MERRY CHRISTMAS!

 

MAY YOUR CHRISTMAS

BE BLESSED

AS WE CELEBRATE

THE BIRTH

OF OUR SAVIOR

MERRY CHRISTMAS,

DEAR FRIENDS!

BIRTH STORIES

On this day 48 years ago, two weeks before Christmas, son # 2 made his belated arrival.  I love to remind him of the story--how big of a baby he was AND how big his head was.  We come from a long line of big heads.  When I see a baby with a normal sized head, I wonder if the mother realizes how much easier her birth story is than mine.  NOT THAT I WOULD EVER COMPARE!  There is just something about the feat of birthing big babies.  BUT---it definitely leaves it marks (literally and figuratively).  I am hugely proud of all three of the babies I birthed and, though I have forgotten many things, those stories are fresh as if they happened yesterday.

I wonder if Mary loved repeating her birthing story?  It certainly was unusual to say the least.  Though we have no idea the size of Jesus at birth, we do know all the circumstances and surrounding environment and visitors.  We know all about the birth announcement, the gifts, the wonder, and even the animals paying homage.  There is much we do not know.  Was there anyone to help with the birthing process?  How long was the couple allowed to stay in the manager?  Was there anyone to help Mary with a new born baby?  What was the weather like on that day long ago?  So much, we do not know---but all of the most important things are recorded for the ages .  Not only is it recorded, but it is retold--year after year.  Many of the stories in The Word are not often repeated, but this one is repeated, retold, and even acted out over and over.  

This is as it should be---after all how often has God come down to earth and taken on human form?  How often has he physically lived among us?  How often have we been able to see His image?  It is a story of great wonder---a deep well of God's love---the beginning of the earthly ministry of Jesus.  The story bears retelling---the beginning of The Gospel story---Jesus was born--took his first earthly breath---began His walk toward The Cross.  What a beautiful story---of God's endless love and grace--all beginning on a night of stars and wonders.  My prayer is you once again---revisit the story--and remember.

"The Word became flesh

and made His dwelling among us.

We have seen His glory,

the glory of the one and only Son,

Who came from the Father,

full of grace and truth."

John 1:14

MAINTAIN FOCUS

 Well here we are---Christmas is once again staring us in the face-one month and counting.   There is a part of me staring back in dread.  Christmas can be an invitation to once again go into project overload.  As if I was not already staring at a cornucopia of unfinished projects, I will have to try really - really hard to not get caught up in all the hype.  The world tries to convince us if we do not have the perfectly decorated home--inside and out; the perfect gift wrapped in the perfect innovative manner; the perfect calendar of activities leading up to the big day; the perfect meal on the lavishly prepared table; and the perfect family exuding joy at being together--I FAILED---ONCE AGAIN!  It can absolutely overwhelm and depress all the Martha Stewart wanna-be. 

Here is the thing about being a Martha Stewart---I recently watched as much of the documentary on her as I could stomach and came away with a new understanding of where that can lead.  She is a HOT MESS---and that is as kind as I can be.  The goal of perfectionism has led her down the primrose path to bitterness, self-delusion, and what seems to be a healthy dose of narcissism laced with anger.  She is NOT a happy --peace-filled-joyful person.  With all the wealth, with the seemingly perfect life, with everything always completed and finished with a flourish---she has driven herself to the illusion of always being perfect.  GOOD LUCK WITH STRIVING FOR PERFECTION, PEOPLE.  I would not trade places with her for all the tea in China.  Perfection is elusive and temporary-AT BEST!

SO- as for me---instead of strewing more less than complete projects in my path---I will remember my own wise words--- IT IS ONLY A DAY!  There is no one to hold my feet to the fire--but me.  Hopefully I can not just step on my own toes, but stomp them if I begin to go down that slippery slope of thinking the accoutrements are necessary to make it all Hallmark perfect.  Hopefully I can do what I really enjoy and can complete without frustration.  Instead of worrying about how it all looks--I can step back and enjoy the process---those who are important to me---and upmost--the reason for all the fuss.  I MUST maintain focus on the reason for the season!  Pray for me---as I pray for you to center our focus on His Birth.

"I pray that God,

Who gives you hope,

will bless you

with complete happiness and peace

because of your faith."

Romans 15:13 (CEV)

HANGING ON TO CHRISTMAS

 Have you begun putting away all your Christmas?  I know some who take their tree down Christmas afternoon.  I must say, before artificial trees made their permanent debut, you had to take those live trees down or spend the remainder of the year vacuuming up needles.  (Not to mention the fire hazard they became as they dried out).  There is another segment of the population who leave everything up until New Year's Eve--enjoying the full holiday of decorations--from Thanksgiving until New Year's Eve.

You DO REALIZE there is an old tale which says it is bad luck for the next year if you still have decorations up on New Year's Day.  Disclaimer--I do not believe in luck.  But it does seem if the New Year's Baby has made their appearance, perhaps it is time to put away all the Christmas.  I seem to have less and less to put away with each passing year.  We have already explored my diminishing decorations in a prior post.  And then there is the complication of eating the correct foods on New Year's Day which require a few hours of cooking.  Who has time to cook and de-decorate??  

DEFINITELY TIME for this to go!

I am a BIG fan of clean slates--including putting up those Christmas decorations before January 1.  What I do think we need to hang on to and continue to enjoy is the knowledge of a birth of a baby who came to save the world.  What a beautiful Christmas gift which has kept on giving throughout the ages.  This bears hanging on to and remembering every day of the year.  Merry Christmas Indeed!

"For the wages of sin is death,

but the free gift of God

is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord."

Romans 6:23

TODAY

 

MERRY CHRISTMAS,

DEAR FRIENDS!

UNEXPECTED

 We all have experienced the unexpected at some point in our life.  Many of my unexpected experiences have brought great joy or great fun.  I remember one vacation when I had not seen #1 son for 18 months.  He appeared quite unexpectedly--courtesy of my dear friends we vacationed with.  What a wonderful and unexpected surprise.

It is no secret that my third child was unexpected.  She came along when her brothers were 15 and 7.  I thought I was finally seeing the light at the end of those early first years of intense child rearing.  (Little did I know how much fun those teen age years would be)  When I finally figured out I was not dying, but instead pregnant, I was in shock.  Did not think that would happen.  Well now, this was one of life's unexpected blessings in a huge way.  What a joy she has been!  When I first found out, I was trying to wrap my head around how in the world I was going to make this all work out---busy years of sports for the boys & trying to stay on top of school, a growing accounting practice, keeping the home fires burning and then a new baby.  Color me overwhelmed.  Obviously it all worked out, but there were moments of sheer panic.  

WHAT must Mary have thought when the angel appeared to her and told her what was to come?  How in the world do you process this piece of news?  Never known a man, but you are having a baby---to top that He was God's own son.  Stop and think about how her thoughts must have been whirling.  Then the day finally comes---she has endured months of whispers and probably rude remarks--but that baby is coming.  Add to this story the story of how He was born and you have the most unexpected birth EVER!  And yet Mary, with great faith, accepted all that was to come.  The unexpected came with great joy. 

As we walk through these final days leading up to the celebration of the birth of Our King, slow down and experience remembering those unexpected moments of the great blessing which is celebrated on Christmas day.  The birth of a man--who was also a part of the Trinity---who came to give us New Life.  May we all thank God for this wonderful unexpected day when the baby  was born -the LONG expected and promised Messiah.  Thank God for Jesus.

26 In the sixth month of Elizabeth’s pregnancy, God sent the angel Gabriel to Nazareth, a town in Galilee, 27 to a virgin pledged to be married to a man named Joseph, a descendant of David. The virgin’s name was Mary. 28 The angel went to her and said, “Greetings, you who are highly favored! The Lord is with you.”

29 Mary was greatly troubled at his words and wondered what kind of greeting this might be. 30 But the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary; you have found favor with God. 31 You will conceive and give birth to a son, and you are to call him Jesus. 32 He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his father David, 33 and he will reign over Jacob’s descendants forever; his kingdom will never end.”

Matthew 1: 26-33

WONDERING IF YOU WILL MAKE IT THROUGH CHRISTMAS?

 This time of the year can bring about a dichotomy of reactions to the huge celebrations going on around us.  There is a large range of emotions associated with Christmas.  If you are fortunate enough to have only experienced the joy and wonder of it all, come back tomorrow.  This post will not interest you.  If you have walked through the black hole of depression, the winding path of grief, or any of the other sad, mad, or bad experiences of trying to get through the season, read on.  This one is for you.

If you live long enough,  you will experience that first Christmas without a dear loved one.  Long before the day comes, you begin to wonder how in the world you will live through this day.  Many are estranged from loved ones or have loved ones spread all over the world---how do you navigate that gaping hole?  On this seemingly most important holiday, family is emphasized more than any other time during the year, and yet some are totally alone.  We all get together only to discover dysfunction still rules the day when it comes to families uniting  All of the preparation can be overwhelming---in a world already filled with daily chaos.  Stress and exhaustion can come to reside in your body and mind with a choking grip on seeing true reality.  We become so consumed with what the world tells us about this holiday, that we fail so see reality.  We are standing firm with our feelings and ignoring certain truths.  Here are a few of the things which have helped me step back and remember what this holiday is really all about.

SERVICE for others is always the key to a reality check.  When you see the effects of poverty, isolation, or illness on lives, you quickly clue in to how blessed you are.  This is NOT the most wonderful time of the year for those who are generationally poor, for those suffering with chronic or terminal illness, or those either out surviving their circle or those abandoned for various reasons to name just a few.  Quit looking at your "Blessed Neighbor" and see those we tend to look right through.  So many need help.

SEEK SUPPORT from all those in your life who are more than happy to step up and walk beside you.  Relationships are the key to survival in so many areas, but especially during times of huge loss, deep depression, or overwhelming stress.  Ask a friend to go see a movie or have dinner, invite a neighbor over for coffee, take a drive to look at the holiday lights with a child in your life.  Do NOT stay isolated.  Isolation is our worst enemy in those times of our greatest needs.

EXERCISE to keep those good juices flowing in your brain and body.  How many times have I taken a Christmas Eve and/or Christmas Day walk?  Walking always clears my head and reminds me of the wonders of creation.  Having a bad day--take a walk/run/ride--it is a sure remedy to the blues.

Every good speaker knows to make three points and quit.  I will say there are more ways to fight the holiday blues, but these three will certainly get you over the hump.  BOTTOM LINE---I have learned one great truth----

IT IS ONLY ONE DAY

Twenty Four hours and the world quickly goes back to normal (is there any such thing?)  You will survive---you will get through the day---and many of us care deeply for you and understand what your are feeling.  Hang in there and keep doing the next right thing!

ANTICIPATION

 What is all this decorating, gift giving, cooking, parties, plays, light displays, and on and on about?  Why do we bother?  Why do we go to the trouble? It is not unlike a pep rally--it is the build up to the big event.

Christmas is coming--the count down is on.  We try to squeeze as much as possible into the days between Thanksgiving and Christmas.  Christmas is the favorite time of the year for many of you.  I love seeing the lights and enjoying the frantic hurry scurry of activity---FROM A DISTANCE.  I am not a big fan of being in the midst of it all---I consider it more of a spectator sport.  I enjoy seeing the photos of all the parties you are attending, all of the plays you are enjoying, all of the concerts, and all the decorating you are doing.  Social Media is filled with events and experiences you all are enjoying.  I am thankful for a seat in the crowd via the WWW.  In the last few years, I have worked at enjoying the experience vicariously without becoming trapped in the fast pace of participation.  I limit what I do.  NOT to say that you should not enjoy every over the top moment---good for you.  I have learned enough about who I am to know the pace I should keep leading up to the BIG DAY!

My Christmas wish for each of you is that in the midst of a fast paced world, you are also preparing your heart for the

Reason for the Season--the birth of Jesus.  The long anticipated and foretold arrival of the Messiah.  I am praying you remember to invite the Birthday Boy into the midst of your celebrations.  I am hoping you pause and remember why we are joyful.  I am asking you to stop and consider the real reason this should be your favorite time of the year.  The answer, My Friends, is ALWAYS Jesus!  I wish you all the joy of the season as we prepare to celebrate the Wonder of It All.

"Have this mind among yourselves,

 which is yours in Christ Jesus,

 who, though he was in the form of God, 

did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped,

 but made himself nothing,

 taking the form of a servant, 

being born in the likeness of men."

Philippians 2:5-7

HOW MUCH IS TOO MUCH?

 

Once again it is the time of the year when we all have to decide what is enough and when we have gone over the line into TOO MUCH.  I must confess in my younger life, when I was still raising children---I leaned toward the OVER THE TOP.  I am guilty of climbing on the roof, shimming up trees, and stringing wire from here to yonder in an effort to catch the spirit of the season.  Those days are gone.  Now I find myself more apt to trying to talk myself into almost any  decorating.  The Thanksgiving box of decorations was never opened the past two years.  COVID lockdown has taken another prisoner captive--my annual dragging out the decorations.    I am usually gone on Thanksgiving and Christmas day--spending time with the grands.  It is a LOT of work to decorate and then the putting it away is even more of  a chore.  I am NO Scrooge, but I also fail to see how all my efforts really enhance my holiday experience.  I am not the only one in this season of life who echoes these sentiments.  IF the grands were coming here, I would be all out, but it loses the magic when those young eyes are not here to enjoy the wonder.  PLEASE do not think I lack Christmas spirit.  I have chosen to display that spirit in ways other than decorating, but I still enjoy the wonder of the season.

As I was pondering exactly what efforts I will make this year, I thought back to that first Christmas.  There was no glitz or glitter of the manmade kind.  There was only the majestic wonder of a star shining bright, animals bowing low, angels singing gloriously in the sky, parades lead by Wise Men, and shepherds seeking a baby.  God Himself decorated the skies and all the earth that first Christmas.  He celebrated as only He can with all the wonder and glory of nature and His creation.  The very earth celebrated that first Christmas in unequaled wonder.  That must have been a sight to behold.  OH THE WONDER OF IT ALL!

"Thanks be to God for his inexpressible gift!"

II Corinthians 9:15

THE CAST

Do you ever stop and ponder the cast of characters on that long ago night when our King was born?  It is quite a hodge-podge --all walks of life--all social standings--all ages--a unique representation from the world of that day.

A "Blue Collar" carpenter and his young bride to be traveled via donkey to be put on the census--a thinly disguised excuse to make sure everyone was on the tax roll.  They arrive in the small town of Bethlehem late---since they were slowed by the mother to be--perhaps they even hesitated leaving since she was so near her due date.  Due to their late arrival and the  mass of people congregating to be counted--lest the Roman rulers notice their willful disobedience--there was no place to stay.

Knocking on door after door---they finally find an inn-keeper "Business Man" who takes pity or perhaps to just get rid of them--offers them a barn---the building where his animals were housed.  Desperate times call for desperate actions--the barn would have to do.  When you have a wife who is experiencing the pain of childbirth--you best find a place to lite.

A baby is born while the animals looked on.  Was there only young Mary and Carpenter Joseph to greet their new born son?  The scriptures do not give us specifics, so that must not matter.

Angels overcome with joy--sang in the deep night sky with a bright star nearby.  Most were asleep, but the shepherds "Farmers" who were charged with protecting the sheep from the predators who liked to attack in the night heard the heavenly choir. Shepherds were all ages--from very young boys to old men, but they all were invited.   They followed the instructions and arrived to find a small baby and his parents in a lowly barn.

Then from afar--led by a star---came three wise men "Royalty" bearing gifts to bring to the new king--a small baby boy.  Who would imagine such great and wise men as these would appear to see the small baby king disguised as the lowly son of a carpenter?

A strange and diverse group who all witnessed and told the story--all in God's perfect plan.  Surely there were others who knew of that day---but God chose these to eternally live in His Word.  Rich and poor---young and old--laborers and privileged---all fell and worshiped and then spread the word of the arrival of the Messiah as foretold long before.  

Read the Story:  Luke 2: 1-20

THREE GIFTS

The King has been born--and all the world rejoices--the day has finally come --the day which all have waited for with expectant hearts--His birth has been announced and all the world celebrates.  Three wise men made a visit and brought Him gifts from afar--gifts of great wonder--all fit for a king---Gold-Frankincense & Myrrh--treasures from their homes. 

If I could take three gifts to lay before his feet--what gifts of great value would I have to offer to a king?  I have no great riches--no drum to play a song---it seems I have nothing that is fit to give a king.

If I could kneel before Him, what would I have to offer. It would not seem to  matter except to the One to whom I offer the gift.  I would kneel and hold out my hands.  My hands offered in service for all those in need.  The poor and the needy and the sick and the suffering --I offer to serve them all with my hands held out to Him.

While kneeling in His presence, I would offer Him my voice to tell His sweet sweet story of grace.  The grace He so freely gave to me--all those years ago.  Beginning with His birth in a lowly manager, His gift to all mankind was becoming man who would pay the price for our sin. He was as our sacrifice.

The final gift--would else could I give Him?  What treasure do I possess that would please Him and show my great love?  My most precious possession-the very core of who I am---I could give Him my heart--the center of who I am.  What could please Him more--what could better demonstrate my awe--what could better exhibit my love--than to present Him with my great-great love--all contained within my heart.

11 On coming to the house, they saw the child with his mother Mary, and they bowed down and worshiped him. Then they opened their treasures and presented him with gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh.

Mark 2:11