“Christmas in Newtown”

 The link below says too many words are being spoken, and much too quickly, on the Newtown tragedy.  So I’ll respond here, on a blog that few if any read. . .

http://www.christianitytoday.com/ct/2012/december-web-only/media-and-massacre.html?utm_source=ctdirect-html&utm_medium=Newsletter&utm_term=9457670&utm_content=146431871&utm_campaign=2012

Why did this event happen at Christmas?  Because Christmas happened for events like this.  This is a sinful world.  Smaller tragedies happen every day.  God, who is infinite, is present among all those who suffer even now—not just because he is big, and therefore  “has to be” everywhere—but because he chooses to be present, in inscrutable wisdom and mysterious majesty.  And he is present as an innocent, helpless Child.  The Christ Child entered this world, and took on the suffering, AND TOOK ON THE SIN! Christmas isn’t about nice feelings, it’s about the pain: the slaughter of the innocents at Bethlehem AND Newtown.  It isn’t about denying reality and feeling good for a short while.  God embraced reality, and ushered in the reign of Christ, the King, so that sin may be banished.  One day there will be no more weeping, anywhere!  Tears will be turned to dancing, sin will be gone, and a little child will lead them.  And it has begun, even now.  In the last days GOD HAS SPOKEN THROUGH HIS SON.

”Christmas is here, best time of year”

A Lesson in Latin and Theology

(Theologica) a deo docetur. deum docet. ad deum ducet

 Erick Liddell, 1924 Olympian, famously said:

"I believe that God made me for a purpose. But He also made me fast, and when I run, I feel His pleasure."

Well, God didn't make me very fast at all, but I LOVE to hike.  So may I make my own paraphrase, and put it into practice later today:

. . . .  when I hike, I feel His pleasure

Every rock that supports my steps obeys God's laws.  

Every budding tree and flower shouts his glory!  Amen.

Thought for the Day

Those who speak most of progress measure it by quantity and not by quality.
George Santayana

Another gradual route down Monadnock

In my LOOONG post "How to climb Monadnock if you're over 50" (and not a retired Olympian), I mentioned routes down the west side of the mountain. Several times I"ve also descended a SE route, which may be better if you like to park at the HQ lot.
From the summit, take the Pumpelly to the Red Spot. Take this to the Cascade Link(Beautiful!), and then take the Harling Trail east. The park map makes it look like you have to go all the way to Hinckley and backtrack, but there is a blue diamond marked CC ski trial that turns right and takes you to the paved campground roads. A level walk through the woods. This whole route, except for the steep parts, is far less rocky than the lower section of the White Dot, my least favorite section of the park.