And you will have joy and gladness, and many will rejoice at his birthLuke 1:14 It's beginning. The contractions have started. Close together, robbing her of breath. The world has contracted into just this space, just this time. This body, this moment, this labor. The Christ Child is on his way. But here is another …
Tag: nativity
joy to the world
I've had several blue Christmases. Holidays where I am grieving, or angry, or clinically, chemically depressed. The holiday happy-s don't exist in my emotional reservoir. That is when I am allowed to rest in the fact that joy is not a synonym of happiness.
into the darkness
he light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.John 1:5 Today is the darkest day of the year. Where I am, the sun will set at 5:02 PM, giving us just 10 hours of daylight. It feels appropriate then, that the Light of the World is about to make his entrance. The …
the weary world rejoices
Long lay the world in sin and error pining,‘Till he appeared and the soul felt its worth.A thrill of hope the weary world rejoices,For yonder breaks a new and glorious morn;O Holy Night A thrill of hope, the weary world rejoices. That has long been my favorite lyric in any Christmas song. Who isn't acquainted …
seen.
My soul magnifies the Lord, and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior, for he has looked on the humble estate of his servant.For behold, from now on all generations will call me blessed; for he who is mighty has done great things for me, and holy is his name.And his mercy is for those who fear him from generation to generation.Luke 1:46-50 How does a person actually …
the choice.
Love chooses relationship, believes that inconvenience and judgement are able to be overcome. Love makes a cradle out of hay, and marvels at the sweet smell instead of mourning the lack of the coordinated nursery décor. Love allows strangers to come witness a private moment, it opens the door to the unexpected and the unplanned.
giving space.
Love shows itself most fully when things are not easy. When the stomach butterflies and all night conversations have passed, and the everyday reality of work and washing dishes and wearing the same t-shirt for 6 days and a row sets in.
light.
In the Nativity story, there was a star. In the dead of night, a bright, new light. One that shone so brightly that people were convinced to interrupt their lives and follow it's path. The star. The heavens, lit with angels. The Light of the World, born as an infant. This was the continuation, the passed candle, of the spark lit in Eden. Passed through generations, by Moses, by Isaac, by Rahab, by David, by Ruth and the Prophets. Then, it inhabited the Christ Child. Now, the candle is passed to you.
Drums
I love Christmas Carols. Their lyrics are timeless and sometimes reveal profound truths. But I don't love all of them. Why in the world do we need that tearjerker Christmas Shoes Song? Mary, Did You Know is history's most egregious case of mansplaining. And then there is the Little Drummer Boy.
Clay
Parenthood is a long game. One made primarily of patience, love, and faith, with liberal amounts of discipline, wisdom, and laughter sprinkled into the mix. As God parents us, we have the divine promise that our Heavenly Father will not forget us.
JoyPlusGrace 