Merry CHRISTmas to all...

...and to all a good night! #RemembertheReason4theSeason

For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord. ~ Luke 2:11

The love of a father and a son: the Bush Presidents

The news of an American president's passing, regardless of political persuasion, usually gives citizens pause to reflect on the individual, American living in general and perhaps one's own mortality, seemingly surpassing the bickering of the day, if but for a fleeting moment, to restore some semblance of civility above the common discord. And the loss of 41 has been no exception.

Late Friday night, shortly after 10:10pm, the country was alerted to the passing of President George H. W. Bush. Of course, from then and throughout the week, the flags have been lowered and the media has been somewhat at bay (ok, not really), as a nation mourns the passing of it's 41st president.

By now, with such a lengthy life of 94 years, many books have covered the presidency of Bush 41, and one can sift through any number of those to find a plethora of approval and criticism for the man. If I'm honest, I've found both admirable traits and undesirable decisions of either Bush's presidencies. Nonetheless, that doesn't diminish the character of either as good Americans who wanted the best for their country. Adding to that, we've bore witness to a historic presidential relationship of father and son. And it's upon that intimate bond that's been one of the more powerful images to behold throughout 41's final send-off...

WaPo: This is new. Americans have never watched a president say goodbye to another president who was also his father. And the moment proved to be as personal as it was historic.

As George W. Bush spoke before the casket containing the body of George H.W. Bush at Washington National Cathedral on Wednesday, his face was a map of pain. He held his composure until the end of his eulogy. Then his voice shook and, finally, he broke down and sobbed. ...

“Through our tears, let us know the blessings of knowing and loving you, a great and noble man, the best father a son or daughter could have,” Bush said, tearfully slumping in his grief.

There has long been speculation about the relationship between the first father and son to reach the White House since John Adams and John Quincy Adams two centuries ago. (The younger Adams learned of the elder’s death only after his burial.) Historians have scoured the path both Bushes took...

But the reality was simpler, historians say, and was visible in George W. Bush’s grief, as the 43rd president remembered the 41st.

“We tested his patience," his oldest son told mourners. “I know I did.”

Rather than Greek drama, the Bushes had an ordinary father-son bond that played out in extraordinary settings, these scholars contend. There were good times and bad, periods of distance and rebellion, the pain of loss and the joy of triumph. But whatever the weather, the climate was always loving.

Watch this POWERFUL eulogy from a son to a father...

...and reciprocally, we see the love of a father for his son, his entire family, and undoubtedly his nation...

CP: The final words of President George H. W. Bush tell us a lot about the kind of man he was, and especially the kind of father he was.

At 94 years old and ailing from Parkinson’s and the pains of old age, Bush said he was ready to go. He told his family he wanted to be with Barbara, his wife of 73 years, and Robin, the child they lost long ago to leukemia. And in a final conversation, his oldest son, George W. Bush, told him he had been a “wonderful father.” His father’s reply—and final words—were: “I love you, too.”

These final sentiments from Bush were touching and not surprising.

The death of that little girl Robin 65 years ago was the enduring heartbreak of his and his wife’s life. ...

George H. W. Bush said he “learned the true meaning of grief when Robin died.” Though he firmly believed she was “in God’s loving arms,” the pain never went away. ...

In his final moments, George H. W. Bush was thinking about reunification with that three-year-old girl.

Also poignant was the fact that the parting words the elder Bush heard was that he had been a wonderful father. It was fitting that the oldest Bush child, now the family patriarch, would express that sentiment for the family.

George W. referred to his father as “the world’s greatest dad.” At the start of his Republican convention speech in Philadelphia in August 2000, in a subtle reference to President Bill Clinton allegedly calling him “daddy’s boy” two days earlier, George W. looked toward his father’s seat and proclaimed before a national audience, “I am proud to be your son.”

...the takeaway is this: George W. Bush considered his father his “hero.” And he certainly wasn’t the only Bush child that felt that way. And for a dad, even one of so many great achievements, that’s a pretty good way to go.

May George be reunited with his beloved Barbara and daughter Robin, glorifying the Lord God Almighty.

REMEMBER thy servant, O Lord, according to the favour which thou bearest unto thy people, and grant that, increasing in knowledge and love of thee, he may go from strength to strength, in the life of perfect service, in thy heavenly kingdom; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who liveth and reigneth with thee and the Holy Ghost, ever, one God, world without end. Amen.