When we were in Omaha for Thanksgiving I went to Parables Christian Bookstore and found a book entitled "25 Days 26 Ways. To Make This Your Best Christmas" by Ace Collins. It was an enlightening book. If we are intentional about keeping Christ in Christmas then you can find Him in all the Christmas traditions: wreaths, lights, card giving....even shopping! I tried to put some of the thoughts into practice. One of the things I plan on doing in future years is getting rid of my Santa Clauses and replacing them with nativity scenes or things that will remind me more of the reason for the season.
One change I made this year is I replaced my angel on top of my tree with a star. In reading Brock and Bodie Thoene's book "Why A Star" and Ace Collins chapter on Lights, I realized that perhaps God used a star to announce Christ's birth because Christ was going to bring light into darkness. I wanted a star on top of my tree to remind me that I also am to be light in a world of darkness.
The other thing I had never considered, is perhaps the shepherds were the first to get the announcement that Christ was born, not just because they were lowly, but because Jesus would himself be the Good Shepherd, and the lamb.
One of the things I discovered is that there is even a spiritual explanation for the "12 Days of Christmas". First of all the 12 days of Christmas actually started on Christmas day and continued to the day of Epiphany (January 6th)
From 1558 until 1829, Roman Catholics in England were not permitted to practice their faith openly. Someone during that era wrote this carol as a catechism song for young Catholics. It has two levels of meaning: the surface meaning plus a hidden meaning known only to members of their church. Each element in the carol has a code word for a religious reality which the children could remember.
The partridge in a pear tree is Jesus Christ, the Son of God. In the song, Christ is symbolically presented as a mother partridge which feigns injury to decoy predators from her helpless nestlings, much in memory of the expression of Christ's sadness over the fate of Jerusalem: "Jerusalem! Jerusalem! How often would I have sheltered thee under my wings, as a hen does her chicks, but thou wouldst not have it so..."
The other symbols mean the following:
2 Turtle Doves = The Old and New Testaments
3 French Hens = Faith, Hope and Charity, the Theological Virtues
4 Calling Birds = the Four Gospels and/or the Four Evangelists
5 Golden Rings = The first Five Books of the Old Testament, the "Pentateuch", which gives the history of man's fall from grace.
6 Geese A-laying = the six days of creation
7 Swans A-swimming = the seven gifts of the Holy Spirit, the seven sacraments
8 Maids A-milking = the eight beatitudes
9 Ladies Dancing = the nine Fruits of the Holy Spirit
10 Lords A-leaping = the ten commandments
11 Pipers Piping = the eleven faithful apostles
12 Drummers Drumming = the twelve points of doctrine in the Apostle's Creed
Now SNOPES says that this is not true, but I for one will not sing this song again without remembering a possible alternate meaning. I found a post by Dennis Bratcher that I tend to agree with "However, many have questioned the historical accuracy of this origin of the song The Twelve Days of Christmas. While some have trying to debunk this as an "urban myth" out of personal agendas, others have tried to deal with this account of the song's origin in the name of historical accuracy (see Snopes on The 12 Days of Christmas). There is little "hard" evidence available either way. Some church historians affirm this account as basically accurate, while others point out apparent historical and logical discrepancies.
However, we need to acknowledge that the "evidence" on both sides is mostly in logical deduction and probabilities. Lack of positive evidence does not automatically provide negative evidence. One internet site devoted to debunking hoaxes and legends says that, "there is no substantive evidence to demonstrate that the song 'The Twelve Days of Christmas' was created or used as a secret means of preserving tenets of the Catholic faith, or that this claim is anything but a fanciful modern day speculation. . .." What is omitted is that there is no "substantive evidence" that will disprove it either.
It is certainly possible, in fact probable, that this view of the song is legendary or anecdotal. Without corroboration and in the absence of "substantive evidence," we probably should not take rigid positions on either side and turn the song into a crusade for personal opinions. That would do more to violate the spirit of Christmas than the song is worth. So, for the sake of historical accuracy, we need to acknowledge the likelihood that the song had secular origins.
However, on another level, this should not prevent us from using the song in celebration of Christmas. Many of the symbols of Christianity were not originally religious, including even the present date of Christmas, but were appropriated from contemporary culture by the Christian Faith as vehicles of worship and proclamation. Perhaps, when all is said and done, historical accuracy is not really the point. Perhaps more important is that Christians can celebrate their rich heritage, and God's grace, through one more avenue this Christmas. Now, when they hear what they once thought was only a secular "nonsense song," they will be reminded in one more way of the grace of God working in transforming ways in their lives and in our world. After all, is that not the meaning of Christmas anyway?"
Tuesday, December 29, 2009
Saturday, December 26, 2009
I'm Back
So don't know that anyone will see this, but I have decided to blog again. Probably won't be everyday,but we will see what happens.
Today has been a hard day. Usually, the day after Christmas is a depressive time for me, today was not so much so. Probably because the focus of today was not on me but others. I visited three different people who had to spend Christmas in the hospital, passing room after room of other people who had to be in the hospital and nurses who were having to work to care for these people. Most of these people do not occupy my thoughts most of the time, but the did today. And it has caused me to ask my Father for forgiveness. There are so many sick people that I have procrastinated visiting. My good intentions don't quite do the trick. I remember all too well how important visitors were when I was in the hospital. It was not only important to feel you weren't forgoten, but it really helped pass the time. So you think I would be better at living out the lesson for others. I think the reason I procrastinate is because I think I have to have the "right" words to say actually knowing there are no right words. I have no answers as to why God allows suffering. I keep wanting a pat answer, but there is none.
One of the sweet ladies I visited today has been put in a nursing home because she needs antibiotics by IV every six hours and has no insurance for home health care. It was so sad to see this 40 something woman in this facility with so many elderly people who can not take care of themselves. But if that were not enough, while her mother was visiting this morning she felt like she was having a heart attack and they had to call 911 who transported her to the hospital, one block away and now she is in the hospital as well. I just want to say "excuse me God, I know you are God and I am not, but this makes no sense. Is not Lorna having it hard enough without this happening? How can this be for any good? But I do know you are God and I am not and you have promised you will cause ALL things to work out together for good". That is enough.
I tried to do more of Advent this year, but was not very successful, a little here and there, but definitely not every day. But studying for three lessons for the ladies class I teach taught me a lot more about the Adevnt season and celebration. One thing I learned that Advent is not just about the "coming" of Jesus' birth but also about His second coming. Days like today make me more eager than ever for that day to come. Heaven, where there is no pain, no sickness, no sorrow but just perfection in total fellowship with our Father, Son and Spirit. Unfortnately, I don't spend near enough time anticipating that day and being eager for it to come. Years ago there was a song by Newsong called "Fingertips and Noses" that I loved. I hope that more and more in the days, weeks and months again that I will capture this spirit.
Up in the hills somewhere in Kentucky
In a little old school way back in the nothing
Where special kids born with special needs
Are sent to learn life's ABCs
Their teacher, Mrs. Jones, tells them all about Jesus
How in the twinkling of an eye He's coming back to get us
About streets of gold and pearly gates
How they want to go, they just can't wait
And she can't keep them in their seats
They're all at the windows straining to see
And it's
Fingertips and noses pressed to the windowpanes
Longing eyes, expectant hearts for Him to come again
All they know is that they love Him so
And if He said He'd come, He's coming
And they can't keep their windows clean
For fingertips and noses
She tried to explain to the kids about His coming
She tried to calm them down, but they just wouldn't listen
They just giggled and they clapped their hands
They're so excited that He's coming for them
And the first thing you know they're out of their seats
Back at the windows straining to see
Where will Jesus find us when He comes again?
Will we be like little children waiting just for Him?
With our
Fingertips and noses pressed to the windowpanes
Longing eyes, expectant hearts for Him to come again
All we know is that we love Him so
And if He said He'd come, He's coming
And we can't keep our windows clean
For our fingertips and noses
Today has been a hard day. Usually, the day after Christmas is a depressive time for me, today was not so much so. Probably because the focus of today was not on me but others. I visited three different people who had to spend Christmas in the hospital, passing room after room of other people who had to be in the hospital and nurses who were having to work to care for these people. Most of these people do not occupy my thoughts most of the time, but the did today. And it has caused me to ask my Father for forgiveness. There are so many sick people that I have procrastinated visiting. My good intentions don't quite do the trick. I remember all too well how important visitors were when I was in the hospital. It was not only important to feel you weren't forgoten, but it really helped pass the time. So you think I would be better at living out the lesson for others. I think the reason I procrastinate is because I think I have to have the "right" words to say actually knowing there are no right words. I have no answers as to why God allows suffering. I keep wanting a pat answer, but there is none.
One of the sweet ladies I visited today has been put in a nursing home because she needs antibiotics by IV every six hours and has no insurance for home health care. It was so sad to see this 40 something woman in this facility with so many elderly people who can not take care of themselves. But if that were not enough, while her mother was visiting this morning she felt like she was having a heart attack and they had to call 911 who transported her to the hospital, one block away and now she is in the hospital as well. I just want to say "excuse me God, I know you are God and I am not, but this makes no sense. Is not Lorna having it hard enough without this happening? How can this be for any good? But I do know you are God and I am not and you have promised you will cause ALL things to work out together for good". That is enough.
I tried to do more of Advent this year, but was not very successful, a little here and there, but definitely not every day. But studying for three lessons for the ladies class I teach taught me a lot more about the Adevnt season and celebration. One thing I learned that Advent is not just about the "coming" of Jesus' birth but also about His second coming. Days like today make me more eager than ever for that day to come. Heaven, where there is no pain, no sickness, no sorrow but just perfection in total fellowship with our Father, Son and Spirit. Unfortnately, I don't spend near enough time anticipating that day and being eager for it to come. Years ago there was a song by Newsong called "Fingertips and Noses" that I loved. I hope that more and more in the days, weeks and months again that I will capture this spirit.
Up in the hills somewhere in Kentucky
In a little old school way back in the nothing
Where special kids born with special needs
Are sent to learn life's ABCs
Their teacher, Mrs. Jones, tells them all about Jesus
How in the twinkling of an eye He's coming back to get us
About streets of gold and pearly gates
How they want to go, they just can't wait
And she can't keep them in their seats
They're all at the windows straining to see
And it's
Fingertips and noses pressed to the windowpanes
Longing eyes, expectant hearts for Him to come again
All they know is that they love Him so
And if He said He'd come, He's coming
And they can't keep their windows clean
For fingertips and noses
She tried to explain to the kids about His coming
She tried to calm them down, but they just wouldn't listen
They just giggled and they clapped their hands
They're so excited that He's coming for them
And the first thing you know they're out of their seats
Back at the windows straining to see
Where will Jesus find us when He comes again?
Will we be like little children waiting just for Him?
With our
Fingertips and noses pressed to the windowpanes
Longing eyes, expectant hearts for Him to come again
All we know is that we love Him so
And if He said He'd come, He's coming
And we can't keep our windows clean
For our fingertips and noses
Thursday, August 13, 2009
Final Post
Well, I have been debating for a couple of weeks of whether I would continue to blog and I think I have made the decision to quit. When I first started my blog in 2007 it was to help me process my journey through my car accident and so many of you were so encouraging and helped me with the emotional healing during that time. Then in the last year I have been blogging about some spiritual things God is teaching me. This summer it has mostly been about my travels. But now I am just dry and don't think I have too much to say that would entice anyone to want to read. I think it is because I spend too much time on Facebook. I like Facebook though because you can keep up with so many different people and I really enjoy looking at other people's pictures. So if I have something else major to say, I will probably just post it as a note on Facebook.
So the last two days our internet has been down, so I couldn't blog yesterday about Steve and my 20th anniversary. We still can't believe that it was 20 years ago that we got married. It just seems like it has gone so fast. Since the Alaskan cruise was our gift to ourselves, our day was spent with a simple movie and lunch at Saltgrass. We went to see "Angels and Demons" at the $1.00 movie, so we had fun on little money :) We thought "Angels and Demons" was much better than "Divinci Code". It had a lot of action and plot twists and turns. We then came home and then unfortunately Steve twisted his back really bad and has been hurting ever since.
So Time-Warner came out this morning and replaced the modem and we are back in business.
If I could have blogged yesterday it would have been for one last time to tell you how blessed I am to have such a wonderful husband. When we got engaged, he purposed telling me that he promised to love me the way Christ loved the church and I can honestly that he has kept that promise. He is the most unselfish person I know and is always putting my needs before his own. The sweetest thing he does is several times a day he comes and massages my feet while they are up in my chair, and almost everyday puts lotion on them. He just knows that I enjoy it. Steve had no idea when we took our vows and he said "in sickness and in health" that my life would hold so much sickness and pain, but I would not have been able to go through any of it without his love and support. He helps me to remain strong and keep my eyes on the Lord. There is no greater blessing than knowing your husband loves the Lord as much as you (if not more) and will do their best to help you receive your eternal reward. I am thankful we will share eternity together. I thank God for His divine plan in bringing us together.
So for those of you who are still reading, many who I have no idea who you are, I thank you for checking in. For those of you who faithfully took the time to comment I thank you and enjoyed our chats. This is my prayer for all you from Ephesians 3:20-may our Lord bless you abundantly more than all you can ask or imagine. As Carol Burnett would say "I'm so glad we had this time together."
This is Steve and I on the seaplane in Ketchikan.
So the last two days our internet has been down, so I couldn't blog yesterday about Steve and my 20th anniversary. We still can't believe that it was 20 years ago that we got married. It just seems like it has gone so fast. Since the Alaskan cruise was our gift to ourselves, our day was spent with a simple movie and lunch at Saltgrass. We went to see "Angels and Demons" at the $1.00 movie, so we had fun on little money :) We thought "Angels and Demons" was much better than "Divinci Code". It had a lot of action and plot twists and turns. We then came home and then unfortunately Steve twisted his back really bad and has been hurting ever since.
So Time-Warner came out this morning and replaced the modem and we are back in business.
If I could have blogged yesterday it would have been for one last time to tell you how blessed I am to have such a wonderful husband. When we got engaged, he purposed telling me that he promised to love me the way Christ loved the church and I can honestly that he has kept that promise. He is the most unselfish person I know and is always putting my needs before his own. The sweetest thing he does is several times a day he comes and massages my feet while they are up in my chair, and almost everyday puts lotion on them. He just knows that I enjoy it. Steve had no idea when we took our vows and he said "in sickness and in health" that my life would hold so much sickness and pain, but I would not have been able to go through any of it without his love and support. He helps me to remain strong and keep my eyes on the Lord. There is no greater blessing than knowing your husband loves the Lord as much as you (if not more) and will do their best to help you receive your eternal reward. I am thankful we will share eternity together. I thank God for His divine plan in bringing us together.
So for those of you who are still reading, many who I have no idea who you are, I thank you for checking in. For those of you who faithfully took the time to comment I thank you and enjoyed our chats. This is my prayer for all you from Ephesians 3:20-may our Lord bless you abundantly more than all you can ask or imagine. As Carol Burnett would say "I'm so glad we had this time together."
This is Steve and I on the seaplane in Ketchikan.
Friday, August 07, 2009
Last Alaskan Trip Post
So I have shared most of the scenic pictures from Alaska, but here are just some random pics of things I took just because I had a new digital camera and could.
Remember in Tennesse there were Runaway Ramps? Well apparently in Alaska trucks don't runaway, they just escape :)
Not sure I have seen very many kayaks in Texas?
Just in case Steve said he didn't relax on our trip.
Yes those are dollar bills. Don't know when they started this trend, but evidently people don't mind giving up a dollar to be part of the scene. We did not leave our mark on this place.
Better be careful, you never know who will just snap your picture because they think you might remind them of someone else.
Wish I knew how to carve watermelons, I can hardly carve a pumpkin.
Our attempt to do the teenage thing and take our own picture on the bus. For some reason theirs all look a lot better???
Steve thought it was ironic that we say "watch your head" and the boat said "mind your head".
Didn't you think along with me that Palin was popular in Alaska?? Maybe not so much??
Remember in Tennesse there were Runaway Ramps? Well apparently in Alaska trucks don't runaway, they just escape :)
Not sure I have seen very many kayaks in Texas?
Just in case Steve said he didn't relax on our trip.
Yes those are dollar bills. Don't know when they started this trend, but evidently people don't mind giving up a dollar to be part of the scene. We did not leave our mark on this place.
Better be careful, you never know who will just snap your picture because they think you might remind them of someone else.
Wish I knew how to carve watermelons, I can hardly carve a pumpkin.
Our attempt to do the teenage thing and take our own picture on the bus. For some reason theirs all look a lot better???
Steve thought it was ironic that we say "watch your head" and the boat said "mind your head".
Didn't you think along with me that Palin was popular in Alaska?? Maybe not so much??
Monday, August 03, 2009
Whidbey
After we disembarked the cruise ship, we returned to the airport, rented a car and headed toward Whidbey. My Brother Brad had told us that it would be a nice place to spend the night and kind of debrief before heading to his house. Steve's mom had generously given us money for our birthdays so we used it to stay at a bed and breakfast. It wasn't a tradtional bed and breakfast in terms of the house. While the room was adequate, it didn't have any comfortable seating. But it did have a GREAT view and had comfortable seating outside. They had a very freindly cat, Rocky, that Steve really enjoyed. 
Friday, July 31, 2009
Victoria Canada
Well our last day at sea included a stop at Victoria Canada. Once again we were only going to be there 4 hours, which was not near enough time. We had scheduled an excursion to Buchart Gardens. Unfortunately, we only had about 15 minutes or so before it got dark and then we saw the gardens by light. We had 2 hours to see 55 acres of flowers. Good thing I was on a scooter. Steve wasn't all that into the gardens, so he would sit and wait for me while I would take off on the scooter. The gardens were very pretty and I had fun experimenting with my new camera and taking pictures of flowers. Unfortunately, when I went to take a picture of what I thought was the prettiest of the gardens, my batteries died and I did not have anymore with me. So here are some of the pictures I took, along with a really fun video of some people I enjoyed watching dance at the gardens. Especially watch the guy on the left with the black shirt and tan pants...he was really getting into it!
So why is it we call them restrooms and in Canada they are washrooms??
So why is it we call them restrooms and in Canada they are washrooms??
Tuesday, July 28, 2009
Ketchikan
So our last Alaska port was Ketchikan. It was actually my favorite, but unfortunately, we got the shortest amount of time there and by the time we did the Seaplane excursion, we only had about an hour to explore. But here are the pictures of the town and the views from the seaplane.
This was my favorite picture I took of the trip. It was from our landing on Misty Fjord and I love the reflection in the water.
How would you like this to be your rug in your den?
And then look who I found vacationing in Ketchikan! Who knew?
This was my favorite picture I took of the trip. It was from our landing on Misty Fjord and I love the reflection in the water.
How would you like this to be your rug in your den?
And then look who I found vacationing in Ketchikan! Who knew?
Sunday, July 26, 2009
Tracy Arm
One of the neat things about our Alaskan cruise is it was sponsored by In Touch Ministries, so that everyone on board was a believer (or a friend or relative). It was just nice to know that you didn't have to worry about anyone getting drunk (they didn't serve alocohol) or about bad language, etc. One of the neat things was when we made it up Tracy Arm to see Glacier Bay they were talking on the loud speaker so that we could all hear, and they said we should all praise God for His creation and began singing "How Great Thou Art". I videoed what was going on and you can hear the singing and then you can hear Steve excited to have a bald eagle siting. Unfortunately, you really can't tell it's an eagle. Just thought on this Lord's day it was appropriate to post the video. You will hear Dr. Stanley speaking to us as well. Not sure what happened when the camera goes sideways, but....oh well.
Saturday, July 25, 2009
Glacier Bay
Tuesday was our day cruising Tracy Arm and Glacier Bay. It was the most serene of all the days, just because our cruise speed was very slow and for hours we saw all sorts of ice bergs. Some people spotted orca whales, but unfortunately, not us. We did see one seal swim close to the ship and another sitting on an ice formation. 
Also saw a couple of bald eagles, but couldn't get them on camera. It was also our coldest day, so hot chocolate tasted really good and also the split pea soup they served us on deck :)
Also saw a couple of bald eagles, but couldn't get them on camera. It was also our coldest day, so hot chocolate tasted really good and also the split pea soup they served us on deck :)
Friday, July 24, 2009
Skagway
This was our first cruise. We enjoyed all the decandence and just being spoiled. We especially enjoyed the formal 5 course dinners. We had the same table partners all week and enjoyed getting to know them.
It was fun coming back to the room every night to see what kind of towel animal Mulyanti had made for us.
Our second port was Skagway. Definitely not handicap friendly as there were several railroad tracks to get over and then wooden sidewalks. We took a 2 hour train ride into Canada and then returned by bus here are just a few pictures from the trip:
This is a snowplow, that is still operated in the Winter.
We stopped on the way back at Liarsville, it was called that because the newspaper men would come there to cover the Gold Rush but instead of actually covering the news they would wait till the gold rushers returned to camp and report their stories as news. This was the one thing on our trip that definitely was not worth the money ($41.00 each)
It was fun coming back to the room every night to see what kind of towel animal Mulyanti had made for us.
Our second port was Skagway. Definitely not handicap friendly as there were several railroad tracks to get over and then wooden sidewalks. We took a 2 hour train ride into Canada and then returned by bus here are just a few pictures from the trip:
This is a snowplow, that is still operated in the Winter.
We stopped on the way back at Liarsville, it was called that because the newspaper men would come there to cover the Gold Rush but instead of actually covering the news they would wait till the gold rushers returned to camp and report their stories as news. This was the one thing on our trip that definitely was not worth the money ($41.00 each)
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)