Month: December 2023

I have learned that for me simpler is better, so I hold on to the traditions that bring me joy and I let go of those that cause me frustration. I don’t decorate a tree but I do place wreaths on the front and back door, the Advent wreath remains on the table until after the Epiphany, there are flowers: Christmas cacti, amaryllis, and poinsettias, and the cards we receive are kept in a basket to read again and again during the season.

I no longer try to find the “perfect” gift and instead I opt for making memories. We rent a box at Shorebirds stadium and host our family each year to a Sunday afternoon ball game. Shopping Done! I also spend some time making cookies to share with family and friends. For those who cannot participate in the ball game I find something that will bring them joy and that we can experience together or something they need. I keep it simple because it truly is the thought that counts!

While others are quickly cleaning up the clutter after December 25^th, I am enjoying my Advent wreath. I burn it every day during the twelve days of Christmas, sometimes in the early morning darkness before the sun rises and sometimes at night after cleaning up the kitchen when I take time to say “Thank You God” for the day has given me.

My wreaths are still on my doors, the flowers are blooming (hopefully), my Christmas cards are still in a basket where I can read through them as I take a moment in my day to sit with a cup of tea and think of each one and what they mean to my life.

Tomorrow I will take my daughter-in-love to a museum and enjoy lunch.

On January 6^th my family, (as many who can), will gather around our table for an Epiphany dinner. We will remember those who are no longer at the table. We will laugh and maybe wipe away a tear as we share memories of holidays past and plans we have for the time God gives us.

During the weeks of Advent I focus on His coming, both the first time as a tiny baby and the second as the King of kings and Lord of Lords. But beginning on Christmas Eve my focus shifts to what am I doing to live out what Jesus means to me.

In the culture of today we are encouraged to spend money we do not have on things we do not need, all to impress people who really don’t care. I encourage you to take a stand. Choose what traditions bring your joy and concentrate on those things. Spend time with family and friends, do something that will bless them – write a note, make a phone call, bake a special treat, or just sit and visit. Ask God to direct your thoughts and your actions and you will be surprised what you can do!

P.S.

Each gift that I have received this Christmas was special. Each one reflected that the person knew me, knew my heart and that is worth more than anything to me. But there was one gift that puzzled me when I first opened it but when I plugged it in and saw the lights and heard the carols the joy bubbled up and it has been on everyday while I’m working around the house. I find myself singing along to JOY TO THE WORD as prepare a meal, I was my dishes, sweep the floor, whatever it may be, it is made better by this silly Santa truck!

Merry Christmas!

For unto you is born this day

in the city of David a Saviour,

which is Christ the Lord.

Luke 2:11

On this Christmas Day we light the center candle, the Christ Candle.

We light this candle as a symbol of God’s mercy and grace.

Send, O God, into the darkness of this troubled world, the light of Your Son.

Let the star of Your hope touch the minds of the people with the bright beams of mercy and truth;

and so direct our steps that we may ever walk in the way revealed to us,

as the shepherds of Bethlehem walked with joy to the manger where He dwelled,

who now and ever reigns in our hearts, Jesus Christ our Lord.

Amen

(John Suter, U.S.A., 20th CENT., ALT.) 

    And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. And, lo, the angel of the LORD came upon them, and the glory of the LORD shone round about them: and they were sore afraid. And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord. And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger. And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying, Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men. And it came to pass as the angels were gone away from them into heaven, the shepherds said one to another, Let us now go even unto Bethlehem, and see this thing which has come to pass, which the Lord hath made known unto us. And they came with haste, and found Mary, and Joseph, and the babe lying in a manger. And when they had seen it, they made known abroad the saying which was told them concerning this child. And all they that heard it wondered at those things which were told them by the shepherds. But Mary kept all these things, and pondered them in her heart. And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, as it was told unto them.

Luke 2:8-20

The season of Christmas begins at sunset on December 24th and goes until January 6th, the Epiphany of the Lord. Twelve days to celebrate God’s mercy and grace as we ponder the plan of salvation God put into motion that long ago day in Bethlehem. A baby born in a manger under the shadow of the Cross. Jesus would live among God’s people. He would preach. He would teach. He would heal. He would suffer. He would die. All for God’s people. He would rise from that tomb victorious over death with the promise of eternal life for all who would believe and accept Him as Lord and Savior.

Are we, like the shepherds, eager to come and see what God has for us?

Let us now go even unto Bethlehem, and see this thing which has come to pass,

which the Lord hath made known unto us.

Can we, like the shepherds, come away from an encounter with Jesus, glorifying and praising God for everything He makes known to us?

And the shepherds returned,

glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen,

as it was told unto them.

The beginning of the gospel of Jesus Christ, the Son of God.

As it is written in the prophets,

Behold, I send my messenger before Thy face, which shall prepare Thy way before Thee.

The voice of one crying in the wilderness,

Prepare ye the way of the Lord, make His paths straight.

Mark 1:1-3

We light this candle as a symbol of Christ the Way.

May the Word sent from God through the prophets lead us to the way of salvation.

O Come, O Come, Emmanuel!

Jesus saith unto him,

I am the way, the truth, and the life; no man cometh to the Father, but by me.

John 14:6

Maybe, just maybe, we have come full circle.

They say that the Christian church appropriated the winter solstice celebration and made it about God.

Christmas

Well now it has been restored to its original purpose.

It is no longer politically correct to say

“Merry Christmas”

in order to avoid offence to any

“Happy Holidays”

covers it all.

Instead of rejoicing in the gift of a Savior who saves us from our sin

we honor “Santa” who keeps a record.

Have you been naughty or nice?

Instead of learning of St. Nicholas who brought gifts to the poor children

now we over indulge children who have so much already,

with things they don’t need.

Instead of taking time to read the Scriptures as a family,

we spend time moving a toy “Elf” around our home,

competing to see who can come up with the cutest or most outrageous scenario.

We rush around trying to cram as much activity as possible into the month of December.

Then we pack it all away and begin planning for Valentine’s Day!

O Lord, help me to spend this time of Advent, preparing for the season of Christmas.

A season, not one day.

Twelve days to celebrate the first Christmas

when the God of Creation put on flesh to live among His creation.

The world would prefer that we forget –

forget that God so loved us He sent Jesus to live among us –

to die on a cruel cross for our sin –

to conquer death and come out of the tomb –

that we also might live.

Christmas reminds us of what it cost God to redeem His people.

But we don’t just remember Jesus’ birth during the Advent season.

We also are reminded to be alert to His second coming,

when He returns to claim His bride,

the Church.

O Come, O Come, Emanuel!

Ten years ago we said goodbye to Dino.

Today I am sharing some of my journal entries from that difficult week.

Sunday            December 1, 2013       Anabel, Missouri

Lord, This is a hard time –

Dino is refusing food and growing weaker.

I place him in Your hands for he is Your creature

and You brought him into our lives

to be a blessing.

He is a faithful companion – asking little but giving much.

Thank You for this blessing

for his quiet – persistent – presence

for his exuberant joy in a snowfall

for his dignified refusal to “fetch”

for his willingness to endure most anything

simply to be with us.

Thank You Lord!

Tuesday           December 3, 2013       Anabel, Missouri

Another long night.

Dino’s breathing has changed.

I kept him in most of the night but around 5:30 am he was insistent so I let him out.

Right now he has made it to the front yard on his morning rounds.

Lord, Thank You for one more day with him.

Friday              December 6, 2013       Anabel, Missouri

Thank You Lord, that Dino is not suffering.

We were able to get him inside Tuesday evening but only because Olin carried him in.

He and I played hide and seek all day on Wednesday.

Each time I found where he was laying he would move to a new spot.

By nightfall he was nowhere to be found.

So he stayed outside which was where he wanted to be.

In the morning Olin found him laying in front of the loader on the John Deere.

He made it easy for us.

We buried him at the bottom of the garden.

Thank You Lord, for a life well lived.

Dino was our son’s dog.

He came to visit and never left.

He traveled across the country with us, living in the RV for 2 years

before we moved to the farm in Missouri.

He loved the farm. Every morning he would walk the property, checking out what critters might have invaded his territory during the night.

He brought us JOY!