Let the new tides roll in.

2020 has been a disaster

With so many deaths and suffering

Many thousands have died in the world

And people were stricken with the coronavirus

But with the end of 2020

A new reality has begun to shine

Vaccines – Pfizer + BibNTech and Modena

Have come aboard to rescue us

Hooray! to the scientists who invented them

And kudos to the FDA for their approval

So 2021 is time to turn a new leaf

No longer will science be denigrated

There will be a move afoot

For the United States to join the Paris Climate Accord

Attention to climate change will be on the table

With the new elect-president Biden

This New Year promises hope for all

With the healing of political divisions

There will be a new focus in America

The marketplace will rebound again

With more jobs for the unemployed

Who have suffered through this pandemic

And many Americans once again will be able

To put food on their table and pay their bills

“God, help us in 2021.  2020 has been a tragedy of the worse kind.  We have suffered with this pandemic, many thousands have died, and people suffered horrendously.  Heal the inhabitants of this world and those of our beloved nation.  And grant them peace and prosperity in the coming New Year.”       

What a relief to this pandemic!

A vaccine from Pfizer

– BioNTech and Moderna

Americans will be inoculated

Against this virus that’s raging

Healthcare workers and those in nursing homes

Will be first to receive these shots

It’ll be an attempt to counter the rise

Of thousands of infections each day

And hundreds of thousands of those who have died

Once the entire population is inoculated

It’s hoped that the American society

Will return to a new normal

Gone will be the days when people have to isolate

Wear masks, practice social distancing, and washing hands

The American society will rebound

People will return to their jobs

Especially those occupations where they work with the public

But expect some may continue working from home

Although offices that we know will still exist

Society will once again come alive

Gyms will be open for those to exercise

People will enjoy going to restaurants and dining in

There will be new realities concerning how people relate

No doubt zoom will continue to be the norm

With all those communicating with families and friends

“Almighty Savior, we thank you for the development of the coronavirus vaccine.  Undoubtedly we’re grateful for all the lives that will be saved.”

Amen

The 17^th century Jewish philosopher

Of Dutch origin Baruch Spinoza viewed religion

In Theological-Political Treatise as superstitious

He considered Nature and God ubiquitous

Nature encompasses all things Spinoza considered Providence.

Every aspect of its essence is reflected in good and bad experiences.

Miracles described in the monotheistic faiths of Judaism, Christianity,

And Islam could be explained through the varieties of ever-changing nature

These are natural occurrences that surprise people when such phenomena occur.

The first rainbow that humans saw must have struck them as a miracle.

But science later showed this resulted from scientific evidence.

Prophecy could be viewed as another of these phenomena.

In ancient times people were uneducated and had vivid imaginations.

Many of their delusions were motivated by vivid dreams and visions.

In modern society these ancients would be seen as having psychotic episodes.

But these visionaries appear to the Israelites to be filled with images of a Creator.

Therefore God is perceived as being human and personalized.

Nature is all things good and bad that exist in the vast Universe.

It’s more realistic to think about the Divine as Nature by an objective analysis.

God in Nature is material and immaterial.

God doesn’t have human characteristics that are alluded to in sacred texts.

This spiritual essence is universal and governs all things.

Putting a human face on God of Nature is an error that equates God with humankind.

“Divine Creator, who isn’t conservative or liberal, help people so that they will promote what’s best for the citizenry.  Let them see the 20^th century treatise and ethics of Spinoza as a visionary work in religion for democracies where free speech is a hallmark.”

Amen     

The coronavirus pandemic

Is surely making its mark

It’s changing the way

People will shop during the holidays

Thanksgiving, Black Friday, and Christmas

Won’t be the same for shoppers this year

Stores like Best Buy, Macy’s, and Target

Are planning ways to safeguard the health of their consumers

So these businesses have decided to have early shopping

This shopping season will start in early October

And is meant for shoppers not to flock to the stores

Just cutting down on the dangers of them being infected

But there exists uncertainties if buyers’ demand will be great

The Covid-19 pandemic has brought quite a back lash

Many workers have been laid off, others furloughed

And while many more are working from home

Quite a few have lost their jobs with the down turn of the economy

Companies will use a variety of tactics to get consumers to buy their products

People could be expected to be steered to their stores’ websites for deals

So consumers will have the option of shopping online

But businesses don’t know what to expect because of the down turn

Some executives predict since people are spending less on travel and restaurants

There will be a great chance for online businesses like amazon.com to pick up the slack

“Heavenly Provider, help businesses at this time of uncertainty as they cater for the needs of consumers during the holiday season.  May shoppers act wisely and be safe as the crisis of the coronavirus pandemic rages.”

Amen