Closing of the Year – Opening Thoughts

Greetings Dear Reader,

I love having this time between Christmas and New Year’s Eve to assess the closing year and make some plans for the coming one.  I do not make resolutions but I plan my writing, assess areas where I need to grow and develop, and get started on the Christmas that is still a year away.

I try to always take vacation time during this week.  I spend it with friends where possible, writing, and planning.   I look for ways to be kinder and more loving in my actions. Consideration is given to how I may be more appreciative of what I have and what I need to diminish in my life.

I ponder the needs of those with whom I interact in social and business circles.  I begin on Boxing Day by pondering the clerks and servers who attend me in various venues.  I look for new ways to show them appreciation, support, and respect.  I do not relate this for my own benefit but in hopes that you will be encouraged to do the same Dear Reader.

This day is a day to remember those who serve.  It is a day to think about the Feast of Stephen and to be good to those who use their lives to enrich ours.  The servers and clerks of the world often work when we revel.  They miss holidays with their families so that we can enjoy them with ours.  I use this day to remember how much they deserve our gratitude (and gratuity) and respect. 

One of the ways I work at following Christ more closely is in regards to those who serve the public.  Whether this is a vocation for life or the place of sojourning on the way to another life it is hard work with more complaint than gratitude.  I will purpose to show gratitude for this.  I want them to remember being valued and appreciated.  I want the day to be a little lighter for having served me.  It takes intention.  It is worth the effort.

Good King Wenceslas – Kemper Crabb

Good King Wenceslas looked out

On the feast of Stephen

When the snow lay round about

Deep and crisp and even

Brightly shone the moon that night

Though the frost was cruel

When a poor man came in sight

Gath'ring winter fuel

"Hither, page, and stand by me

If thou know'st it, telling

Yonder peasant, who is he?

Where and what his dwelling?"

"Sire, he lives a good league hence

Underneath the mountain

Right against the forest fence

By Saint Agnes' fountain."

"Bring me flesh and bring me wine

Bring me pine logs hither

Thou and I will see him dine

When we bear him thither."

Page and monarch forth they went

Forth they went together

Through the rude wind's wild lament

And the bitter weather

"Sire, the night is darker now

And the wind blows stronger

Fails my heart, I know not how,

I can go no longer."

"Mark my footsteps, my good page

Tread thou in them boldly

Thou shalt find the winter's rage

Freeze thy blood less coldly."

In his master's steps he trod

Where the snow lay dinted

Heat was in the very sod

Which the Saint had printed

Therefore, Christian men, be sure

Wealth or rank possessing

Ye who now will bless the poor

Shall yourselves find blessing

Wishing you joy in the journey,

Aramis Thorn

Mat 13:52 So Jesus said to them, "That is why every writer who has become a disciple of Christ’s rule of the universe is like a home owner. He liberally hands out new and old things from his great treasure store.”

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