A small prayer answered!

Sometimes, we pray and pray and pray - maybe days, maybe weeks, maybe years, for things that God for whatever reason decides to answer with "wait". Then sometimes, He answers our prayers immediately.

I needed a Christmas celebration. A quiet one. A "Silent Night" one. Mentioned it in my last blog.
Christmas and I are not real compatible most years. I hate the commercialism, the money-spending, the selfishness and greediness, the events, etc., etc. When I was a little kid I remember one event that really stirred my imagination, and gave me a sense of awe surrounding the birth of Jesus that I've carried with me to adulthood. We went to a little church someplace, I think maybe Lutheran, for a night time Christmas Eve service. I remember only the candles and the quietness of it all. It was simple. Christmas carols, the story of Jesus birth, and quiet. I wanted that kind of Christmas celebration just once this year.

Last Saturday night, my hubby and I went to church (we usually go Sunday morning, but hubby had a meeting to go to and had to be there early). The service was quiet, we sang Christmas carols, and Pastor's sermon was on Ruth, how her kinsman redeemed her, how she is in the lineage of Christ, how God's plan was manifested even through a simple story of a Moabitist - a non-Jew. Then we spent a few moments meditating on what God has done for us, thanking Him for His gift to us, through the sacrifice of His son. Then the service closed. My Christmas present. My answer to prayer! All I needed it to be. Ahhhhhhh!

Now I've celebrated!

Merry Christmas!

To all who happen to pass this way - Merry Christmas!

We're having a wonderful, quiet Christmas day, and had a great Christmas Eve. Just the four of us, but that's ok. I kind of like the simplicity.

Have a good week this last week of 2007.

Blessings.

Honoring the Christ in Christmas

I always find myself feeling a bit down during the holiday season. It lasts from before Thanksgiving until after the New Year. I know that part of that stems from not being with my extended family. Growing up, we were surrounded by aunts, uncles, cousins, grandparents, brothers and sisters, and parents. Now, we're in Ohio, a brother is in Texas, another in Michigan, and parents in Florida. Those myriad numbers of cousins, aunts, and uncles are scattered around the country, maybe a few even out of the country. Of course, there are also those who have gone on to be with the Lord. So, perhaps some of my moodiness is due to being without them.

However, some of what leads me to not looking forward to the holidays - is what the season has become. Halloween isn't even over before the Christmas decorations are out at the store. Kids start wish lists before Thanksgiving, catalogs come by the boatload in the mail. One event after another gets scheduled, shopping chores mount up, gifts need to be sent out, goodies need to be made. I don't really mind those things - but where in there does the meaning of Christmas get any headlines?

At various times since beginning homeschool, I've tried implementing a daily Christmas project, a devotional. As the years have gone by, it's been harder and harder to incorporate that into the family structure. It's easier sometimes, to go with the flow. But I feel we're missing something. The simplicity of Christmas is gone. The purpose of celebrating is shaky. It's not completely missing, since we are involved in church and

Christmas memories

Just strolling down memory lane during dinner tonight. I remember family Christmas parties - do people still do that these days? I remember my Grandpa handing out silver dollars to the grandkids - the kazillion of us. And the food! Pies, cakes, cookies, bars, pop, ham, scalloped potatoes, jello salads. Hmm, none too healthy I guess - but what pleasant memories. I remember my Grandpa singing Silent Night in German, Grandma sitting there watching her family as she twiddled her thumbs.

Then there was dad's family. They argued, made up, argued again...but I'd give anything to experience it again. The kids played pool at my aunt's house, when grandpa was still alive - he'd play Santa. And of course, the food.

How about Christmas Eve services - I remember one particular year we went to a little Lutheran church with my Grandpa for a late evening service. It seemed so peaceful, quiet, reflective. Very meaningful.

Those were good memories. Memories I wish my kids could have had. We make our own memories now, but I still think of those time with a great deal of nostalgia. I miss them....not just the events - but the people - some now in heaven, many so far away we never see them. If you're reading this and you remember too....say hi!