"Ay Ay Ay It's Christmas..."

1st Day of Christmas

What a happy day.  I grew up blessed with lots of wonderful traditions that helped with the anticipation of Christmasness.  Time off before, running around last minute shopping, Johnny Mathis and Frank Sinatra, Christmas Eve service, the feast (pork, sauerkraut, yummy cookies and cakes), and finally, busting into the loot.

Well, one thing that has been a tension for me, that a focus on the REAL gift of Christmas has overcome, is the idea of "loot."  Yes, I am a materialistic pig.  There is always something on "the list" and some secret expectation of "the thing" that I wanted.  I don't even know what that is anymore!  And I'm glad.  As a child I was secretly envious of friends who got "the thing" they wanted.  I dared not hope, and yet, I did. And was frequently, secretly disappointed because of not getting "the thing".

Well, that is life, and I am glad I did not get "the thing" because "the thing" is not what it is about. "The thing" fades and dies...it passes into Goodwill donation piles.  God save me from "the thing!"  And He has!  There is great joy in anticipating and meditating on the coming and present Gift. He does keep giving and giving, and makes me increasingly grateful for his grace.  So who needs the Mattel Battlestar Galactica hand held game?  Really, I didn't and I don't.  Thank you, mom and dad for being sensible, while still preserving an awesome sense of mystery, expectation and wonder.

Merry Christmas!

Something's Amiss

A consistent theme, existentially, for me is this:  I cannot get my brain and heart around the immensity of God's love and mercy for us, through Jesus Christ.

Something is rotten in Denmark, and in me.  If the Gospel is true (and it is) and as big a deal as it seems (and it is) then why the gloom? Why the foreboding?  Little trials like work difficulties, illness, loss, death, hunger, poverty, shame, failure are nothing compared to the vastness of Christ's imputed righteousness and grace.  We no longer must strive for acceptance!  We are no longer required to provide proof of our capabilities and worth (like at work). Glory, Hallelujah!  Amazing Grace! We are right with God through Jesus!

And yet....

Do I dare allow myself to fall into the reality of God's extravagant love for us, His people?  Do I dare, as 'Mater would say, "to not to?"

Oh, to be free of the flesh that wars against the ability to know, the world that propagates false solutions to real emptiness and longing, and the devil that lies.