Christmas expectations: snow bound!

Its snowing outside today. Again. Or perhaps a better comment would be, still. It has snowed everyday for the past 9 days and its deep out there. People here are tired of it. Even my kids, who were thrilled at first, just want it to stop and go away. It's messing with everyone's plans. Western Oregon does not expect this much snow--a snow day here and there sure okay but over a foot and its still snowing. Give us a break. And yet, it keeps snowing.

I didn't expect snow like this.It has changed my days and plans for Christmas shopping, caroling and church services. It has greatly increased the hours and stresses of my husband job. For the first time in years he won't be taking one of our kids on a personal shopping trip. It will affect our family's big Christmas Eve dinner and probably the number of presents under the tree. I don't believe in a weather god or a snow god or goddess or even mother nature. I don't believe in global warming either. I believe in the one true God who has the keys for the treasury of snow (Job 38: 7). So I think, God is up to something. Of course He is always at work in our lives, but what's the deal with this snow Lord?

And I've got a couple of thoughts. One is about family. The snow has forced us to be in the house together more than I think we would have been. Even with the snow, the kids still make plans and go out every day, just not as many or as easily. I think that God is giving us the opportunity to be together more, to build our family ties and to learn to love each other better. Tempers flare, but there's no place to hide so we have to work through it and come out stronger. there is time to talk about plans and hopes and dreams. We have to work together more. We've dug out the driveway and decorated the house and made candy together. Its been the perfect opportunity to strengthen the bonds of love. I hope and expect to be together next year, but since I don't know what the future holds I will savor this time of ( forced) togetherness.

In spite of all the ways the snow has changed my expectations of this holiday season, I see the Hand of the Lord at work. The snow is the wrapping paper for gifts He has hidden. Even though it wasn't what I wanted or expected I hope that I have the eyes to see it and the heart to receive it.

Christmas Lights: Christmas Tree lights

My favorite kind of lights at Christmas time are those on a Christmas tree. I find this kind of light enchanting. I love to sit and look at our tree especially early in the morning. I will turn the tree lights on and nothing else and then sit and look at it. I did it as a kid too. From about 5th grade on through high school I was usually the first one up at my house because I practiced the piano before I went to school. During Christmas time I can remember getting up and turning on the tree lights and spending most of my practice time just gazing at the tree and the lights. I love the soft , warm glow they give off and the way the ornaments sparkle and shine. It's a beautiful, appealling light constantly drawing my eyes towards it.

We put our tree up right next to a big picture window. While the tree is up, we never close the blinds on that window. The tree is always visible for all to see. One of our neighbors told us that during Christmas time he often walks by our house at night so he can appreciate our big tree. Many people display their trees in a similar manner, so that as you pass through a neighborhood you can see into the houses and enjoy each family's decorated tree.

This phenomenon reminds me of Jesus' words in Matthew 5:14 & 15." You are the light of the world.A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do they light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house. " Jesus , the light of the world, cannot be hidden. And the trees we decorate to commerate his birth, we exhibit to all who pass by, their lights glowing and beckoning us to come and adore Him.

The Lights of Christmas: Snow Light

For many of us, snow is closely associated with Christmas. I grew up in a locale where snow in December was common. I would feverently hope for fresh snow on Christmas Eve and not just for Santa and his sleigh either. I wanted it to snow because it made everything so beautiful. Snow softens harsh lines, covers up ugliness and transforms it into things of beauty. It changes the sounds of things too. It muffles some noises, but seems to magnify voices calling to one another.Snowy weather adds new sounds to soundtrack of life like the scrape of the snow shovel clearing walks or driveways and the chug of cars with chains rumbling along the streets.

Even today, as an adult, I still get excited about the snow. The inconviences , dangers, challenges and extra work it brings can't stop me from enjoying snowy days and especially snow light. Sun shine and snow produce the most dazzling light I know. Everything is brighter, and everything sparkles. Snow and clouds produce a unique light too. Snow lightens the gloom of heavy cloud cover. Snow clouds appear silver and pink to me as they reflect the electric lights of my community. And a snowy night, whether snow is falling or just on the ground, is never as dark as any other, for the crystals in the snow catch and reflect any glimmer of light available.

All these things that I love about the snow, all the ways it changes the world remind me of the passage from Isaiah where he tells us that "Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be white as snow."(Isaiah 1:18). When Jesus was born he brought us the opportunity to be transformed like the snow transforms the world and the ability to be reflecters of His light and His glory.

Christmas Lights: Candles

I love burning candles at Christmas time. Especially scented ones. Several years ago my sister sent me some mulberry scented candles which have the best fragrance. They are almost gone and I have begun looking for some similar ones to replace them. I would like to keep smelling that fragrance. Its a nice combination of sweet and outdoorsy at the same time.

Candles are easily associated with Christmas. However, two other religious holidays in December have lighting candles as part of the celebration too. Maybe its because this is the darkest time of the year. Candles shining in the darkness remind me both of the words of Isaiah and of the conditions in the stable.Probably the only light that Mary and Joseph would have had was lamp light which is very similar to candlelight.Some people talk about their children as being"the light of their life." Jesus truly was,and not just for Mary and Joseph but for all of us and the Father too.

Scripture tells us that "God sent his only begotten son"( John 3 :16)and that He was well pleased with him. Jesus is the beloved of the Father and the Spirit. He is ( and I don't really have any idea how literally to take this) the light of their life. Isaiah called him the Light shining in the darkness. When I see a candle burning at night, overcoming darkness with a single flame, I am reminded of Jesus, and my call to be like him, a beautiful light in the midst of the darkness of a sin filled world.

Christmas Lights; Outside lights

Yesterday we hung up Christmas lights and put a big star up.Just my husband and me(I didn't really do much of anything, but I was there!) No children squealing or oooing and ahhing. No helpers either. Just the two of us. But it was better than last year, where in the wake of the big storm, I was out there all by myself. I just don't have the right touch. Several years I have tried to put up the lights by myself and it never even comes close to looking as good as it does when my husband does it. He's the artist...not me. But I love the lights, their twinkle in the night is very festive to me, and now they 're up under his special touch.

The big star is new for us. I couldn't resit it at the store yesterday. We have a perfect spot for a big light sculpture and I've being looking/thinking about getting something for that spot for a while. It's a five pointed star and it fits in the spot perfectly.

So I have been thinking about stars. In Genesis, God gives us a lot of information about the stars. The sun , moon and stars divide the day from the night, are for signs and seasons, for days and years. They give light on the earth. About stars, scripture says specifically that "He made the stars also. God set them in the firmament of the heavens to give light on the earth, and to rule over the day and over the night, and to divide the light from the darkness. (Gen.1:16) Psalm 147:4 tells us that God counts the number of stars and calls them all by name, while Job 38: 7 informs us that the morning stars can sing. And of course there is the star of Bethlehem that announced the birth of the Messiah, the star that the Wise men followed.

I like having that star up there. On my house it marks a place where Jesus has been born . I hope its presence will lead me into a deeper devotion and guide me again to the humble manger bed where He came from heaven to earth.

The Sounds of Christmas: Whispers and giggles

Two more of my favorite Christmas sounds are whispers and giggles.They are the sounds of secrets and surprises. During the Advent season these noises become more prevelant as friends and family make big plans for one another. Doors quickly shut and loud proclamations of "Don't come in!" collide with soft voices murmurring.Whispers and giggles speak to me of good things waiting to be revealed. We give gifts and plan surprises to bless one another and bring joy to life.

God whispers to me during Advent. The swish of the wind on a blustery day , the noise of the fire burning in the woodstove, the sounds of the rain on the roof, these are God's whispers. At Christmas time I notice them and tie them to the season because they are wintery sounds and winter weather and Advent arrive about the same time here. And I know that He has surprises in store for me each Advent. These sounds remind me to turn my attention towards Him and listen carefully.

I can't really imagine God giggling, but I know that He keeps secrets and gives gifts. Secrets that are blessings and gifts that are far beyond what we can imagine or think. For until He was born, who would have imagined that the Messiah King would come to earth as a baby. And may be, when He looked down from heaven, the Father chuckled delightedly over the sight of the Baby Jesus, just like earthly fathers chuckle with joy over their own cooing or sleeping child.

Sounds of Christmas: Carols and hymns

For as long as I can remember, singing Christmas carols has been part and parcel of Advent and of Christmas Eve especially. For at least fifteen years I attended a Christmas Eve service where we sang Christmas carols interspersed with the reading of the of Christmas story from the scripture. At the very end of the service everyone held a lit candle and the lights in the sanctuary were extinguished. I can't imagine Christmas without the old familiar Christmas carols.

They are beautiful and harmonious, expounding on different parts of the Christmas story with artistry, passion and majesty. In my minds ear, the carols are always sung by large groups of people. That may be part of their appeal, groups of people coming together and singing. In our community we have a Christmas cantata where people from all walks of life get together to practice Christmas music. They start months before Christmas--September I think. This is the only time of year an event like this happens. Often these program ends with the audience being invited to sing a familiar song with the performing group.And so a big group gets bigger, singing the carols. Something about Christmas music just encourages large groups of people to gather together and sing for joy.

They really can't help though, for the first Christmas carol must have been the multitudes of angels, singing to the startled shepherds.

"And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying:
'Glory to God in the highest, And on earth peace, goodwill toward men.' "
Luke 2 : 13 &14

The Sounds of Christmas: Jingle Bells

Jingle bells, jingle bells, jingle all the way..to Christmas! Jingle bells also evoke Christmas to me. When I was a child we took a string of bells with us as we put our presents under the Christmas tree on Christmas Eve. One person would leave the room shaking the bells all the way to their bedroom where presents had been wrapped and hidden, waiting for Christmas Eve. Then, loaded down with their gifts to give, he or she would shake the bells all the way back to the living room and carefully place each item under the tree. When my children were little we would tie a string of jingle bells to the front door knob so that every time we went in or out the bells would sound. Then of course the bells of the Budweiser horses also come to mind. They summon visions of Christmases long years ago, with travel by coach and sleigh.

Jingle bells are a cheerful, joyful sound, generally tracking the movement of someone or something. They announce things and are often associated with celebrations. Think of the phrase"I'll be there with bells on" , meaning I will come and celebrate with you to the nth degree.Perhaps the angel had bells when he proclaimed to all:

"Do not be afraid, for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which will be to all people. For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord."
Luke 2:10 & 11