were long—most of them too long for most hymnals to include in print. Listen to “Hark! The Herald Angels Sing.” There you find the joy and essence of the Incarnation.

For The Wesleys, Christmas is the Incarnation—the birth of Jesus, (not the birthday of Jesus—which blurs the impact of Christ being “born in our hearts”). Scripture has abundant references to God’s desire to make a home in our hearts. Another carol by Wesley, “Come, Thou Long Expected Jesus,” has abundant references to —living in our hearts, which amplifies God’s desire to make a home in our hearts.

Experts say what physical activity can do for your body, music may do for your brain. In fact, listening to music can keep your brain engaged as you age and provides a total brain workout. Any music lover can tell you that music can help you recall emotions from other times in life. It turns out that the power of music, found to bring back powerful memories, has a firm foundation in science…( Feb 20, 2019 | Tips For Seniors). This reminder is good news—-especially in these days of Advent, and other preparations for Christmas. So. Put on a CD or mp3, or the playlist you created and enjoy Christmas music. As Uncle Frank used to say, “It will do you good, and help you too!” …and here’s one of my favorite fun, animated Christmas songs; click and play!

White Christmas; with Clyde McPhatter and the Drifters

©Copyright Willis H. Moore 2022

Brand icons readily identify things such as products, services, and organizations. Some icons are globally recognized; the Apple logo, according to “The Visual Capitalist,” is in the top fifty. Followed by Amazon, Microsoft, and Google, in that order.

Tom Goodwin said, “Brands are essentially patterns of familiarity, meaning, fondness, and reassurance that exist in the minds of people.”— Marketing for the Modern Age. We develop emotional responses to experiences, negative or positive. If you have a memory of a dog bite, you develop negative connotations about dogs. If, on the other hand, your childhood puppy companion cuddled and pampered you, your feelings about dogs are dramatically positive. Michael Rader, founder of Brandroot, says “Brand names give businesses the opportunity to put a meaning behind their name with completely positive connotations.”

We don’t typically think about the Creche in terms of branding. It is, in a significant way, the Christian “brand” of Christmas; as contrasted with the Christmas tree. Case in point; some folks want to call the Christmas tree a “Holiday Tree”—you can’t very well call the Creche a “Holiday diorama.” The Creche DNA is embedded into the psyche of people globally. And the psyche, dear reader, includes the id, the ego, and the superego.

St. Francis of Assisi was not simply a mystic Italian monk, he was also immensely forward thinking. It was he who came up with the Creche; in itself, it is a marvelous montage of the Incarnation. That is especially true in a “living Nativity Scene;” each living being draws you into the miracle of Christ’s birth. Many adults who participate, or have participated in a live Creche, testify to significant ambient communion with God in the process; not to mention the insight, and often, humor that happens when one of the child participants muff’s (or ad libs) a line.

I still have our family’s Creche—from over five decades. We bought it in Levy’s department store in Savannah, GA when our children were toddlers. It survived a half dozen or more moves. It is not perfect, even from the beginning; there were five “Wise Men;” Over the years a camel’ leg was broken, we lost a sheep, and more recent moves turned up two sheep with broken feet; and all the excelsior is missing, as well as the light for the star. Still, it reminds me of Isaiah 65:17-25, where God promises to repair humanity.

Each year we gently unwrapped each component of the Creche, carefully putting it in place. Once all are in place, we plugged in the little bulb (representing the Star of Bethlehem) announcing Christmas has come! A friend of mine once said, his little boy kept moving the “Baby Jesus” from his manger bed. He said, “So Jesus showed up in unusual places.” It is kinda in character for Jesus, I think.

As for the number of Wise Men? That doesn’t really matter; no one knows how many. Anyway, they arrived—maybe weeks after the birth of Jesus—and we don’t know that date either. There are many “facts” we don’t know. Those facts are not the essentials. Such is the power of the Creche. It consolidates significance. It is a visual experience of the act of God, Immanuel, God with us.

©Copyright Willis H. Moore 2022

Deepstep Methodist Church was the church of my childhood. I do not remember Christmas caroling; church attendance was usually fewer than 100. The pastor had three other churches, and could only come to Deepstep the second Sunday each month; there was Sunday School every week. About all I knew about Christmas Carols, was that on Second Sunday in December, the hymns were always Carols. We had a small choir, and their music was respectable. (I did, however, get thrown out of a third-grade elementary school Christmas production; I tried—unbidden—-to sing in falsetto “We Three Kings of Orient Are.” It was not pretty!)

However, sometimes at Christmas, our youth group did go to homes of “shut-ins” to sing Carols. Often they invited us in from the cold to sing. The real joy was seeing their faces light up; we knew our music wasn’t great, but it seemed to mean a lot to the people we visited; my memories are those of joy.

Christmas Caroling has been around for centuries! It is thought that circa 1200 A.D.—before Christmas Caroling—there was group singing called Wassailing (name related to a hot spicy drink given to travelers in the cold)—unrelated to Christmas. In the winter months groups went from house to house, singing well wishes. Apparently this tradition was the seed that grew into Christmas Caroling. Melding the practice of Wassailing with songs about Jesus seems a natural evolution for enhancing stories about Jesus. The Carol, “Here We Come A Wassailing” is not a very popular Christmas Carol. However, it does contain some Christmas reference.

Singing was not typically part of Christmas until after St. Francis of Assisi began to enliven tableaux relating the birth stories of Jesus. St. Francis originated the Creche . It took a few hundred years for Christmas Carols, as a collection, to emerge. Upon publication, songs and stories—gathered from groups and families—interest and composition— developed. Carols became “stock-in-trade” in a manner of speaking. Upon being published as Christmas Carols in the sixteenth century, the Church became a megaphone, so to speak, of their spreading broadly. “Silent Night,” emerging as the most popular carol.

Caroling remains popular; about 17-20 percent of Americans report going “Christmas Caroling,” according to research by the respected Pew Research Center. Carolers it said, brave the frigid winter air to sing holiday well wishes in neighborhoods and churches across the country. It’s largely symbolic of community. Whether it’s a group of friends and family or strangers, caroling is one of the most favored ways for people to get into the holiday spirit.

Long before Caroling, The Psalmist urged the people to “…Make a joyful noise before the Lord…”and to come into his Presence with singing! The Psalmist emphasized the joy of singing unto the Lord. Underscoring the joy with shout joyfully to Him with psalms. A precursor to the joy of Christmas is in the voice of Elizabeth, the Virgin Mary’s cousin, as Mary announced her pregnancy. The two women joined together rejoicing over the good news.

The youth group at my church here goes Christmas Caroling. They usually visit those who cannot attend worship services. It is a double blessing; to the people visited, and to the youth who go and sing with them. Often, the folks they sing to join in singing with them—most don’t need a song sheet for the carols are etched into their memory.

©Copyright Willis H. Moore 2022

Don’t panic. We are still in NOVEMBER. December is six days away. However, for the past week or so, here in the South, we have been having December, or January weather; freezing temperatures. I think Mr. Winter is still miffed about calendar changes—beginning with Romulus long ago— circa 750 BC. —creating calendar amnesia. December comes from the Latin word “decem” which means ten. December the tenth month!? It has become a misnomer for the twelfth month. Thanks to the Julian and Gregorian calendars jumping in and unsettling things—again!

Why can’t folks just stop messing with Mr. Winter!? Doesn’t everyone know that you don’t mess with Mr. Winter! Look at Buffalo, New York’s experience last week—seven feet of snow! ! For the sake of all that is holly (it’s not a typo)!! Don’t mess with Mr. Winter! Got that out of my system! December really is a wonderful month (Hear that Mr. Winter!?) It is a month that evokes a bunch of nostalgia; Christmas, end-of-the-year reminiscences, birthdays, etc. Our family once had four December birthdays . Now there is only one; Jennifer’s. Her birthday is December 5. Until she finished college, we never started Christmas decorating until after December 5. We kept our family focus on her “Day.”

December is filled with religious holidays —there are thirteen; Dec. 6: Saint Nicholas Day — Christian, Dec. 8: Rohatsu (Bodhi Day) — Buddhist, Dec. 8: Immaculate Conception — Catholic, Dec. 10 to 18: Hanukkah — Judaism, Dec. 12: Feast Day of Our Lady of Guadalupe — Catholic, Dec. 16: Posadas Navidenas — Christian, Dec. 21: Solstice — Wicca/Pagan, Dec. 25: Christmas — Christian, Dec. 26: December 26- January 1 Kwanzaa, African Culture; Zarathosht Diso (Death of Prophet Zarathustra) — Zoroastrian, Dec. 27: Feast of the Holy Family — Catholic, Dec. 28: Holy Innocents Day — Christian, Dec. 31: Watch Night — Christian.

Over half of them from the Christian faith. In the church where I worship December is filled with festive, joyful events; choir practice, hanging the greens, poinsettias filing the chancel, children’s events, study, and worship—all flow in abundance. In addition to celebrating our church makes extra efforts to give time, money, and individual attention to a host of needs, in the community and beyond. A genuine glow unfolds, making December and the Christmas season take on that glow of immense joy.

No wonder the Christmas Carol, “Joy to The World” is inherent to December music. Hymnody holds that “Joy to The World” was not written to be a Christmas Carol; Isaac Watts, a phenomenal hymn writer, was writing hymns based on the Psalms of David. He had no thought of a Christmas Carol in mind. Enter composer, Lowell Mason—who composed music for the verse (It has become “an earworm”) and there you have it! December would be dull without this statement of joy!! (The hymn and lyrics).

Joy to the world, the Lord is come
Let Earth receive her King
Let every heart prepare Him room
And Heaven and nature sing
(And Heaven and nature sing)

©Copyright Willis H. Moore 2022