The Northern Agrarian

As many have been eager to note, my last post was a bit of a departure from my normal modus operandi. It was never meant for public eyes, and was a bit self-aggrandizing, very meandering, and extremely bleak. I won’t be making a habit of it, to be sure.

But the most peculiar comment I received was from someone with whom I am extremely close. She said, not to put too fine a point on it, that she doesn’t like to see me “so hopeless.” I’ve never considered myself hopeless, but my views on the world being as cynical as they are, I have been mulling over whether I truly do believe that this country and this world has hope.

As we find ourselves emerged into the Christmas season, we must have hope. And I don’t mean the soft-focused Hope with a capital H peddled by Barack and his ilk. Hope in its truest form is nearly indistinguishable from faith, be it in God, in your family, your friends, or yourself. Christmas offers a unique time to reflect on these things.

I will be posting this video several times this month. It means a lot to me, and had a profound impact on me as a child.

And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid. And the angel said unto them, “Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord. And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.” And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying, “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.”

-Luke 2:8-14

On earth peace, good will toward men. Maybe this year a nation of Christians will not only pray for it, but fight for it as well.

No matter how bleak, for that I will always be hopeful.