Beethoven, Some Political Drek and a New Short Story

As we approach the New Years Day holiday, I am reminded that one of my favorite pieces of music, Beethoven's Symphony No. 9 (known as the Choral Symphony), is frequently played in concert halls on New Year's Eve.  This is very commonplace in Europe and even in Japan.  In the United States this year, it is being played this week by symphony orchestras in Seattle and Spokane and probably elsewhere as well.  I would hope that radio broadcasts of Beethoven's Ninth will be available this week as well.  I will be playing it at home, too.

                                                      

 

Beethoven's Ninth's final movement demands four operatic soloists and a large and well rehearsed chorus.  That's why it is not performed more frequently.  The chorale consists of a modification of Schiller's poem "Ode to Joy," and emphasizes the joyful message that all mankind are brothers. ("Freude, Freude ... Alle menschen werden bruder").  The chorus in full translates as follows.

                                                             * * *

O friends, no more these sounds! Let us sing more cheerful songs, more full of joy!

 

Joy, bright spark of divinity, daughter of Elysium, Fire-inspired we tread Thy sanctuary. Thy magic power re-unites all that custom has divided, all men become brothers under the sway of thy gentle wings. 

Whoever has created an abiding friendship or has won a true and loving wife, all who can call at least one soul theirs, join our song of praise. But those who cannot must creep tearfully away from our circle. 

All creatures drink of joy at natures breast. Just and unjust alike taste of her gift.; she gave us kisses and the fruit of the vine, a tried friend to the end. Even the worm can feel contentment and the cherub stands before God! 

Gladly, like the heavenly bodies which He sent on their courses through the splendor of the firmament; thus, brothers, you should run your race, like a hero going to victory! 

You millions, I embrace you. This kiss is for all the world! Brothers, above the starry canopy there must dwell a loving Father. Do you fall in worship, you millions? World, do you know your Creator? Seek Him in the heavens;  Above the stars must he dwell. 

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Wow!  Incidentally, this chorus is the unofficial anthem of the European Economic Community.   To everyone then, a Happy and Healthy New Year during which all mankind recognizes that they indeed are brothers (and sisters.)
JL

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**Political Drek:  - The Demise of the Republican Party

In earlier postings on this blog, I have hinted at the upcoming demise of the Republican Party.  This would be an unfortunate occurrence because, despite George Washington’s injunction in his Farewell Address that we should avoid having political parties, having more than one major party provides a clear balance in our legislatures that would not be present if we had a multiplicity of parties, each with its own ultimate goals, but willing to temporarily compromise in order to form coalitions in order to gain power, as is common in Europe.

                                  

Politicians often claim that their party is a big enough tent under which members of different beliefs can come together.  In the Democratic tent one can find unions, Wall Street financiers, bankers, lawyers, environmentalists, family farmers, educators, believers in a strong central government and the growing number of Americans who find themselves thankful for the government safety nets provided by Social Security, Medicare, Medicaid and unemployment benefits.  Under the Republican tent’s canvas, one can find corporations, small businessmen and individual entrepreneurs, career military people, religious people, investors, believers in states’ rights and Americans who feel that individual effort and hard work, with as little government involvement as possible, are the keys to success in our country.  Often, some people drift from one tent to the other. Either will keep you dry if it starts to rain.  And the barometer is dropping.

Imagine, however, if one tent were to be blown away in a windstorm, and be replaced by many golf umbrellas, each sheltering three or four people.  They might get a little wet, and envious of the people in the remaining tent, who very well might not give a hoot about those outside of their tent.  Envious people sometimes become desperate people, and this is how revolutions start.  But look, even with two tents remaining standing, the “Occupy” people, for example, have chosen to stay outside of the Democratic tent, and are getting wet, whereas the “Tea Party” people are comfortable and dry under the Republican canvas, although their welcome is becoming damper lately.  These are factors to be considered. 

The Democratic tent, first erected by Thomas Jefferson and the subject of occasional patching as was done by Andrew Jackson and Franklin Roosevelt has managed to survive for about 260 years.  The Republican tent, originally called the Federalist tent, was built by Washington, Adams and Alexander Hamilton and fell into disrepair during the first half of the nineteenth century, primarily over the issue of slavery, and was replaced to some extent by groups of people with golf umbrellas collectively known as Whigs.  Finally, though, the Republican tent was repaired by Abraham Lincoln and survives to this day. 

                                                    

Historically, the issue of a strong central government was the main tent pole supporting the Republican tent’s canvas until the advent of Roosevelt’s New Deal, which resulted in the Democratic tent swapping its own main tent pole (which had “States Rights” painted all over it) with the Republicans for their “Federalist” pole.

 

Which brings us to today.  We have a Republican Party trying to select a candidate to run against Barack Obama.  I close my eyes and picture these individuals sitting down and talking to international leaders such as Russia’s Putin, Germany’s Merkel, the UK’s Cameron, France’s Sarkozy and so on.  Only Mitt Romney or Jon Huntsman can be imagined in this role.  Unfortunately, the majority of those in the Republican tent may not be able to accept this very obvious conclusion.  Can you imagine Michelle Bachmann, Newt Gingrich, Rick Perry, Ron Paul or Rick Santorum sitting down across the table from Vladimir Putin?  This refusal of many in the Republican tent to sense the obvious very well may result in many under that canvas opening their golf umbrellas and venturing outside into the rain.  And if they don’t do that, they very well might just sit down on the ground on the sawdust, close their eyes and put their fingers in their ears.  After all, this is the attitude many Republicans in Congress are taking about economic issues.  True, there are equally disparate views among those in the Democratic tent, but they have been willing to compromise with each other since 1800.  The G.O.P.’s inability to compromise, not only with Democrats, but among themselves as well, may signal the demise of the Republican Party, and that would not be a good thing.

** (More "Political Drek" is available at our new, still "under construction" site, www.politicaldrek.com.  Remember that the last word of Political Drek stands for Democratic &  Republican Election Kaleidoscope.)

Jack Lippman

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FINAL THOUGHTS                   

                                            

Sid Bolotin

Oh, oh, I’m really stuck now.  My whole right side except for my shoulder is trapped in the glue.  I’ve been scratching on the tile floor for hours trying to leverage myself off the trap, but I haven’t been able to budge at all.  When he wakes up, he’ll surely kill me.

I was doing so well too.  For two weeks I was able to avoid the old fashioned snap traps he had put out after he discovered that I had been feasting on the oat meal and pancake flour in the pantry.  The whole situation boiled over when he and his wife realized that the gouged-out gashes in the sides of the bananas on the kitchen table were from me and not his wife’s paring of over-ripe areas.

Because of her histrionics he called in a professional outfit whose technician, John, confirmed my intrusion.  John put traps in the attic and placed traps around the kitchen, den, and spare bedroom.  As good as he was, he couldn’t find my access route from the attic into the kitchen; so I continued my nightly sojourns and dining by avoiding the traps he had placed.  Generations of my species had implanted in my DNA an awareness of the dangers of both his sticky and modern snap traps baited with peanut butter. 

When the house-owners placed all foodstuffs inside the stove and fridge, I tried to leave but could not get past the wire mesh that John had placed across my one-and-only, original access opening where the A/C lines from the compressor came up the outside wall into the attic.

My cleverness at bypassing the traps, at refusing to be captured immediately, freaked out the wife into such a state that she exploded in John’s face during one of his follow-up visits.  Her hysterical eruption was so fierce that he immediately called in his senior guru, Richie, who meticulously examined my string of droppings and urine behind couches, beds, stove, fridge, and floor TV.  Driven by his anal determination to catch me he discovered the openings under the kitchen cabinets above the toe space that the builder had never closed off.  He found my entry holes.

I had heard of this legendary Richie from others in my colony and knew I had to be extra vigilant in order to survive.  I thought I was clever enough to do so…even when he placed double-wide sticky traps under the cabinets near my entrance holes.  Surely my generations of evolved craftiness would guide me.

                                       

                                                                 Rodent Caught in Glue Trap

Alas Richie was craftier than I.  He used peanut M&M’s as bait, and I fell for it.  And now I hear the man coming into the kitchen…stopping as he hears my scratching.  I know what’s coming.  I heard Richie’s instructions.  I just hope he’s quick about it.  He hesitates.  I hear him mutter softly that he’s sorry to do what he must do, but his wife is so distraught that he has no choice.  He must keep me from escaping by unrolling my fur from the glue.  He takes another glue trap and places it gently over me to make a rat sandwich with me as the meat.  The last thing I see is his foot stepping down to squeeze the life out of me.  Our battle is over.  

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Most readers of this blog are alerted by Email every time a new posting appears.  If you wish to be added to that Email list, just let me know by contacting me at Riart1@aol.com.  Also, be aware that www.Jackspotpourri.com is now available on your mobile devices in a modified, easy-to-read, format.

 
JL

                                                     ***   ***   ***

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Santa's Belt and some Political Drek

"Santa's Belt," an original children's short story, appears on this blog each year at holiday time.  Some have asked for copies to read to their grandchildren.  Enjoy it!

In our last posting, we talked about our new feature, "Political Drek."  Two Political Drek items are included in this posting.  Remember that the letters of the second word of this new feature's name simply stand for "Democratic & Republican Election Kaleidoscope."  Nothing more.  Remember that with either a kaleidoscope or politics, it's all done with mirrors and a little "spin."

Development of Political Drek as a separate web site of its own is continuing.  As it is being worked on, content from Jack's Potpourri is being used in it. You are invited to watch its progress as it grows at www.politicaldrek.com. There is some duplication of content there with with what you are about to read.  Happy Holidays to all.

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                                                   Santa’s Belt  

                                          Jack Lippman

It was that time of the year when things were getting hectic at the North Pole.  Santa and the elves had been working overtime to make certain that everything would be ready to go on Christmas Eve.  After all, children of all ages throughout the world were waiting for Santa to bring them the gifts which they had been wishing for, gifts to make their dreams come true.

“Rufus,” Santa called out.  “Are all of the presents ready to load into my bag?  Have our helpers down on Earth, the toy manufacturers, gotten their toys and games ready for the kids?  And how about the parents?  You know, they all have to do their part too!  Hey, we only have a few days left!”

“Don’t worry, Mr. Claus,” Rufus replied.  “There won’t be any foul-ups this year.  The toys are all ready to go!”

“And is my sleigh ready?  Are the reindeer in good shape?”

“Don’t worry, Santa,” Rufus reassuringly replied.  “The sleigh has been repainted, the runners greased and the harnesses repaired.  And the reindeer are just fine.  Comet and Cupid are over their colds and the others have even gotten used to Rudolf, who wasn’t even in that poem about us.  Even Donder and Blitzen have calmed down.  Santa, you must stop worrying.  Everything is going to be fine!”

It had been three years since Rufus had been promoted to the position of Chief Elf in Santa’s workshop.  Of course, he had been helping out there for many years but only recently had Santa learned of Rufus’ prior experience working closely with Merlin the Magician centuries ago.  Some of Rufus’ innovations, obviously learned from that apprenticeship with the ancient wizard, had greatly increased the efficiency of Santa’s operation.  For example, it was Rufus who had developed the mathematical formulas which, when put into practice, enabled Santa to defy mere physical laws and be in many different of places at the same time.  Rufus had solved the problem of running out of toys with a procedure which in effect, cloned one toy from another, so Santa’s bag was never empty. And of course, he used a lot of old Merlin’s techniques to ease Santa’s trip up and down chimneys throughout the world, without his red outfit ever getting dirty.  Finally, it was Rufus who convinced Santa to include intangible things such as peace, love, brotherhood and wellbeing among the gifts he left on Earth for those who deserved them.

It was just a few nights before Christmas when Rufus encountered Santa in a state of real panic.

“Santa, what’s the matter?  Why are you holding your waist like that?”

“Can’t you see, you darn fool!  I’m holding my pants up!  If I let go, they’ll fall down.  It happened this morning.  My suspenders snapped and I don’t have a belt big enough to fit around me to hold my pants up.  Rufus, they keep falling down and if we can’t fix them, how can I go out on Christmas Eve?  Rufus, do something to help me!  You must!”

“Now, Mr. Claus” the elf answered, holding back a snicker.  “I can see how this happened.  Come to think of it, I should have seen it coming and done something about it.  I’ve watched the way you’ve been eating all of that delicious food Mrs. Claus prepares for you.  Pies and cakes, chickens and steaks, soups and puddings, pizzas and knishes, pasta and dumplings and on and on.  I’ve seen you put away enough for an army at one sitting and top it off with a banana split and a chocolate bar.   What did you expect?”

“Stop your preaching, Rufus!  What would your Merlin do?  Come on.  Think of something so that I don’t disappoint all the children who’ll be waiting for me on Christmas Eve!  I can’t go out there with my pants falling down!”

“Santa, I don’t think suspenders will do the job for you any more because of the pear shape you’ve developed!  We must to get you a belt big enough to hold up your pants!”

“What do you think I’ve been doing all day?  I’ve been looking for one and there just aren’t any made that big.”

Rufus thought for a minute and stroked his chin.  He then turned his eyes upward and look toward the stars, fixing them on the constellation Orion the Hunter.  In an instant, using a mystic incantation remembered from his days with Merlin, he turned himself into a thunderbolt and flew up into the heavens directly at the strip of stars which formed Orion’s belt.  Grasping as many as he could, Rufus flew back to Earth and fashioned a belt from them for Santa.  The old man, finding for the first time since his suspenders had snapped that he was able to keep his pants up, was ecstatic.   


                                                   
                               star map showing the constellation, Orion the Hunter

A few nights later, Santa was able to travel his appointed rounds delivering gifts to children of all ages throughout the world.  As he headed back toward the North Pole, he smiled up at the constellation Orion the Hunter, whose belt, as you can see on any clear evening when you look up in the sky, consists of only three stars, which was all that Rufus left up there.

Circling the Earth, Santa made a promise to go on a diet.  He had learned his lesson.  Soon, recognizing the welcoming lights of the workshop far below, the reindeer guided the sleigh into a slow descent and the jovial old man once more waved his hand to the world, crying out, “Happy Holidays to all, and to all a good night, especially to you, Rufus!”

                                  

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Political Drek:  The Valueless Payroll Tax Reduction 

Unless the House Republican majority stymies it, It looks like the reduction in Social Security payroll tax withdrawals will be extended for two more months, at which time, the Senate and the House will probably vote to continue it for another year.  At that time, as part of the deal which will make this happen, the Keystone XL oil pipeline will be approved in Congress and the President will go along with it assuming the President is assured that some modification in its route will also take place.  

Where the money will come from to allow the continued reduction in Social Security payroll taxes will be the nexus of the next battle to take place in Congress.  The President will insist on it coming from the wealthy and the G.O.P. will insist on spending cuts to make up the difference.  This is a benefit which is aimed at lower and middle income workers because there is no payroll tax at all on income in excess of $110,000.

I believe that for most workers, this measure means that somewhere between $20 and $30 will be in their paychecks each week, an amount which would not have been there if the reduction would not have been extended.  This amounts to a workingman's version of last year's extension of the Bush tax cuts which chiefly benefited the wealthy. This means that they will not see any “new” money but rather, a scheduled increase in taxes will not have taken place.  Most workers will not even notice it.  It won’t change their spending habits nor provide a boost to consumer spending as the President has claimed.  It will, however, enable him to point out that a cut in take-home pay will have been averted.  

A better move, in my opinion, would have been to retroactively double the amount of the payroll tax reduction for last year and send the taxpayer a refund check for that added reduction over the past year. This could be paid for by gradually eliminating the payroll tax reduction entirely after next year so that the rate will ultimately return to its original higher level, or even slightly higher, bringing in additional revenues for Social Security and making up for the retroactive reduction in last year’s payroll tax rate. By then, perhaps, economic recovery will be putting more dollars into paychecks.  This way, however, would put a check in the working man's hands right now which can be spent for the benefit of the entire economy.  Yes, it’s done with smoke and mirrors.

Jack Lippman

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More Political Drek:  What's In a Name?

Back in the fifties, when Senator Joseph McCarthy was conducting a witch hunt for the communists and communist sympathizers he believed had infiltrated our government, I recall that he had a peculiar way of referring to his nemesis, the Democratic Party.  He always referred to it as the “Democrat” Party. 

 
Senator Joseph McCarthy (That's Roy Cohn in the background.)

This was a usage which originated back in 1940 during the campaign of Wendell Willkie who ran against Franklin Roosevelt in that year.  His campaign manager, Harold Stassen, had explained to the New York Times’ William Safire that the Democratic Party, because of the influence within it of big city “bosses,” was actually not “democratic” and should be renamed the “Democrat Party.”  This partisan use of the word “Democrat” as an epithet instead of “Democratic” has been continued by many Republican leaders since then but I feel that McCarthy’s use of it was the most venomous.

“Democracy” is a word in the English language which comes from the Greek words for government (kratia) and people (demos) generally translated as “government by the people.”  Following the rules of the English language, the adjective describing “democracy” is “democratic” and one who holds to that belief is a “democrat.” By using the word “democratic” in its name, the Democratic Party therefore points out that by definition, it is the party of “government by the people.”

People who don’t like to give the Democrats credit for this positive image, usually Republicans, often try to refrain from using the words “Democratic Party.”  Instead, they call it the “Democrat Party,” as Senator McCarthy and those before him did, weakening the image to merely identifying a class of people, Democrats, who belong to that party.  Senator McCarthy, made the words “Democrat Party” take on a particularly pejorative air when he snarled them.  It came out of his mouth almost as offensively as when an anti-Semite who wants to identify the religion of the person he is talking about uses the words “Jew doctor” or “Jew lawyer” instead of Jewish doctor or lawyer. (While Senator McCarthy was not an anti-Semite, his campaign against communists involved his attacking many of the Jewish faith, and thereby gave it anti-Semitic overtones. Some McCarthy followers could not distinguish between anti-communism and anti-Semitism, but that is a story for another day.)

This is very subtle stuff that the Republicans practice, even to this day.  Speaker John Boehner does it all the time when he politely refers to the “Democrat” Party, which in his mind frees him from having to refer to the Democrats as the party of government by the people, which according its real name, the Democratic Party is.

(The Republican Party’s name does not lend itself so well to such word games.  Knock off the “Re” at the front end and you get “publican” which means “an ancient tax collector” or a present day English “pub owner.”  Knock off the “can” at the rear end and you end up with the noun “Republic” which signifies either a “representative democracy,” or for those old enough to remember, a filmmaker who concentrated on “B” movies and westerns.) 

Jack Lippman

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Most readers of this blog are alerted by Email every time a new posting appears.  If you wish to be added to that Email list, just let me know by contacting me at Riart1@aol.com.  Also, be aware that www.Jackspotpourri.com is now available on your mobile devices in a modified, easy-to-read, format.

 
JL

                                                     ***   ***   ***

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Introducing "Politicaldrek" and a Christmas Short Story

Politicaldrek

For those of you who are wondering where the name of this feature, "Politicaldrek," comes from, just try to accept the idea that its last four letters stand for Democratic Republican Election Kaleidoscope;  (After all, politics is like a kaleidoscope; it's all done with mirrors and a little spin.)
 
... and speaking of “spin,” within the next few weeks, I hope to spin off “politicaldrek” as its own independent web site,  development of which is now in progress.  When that happens, I will let you know.  Meanwhile, it will appear on Jack’s Potpourri, replacing what up to now has been called “Politicklers.”

But let’s start today's Politicaldrek off with Newt Gingrich, current front runner in the race for the Republican presidential nomination.  A few days ago, Newt declared that the Palestinians were an “invented” people, really just Arabs who lived in that part of what was once the Ottoman Empire.  This did not endear him to the Palestinians who are seeking to establish a state of their own to be created out of Gaza and the West Bank.  Doing so will require negotiations with Israel which will not take place until the Israelis are certain that such a state would not be a threat to their existence. That may take years.   


There may be Israelis, and Jews in the United States, who agree with what Newt said.  They, however, are intelligent enough to know that certain things are best left unsaid.  It serves no real purpose, other than to irritate the Palestinians, to make such statements and makes it more difficult to proceed with the steps which will ultimately lead to negotiations and a settlement of the Israeli-Palestinian problem.  The only purpose of Gingrich’s remarks is to seek Jewish votes and attempt to make him appear more pro-Israel than is President Obama, who tries to soften his own pro-Israel position in an effort to further the steps to real negotiations, and who truly shows where he stands by sending Israel more advanced weaponry than this country has ever sent it before.  Obama is for real.  Gingrich is for Gingrich.  

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And you have no doubt heard about the Keystone XL pipeline which President Obama has postponed, probably until after the 2012 election.  There are good arguments on all sides of this issue.  First of all, the oil which the pipeline would carry will come from “tar sands” and the process of extracting it is a dirty one, unfavorable to the environment from which the oil is taken.  The Canadians, however, have chosen to do it so the environmental aspect is their problem, not ours, although from a “global” standpoint, we really should be concerned. 

The pipeline, part of which already exists, would extend to Texas and cut across the State of Nebraska.  A problem has arisen there because should the pipeline rupture, its location would put water supply facilities there at risk.  Opposition to it for this reason might be mollified by shifting the pipeline’s route, but as it stands today, it is opposed by environment groups, since its route has not yet been changed.  The Canadians really don’t care about the Nebraska problem since they are prepared, if the pipeline is not built in the United States, to build one crossing Canada to the Pacific where the oil can be put on tankers sailing to Asia. Of course, we would rather have that oil in the United States.

An argument for the pipeline is that it would create as many as 6,000 jobs. (I have seen estimates as high as 12,000 and as low as 2,000.) Unions are for the pipeline because of this. This would really be a shot in the arm for the economy and have a ripple effect in the pipeline’s area. Some say, however, that these numbers are grossly inflated and that 3,000 jobs is a more accurate figure.  In any event, these jobs would disappear in a few years when the pipeline is completed.  

The President had a choice.  Support the unions, which give him an awful lot of support and money, or support the environmentalists.  Obama punted, postponing the decision until 2013, leaving the unions unhappy and satisfying the environmentalists in that nothing will be done for the time being.  But the unions 
have no other place to go.

Complicating the issue is the Republican position in the House of Representatives.  They appear to be willing to agree to extend and increase the Social Security payroll tax reduction, the President’s proposal to benefit the working class and the economy, but only if that bill has the approval of the Keystone XL pipeline tacked onto it.  The funding of that payroll tax reduction extension is also at an impasse, the Democrats wanting it made up by higher taxes on the very wealthy while the Republicans are demanding further spending cuts to make up for its lost revenues.  It appears that the Democrats are willing to compromise on increased taxes on the rich, but the pipeline portion of the deal is still in play.  Hence, while the pipeline now stands as postponed, it might not really be since it has turned into a bargaining chip in the payroll tax reduction extension debate.  This issue, along with funding for the military and the authorization of enough money to keep the government operating, are all merging into one issue as the year draws to a close with the House, the Senate and the President all getting involved.

My opinion:  The route of the pipeline should have been changed before the issue even came up. Poor planning!  This would have made the environmentalists happy and the President would have then pushed for its approval making the unions happy.  At this point, the studies and planning necessary to change the route will take until next year, apparently justifying the delay.  The President, however, should now commit himself to approving it promptly, once the re-routing plan is accomplished. This might make the Republicans happy enough to agree to a payroll tax reduction extension, without the tax increases on the wealthy the President wants but with fewer spending cuts than they want.  Next time around, Politicaldrek will address the effect, if any, a payroll tax reduction has on the economy.

Jack Lippman

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Pooch and Sweetie Pie Lead the Way

Harvey Sage - Author of Tuna Food -  www.harvo1.com

It was a cold, clear and moonless midnight. Pooch and Sweetie Pie, the favored dog and cat of Bethlehem, just east of Jerusalem, were trotting slowly through the fields, anxious to get home and snuggle. They’d had a good time befitting a good dog and a good cat. The Chanukah celebration, the Festival of Lights, was a time of rejoicing for the Jews. It commemorated the downfall of the Syrian-Greek attempt to impose their pagan religion on them. After a battle that had lasted decades God had given the Maccabees victory over superior forces of the invaders. The guerilla war, started by the loyal high priest Mattathias and continued by his son Judas Maccabeus, allowed them to recapture and then purify the holy Temple of Jerusalem about 150 years before. The eight day celebration with song, praise, dancing, food and merrymaking was dedicated to God’s intercession on their behalf. Judas had decreed that henceforth the people would celebrate the event for an eight day period on an annual basis. After all, the evil Greek-Syrian King Antiochus had outlawed the study of Torah (Law) and worship of God. His defeat was a defeat of a satanic ruler.

The celebration had a pall over it though. Just like the Greek-Syrian despots of the time of the Maccabees, Rome held Judea as a province. Though the priestly class, the king and nobles, the rich merchants, the scribes and the theologians were treated well by the Romans in order to insure cooperation, most of the people were suffering. They had no religious freedom, having to obey the laws of the priests. Their finances were low, since they had to pay Rome heavy taxes. And if they dissented, cruel crucifixion awaited them.

Like the Jews under the Syrian despot Antiochus of 150 years before, they longed for a leader to free them from their bondage. The people sought the Promised one, the Messiah. Would God come through again? Would they have victory? Some prophets, rabbis and priests taught that this would happen. The prayer of the common folk was “Soon, Lord Adonoi. Soon!”

Suddenly Pooch stopped in his tracts. Then Sweetie Pie, right behind him, heard the commotion and she stopped too. Overhead was a very bright star. Its light was almost as bright as a full moon. There was suddenly a flurry of sparkling lights in the heavens from east to west and then a huge figure appeared in front of them where a herd of sheep lay. The commotion was from the shepherds since the appearance of this big figure, an angel of the Lord, scared them.

“Do not be afraid” boomed his voice. “I bring you good news. Today in Bethlehem a boy has been born who will lead you and save you. He is of the line of David and He will be your king.”

The shepherds gave out a cheer, for they awaited the Messiah who would free them from oppression. Pooch barked in delight, but Sweetie Pie demurely just said a quiet “meeow.” Then as the figure levitated heavenward singing came from the heavens. “Glory to God in the highest. Peace on earth and good will to mankind upon whom His favor rests.” Then, as suddenly as it all began, there was quiet. 

The shepherds began chatting among themselves. “Where is the king? Where is the Messiah?” they asked. The angel told them that He was in Bethlehem, but where in that town was He?

They decided to go look and so, leaving a few of their number to tend the sheep, the rest started walking, their way lit by the bright star light. Pooch and Sweetie Pie sensed what was up and they followed in the manner in which most animals do, by leading the way. When they got to Bethlehem the shepherds decided that the new born King would probably be in a barn, since the angel had told them that He’d be wrapped in swaddling cloths, lying in a manger. But there were many mangers in Bethlehem. Which one? Where? They hadn’t a clue.

Sweetie Pie looked at Pooch and purred and off they went. Bethlehem was their home. They knew it well. The only manger they knew of that was fit for a new born King was astride the Jerusalem Road. As they approached the place in this quiet sleepy town packed with its exhausted townfolk and Chanukah celebrants, they saw a glowing light. It came from the manger. Coming closer they saw a man and woman sleeping on their sides on the hay, covered by their cloaks. In between them was a crib on a saw horse with a baby inside. Bethlehem’s inns were filled up, and the only place these weary people with their baby could sleep was with the cows.

The glow came from around the baby, bathing the area in a warm, splendid light. Unlike most babies, He didn’t cry. Instead He was up and smiling, looking right at Pooch and Sweetie Pie.

Pooch stopped. He didn’t know what to do. But Sweetie Pie did. She went up to the crib and hopped in. The baby let her kiss Him and then He kissed her back. Pooch came over too and gave the baby a warm kiss on His cheek for which he got an extra big smile. The King loved them and enjoyed their adoration. Then Pooch went to the front of the manger and began to howl. The shepherds heard the ruckus and came running. Seeing the smiling baby and the glow they realized that He was the One. They knelt down and bowed before the Messiah.

This was the best Chanukah ever. It was a Festival of Lights for the whole world, Jew and Gentile alike. For two thousand years people have been celebrating the birth of the One who came to set us free from the clutches of the world, the flesh and the devil. Pooch, Sweetie Pie and the shepherds recognized the Messiah when they saw Him. Do you?

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JL

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