CHRISTMAS JOURNEY

Christmas continues.
We're half way through these twelve days of celebration.
Great stories of prophecy fill the air.

Wonderings about the 'wise' men prompt us to dig deeper.

I journey with the seekers as they follow the Star.
I wonder as I wander through the brightness of scripture.

We never got around to putting up the big tree.
Our little tree should be full of decorations but . . .
Too much happened this year.
I did place a star on it, given to me in a card sent by dear friends.

I chuckle.
I have been focusing on this little star . . .
. . . just as the wise astrologers did over 2000 years ago.

They followed a brilliant light in the sky.
They knew it was unique, a once in a lifetime happening.
After all, they knew the skies better than anyone.
Perhaps this bright light would lead them to the king they had been seeking according to their Zoroastrian belief.  A human king . . . to lead those residing in a place very near where Abraham began his journey from Ur into Canaan.

These twelve days from Christmas to Epiphany play out the pageant of the journey of the Wise Men.
In these twelve days we race through great stretches of time.
Wandering takes time.
Just think of the Israelites wandering for forty years in the wilderness.

These Holly berries have taken three years to hold
strong through the wind and snow.  Their journey of
growth is not much different than ours.

It may have been well over a year before the astrologists began to wander.
We forget that Harod's temple, gilded in GOLD, was meant to reflect the sun as a beacon of light to draw crowds to his depraved territory in Jerusalem.
Travelers could not help but stop at the top of this highest point to wonder at the sight.
So, too, the wise men wandered . . . and wondered . . . visited Herod . . . and kept wandering.
When the brightest light in the sky stopped, they stopped.
When they moved, the bright sky-light moved with them.
And so the wandering and wondering continued for . . . we do not know how long.

They sought the answer to their wondering.
They sought a final destination to their wandering.

Don't we also do that?
Something sparks our attention that compels us to journey until we say, "Ahaaaaa, I understand."
Often the seeking seems endless.
My own journey into the presence of God's light in Christ took a long time.
My journey was circuitous, meandering endlessly . . . or it seemed so at the time.

Red poppies and peppers pop as Paper whites bloom
in the midst of a snowstorm.  Rosemary sprigs remind
 us of new life.  Slowly 'the light'  helps my little potted
 plants bloom and give life to my inside-world.

Tiny lights turned on in my heart as I felt compelled to seek more.
Tiny lights became stronger 'epiphanies' as I asked questions, dove into scripture and joined another group of seekers on the same journey.

And then, finally, quietly, I had my own personal 'ahaaaa' moment, my epiphany.
But that's for another time.

We have a long way to go with the wise men before they reach their final destination.
The journey is the best part.

May we all journey into the NEW YEAR with eager anticipation to expand upon the flicker of light or the vibrant beacon that draws us into a deeper love relationship with the Lord, thy God.

A NEW DAY!

Tiny spots fill the room as I turn on the lights draping our little version of Christ's birth.

My hubby's dad brought the creche home after being stationed in Germany during WWII.

The figures are simple but the scene tells the story every year.

I wind up the attached music box and listen to Silent Night for the kazillionth time.

Today I place baby Jesus in his simple manger.

It's a new day.

We celebrate the birth of the king of kings and lord of lords.

Of course, one look at the little scene and we see a helpless little baby in a feeding trough.

Who would think that this helpless little one would change the world . . .  again and again . . . as God-followers come to understand the significance of this new light that fills dark days.

I have come to follow the path of those celebrating Christmas centuries ago.

Carols to celebrate Christ's birth do not begin until today, Christmas.

In fact, it is at the Christ Mass that we pull out all the stops.

Every carol is sung with full orchestra . . .  or whatever instrument players are available in the congregation.

We don't decorate the church until just before the Eve of the Christ Mass.

It's so magical.

There is something that happens within me that is beyond magical.

God is doing a mighty work to re-energize my oneness with Him.

It's like the little light within me begins to shine more brightly than ever before.

You see, I have chosen to walk with Mary through her last four weeks of pregnancy.

It's that anticipation any new mother feels . . . anticipation of the 'advent' of a child to be born.

Advent

A pregnant pause.

Four weeks of quiet.

Not necessarily a time of emptiness, far from it.

It's a time of fullness, of joy, of wonder, of heavy anticipation.

It's a time of hustle and bustle as with any new mother who wants everything to be just right for the day of birth.

I don't think Mary was anticipating a long journey from Nazareth to Bethlehem.

What is normally a three day journey by foot might have taken twice that long.

Just imagine yourself . . .  pregnant . . .  trying to stay on a donkey.

I think I'd rather walk, thank you.

So, I did imagine a little bit.

The closest I got was when dear hubby, as usually, parked the car at the furthest spot from the entrance to the store. 

 The wind was blowing at gale speed at below freezing. 

 I was not a happy camper.

My plight lasted about three minutes, the time it took to scurry to the store entrance.

I cannot even begin to imagine the God-strength of Mary, carrying a child whose seed did not belong to her husband, bravely traveling during her most uncomfortable month before delivery of a child in a dung-smelling barn.

That's why we journey through Advent with songs foretelling, not celebrating, the 'coming' of Christ.

The One who 'was and is and is to come' cannot be celebrated until He is actually with us . . . 

   Emmanuel, God with us.

So, for four weeks we take a very pregnant pause and walk with Mary as she and Joseph journey to Bethlehem from Nazareth to be counted  . . . and taxed.   

We take time to hear the story of the miracle of inception.

We wonder as Mary and Elizabeth meet just months before John, the baptist, was born.

As John comes upon the scene and exhorts good Jewish God-followers to repent and return to sole worship of their one and only God, I reflect on my own journey.

Wonder

Reflection

Waiting

Anticipation

It's all part of pondering on that pre-Christ time, or without Christ time, when we wander in the wrong direction.

Just as those who wandered in the wilderness before they entered the promised land, this is our time to wander a bit.

Am I wandering aimlessly, in constant circles?

Without God's precious presence in my life I have no beginning or end.

Wandering is like that.

That's why Advent is so refreshing.

It's a time I can rethink my walk in Christ.

It's a time to reconnect with the story . . .  of how God came down to us . . . as a helpless babe.

This helpless babe grew up to lead any who chose to return to God and follow His direction.

So,  today, Christmas, the light breaks through.

Because I opted to take time to reflect, to ponder, to take that pregnant pause, I am ready to celebrate another year rejoicing in the presence of God in my life through the God-man, Jesus Christ.

I continue this pageant through Epiphany, the twelfth day . . .  the day the wise men come on the scene.

Cookies to give to neighbors

So now it's time for:

MUSIC

FOOD

GATHERINGS

STORY TELLING

ANTICIPATION . . .  of a better year.

Rosemary for remembrance.
Mary, the Rose, a greater God-follower than I could ever be.

CELEBRATE!
My little 'merry christmas' angel I pull out each year.

DARK DAYS

Dawn comes later each day . . .
    still later when combined with rain clouds.

The darkness sweeps me into a numb state.
I slog through daily chores.
I look for the days to grow longer, to show me a tiny bit more light.
The day with more light is soon . . .  just before Christmas . . .  just before we celebrate the day the Light of Christ came into our world.

My mind lingers on the news of the weekend.
I am stunned at my sense of emptiness.

Dark days swirl about me, not just physically, but emotionally.
Evil lurks in the shadows and pounces on innocent children.
Evil is defined in ways too numerous to count.

In the dark days, people spew out platitudes meant to console grieving hearts.
The words sound hollow.
Deep in my heart, I ache for those parents who don't need fine speeches.

Those words are for the rest of us who feel so helpless and want to do something.
We want to say something but words will not bring back a child who was so eager to grab life!

I cannot imagine how a parent can deal with the fact that pieces of metal ripped through their child.
I cannot imagine what is running through the hearts and minds of  brothers and sisters and aunts and uncles and grandparents and close friends of those whose lives were snuffed out by one evil act.
DARKNESS.

ALL of us want to hug those people and say . . .  say what? . . . words don't work!
Words are band aids that don't fit on oozing wounds that slice through the ones who are left.
Words in the darkness seem empty.

And then we hear of another who lives in our county, a county full of faith-filled people.
He is filled with darkness.
He bound up three elderly women, 84-90, and taunted them as he sparked their flesh with a taser gun.


He screamed with anger as he ripped pages from their bibles.
These are old women who are on the edge of life .  . . physically and verbally abused by one who is just beginning life on his own.
He lives in a very dark world.
They all survived but with severe injuries and emotional distress.
Darkness lurks around them.
Yet, they know how to overcome the darkness.

More and more people struggle in a dark world,

        without the extra love they so need,
              without sources of 'light' to guide them.
This world seems more topsy than ever before.
Nothing seems logical ...
hurting children killing other children.
   Hurt       pain         darkness       evil.
It does not end.

Sometimes the nicest, sweetest child is pushed into darkness, to seek evil solutions to problems that only silence envelopes.

Darkness . . .  silence . . . absence of light . . . emptiness . . . pain . . .
Evil lurks,
   ready to pounce on a tender, hurting soul.

 Emmanuel . . . God with us . . .  God IS with us . . .
But, if we humans are unable to take the hand of one living in the darkness and lead that person to "God with us, Emmanuel," that child will remain in the dark and evil will suck the life from this tormented soul.

One more . . .  and one more . . .  and one more . . .  remains in the darkness.
Who can lead hurting souls to the place of love and healing?
Who can lead one from darkness into a place of assurance that all have value, that all are created with value and can provide value to the community?

Where are we?
Can we each lead one  . . . just one . . .  out of darkness into the  LIGHT?
GOD .... IS .... WITH .... US.
HE       IS     OUR     LIGHT    IN     THE    DARKNESS.
God sent His only begotten Son to BE OUR LIGHT .... to guide us through the darkness .... to show us a way to skirt around the evil that lurks around us in those dark corners or our lives.

May DARKNESS turn to LIGHT this Christmas season.

HOME SWEET HOME

I love traveling . . .
. . . but I'd love it better if I did not have to pack quickly and dash out of the house during this wonderful season of Advent.

I had a long layover at the Charlotte, NC airport
It was a wonderful mid-way rest.

I missed a few Christmas events but I was glad to be of help.
Dad, almost 98, was doing quite well after surgery.

I was part of a 'tag-team' to give respite to my sister and her husband.
They were only two hours away when dad entered the hospital the beginning of November.
Between his hospital stay and nearly a month of rehab, they took charge.
Then dad ended up having surgery to insert a pacemaker.

Dad's surgery was on a Saturday and the hospital released him on Sunday.
Needless to say, we all responded to the call for help as we were determined not to send dad back to the hospital or rehab.
So dad slept . . .  and slept . . . almost twenty hours a day for three days.
Healing took place.
On the third day he 'resurrected' back into life.
Sound familiar?
I don't know what it is about three days but I have seen this happen many times.

We thought dad was going to spend the rest of his days sleeping.
Yet, by Wednesday he was up and alert and ready to go.
Only . . . his body said otherwise.
We had a trained aid to help us by this time.
Dad had spent over a month with almost no movement.
He was 'walked' twice a day but left alone most of the time.
Dad needed stimulation.
So, we stimulated him.

Six days after surgery dad is ready to roll.
Notice to rosy skin color.  Something new!

Dad's skin glowed after his bath.
The barber clipped off locks of white hair that had grown too long.
The podiatrist trimmed his toe nails that were cutting into his skin.
           Dad commented often that his feet felt good.
Dad's hand nails were next.
          I was not around for that one but dad has never had a manicure.
I bet he is more dashing than ever now.
It's like Rip Van Winkle woke up after sleeping a year.

Dad was ready to learn to walk . . . with a walker and the aid holding on to this six-four gorgeous hunk of a guy.
Dad felt better each day.
His skin glows.
He smiles, knowing he has accomplished something amazing.
I think dad is good for another few years.

My brother took over after me.
He was just in time to see dad hungry, enduring long days with short naps and with his sharp mind totally in tack.
Dad is ready for intellectual as well as physical stimulation.
Except for his 'shuffle' one would not know anything happened.

Knitted ornaments and garland drape a
Christmas tree at dad's condo.

I'm told that, with daily practice, his walking may also improve.

Dad does need more help than usual so he will return to his northern home where he is surrounded by all sorts of aids in his assisted living facility.
Too bad his 'southern' sojourn was short.
Yet, we made sure dad enjoyed sitting outside and driving around his 'winter homeland'.
We ate at old haunts and drove to all his favorite places so he can retain thirty years of memories in these warm environs.

As I traveled back north to celebrate this season with my hubby, I was reminded that we don't know what the future brings but it's always good to be HOME SWEET HOME.

GIVING

My natural progression from THANKS is GIVING.
We proceed immediately from a day of THANKS to a month of GIVING.

So, I suggest that the celebration we call Thanksgiving is truly a prelude to an entire month of thanks-Giving!
This year we were given more than a week to prepare for the month of celebrations focused on giving to others,
Giving thanks for our surplus,
sharing with others and
getting outside of our little boxes
so that we can enter into the lives of those less fortunate or those going through a difficult time.



I continue to GIVE thanks daily even though I am far behind on my daily Gifts of Grace blog.
I'll get there.

I have been 'gifted' with an interlude.
Christmas decorations are still in a pile.
The tree must wait to be decorated.
Cards and annual notes to dear friends all over the country must wait.

The family is pulling together to help dad.
Dad had a bit of a 'blip' when one of the kids brought him south for a few months.
My sister and her husband have done the lion's share of the work.
They just 'happened' to be closest to dad when he had his setback.

It's been one challenge after another and a couple hospital stays.
But, he is now under family care.
I't my turn now.
My hubby holds the fort up North while he helps me prepare for a jaunt south for a short time.

I choose to GIVE of my time and energy as do my brothers and sisters.
We're each taking our turn.
Giving. . .
Time,
Energy,
Stamina,
Ourselves.
Isn't that what it's all about?
Does one really need to go to this party or decorate or create with friends?
Does one really need to do all the things required of us during this Christmas season?

Sometimes we are simply asked to BE.
To be present.
To be the present that an aging parent needs.
To simply sit,
 and be there,
and do little . . . except be attentive . . .
and be ready to listen if the aging parent wants to talk.
Most likely I will simply be present.

I'm not there yet.  I'm in the middle of my travels.
That's the other part about giving.
It started at 5:30 this morning.
The airplane increased its departure time by thirty minute segments until a gate agent whispered in another's ear . . . "It may cancel."
I'd been praying that God would weave the right route as the agent working with me tried to find an alternate route.
It turned out that the best 'route' would be to try again tomorrow . . . simply repeat the whole series of flights the next day.
So, I call my hubby and invite him to turn around . . . he was already home from the grocery store when I called.
He GAVE his time and energy to return to the airport.
Just when I knew he would arrive to pick me up, the airline announces that the flight that was 'canceled' is boarding!
I flew out of my chair,
ran to the agent,
asked if I could re-check my bag,
rebook a seat on the flight,
run through all the check points,
 catch that flight,
 AND find a connection to my final destination!
In five minutes she had me rebooked, rechecked and on my way!

I'm re-calling my hubby who was patiently waiting outside.
I was running through 'body-check',
 throwing my stuff back in my carry-on bag,
almost forgetting my shoes,
and running toward the plane.

The agent GIVES me a sweet, knowing smile.
He knew I was the one they were waiting for.
I run down the jetway only to stand in line as people are still trying to find spots for their carry on luggage in a half-empty plane.
Most of the original passengers had found alternate flights.

And so I sat for another half hour.
Do we cancel again?
I GIVE THANKS for the miracle of me being at the right place to hear the flight called.
I GIVE THANKS for getting on and getting routed all the way to my destination . . . even though I will arrive nine hours late.
I GIVE THANKS that we FINALLY do take off.
I GIVE THANKS that my sweet hubby hung around 'just in case,' after I called and told him the turn of events.
I GIVE THANKS that my dear sister swallowed hard and was ever-so-polite when she heard I'd initially be a day late.
I GIVE THANKS that I was able to call again and assure her and her hubby that I'm on my way.
They GAVE so much of their time and energy and patience over the past several weeks.
It is time for me now.

And then my brother will take the baton from me.
He and dad will figure the best long term solutions.
All of us are GIVING a bit of our hearts for this effort.
And that's what it's all about.
This GIVING season is revealing a very unique opportunity to 'give' in ways that may not be the easiest for us.
GIVING
IT'S THE SEASON.