Christmas What's it All About?

Are you one of those people who find yourself stressed at Christmas?  The shopping, the wrapping, the baking, holiday parties – putting up and taking down the tree…wondering, what’s it all about? Maybe the problem isn’t Christmas, but the way you look at it.

This year as we usher in the holidays, I am vowing to take a different approach.  I want to spend more time reflecting on the “real” meaning of the season – a small baby in a manager, a savior who came to rescue a dying world.  I want to take a different path this year, perhaps one that follows a star…in the bustle of the holiday; I want to take time to talk with Him, to tell Him that I love Him.  I don’t want to get so busy that I drown on the glorious sounds of Christmas—the songs the angels sing.

 

Most important, I want to take time to kneel before the King of Kings like the shepherds did…I want to feel connected to the nativity and all that it means, to be reminded that Christmas isn’t about bright lights and tinsel on a tree…it’s not about shopping, buying gifts or making sprinkled covered brownies and infinity fudge…it’s not even about merriment, sentiment or sensationalism–it’s about humility, reverence, peace, joy and love – it’s about “Christ” who is Christmas.

This article firs appeared in His Banner Christmas 2006

 

 

 

 

Lunch with the girls over the years

A group of 15-year-old girlfriends discussed where to meet for dinner.
Finally, they agreed to meet at the Dairy Queen next to the Ocean View
restaurant because they had only $6.00 among them and Jimmy Johnson,
the cute boy in Social Studies lived on that street.

10 years later, the group of 25-year-old girlfriends discussed where
to meet for dinner. Finally, they agreed to meet at the Ocean View
restaurant because the beer was cheap, the restaurant offered free
snacks, the band was good, there was no cover and there were lots of
cute guys.

10 years later, the group of 35-year-old girlfriends discussed where
to meet for dinner. Finally, they agreed to meet at the Ocean View
restaurant because the cosmos were good, it was right near the gym
and, if they went late enough, there wouldn't be too many whiny little
kids.

10 years later, the group of 45-year-old girlfriends discussed where
to meet for dinner. Finally, they agreed to meet at the Ocean View
restaurant because the martinis were big and the waiters had tight
pants and nice buns.

10 years later, the group of 55-year-old girlfriends discussed where
to meet for dinner. Finally, they agreed to meet at the Ocean View
restaurant because the prices were reasonable, the wine list was good,
the restaurant had windows that opened (in case of hot flashes), and
fish is good for cholesterol.

10 years later, the group of 65-year-old girlfriends discussed where
to meet for dinner. Finally, they agreed to meet at the Ocean View
restaurant because the lighting was good and the restaurant had an
early bird special.

10 years later, the group of 75-year-old girlfriends discussed where
to meet for dinner. Finally, they agreed to meet at the Ocean View
restaurant because the food was not too spicy and the restaurant was
handicapped-accessible and had an elevator.

10 years later, the group of 85-year-old girlfriends discussed where
to meet for dinner. Finally, they agreed to meet at the Ocean View
restaurant because it sounded nice and they had never been there
before. 

I just had to share this.  Hey, I'm just saying...:) 

God's Wings

This story was sent to me by a friend.  I was so touched that I had to share with His Banner readers and my friends on Blog.

After a forest fire in Yellowstone National Park, forest rangers began their trek up a mountain to assess the inferno's damage. One ranger found a bird literally petrified in ashes, perched statuesquely on the ground at the base of a tree. Somewhat sickened by the eerie sight, he knocked over the bird with a stick. When he gently struck it, three tiny chicks scurried from under their dead mother's wings. The loving mother, keenly aware of impending disaster, had carried her offspring to the base of the tree and had gathered them under her wings, instinctively knowing that the toxic smoke would rise. She could have flown to safety but had refused to abandon her babies. Then the blaze had arrived and the heat had scorched her small body, the mother had remained steadfast...because she had been willing to die, so those under the cover of her wings would live.

'He will cover you with His feathers, And under His wings you will find refuge.' (Psalm 91:4)
 

The Joys of Summer

“How sweet I roamed from field to field, and tasted all the summer's pride.”

~ William Blake

I cannot tell you how much I have loved my summer, how much I have always loved summer, but even more so this year.  Maybe, it’s because I have spent a great deal of time with my three-year-old grandson, looking at the world through his eyes, to marvel at how he sees our two acres as ‘Gamma’s park’, sharing his delight in picking berries or sweet corn from Grandpa’s garden, lying in the grass looking up at the clouds, riding around the yard in Gamma’s Amigo, watching the excitement dance in his eyes as I let him make turns (with lots of help from Grandma, of course.)

 

.All the games we’ve played and the snacks we’ve consumed, counting out the animal crackers one by one, enjoying an ice cream cone on a hot summer day and lets not forget our trips to McDonald land.  To view summer through a child’s eyes is absolutely the best, because, the sun shines forever through a child’s eyes.

 

O where O where has my sweet summer gone? It seems the minute it arrives – its ending is near.  O how I shall miss the hazy lazy days of summer. “But wait, Gamma, do you know where my gloves and boots are?”  God knows when to end one season and start another!

 

~William Blake:  “To see a world in a grain of sand and heaven in a wild flower Hold infinity in the palms of your hand and eternity in an hour.”

 William Blake quotes (English visionary, Poet, Painter and Engraver. 1757-1827)

Hotter than Hell

Remember that old saying, “If you think it’s hot here, wait ‘til you get to hell” – and I’m not talking about Hell, Michigan.  That saying has been around for years and still seems to have impact.  Yes, it’s hot, but I don’t think it’s hotter than hell; we shouldn’t joke about it.

Hot is an adjective to describe, well, ‘extreme heat.’ Hot, hotter, hottest.  It means to give off heat, having a high temperature, a hot fire…having or causing a sensation of great bodily heat, like hot with fever.  Creating a burning sensation, as on the skin or in the throat…sharply peppery or pungent, also showing intense or violent feelings (a hot temper).

No matter how we describe ‘hot’ – it’s hot, hotter than hot.  But in comparison to hell, where a continual fire burns and thirst cannot be quenched – dealing with this extreme heat isn’t all that bad. If this weather makes you grumpy and gloomy, just take time to sit and think how much better this world is, weather and all, then hell.  Of course, it won’t cheer you up much if you expect to go there. Don Marquis (paraphrased)

“Whether the weather be fine, whether the weather be not, whether the weather be cold, whether the weather be hot, we’ll weather the weather, whatever the whether, Whether we like it or not” Author unknown

Inconclusive Travel Plans

It’s almost summer; time to make some travel plans, right?  Where should I go this year? What should I do for some R&R?

I have been in many places, but I've never been in  Cahoots. Apparently, you can't go alone. You have to be in Cahoots with someone.

I've also never been in  Cognito. I hear no one recognizes you there.

I have, however, been in Sane. They don't have an airport;  you have to be driven there. I have made several trips there, thanks to my friends, family and work.

I would like to go to  Conclusions, but you have to jump, and I'm not too much on physical activity anymore.

I have also been  in Doubt. That is a sad place to go, and I try not to visit there too often.

I've been in Flexible, but only when  it was very important to stand firm.

Sometimes I'm in Capable, and I go there more often as I'm getting older.

One of my favorite places to be is in Suspense! It really gets the adrenalin flowing and pumps up the old heart! At my age I need all the stimuli I can get! 

I may have been in Continent --I don't remember what  country I was in. It's an age thing.

PLEASE DO YOUR PART!

Today is one of the many National Mental Health Days throughout the year. You can do your bit by remembering to send an e-mail note or make a phone call to at least one unstable person in your life.  If you do that, my job is done!

Life is too short for negative drama and petty things. So laugh insanely, love truly and forgive quickly!  From one unstable person to another.  I hope everyone is happy in your head - we're all doing pretty good in mine!   Have a great day.

Mother - Another Name For Love

God sure knew what He was doing when he created mothers. They are truly "special" people-dear to God's own heart.

I don't know how they do it, but mothers seem to have a special ability to share their lives with others. They give unconditionally to their mates, their children, the church and the community without complaint. They are honest in word and deed; sincere and compassionate, making sure that love is part of everything they do.

They are not afraid of being vulnerable; they believe in uniqueness and in fact encourage it, not only in their own lives, but also in the lives of others. They are proud of who they are and know that their job "mother" is the best in job in the world!

Mothers seem to have a sixth sense. They allow themselves the pleasure of being close to their families; they know what's going on in their household and always seem to have an answer to every question, a solution to every problem. No matter how busy a mother is preparing for her day, she still has time to care about the happiness of others.

And even at the end of a day a mother's work isn't finish-there's always laundry to do, a room to be straightened, prayers to be said.

Now that I'm a mother and a grandmother, I have come to understand that the love of a mother makes all the difference in life and mothers truly are special people who make life beautiful. Happy Mother's Day to mother’s everywhere!

This article first appeared in the Crossroads May 2001