The Word Became Flesh

"How many more days 'till Christmas?"

Starting December first, that was my constant question. Even though my parents tried to limit the anticipation and excitement to a two or three week time frame, my focus was Christmas and what Santa would bring.

In our home there was no emphasis on Christmas being Jesus' birthday, but at Sunday school we kids memorized the Christmas story from Lluke 2:8-14 and sang the carols that announced His birth.

A stained glass window in our church showed Jesus, the Shepherd, holding a lamb. When the church was decorated with red poinsettias, I knew this was the Jesus of Christmas. When the decorations were put away, He was still my Jesus, my Shepherd. I didn't know the theology behind "the Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us," but I knew Jesus came, lived on earth, and died for my sins. Jesus loved me and was always with me. I knelt by my bed and prayed and He heard me. He was my way to God.

Later I realized He had indeed transferred me from the kingdom of darkness to His kingdom of light. When Jesus came from the Father, He brought a gift no one else could give - the gift of Himself, the promised Savior of the world.

Merry Christmas,
Paulita

Christmas Carol Quiz

Here is a fun game to play at your next Christmas party: For this game you will need to recall words to familiar Christmas carols and traditional Christmas songs. I will give you the name of a carol and then ask you a question about it. Your answer must be according to the words in the carol.

Here you go. Number 1 is a freebee.

1. The First Noel - To whom was the first noel given? (Answer: to certain poor shepherds)
2. O Little Town of Bethlehem - What was shining in the streets of Bethlehem?
3. It Came Upon the Nidnight Clear - What came upon the midnight clear?
4. We Three Kings - Where were the three kings from?
5. Hark, the Herald Angels Sing - What three things did the angels sing about?
6. Away in a Manger - What piece of baby furniture did the little Lord Jesus not have?
7. Angels We Have Heard on High - What echoed the angels' song?
8. O Come, O Come Emmanuel - Who is Emmanuel?
9. While Shepherds Watched Their Flocks by Night - Where were the shepherds seated when
the angels came?
10. Deck the Halls - What are we to "troll?"
11. Santa Claus is Coming to Town - Santa may not be omnicient, but what three things does he
know about you?
12. Winter Wonderland - How do you feel walking in a winter wonderland?
13. The Christmas Song (Chestnuts Roasting on an Open Fire) - What part of your anatomy is
Jack Frost nipping at?
14. Jingle Bells - What are we doing when we're dashing through the snow in a one-horse open
sleigh?
15. Rudolph, the Red-nosed Reindeer - What would you say if you saw Rudolph's nose?
16. White Christmas - What are the children listening for?
17. God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen - What could be a cause for dismay?
18. Jolly Old Saint Nicolas - What is Santa supposed to whisper?
19. Winter Wonderland - What does the new bird sing?
20. Joy to the World - What is every heart to do regarding the king?

OK. Do you want the answers now or should I tell you to tune in tomorrow? If you promise you won't cheat, you can have them now.

1. certain poor shepherds (I already gave you that one.)
2. everlasting Light
3. that glorious song of old
4. Orient
5. glory to the newborn King, peace on earth and mercy mild, God and sinners reconciled
6. crib
7. mountains
8. the Son of God
9. the ground
10. the ancient yuletide carol
11. when you're sleeping, when you're awake, if you've been bad or good
12. happy
13. nose
14. laughing
15. It glows!
16. sleigh-bells in the snow
17. what you'll bring to me
19. a love song
20. prepare Him room

Merry Christmas,
Paulita

Am I Keeping Up?

Yes, indeed, I did buy a June gift. It was probably frivolous, but one that will be enthusiastically received - something every woman wants and needs. No, I can't afford diamonds or even a gift card at Macy's, but it's almost as good.

I think this month's gift will be books. After all, I do teach reading, so I promote the written word whenever possible. I have a son who reads voraciously so it's rather hard to keep ahead of him. He likes the unique, intellectually challenging books usually by controversial authors, but not always. Sometimes I can log onto his Amazon wish list for ideas.

Do you see why I need to do this month by month? It's too hard to think during the "Christmas rush," usually the time between Thanksgiving and Christmas, but lately the time between Halloween and Christmas, and maybe next year, the time between Easter and Christmas. I think I prefer the time between Christmas and Christmas. Hence, A Year of Christmas. Not that I need to keep the commercial part of Christmas on my mind all year, but I do think I'll be glad that part is done. Besides it's more fun when I have time.

By the way, Merry Christmas to you,
Paulita

Christmas in July

Several years back when I directed a small church choir, we had a party each year to introduce the special Christmas music for the coming season. We called the event "Christmas in July." You may think that's really planning ahead, but we needed that much time to learn the music. Besides we hadn't gotten together as a group since June, and wouldn't again until September.

When the music was reintroduced in the fall, it was not totally unfamiliar and was greeted enthusiastically. This also gave the soloists time to learn their solos. (Don't you hate it when the soloist is the last to learn their part and you knew it two weeks ago?)

One year we learned a few selections from the Messiah, a totally new experience for some, and one year we dared to think we could pull off "Amahl and the Night Visitors." Yes, we had a wonderful boy soprano! Christmas in July was a time of stretching and imagining with no looming deadlines. We also invited people who didn't usually sing in the choir, and as a result, some decided they could.

In the hot days of summer it's fun to do something cool and unexpected like celebrating Jesus' birth together in song.
Merry Christmas,
Paulita

OK, I'm back on track! We are now about the furtherest from Christmas we can be. Here is the central valley of California the temperatures are hot, flowers are in bloom, the trees are fully clothed, and picnics are the order of the day. No snow, no bare branches, no cold, foggy days and no Christmas trees. What I need are some angel reminders to put me in the mood for Christmas.

Angels we have heard on high
Sweetly singing o'er the plains,
And the mountains in reply
Echo back their their joyous strains.

Gloria in excelsis Deo.

Shepherds, why this jubilee?
Why your joyous strains prolong?
Say what may the tidings be,
Which inspire your heavenly song?

Gloria in excelsis Deo.

Come to Bethlehem and see
Him whose birth the angels sing;
Come adore, on bended knee,
Christ, the Lord, the newborn King.

Gloria in excelsis Deo.

Yes, that's what I need to inspire my earthly song. In my mind's eye I come to Bethlehem and see Him whose birth the angels sing. I come on bended knee and adore Christ, the Lord, the newborn King.

As I begin the last half of the year 2008, I still have more carols to share, more gifts to buy,
and more stories and scriptures to add to our inspiration and enthusiam of celebrating Christmas. Will we get it all done so we can enjoy the reason for the season in December?
Yep, we will.
Merry Christmas,
Paulita