Remember, Remember the 5th of November

from Wikipedia:

Guy Fawkes Night, also known as Guy Fawkes Day, Bonfire Night and Fireworks Night, is an annual commemoration observed on 5 November, primarily in Great Britain, involving bonfires and fireworks displays. Its history begins with the events of 5 November 1605 O.S., when Guy Fawkes, a member of the Gunpowder Plot, was arrested while guarding explosives the plotters had placed beneath the House of Lords. The Catholic plotters had intended to assassinate Protestant king James I and his parliament. Celebrating that the king had survived, people lit bonfires around London. Months later, the Observance of 5th November Act mandated an annual public day of thanksgiving for the plot's failure.

On this day in England, the celebrations include bonfires and fireworks and burning effigies of Guy Fawkes and giving thanks that his plot did not succeed. On this very day in the US, the final voting will take place in the election of a new president. This election is the most contentious one in my lifetime, and the time leading up to it has been riddled with violence, vitriol and venom. It is shocking that we fear behavior similar to the 17th century here in our country in the 21st century.

I pray not for one candidate or the other to win, but for this day and the days going forward to be peaceful, for the transfer of power to be peaceful as our Founding Fathers set it up to be and that rather than remembering near violence of the 5th of November 2024, we will remember that it went smoothly and these United States of America remained united.

Almighty God, to whom we must account for all our powers

and privileges: Guide the people of the United States

in the election of officials and representatives;

that, by faithful administration and wise laws, the rights of

all may be protected and our nation be enabled to fulfill your

purposes; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.