Almighty God, give us grace to cast away the works of darkness, and put on the armor of light, now in the time of this mortal life in which your Son Jesus Christ came to visit us in great humility; that in the last day, when he shall come again in his glorious majesty to judge both the living and the dead, we may rise to the life immortal; through him who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.
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The Thanksgiving cover of the Saturday Evening Post in 1927, illustrated by J. C. Leyendecker, certainly resonates with your Head Trucker. How about you?
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ABC and other news outfits have finally called Arizona and Georgia for Biden, giving him 306 electoral votes to Trump's 232. There is no way Trump is going to have a second term. So lift up your hearts.
This is the lovely hymn by Fr. Michael Joncas that President-elect Biden quoted in his victory speech last night.
The President-elect also quoted part of this famous passage from the Old Testament:
To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven:
A time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pluck up that which is planted;
A time to kill, and a time to heal; a time to break down, and a time to build up;
A time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance;
A time to cast away stones, and a time to gather stones together; a time to embrace, and a time to refrain from embracing;
A time to get, and a time to lose; a time to keep, and a time to cast away;
A time to rend, and a time to sew; a time to keep silence, and a time to speak;
A time to love, and a time to hate; a time of war, and a time of peace.
--Ecclesiastes 3:1-8
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The votes are in, and Joe Biden is the next President of the United States. Hallelujah! Live from NBC News:
NBC also shows us live celebrations of Biden's victory across the country:
Biden made this statement at midday after learning of his victory:
I am honored and humbled by the trust the American people have placed in me and in Vice President-elect Harris. In the face of unprecedented obstacles, a record number of Americans voted. Proving once again, that democracy beats deep in the heart of America. With the campaign over, it’s time to put the anger and the harsh rhetoric behind us and come together as a nation. It’s time for America to unite. And to heal. We are the United States of America. And there’s nothing we can’t do, if we do it together.
America has chosen Joe Biden to be the 46th president of the United States. The American people have disavowed four years of a thuggish presidency. They have chosen decency over dysfunction, fact over fiction, truth over lies, and empathy over cruelty. They have rejected the last four years of ugliness, divisiveness, racism and sustained assaults on constitutional democracy. And even as Trump plots legal challenges and levies unfounded claims of fraud, it is clear America is moving on. Now, the real work begins.
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Harris and Biden gave their victory speeches to a "drive-in" crowd tonight in Wilmington, Delaware. Both were fine speeches. Biden himself impressed your Head Trucker as being very presidential: strong, confident, optimistic, and determined to do his best to be the leader of all the people and to heal the divisions in this country.
And I'll close tonight's post with the moving remarks of CNN's Van Jones, who struggles to explain what Biden's victory means to him and many others in this diverse nation:
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Joe Biden, speaking to the nation late last night as election results continue to trickle in:
In America, we hold strong views, we have strong disagreements, and that’s okay. Strong disagreements are inevitable in a democracy, and strong disagreements are healthy, they’re a sign of a vigorous debate of deeply held views. But we have to remember the purpose of our politics isn’t total, unrelenting, unending warfare, no. The purpose of our politics, the work of the nation isn’t to fan the flames of conflict but to solve problems, to guarantee justice, to get to improve the lives of our people.
We may be opponents but we’re not enemies--we’re Americans. No matter who you voted for, I’m certain of one thing: the vast majority of them, almost 150 million Americans who voted, they want to get the vitriol out of our politics. We’re certainly not going to agree on a lot of issues, but at least we can agree to be civil with one another. We have to put the anger and the demonization behind us. It’s time for us to come together as a nation to heal. It’s not going to be easy--we have to try.
We had our Halloween feast on Sunday night, and M.P. worked all day long to make it pretty.
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| They're baaaack! |
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| Clockwise from left: glazed bacon-carrot wraps, chili con carne con queso, black tortilla chips, and deviled skulls. |
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| The table, 1 |
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| The table, 2 |
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| The table, 3 |
Sorry, we were too hungry to pause for food pics. But the menu was luscious: First, onion and potato soup, followed by baked porkchops stuffed with spinach, pureed parsnips and pan gravy, okra creole (okra, tomatoes, and corn in a roux-based sauce), and garlic bread. Oh, and fresh pumpkin pie with homemade whipped cream for dessert. Mighty good eatin', I tell you what.
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The Gospel:
Matthew 5:1-12
When Jesus saw the crowds, he went up the mountain; and after he sat down, his disciples came to him. Then he began to speak, and taught them, saying:
Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.
Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth.
Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled.
Blessed are the merciful, for they will receive mercy.
Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God.
Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God.
Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness' sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Blessed are you when people revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account. Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.
From the Book of Common Prayer:
For an Election
Almighty God, to whom we must account for all our powers and privileges: Guide the people of the United States in the election of officials and representatives; that, by faithful administration and wise laws, the rights of all may be protected and our nation be enabled to fulfill your purposes; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
For our Country
Almighty God, who has given us this good land for our heritage: Grant that we may always prove ourselves a people mindful of your favor and glad to do your will. Bless our land with honorable industry, sound learning, and pure manners. Save us from violence, discord, and confusion; from pride and arrogance, and from every evil way. Defend our liberties, and fashion into one united people the multitudes brought here out of many peoples and tongues. Endue with the spirit of wisdom those to whom in your Name we entrust the authority of government, that there may be justice and peace at home, and that, through obedience to your law, we may show forth your praise among the nations of the earth. In the time of prosperity, fill our hearts with thankfulness, and in the day of trouble, let not our trust in you fail; all which we ask through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
For the Human Family
O God, you made us in your own image and redeemed us through Jesus your Son: Look with compassion on the whole human family; take away the arrogance and hatred which infect our hearts; break down the walls that separate us; unite us in bonds of love; and work through our struggle and confusion to accomplish your purposes on earth; that, in your good time, all nations and races may serve you in harmony around your heavenly throne; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
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