There are a plethora of lists available to ascertain significant events that occurred on any given day in history...I used the one that listed three for this Thursday, March 21st. I chose it because all of them were Germanic in origin...2 ridiculous and 1 sublime. One should never crack on any ethnicity...the only exception is your own. Hence, being German through and through I possess the credentials to criticize.

Near the end of the Great War, the war to end all wars (I wish), General Erich von Ludendorff on March 21st launched the Spring Offensive of 1918. He knew United States troops would soon be a major fighting force, so he launched an all-out drive to win the war. A stronger than anticipated retaliation by the Allies already buoyed by the presence of doughboys, the inability to move German supplies and reinforcements coupled with heavy casualties led to retreat in less than a month. The not funny thing is that Germany counted this as a victory, since they pushed out a total of 35 miles. This battle ranks as the fourth in all world history for lives lost on both sides...over a million and a half died in an already losing effort. By my reckoning that's just short of 50 thousand per mile gained.. .ridiculous indeed!

Next up... yet another suicide/assassination plot against Adolph Hitler fails. March 21st, 1943, General Rudolph-Christoph Freiherr von Gersdorff attended a Heroes' Day dedication, honoring Germany's WWI dead (see above) at the Zeughaus Museum in Berlin. Hitler was in attendance and "Von" was to sidle up alongside him as he reviewed the memorials and ignite the bombs, each with a 10 minute fuse, planted in the General's two coat pockets, taking the dictator out...along with himself and everyone else. Once inside the exhibition hall, Gersdorff was informed that the itinerary called for the Fuhrer to inspect the exhibits for exactly 8 minutes. Really? ridiculous! At least the Gestapo never found him out...he continued to be active in the resistance and lived on to his 75th year.  Imagine if he would have had a shorter fuse that day his life would have been over and our world might be quite a different place!

And finally...the sublime. March 21st, 1685 is the birthday of Johann Sebastian Bach...the list at last gives a legit reason for German pride! His sacred works-the nearly 200 cantatas, the large choral and organ

works-communicate a deep Christian faith,  and  together with his secular music-vocal, keyboard, and orc hestra-bespeak his great genius. His melodies grace no less than 8 hymns in our Lutheran Worship...his influence felt in many more. In a few weeks we sing his tune to "O Sacred Head Now Wounded" on Good Friday. But my favorite is his "Jesu, joy of man's desiring."

The font of world history is filled to overflowing with men's desires run amuck. Thanks be to God for the gospel promises that save us from ourselves! We know and we believe that, amidst all the sadness, heartache, and insanity promulgated by the nations there is only one desire and our true joy...and He is Jesus.  That's the good news that is music to our ears and in the darkness of the past and dimness of the present brings delight to our hearts every day. It is HIS STORY...and ours as well!