“Guests enjoy a lit up walkway at the Southeast Botanical Gardens, Chibana, Okinawa, Japan, during a Marine Corps Community Services (MCCS) holiday trip, Dec. 20, 2020. MCCS hosted the holiday trip to celebrate the upcoming holiday season and offer Marines, Sailors and their families an opportunity to get off base and enjoy the seasonal lights displayed at the Southeast Botanical Gardens. ” DoD.

Click image to enlarge for a fine image by U.S. Marine Corp Sgt. Micha Pierce.

Lots of light against dark skies recently. We’ve had 8 days of Hannukah. And then the ‘Great Conjunction’ of Saturn and Jupiter–last seen in 1623–dazzled. (Link to NASA) Pictures from the White House displays are charmingly hung with kids’ ornaments.

In our small town in Vermont, officials decked out big trucks with lights and drove through the dark neighborhoods to bring some cheer to the kids and everyone else. Made lots of noise too.

American history buffs might enjoy reading about the man who wrote “We Three Kings” with its famous “O star of wonder, star of night” refrain. He was born in Pennsylvania, attended UVM, became a minister, gave the eulogy for U. Grant, and ended up being buried in Vermont.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Henry_Hopkins_Jr.

In any case, wishing all a bright weekend, with special thoughts for the ill, our active military wherever they are deployed, and anyone who is unable to attend religious services.

Laura (Guest author)