It’s the end of 2023 and I say good riddance. It’s been the best of times and the worst of times. Oh wait! That’s what Charles Dickens said in his book “Tale of Two Cities.” I remember my English Literature, Flossy Grogan teacher making us read this over at Stonewall. I doubt if kids still have to read this, but I don’t know. But nevertheless, I think what Dickens said way back in 1859 has application to our strange times too. Yes, we had to read “Tale of Two Cities.” For some reason I still remember it and I quote some of it below. “It was the best of times It was the worst of times. It was the age of wisdom. It was the age of foolishness. It was the epoch of Belief.

It was the epoch of incredulity. It was a season of light. It was a season of darkness. It was a season of hope. It was a season of despair.”

I think Dickins was describing an age of radical opposites taking place in his time. Well, that’s what someone else said so I will just go along with that. I also believe it describes December of 2023. We are living in and are entering into strange times of conflicts. A time that Dickens would have recognized instantly. Well, perhaps he would. The strange war between Israel and the Hamas reminds me of times back in the Old Testament when the old time Jewish nation and the equivalent to Hamas clashed and absolutely slaughtered one another. Such as time that old Nebuchadnezzar came marching in and put an end to Israel for like…a long time. Looks like they’re at it again. Well, it isn’t the same old Nebuchadnezzar. But the plot looks similar. The year 2023 is over. What can 2024 hold in store for us? Only God knows.

Meanwhile I wish each of my readers a good and Happy New Year. Sort of interesting isn’t it? Be sure and be faithful in church and to God in 2024. A great and timely time to do so. And let me say, it’s been nice hearing from a few of you this week. Keep it up.

Wayne Bullard, DPh

cwaynebullard@gmail.com