Outside my window...
Living in the South, we don't see it often, but this week we had about a half hour of big, fluffy snowflakes. I was inspired to put a picture on my computer desktop that I had taken a few years back in our backyard in WV when we awoke to a Nania morning.
Noticing the sound of...
Beautiful Christmas music as I write in the glow of the Christmas tree in the quietness of the evening. Occasionally we hear carols in the stores or the restaurants, but as we ate dinner out today, we commented that there was no Christmas music at all. It hasn't been that many years ago that carols were played in the marketplace (even if just to put shoppers in the spirit of giving), and we were wished a "Merry Christmas" as receipts for our purchases were handed to us. Now it's more "Have a good one."
Pondering...
"If the saints were to lose the knowledge of their past misery, how would they "sing the mercies of the Lord for all eternity" as the psalm says? Nothing will give more joy to the City [of God] than this song to the glory of the grace of Christ by whose blood we have been set free." - Augustine, De civitate Dei, quoted in Augustine on the Christian Life by Gerald Bray.
It unsettles me a bit to think that we would remember the miseries of days here on the earth, but, yes, that remembrance would be cause for great praise to Christ who has redeemed us from eternal misery.
In the
Kitchen...
Hamantaschen cookies.
Today was the last day in our Esther study and we talked a little about Purim. Hamantaschen is a traditional cookie that the Jews make for celebrating, so I found an easy recipe and made some for our Sunday School class. It's a buttery cookie with a fruit or poppy seed filling. I used apricot preserves.
The cookie is named for Haman, who is the villain of the Book of Esther, and the ending of the word means "purse". Hamantaschen is symbolic of the money Haman was going to give the king in gaining agreement to annihilate the Jews in the Persian Empire. But it was turned to the contrary, and the Jews destroyed their enemies instead. Purim is still celebrated today to remember the relief they gained. The recipe I used for Hamantaschen can be found here.
In the
Sewing Room...
Anna has a sense of style--she wants the bodice of the dress to be a different fabric than the skirt, and she wants sleeves this time, with each sleeve being a different fabric. And, oh, yes, a blue bow for it as well. She chose five fabrics for her dress and a bit of ribbon.
Looking
forward to...
Seeing how Anna's dress will come together. I may get to it after Christmas.
Around
the house...
A nativity beneath the tree -- our main focus at Christmas
Thinking...
About our Pastor's comments this morning about Mary, the mother of Jesus. She was not a perfect person because no one is besides Jesus Himself, but she apparently had her heart tuned and turned to God in faith before the angel appeared to her. And Mary said, "Behold, I am the servant of the Lord; let it be to me according to your word." As a friend and were talking after church, she commented that Mary was already prepared to say, "Yes, Lord." She didn't say, "I'll think about it and get back to you." She already knew in her heart what she should do.
My take away--be ever ready to do God's bidding. Being saturated with His Word prepares the heart.
Brought
a smile...
Watching a couple of tall teenage boys goofing off with a couple of little preschooler friends after church. So it is with true church family. I do hope you have a church family, too, dear one.
This week my hands were behind the wheel several days helping my mother with her appointments and shopping. She is struggling with not being able to drive and having to depend on family at tlmes when she wants or needs to go somewhere. I tell her that if it was the other way around, she'd be doing the same for us.
Thankful for...
Where we now live. To have family nearby is a blessing. Even though some days can be difficult, giving of oneself can be a blessing received. Our church family is another blessing. So thankful that God sent us there straightway.
(Recently Finished) Reading...
God and Politics in Esther by Yoram Hazony was a helpful read in preparing the Esther study. He takes a slightly different angle than is typical and examines the political intrigue in the Persian Empire. Hazony sheds light on what Esther and Mordecai were up against and how and why their strategies proved effective.
The Book of Esther doesn't mention God, yet the point is that when God seems hidden, He is still most active. The emphasis in God and Politics in Esther is a reminder that God expects us to take initiative in thwarting evil, standing firm in our faith, and identifying with our people.
