Vol. III, # 19, Dec. 17, 2004

Advent IV Sunday Is Approaching

One of the definitions of Advent in the Merriam-Wetster dictionary is:

"the period beginning four Sundays before Christmas and observed by some Christians as a season of prayer and fasting"

PH is sure relieved that this definition states "some Christians." We at RRCB probably provide sufficient praying, but we are way behind on the fasting issue. On December 6 we had a reception after church, another one after the baptismal service, a meal on Wednesday night, December 8, a reception after church on last Sunday, another meal on this past Wednesday and no doubt another delicious reception after church this Sunday. In addition some Shepsons indulged at the Tuesday Night Club and thirty-seven of us enjoyed delicious food at our annual Christmas Social. Now, on the positive side, we are making our January mission project the Central Virginia Food Bank and this project is off to a great start in mid December. Can you imagine what might happen if we practiced the "fasting" season of Advent? Well, it probably would not be good for the economy; so eat, drink and be merry and feel good and be grateful that "some Christians" somewhere are fasting and praying.

The Christmas Social Was Joyous

With the help of "Shepherd" Bob all of us found the University Club at the U of R last Saturday night. We all enjoyed warm and seasonally decorated surroundings with a view of the lake at the U of R. After ample food and drink some Shepsons gathered around the piano and supple fingered Julia Tyler played for us as we sang the familiar carols. Pastor Mike and Vivian seemed to have a good time. PH is sure Mike and Vivian have fond romantic memories of that well known lake when Richmond College and Westhampton College were small Baptist colleges divided by the lake. Brenda and PH were honored to have Bob Carter ride with us. We learned that Bob went to the old Richmond Professional Institute for two years when it consisted of two dozen boys and five hundred girls. He then attended Richmond College and graduated. He also served during World War II. We also learned that Bob has recently acquired the title of great-grandfather. His grandson and granddaughter-in-law have a baby boy named Robert Joshua Carter. Attached to this PHA is a photo of mother Susan and baby Josh. As is often stated, any new mother and child are representative of Mary and Jesus.

Prayer Rounds

Reliable reports indicate that Shepson Rob Brown is recovering well from cervical spine surgery. Rob plans to join his family for a plane trip to Paducah (Kentucky) on Christmas morning in order to be with Donna's parents and other family members.

Remember in your prayers: Rob Brown, the VCU BSU, Ellen Gwathmey and her father, Shoney's employee Vivian Martin and her husband Ray, Roger Beck, Cecil and Dot Sherman, Peggy Harris and her family, Kim Williams and her family, Rick and Linda Mears, Donald and Barbara Deer, Audrey Thomson's sister Sharon Ruben and Sharon's family, Jared Oliver, Julia Tyler and her parents, Mary and Julian Pentecost, Kay and Bob Culpepper, John and Margaret Oliver, the Church clergy and staff, our military and civilians in harm's way, and those only known to you.

Biological Facts Demand Equal Rights for Rosie Reindeer

REMEMBER THIS AT CHRISTMAS TIME

According to the Alaska Department of Fish and Game, while both male and female reindeer grow antlers in the summer each year, male reindeer drop their antlers at the beginning of winter, usually late November to mid-December. Female reindeer retain their antlers 'til after they give birth in the spring.

Therefore, according to EVERY historical rendition depicting Santa's reindeer, EVERY single one of them, from Rudolph to Blitzen, had to be a girl.

You should've known... ONLY women would be able to drag a fat man in a red velvet suit all around the world in one night and not get lost.

Bob Culpepper Will Not Be Twenty-nine Tomorrow

Last week's PHA reported that Bob Culpepper would be twenty-nine tomorrow. Further research (asking Kay) revealed that Bob Culpepper is already twenty-nine. Bob's birthday was actually December 8. Thus, Bob and Joe Beagle Alvis share the same birthday. Congratulate Bob on reaching twenty-nine ten days earlier than predicted. Also, not to be overlooked, Shepson Ellie Cox will be twenty-nine on Christmas Eve, next Friday.

The Donald Deer Section

The Reverend Doctor Donald Deer has had a challenging year with his health. He has not been able to attend his church in California because of these problems, but he is now back at his computer and responds to PH in regard to a number of topics. His mind is sharp and he still has his wit

Below are a few recent examples of his wit in action:

Donald Deer with three items of business news:

Colgate to cut 12% of workforce:
Colgate-Palmolive is to cut 4,440 jobs and shut a third of its 78 factories worldwide in a bid to boost profits. [The reason being, of course, that this toothpaste maker has been feeling the squeeze]

1) The US is now importing more than it is exporting, so our trade deficit, especially with China, is growing in alarming proportions. Maybe you're not concerned about this issue, but I find it to be of considerable import.

2) K Mart has decided to buy Sears. However, anyone who thinks that because of this merger, they can then go and buy clothes cheaper at Sears is a _________________ seersucker.

On a more serious note PH asked Donald to send something of interest during this Christmas season. Donald sent the following:

SELECTION FROM AMONG NOTES [updated from RSV to NRSV] FOR A SERMON BY
DONALD S. DEER ENTITLED "A TRANSLATOR'S CHRISTMAS"

given December 5, 1971 in Strasbourg, France, to an English-speaking congregation, on the light shed on Luke's Christmas story by a translator's experience

¶ Luke 1:26 In the sixth month [of what?] the angel Gabriel was sent by
God to a town in Galilee called Nazareth, (NRSV)
Luke 1:26 In the sixth month of Elizabeth's pregnancy God sent the
angel Gabriel to a town in Galilee named Nazareth (GNB)

ANGEL SPEAKING
¶ Luke 1:32 He will be great, and will be called the Son of the Most
High, and the Lord God will give to him the throne of his ancestor
David. (NRSV)
Luke 1:32 He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High
God. The Lord God will make him a king, as his ancestor David was,
(GNB)

¶ Luke 1:39 In those days Mary set out and went with haste to a Judean
town in the hill country, (NRSV)
Luke 1:39 Soon afterward Mary got ready and hurried off to a town in
the hill country of Judea. (GNB)

ELIZABETH SPEAKING
¶ Luke 1:42 and [Elizabeth] exclaimed with a loud cry, "Blessed are you
among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb. (NRSV)
Luke 1:42 and [Elizabeth] said in a loud voice, "You are the most
blessed of all women, and blessed is the child you will bear! (GNB)

¶ Luke 1:45 And blessed is she [but it is Mary who is being addressed!]
who believed that there would be a fulfillment of what was spoken to
her by the Lord." (NRSV)
Luke 1:45 How happy you are to believe that the Lord’s message to you
will come true!" (GNB)

MARY SPEAKING
¶ Luke 1:51 He has shown strength with his arm; he has scattered the
proud in the thoughts of their hearts. [Can you diagram that?] (NRSV)
Luke 1:51 He has stretched out his mighty arm and scattered the proud
with all their plans. (GNB)

¶ Luke 2:1 In those days a decree went out from Emperor Augustus that
all the world should be registered. (NRSV)
Luke 2:1 At that time Emperor Augustus ordered a census to be taken
throughout the Roman Empire. (GNB)

¶ Luke 2:7 And she gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped him in
bands of cloth, and laid him in a manger, because there was no place
for them in the inn. (NRSV)
Luke 2:7 She gave birth to her first son, wrapped him in cloths and
laid him in a manger — there was no room for them to stay in the inn.
(GNB)

ANGEL SPEAKING (TO SHEPHERDS)
¶ Luke 2:11 to you is born [the baby was actually born to Mary and
Joseph, not the shepherds!] this day in the city of David a Savior, who
is the Messiah, the Lord. (NRSV)
Luke 2:11 This very day in David's town your Savior was born — Christ
the Lord! (GNB)

'THEY' = SHEPHERDS
¶ Luke 2:16 So they went with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the
child lying in the manger. [It must have been crowded in the manger!]
Luke 2:17 When they saw this, they made known what had been told them
about this child; (NRSV)
Luke 2:16 So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph and saw the
baby lying in the manger. Luke 2:17 When the shepherds saw him, they
told them what the angel had said about the child. (GNB)

Donald S. Deer
607 Leyden Lane
Claremont, CA 91711-4236

Teacher Bob Will Begin Chapter Thirteen of First Samuel

We are sailing through I Samuel. This Sunday we are scheduled to begin chapter 13. Is Teacher Bob in a hurry to get to the exploits of King David? What is that we like about David? Each one can keep his or her favorite David exploit in secret, but Santa Claus should know who is naughty and who is nice.

Plan for the High Holy Days of Late Advent

There are a lot of spiritually enriching days ahead. We have the fourth Sunday of Advent this Sunday, On next Wednesday night will be a program of carols and stories. Pork loin will be on the menu. Is this the Roman influence on Christmas? On Christmas Eve, there will be two services: one at 5 PM and the other at 11 PM. Come to the 11 PM service and see if you recognize anyone. PH always does. PH is also giving thought to taking the Labyrinth Roll on December 31 in order to be in the proper frame of mind for the New Year's Eve Social.

The New Year's Eve Social Is Set

On New Year's Eve 1999, the first of five annual New Year's Eve Socials was held at Brenda and PH's house. When the new millennium arrived almost five years ago, terrible things were predicted, but none of us present at that first social experienced any visitation or rapture. This New Year's Eve, those Shepsons who have no other commitments are invited to gather, socialize, discuss deep theological issues and welcome in 2005. There will be a SSBSC 2004 trivia quiz as well as food and drink. The festivities begin at 9 PM on December 31 and conclude in 2005.

Correspondent Near the Iraq Border

Many among us have divided feelings over the war in Iraq. However, many American young men and women are following orders and serving courageously in that troubled area of the world. PH received a letter from an army chaplain who is in Kuwait. His letter reads,

Dr. Holland,

I put your business card in my day planner. I thought that I would stay in touch with you. We spoke briefly about the history of this place. I am in Kuwait just a few miles off the Iraq border. We will be pushing forward in a few days into our forward positions. The next few months should not be dull. I was sitting just a few feet from the soldier who asked Rumsfeld about the lack of armor for our vehicles. That got all the press. I asked Rumsfeld my question a few moments later. I introduced myself as Chaplain xxxx of the Aviation Support Battalion and them informed him I was asked by the soldiers to ask a question for them. "Mr. secretary would you be kind enough to put all of us in your aircraft and take us to Disneyland?" He cracked up and the place went wild. They know me here now. The armor is no big deal. You can get it,..ya just have to know who to trade with. Nothing has changed since "Catch 22"

Hope you enjoy your holidays and I might need your help with medication. They don't have my strength here. Believe it or not an Army Pharmacist related to me that they were not prepared for the large number of older soldiers in this theater.

My soldiers are doing well. Their anxiety levels are high but I do my best to be the non-anxious presence in their lives. I speak very calmly to them and treat everyone with the idea there is a healthier place for them to be mentally and spiritually while faced with dangerous missions. We have had 15 soldiers hurt in training and two of them were here. The others occurred at Ft. xxx. Several of them will not be coming over. Take care my friend. I look forward to chatting with you when I return.

Chaplain xxxx

Note from PH: The Spire announced in the most recent issue that next week's Spire will be a double issue. PH plans for PHA to be on your computer screen on Christmas Eve and New Year's Eve.

PHA Poll: What is your favorite Christmas movie? Send answers to henry4fdr@aol.com and the results will be reported in next week's PHA. Silent films can be included.
.

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