Nativity Story

The Bible story of the virgin birth is at the center of much of the holiday cheer this time of year. The book of Luke tells us that Mary and Joseph traveled to Bethlehem because Caesar Augustus decreed a census should be taken. Mary gave birth after arriving in Bethlehem and placed baby Jesus in a manger because there was no room for them in the inn.       

Some people think Mary and Joseph were mistreated by a greedy innkeeper, who only cared about profits and decided the couple was not worth his normal accommodations. This version of the story (narrative) has been repeated many times in plays, skits, and sermons. It fits an anti-capitalist mentality that paints business owners as greedy, or even evil.         

It persists even though the Bible records no complaints and there was apparently no charge for the stable. It may be the stable was the only place available. Bethlehem was over-crowded with people forced to return to their ancestral home for a census – ordered by the Romans – for the purpose of levying taxes. If there was a problem, it was due to unintended consequences of government policy. In this narrative, the government caused the problem.          

The innkeeper was generous to a fault – a hero even. He was over-booked, but he charitably offered his stable, a facility he built with unknowing foresight. The innkeeper was willing and able to offer this facility even as government officials, who ordered and administered the census, slept in their own beds with little care for the well-being of those who had to travel regardless of their difficult life circumstances.         

 If you must find "evil" in either of these narratives, remember that evil is ultimately perpetrated by individuals, not the institutions in which they operate. And this is why it's important to favor economic and political systems that limit the use and abuse of power over others. In the story of baby Jesus, a government law that requires innkeepers to always have extra rooms, or to take in anyone who asks, would "fix" the problem.    

But these laws would also have unintended consequences. Fewer investors would back hotels because the cost of the regulations would reduce returns on investment. A hotel big enough to handle the rare census would be way too big in normal times. Even a bed and breakfast would face the potential of being sued. There would be fewer hotel rooms, prices would rise, and innkeepers would once again be called greedy. And if history is our guide, government would chastise them for price-gouging and then try to regulate prices.

This does not mean free markets are perfect or create utopia; they aren't and they don't. But businesses can't force you to buy a service or product. You have a choice – even if it's not exactly what you want. And good business people try to make you happy in creative and industrious ways.         

Government doesn't always care. In fact, if you happen to live in North Korea or Cuba, and are not happy about the way things are going, you can't leave. And just in case you try, armed guards will help you think things through.         

This is why the Framers of the US Constitution made sure there were "checks and balances" in our system of government. These checks and balances don't always lead to good outcomes; we can think of many times when some wanted to ignore these safeguards. But, over time, the checks and balances help prevent the kinds of despotism we've seen develop elsewhere.         

Neither free market capitalism, nor the checks and balances of the Constitution are the equivalent of having a true Savior. But they should give us all hope that the future will be brighter than many seem to think.

Credit - First Trust Advisors

 

 

Ever See A Ghost?

Yesterday I was out running errands and stopped at the Havegärd Bird Feed Outlet Store to replenish my dwindling stock of wild bird seed.  If you've never been be sure to check them out.  Likely the best selection and pricing for large quantities of bird feed and supplies on the planet.  East side of highway 42/57 just south of the Sturgeon Bay.  I digress.  

 

Upon entering the store the guy at the register asked if I had something to take a photo.  To which I replied:  You bet.  Got my phone with me.  Gesturing, he said to go outside and checkout what was perched on the utility pole at the side of the road.

click on image for a closer look

Meet Bubo scandiacus.  A snowy owl.  Yowza cool!  It is not unusual to learn of reports of them appearing along the Lake Michigan coastline in the winter months; yet observing one in person is an event worthy of celebration.

This is a big bird tipping the scales at 3.5 to 6.5 pounds.  Standing up to 28 inches in height and with a wingspan of up to 4.8 feet this is the largest owl in North America.  It sports bright white plumage, large yellow eyes and larger feathered talons.  Home territory to this bird is the treeless tundra above the Arctic Circle.  From time-to-time small numbers may migrate to southern Canada and the northern reaches of the contiguous United States.  Larger numbers infrequently show-up in an event called an owl ‘irruption’.  

What is the cause of an irruption?  Possibly fluctuations in food supply.  It is hypothesized that a temporary abundance of lemmings allows the owls to successfully raise large families and then these young owls disperse southward by the hundreds to avoid competition with older birds for winter territories.  Similarly, shortages of prey prompt these birds to move from their normal wintering grounds.

These owls hunt during daylight hours and will roost on almost anything. They like flat open land (it’s what they know), sometimes sitting on the ground, but more often on hay bales, fence posts, telephone posts, rock piles, muskrat houses, tree snags, silos, and other structures.  Snowy Owls will dine upon almost any live thing that moves - voles, mice, lemmings, waterfowl, rabbits, muskrats, weasels, and pigeons. Other bird species are taken as well. They swallow small prey whole.

 

It is notoriously challenging to estimate population numbers for this iconic species.  Nevertheless, recent data suggests that the snowy owl population is much smaller than previously thought and declining.  This bird is now listed as vulnerable to global extinction.

 

Because these birds are not accustomed to seeing humans they likely will appear fearless in your presence.  Approach them with caution and observe them at a distance.  Do not flush them.  The rare sighting of this beautiful bird can be a once in a lifetime experience.  Sorta like seeing a ghost.

 

Learn more about snowy owl sightings near you here.

Check Your Shadow Today

The hiemal solstice or hibernal solstice, sometimes called midwinter or astronomical winter.  More commonly known as the winter solstice this event occurs when the Sun reaches its most southerly declination of -23.4 degrees. It is that point in time when the sun is exactly over the Tropic of Capricorn.  In other words - when the North Pole is tilted furthest away from the Sun.  Since I am persnickety, at my latitude I will enjoy only 8 hours and 48 minutes of daylight today.

On this date for anyone residing in Antarctica (the South Pole)  - the opposite is true.  Today you would observe the Midnight Sun and enjoy 24 hours of sunlight.  For us living in the northern hemisphere tonight will be the longest night of the year.  This is to say that after this evening the daylight hours will begin to grow longer in the days and weeks to follow.  

If today is nice and sunny be sure to go outside at noon to observe your shadow.  On the solstice your shadow is the longest it will be all year. 

Before bedtime you may want to go outside to observe the heavens and raise a toast to the winter solstice.  And maybe howl at the moon.

Fingers-crossed for cold, clear, winter night skies. 

Cheers!

You Are What You Eat

 

From our backyard there was pan-seared venison - rare to medium rare.  

Along with sautéed mushrooms, side salad and some home baked bread with Irish butter. 

Consensus under our roof is this beats prime rib any day of the week.

Pretty good chow if you can get it.

Friday Christmas Confusion

Twelve Days of Christmas Confusion

Performed by Angel City Chorale 

Artistic Director, Sue Fink Video edited by, Alex Chaloff, Annika Benitz 

Angel City Chorale Website

Only In Wisconsin

You've heard of Elf On A Shelf.....

 

What To See In The December Night Sky - in New Jersey

Law enforcement officials say hundreds of mysterious drone sightings have been reported in New Jersey since mid-November sparking speculation and concern over who or what is behind them.  Some high-level officials, including Rob D'Amico, former chief of the FBI Counter Drone Unit, believe the number of drones flying in New Jersey airspace is likely over reported.

Congressman Van Drew (R-NJ) has stated he has if on reliable authority that the drone sightings have originated from an Iranian Mothership off the coast.  Kook.