Last week in the Pickles comic strip, one lady said to another, "Whew! That's a relief!" The other asked, "How's that?" The first one said, "I finally got all my Christmas shopping done." The other reminded her that Christmas was over a month ago, to which the first said, "No, it's for next Christmas!"
Well, that's what I plan to do, kind of. I'm going to buy one Christmas present each month. With homeowners insurance, property taxes, and seven birthdays occurring in November, December, and January, I need to do something like this. So today I went Christmas shopping. I loved shopping for one gift at a relaxed pace and I'm pleased with my purchase of...a Rubic's Cube. I'm quite sure the child who gets it will have fun playing with it. I could tell you who it is intended for but I might have relatives reading this. so now they can only say, "Oh boy, I hope that's for me!" or "I have one. I hope that's not for me." My secret.
The next step, of course, is to wrap one present each month and tag it. My third step, which should have been the first, will be to construct a list and keep it in two different places. You with memories that don't extend for a year know why.
I will be curious to see how I feel about this plan in November when all the sales start, but for now, it's my plan and I'm sticking to it.
Merry Christmas,
Paulita
Thursday, January 31, 2008
Friday, January 25, 2008
Christmas Cards
A month to the day after Christmas, and the Christmas cards are all down from where they were displayed on the back of my kitchen cupboards. Wouldn't you agree that the back of the cupboards that face the family room is a good place to decorate with something?
I've looked at my cards again. Two were hand-drawn and colored by two children overseas who we support. Those are very special like the ones our kids used to make in school. Another special card was handmade by a friend from Holland and had a three dimentional element to it. Still another was from a friend who is a very recent widow. It showed a snowflake on the front, and inside simply said, "Christmas is a time to remember." I can imagine the feelings behind that card.
One very pretty card had a handwritten note that expressed many people's response to the season: "What a frantic time of the year - Look forward to Dec. 31st and the start of 2008." Still another card had the Bible verse "How great is the love the Father has lavished on us that we should be called children of God." The outside picture was of Middle Eastern children.
Most cards were of a religious nature, but several this year showed what used to be the standard in Christmas cards - Currier and Ives snow scenes. Perhaps the sentiment I liked best was the card that said, "When you get right down to it, the only thing that really matters is..." Inside was a pop-up manger with Mary and Joseph holding baby Jesus.
"Now this is eternal life; that they may know You, the only true God and Jesus Christ, whom You have sent." John 17:3 NIV
I've looked at my cards again. Two were hand-drawn and colored by two children overseas who we support. Those are very special like the ones our kids used to make in school. Another special card was handmade by a friend from Holland and had a three dimentional element to it. Still another was from a friend who is a very recent widow. It showed a snowflake on the front, and inside simply said, "Christmas is a time to remember." I can imagine the feelings behind that card.
One very pretty card had a handwritten note that expressed many people's response to the season: "What a frantic time of the year - Look forward to Dec. 31st and the start of 2008." Still another card had the Bible verse "How great is the love the Father has lavished on us that we should be called children of God." The outside picture was of Middle Eastern children.
Most cards were of a religious nature, but several this year showed what used to be the standard in Christmas cards - Currier and Ives snow scenes. Perhaps the sentiment I liked best was the card that said, "When you get right down to it, the only thing that really matters is..." Inside was a pop-up manger with Mary and Joseph holding baby Jesus.
"Now this is eternal life; that they may know You, the only true God and Jesus Christ, whom You have sent." John 17:3 NIV
Saturday, January 19, 2008
Christmas Pictures
Today I took down all the pictures we received for Christmas. What a treasure! Idivided them into piles to look at them again.
Relatives: the kids grow up, families expand with new marriages and babies, older folks get older, empty-nesters show pictures of themselves in exotic places or with new expensive hobbies/toys. It's our family.
Friends for years: folks we rarely see, some not for 30 years, but it's gratifying that the families are still in tact. We really appreciate the labels that identify who's who in the picture and give us a one sentence summary (many commas included) of each person.
New friends: Everyone needs new friends. Some of these have come through my writing, or my tutoring, or my need of hair color.
I like seeing faces. Now that being said, I'll be sure to include ours in this year's Christmas greeting.
Relatives: the kids grow up, families expand with new marriages and babies, older folks get older, empty-nesters show pictures of themselves in exotic places or with new expensive hobbies/toys. It's our family.
Friends for years: folks we rarely see, some not for 30 years, but it's gratifying that the families are still in tact. We really appreciate the labels that identify who's who in the picture and give us a one sentence summary (many commas included) of each person.
New friends: Everyone needs new friends. Some of these have come through my writing, or my tutoring, or my need of hair color.
I like seeing faces. Now that being said, I'll be sure to include ours in this year's Christmas greeting.
Tuesday, January 15, 2008
Deceptive Beauty
"Oh look, mistletoe!" exclaimed Cassady. "We'll have mistletoe for Christmas and New Years."
"We may also have a dead tree in a few years," her dad said, shaking his head.
"Why?" Cassady asked in surprise. "Does mistletoe hurt a tree?"
"You bet it does," her dad said. "It's a deadly parasite. It grows into the tree and sucks out the nutrients and water."
Cassady looked puzzled. "Is that what 'a deadly parasite' means?"
"Yes," said her dad. "Mistletoe attaches itself to the tree and sooner or later weakens the tree so much that the tree may die. Scientists call it the 'tree thief.'"
"Wow!" Cassady said frowning up at the mistletoe. "I didn't know that. It looks so pretty with its white berries and soft, green leaves."
"And we make it special when we tie it up with a red bow at Christmas," her dad added.
He put his arm around his daughter's shoulders. "Mistletoe is one of God's nature lessons," he said. "This one warns us not to be decieved. Sin looks good, too. It looks like fun and excitement, and people make it more attractive by encouraging it. Lots of folks are fooled. They find out too late that sin can destroy families just like mistletoe destroys trees."
"I wish bad things were ugly and smelled bad," Cassady said. "Then I wouldn't be fooled."
Her dad laughed. "Yes, it would be nice if everything came with a label."
Cassady scrunched up her face. "Can you get rid of that mistletoe so it won't kill our tree?"
"Yes, her dad said. "I'll cut it out of the tree."
Cassady watched as her dad cut out the mistletoe. "It's too bad that something so pretty has to be so bad."
Dad nodded. "Just remember Satan is a destroyer even when his temptations look good. Just like mistletoe, his real nature never changes. We need to be sure he doesn't deceive us."
Paulita
"We may also have a dead tree in a few years," her dad said, shaking his head.
"Why?" Cassady asked in surprise. "Does mistletoe hurt a tree?"
"You bet it does," her dad said. "It's a deadly parasite. It grows into the tree and sucks out the nutrients and water."
Cassady looked puzzled. "Is that what 'a deadly parasite' means?"
"Yes," said her dad. "Mistletoe attaches itself to the tree and sooner or later weakens the tree so much that the tree may die. Scientists call it the 'tree thief.'"
"Wow!" Cassady said frowning up at the mistletoe. "I didn't know that. It looks so pretty with its white berries and soft, green leaves."
"And we make it special when we tie it up with a red bow at Christmas," her dad added.
He put his arm around his daughter's shoulders. "Mistletoe is one of God's nature lessons," he said. "This one warns us not to be decieved. Sin looks good, too. It looks like fun and excitement, and people make it more attractive by encouraging it. Lots of folks are fooled. They find out too late that sin can destroy families just like mistletoe destroys trees."
"I wish bad things were ugly and smelled bad," Cassady said. "Then I wouldn't be fooled."
Her dad laughed. "Yes, it would be nice if everything came with a label."
Cassady scrunched up her face. "Can you get rid of that mistletoe so it won't kill our tree?"
"Yes, her dad said. "I'll cut it out of the tree."
Cassady watched as her dad cut out the mistletoe. "It's too bad that something so pretty has to be so bad."
Dad nodded. "Just remember Satan is a destroyer even when his temptations look good. Just like mistletoe, his real nature never changes. We need to be sure he doesn't deceive us."
Paulita
Monday, January 14, 2008
Letters in January
What a lovely cold day to stay inside and answer Christmas mail! As the days got closer to Christmas, I hastily read through the mail and "parked" it. Cards and pictures got put up for display (or decoration, if you wish), but letters went into my Snowman file. Today I reread the Snowman file and noted who I haven't yet heard from. They will be first on my Easter card list.
I love getting letters from families we've known through the years. As we've all gotten older, raised kids, and become empty-nesters, it's fun to hear what these families have become. What were their family characteristics? What held them together? How did they weather sickness and sorrows? And what was their real high of 2007?
Well, I answered the last of the letters today and found three more cards to hang up, much to my husband's dismay. Maybe by the week's end I can take them down, too.
I hate to let go of Christmas. It's my favorite time of the year. Can you tell?
I love getting letters from families we've known through the years. As we've all gotten older, raised kids, and become empty-nesters, it's fun to hear what these families have become. What were their family characteristics? What held them together? How did they weather sickness and sorrows? And what was their real high of 2007?
Well, I answered the last of the letters today and found three more cards to hang up, much to my husband's dismay. Maybe by the week's end I can take them down, too.
I hate to let go of Christmas. It's my favorite time of the year. Can you tell?
Friday, January 11, 2008
God's Christmas Gift
At Christmas we celebrate the time when God visited this earth and was born as a wee little babe in a manger. But if we leave Him in the manger and ignore the work He came to do - to die on the cross for your sins and mine - we miss the reality of God's love.
Forgiveness, cleansing, salvation, eternal life, and much more are all wrapped up in God's Christmas gift lying in the manger.
The star that illuminates the stable must also illuminate the cross.
The gift is offered in love. This Christmas will you receive God's Christmas gift to you - His only son, Our redeemer?
Forgiveness, cleansing, salvation, eternal life, and much more are all wrapped up in God's Christmas gift lying in the manger.
The star that illuminates the stable must also illuminate the cross.
The gift is offered in love. This Christmas will you receive God's Christmas gift to you - His only son, Our redeemer?
Thursday, January 10, 2008
Relax. It's Christmas!
Every year I hear people complain that Christmas is getting more and more commercialized. Actually one of those voices has been mine. Christmas merchandise is on the store shelves by the day after Halloween, holiday misic greets the customers, and sales abound to entice early shoppers. Christmas is good for the economy.
I even heard a TV actress exclaim, "God, I hate Christmas!" I must admit that it took a moment to get over the initial shock of hearing her tell the Creator she didn't appreciate His Christmas gift. Then I realized she was actually addressing her television audience and using the term "God" as an increasing number of Americans do, to emphasize her upcoming point.
Even if we resist the urge to jump on the Christmas bandwagon immediately after Halloween, we abruptly come to our senses with the arrival of the newspaper on Thanksgiving morning! One could literally spend the day pouring over the brightly colored ads, if one didn't have to prepare Thanksgiving dinner for twenty-three people by two-thirty PM. One could complete the list of gifts needed, where to buy each one, and the best route to conquer the 7 to 11 AM doorbusters happening the next day.
So, what can we do? Can we resist this growing menace of commercialism? Let's plan now. But wait! Maybe there's a better idea coming. Why not use the ways of the world to accomplish what we really want for Christmas - a beautiful, unhurried time to celebrate the birth of Christ with family and friends.
It may be hard to think "Christmas" when you haven't yet swept up the broken Jack-o-lantern from your driveway, but merchants are making it easier each year. So why not cull out that which is commercial and tend to business in a logical manner during the first two weeks of November. Imagine thanking God on Thanksgiving that you've finished your Christmas shopping!
December could be spent on the yearly trek to get a Christmas tree, decorating the home for the celebration, enjoying traditional holiday music, wrapping and tagging the gifts, putting them under the tree, addressing the Christmas cards, and spending an evening with special friends. Isn't that enough for one month? Wonder of wonders, we might even go to church on Christmas Eve knowing that preparations for the next day were complete! Surely the candles would seem brighter, our hearts would be lighter, and His natal star whiter in this dark and frantic world.
I even heard a TV actress exclaim, "God, I hate Christmas!" I must admit that it took a moment to get over the initial shock of hearing her tell the Creator she didn't appreciate His Christmas gift. Then I realized she was actually addressing her television audience and using the term "God" as an increasing number of Americans do, to emphasize her upcoming point.
Even if we resist the urge to jump on the Christmas bandwagon immediately after Halloween, we abruptly come to our senses with the arrival of the newspaper on Thanksgiving morning! One could literally spend the day pouring over the brightly colored ads, if one didn't have to prepare Thanksgiving dinner for twenty-three people by two-thirty PM. One could complete the list of gifts needed, where to buy each one, and the best route to conquer the 7 to 11 AM doorbusters happening the next day.
So, what can we do? Can we resist this growing menace of commercialism? Let's plan now. But wait! Maybe there's a better idea coming. Why not use the ways of the world to accomplish what we really want for Christmas - a beautiful, unhurried time to celebrate the birth of Christ with family and friends.
It may be hard to think "Christmas" when you haven't yet swept up the broken Jack-o-lantern from your driveway, but merchants are making it easier each year. So why not cull out that which is commercial and tend to business in a logical manner during the first two weeks of November. Imagine thanking God on Thanksgiving that you've finished your Christmas shopping!
December could be spent on the yearly trek to get a Christmas tree, decorating the home for the celebration, enjoying traditional holiday music, wrapping and tagging the gifts, putting them under the tree, addressing the Christmas cards, and spending an evening with special friends. Isn't that enough for one month? Wonder of wonders, we might even go to church on Christmas Eve knowing that preparations for the next day were complete! Surely the candles would seem brighter, our hearts would be lighter, and His natal star whiter in this dark and frantic world.
Wednesday, January 9, 2008
Do You Believe in Santa Claus?
Of course I believe in Santa. I've always believed in him in one way or another. Well, do you believe he comes down the chimney and brings presents? Chimney, no. Presents, no, not the physical ones. I'd call what Santa brings "gifts." Santa brings fun and surprises. He brings mysteries, imagination, and delight. Does he bring joy? No. Jesus brings true joy, peace, and good will. Jesus brings what's lasting into our temporary.
I don't think anyone would sing, "Joy to the world, Santa has come," but many do sing, "Joy to the world, the Lord has come. Let earth receive her King."
Well, does Santa know when you are sleeping and know when you're awake? Does he know if you've been bad or good? No! for goodness sake! But God does, and He's the one you want to watch over you anyway.
One of my favorite figurines shows Santa looking into the manger to see the baby Jesus. Even Santa knows God gave the best gift.
I don't think anyone would sing, "Joy to the world, Santa has come," but many do sing, "Joy to the world, the Lord has come. Let earth receive her King."
Well, does Santa know when you are sleeping and know when you're awake? Does he know if you've been bad or good? No! for goodness sake! But God does, and He's the one you want to watch over you anyway.
One of my favorite figurines shows Santa looking into the manger to see the baby Jesus. Even Santa knows God gave the best gift.
Tuesday, January 8, 2008
AH, TINSEL!
I remember when the tree was not decorated until the tinsel was put on. But that was a long time ago. We haven't used tinsel for years. I think we stopped using it when we decided to get a bushy tree. After our love of bushy trees died and we finally got an artificial tree where you can bend the branches however you want, we'd long forgotten about tinsel. I did discover a box and a half of silver tinsel in with our decorations this year. Maybe if I save it long enough, it will be valuable on Ebay.
I can remember helping to decorate our family Christmas tree when I was a child. My sister and I put on the ornaments except for the top where we could not reach. Daddy did that part. When it was time to put the tinsel on, he opened the box. The tinsel was folded over a piece of cardboard. He put half over my sister's left hand and half over my left hand. Actually he saved a little for himself so he could demonstrate good tinseling techniques. We were to take a single strand and drape it over the needles so it would hang as long as possible. This worked for me for perhaps the first ten strands. then I draped my strands halfway over the branch. That was easier. Finally, when Daddy wasn't looking, I threw a few strands together and let them land wherever they wanted. To me, putting on the tinsel was tedious and good enough was good enough.
My mother said that when my sister and I went to bed, Daddy did a remake. The next day the tree looked lovely. The ornaments were spaced out nicely and the tinsel hung long and smooth. What a good job we did!
I can remember helping to decorate our family Christmas tree when I was a child. My sister and I put on the ornaments except for the top where we could not reach. Daddy did that part. When it was time to put the tinsel on, he opened the box. The tinsel was folded over a piece of cardboard. He put half over my sister's left hand and half over my left hand. Actually he saved a little for himself so he could demonstrate good tinseling techniques. We were to take a single strand and drape it over the needles so it would hang as long as possible. This worked for me for perhaps the first ten strands. then I draped my strands halfway over the branch. That was easier. Finally, when Daddy wasn't looking, I threw a few strands together and let them land wherever they wanted. To me, putting on the tinsel was tedious and good enough was good enough.
My mother said that when my sister and I went to bed, Daddy did a remake. The next day the tree looked lovely. The ornaments were spaced out nicely and the tinsel hung long and smooth. What a good job we did!
Monday, January 7, 2008
Christmas Carol of the Month
I love story carols, one where each verse adds to the story of Jesus' birth. This one starts in heaven and ends in heaven with middle verses carrying us through the story at a rather fast clip. I've left out one verse, the third. (Why do people always leave out third verses?) It is called Thou didst Leave Thy Throne, and the words are by Emily E.S. Elliott
Thou didst leave Thy throne and Thy kingly crown
When Thou camest to earth for me,
But in Bethlehem's home there was found no room
For Thy holy nativity.
O come to my heart, Lord Jesus: There is room in my heart for Thee!
Heaven's arches rang when the angels sang
Proclaiming Thy royal degree,
But in lowly birth didst Thou come to earth
And in great humility.
O come to my heart, Lord Jesus: there is room in my heart for Thee!
Thou camest, O Lord, with the living word
That should set Thy people free,
But with mocking scorn and with crown of thorn
They bore Thee to Calvary.
O come to my heart, Lord Jesus: There is room in my heart for Thee!
When the heavens shall ring and the angels sing
At Thy coming to victory,
Let Thy voice call me home, saying "Yet there is room,
There is room at my side for thee."
And my heart shall rejoice, Lord Jesus, When Thou comest and callest me.
and I hope you, too.
Thou didst leave Thy throne and Thy kingly crown
When Thou camest to earth for me,
But in Bethlehem's home there was found no room
For Thy holy nativity.
O come to my heart, Lord Jesus: There is room in my heart for Thee!
Heaven's arches rang when the angels sang
Proclaiming Thy royal degree,
But in lowly birth didst Thou come to earth
And in great humility.
O come to my heart, Lord Jesus: there is room in my heart for Thee!
Thou camest, O Lord, with the living word
That should set Thy people free,
But with mocking scorn and with crown of thorn
They bore Thee to Calvary.
O come to my heart, Lord Jesus: There is room in my heart for Thee!
When the heavens shall ring and the angels sing
At Thy coming to victory,
Let Thy voice call me home, saying "Yet there is room,
There is room at my side for thee."
And my heart shall rejoice, Lord Jesus, When Thou comest and callest me.
and I hope you, too.
Sunday, January 6, 2008
January 6th, Wise Men's Day
Today is Wise Men's Day - the date traditionally celebrated to acknowledge the arrival of the Wise Men to see Jesus.
Most of the Nativity sets I've seen include figurines of the Wise Men and their camels. and there are always three Wise Men. (My set only has two because one got smashed under a careless foot years ago. Yes, You're right. The Nativity set was under the tree.)
So were there really only three Wise Men? Probably not. Three men, no matter how important, wouldn't have caused the stir in the capital city of Jerusalem and so enraged King Herod. There were perhaps many more who came, but we use three because of the gifts mentioned that they brought to Jesus.
When King Herod asked the Wise Men when this star had first appeared in the sky, they said about two years before. (They had a long journey.) Hence, if Herod wanted to kill off a rival to his throne, he'd have to kill all boys up to two years old. Herod's own prophets told him the Messiah was scheduled to be born in Bethlehem. so he sent the Wise Men to Bethlehem.
"When you have found him, bring me word so I can go and worship him, too." That's what King Herod said, but that's not what he meant.
Needless to say Jesus was no longer in the manger when the Wise Men arrived, even though our Nativity sets show it so. The Bible says the Wise Men followed the star to the house where Joseph, Mary and Jesus were now.
Did the Wise Men go back and tell Herod where they found Jesus? No, they were WISE! Actually an angel warned them in a dream to go home another way and they did. But when Herod found out he'd been tricked, he ordered all boys age two and under to be killed.
One of my favorite Christmas figurines is called "Flight to Egypt." It shows Mary and Jesus on a donkey led by Joseph on their way to Egypt to escape King Herod's soldiers. Isn't it interesting that one of the prophecies in the Old Testament about Jesus says, "Out of Egypt I have called my Son."
The end of this story is that after King Herod died, Joseph, Mary and Jesus returned to Nazareth, their home town, and that's where Jesus grew up.
Most of the Nativity sets I've seen include figurines of the Wise Men and their camels. and there are always three Wise Men. (My set only has two because one got smashed under a careless foot years ago. Yes, You're right. The Nativity set was under the tree.)
So were there really only three Wise Men? Probably not. Three men, no matter how important, wouldn't have caused the stir in the capital city of Jerusalem and so enraged King Herod. There were perhaps many more who came, but we use three because of the gifts mentioned that they brought to Jesus.
When King Herod asked the Wise Men when this star had first appeared in the sky, they said about two years before. (They had a long journey.) Hence, if Herod wanted to kill off a rival to his throne, he'd have to kill all boys up to two years old. Herod's own prophets told him the Messiah was scheduled to be born in Bethlehem. so he sent the Wise Men to Bethlehem.
"When you have found him, bring me word so I can go and worship him, too." That's what King Herod said, but that's not what he meant.
Needless to say Jesus was no longer in the manger when the Wise Men arrived, even though our Nativity sets show it so. The Bible says the Wise Men followed the star to the house where Joseph, Mary and Jesus were now.
Did the Wise Men go back and tell Herod where they found Jesus? No, they were WISE! Actually an angel warned them in a dream to go home another way and they did. But when Herod found out he'd been tricked, he ordered all boys age two and under to be killed.
One of my favorite Christmas figurines is called "Flight to Egypt." It shows Mary and Jesus on a donkey led by Joseph on their way to Egypt to escape King Herod's soldiers. Isn't it interesting that one of the prophecies in the Old Testament about Jesus says, "Out of Egypt I have called my Son."
The end of this story is that after King Herod died, Joseph, Mary and Jesus returned to Nazareth, their home town, and that's where Jesus grew up.
Saturday, January 5, 2008
Mama, Mama, You Didn't Tell Me
"Mama, Mama, you didn't tell me Christmas is Jesus' birthday!"
"William, remember how God's angel appeared one night and scared the shepherds who were guarding their sheep? The angel told them not to be afraid. He brought them good news. The Savior had been born. He said if they'd go to Bethlehem, they'd find him snuggld in a manger."
"I remember that. I do, but Mama, Mama, you didn't tell me Christmas is Jesus' birthday!"
"But William, every Christmas Eve we go to church. We sing 'Silent Night' and 'Hark, the Herald Angels Sing.' Last year you sang 'Away in a Manger' in the Christmas program."
"I remember that. I really do, but Mama, Mama, you didn't say Christmas is Jesus' birthday!"
"William, don't you remember the bright star in the sky above the stable where Joseph, Mary, and Jesus were? We always put a star on the top of our Christmas tree. And remember the Wise Men who followed that star? They came from far away to bring presents for Jesus."
"I remember that. I really, REALLY do. But Mama, if Christmas is Jesus' birthday I want to bring him a present, too. I've never, ever given Jesus a present for His birthday. Mama, Mama, why didn't you tell me Christmas is Jesus' birthday?"
"William dear, I thought you knew. Well, this year we'll both make it a special birthday for Jesus."
"Happy Birthday to You. Happy Birthday to You.
Happy Birthday, dear Jesus. Happy Birthday to You!"
"William, remember how God's angel appeared one night and scared the shepherds who were guarding their sheep? The angel told them not to be afraid. He brought them good news. The Savior had been born. He said if they'd go to Bethlehem, they'd find him snuggld in a manger."
"I remember that. I do, but Mama, Mama, you didn't tell me Christmas is Jesus' birthday!"
"But William, every Christmas Eve we go to church. We sing 'Silent Night' and 'Hark, the Herald Angels Sing.' Last year you sang 'Away in a Manger' in the Christmas program."
"I remember that. I really do, but Mama, Mama, you didn't say Christmas is Jesus' birthday!"
"William, don't you remember the bright star in the sky above the stable where Joseph, Mary, and Jesus were? We always put a star on the top of our Christmas tree. And remember the Wise Men who followed that star? They came from far away to bring presents for Jesus."
"I remember that. I really, REALLY do. But Mama, if Christmas is Jesus' birthday I want to bring him a present, too. I've never, ever given Jesus a present for His birthday. Mama, Mama, why didn't you tell me Christmas is Jesus' birthday?"
"William dear, I thought you knew. Well, this year we'll both make it a special birthday for Jesus."
"Happy Birthday to You. Happy Birthday to You.
Happy Birthday, dear Jesus. Happy Birthday to You!"
Friday, January 4, 2008
A Fake Christmas
Jesse was excited to see the Christmas tree in the mall. His older brother, Rodney, had told him the tree was huge and the decorations, fabulous.
Jesse stood at the rope barricade and stared in wonder at the shiny balls, the glittering stars, the miniature angels, and the sparkling snow.
"We can get some of that snow to put on our tree," Rodney said.
"We can?" asked Jesse. "How?"
"You mean where," Rodney said. "You just buy it. It comes in a spray can and you spray it on the tree."
Jesse looked disappointed. "It looks so real," he said. He looked around some more. "Who are all these presents for?"
"They're not for real either," Rodney said, giving his brother a pat on the head. "They're just boxes wrapped to look like presents."
"But what's in them?" Jesse wanted to know.
Rodney shrugged. "Nothing. They're empty boxes, just part of the decorations."
Jesse could hardly believe that. He wanted to reach over the rope and shake one to make sure.
"For people who don't know about the real Christmas when God gave us His gift, Christmas can be just as empty as those fake presents," Rodney added.
"What do you mean 'His gift'?" Jesse asked.
"God gave us Jesus, His Son, to be our Savior," Rodney said. "That's really why we celebrate Christmas."
"Oh, I know that," Jesse said. "We do that at home and at church, but it doesn't see like very many other people do."
"I know," agreed Rodney, "and a display like this at the mall probably won't help them. It's supposed to get people in the mood to buy Christmas presents, not worship Jesus. It really doesn't have much to do with the real Christmas."
Jesse nodded. "It's kind of like the fake presents," he said.
Jesse stood at the rope barricade and stared in wonder at the shiny balls, the glittering stars, the miniature angels, and the sparkling snow.
"We can get some of that snow to put on our tree," Rodney said.
"We can?" asked Jesse. "How?"
"You mean where," Rodney said. "You just buy it. It comes in a spray can and you spray it on the tree."
Jesse looked disappointed. "It looks so real," he said. He looked around some more. "Who are all these presents for?"
"They're not for real either," Rodney said, giving his brother a pat on the head. "They're just boxes wrapped to look like presents."
"But what's in them?" Jesse wanted to know.
Rodney shrugged. "Nothing. They're empty boxes, just part of the decorations."
Jesse could hardly believe that. He wanted to reach over the rope and shake one to make sure.
"For people who don't know about the real Christmas when God gave us His gift, Christmas can be just as empty as those fake presents," Rodney added.
"What do you mean 'His gift'?" Jesse asked.
"God gave us Jesus, His Son, to be our Savior," Rodney said. "That's really why we celebrate Christmas."
"Oh, I know that," Jesse said. "We do that at home and at church, but it doesn't see like very many other people do."
"I know," agreed Rodney, "and a display like this at the mall probably won't help them. It's supposed to get people in the mood to buy Christmas presents, not worship Jesus. It really doesn't have much to do with the real Christmas."
Jesse nodded. "It's kind of like the fake presents," he said.
Thursday, January 3, 2008
Christmas Greetings from the IRS
Sometimes I think the IRS does me a favor. Amidst the rush for last minute gifts and the dismay from scorched Christmas cookies, comes the mailing address label to attach to my Income Tax form. Despite the fact that I must keep this tiny label in a safe place until February or March, and it must not get mixed with the Christmas mail, it's a reminder that life does go on after Christmas.
I need this kind of reminder as I frantically scramble to find the appropriate card to send to those I've scratched from my Christmas card list, when I suddenly discover the scratching wasn't reciprocal.
I need this kind of affirmation when I realize I forgot the stocking stuffers, and all the cute little gizmos have been swallowed up by on-the-ball, day-after-Thanksgiving shoppers.
I need this kind of prophetical knowledge when cousin Kathryn arrives unexpectedly with her three kids and Aunt Cornelia, to spend an overnight rest stop on their way to Fresno.
Who cares that my brain is signaling Christmas overload and the surprise package I have hidden remains hidden? That little label staunchly reminds me that some things stand unchanged, life does go on after Christmas, and my IRS will always be there for me.
Paulita
I need this kind of reminder as I frantically scramble to find the appropriate card to send to those I've scratched from my Christmas card list, when I suddenly discover the scratching wasn't reciprocal.
I need this kind of affirmation when I realize I forgot the stocking stuffers, and all the cute little gizmos have been swallowed up by on-the-ball, day-after-Thanksgiving shoppers.
I need this kind of prophetical knowledge when cousin Kathryn arrives unexpectedly with her three kids and Aunt Cornelia, to spend an overnight rest stop on their way to Fresno.
Who cares that my brain is signaling Christmas overload and the surprise package I have hidden remains hidden? That little label staunchly reminds me that some things stand unchanged, life does go on after Christmas, and my IRS will always be there for me.
Paulita
Wednesday, January 2, 2008
5 Changes I'd Make to Christmas
Don't get me wrong. I really do like Christmas. I love the bright, colored lights, the beautiful carols, and the sheer energy of the season. There are, however, five changes that I think would go a long way toward improving the celebration.
First, I'd make sure everyone could open one special gift on Christmas Eve. The recipient would discover, once the beautiful bow had been untied and the shiny paper removed, the gift of TIME. Somehow, two more weeks would be miraculously inserted into the calendar before Christmas day. What a surprise! Think of it! Two more weeks to put the finishing touches on the Christmas dinner table and stash the trash in locations known only to you. Two more weeks to purchase the stocking stuffers you forgot in the rush of acquiring the big things, and two more weeks for the mail-order gifts to arrive. There would be extra time to answer the Christmas cards that just arrived, and to include your neighbors, your postal and newspaper carriers, and shut-in friends in your holiday. There might even be time to attend special Christmas events, to take in all the beautiful displays of lights, and, of all things, to relax.
Second, I would do Christmas cards in January. January is a cold, dreary month when I could pull my chair up to the hearth, sit before a roaring fire, and answer all the Christmas cards and letters I received. That way I could affirm people's travels, new grandchildren, weddings, graduations, promotions, operations, and lottery winnings almost instantly. I'm convinced most people would rather be acknowledged than to hear in our next year's Christmas letter how much the new air filter in the bedroom helped our allergies.
Third, I'd stretch my celebration throughout the whole Advent season. The kids would get to open one gift a week, at each Advent candle lighting. The anticipation would remain high, diminishing the usual overload phenomenon. Think about it. When most little children open their first gift, they want to play with it, experience it, and enjoy it right now. They don't care about the other gifts with their names on them. Those can wait. They want to "do" this one now.
Fourth, I would discourage church pastors, choir directors, and choir members from taking vacations the Sunday after Christmas (or Easter, for that matter). What does it say to occasional attendees when the first string disappears after the highly publicized Christmas Sunday?
Fifth, I would move Christmas to August. There would be fewer icy or foggy roads to travel to Grandma's house, fewer runny noses and sniffles, and fewer folks in bed with the Christmas flu.
I have carefully thought out my plan and I can find only one tiny flaw. If people really knew they would have two extra weeks until Christmas, things would eventually turn out the same as they are now, only then it would be two weeks later.
Paulita
First, I'd make sure everyone could open one special gift on Christmas Eve. The recipient would discover, once the beautiful bow had been untied and the shiny paper removed, the gift of TIME. Somehow, two more weeks would be miraculously inserted into the calendar before Christmas day. What a surprise! Think of it! Two more weeks to put the finishing touches on the Christmas dinner table and stash the trash in locations known only to you. Two more weeks to purchase the stocking stuffers you forgot in the rush of acquiring the big things, and two more weeks for the mail-order gifts to arrive. There would be extra time to answer the Christmas cards that just arrived, and to include your neighbors, your postal and newspaper carriers, and shut-in friends in your holiday. There might even be time to attend special Christmas events, to take in all the beautiful displays of lights, and, of all things, to relax.
Second, I would do Christmas cards in January. January is a cold, dreary month when I could pull my chair up to the hearth, sit before a roaring fire, and answer all the Christmas cards and letters I received. That way I could affirm people's travels, new grandchildren, weddings, graduations, promotions, operations, and lottery winnings almost instantly. I'm convinced most people would rather be acknowledged than to hear in our next year's Christmas letter how much the new air filter in the bedroom helped our allergies.
Third, I'd stretch my celebration throughout the whole Advent season. The kids would get to open one gift a week, at each Advent candle lighting. The anticipation would remain high, diminishing the usual overload phenomenon. Think about it. When most little children open their first gift, they want to play with it, experience it, and enjoy it right now. They don't care about the other gifts with their names on them. Those can wait. They want to "do" this one now.
Fourth, I would discourage church pastors, choir directors, and choir members from taking vacations the Sunday after Christmas (or Easter, for that matter). What does it say to occasional attendees when the first string disappears after the highly publicized Christmas Sunday?
Fifth, I would move Christmas to August. There would be fewer icy or foggy roads to travel to Grandma's house, fewer runny noses and sniffles, and fewer folks in bed with the Christmas flu.
I have carefully thought out my plan and I can find only one tiny flaw. If people really knew they would have two extra weeks until Christmas, things would eventually turn out the same as they are now, only then it would be two weeks later.
Paulita
Tuesday, January 1, 2008
Putting Christmas Away
I love the whole Christmas season! I love displaying the Christmas cards we receive, and seeing the family picture cards with new babies, new pets, and new homes. I turn on Christmas music the first of December. And I can hardly wait to put up the tree which our cat is sure we decorate just for her.
If you come to our house to visit during December, you'll be greeted by our Christmas welcome mat, our door wreath, and the hanging ribbon which proclaims, "Christ is Born." Inside you'll see nativity scenes and novelties, and you'll hear Christmas carols on the hour from the Christmas clock we get out each year.
Yes, Christmas is an exciting and beautiful time of the year. BUT, all that goes up must come down, and for some, that is the most depressing time of the year.
We dismantle Christmas on New Year's Day. Starting with breakfast and the New Year's Day parades, we relax. Next come the football games. Somewhere in the niddle of them I take off the tree ornaments, put away the music boxes, and nativities. My husband waits until half-time in a game to take off the tree lights, box up the tree (I'm allergic to real trees in the house),and cart it to the garage ready for next year. About the middle of the afternoon, when he has almost had his fill of football, he tkes down the outside lights. I vacuum.
Far from a day of depression and regret, we choose to go slow, make it a day for meat and veggie snacks, popcorn, and hot chocolate. By the end of the last football game we're ready for a well-earned sleep. We have celebrated! Jesus, the Savior has come!
Now we are free to open the door to a New Year with a new attitude, a new goal, and perhaps a fresh new set of activities to reach that goal.
If you come to our house to visit during December, you'll be greeted by our Christmas welcome mat, our door wreath, and the hanging ribbon which proclaims, "Christ is Born." Inside you'll see nativity scenes and novelties, and you'll hear Christmas carols on the hour from the Christmas clock we get out each year.
Yes, Christmas is an exciting and beautiful time of the year. BUT, all that goes up must come down, and for some, that is the most depressing time of the year.
We dismantle Christmas on New Year's Day. Starting with breakfast and the New Year's Day parades, we relax. Next come the football games. Somewhere in the niddle of them I take off the tree ornaments, put away the music boxes, and nativities. My husband waits until half-time in a game to take off the tree lights, box up the tree (I'm allergic to real trees in the house),and cart it to the garage ready for next year. About the middle of the afternoon, when he has almost had his fill of football, he tkes down the outside lights. I vacuum.
Far from a day of depression and regret, we choose to go slow, make it a day for meat and veggie snacks, popcorn, and hot chocolate. By the end of the last football game we're ready for a well-earned sleep. We have celebrated! Jesus, the Savior has come!
Now we are free to open the door to a New Year with a new attitude, a new goal, and perhaps a fresh new set of activities to reach that goal.
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