Capre Diem! It’s Christmas Day, 2023. There are plenty of presents under the tree. All is well. Last night I watched “Elf” again. What a great movie! I love it when Buddy discovers how tasty the chewing gum left on the handrails of the subway station was. Too funny! I hope I don’t need to remind you how grateful you should feel today. You get to live another Christmas. Can’t get much better than that. The list for today is short: Christmas, Christmas Pudding Day, and National Pumpkin Pie Day. I will celebrate 2 out of 3. Now the history part of this post: On this day in 352 Christmas was celebrated for the first time on December 25th. On this day in 1223 St. Francis of Assisi assembled the 1st Nativity scene in Greccio, Italy. On this day in 1621 Governor William Bradford of the Plymouth Colony (Now Massachusetts) banned the playing of games on Christmas Day. This is the day in 1776 that Washington crossed the Delaware River into New Jersey and surprised and defeated 1,400 Hessian troops. On this day in 1868 despite bitter opposition, President Andrew Johnson granted unconditional pardons to all persons involved in the Southern Rebellion. On this day in 1939 the Montgomery Ward department store introduced Rudolph the 9th red-nosed reindeer. On this Christmas day in 1957 Richard Starkey, now known as Ringo Starr, received his first drum set at age 17. Today’s quotes come from the actor and comedian, Charlie Chaplin who died on this day in 1977. Charlie said, “We think too much and feel to little.” “The mirror is my best friend because when I cry it never laughs.” “You’ll never find rainbows if you’re looking down.” “Nothing in life is permanent, not even one’s troubles.” “A man’s true character comes out when he’s drunk.” I’ll wrap up this post with a quote from Charlie that informs you of his politics: “Let us fight for a new world, a decent world that will give men a chance to work, that will give youth a future and old age a security.” Sounds good to me. Merry Christmas. Hope Santa was good to you. Abide.
