DECEMBER TRADITIONS

What would we do without traditions?

“I remember when . . . “ floods my soul this time of year.

I sense time speeding by far too quickly.

One moment I’m reading about an event in the present and the next moment my mind sweeps backwards fifty years as I recollect a similar event in my own life.

Every now and then I venture to guess how many years ago I experienced a specific life adventure.

It may be a major turning point in my life . . . of which I have had many.

It may be a fabulous exploration experience . . . of which I have had many.

I try to remember the year and can only do so if I equate the event or experience or turning point with a specific marker.  

For instance, exact markers that have specific dates might be: graduation from high school, collage and graduate school (twice).  
Since I have had many jobs in vastly different career fields I can pretty much ‘mark’ changes in job location.

With change in job location I can picture my new home and, several times, moving to a new state.

The stabilizer with each change is TRADITION.

December prompts the most family traditions.

Mom made our stocking out of materials she used to make special dresses for me and my sister.  The boys got ties of the same fabric..  One year she used felt and had plenty left over.  So, she made Christmas stockings for each of us out of felt.

They were so cute that we used them for years.  I still have mine but replaced it when I got married.

I created a new tradition for hubby and myself based on the old tradition.

I used fabric from the gorgeous curtains and luscious chair coverings I made for our ‘forever’ home . . .  which we changed several times . . .  for our stockings.

Although we have new window coverings and updated furniture, we still enjoy the tradition of hanging those stockings up every year.  It reminds us of our first home

together.

By tradition, we fill each other’s stocking with items from around the house.  Always an apple or tangerine goes into the toe as well as a toothpaste sample with new brush - reminding us it’s time to change our toothbrushes.  A few trinkets from the ‘Dollar Store’ and voila, we’re done.

Baked cookies, luscious soups, my famous spinach balls, fresh scones, cranberry-orange relish and a few other foods remain on our traditional list.  Sending cards, inviting people to share meals, sending extra money to our favorite charities, making special phone calls and so much more are traditions we’ve kept for years.

Yet, the most important tradition is that which we’ve kept daily throughout our marriage.  We read together and pray together.  Hubby is the prayer warrior.  We both pray on our own but he insists, before either of us leaves the house, that we pray together.  Most likely we’ve already shared our morning devotions while enjoying our traditional daily oatmeal.  

Christmas gained new meaning for me over forty years ago.  I came to know the person whose day the world celebrates . . . Jesus, the Christ, 

the anointed one, 

the One who was born to a virgin, Mary.  

The One whose father is God.  

The One who was sent to this world, earth, by his Father to be the ultimate sacrifice for sin.  

No more burnt offerings, no more unblemished lambs offered at the temple each year.  

Jesus was born in a most humble space, where animals find shelter.

He grew to be the servant of God to the world.

Jesus so loved the unlovable, the most wretched, that He became the ultimate sacrifice for us. . . the Lamb of God.

Jesus became the sacrificial ‘Lamb of God’ so that any who believe in Him might have unhindered access to the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob without further sacrifice for our own sins.  

Jesus took all our sin upon himself, for us, at the cross.

Jesus shed his blood, for us, to cover our sin . . . all sin.

Jesus’ life, by tradition, is celebrated annually by those who come to that same cross and give our lives to God in Christ.

We celebrate the CHRIST - MASS every December.

Yet, we who believe that Jesus, 

the Christ, 

the anointed one of God, 

who has taken all our sin upon himself to free us from any hindrance to God’s eternal presence . . .  

We, celebrate the Christ-mass every day of our lives . . . in our heart, soul, with others . . . as we live each day dedicated to God: Father, Son and Holy Spirit.

Tradition: Daily thanksgiving to God for a life filled to overflowing with blessing (even when circumstances seem deeply challenging).

Tradition: Daily hugs and kisses and positive affirmations to my hubby.

Tradition: Oatmeal with raisins on top of loads of blueberries . . .  almost daily.

Tradition: Celebrating every moment of life as God presents through prayer, daily scripture reading, worship services, music, contemplation, sharing insights with hubby and my weekly ‘growth’ group, taking classes, leading classes . . . the list is endless.

Tradition: Creating a habit that celebrates the life God has given to each of us.

December is filled with traditions that remind us of our daily walk with God.

Now it’s time to turn the page, open a new year, and make new ‘traditions’ that will last a lifetime.

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

Postscript: A BIRTHDAY Tradition
My birthday just happens to be December 31.
Hubby and I have created some fun birthday traditions.

One is Crepe paper!  We decorate our abode with colorful stretches of crepe paper.  Hubby did a fabulous job this year.

We always have cake.  I'm very specific: Very small but bigger than a cupcake.  Chocolate cake with chocolate frosting (an absolute no-no in my diet but today I

indulge).

Special foods from the deli.  Hubby finds what he likes and I put it on the plate.  Voila!  A feast and I don't have to cook. [Because going out to dinner is almost impossible for we who like quiet dining.  I opt out of the big festivities]

Balloon.  Just one.  Every year is different.  LOVE IT!

Fireworks!  Because we currently reside in a warmer climate, we enjoy sitting on the beach at 7:00 pm for wonder-filled, brilliant explosions in the sky.  This year I found out that the hotel very near us has it's own display at about 9pm . . .  a double bundle of explosive joy!

Tradition . . . throughout the year . . . makes for a plethora of wonder-filled moments in life.

IN THE BLEAK MIDWINTER

IN THE BLEAK MIDWINTER . . . 

WHEN ALL WAS DARK AND GRAY . . . 

A LIGHT SHONE IN THE DARKNESS BUT SEEMED SO FAR AWAY.

IN THE BLEAK MIDWINTER  

WHEN HOPE WAS ALL BUT LOST 

THE FLICKER OF A BRIGHT SPOT SHONE LIKE A HEAVENLY HOST.

A LIGHT CAME DOWN FROM HEAVEN, BIRTHED BY GOD’S OWN WORD . . .

AND ENTERED A FAITH-FILLED MAIDEN WHO SAID ‘YES’ WHEN GABRIEL’S WORDS WERE HEARD . . .

“HAIL, FULL OF GRACE, THE LORD IS WITH THEE,”

THE ARCHANGEL SAID TO HER.

THE WORD OF GOD HAS PLANTED IN HER A LIFE WHO SOON WILL BE . . .

THE LIGHT THAT PIERCES THE DARKNESS . . .

THE LOVE THAT NEVER LEAVES . . .

THE ETERNAL PRESENCE IN HUMAN FORM . . .

FOR ALL TO RECEIVE.

IN THE BLEAK MIDWINTER  

A BIT OF LIGHT BROKE THROUGH 

TO FILL MY HEART TO FULLNESS 

BECAUSE MY SOUL KNEW 

A BABE LYING IN A MANGER WOULD GROW AND LEAD THE WORLD

BACK TO THE ARMS OF OUR CREATOR, THE ONE GOD OF THE JEWS

THAT BLEAKNESS OF MIDWINTER 

CAN ONLY LAST SO LONG.

BECAUSE GOD BROKE THROUGH THE DARKNESS 

AND HELPED US SEE NEW LIGHT. . .

THE LIGHT OF CHRIST JESUS . . .

THE LIGHT THAT IS GOD’S SON.

NOW WHEN WE SENSE THE BLEAK OF MIDWINTER . . . 

NO MATTER WHAT TIME OF YEAR.

CALL UPON THE LORD, THY GOD, TO TAKE AWAY ALL FEAR.

THE LIGHT OF CHRIST ILLUMINATES BLEAKNESS

 AND PIERCES HEART AND SOUL . . .

WHEN WE INVITE HIM IN TO STAY AND LET HIS SPIRIT GLOW.

"REJOICE!"  AGAIN, I SAY, "REJOICE!” 

THE LORD IS WAITING HERE

TO NESTLE DEEP WITHIN,

TO FILL OUR SOUL TO OVERFLOWING 

AND TAKE AWAY OUR SIN AND FEAR.

JUST ASK.

RIGHT NOW.

JUST ASK GOD TO BE . . .

BURIED DEEP WITHIN THE SOUL. 

JUST ASK JESUS, THE CHIRST, TO FILL THAT EMPTY HOLE

AND MAKE ALL BROKENNESS WHOLE.

MAY THE CONSTANT LIGHT OF GOD’S OWN SON

FOREVER LOVING, HE,

MAKE HOLY A WRETCHED SOUL 

WHILE LIVING WITHIN THEE.

WE CELEBRATE MIDWINTER

NOT SO BLEAK OR DARK

WE CELEBRATE THE CHRIST-MASS

WHILE THE ANGLES HERALD "HARK, HARK!"

JESUS IS OUR SAVIOR, 

HE IS OUR LORD OF ALL.

TO BE OUR NEW SACRIFICE

THE ANSWER TO THE 'FALL.'

PRAISE GOD: FATHER, SON AND HOLY SPIRIT

THE ONE GOD OF US ALL . . . 

WHO CLAIMS JESUS AS OUR LORD FOREVER

AND PROCLAIM HIS LOVE AS HE CALLS.
Written by Gail Tomei+

"What shall I bring to the Lord, the God of heaven, when I come to worship Him?"    Micah 6:6

                      CHRISTMAS BLESSINGS!

NOVEMBER - ALL DONE

When I was very young, I remember sitting at the dining room table with the family, enjoying the lingering

conversation, contributed by all of us.  

I belonged to the CPC and was proud of it.  In fact, all of us in the family belonged to the CPC - Clean Plate Club.  Mom always served healthy, colorful plates of food that were easy to consume.  Second portions were available but most of the time I was satisfied with the portion I received.  

My motivation to complete the task of consuming the monthly portion of liver was the promise of dessert. 

“All done,” I’d say.  “Well done,” my father would respond.  

“You belong to the CPC.”   My siblings and I grew to be tall, slim and physically fit, perhaps because we knew when to say, “all done.”

The habit of completing a task and saying, “all done,” became the norm for my life.  I might surmise that this sense of accomplishment I learned as a tyke carried over into the rest of my life.  

Yet, are we ever really “all done?”  Most of us measure our life journey via calendar dates, educational levels and job promotions.  

Although a day ends, we wake to find a week completed and, in a blink, the end of the month.  One month moves into the next and then a year is completed.  Years turn in to decades and, before I know it, I am looking back at what I’ve accomplished instead of forward to what I have yet to envision for my life.

That’s where I seem to be, this very last day of the month . . .  “all done.” I’m not ‘done in’  by any means but I sense that I am all done with the major parts of my bucket list.  

Unlike most people, I began my ‘bucket list’ in my early twenties.  Life’s twists and turns only enhanced this list which, when each item was completed, I could proudly say,“all done.”

I was given some ‘well done’ money by a scholastic society my last year of college because I had done well in my studies.  It was just enough to purchase ski boots.  My

next plan was to learn to ski.  I’d never even been on a ski slope . . .  ever! 

In fact, I used those ski boots at the same time I fulfilled another wish on my list that took me all over the world and became a fifteen year career.  During that time I managed to ski, and live, in two different ski towns while also enjoying the ski slopes in other parts of the world.  

Life was good.  I could have been quite satisfied with my list and said, “all done.”

Yet, I was just beginning my life goals.  I moved to a new state in the U.S. and then to a new state in my life.  Through my years working in the airlines I’d been introduced to FCAP.  Fellowship of Christian Airline Personnel, known all over the world in the airline business, involves flight attendants,  pilots, grounds personnel, caterers and any who wish to gather in small groups to learn, share, expand their faith and encourage one

another in their Christian walk. 

  It took the patience of many FCAP members to convince me, love me, direct me, be present with and simply guide me to new understanding as I sought answers to questions I’d carried in my soul for decades. 

Ever-so-slowly I gained affirmation of the full presence of God, through His Son, Jesus Christ and accepted His presence into my life . . . my very soul.  

I thought my decision to join these numbers would mean I’m “all done.”  Yet, this was only the beginning of decades of learning, sharing and expanding my own faith in God.

  The rest of my story is long because God took me through my own, personal, wonder-filled labyrinth of faith.  I’ve since had several careers, married my prince  charming and am now retired. 

But am I all done?  Not at all.

As this month of November ends, we move into a most glorious month of December where we begin at the beginning, again, with the celebration of the birth of Christ Jesus. 

Just as a new liturgical year begins, white as snow, with joyous anticipation, I look ahead to once again experiencing all the phases of Christ’s life. 

I know that God's work is never done just as mine is never done. 

  I’m entering the ‘winter’ season of my own life but look forward to sharing new beginnings with souls not yet alive with the same gift of God’s eternal love.  His is the same love carried me through many challenges where I sometimes felt  “done in.”   

As I turn the life-pages of each new day, month, year and beyond, only God knows when my bucket list will really end.  Oh to hear the same words the Father gave to his Son, Jesus Christ . . . "Well done my good and faithful servant."  

I will be quite satisfied to hear, "All Done."

OCTOBER DASH

THE DASH

Another sibling in our family died . . .  at the end of September.

We’re all getting older but she was the youngest . . .  too young.

It’s like she slept into the arms of Jesus.

We all have a ‘beginning’ date and an ‘ending’ date.

That’s a given.

We who are conceived will die eventually.

That 'dash' between the two dates seems so insignificant.

Yet, there is so much more to each life than a short, little dash, isn’t there.

That little ‘dash’ between the beginning and ending dates seems like a microdot of a person’s life, especially if that personality is as loved and well received as my sibling.

My sibling did not live an unusual life per se, but she smiled and spread joy to all in her daily path.

She seemed content in whatever circumstances she was in.

Since she was young, she loved perching comfortably in the large backyard tree and reading a good book most of the day.

She was also the delight of any gathering.

She socialized with the best of us.

She fell in love and married a wonderful man who was several years older than she was.

Their love was enhanced by the birth of two sturdy boys.

Over the decades the family remained a strong unit because she was a very involved mom.

She made each day an adventure.

The boys grew up, married and are now raising families.

Over the past several years she was in constant care of her husband as he dealt with various ailments that come with ill health and age.

We worried about her when he died but knew that her strong bond with grand children would keep her going.

She met with her local (female) pastor weekly just because it was good for her to share challenges of her ‘single’ life after being married for decades.

She was a county clerk so was dedicated to keeping the records for her small, rural community, especially during elections.

She reached out to neighbors to make sure everyone in this small lake town was OK during the 'winter' season when few remained 'at the Lake' as she did.

Her idea of a fun vacation was going further north than she already lived and staying in a sparse cabin in the middle of nowhere.

She was use to taking care of herself.

Her such self-sufficiency may have inclined friends and family to think life floats along seamlessly for her.

Now we wonder . . . 

Perhaps she forgot to get her annual check-up.

For years our phone calls, emails, text messages went unanswered for great lengths of time so we thought all was well.

Hand written notes seemed to float into her home without response.

Yet, when any of us did connect with her we’d chat at great length while her enthusiasm bubble over in conversation.

Isn’t that the way it is with many of us?

We forget to respond.

We forget to reach out.

Until . . . at that perfect moment we do connect.

So often we get so busy living our own “dash” that we forget to reach out just one more time, take just a few more moments or an extra day to extend our dash into another’s life.

We forget.

Suddenly, our dear one is given an ‘end date’.

There is nothing left to do but to remember all the split second moments each of us might have communicated or spent time with her.

Each of us has a story that will be told for a few minutes after our end-date.

What a JOY it would be to extend the "dash" in each other’s lives so that there are fewer ‘what if’ moments and more ‘what a ride’ moments.

The DASH.

There is so much more of life and living and giving and sharing and being in any of our lives than we can ever begin to see in that little DASH.