A CHRISTMAS GREETING AND POEM, TO YOU AND YOURS, FROM THE PLANET
By DAN VALENTI
PLANET VALENTI News and Commentary
(FORTRESS OF SOLITUDE, TUESDAY, CHRISTMAS EVE, DEC. 24, 2013) — THE PLANET extends to all our readers, supporters, and everyone else a Merry Christmas. We thank you for helping to make this a successful year, one that saw continues and continual growth for the site.
To you and yours, from all of us at THE PLANET, God bless at this still-special day and time of year. Allow us a few thoughts and a poem, which we dedicate to all PLANET readers.
Be curious and grateful throughout each day. Trust with willingness but verify in support. Question everything, because the truth welcomes such inquiry. Only the lies and liars do not want to face questioning. Show up on time, be where you say you’re going to be, and when. Give freely, and expect little in return. Accept with graciousness and gratitude. In adversity, show strength of character. In jubilation, act as if you’ve been there before. Share willingly. Borrow with appreciation. Be a friend, and go where you go with lightness in your heart.
Our Christmas poem:
WHEN WE SET OUT FOR CHRISTMAS
(with a nod to Thomas Hardy)
I
When we set out for Christmas,
Twenty-four hours away,
The salt was on the spray.
And starlight lit our wholesomeness
When we set out for Christmas
Twenty-four hours away.
II
What would be at Christmas
While we should sojourn there
No prophet will declare,
Nor will the wisest wizard guess
When we set out for Christmas
While we should sojourn there.
III
When we come back from Christmas
With magic in our eyes,
All will mark with mute surprise
Our radiance rare and fathomless,
When we come back from Christmas
With magic in our eyes.
— Dan Valenti
Joys of the season! THE PLANET shall be making merry on Wednesday and Thursday. We shall be back with our regular (but far from the ordinary) coverage on Friday, Dec. 27. We’ve got a hum-dinger cooking.
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Luke 2:1-20
New International Version (NIV)
The Birth of Jesus
2 In those days Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should be taken of the entire Roman world. 2 (This was the first census that took place while[a] Quirinius was governor of Syria.) 3 And everyone went to their own town to register.
4 So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David. 5 He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child. 6 While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, 7 and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no guest room available for them.
8 And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. 9 An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. 10 But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. 11 Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. 12 This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.”
13 Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying,
14 “Glory to God in the highest heaven,
and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.”
15 When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let’s go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about.”
16 So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger. 17 When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, 18 and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them. 19 But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart. 20 The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told.
Dan Merry Christmas from all of us. Thanks you for hte gift of The Planet, it’s the gift that keeps giving year round!
Dan, Thank You for doing what you do. Wish you and your family a Merry Christmas.May you keep on keep in on!
Wishing you the best, JOE
I just saw Santa. Dan, he is on his way to you.
Merry Christmas Dan to you and your family.
Keep up the great work.
Thanks, DUSTY. You keep up the good work as well, as a PLANET correspondent.