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Luke: Christmas story
1. Christmas and trivia
Who was the first ordained woman minister at St. Paul's church?
Esther Dundore was an ordained minister (EUB?) and the wife of Rev. Samuel T. Dundore, St. Paul's minister from 1949-1961.
2. Luke: Christmas story
3. Saint Nicholas of Myra and Santa Claus
Bishop/Saint Nicholas of Myra (270-343) was very generous with giving
without letting the anyone know from where the gifts came.
His light was Jesus, not himself.
Saint Nicholas died on December 6, 343 A.D. and the eve,
December 5, was the celebration of Saint Nicholas. In western countries, this date was eventually moved to coincide with December 25 and the eve
December 24.
Western Gregorian (secular and religious) calendar
Eastern Julian (religious) calendar (13 days behind)
Discuss: Has the spirit of Santa Claus made Christmas too commercial and secular?
4. Mary and the lamb of God
Luke 1:30 And the angel said unto her, Fear not, Mary: for thou hast found favour with God. [kjv]
και ειπεν ο αγγελος αυτη μη φοβου μαριαμ ευρες γαρ χαριν παρα τω θεω [gnt]
3 John 1:4 I have no greater joy than to hear that my children walk in truth. [kjv]
μειζοτεραν τουτων ουκ εχω χαριν ινα ακουω τα εμα τεκνα εν τη αληθεια περιπατουντα [gnt]
The ancient Greek word
"χαρά" ≈ "favor, grace". It is sometimes translated as
"joy".
☐ Did Mary find
"joy" with/beyond God?
☐ Did Mary find
"grace" with/beyond God?
☐ Did Mary find
"favor" with/beyond God?
By the time John wrote this letter, the meaning of
"favor" may have already started to shift to more of a
"joy".
5. Mary
A connected logic argument that uses transitivity is as follows.
If "Mary is the mother of Jesus"
and "Jesus is the lamb of God",
then "Mary had a little lamb".
6. Luke 1:36-37
Luke 1:36 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. [kjv]
1:37 For with God nothing shall be impossible. [kjv]
[approximate dating method using Josephus in 70 AD, 6th month, etc.]
7. Luke 1:37
Luke 1:37 For with God nothing shall be impossible. [kjv]
οτι ουκ αδυνατησει παρα του θεου παν ρημα [gnt]
… inpossibile … omne verbum [v]
… aelch word … [wes]
… euery word … [wy]
… ainhun waurde. [got]
… всяк глаголгол. [ocs]
… никакое слово. [rus]
Paraphrase:
That (it is) not impossible (potentially possible) beyond every spoken word of God. (
potentially possible means that it has not happened yet)
About the 16th c., the "
every (spoken) word of God"
disappeared. The "
of God" was changed to "
with God".
Before this, the following were used.
4th century Latin Vulgate as "omne verbum" ≈ "every word".
5th century Wulfila Gothic as "ainhun waurde" ≈ "each word".
8th century Old Church Slavonic as "всяк глаголгол" ≈ "each word".
10th century Wessex Gospels Old English as "aelch word" ≈ "each word".
8. Luke 1:36
KJV: 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.
Greek: και ιδου ελισαβετ η συγγενης συγγενις σου και αυτη συνειληφυια συνειληφεν υιον εν γηρα γηρει αυτης και ουτος μην εκτος εστιν αυτη τη καλουμενη στειρα
9. Luke 1:37
KJV: For with God nothing shall be impossible.
Greek: οτι ουκ αδυνατησει παρα τω θεω του θεου παν ρημα
10. Some cents about the need for a census
11. Some cents about the need for a census
Luke 2:1 And it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus, that all the world should be taxed. [kjv]
2:3 And all went to be taxed, every one into his own city. [kjv]
2:4 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:) [kjv]
When they came to their
senses, Joseph told Mary it was time to travel on a
taxing journey. No
"taxi" to go register for
"taxes".
Bethlehem: "House of Bread".
Main industry: producing sacrificial lambs for the passover.
Fields of Bethlehem: Boaz met Ruth, grandmother of King David.
Who is the "
passover lamb" born in the "
House of Bread" who "
broke the rules" for you and me?
12. Death by taxes
Certainty? In this world nothing is certain but death and taxes.
Benjamin Franklin (American scientist, inventor, philosopher, statesman) .
Which gets worse over time?
☐ Death gets worse over time.
☐ Taxes get worse over time.
He does not possess wealth; it possesses him. Benjamin Franklin.
What does Jesus say about taxes (yokes of compulsion) by religious institutions?
13. Ecclesiastes 1:9 Capital punishment
Ecclesiastes 1:9 … that which shall be done: and there is no new thing under the sun. [kjv]
Capital punishment is when the government taxes you to get capital so that it can go into business in competition with you, and then taxes the profit on your business in order to pay its losses. (source unknown)
The English word
"tax" comes, through French, from the Medieval Latin word
"taxo" ≈ "feel, charge, judge" and is related to the English word
"task" .
The (often stated) temporary (for emergency only) income taxes were effectively made permanent by the 16 Amendment in 1913.
[mugger in DC]
14. Evading or avoiding tax jokes
Evading taxes is illegal and not prudent.
Avoiding taxes is legal and prudent.
Sign:
THE IRS thinks that it is all
THEIR$.
Where do rich people who are homeless live?
In tax shelters.
Why are taxes like golf?
You work hard on the green to end up in the hole.
Why did the IRS audit the church?
They had false profits. It was a church for profits.
15. Taxidermy
1 Corinthians 14:40 Let all things be done decently and in order. [kjv]
παντα δε ευσχημονως και κατα ταξιν γινεσθω [gnt]
Exodus 25:5 And rams' skins dyed red, and badgers' skins, and shittim wood, [kjv]
και δερματα κριων ηρυθροδανωμενα και δερματα υακινθινα και ξυλα ασηπτα [lxx]
The word
taxidermy comes from the Greek words for
class or
order (
taxonomy) and
skin or
fur as in (
dermatology).
Mark Twain (Author and Humorist, alias Samuel Clemens)
What is the difference between a taxidermist and a tax collector?
The taxidermist takes only your skin.
16. Taxidermy
English: O Christmas Tree [fractal tree]
German: O
Tannenbaum (O fir tree)
The German word
"tannen" ≈ "fir" as in a covering or "
hide".
Why did the Christmas tree idea start?
For (fir) starters, people wanted to spruce things up to forever have a grin (evergreen) on their face.
17. Tiberius Caesar and sheep
Luke 3:1 Now in the fifteenth year of the reign of Tiberius Caesar, Pontius Pilate being governor of Judaea, … [kjv]
Emperor
Tiberius Caesar (on taxes):
It is the duty of a good shepherd to shear his sheep, not to skin them.
At the same time, Jesus was walking and teaching in Judea. Jesus had a different idea about what it meant to be a
"good" "shepherd".
John 10:11 I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep. [kjv]
εγω ειμι ο ποιμην ο καλος ο ποιμην ο καλος την ψυχην αυτου τιθησιν υπερ των προβατων [gnt]
18. Census
Luke 2:1 And it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus, that all the world should be taxed. [kjv]
εγενετο δε εν ταις ημεραις εκειναις εξηλθεν δογμα παρα καισαρος αυγουστου απογραφεσθαι πασαν την οικουμενην [gnt]
… edictum … describeretur universus orbis [v]
What is a "
census"?
The ancient Greek word "απογραφη1" ≈ "census".
The Latin word "census" ≈ "census".
Napoleon in the early 1800's had France do a
census, for taxes and estimation of soldiers capable of fighting, based on statistical sampling. Laplace was the mathematician that worked out many statistical concepts still taught and used today.
The modern Greek word
"απογραφή" (a-po-gra-FEE) ≈ "census".
19. Constitution and the census
20. 1890 Census
The United States constitution requires a census every 10 years to determine representation of states in the House of Representatives, taxation, etc.
The 1890 census was going to take more than 10 years. Herman Hollerith, using punched card technology from the Jacquard looms for weaving patterns, with cards the size of a dollar bill (before it was later shrunk), automated the census.
Later, he was a founder of a company called
IBM (International Business Machines).
21. Numbers 2: Algorithms and the camp of Israel
Numbers 2:4 And his host, and those that were numbered of them, were threescore and fourteen thousand and six hundred. [kjv]
The book of Numbers is named for the detailed
census appearing in Numbers 2. The details can be boring but are part of an "
algorithm" provided by God for their camp in the desert.
If the Israelites in the desert had followed the "
algorithm" provided by God as how to precisely camp, their camp would have been laid out in the shape of a cross from the point of view of the "
rising sun" in the morning.
22. Camp in the desert
23. Augustus
Luke 2:1 And it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus, that all the world should be taxed. [kjv]
εγενετο δε εν ταις ημεραις εκειναις εξηλθεν δογμα παρα καισαρος αυγουστου απογραφεσθαι πασαν την οικουμενην [gnt]
2:2 (And this taxing was first made when Cyrenius was governor of Syria. ) [kjv]
αυτη απογραφη πρωτη εγενετο ηγεμονευοντος της συριας κυρηνιου [gnt]
2:3 And all went to be taxed, every one into his own city. [kjv]
και επορευοντο παντες απογραφεσθαι εκαστος εις την εαυτου πολιν [gnt]
2:4 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:) [kjv]
2:5 To be taxed with Mary his espoused wife, being great with child. [kjv]
απογραψασθαι συν μαριαμ τη εμνηστευμενη αυτω ουση εγκυω [gnt]
Historically, Augustus made three decrees for a census: 28 BC, 8 BC, and 14 AD. News happened much more slowly in those days. It could have taken several years for news to be disseminated and actions taken for such a census.
24. Luke 2:1
KJV: And it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus, that all the world should be taxed.
Greek: εγενετο δε εν ταις ημεραις εκειναις εξηλθεν δογμα παρα καισαρος αυγουστου απογραφεσθαι πασαν την οικουμενην
Latin: factum est autem in diebus illis exiit edictum a Caesare Augusto ut describeretur universus orbis
25. Luke 2:2
KJV: (And this taxing was first made when Cyrenius was governor of Syria. )
Greek: αυτη η απογραφη πρωτη εγενετο ηγεμονευοντος της συριας κυρηνιου
26. Luke 2:3
KJV: And all went to be taxed, every one into his own city.
Greek: και επορευοντο παντες απογραφεσθαι εκαστος εις την ιδιαν εαυτου πολιν
27. Luke 2:4
KJV: 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: )
Greek: ανεβη δε και ιωσηφ απο της γαλιλαιας εκ πολεως ναζαρετ εις την ιουδαιαν εις πολιν δαβιδ δαυιδ ητις καλειται βηθλεεμ δια το ειναι αυτον εξ οικου και πατριας δαβιδ δαυιδ
28. Luke 2:5
KJV: To be taxed with Mary his espoused wife, being great with child.
Greek: απογραψασθαι συν μαριαμ τη μεμνηστευμενη εμνηστευμενη αυτω γυναικι ουση εγκυω
29. Merry X-mas
30. Joseph the builder
Matthew 13:55 Is not this the carpenter's son? is not his mother called Mary? and his brethren, James, and Joses, and Simon, and Judas? [kjv]
ουχ ουτος εστιν ο του τεκτονος υιος ουχ η μητηρ αυτου λεγεται μαριαμ και οι αδελφοι αυτου ιακωβος και ιωσηφ και σιμων και ιουδας [gnt]
The modern Greek word
"αρχιτέκτων" (ar-khee-TEH-kton) ≈ "architect". Over his reign, Herod had many building projects that employed many workers, builders, craftsman, etc. Joseph may have been employed one of those workers.
Joseph was a builder by trade. The Greek word is the source of words such as "
technology", "
architect", etc. So you have to make two required trips at about the same time.
Jerusalem for the holy festival
Bethlehem for the Roman census
Both are about is 60 miles away, but they are only 6 miles apart. Why not do both at the same time? If too many people have this idea, there might not be room in the inn.
31. Bethlehem: house of bread
Ruth 1:22 So Naomi returned, and Ruth the Moabitess, her daughter in law… they came to Beth–lehem in the beginning of barley harvest. [kjv]
… ורות … בית לחם … [he]
και επεστρεψεν νωεμιν και ρουθ η μωαβιτις η νυμφη αυτης επιστρεφουσα εξ αγρου μωαβ αυται δε παρεγενηθησαν εις βαιθλεεμ εν αρχη θερισμου κριθων [lxx]
The name
"Bethlehem" means
"House of Bread", was one of the near towns whose main industry was producing sacrificial lambs for the passover.
"בית" (beth) ≈ "house".
"להם" (lehem) ≈ "bread".
"ביהלהם" ≈ "Bethlehem".
The fields of
"Bethlehem" are where Boaz met Ruth, grandmother of King David.
Who is the "
passover lamb" born in the
"House of Bread" who "
broke the rules" for you and me?
32. Luke 2:7 no room at the inn
Luke 2:7 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. [kjv]
και ετεκεν τον υιον αυτης τον πρωτοτοκον και εσπαργανωσεν αυτον και ανεκλινεν αυτον εν φατνη διοτι ουκ ην αυτοις τοπος εν τω καταλυματι [gnt]
The Greek word used by Luke means
"guest room" or
"upper room" as described for the Last Supper. It is used in the
LXX (Septuagint) as a place, such as house or tent, in which to lodge.
There is a Greek word for
"inn" which was used by Luke in the story of the Good Samaritan, but that word is not used here.
What did Mary and Joseph think about the "inn"?
They had reservations, but stayed anyway. The light was left on for them at this one star "hotel".
33. Table of nouns and verbs for catalyst
| Matthew 5: 17 Leave the light on but do not use the law as a residence inn |
| #Noun#Verb |
| Type#place#action |
English#catalyst (Elizabeth Fulhame, 1794)
catalytic converter#catalyze |
Greek#κατάλυμα
κατάλυματι#καταλύσαι |
Meaning#a camp
a guest room
an upper room#to camp
to lodge
to reside
to nest
(to dissolve)
(to destroy) |
Can Jesus
change the rate of reaction (being saved) without getting consumed in the process? He did so for Zacchaeus.
34. Catalyst as a noun
Jesus and the Last Supper: This was already "
prepared".
Mark 14:14 … The Master saith, Where is the guestchamber, where I shall eat the passover with my disciples? [kjv]
και οπου εαν εισελθη ειπατε τω οικοδεσποτη οτι ο διδασκαλος λεγει που εστιν το καταλυμα μου οπου το πασχα μετα των μαθητων μου φαγω [gnt]
Mary and Joseph: Luke did not use the Greek word for
"inn".
Luke 2:7 … there was no room for them in the inn. [kjv]
και ετεκεν τον υιον αυτης τον πρωτοτοκον και εσπαργανωσεν αυτον και ανεκλινεν αυτον εν φατνη διοτι ουκ ην αυτοις τοπος εν τω καταλυματι [gnt]
Jesus and the Father's house: Place to
"remain", Latin used
"mansions".
John 14:2 In my Father's house are many mansions: … I go to prepare a place for you. [kjv]
εν τη οικια του πατρος μου μοναι πολλαι εισιν ει δε μη ειπον αν υμιν οτι πορευομαι ετοιμασαι τοπον υμιν [gnt]
35. Jesus and the law and Zaccheaus
Jesus and Zaccheaus: (verb). A few verses later is the Palm Sunday entrance of Jesus.
Luke 19:5 And when Jesus came to the place, he looked up, and saw him, and said unto him, Zacchaeus, make haste, and come down; for to day I must abide at thy house. [kjv]
και ως ηλθεν επι τον τοπον αναβλεψας ο ιησους ειπεν προς αυτον ζακχαιε σπευσας καταβηθι σημερον γαρ εν τω οικω σου δει με μειναι [gnt]
19:7 And when they saw it, they all murmured, saying, That he was gone to be guest with a man that is a sinner. [kjv]
και ιδοντες παντες διεγογγυζον λεγοντες οτι παρα αμαρτωλω ανδρι εισηλθεν καταλυσαι [gnt]
Jesus and the law and the prophets: (verb). This is near the beginning of the Sermon on the Mount.
Matthew 5:17 Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfil. [kjv]
μη νομισητε οτι ηλθον καταλυσαι τον νομον η τους προφητας ουκ ηλθον καταλυσαι αλλα πληρωσαι [gnt]
The English is
"fulfill" or
"fill full". The Greek for
"complete" can involve adding or taking away - as in a sculpture where parts of the material are chipped away.
36. Naive about the nativity
Luke 1:14 And thou shalt have joy and gladness; and many shall rejoice at his birth. [kjv]
και εσται χαρα σοι και αγαλλιασις και πολλοι επι τη γενεσει αυτου χαρησονται [gnt]
… gaudium … exultatio … nativitate … gaudebunt [v]
The
first "
live nativity" was done by St. Francis of Assisi in
1223 in Greccio in central Italy.
Today, many churches have a "
live nativity" reenactment.
The Latin
"nativitas" ≈ "birth, nativity". From this we get
"native",
"nativity",
"naive", etc. The corresponding ancient Greek word
"γέννησις" ≈ "producing, beginning, birth"and is the source of the English word
"genesis".
37. Candy canes
Candy canes - straight ones - were popular in England by the 17th Century. Stripes were added later.
According to legend, in
1670, a German choirmaster wanted to give the children candy canes to keep them busy - for a
live nativity scene.
To make it a learning lesson, the
choirmaster had the candy maker make candy canes with hooks. How is that for a "
twist" on an old idea? Thus, they could be used as
ornaments for Christmas trees.
What addiction do tree ornaments suffer from?
They are hooked on trees.
38. Shepherds and Presbyterians
Luke 2:8 And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. [kjv]
και ποιμενες ησαν εν τη χωρα τη αυτη αγραυλουντες και φυλασσοντες φυλακας της νυκτος επι την ποιμνην αυτων [gnt]
… pastores … custodientes vigilias … gregem … [v]
[Linus, Charlie Brown]
[Charles Schultz]
[network TV]
|
|
When the
"shepherds" were watching there flocks on Christmas night, were any of the
"shepherds" Presbyterians?
The ancient Greek word "ποιμήν" (pee-MEEN) ≈ "shepherd, herdsman" which comes from the word for "protect" since the job of a shepherd was to protect the animals.
The Latin word "pastor" ≈ "shepherd" from which we get the English word "pastor".
39. Luke 2:12
Luke 2:12 And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger. [kjv]
και τουτο υμιν σημειον ευρησετε βρεφος εσπαργανωμενον και κειμενον εν φατνη [gnt]
… infantem … praesepio [v]
… chyld … binne … [wes]
… yong child … cratche. [wy]
… Kind … Krippe … [lu]
The Latin word
"praesepio" ≈ "manger, stall" but can also mean obstacle or barricade.
The Old English word
"binne" ≈ "bin, manger".
The Middle English word
"cratche" ≈ "manger" (other meanings relate to "
scratch").
The German word
"Krippe" ≈ "crib" and is related to the English word
"crib".
40. Song: Hark the herald angels sing
Luke 2:13 And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying, [kjv]
και εξαιφνης εγενετο συν τω αγγελω πληθος στρατιας ουρανιου αινουντων τον θεον και λεγοντων [gnt]
2:14 Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men. [kjv]
δοξα εν υψιστοις θεω και επι γης ειρηνη εν ανθρωποις ευδοκιας [gnt]
Charles Wesley (1707-1788) wrote: "Hark the herald welkins ring".
George Whitefield (1714-1770) changed it to: "Hark the herald angels sing".
Felix Mendelssohn (1809-1847) wrote music, also "Wedding march".
Ever since, angels have been singing at Christmas in songs, devotionals, etc.
The German word
"die Wolke" ≈ "the cloud" which is related to the Old English word
"welcan" ≈ "cloud".
41. Luke 2:14 Paraphrase
Luke 2:14 Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men. [kjv]
δοξα εν υψιστοις θεω και επι γης ειρηνη εν ανθρωποις ευδοκιας [gnt]
The Greek for "glory" is that of "opinion" or "expectation".
The Greek for "good will" is that of "good opinion" or "good expectation".
Paraphrase: Expectation/opinion in the highest (from earth) to God and on the earth peace in men of a good expectation.
God has a high opinion and a good expectation that men will be peaceful on earth. To support the
KJV (King James Version) translation, the
second Greek
"in" is to the English
"towards". To support the Greek
"in", translations like the
NIV (New International Version) use the following.
NIV: Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.
42. Verse 1
Hark! the herald angels sing , Glory to the new-born King
Peace on earth and mercy mild, God and sinners reconciled
Joyful, all ye nations, rise, Join the triumph of the skies
With angelic host proclaim, Christ is born in Bethlehem
Hark! the herald angels sing, Glory to the new-born King
43. Commas
Luke 2:16 And they came with haste, and found Mary, and Joseph, and the babe lying in a manger. [kjv]
και ηλθαν σπευσαντες και ανευραν την τε μαριαμ και τον ιωσηφ και το βρεφος κειμενον εν τη φατνη [gnt]
[shepherds leaving the sheep, compare 1 of 99 sheep leaving the man/shepherd]
In English,
commas can be important. In the above verse, without the commas one might interpret the verse as meaning that "
Mary, Joseph and the baby were (all) lying in the manger".
| Luke 2:16 |
| Strong |
Used |
Unique |
Word |
Part of speech |
| G2532 |
8954 |
8954 |
και |
conjunction |
| G2064 |
624 |
7 |
ηλθαν |
verb 2nd person aorist active indicative 3rd person plural |
| G4692 |
6 |
1 |
σπευσαντες |
verb aorist active participle nominative plural masculine |
| G2532 |
8954 |
8954 |
και |
conjunction |
| G429 |
2 |
1 |
ανευραν |
verb 2nd person aorist active indicative 3rd person plural |
| G3588 |
19706 |
1518 |
την |
article accusative singular feminine |
| G5037 |
214 |
214 |
τε |
participle |
| G3137 |
54 |
28 |
μαριαμ |
noun Primary |
| G2532 |
8954 |
8954 |
και |
conjunction |
| G3588 |
19706 |
1561 |
τον |
article accusative singular masculine |
| G2501 |
35 |
34 |
ιωσηφ |
noun Primary |
| G2532 |
8954 |
8954 |
και |
conjunction |
| G3588 |
19706 |
1690 |
το |
article accusative singular neuter |
| G1025 |
8 |
4 |
βρεφος |
noun accusative singular neuter |
| G2749 |
23 |
3 |
κειμενον |
verb present middle or passive deponent participle accusative singular neuter |
| G1722 |
2735 |
2735 |
εν |
preposition |
| G3588 |
19706 |
878 |
τη |
article dative singular feminine |
| G5336 |
4 |
3 |
φατνη |
noun dative singular feminine |
44. Song: I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day
Henry Wadsworth Longfellow wrote the poem "
I heard the bells on Christmas day" (later put to music) on Christmas Day, 1864, in a small town in Massachusetts.
He had endured several family tragedies. He saw many seriously wounded young men, including his son, and, like many, wondered why.
Wadsworth and many others were unaware that Lincoln and Grant, with the help of Sherman and Sheridan, had decided to reintroduce total war (war on civilians as well as soldiers) to the world and a war of attrition.
Cold Harbor (June 12, 1864): 1,500 dead, 3,000 wounded in 20 minutes.
80 years after the poem: Battle of the Bulge (and after) in World War II.
Missionary Ridge (November 25, 1863)
45. Verse 1
I heard the bells on Christmas Day
Their old, familiar carols play,
and wild and sweet The words repeat
Of peace on earth, good-will to men!
46. Verse 6
And in despair I bowed my head;
There is no peace on earth, I said;
For hate is strong, And mocks the song
Of peace on earth, good-will to men!
47. Verse 7
Then pealed the bells more loud and deep:
God is not dead, nor doth He sleep;
*The Wrong shall fail, The Right prevail,
With peace on earth, good-will to men.
*Sir, my concern is not whether God is on our side; my greatest concern is to be on God's side, for God is always right. Abraham Lincoln
Fast forward 80 years to the day on December 25, 1944 (and the eve the night before).
48. Wilbur Jack Myers
Wilbur Jackson "Jack" Myers, Anti-Tank Gunner, 104th ID, European theater, World War II. Same United Methodist church for 99+ years.
100 years old at the time of the talk (October 6, 2023)
Jumped out of a plane at age 95.
Did not talk about the war for more than 40 years.
Tiger tanks were almost impossible to destroy. (October 6, 2023)
Christmas carols with German soldiers and band across the river, December 24, 1944 (October 6, 2023)
49. End of page
