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A Further Perspective
The Weapons of the Spirit
A Christmas holiday and a universal message.
(Page 2 of 2)
“One said to me, guileless [“tout simplement”], ‘Who wouldn’t have?’”
Jean-Luc paused, waited a few moments. He signaled to one of his deputies to go into a carol, popular in French Reformed as well as Catholic communities, the youth started it, the young women joined in and then everyone. It probably exists in English too, but I always remember it in French — “Il est né le divin enfant…” Then he mentioned again, with only a slight tone of if-it-matters-to-anyone, that since nos pétites soeurs catholiques (“our little Catholic sisters,” with just a grain of irony that none of us kids picked up until we talked about it many years later) were going to Midnight Mass, he proposed to join them. Everybody went, and I can assure you, the next day everyone in that cabin thought about the weapons of the spirit, even the little kids who could scarcely sense what these might be.
Jean-Luc was a focused youth, full of character and purpose. He went on to medical school, I believe, but those of my friends who knew him and his family lost touch as they grew up and went their own ways, and I am not sure what became of him.
No, I take that back, I am quite sure what became of him.
About the Author
Roger Kaplan, a Washington-based writer, covers the Middle East and Africa (and tennis) for The American Spectator.
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KyMouse| 12.23.11 @ 12:21PM
A lovely article -- merci beaucoup!
Jean-Luc stated that "salvation comes only by faith" with "Calvinist severity," but Jesus was mighty direct on the subject as well.
Speaking to Jewish leader Nicodemus in the third chapter of the Gospel of John, Jesus explained the symbolism of the bronze serpent that Moses raised on a pole in the wilderness (Numbers 21:4-9), and said:
“For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believes in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life.
“For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved.
“He who believes in Him is not condemned; but he who does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.”
And Hebrews 2:3 asks, “How shall we escape if we neglect so great a salvation?”
Merry Christmukkah to all!
Moe Blotz| 12.23.11 @ 1:15PM
Happy/Merry Ramahannukwanzmas to youse, youns, yins, yawl, as well.
Cynthia Grenier| 12.23.11 @ 2:39PM
Deeply moving. Impressive in fact. A Christmas piece that merits being recalled and reprinted many times over.
One of the finest pieces that the American Spectator has carried over the years.
victor| 12.23.11 @ 4:22PM
"For by grace you have been saved through faith; and this is not your own doing, it is the gift of God-- not because of works, lest any man should boast." Eph. 2:8 & 9.
Praise HIM!!
Margie| 12.23.11 @ 4:27PM
"So faith comes from what is heard, and what is heard comes by the preaching of Christ." Rom. 10:17.
Vasu Murti | 12.24.11 @ 3:25PM
(The folk song below receives airplay on KFOG 104.5 here in the SF Bay Area during the holiday season.)
"Well, Jesus was a homeless lad
"With an unwed mother and an absent dad
"And I really don't think he would have gotten that far
"If Newt, Pat and Jesse had followed that star
"So let's all sing out praises to
"That long-haired radical socialist Jew
"When Jesus taught the people he
"Would never charge a tuition fee
"He just took some loaves, took some bread
"And made up free school lunches instead
"So let's all sing out praises to
"That long-haired radical socialist Jew
"He healed the blind and made them see
"He brought the lame folks to their feet
"Rich and poor, any time, anywhere
"Just pioneering that free health care
"So let's all sing out praises to
"That long-haired radical socialist Jew
"Jesus hung with a low-life crowd
"But those working stiffs sure did him proud
"Some were murderers, thieves and whores
"But at least they didn't do it as legislators
"So let's all sing out praises to
"That long-haired radical socialist Jew
"Jesus lived in troubled times
"The religious right was on the rise
"Oh what could have saved him from his terrible fate?
"Separation of church and state!
"So let's all sing out praises to
"That long-haired radical socialist Jew
"Sometimes I fall into deep despair
"When I hear those hypocrites on the air
"But every Sunday gives me hope
"When pastor, deacon, priest, and pope
"Are all singing out their praises to
"Some long-haired radical socialist Jew.
"They're all singing out their praises to
"Some long-haired radical socialist Jew.."
(written and performed by Hugh Blumenfeld)
kl mcklavin| 12.24.11 @ 8:34PM
Thank you, Jesus.
Gr0w1er601| 12.25.11 @ 3:15PM
A great documentary under the same name produced, written, directed, & shot by one of the saved Jewish children, Pierre Sauvage, "Les armes de l'sprit" was shown on PBS in 1989. Available on DVD, it is definitely worth the time.
Occam's Tool| 12.25.11 @ 11:16PM
Yes, that is wonderful. And now, it should be noted that the Iranians are having a lot of problems with accidental explosions these days.
The fight against fascist vermin goes on.
Tina B| 12.26.11 @ 7:21AM
How amazing that during wars, men and women rise to phenominal heights, and set the standard for those of us unwilling to take simple risks for our faith in every day life. Thanks for a wonderful true story about such powerfully faithful Christians in a morbidly dangerous time to be alive and in love with Christ.
North face outlet locations | 12.26.11 @ 9:58PM
And why waste money when you don't socialize in North Face 3 in 1 for men routine household clothing?
Keith Snyder| 1.2.12 @ 9:26PM
We need to nurture those seeds sown in childhood so they can later see the light of day, in stories like this. Thank you, mon ami.