"It ought to be commemorated, as the Day of Deliverance by solemn Acts of Devotion to God Almighty. It ought to be solemnized with Pomp and Parade, with Shews, Games, Sports, Guns, Bells, Bonfires and Illuminations from one End of this Continent to the other from this Time forward forever more.
Yet through all the Gloom I can see the Rays of ravishing Light and Glory. I can see that the End is more than worth all the Means."
So we approach the end of Advent. And though Mr. Adams speaks here of our Declaration of Independence--I think I can say without fear of contradiction that the greater declaration was made when God became Human to live, preach, suffer, die, and return to us. Now we are in the darkness of a waiting time, but shortly, shortly enough that the light begins to stun the retinas "rays of ravishing light and glory."
(And yes, I know the part about the day of deliverance is probably more appropriate for Easter, but bondage came to an end when God became one of us. I'll repeat it at easter anyway.)
Oh, and this was just a fancy way of sending you to this marvelous archive of the Adams' Family Papers.
Just wanted to stop by and wish you a very merry Christmas.