Snow comment

Another Christmas, but it's been a sad, cold December. Max died. Yet what a wonderful life he had, and what an unforgettable companion he has always been.
Max was too special to be deprived of his final days, and be put down. That we were there with him was enough. The rest, he took on himself without ever a whimper, although God knows it's never easy. A little hero in his seventeenth year.

Cayden knew, and helped him in his own way. We all miss Max, but we know where he is. On our walks every day, Cayden pulls me to the little garden, by the waterfall where Max lies. It's a little ritual, but maybe it helps smooth things for Cayden, to come to terms with losing his little paternal friend.
We can learn so much from our canine companions.

Le dernier adieu de Max, deux jours avant de partir

Another Christmas to end yet another crazy year, maybe even madder than the last. Perhaps we tend to think even more in terms with what Christmas essentially represents, because it's evident that this real aspect is being methodically, ideologically undermined.

This also makes one think of Jerusalem, the capital of Israel. The UN, like the EU, can make their own club judgements and resolutions, but can one affirm that they represent the truth, and the will of the people?
Do they reflect historic evidence?
The intelligent world would be reassured that Jerusalem is in capable hands for the benefit of everyone, of all religions, for posterity. The sacred city is not a possession. It's not something that can be divided into three or four equal parts as if it were a cake. It commands far more respect than that, and deserves the greatest of care from those reputed to be the most responsible and caring of people in this regard.

What with Max trotting off to heaven’s kennel, it wasn't an inspiring moment. One could say in defence of what I painfully managed to finally come up with, that the deer were in rut and made off, leaving Saint Nicholas in a huff. He nevertheless set out as best he could, although he had obviously forgotten his snow shoes.

Merry Christmas to all faithful and patient readers of Viewfinder, and all best wishes for a saner, healthier and happy New Year!

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Nazareth, where the site (St Joseph’s Church) of Joseph’s carpentry atelier is found, and where there is an underground ‘Synagogue Church’ where Jesus is said to have studied and prayed.
Bethlehem (city of David) birth place of Jesus, lieu of Rachel’s Tomb, an important Jewish Holy site.
Jerusalem of the Kingdom of Judah. According to biblical history, King David established Jerusalem as the capital of the United Kingdom of Israel. His son, King Solomon, was responsible for the building of the First Temple, all of great symbolic importance for the Jews as well as the Christians. It was near Jerusalem where Jesus was crucified.

After Mecca and Medina, Islam considers Jerusalem the third most sacred city. However, in view of its history, of being destroyed at least twice, besieged 23 times, attacked 52 times, captured and recaptured 44 times, one wonders if it’s not considered more a prize of war, than a sacred city.
Given its biblical and factual history, what justifies so much the Islamic revendication? Could one not make a parallel by imagining Christians and Hebrews tirelessly conquering and reconquering, defending and redefending the cities of Mecca and Medina, then constantly claiming them as historic prizes of war, or 'possessions'?
If this nonsensical hypothesis were historically true, one would also imagine that the UN would categorically reject such an outrageous Christian and Hebrew claim. 

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Text and images © Mirino. December, 2017