<font color='black' size='2' face='arial'><font size="2"><font face="arial">The Philippines starts early morning mass (missa de gallo, in celebration of the season ten days before the 25th), so, for the season and in your hearts, Merry Christmas!</font></font>
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: helvetica, arial; font-size: 10pt;"><font face="Times New Roman, Times, serif" size="3">In Hong Kong, 圣诞快乐 (shèng dàn kuài lè) is the popular greeting
for the season, spoken as salutation, or plastered on walls. <i>Sheng
dan jie</i> literally means "happy birth of a saint holiday"; <i>ye dan jie </i>gets "Jesus"
phonetically in as "ye", (ye-su, like <i>Iesu </i>in Greek). Since we
focus on the day rather than the idolatry of Jesus, we will stick with our
title, something akin to the <i>Felis
Nabidat/Felis Pasgua/Feliz Navidad/Feliz Pasqua </i>in Chamorro/Spanish.</font></div>
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: helvetica, arial; font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-family:"><font face="Times New Roman, Times, serif" size="3">A verbal rehearsal that gets particularly loud in my corner between
Thanksgivanukkah and the calendared story of the journey of the infant child of
Bethlehem to Golgotha and on to the empty tomb - is the litany that follows, sentiment
and structure, images and metaphor adopted and inspired from the literary
eptitude of spirit warrior John P. Cock in his book, <i>Motivation for the
Great Work, </i>an embodiment of his
commitment to planet Earth.</font></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="font-family: helvetica, arial; font-size: 10pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family:"><font face="Times New Roman, Times, serif" size="3"> </font></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: helvetica, arial; font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-family:"><font face="Times New Roman, Times, serif" size="3">Authentic living does not delivery what our
earnest desires strive for<b>:</b></font></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="font-family: helvetica, arial; font-size: 10pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family:"><font face="Times New Roman, Times, serif" size="3"> </font></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="font-family: helvetica, arial; font-size: 10pt; text-align: center;"><font face="Times New Roman, Times, serif" size="3"><i><span style="font-family: ">long life</span></i><span style="font-family:"></span></font></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="font-family: helvetica, arial; font-size: 10pt; text-align: center;"><font face="Times New Roman, Times, serif" size="3"><i><span style="font-family: ">good health</span></i><span style="font-family:"></span></font></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="font-family: helvetica, arial; font-size: 10pt; text-align: center;"><font face="Times New Roman, Times, serif" size="3"><i><span style="font-family: ">financial stability</span></i><span style="font-family:"></span></font></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="font-family: helvetica, arial; font-size: 10pt; text-align: center;"><font face="Times New Roman, Times, serif" size="3"><i><span style="font-family: ">a marriage that works</span></i><span style="font-family:"></span></font></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="font-family: helvetica, arial; font-size: 10pt; text-align: center;"><font face="Times New Roman, Times, serif" size="3"><i><span style="font-family: ">loving children</span></i><span style="font-family:"></span></font></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="font-family: helvetica, arial; font-size: 10pt; text-align: center;"><font face="Times New Roman, Times, serif" size="3"><i><span style="font-family: ">a nice house</span></i><span style="font-family:"></span></font></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="font-family: helvetica, arial; font-size: 10pt; text-align: center;"><font face="Times New Roman, Times, serif" size="3"><i><span style="font-family: ">a solid job</span></i><span style="font-family:"></span></font></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="font-family: helvetica, arial; font-size: 10pt; text-align: center;"><font face="Times New Roman, Times, serif" size="3"><i><span style="font-family: ">sweet dreams</span></i><span style="font-family:"></span></font></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="font-family: helvetica, arial; font-size: 10pt; text-align: center;"><font face="Times New Roman, Times, serif" size="3"><i><span style="font-family: ">no pain</span></i><span style="font-family:"></span></font></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="font-family: helvetica, arial; font-size: 10pt; text-align: center;"><font face="Times New Roman, Times, serif" size="3"><i><span style="font-family: ">a good education</span></i><span style="font-family:"></span></font></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="font-family: helvetica, arial; font-size: 10pt; text-align: center;"><font face="Times New Roman, Times, serif" size="3"><i><span style="font-family: ">kind in-laws</span></i><span style="font-family:"></span></font></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="font-family: helvetica, arial; font-size: 10pt; text-align: center;"><font face="Times New Roman, Times, serif" size="3"><i><span style="font-family: ">responsible
government</span></i><span style="font-family:"></span></font></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="font-family: helvetica, arial; font-size: 10pt; text-align: center;"><font face="Times New Roman, Times, serif" size="3"><i><span style="font-family: ">safe cities</span></i><span style="font-family:"></span></font></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="font-family: helvetica, arial; font-size: 10pt; text-align: center;"><font face="Times New Roman, Times, serif" size="3"><i><span style="font-family: ">comfortable taxes</span></i><span style="font-family:"></span></font></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="font-family: helvetica, arial; font-size: 10pt; text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: "><font face="Times New Roman, Times, serif" size="3">good neighbors</font></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="font-family: helvetica, arial; font-size: 10pt; text-align: center;"><font face="Times New Roman, Times, serif" size="3"><i><span style="font-family: ">cessation of wars</span></i><span style="font-family:"></span></font></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="font-family: helvetica, arial; font-size: 10pt; text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: "><font face="Times New Roman, Times, serif" size="3">and the end of poverty.</font></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="font-family: helvetica, arial; font-size: 10pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family:"><font face="Times New Roman, Times, serif" size="3"> </font></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: helvetica, arial; font-size: 10pt;"><font face="Times New Roman, Times, serif" size="3">Life's reality, for those who have eyes to see, is expressed
in the movie of the Von Trapp family in the <i>Sound
of Music: </i>when a door closes, somehow new windows opens. In the awareness of John Epps, <i>Theology of Surprise</i>, Exploring Life's Mysteries,
life is just too full of surprises. For those who dare to be free, and care to freely
be, life at every moment is a rebirth of wonders. Life offers:</font></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="font-family: helvetica, arial; font-size: 10pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family:"><font face="Times New Roman, Times, serif" size="3"> </font></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="font-family: helvetica, arial; font-size: 10pt; text-align: center;"><font face="Times New Roman, Times, serif" size="3"><i><span style="font-family: ">unconditional love</span></i><span style="font-family:"></span></font></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="font-family: helvetica, arial; font-size: 10pt; text-align: center;"><font face="Times New Roman, Times, serif" size="3"><i><span style="font-family: ">in being regardless</span></i><span style="font-family:"></span></font></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="font-family: helvetica, arial; font-size: 10pt; text-align: center;"><font face="Times New Roman, Times, serif" size="3"><i><span style="font-family: ">healing of deep
wounds</span></i><span style="font-family:"></span></font></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="font-family: helvetica, arial; font-size: 10pt; text-align: center;"><font face="Times New Roman, Times, serif" size="3"><i><span style="font-family: ">arms to embrace the
fallen</span></i><span style="font-family:"></span></font></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="font-family: helvetica, arial; font-size: 10pt; text-align: center;"><font face="Times New Roman, Times, serif" size="3"><i><span style="font-family: ">faithfulness amid
faithlessness</span></i><span style="font-family:"></span></font></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="font-family: helvetica, arial; font-size: 10pt; text-align: center;"><font face="Times New Roman, Times, serif" size="3"><i><span style="font-family: ">grace nevertheless</span></i><span style="font-family:"></span></font></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="font-family: helvetica, arial; font-size: 10pt; text-align: center;"><font face="Times New Roman, Times, serif" size="3"><i><span style="font-family: ">peace that passes
understanding</span></i><span style="font-family:"></span></font></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="font-family: helvetica, arial; font-size: 10pt; text-align: center;"><font face="Times New Roman, Times, serif" size="3"><i><span style="font-family: ">a calling desired or
not</span></i><span style="font-family:"></span></font></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="font-family: helvetica, arial; font-size: 10pt; text-align: center;"><font face="Times New Roman, Times, serif" size="3"><i><span style="font-family: ">courage amidst fear</span></i><span style="font-family:"></span></font></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="font-family: helvetica, arial; font-size: 10pt; text-align: center;"><font face="Times New Roman, Times, serif" size="3"><i><span style="font-family: ">purpose when lost</span></i><span style="font-family:"></span></font></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="font-family: helvetica, arial; font-size: 10pt; text-align: center;"><font face="Times New Roman, Times, serif" size="3"><i><span style="font-family: ">mercy without being
asked</span></i><span style="font-family:"></span></font></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="font-family: helvetica, arial; font-size: 10pt; text-align: center;"><font face="Times New Roman, Times, serif" size="3"><i><span style="font-family: ">future beyond
impossible</span></i><span style="font-family:"></span></font></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="font-family: helvetica, arial; font-size: 10pt; text-align: center;"><font face="Times New Roman, Times, serif" size="3"><i><span style="font-family: ">balm for grief
unending</span></i><span style="font-family:"></span></font></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="font-family: helvetica, arial; font-size: 10pt; text-align: center;"><font face="Times New Roman, Times, serif" size="3"><i><span style="font-family: ">undeserved forgiveness</span></i><span style="font-family:"></span></font></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="font-family: helvetica, arial; font-size: 10pt; text-align: center;"><font face="Times New Roman, Times, serif" size="3"><i><span style="font-family: ">more freedom than one
can handle</span></i><span style="font-family:"></span></font></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="font-family: helvetica, arial; font-size: 10pt; text-align: center;"><font face="Times New Roman, Times, serif" size="3"><i><span style="font-family: ">welcome home mat with
open arms</span></i><span style="font-family:"></span></font></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="font-family: helvetica, arial; font-size: 10pt; text-align: center;"><font face="Times New Roman, Times, serif" size="3"><i><span style="font-family: ">resurrection in this
life</span></i><span style="font-family:"></span></font></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="font-family: helvetica, arial; font-size: 10pt; text-align: center;"><font face="Times New Roman, Times, serif" size="3"><i><span style="font-family: ">comfort in pain</span></i><span style="font-family:"></span></font></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="font-family: helvetica, arial; font-size: 10pt; text-align: center;"><font face="Times New Roman, Times, serif" size="3"><i><span style="font-family: ">refuge when storms rage</span></i><span style="font-family:"></span></font></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="font-family: helvetica, arial; font-size: 10pt; text-align: center;"><font face="Times New Roman, Times, serif" size="3"><i><span style="font-family: ">rest when weary</span></i><span style="font-family:"></span></font></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="font-family: helvetica, arial; font-size: 10pt; text-align: center;"><font face="Times New Roman, Times, serif" size="3"><i><span style="font-family: ">hope against hope</span></i><span style="font-family:"></span></font></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="font-family: helvetica, arial; font-size: 10pt; text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: "><font face="Times New Roman, Times, serif" size="3">light in the dark of night
</font></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="font-family: helvetica, arial; font-size: 10pt; text-align: center;"><font face="Times New Roman, Times, serif" size="3"><i><span style="font-family: ">joy unspeakable</span></i><span style="font-family:">....</span></font></div>
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: helvetica, arial; font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-family:"><font face="Times New Roman, Times, serif" size="3">The various phrases capture images of a journey of that
little babe in the manger in a season we call Christmas, narrated by gospel
writers Matthew and Luke, and appropriated as a liberating and freeing story by
many. I list myself among these folks,
albeit, more like the stable boy ready to rake the animal droppings rather than silk draped royals bringing myrrh, gold, and
frankincense. </font></span></div>
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: helvetica, arial; font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-family:"><font face="Times New Roman, Times, serif" size="3">For those who take their faith seriously, particularly those
of the Christian tradition, checkout <i>The Love of History and
the Future of Christianity:
</i>Toward a Manifesto for
a Next Christianity by Gene W.
Marshall in <a target="_blank" href="http://www.realisticliving.org">www.realisticliving.org</a>.</font></span></div>
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: helvetica, arial; font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-family:"><font face="Times New Roman, Times, serif" size="3">In our hear-repeat opening ritual in school, I use the Chicago Westside Fifth City preschool ritual, a shorter version of the litany above. This season, I intone a version of the ritual thus: "this is the reality I have. I can gratefully, compassionately and
graciously live this life, or, waste it away, in resignation, fear, and despair.
This is the life I have." I live!
Still, again, and, ever more.</font></span></div>
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: helvetica, arial; font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-family:"><font face="Times New Roman, Times, serif" size="3">Whatever your situation is, you can, too. <i>Shèng dàn kuài lè!</i></font></span></div>
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