My favorite year-end ritual begins today. The next two days I will curl up in my overstuffed chair and reread my 2010 journal. I call it “Harvesting my Journal” and I have enjoyed this reflective journey every year for at least the past 15 years.With a highlighter and my favorite pen in hand, what do I look for?· Cherished moments.· Unexpected joys and obstacles · Reoccurring thoughts or stubborn won’t go away God nudges· Bible verses that guided me or still sing to me even if I don’t know why· Times I felt God’s presence and times I walk in lonely darkness· Lessons I learned and lessons that will take a life time to fully comprehend· Answered prayers and dreams that still bubbled with life and passionI highlight and summarize on the December 31st entry.On January 1st, you will find me buried in my journal once again, praying, and listening to God about the upcoming year. I tried my best to record what I feel is His hopes, dreams, goals for me the … [Read more...]
Christmas Year-End Clutter – Sorted, Ordered and Transported
The living floor covered with ripped and shredded wrapping. Boxes tilting precariously, leaning to the right. Family still lounging in pajamas playing with their presents.Ah, Christmas morn.But slowly that day or the next, the Christmas clutter gets picked up and the front room returns to normal. Tired of leftovers, even the refrigerator receives a good cleaning.Then I begin eyeing the Christmas décor. I wonder what the current protocol is on how long to leave up all the decorations? I know I like to have most of it put away by end of the year or it too become clutter.I take the stack of Christmas cards and reread them one more time. The pile is moved by my chair in my office where I pray, read my morning devotions, and spend time with God. I select a card each day, praying for that person. What other year-end clutter needs to be sorted, ordered, and transported out of my life?· Like clothes that don’t fit and never will, is it time to let go of some hopes and dreams that seem … [Read more...]
The Light Shines in the Darkness – Lectio Divina
In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning. Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made. In him was life, and that life was the light of all mankind. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it. John 1: 1-5The light shines in the darknessOnce again, Lord, you came.In the shimmering candlelight of midnight services, I felt your gentle hug as You wrapped your arms around me.What had been dark, now shone with Your love and presence.You never forgot us.You never abandoned us.You kept your promisesYou came.But in reality You never left in the first place, did You?You were there at the beginning.You were there when sin first began and continued through all of usYou were there throughout the scriptures.You were there in the stable.You were there walking on the seaYou were there on the cross.You were there on the road to Emmaus.You were there at candlelight … [Read more...]
My Christmas Wish for You – Christmas Quote
May Peace be your gift at Christmas and your blessing all year through! ~Author Unknown … [Read more...]
O Holy Night – An Incredible Hymn Story
On Thursdays in December, I will be featuring a hymn from the season and its story. I love hearing the roots of these songs as music adds so much to the holidays and to our worship. Those who sing, pray twice – St Augustine.“O Holy Night” is one of the most beautiful hymns ever written. Its haunting music and uplifting lyrics draw us into the story of our Saviors birth in a special way. Listen here to Celine Dion sing this Christmas classic.Did you know this hymn was at one time banned and controversial?The LyristPlacide Cappeau (1808-1877) wrote the lyrics. Known more for his love of wine and poetry than his love for Christ, the local parish priest asked him to write a poem for the Christmas mass. Not sure where to start, Cappeau imagined what it would have been like to witness the story found in Luke. The ComposerCappeau asked his friend Adolphe Charles Adams to put the words to music. The words were difficult to place in a tune, even for this well-known composer of over 80 operas. … [Read more...]
Auld Lang Syne
“It’s a Wonderful Life” – my absolutely favorite movie! I broke away from Christmas busyness and escaped for a few hours the other day – indulging myself in my annual treat of watching Jimmy Stewart in this great movie. The closing scene still gives me goose bumps – surrounded by what really matters in life – friends and family – knowing Clarence got his wings and all singing the classic "bring in the new year" song – Auld Lang Syne.Since I have writing about the stories behind difference Advent and Christmas hymns this month, I wondered about this song. I sing it with gusto each year and don’t even know what the title means. Here is what I learned:· Auld Lang Syne literally translates to "Old Long Since," and more roughly it means "long, long ago" or "days gone by."· Auld Lang Syne is a Scottish poem, thought to be composed or at least compiled by Scottish poet and lyricist Robert Burns in 1788. · The tune is the traditional folk melody though was played faster for … [Read more...]
The Christmas Star – Lectio Divina
When they saw the star, they rejoiced with exceedingly great joy. Matthew 2:10 The starLord, I awoke early this week to watch the Geminid Meteors streak across the sky. I sat in my dark warm office by the window and waited and waited and waited. Nothing.SighWas I just fool to believe I would see a shooting star? Maybe I missed them. Perhaps I was looking in the wrong places. This is ridiculous, I thought, I should be in bed.But in the silence and stillness of the dark house, You quietly entered my heart. So we talked. Just you and me, Lord, staring at your creation that twinkled and sparkled above me. I placed in Your hands my worries and concerns. I lifted up my friends who are hurting. I whined a little and then remembered to thank you for all things.Thank you Lord for the stars and this quiet time together. My heart felt warm in the embrace of Your love and joy. The very act of lifting my eyes upward to watch for You, open the curtain of … [Read more...]
Fourth Sunday in Advent Quote – John Brokhoff
"What has happened to the old-fashioned, spiritual Christmas? The cause is our disregard of Advent. The church set aside this four-week pre-Christmas season as a time of spiritual preparation for Christ’s coming. It is a time of quiet anticipation. If Christ is going to come again into our hearts, there must be repentance. Without repentance, our hearts will be so full of worldly things that there will be ‘no room in the inn’ for Christ to be born again.We have the joy not of celebration, which is the joy of Christmas, but the joy of anticipation.” ~ John R. Brokhoff … [Read more...]