The Night Virginia Stole The Baby Jesus

     If you saw  the Daily Show with Jon Stewart, aired July 29, you know Eureka Springs, Arkansas, is a cantankerous town that ignores what the rest of the world thinks, goes its own way, and considers most laws merely suggestive guidelines. The dispute reported on the Daily Show was about a non-discrimination ordinance we passed defying a state law that sanctioned, even encouraged, the persecution of gays. No way was that going to happen here. We welcome everyone, as long as you behave, don’t intend harm, and don’t try to tell us how to live…which brings me to the subject of this blog.

It is that time of year when a lot of us celebrate the holiday season known as Christmas with a nativity scene in Basin Park. Predictably, anti-religious groups protest, claiming we're promoting religion. We could set aside space for groups to celebrate traditional events, holidays that happen around the same time…like the Jewish Hanukkah. We could do that, but these zealots don’t want compromise…they want no evidence of Christmas anywhere. They even object to Holiday Lights and money being spent for any decoration, even  decidedly unreligious Christmas trees.

Eureka Springs survives on tourism. Christmas decorations and events translate into out-of-town visitors and retail sales, so we ignore these haters, as we do anyone who tries to tell us what to think, but understand our display is unique. It means a lot more to us than the celebration of a birth. It is the commemoration of an event dear to all our hearts; an event that is part of our history, a tale repeated endlessly, making us laugh and remember. We're celebrating “The Night Virginia Stole The Baby Jesus.” 

Before you hear the story, you have to know that Virginia Voiers is a very gracious and elegant lady, proper in all ways, and highly regarded by the community. Just about every committee in town seeks her gentle presence, and she's served on a lot of them, always arriving dressed to perfection. We are in awe of Virginia.

For many years, during the Christmas Season, it was the custom of a local sorority to create a nativity display in the band shell at Basin Park, in the center of town. It was also the custom of the juvenile element in town to steal the Baby Jesus and have it turn up somewhere else. One night, some thirty years ago, as her husband, Bill, remembers, Virginia, her grown daughter, and her son were having dinner downtown, during the holidays. They passed the display while walking home, and Virginia’s daughter noticed the baby was still in the manger. 

Her daughter said, “C’mon, Mom, let’s steal the baby.” Well, Virginia enjoys a good joke, so she did. Unfortunately, the local carriage driver, passing by, witnessed the deed and called the police, who came and arrested Virginia, and took her to the station where the local sorority head, apparently not amused, preferred charges. 

What? Virginia? The town was agog. Sides were chosen. Tempers flared. For weeks, it was the main subject over evening libations at The High Hat Lounge.

Stan Adams, the local Methodist minister, stayed by her side the whole time in court as she was convicted of thievery, malicious mischief, and damage to private property. The sorority (which, you understand, must remain nameless) claimed the baby was damaged. Virginia was given probation and told to apologize. She wrote a check.  Didn’t apologize. Not our Virginia!

But that isn’t the end of the story! About a year later, as Bill tells it, Judge McBeth remembered the missing apology and cited her for contempt of court. Police came to the door, took our Virginia away in handcuffs. If there had been cell phones, it would have gone viral, and she spent about half a day in jail, the Methodist minister by her side, until her lawyer came.

So, if, some Christmas, you are visiting and, hanging out by the nativity in Basin Park, and you  hear someone say, “You remember the time Virginia stole the Baby Jesus?” you will now become one of us, because you know the story.  Remember to smile.

Where Have All The Leaders Gone?

In three years we will have a Presidential Election choosing the person who will take our country through the next four years.  This election will test our resolve to take back the personal freedoms guaranteed by our Constitution, presently usurped by a greedy and corrupt government, and restore the rest of the world’s increasing conviction that our democracy, based on the stunning idea that governments shall exist by permission of the people, to be governed by the people, for the people, is destined to fail.

We must succeed in this task, but how do we determine which candidate is a true leader and which ones are the manufactured product of self-interested political hacks lusting for the power and money, and prestige victory will bring them?

The possible answer is in the most unlikely place—The Psalms of David, found in the New Testament. If you’ve read my book, Accidental Alien you’re aware I am not a fan of organized religions as practiced today, but lately, in an attempt to understand how this vast schism between Muslim and Christian has happened, I’ve been reading works by religious scholars and gained some perspective.

Among those recognized as prophets, and there are many, I’ve found a blueprint for the perfect leader in the writings David, one of the five prophets generally recognized by Western religions.  The others are Abraham, Moses, Jesus, and Muhammad.

I’m referring to the 23^rd Psalm, an achingly beautiful hymn of devotion. If it is paraphrased to take out any religious references that might color our reception, it gives us the profile of the perfect leader. Hopefully you won’t resent my presumption while I give you my interpretation, inserting “leader” in place of references to the Lord.

The leader is my shepherd; I shall not want

            To a true leader, the welfare of his people, their comfort and their needs, is always paramount to his own. He does not lead for personal gain of wealth or power, or for fame. His motivation is to do what is best for his people.

 He leads me beside the still waters. He restores my soul.

            He imparts a sense of security. He instills faith that all will be well.

He leads me in the paths of righteousness

            He has a strong ethical, moral code and a personal belief system that follows the code of The Ten Commandments.

Though I walk through the valley of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me.

            There will be many times during the Presidency when the country will be facing danger from her enemies. He will face these trials with courage, resolve, and complete confidence that, after listening to the will of the people, he will make the right decisions that will reassure his followers.

Thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.

            The Office of President of the United States confers great powers. A true leader never hesitates to show his muscle to the world to ensure the safety and well-being of his people. Although not given to impulse or rash actions, he will be willing do whatever it takes.

You prepare a table before me in the presence of mine enemies

            Our chosen leader willingly expresses his devotion to the ideals that gave birth to this government. He is proud of his country and exhibits his devotion to the ideals of our Founding Fathers, proclaiming as often as necessary his belief in the Constitution of the United States and his determination to preserve the idea of a government of the people, by the people and for the people.

Therefore, surely goodness and mercy shall follow us all the days of our lives.

            How can we possibly know if that is the character of a Presidential Candidate? If you’ve read my blog, “Aftermath,” about my take on the incompetence of the campaign advisors in the last election, you’ll realize you have to be able to see the real man underneath the cunning of his advisors and ferret out the true character of the person. He must have a record that demonstrates the values we demand.

His words must demonstrate an allegiance to democracy instead of the socialist “government takes all” philosophy of the present leader. In his past history he must have demonstrated successful leadership that shows the devotion of his followers. That is a tall order, but the survival of our way of life depends on you to determine the facts and make the right decision.