Today one of the most iconic explorers in human history was laid to rest during a private ceremony in his home state of Ohio.

In attendance to bid Neil Armstrong farewell was a small group of family and friends including his Apollo 11 crewmates Buzz Aldrin and Michael Collins as well as John Glenn, the first American to orbit the Earth.

During the course of his career Neil Armstrong was a distinguished engineer, aviator, test pilot, professor, and astronaut, a loving and beloved family man.

He will of course be best remembered, indelibly throughout history, as the first human to step onto soil other than Earth’s, at 2:56 UTC, July 21, 1969. Despite that grand accomplishment he remained throughout his life what he had been before, a man of great grace and humility who recognized that his achievements were only possible because of the extensive labors of a very large, dedicated team.

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One of the pleasures of the turn of the year was receiving an email from my friends at the Mahanoy City Public Library back in Schuylkill County, Pennsylvania. I have been supporting the Library for the past several years, and I always enjoy hearing about upgrades, new projects, and other goings-on there.

Attached to the email were a few photos of recent changes in the facility. I was particularly interested to see the new-and-improved children and youth room of the Library, dubbed Huebners Corner. It certainly looks like a warm and inviting place to spend time exploring, discovering, dreaming, and learning.

A part of Huebners Corner in the Mahanoy City Public Library.

I know from my own experience that libraries can be powerful tools for sparking imagination, broadening horizons, and opening minds. They are egalitarian, libertarian treasure troves of knowledge and entertainment at no start-up cost or user fee to the consumer, which is particularly important during tough economic times.

Unfortunately, when budgets get tight, libraries get squeezed. The officials doing the squeezing often argue that the internet is a cheaper, more expansive, and more cost-effective substitute. I disagree. Even if one overlooks or blocks the gaming, chatting, and porn, the internet simply does not feed and socialize young minds the way well-stocked, well-run libraries can.

That’s why, in my private capacity, I established an endowment fund to support book procurement and youth programs at the Library in Mahanoy City. It’s also why, in my role as Ambassador, I pushed to create a traveling library program in Samoa, with hundreds of donated books in waterproof crates rotating every few months among villages on Upolu and Savai’i.

In fact, I insisted that one of my first official acts as Ambassador to Samoa be library-related. On my inaugural trip to Apia in February 2010, I helped formally open a new American Corner that we constructed at Nelson Memorial Public Library. The Corner is 736 square feet packed with 1,000 books, 65 magazine subscriptions, a bank of research computers, and weekly story-telling and literature programs.

Another view in the Mahanoy City Public Library.

In 1607, Edward Topsell wrote in The Historie of Foure-footed Beastes, “If by covetousnesse or negligence, one withdraw from them their ordinary foode, he shall be penny wise, and pound foolish.” Seems quite apropos. He could have been testifying today at a public hearing about appropriations, books, and young minds.

Among your New Year’s resolutions, please consider stopping at your local library to hug the librarian, check out a book, make a donation, and even volunteer to read stories to children. You’ll be glad you did. (And of course, if you happen to bump into a public official on the street, consider sharing Topsell’s advice.)

Today billions of people around the world will celebrate Christmas, commemorating the birth of Jesus of Nazareth, known to Christians as the Messiah, Jesus Christ. Rich with more than two millenia of cultural customs and religious practices, the day will be marked in all corners of the world, in many different ways, but with common elements of prayer, song, family gatherings, festive meals, charitable acts, and exchange of gifts.

The National Christmas Tree, behind the White House.

Some of my most vivid memories of childhood are from Christmas. Candlelight services at Christ Lutheran Church … the powerful poetry of the Gospel readings … joyous hymns, particularly my favorite, Adeste Fidelis ... carolling through town in a brass quartet with my friends … the big town Christmas tree …

… the early years when Santa Claus arrived with tree and gifts as my brother and I slept … the later years when we forayed into the forest to cut the tree ourselves … watching classic holiday movies such as Miracle on 34th Street and It’s a Wonderful Life with family … my Dad’s vast model train yard, which only appeared at Christmas … secular gems such as How the Grinch Stole Christmas … and much more.

The municipal Christmas tree back home in Mahanoy City.

Like children we are sometimes distracted by the bright lights and the frenzy of crowded shopping malls. But that’s not what Christmas is about. Rather, the season is about hope, peace, and salvation, manifested in the most unlikely way … in the birth of a baby to parents of humble means, in a manger in a stable, because there was no room at the inn. As recounted in the Gospel according to St Luke:

“It came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus, that all the world should be taxed. All went to be taxed, every one into his own city. Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judea, unto the city of David, which is called Bethlehem (because he was of the house and lineage of David) to be taxed with Mary his espoused wife, being great with child.

“So it was, that while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered. And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.

A traditional Nativity display at the National Christmas Tree.

“And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them; and they were sore afraid.

“And the angel said unto them, ‘Fear not, for behold I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord. This shall be a sign unto you. Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.’ And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying, ‘Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.’”

Glittering angels and the iconic Christmas tree at Rockefeller Center in New York.

To all of our friends celebrating today, Dr McWaine and I wish you a very Merry Christmas. And to those around the world who must celebrate quietly behind closed doors because of fear of government reprisals, we wish you strength, courage, and glad tidings.

Δόξα ἐν ὑψίστοις θεῷ καὶ ἐπὶ γῆς εἰρήνη ἐν ἀνθρώποις εὐδοκίας.

I was slaving away at my desk this morning when I got a call that some folks from Orwigsburg, Pennsylvania were at the Embassy’s front gate to say hello.  That’s the kind of neighborly thing we do back in Schuylkill County, so I went down and had a nice chat with my new friends Jake, Diane, Jacob(15), and Maya (12) Throne.  The Thrones are gradually making their way through the country from Auckland to Queenstown, on the vacation of a lifetime.

As I have mentioned before, I am originally from Mahanoy City (population approx. 4,000) in Schuylkill County (population approx. 150,000) in the anthracite coal region of Pennsylvania.  Orwigsburg (population approx. 2,800) is just a 17-mile drive from Mahanoy City, if you take the back shortcut through Middleport.  (Taking Interstate 81 and then Route 61 adds about 7 miles but shaves almost 5 minutes off the drive.)  I remember the routes to Orwigsburg very well because I used to commute there for awhile for piano lessons.

The Thrones and I talked about all the usual Schuylkill County things including Yuengling beer, which is brewed in America’s oldest brewery (operating continuously since 1829) just up the road in Pottsville.  Pottsville is a bit of a sore spot for Orwigsians, I think, because Orwigsburg was the original Schuylkill County seat until the county government picked itself up and moved the eight miles north to Pottsville in 1851, perhaps to get closer to the brewery.

Speaking of Pottsville, that’s where you can find Jerry’s Classic Cars Museum, where two of my Dad’s most prized possessions now reside.  When my Dad died two years ago, we gave Jerry the fire-engine red 1963 Dodge Custom 880 that my Dad had driven for 45 of his 79 years.

We had previously given Jerry the 1952 Dodge panel truck that my Grandfather and Dad used for decades to deliver meat and groceries throughout the rural areas around Mahanoy City.

But I digress.  If you see the Thrones wandering around Wellington or the South Island over the next week or so, please introduce yourself and say hello.  They’re good folks.