Go Away, 2020

 2020 has been a rough year for mankind. I'm ready to leave it behind and start fresh in 2021.

Merry Christmas

Merry Christmas and a Happy Holidays to all of my family, friends, Brothers, Companions, Sir Knights, Companion Knights, Fellows, Knights Companion, Cousins, Knights, and Fratres around the world.

Christmas Observance

Today, the Grand Commander of Knights Templar of Idaho held a statewide virtual Christmas Observance to celebrate the birth of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. This collaboration was accomplished with help of the Grand Captain General, Grand Generalissimo, Grand Recorder, two Past Grand Commanders, the Grand Prelate, the Assistant Grand Prelate of the Grand Encampment of Knights Templar, and myself.

The opening statement of the Grand Commander:

Sir Knights and guests, on this glorious occasion we commemorate the birth of Jesus of Nazareth.  Emmanuel, “God with us”, is the consummate and foundational truth of the season. Scholars debate the actual date of his birth; local residents of the area of Bethlehem have a traditional site affixed; but, our primary focus; indeed, our only focus, is the reality that Jesus was, in fact, born in the flesh, God became Man for us. The Great Captain under whose banner we have all enlisted and in whose name we battle.

The reality is that over two thousand years ago, there was born in Bethlehem of Judea one who laid aside the God-head, and assumed mortal flesh; one whose glory, worth and grace no language can express, no word can quantify; one who was born that our lives might be purified, and who died and shed his sin cleansing blood that we might be free of the penalty, power and the future presence of sin. Let us, as true Soldiers of the Cross, strive to profit by the birth, life, death, resurrection, and ascension of that Divine Master, and remain his faithful soldiers unto death.

We had a great attendance with Sir Knights, Companions, Brothers, and guests from Idaho, Oregon, Washington, Colorado, Wyoming, North Dakota, Utah, and Canada. Some notable guests were the Deputy General Grand Master for the Northwest Region of the General Grand Council of Cryptic Masons International, the Most Eminent Grand Master of the Grand Encampment of Knights Templar, the Most Venerable Sovereign Grand Master of the Grand Council of the Allied Masonic Degrees, and the Most Worshipful Grand Master of Masons in Idaho. It was great to see everyone.

My Absence

I do apologize for not publishing anything new lately. Between work and my Masonic obligations, it has been a busy few weeks. I've also dedicated some time to work on "The American Rite"...I know, I know, I'm just as bad as George R. R. Martin with "Winds of Winter".

I will have some holiday posts, but I promise new material with the new year.