The birth and crucifixion of Christ

Often in the past few years I have heard pastors and teachers talk about the relationship of the manger and the cross and try to explain better to their congregations the importance of understanding why we celebrate Christmas, really. We know the answer - we’ve been singing it since we were children.

Joy to the World, the Lord has come!

God rest you merry, gentlemen, 
Let nothing you dismay. 
Remember Christ our Savior 
Was born on Christmas Day; 

The very word, “Christ” is the equivalent of the word mashiach (מָשִׁ֫יחַ, messiah) in Hebrew. He is the anointed One of God – he was set apart for this special task: our salvation. But that word also has a greater connotation. The Kings of Israel were anointed and “the Lord’s anointed” or “anointed one” was most often used to refer to a king. So this word isn’t simply the word for our Savior, but our King. What a word. Christ Jesus. Anointed King Jesus, our Savior.

The words of a new(er) worship song from River Valley Church in Minnesota caught my heart yesterday. It is a song that would perhaps be more commonly used on Easter Sunday than Christmastime. I couldn’t help but notice the connection.

I see my Savior 
With love in His eyes
His body broken 
With no sin to hide 

I see my Jesus 
Eyes blind with blood 
His face is crimson 
His cry is love 

No wonder we call You Savior 
No wonder we sing Your praise 
Jesus our hope forever 
You made a way

That is the reason he came to earth as a baby. To die, in pain, blind with blood, filled with love, sinless; to give me hope. To save me. I’m getting choked up as I write this. Do you understand how unfathomable a love like that is? It is so far beyond anything I can really comprehend. There are people I care about so much I would do anything for them. I think I would even die for them - but having never been presented with such a situation, I don’t actually know. And I’m not a spouse or a parent, so I can only imagine how much more they feel that way for their spouse and/or children. If you are one (or both) of those, you likely have an even better idea what it means to love someone more than you imagined was possible, and the idea that you would do anything for them. But I wonder if you can even fathom, even begin to wrap your mind around how much God loved us that he came down, as a tiny little human – a helpless baby – with the express purpose of teaching us what it looks like to live perfectly, and then dying an excruciating, horrible death so that we might be saved from eternity away from him? What a concept.

There’s a bridge near the end of the song that says this:

See the light tearing through the darkness 
Hear the roar of the rugged cross
Jesus Christ You alone have saved us
We worship You now

See the light… When I heard these words, I thought of the Star of David, the one the wise men were tracking, seeking the infant king. The images we’ve seen depicted (wrongly, but so strikingly) of the light of that star shining so distinctly down on the manger scene (and occasionally on a little house with a toddler instead). See the light… Hear the roar of the rugged cross. The roar. What a thought. That as the light of Jesus came down to earth, as the brightness of his glory, his kingship, our salvation – our way out of darkness – shone ever clearer, the roar became ever louder. All the way through each moment of his 33 years on the face of the earth, that roar was a steady beat growing louder in his ears, toward his crucifixion. If you knew that was what you were facing, would you have come? I honestly don’t think I would.

Which is why it is so truly amazing that he did. He came. He walked the earth he created and lived among us. He died for us, blameless yet taking all the blame. All of it; for those who had died, for those who were living, for those (like me) who had not yet been born. I have a way out of darkness, and he is it. He is the Way.

No wonder we call You Savior. No wonder we sing Your praise.

During this season, while it is a time to celebrate – and it truly is – and a time for family and friends and maybe even some rest; might we not forget, even for a moment – not even one – the real reason we rejoice. He is King, and he came for me.


full lyrics and performance video here.

Part of a Promise

I have finally had (read: taken) the time to process some of the Christmas/spiritual life thoughts I've been having lately. Because of that, what began as a short post on Facebook became this blog post. And as I wrote, it kept lengthening. But it's so good to think through these things - for me it helps them sink in better...and I need that!

I've been reading a daily devotional I received (thanks, Mom) that is designed to prepare you for the arrival of the Son of God through the month of December (Advent) through January 6 (Ephiphany). The reading from yesterday has stuck with me, especially as part of this past weekend's sermon echoed these thoughts as well.

WE are part of the story! WE are still receiving the blessing that resulted from the faith of those in the story we read. WE should be amazed and awed at the wonder God has shared with us and sing praises giving thanks to Him. For unto US a child was given, and He is our Savior and the Prince of Peace (paraphrased Isa. 9:6). Because of His birth, and our part in the prophecies foretold (which, incidentally is also because of His birth and our salvation through His death), WE (should) celebrate the glorious arrival of Jesus and His infinite wisdom, power, and love.

How can we just sit still? I mean, we don't really, but we do where it matters. I do! I am so tired from all the running around, the planning, the trying to be sure I haven't somehow left someone out or hurt them (how ridiculously far I over think this, few of you have any idea).

How do we not shout the news like the shepherds, or make the journey like the wise men? (This still makes me think of little Gladys Herdman: "Hey! Hey! Unto you a child is born!" When you haven't heard it before, it really means something, and it's worth shouting! People gotta know!)

How do we not trust like Joseph or wonder like Mary? I get so caught up in what I need to get done, or planning who to see and when (which is good, I grant you, but not enough), that I completely forget to TRUST God with the things that are stressing me out (today. this happened MULTIPLE TIMES - TODAY.) and I forget to wonder at the amazing story that He has given us, and made me part of when He made me His child!

I have always loved Christmas - just ask my mom. I love the seasons, the change, the beauty of each one, but winter is my favorite, and I know a lot of that is because of Christmas. The joy in the air, the family (both biological and chosen), time with friends, activities, and demonstrations of love through food, fun, gifts, laughter, and shared craziness - it is a wonderful thing. But often, I let the stress society (and myself) puts on it seep into my enjoyment. I let the stress of preparing to be away from work for a few days overshadow the joy and celebration of the season.

Then, today's reading spoke of mercy. The author describes mercy as "that which fulfills our heart's desire, that which gives purpose to our lives, that which also allows us not only to be loved, but also to love completely." While I'm not sure I agree with this definition 100%, I do love the perspective it gives and the direction it looks. Mercy from God is something that "always astonishes us." Or it should. Have you become accustomed to the mercy God grants? I pray it is not so! I pray you are always awestruck by the grace of God in granting His mercy to us. I hope that we are all astonished by the things God puts into our lives as He shows us His plan.

Lastly, the sermons at my church this month (first 3 weeks of December, anyway) have been about the 3 great blessings that are ours because of Christmas: Joy, Peace, and Hope (you can listen to the sermons here). I cannot tell you how much a blessing these have been to me these past couple weekends, and how much I am looking forward to this coming one! What gifts. Joy inexplicable! Peace that calms the soul. Hope that looks up and out and forward. Glorious Savior indeed!

Now, go enjoy your Christmas, and don't let the stress in - let HIM in!

It's been 3 months...

quite literally.

how did that happen?
well, i did say i'd be on hiatus...


i think often of things i'd like to write, but don't have the time. or it seems too mundane to write an entire post about. i assume most bloggers feel the same way, but somehow find a way around it. or are just better writers than i am. or maybe most of them just have more interesting lives...

in any case, we're less than 1 1/2 weeks from Christmas, and i'm giddy with thoughts of family, friends, babies, pedicures, cookies, delicious food of all kinds, and general happiness. oh, and time off work. i can't wait. my twin nephews are 3 1/2 months old, and they are adorable as ever (as is my niece) and i just wish i had (if not a time machine to be able to re-do periods of time and do EVERYTHING) at least a space machine that would allow me to travel the 2 hours in seconds so i could go visit more often. this would help with friendships as well.

maybe i should invent that.
yes. i'll get on it.

well, that's really all the time i can spare today - and it will probably be another (but hopefully not as) long span of time before i write again... if you have ideas of what i can write about/stories you'd like to hear, leave comments, let me know. :)

Until then - have a happy Christmas!

"Whoops."

It's December 24th.
Which means I've missed 3 days for BEDID.
But you know, I'm ok with that. They've been good, full, yet restful days.

I baked a ton of cookies (yes, exaggeration...but we did bake a lot) with a good friend. Then I went to another friend's house to eat pizza, watch a movie, and talk into the wee hours of the night (we hadn't seen each other for far too long, especially considering that she lives relatively close). It was a day full of hugs, laughter, good conversation, and people & things that make me happy.

The next day I finished baking the cookies we hadn't gotten to, and made another batch of home made granola (yum). This was followed up with the end of cleaning, a Christmas movie or two, a couple viewings of the Nutcracker (different versions), wrapping presents, and packing to leave.

Yesterday was full of joy as well, starting with breakfast with a dear friend, and hours of talking, hanging, just generally loving on each other. Then I headed to my parents where I'll be with family until at least Monday, maybe Tuesday.

So, BEDID's gonna take a break (I wondered even at the beginning if this would happen). I've done pretty well, and we'll see what happens, but no expectations until next week, ok? ;)

Yes, it's December 24th.
Christmas Eve.
I get to see more family tonight, and Christmas day is tomorrow!
I love Christmas for so many reasons, but mainly because of the reason that it's a joyful time (Jesus). He really is the Reason for the season, and it's so much bigger than this day! I also love that all my family celebrates for this reason too.

It's almost here!

Christmas is SATURDAY!!!

and, it's snowing.

*happy sigh*

Old Movies of Joy

(ok, so I wrote this post and forgot to post it last night... so technically it's from December 12th, but hey, we knew I'd miss ONE, right?? ;) Moving on...)

tonight marked another wonderful evening at a friend's house (well, actually the house of her and her husband) watching yet another wonderf- well, another old movie, anyway.

Christmas in Connecticut - it was wonderful in that it brought together friends, made us laugh (1945 was apparently an interesting year...and full of inuendo...) at the characters, the story (how many times, when someone walked onto screen, we all went "uh-oh" in the most melodramatic way, i don't know. i should have counted), and the funny lines. don't worry, everything was "hunky-dunky" by the end of the night. ;)

oh, and it was topped off by many sweets - kettle corn, home-made Christmas cookies, home-made peanut brittle, chips & salsa... the list goes on.

perfect end for a crazy week, to be surrounded by friends. even if i did have to drive home in the freezing cold and wind. ;)

Parties

I have another party to go to today. And I told them I'd help with something, so I'm sort of obligated to go... and I know I'll have a blast once I'm there - good friends, old & new, good food, games, songs (Christmas carols - so classic, so fun), etc.

But right now I just wish I could put on my pj's, hop under a heavy warm blanket and read Mansfield Park and Harry Potter the rest of the day. Perhaps with a cup of hot chocolate.

Well, relationships are important, and promises are made to be kept, not broken. Bring on the fun! ;)

Chicago in Winter

Dec. 5th time edit: This was posted last night, barely, as you can see from the time stamp, but it didn't go through! Force published it - Goal of BEDID, not lost. ;)

With the snow that fell last night, and the lights in the city, I don't think it can be denied that Chicago is beautiful in the winter. And yes, I failed to take my camera out of my purse, so I have no pictures to prove it.

I was downtown tonight with friends at the Aqua building (gorgeous, I'll point it out for you sometime) to celebrate a good friend's 30th birthday. A few of us met up part way into the evening. The rest had gone to Christkindlmarkt in Daley Plaza, then journeyed to the Aqua building (where the birthday girl works) for homemade pizzas, appetizers, salad, wine, and soda. Mmm. It was rounded out by chocolate fondue for dessert, plus 2 birthday cakes (both delicious, so I hear, though I only had room for one tiny piece). Then we moved to the media room (think small theater) to watch Elf. Of course, the cakes, fondue, sodas, water, wine, and popcorn were available for consumption.

It was a lovely, fabulous evening, the ride there and back was filled with snowy land/cityscapes and Christmas lights on both residences and businesses alike.

Thanks to my friend for having a birthday, and for giving us a place to celebrate it!

Friends, Christmas, & Movies

Last night a friend agreed to come over when I spontaneously asked her after she spontaneously called me from Walmart.

Then I found Santa Claus is Comin' to Town on ABC. (One of my favorite Christmas movies ever, even if it is "for kids").

She arrived in the middle of it, we finished it out, then popped in a chick flick filled with Amy Adams, and Michael Buble songs.

After she left, I sat in my lovely apartment, enjoying the Christmas decorations I have, reading my book, catching up on some YouTube subs.

All in all, a good way to (almost) end a week that has been trying in many ways. I don't doubt that there will be more trials to come, but the little things like these are what keep you going and get you through. All praise to Him Who knows what He's doing!

It's...

...beginning to look a lot like Christmas.
...also been almost a month since i've written. oops.

Well, today is the 1st of December, and I have a new plan. You perhaps have heard of NaBloPoMo? or NaNoWriMo? I tried NaNoWriMo. I failed...in terms of writing 50,000 words in a month's time. But I won in terms of starting my book. And getting into a groove with it, to where it'll be hard to let go of, even if it takes a long time to finish. I did not try NaBloPoMo.

So... How 'bout I try BEDID (Blog Every Day In December)? Even if it's only a sentence? I'll give it a go! You can count on much being said about Christmas, snow, winter in general, Christmas music, etc. (I love Christmas, in case you didn't remember!)

Today is the 1st of December. It is also the 1st snow (at all, and that is sticking a little) in my corner of the world (which isn't really a corner...). It is the 1st day with a high below 30. And, it is the 1st day I could crack open and eat one of those cheap little chocolates from my store-bought advent calendar.

Feels like a day for 1sts and for wins. ;)

I just had to...

Wanted to take a second to say:

Christmas is LESS than 2 months away!!!
Wahoo!!!

*ahem*
Writing continues, but as I'm getting NO feedback from anyone (interest or otherwise), I may never finish... This puts to test my "self-starter" and "self-motivator" skills... or lack thereof...

thoughts if you've got 'em.
and maybe someday you'll read if I write. xD

You've been missing

No. Wait. I have.

It's mid-October, and I haven't written but once. And it was basically just a tagging off of someone else's written thoughts.

Fail.

(Christmas is in 73 days!)
You KNOW you wanted to know that! :)

While waiting for Christmas to arrive...

I hung out with my youngest brother and his fabulous girlfriend yesterday. And by the time we'd been together for, oh, I don't know, about 25 minutes, I already had a wealth of great quotes. So, here to amuse you (hopefully) as it amused me, are the quotes I just couldn't let die:

- High five, right pinky toe! - R
- I don't trust your game. - R
- Pretend you're a pirate leaning on somthing. - S
- Oh, come on! That's like one of the all-time quotes-best. - S
- Rah-darn?? - R
- They had milk cartons and everything. - R

Then we went upstairs, where my mom was listening to a cassette tape (yes, not video, audio) from Christmases when my brothers & I were little (think 1987 - 1990). Meaning that the first one she was listening to, I was about 5, D was 3, and S was 7 months old. Again, quotes I couldn't help remembering, including one interjection as we listened:

- Carebear chopstick!! (chapstick) - K, age 5
- Mom: Do you know what that is, D?
D, age 3: (very excited) No!!
- Processing... - S, now
Face loading... - R, now
- Well whaddya know! - K, age 5
- and then more of 'em came singing glory to God - D, age 4
- My name is 2!! - S, age 2

OH, the joys of children. Especially children (young or old) at Christmas. ;)

It's December 23rd.

Only 2 more days!

I just LOVE Christmas.

Christmas Week

Things that have thrilled me this week, so far:

- had a great lunch with some good friends/coworkers
- finished reading Harry Potter 7 for the 3rd time (ever, not in the week, i'm not that nuts...)
- baking TONS of cookies. I now have 3 types of chocolate chip cookies, 3 types of sugar cookies, puppy chow (pb, powdered sugar, chocolate treat), and snickerdoodles. yum.
- it has snowed for 4 of the last 5 days when i've been at home - even having to brush my car off several times hasn't made me dislike it yet!
- i am at my parent's house as of this afternoon - here for the rest of the week until after Christmas

and i am looking forward to:
- sledding with my brother and his girlfriend
- playing Lord of the Rings Trivial Pursuit with my brother, his girlfriend, and my dad
- watching funny parts of a couple movies with my dad
- Christmas Eve with my immediate family at my other brother's church
- seeing my other brother, my sister his wife, and my niece their sweet daughter
- Christmas day!!!
- music, games, laughter, good food and conversation
- being surrounded by those i love

and that's just in one week.
God is good and i am blessed.
oh how i love love Love Christmas.

Surviving the crazy weeks

I have actually gotten through 2 of 3 crazy Christmastime weeks at work. (!)

The first one had moments, not lengths, of crazy. And I was foolish enough to think "hm, this might not be so bad this year!" Stupid to think that. I should have known better.

The second week was much more crazy. It had moments of peace. Actually, it only had nano-seconds. But that's ok. I still saw God working, and in the end, that's what it's all about. Completely. Plus, when it was all over (and I actually mean literally after the event was over on Saturday night - well, ok, literally after I was finished cleaning up for the immediately following service) I had several people saying "thank you" to our team, and expressing how much they enjoyed it and how great it was to have this event at our church. Bonus. Glory to God!

Now, I look forward to the last week. I know there will be moments of crazy. I am hoping that the craziness this week is limited to nano-seconds (reverse of last week). I actually think that may be possible. But I know that when this week is over, God's glory will be shown - through everything I'm lucky enough to be involved in. My job, my volunteering in the choir and the production they're doing this weekend, and all the extra time that goes with it.

I look forward to seeing family on Sunday, as well as friends, family, and more friends in the two weeks following, along with some time off from work. I look forward to going back after this break refreshed and ready to jump into the new year with new anticipation and excitement for how God is moving in our area, in our church, in our lives, in our hearts.

It's gonna be good. I can't wait.

My favorite movie. Ever.

I was watching White Christmas on tv tonight (caught the last ... three-fourths... of it while doing things around the house, and when it started over again immediately after the credits finished rolling -thank you AMC- I couldn't get myself off the couch) and I realized (once again) how much I love Danny Kaye. I have seen several Danny Kaye movies and each has its memorable moments. haha. Like this (start at :45 if you don't want to watch the intro). hehe. Oh how I love it.

Don't get me wrong, White Christmas is easily one of the best Christmas movies ever. I love it. And every year I watch it several times - probably more than most would ever be comfortable with. I love the songs. I sing them very loudly (usually when I'm alone) along with the movie,. I love the dances. Some of them would never work ever again. But I love them. They are amazing and wonderful and perfect - nothing else would be good enough for this movie. And you have to admit - these folks are all extremely talented. *sigh* Plus, you can never get enough of Bing & Danny doing the "Sisters" routine. Never gets old.

I hadn't seen it yet this year, and while watching Bing & Danny dance and sing, I just had to look up some details. ;)
Thank you, IMDb.

However, White Christmas is not my favorite movie. Even if you were tricked by it being fabulous, and the huge picture, and the title, and my effervescence on the subject. And I was reminded while I was looking at the many movies these folks have been in (while digging around on IMDb) - my favorite movie. And yes, it stars Danny Kaye.

Court Jester. Best movie ever. I am always a little shocked, and a little more saddened when people have no idea what this movie is. So many fantastic quotes. "'Get it?' 'Got it.' 'Good.'" "The pellet with the poison..." Mmhmm. And that's just a start. The joys!

Oh, and it also stars Glynis Johns (mom from Mary Poppins), Angela Lansbury (please tell me you know who that is), and Basil Rathborne (the best bad-guy and swordsman ever - even better than Errol Flynn; No, really - and he was 63 when he filmed this one).

If you haven't watched this movie, you need to. Great humor; good, fun story; fabulous songs; some interesting choreography; tongue twisters I have never been able to say quickly enough to count; and good actors. Again all I can ... *sigh* ... If you can't find it, let me know. I have it taped. (Well, my dad did. And it now 'lives' at my house.) And maybe, someday, if I'm really lucky, I may own it on dvd before my tape gets worn out. ;)

Anyone able to name any other Danny Kaye movies? Go ahead, try it. Good stuff. Watch out or I may make you watch quite the marathon. :)

It's December 2nd.

Only 23 more days!

I just love Christmas.

I feel so spoiled

which is kinda dumb, but I do.

I got cable and internet this weekend and I am writing my FIRST blog post from home! Others have been written on lunch breaks, or just after work. I am so glad to be doing this in the comfort of my living room. :)

I haven't even found anything good to watch yet-- except the end of the Vikings/Seahawks game. And the end of Pirates (1), and part of Kingdom of Heaven, I suppose. But the best thing so far was the football game. Definitely. And it was just because I got to have it on at my house and it was very ... "home-feeling" ... if that makes sense. It just feels right to have football on on a Sunday afternoon in this season. I even got to have a conversation with my dad about it, while it was on. *sigh* good times.

Thanks for indulging me on this one.
Now I'm off to decorate my house for... yep you guessed it: Christmas. ;)

Decorating

In case you missed my last post - short though it was - this post is my elaboration. Because I can. ;)

I am very excited about this part of the season. And I do mean Christmas, and yes, I know Thanksgiving hasn't happened yet. Move on. I love Christmas.

Yesterday evening I pulled out all my Christmas stuff from my storage space. I am planning on hanging my lights on my patio this weekend. And possibly, if there are enough, in a window or two as well. I am making the excuse that it will be fairly warm this weekend, and what a better reason to hang them up now instead of when it's really freezing? That doesn't mean I will turn them on, just put them up.

Oh, who am I kidding? I will most likely not make it to Monday before I set the timer and turn them on. The joy knows no bounds. Man, I love Christmas.

Plus, everything else is pulled out - the tree (in a box), its decorations, lights, and the other knick-knacks that will go around my house. I plan to leave them in their corner...until next Saturday. 'Cuz then weekends get crazy and nights I will be too exhausted, and I want them up when I come home from Thanksgiving. So there. (Pouting child? Who let this girl write a blog today? Sheesh.)

Yay. I love Christmas. I am listening to Christmas music on my computer at work today. (I am in the office alone, and am up in my corner of this huge building, so I am bothering no one and am making myself very happy.) Fabulous.

So, tonight I will clean. This Saturday, I will be outside moving plants and putting up lights as quickly as I can. Next Saturday, I will be decorating the place with the rest of the Christmas stuff. And after that, anyone who comes to my house better be ready for it - and no jumping on me for having it all up and out already. I love Christmas and if you are friends with me, this is the cost. You have to just get used to it. Most of you have already, but this is fair warning - it is around the corner, quite literally.

If you've begun counting, I've said "I love Christmas" 4 times already in this post. Actually, make that 5. Onward with the joy.

I can't wait until the decorating dates I have with myself. And then comes family fun at Thanksgiving, and then December, which is the month of Christmas! More family, friends, and joy just because of the time of year and what it means on so many levels for me. Here comes 6: I love Christmas!