Christmas 2024—
Dear Beloveds --
I had not planned to write a Christmas letter this year, but something came my way recently that got me thinking.
Christmas is many things, both secular and holy. Pastors generally speak about the birth, the baby Jesus, the advent of hope. but I’m not sure I ever read a sermon about Matthew 2:13-15 that relates the story of Jesus and his parents having to flee from Bethlehem for their lives. Herod, threatened, order the killing of all male children under the age of two. Let’s face it, it’s just one of those inconvenient passages in the Bible.
And when they were departed, behold, the angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream, saying, Arise, Egypt, and be thou there until I bring thee word: for Herod will seek the young child to destroy him. When he arose, he took the young child and his mother by night, and departed into Egypt and was there until the death of Herod: that it might be fulfilled which was spoken of the Lord by the prophet, saying, Out of Egypt have I called my son.
There is no reason to wax political at this time of year. But, then again, this is not a normal year.
I have a lot of experience working with migrants, illegals, immigrants—mostly in Mexico City, but here in Plattsburgh as well. I have never met a single one who wants to be here. Uniformly, they all want to be in the country they’re fleeing. But, like Jesus and his family, the fear of murder, starvation or abduction has forced them out. I will speak up for the 20,000,000 people who are threatened with deportation. Had Jesus not left Israel and fled to another country where he was an illegal, well… you can finish the story.
Meanwhile, this has been a year! On the 4th of July I launched my latest book—Two With, Buried: the History of the Michigan Hot Dog. The 4th seemed like the perfect day to launch a book about a hot dog. For a local publication, it’s done very well and is now in its second printing. I’ll do a second edition in 2027 to mark the centennial of the arrival of the hot dog—Michigan Style—in Plattsburgh.
My 3rd book is seeking a publisher. While waiting, I’ve begun the next—a historical travelogue tracing NY Rt. 9 from Manhattan to the Canadian border. It will take time to research and write, but it will be a fun journey.
Steve has been retired 5 years, me 18! I know where the years have gone, but my golly they’ve gone by fast. His mom is living in an assisted living facility here in town. Life is a challenge and that’s hard to see.
We still winter in Mexico City and now have official temporary residence. In two years we can apply for permanent residency.
Steve does not have the wanderlust that I do. In early October I took off for South America. The goal was to reach 100 countries. I landed in Georgetown, Guyana on October 5th with every intention to travel from there to Suriname. Bad on me, I failed to do my homework and was not able to get into the country because I didn’t have a visa.
I toured Guyana, then in an eleventh hour shift, flew onwards to Panama, then Colombia for a few days. I finally arrived in Brazil—country #99—a 5 days later. Brazil was just amazing and I regret not knowing about it sooner. I arrived in the Amazon, then went on to the capital—Brasilia--then to Rio de Janeiro. Rio was phenomenal and I extended my stay. From there I spent a week traveling along the coast to Sao Paolo. I told Steve that I have a new lover and her name is Brazil. I will be going back.
Christmas comes once again. Despite everything, Christmas truly is a time of hope. I am grateful for the gift of years, the fact that you are in my life, and this glorious season of light that is upon us!
Resist, my dear friends, resist. Or as Betty Davis quipped, “Fasten your seatbelts. It’s going be a bumpy night.”
This Christmas and the years ahead should challenge the Christian in us. And forget the Ten Commandments. Rely on those pesky Beatitudes, a far-too-overlooked portion of the Bible. Support the most vulnerable who will be the most affected. Love your neighbor (no matter who he is), feed the hungry (no matter who he is), and welcome the stranger (no matter who he is). That’s what Jesus did, and that’s my plan. I hope it will be yours, too.
A blessed and happy Christmas.
Love,
Dan and Steve
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