tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4320479736034351430.post8308877584411879476..comments2023-10-03T07:01:41.144-05:00Comments on Always On Watch: Semper Vigilans: Longfellow's ChristmasAlways On Watchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08192688822955022541noreply@blogger.comBlogger6125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4320479736034351430.post-31677796921723555682012-12-24T04:58:11.957-06:002012-12-24T04:58:11.957-06:00FT,
In all the hustle and bustle of the Christmas...FT, <br />In all the hustle and bustle of the Christmas season, too often we forget that God's love was made manifest on that day so long ago.<br /><br />As for this video, it is a good reminder that America has managed to celebrate the birth of the Savior even during the darkest of days. Certainly, the Civil War period was among America's worst days.<br /><br />And we also have in the video valuable insight from Longfellow, who experienced such personal tragedy.<br /><br />Last two verses of the poem "I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day":<br /><br /><i>And in despair I bowed my head;<br />"There is no peace on earth," I said;<br /><br /> "For hate is strong,<br /> And mocks the song<br /><br />Of peace on earth, good-will to men!"<br /><br />Then pealed the bells more loud and deep:<br />"God is not dead, nor doth He sleep;<br /><br /> The Wrong shall fail,<br /> The Right prevail,<br /><br />With peace on earth, good-will to men."</i><br /><br />What a mess the world is in today!<br /><br />What a mess my own life is today! The word <i>weary</i> doesn't begin to describe how I feel 100% of the time.<br /><br />And yet....<br /><br />None of us really have the right to be so pessimistic. God loves us! God is not dead! It just seems that way sometimes.<br /><br />Always On Watchhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08192688822955022541noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4320479736034351430.post-67167554904958584172012-12-23T15:06:06.694-06:002012-12-23T15:06:06.694-06:00Magnificent, AOW!
That man's heartfelt-but-po...Magnificent, AOW!<br /><br />That man's heartfelt-but-polished-expertly-professional reading with sublime music perfectly suited to the spirit of the text heard in the background has moved me to tears -- a good thing. It should happen to all of us more often. <br /><br />Being able to shed tears is proof we are truly alive.<br /><br />Christmas is not about getting presents and eating lots of rich food, it's meant to touch our hearts with renewed empathy, compassion, hope for a better future and a determination to do our best no matter what.<br /><br />I know for a fact that those I have loved and learned from continue to live in me, even though most of them long ago passed on to whatever awaits us in the next world.<br /><br />Love is eternal. That means those who love are one with the Holy Spirit. We are never alone. <br /><br />Anything good that has nourished us, taught us valuable lessons, or touched our hearts will live forever -- as long as we keep our faith intact and work every day to make it grow and increase in strength.<br /><br />Thank you for that poignant reminder of the grandeur of Christmas celebrations once held throughout Christendom in a less cynical age.<br /><br />~ FreeThinkeFreeThinkehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16682678301019952436noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4320479736034351430.post-60763121657917710302012-12-23T11:49:16.446-06:002012-12-23T11:49:16.446-06:00Merry CHRISTmas, AOW, and to all!Merry CHRISTmas, AOW, and to all!Marine4everhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08316425122927213322noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4320479736034351430.post-41700189727563292202012-12-23T09:29:25.244-06:002012-12-23T09:29:25.244-06:00A wonderful story, well presented. Re-birth and r...A wonderful story, well presented. Re-birth and resurrection, forever.Thersiteshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15751286903359745316noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4320479736034351430.post-49189084184237347622012-12-23T08:47:58.969-06:002012-12-23T08:47:58.969-06:00Beautiful and a reminder of good memories.Beautiful and a reminder of good memories.Bunkervillehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14427978686579892380noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4320479736034351430.post-56893985496342531772012-12-23T07:16:39.284-06:002012-12-23T07:16:39.284-06:00One of my favorites by the Morman Tabernacle Choir...One of my favorites by the Morman Tabernacle Choir is Little Drummer Boy.<br /><br />http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z2XGhQUMLmUAnonymousnoreply@blogger.com