Christ, the Child we all long for...

The candle crackles and the peaceful music plays of how to sing with the angels that herald the King.  I sit with books piled high, end-of-semester grading, and texts popping in from family, friends...tidings of good news and great joy, and of jobs, babies, Christmas gifts to plan and parties to attend.  And don't we all have so much to be thankful for?  How easy it is to let life pull us down into the mire, and doesn't Christmas lift us up into the holy and glorious, the sacred and wondrous?

I have been guilty of living in that fog.  Waiting for the belly to swell with hope, and joy for the future, when Christ swells within me daily--and don't I feel that?  The mind sinks to circumstantial fears, that loom dark when hope swells in others.  And I forget.  Forget that the Christ child came to us all, no one was forgotten.  Today when we wait for test results, and hurting families to heal, and oh-don't-we-wish-it-weren't-that-way days to end....Christ longs for us to long for Him.  When jobs and cars and houses don't satisfy, Christ gives us purpose, daily transport to heavenly realities, and a home with Him forever.

These days ticking off to Christmas, and I wonder at the child in the manger, who came into our world, us undeserving shepherds, parents, gift-givers, innkeepers....and I wonder.  Will a child coming to our home feel just as wondrous?  This blessed union that has ached and amazed, as we've grown to love and trust...just like that stable, a messy and imperfect, dusty and dirty (literally, sometimes), humble abode...will it be a home for someone miraculous?  I will welcome that one with joy.  Advent 2012, however, brings the hope of the Christ born in my heart, in a new way.  I am 'nesting', creating space in my heart for New Life, cleaning out the dark and damp closets that house my fears, hanging robes of righteousness, compassion, patience, and thankfulness.

Days ago, I sat hopeful with a doctor who tells me that this hope for the belly to swell, it's not impossible (and I'm thinking, with God, was that ever so?).  He says that he has answers, and I breathe hopeful.  Do you wait this Christmas?  Can you turn that longing into a longing for Christ?  O Come, O Come Emmanuel!  And truly, He comes into our hearts, whether the friendship heals, the interview happens, the party goes well, or the gifts and cards are all sent on time....He comes.  Oh, let us be thankful.

Rejoicing in the Christ child,

Ruth

Things that are blessing me this Christmas...

The colors of the season here in Florida!  This is on our daily neighborhood walk...

Christmas can leave us all harried, but what do you do to capture some quiet moments, meditate on what matters?

Time slows, I can embrace where I am and drink in joy....because of these gifts from God...

Ann Voskamp Jesse Tree Advent Readings

Pandora Christmas stations--cheap membership to get ad-free listening!

This chai mix and this hot cocoa mix (Costco has the best price...)

I won't rub it in too much, but it has been in the mid-70s and 80s down here.

Genres Bible reading plan

Free tickets to the Getty concert!

reading in the evening on our new couch  (with a cup of that chai or hot cocoa above...)

staying away from Walmart on the weekends

taking the long way to work, and back

walking around the neighborhood with my hubby... and trying to avoid the bears (unlike my sis-in-law who was looking for them :)

family coming soon! and finding the perfect gift for the Perry family gift exchange

fellowship with dear friends  (you know who you are! :)

dancing a jig with the worship team here

my husband, who does not have expectations for me (except that I cook with plenty of beans!  :)

this video that we haven't finished (like I said, the past few days have been crazy)...but the first half was so special!

and taking a deep breath because it will all slow down in a few days (praise the Lord for three weeks off!)

I hope to post at least once more before Christmas, but if Christmas cards get the best of me....

Have a delightfully rich and meaningful Christmas and New Year!

Ruth

Innocent question, terrible theology...

It was an innocent question, but very 'American'.  I was trying to get out the door from a late night at church and still feeling dazed from a hard few days.  "Are you ready for Christmas?, " she said so innocently...My husband and I, well, we answered as best we could, but I easily read his expression, his true thoughts.  We have different ideas about decorating, celebrating and enjoying Christmas, he being more practical and myself, well, a bit more creative and also more of a spender (sorry, dear.)  I felt badly that this usually very reasonable and kind lady teased my love about being a 'scrooge,' and I also left frantically making lists in my head of all that 'needed' to be done to be 'ready' for Christmas...

What does it really mean to be ready for Christmas?  In the eyes of this woman, well, she was referring to all the busyness that ensues come October 31st.  [Yes, I'm guilty too...the Christmas music started in our home that day!]  My heart lifts when I think of all the pretty Christmas things, the people to buy for,  how to make the perfect Christmas card, and sadly, what gifts might come my way too...  Add school and church into the mix...Christmas plays, events, gifts, and lessons to help the little ones feel festive, loved, 'happy'.  But what about their souls?  What about mine?  

I've found myself leaning into the heart of the Lord a little more than usual this Christmas.  Certainly not because I am 'more spiritual' than any other woman.  No, it's simply because I feel my need, see my many imperfections.  I desperately wait for my Savior to fill up the gaps that I feel, the ache for more than this life can offer.  I find myself wondering what would bless Jesus on this, HIS birthday season.  I'm guessing it's not all the fuss and bustle.  I don't have any good answers, but simply a soul-searching that brings me back to my main callings...to love my God, my man, and...? Period.  Could that be enough?  What would it look like for me to ready my heart to love Jesus better, to love my husband better?  I want so badly to be there.  

My thoughts drift to the participants in the very first Christmas.  How did Mary prepare for Christmas?  Was she terrified, excited, hopeful?  Perhaps all.  What about Joseph?  Could he have struggled to trust God with the call to his new family?  How would he protect and provide?  The wise men who came expectant, and the shepherds who didn't plan at all, simply received.  And Jesus, He came.  He came to them, to all of us, whether we are ready....or not.  In years past, I have 'missed' His appearance, being distracted by the trappings of the American Christmas.  This Christmas, I bring my heart, in need of the Savior that offers Himself to us in a messy stable, uncertain times.  Here I am with my messy heart, doubts, uncertain and fearful times.  All I must do is receive?  I think perhaps, that is the best gift I can give my Savior....just to receive.  

It's a Homemade Christmas...

I've been thinking about what always made Christmas special to me, growing up on the farm...  and I've come to realize, apart from all the efforts my parents made to emphasize Christ, it was the homemade touches....cookies, homemade gifts galore, ornaments painted by hand, handwritten Christmas cards, caroling with family and those home-bound....among many other things.  In fact, back on the farm, doing things homemade was the only way.  We didn't buy into the commercialism and hype of Christmas, and that's something I hope to hold onto with my new little family here in Florida.  While we don't have all the fresh farm goods and family at a stone's throw, we have each other, the Spirit of Christ within us, and the desire to start traditions that will carry on for God's glory.


What traditions do you have for Christmas?  This year, the Perry family is doing our gift exchange again....a must with so many of us!  Sadly, there will not be a Christmas Extravaganza talent show this year, but if we are ever able to fit into one home again for the holidays, I'm sure that will happen!  The Finks will be coming down to FL to help us celebrate, with some time at Disney as well.  I've been busy getting our home ready, and I have some surprises for them!  I think the ham I purchased is too big, however, which means we will be having all sorts of ham-type recipes Christmas week....stay tuned for what recipes I might find for that conundrum!  Below are some photos of what I've been up to....

Can't go wrong with sugar cookies!

Leftover chocolate frosting and sprinkles did the trick!

Leftover burlap from my wedding, star pattern found online

Ornament hooks and jute twine

Aren't they cute?

I hope your Christmas stands out like this pretty little cookie...

Ta-da!  Homemade garland made with leftover supplies!

Feel free to leave a comment about your favorite way to celebrate the season, most of all by remembering the Christ-child who humbled Himself to walk among us....

And here is a great reminder I read this morning of all Christ has done through coming to us on earth...

And this lovely series, that will help make your Christmas more meaningful...

Merry Advent!
Ruth