When
(1) everyone is horrified to the maximum degree by an event, and
(2) everyone wants to stop it from ever happening again, and
(3) almost everyone offers a solution (or a piece of a supposed solution), but
(4) we know for certain that similar events will continue to happen, no matter what -

-Then we may draw three conclusions:

A. The most fundamental root issues, if we were to go exploring behind and beneath all the rhetoric of pseudo-solutions, are matters that most people, most of the time, habitually evade because they are incredibly personal and uncomfortable.

B. The best and truest solution is not even on the radar screen of most people most of the time, and when it ever is (rarely) hinted at, it will be ignored, ridiculed, or utterly misunderstood.

C. People - Americans, certainly - hate to feel vulnerable, and therefore will almost always turn grief into grievance.

One Little Child

I have received some requests regarding this old song of mine.

A recorded version is not currently available on the internet. I will try to remedy that before Christmas. When I do, it will be found here:

The "Leaving Lukewarm" Collection at donmcintyre.bandcamp.com/ 

Here are the lyrics:

Mary, (C) do not be afraid. You have (Am) found favor with God
And be (F) hold, you shall conceive, and your (Dm) womb will bear a child (G7)
(C) And you shall (E7) name him (Am) Jesus - (Dm7) one little child (G7)
Shepherds, (C) do not be afraid, for be (Am) hold, I bring to you
good (F) news of endless joy. For to (Dm) day is born to you (G7)
a (C) savior, who is (E7) Christ the (Am) Lord - (Dm7) (G7) one little (C) child

All our (F) hopes and our (Dm7) fears, all (G) our (C) joys and our (Am) tears,
from the be (Dm7) ginning of (G7) time till the (C) end
have been (F) caught in one (Dm7) moment (G) and (C) gathered to (Am) gether
like they'll (Dm7) never be gathered a (Fmaj7) gain
in a (dm7) manger in (G7) Bethle (C) hem

He sat lofty on his throne while angels constantly adored
All history fulfilled his will. Creation called him Lord.
Perfect in power and glory, never defiled.
In the fulness of the time, he stood a distance from his throne,
removed his power, removed his glory, stood there all alone,
and came from Heaven, lowly and mild, as one little child.

All our hopes and our fears, all our joys and our tears,
from the beginning of time till the end
have been caught in one moment and gathered together
like they'll never be gathered again
in a manger in Bethlehem

In a stable, near the inn that had no room for such a guest,
the head that lies now sleeping on a joyful mother's breast
will someday wear a crown of thorns: "The King of the Jews"
And the hands that rest so gently on the gifts that came from kings,
and the feet that lie so warmly as a shepherd sweetly sings
will someday be pierced clear through for me and for you.

All our hopes and our fears, all our joys and our tears,
from the beginning of time till the end
have been caught in one moment and gathered together
like they'll never be gathered again
in a manger in Bethlehem

All our hopes and our fears, all our joys and our tears,
from the beginning of time till the end
now depend for all time on that one little child
in a manger in Bethlehem
in a manger in Bethlehem