Your Work Is Most Holy

Mothers of young children, your work is most holy. You are fashioning the destinies of immortal souls. The powers folded up in the little ones that you hushed to sleep in your bosoms last night are powers that shall exist forever. You are preparing them for their immortal destiny and influence. Be faithful. Take up your sacred burden reverently. Be sure that your heart is pure and that your life is sweet and holy.

~ J.R. Miller, Grace Gems 


Image ~ In the Nursery, Helen Allingham, 1848-1926

A Christmas Delight

Christmas in America is a blend of traditions, many arising from European countries. Festivities are, in part, a glimpse back to years gone by, making connections to ancestors' celebrations.

Christmas trees cross cultures and are a relatively new tradition, believed to have begun in Germany in the 16th century. Although artificial trees are becoming popular, bringing a tree home from the tree farm or the tree lot is still a cherished tradition for many families.

Once when our girls were little during our time in Venezuela, we had to get a plastic tree (and the entire apartment smelled like a new shower curtain), but other than that, we've always brought in a live one. To me, keeping the tree real is in harmony with keeping Christmas real.

One evening recently we settled in to watch the documentary "European Christmas," narrated and directed by Rick Steves. He gives us a look into Europe's rich history, tradition and ancestry of Christmas celebrations.

As in America, each country has its blend of Christian and non-Christian elements. It was all beautiful and enchanting, but what inspired me the most, although perhaps not explicitly intended, was the thread that runs through the traditions--the celebration of the birth of the Christ child.

Viewing "European Christmas" encouraged me to look at the aspects of Christmas that express and reinforce my faith rather than bemoan how we struggle against commercialism and anti-Christian sentiment in our current culture at this time of year. It gave me a broader lens through which to view the positive aspects of the celebration that connects many cultures around the world.

I highly recommend viewing "European Christmas." If your family is of European descent, you may find it especially enlightening, but I'm sure all will find it to be a Christmas delight as you sense the joy and wonder of how Christmas is celebrated in this part of the world.

We watched "European Christmas" on Amazon Prime, but you can also view it on Rick Steves' website. If you click the image, it will take to there.

Save Them from Self-Destruction

I took my elderly mother to purchase some new eyeglasses and to do some shopping today. She always pushes a shopping cart to lean on to control her balance through the store, and today was the usual. As we passed another shopper with her cart and a little boy about 3-4 years old riding along in it, my mother commented to the little guy that she liked the jacket he was wearing.

I was glad that she didn't see his response to her cheerful comment as she moved along. I was following behind her as he made a mocking face and stuck out his tongue at her. I was so taken aback that I literally gasped at his rude antic. The lady, who appeared to be his grandmother, seemed to be just as shocked as I was. To her credit, she corrected him as we moved on. My mother undoubtedly had her hearing aid in only one ear today, for she didn't hear the exchange between the grandmother and her grandson. It certainly would have ruined the pleasant mood that she was in to have been aware of his rudeness.

Children can be unpredictable and often do things that embarrass parents and grandparents alike, but this little fella's spontaneous retort had an edge to it that I've not personally sensed in a child that young. Project that attitude a few years into the future, and there will be dark trouble brewing if someone doesn't come to his rescue.

Children need trained and disciplined for their own sake, as well as for those around them. While we like for our children to act like little angels, they aren't and they don't. The grandmother did the right thing and responded with correction. Too often, I've heard children merely be shouted down or disrespected when they've done something amiss. That isn't training them to live sociably with others, but rather shames them and stirs a rebellious heart.

An excellent book that I'd recommend to any parent or grandparent is Parenting:14 Gospel Principles That Can Radically Change Your Family by Paul David Tripp. This is a book that offers grace to parents as they rescue their children from themselves and the natural path they are on toward self-destruction. To watch a brief video about the book, just click on its image.

Weekend Daybook

My Weekend Daybook is intended to offer brief glimpses of my simple life, thinking that my dear grandchildren may one day be interested in knowing little tidbits about Nana.

Outside my window...
Christmas decorations are going up. The nativity has been set in the front yard, a 4-ft wreath aglow with lights has been hung on the house, welcoming candles placed in the windows. Next door there are inflatables again this year, lying limp, sprawled across their lawn during the day outside our kitchen window. Non-inspiring.


Around the house...
We like to get fresh trees, so we stopped at a local Christmas tree lot and chose a thin-ish one. I decided this year to use mostly vintage items on it from over the years. We have several glass bulbs and a few other ornaments that we got our first couple of Christmases--almost 50 years ago.

Thinking...
About those inflatables. They're on a timer and begin to arise from the ground at 5:00. The family is gone during the day, and is greeted by its happy glow as they return home after dark. The plastic puddle is out of their sight during the day. But not ours. Ugh.

Looking forward to... 
Finishing the study/teaching prep on the Book of Esther and getting back to my counseling classes. I took a break these past several months to devote time to Esther, and alas, found when I got ready to register for more classes that I am now out of sync with the schedule. But these have been good months with great benefit, so I am content with my progress nevertheless.

Thankful...
For the opportunity to teach the narrative of Esther. It has been good to see how God worked in His providence to preserve the lineage of Jesus Christ, who came in the fulfillment of time as our Redeemer and Savior. AND to be reminded that He still works today--in the world and in my life. He works all things together for good for those who love Him, according to His purpose--and that is the key.

Learning...
That in ancient manuscripts Naman's tens sons who were hanged on the gallows were listed one per line, margin-justified.

Pondering...
The funeral of President George H.W. Bush this week and the honorable tribute paid to him. Thinking how the presence of the casket symbolized the dignity of the President and offered a focal point for others to convey their tribute to him as they viewed it, the representative of the one who was lying within. I thought how a diminutive urn with ashes could not rise to such an occasion, the earthly body simply burned in disregard.

In the kitchen...
Prepared a new-to-us meal this week from a friend's recipe book--Brunswick Stew. It's a blend of chicken, ground beef, and ground pork, with some ketchup and barbeque sauce to add some flavor. The recipe includes creamed corn, which My Beloved can't have, so I left that out. Took some to my parents, and they added the corn.

In the sewing room...
Nothing happening in there for awhile except for minor alterations. Thankful for my serger that makes altering hems a breeze.

Brought a Smile...
We live by a mostly unused railroad. The local railway club runs a train on holiday weekends, and all during December the Christmas train passes by with its festive lights. We often step out to the back porch as it passes, and our grandchildren help us wave when they are visiting. The engineer blows the whistle as he goes by. Hearing the whistle this weekend brought back the memory of the children when they were here in October waving at the Punkin' Pickin' Train.


Reading...

Esther's Gospel: The God Who Is There by Tim Merewin.

It's one of the books I've read for the Esther series. It isn't academic or a commentary, but rather gives points of application. Merwin also relates the Gospel to the narrative of Esther as it progresses.

What's Not to Like About Christmas?

A friend commented today that her husband doesn't like Christmas. The overshadowing commercial aspect can seem like a cloudy overcast that creeps in earlier each year, hardly allowing time to ponder the significance of Thanksgiving. Stores transition overnight from Halloween displays to Christmas decor. No, I take that back. This year I noticed it slipping in right after the July 4th Independence Day celebration. That's half the year devoted to Christmas prep! Of course, the longer the prep becomes, the thinner the wallet becomes. Good news for the market. Not such good news for the budget.

The sad thing about it, though, is that most of the preparation is for the non-Christian aspect of the holiday rather than for the birth of Christ — even for those of us who are Christian. Yes, we say we give gifts because the wise men brought gifts to Jesus, or even that we give gifts to represent that Jesus Himself is THE gift to the world. But, in reality, the focus tends to be the temporal gifts, not the Eternal Giver.

The act of giving is one aspect that intersects both the cultural and Christian spirit of Christmas. Today it's cast more in terms of "gifting," but referring to it rather in terms of "giving" brings a spiritual aspect to our generosity of the season. And letting it flow beyond family and friends, letting it reach out to those who are in need... that is truly the heart of giving at Christmas.

Yes, we are in the world; we are in our culture. Yet, we do not have to be OF it. How we celebrate Christmas depends on our mindset and the inclination of our heart. Christmas as it is today is part of our culture, and we can enjoy the festivity of it with family, friends, and neighbors, yet view it with eyes that see our own Christmas meaning. 

So we don't withdraw from the celebration, but rather, we add our own voice to how it's celebrated. Forgo the holly jolly Christmas cards and opt for ones that share the story of Jesus. We have a manger scene in our yard, and the first Christmas when our new neighbors moved in, they commented on it. The following year they had one in their yard.

I recall going to a Christmas party a few years ago where one of the games was to wander through the house and see if we could determine the number of nativity scenes the host had sitting around. They had collected more than 40 of them over the years! If you have children at home, beginning a tradition of adding a nativity each year would enhance your intent to bring Christ central to it. Advent activities are also a good way to bring Christ into focus as we await His birth.

And, then, there's the music and the movies that strengthen one aspect of Christmas over another.  Let's face it, Rudolph just doesn't make my list. Besides, the bottom line to the movie is that in order to be accepted into the group, you have to be brought in by somebody important. Having a shiny red nose is, well, just unacceptable... until the popular guy says you've got what it takes. While some Christmas movies don't rise much higher than Rudolph, there are still many good movies and documentaries that will encourage your festivities as well as your faith.

And, of course, worshiping with our local church congregation each week, the singing of carols, the Scripture reading of the coming of Christ, and sharing in the anticipation of advent is first and foremost on our list for a joyous, contemplative Christmas season.

Christmas need not be discouraging if we look more with spiritual eyes than with cultural ones. And if we listen with ears attuned to the melody of Jesus in the jingle of the bells.

Though creation may be a majestic organ of praise,

it cannot reach the compass of the golden canticle—

Incarnation! 

There is more in that than in creation, more melody in Jesus in the manger, 

than there is in worlds on worlds rolling their grandeur round the throne of the Most High.

- Charles S. Spurgeon

Image via pixabay

On Chivalry

Chivalry: an honorable and polite way of behaving, especially toward women 
(Mirriam Webster Dictionary)

Pretty rare these days, as was evident as I was out and about this afternoon. The aisle was a bit crowded with holiday shoppers, and I could tell as we both approached from opposite directions that the young man had no intention of letting me pass unimpeded. So I backed away and let him come through. His mother should have taught him some manners. 

But perhaps his mother is one of those women who prefer to do away with receiving such a courtesy from a man, wanting to prove they can do it all by themselves, thank you. I've even had a man walk through a door that I've opened for myself--just rushed right on by me and out he went. Even though they can be loud and brash, feminists don't speak for all of us. Definitely not for me.

Chivalry is fading, but, thankfully, it isn't completely gone. I was privileged to be a recipient of it a couple of times recently--from those other than My Beloved, that is. (He has always treated me with honor and respect, and for that I am blessed and thankful. It's part of what drew me to him.) These chivalrous couple of occasions reminded me that there are still some men out there who aren't being shamed into putting aside their good manners. It speaks well of them. Honor given is honor received.

It also makes being out and about more pleasant. For example, while grocery shopping yesterday, a man and I approached the checkout almost at the same moment, although he was just a few steps ahead of me. To my surprise, he deferred to me and offered for me to go ahead of him. I hesitated, not sure if I should accept his kind offer or defer back to him since he was approaching first and had less items than I had. I didn't want to reject his kindness, but I deferred back to him, and he thanked me.

A couple of weeks ago as I was leaving a restaurant after lunch, I was approaching the door just ahead of a young father who was leaving with two little ones in a double stroller. I held the door for him, he thanked me, and commented that he should be holding the door for me! Ahhh! Another man that the feminists have not yet shamed. 

What surprised me about these encounters, though, is that they surprised me. It hasn't been so long ago that chivalry was common place. Then was truly a gentler and kinder America. We would do far better with more men and women who give honor and in return receive honor, instead of trying to prove how adept we are at fending for ourselves. 

We are quickly losing our appreciation of one another. Undone by those who are blind to what is best for us all.

Image ~ Victorian Chivalry

public domain, via WikiCommons

Face to Face

Several years ago I decided that I wanted to know more about Jesus, so for the past several years during Advent and Lent particularly, I've read books that give me a deeper, broader understanding of  my Savior. Doing so has not only enhanced my celebration of His coming to earth, but has also given me a deeper appreciation of who He is and the Father's desire for His children to be conformed to the image of His Son.

Currently, I'm reading Face to face with Jesus: Seeing Him as He really Is by Randy Alcorn. It's a daily devotional with 200 entries. It's intended to be read throughout the year, so it will take me past Christmas and into the New Year. I thought I would read a few entries each day, but I'm finding that I prefer to read a couple entries and pause to ponder.

God made us, and we were made for God. It's God we long for, and Jesus, God's Son, brings the Father to us. Ultimately, God's greatest gift is himself. We need the savior, and he has a name: Jesus (meaning "God saves.")      ~ Randy Alcorn

Where There Is Love....

Love is always ready to deny itself, to give, sacrifice, 

just in the measure of its sincerity and intensity. 

Perfect love is perfect self-forgetfulness. 

Hence where there is love in a home, unselfishness is the law. 

Each forgets self and lives for others.

~ J.R. Miller

Painting ~ Helping Little Sister, Paul Seignac, 1826-1904

public domain via WikiGallery

Rise and Go Home

Sharing a quiet time thought with you today. I'm reading in Matthew 9 about the paralytic who was brought by his friends to be healed. He had no other way to come to Jesus than through the compassion and faith of his friends. And it was their faith that impressed Jesus. How often it is that our need brings our faith into fuller focus.

And as Jesus remarked to those who thought He blasphemed because He forgave the man's sins, which is the more difficult to do? Heal or forgive? And we might ask as well, which is the greater need? We so often (as we should) pray for the strengthening of physical needs, our own and those we love. But there is the accompanying spiritual need of faith that needs strengthened all the more.

It is in the adversities of life that our faith can be enlarged, our hearts drawn closer to the heart of God. Not only physical hardships, but those of the soul, the mind, the thoughts that so often sweep over us and pull us down. Too often they are medicated away. But it is while we are in the midst of our trials and troubles that seeking Jesus brings healing to our hearts and minds.

So as with the paralytic's friends, we bring our loved ones to Jesus, to encourage their faith, to bring them hope, to heal their weary souls. "And he rose, and went home." (v.7)

Image by Gellinger via Pixabay

CC0 Creative Commons

It's Not Easy Being Vulnerable

Thinking about Proverbs 13:3:

The one who guards his mouth preserves his life; The one who opens wide his lips comes to ruin.

Mark Twain put it this way:

"It's better to keep your mouth shut and appear stupid than open it and remove all doubt."

That's sometimes my own MO. As an introvert, it's easier to stay quiet. Keeps me out of some trouble, too. Speaking up is more of a challenge for me than keeping my mouth shut. I sometimes regret what I've said and think about it far too long into the night. We introverts tend to be too introspective.

But relationships aren't nurtured very well without conversation. And so I must give attention to guarding what I say, to whom I say it, and about whom I say it.

And yet, being vulnerable enough to share my sorrows and struggles without the fear of being labeled in ways I don't intend or are not motivated by. Of letting someone into my heart to see the real me.

But also being open enough to examine my own heart issues about what I say, to whom I say it, and about whom I say it.

It's not easy being vulnerable.

Painting ~ Portrait of a  Girl, Blanche Macarthur, 1870-1896
public domain, WikiGallery