Different December

December can be polar opposites of the season. It used to be the month of mad mall shopping for the right present to wrap, baking trays of cookies to share with others and writing the Christmas newsletter to slip in the countless Christmas cards ready to mail. For some it is sledding in the snow, flying off to a sandy tropical beach and for others it’s singing around or before a log fire. But it can also be the month of missing the ones we love, gaining pounds from too many chocolates and entering a season of misery with overcharged credit cards and family gatherings all gone wrong. And then there’s this year - a season very different from any we have ever experienced - whether it was festive with carols or fraught with sadness.

We are crossing the bridge of change and things look very different from what once was. It’s difficult to transition at the best of times, and now we are doing so with varied opinions, information and emotions wrapped with a bow during a season of festivities that don’t seem all that fun or fulfilling. We aren’t sure what’s on the other side, but we know we have to keep moving forward to get to the other side of whatever will be.

There are going to be disappointments because we wish things were like they were and they’re not. We will be dismayed that we can’t be physically together to celebrate a beautiful tradition and we are distraught because that’s just not the way it used to be.

There is a Hebrew word for what we need to do. “Ruach” means to breath. Yes, take a breath. Shut out the noise. Breath. Breaths. Again. Breath. Stop the discouraging thoughts. Don’t be detached from your humanness. Don’t be disenchanted with the differences this year. Instead, delight in a child’s laughter; declare the good news of Jesus’ birth into the world; and dance to the music of the beauty within and around us. The angels brought tidings of comfort and joy. Let us find those in these days.

“But the angel said to them, ‘Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people.” Luke 2:10

un nuevo dia

It’s a known fact that sunrise is later and sunset earlier during this Advent Season. The daylight is precious and we long to see the sun shining. The Indigenous Prayer of the Seven Directions starts with facing the east - where the sun comes up - the directions of new beginnings, hope and potential. The Navajo also teach their children that the sun has only one day and so they must live each day in a good way, so that the sun will not have wasted precious time. These are wise words as we acknowledge the joy in each day.

That’s tough some days and especially during our winter and now with the restrictions put on us because of the pandemic this year. The darkness invades our thoughts; it pulls us down into despair, sadness and pain. But even the tiny flicker of hope is that Jesus is the light. The light lives in me and it is anchored in my soul. So just because we are living with loss - some of jobs, freedoms, savings, family, touch, social togetherness - no one can take away the light in us. We need to shine that light for others especially during this season.

Corrie ten Boom was a woman who suffered the atrocities of imprisonment during WWII. She and her family lost their freedoms after they housed, helped and hid many Jews from the Nazis. Corrie was released from Ravensbruck, a prison camp, on December 28, 1944, due to a clerical error. One of her favorite quotes was, “His light is stronger than the deepest darkness.” Soon after her release, all the women in her camp were killed. She continued to share her light with the world everywhere she went.

May we too know that the darkness cannot extinguish our light - the light of the world came to us in the form of a baby.

“The Word gave life to everything that was created, and his life brought light to everyone. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness can never extinguish it.” John 1: 4-5 NLT

SNOWulating

As I venture onto the frozen lake, I am in awe of the transformation of the open water to the frozen expanse in such a short time. When I think about the world, I know that transformation and change is exactly what has happened and is happening to people’s lives, our nations and our planet.

“The only constant is change” is a saying from Heraclitus, a Greek philosopher (500 BC) and we have certainly adopted his words in our culture today. With so much deep thinking, fear mongering and readjustments in our world, how about a lighter tone beyond the “circumference of our circumstances”?

Instead of STIMulating; how about SLIMulating? This would be a new diet where one could lose a pound per day - that’s 30 pounds - and it would stay off! or how about SLAMulating where students could use verse and words to break down the walls of the mind to create a hole to let ideas pour in! or what about SLOMulating - that’s where one would get lessons on the ski hill to help beginner skiers master the course of moguls down the snowy mountainside!

Then there’s SLUMulating where the leaders of the world took all the lottery monies and all the NGO’s and CEO’s and wealthy would come up with funding to fix the SLUMs of the world - the shantytowns, the favelas, the skidrows and the slums to affordable housing for all.

I love to play with my words. What’s next? SLYmulating is which is a new detective novel perhaps or some intriguing mystery waiting to be written! :)

Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever. Hebrews 13:8

sheltered

Hygge (hoo-gah) is a Danish word for contentment and comfort. It is that sense of feeling warm, safe and sheltered. I know that during our winter months, we have that need to be those three things when the cold winter storms invade our geographic locations. The bears and other hibernating animals totally understand how to be sheltered during those long, dark days.

The trees with naked branches give us a sense of bleakness, but their roots are deep and strong within the ground. The strands of dead grass under the canopy of snow creates a lack of exuberance and energy but we can change that color palette of our lives. Thinking thankfulness in all situations.

When I venture out into the snowy paths of the forest, I bundle up and layer my clothes, don my touque and put on my mittens. I also love the warmth of a hot cup of tea or an elixar to warm me when I come in from the cold. I feel safe and sheltered each night when I can curl on my couch with a great book and know that my flowered comforter will keep me warm all through the night when I retire to bed. But what about those who have lost their homes? What about the homeless who sleep on the streets at night? What about the ones who are living in makeshift shelters because of a natural disaster? What about those who have lost jobs? What about those who are ill and needing help?

Our lives are often not clothed with strands of satin nor rose petals along our paths, but rather hard blows and setbacks to bloody scars in this battle called life. Our crown of glory will be from our Master at the end of our race.

As we lead up to advent, Christmas season and shorter days, I pray that we can consider those who don’t feel warm, safe or sheltered and think of ways we can make someone feel any one of those things.

37 “Then the righteous will answer him, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? 38 When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? 39 When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?’

40 “The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.’ Matthew 25

chasing clouds

Remember when you were a kid and you would lie on your back in the soft, green grass and look up at the blue sky as the clouds raced by? You would shout out to the universe all the different shapes as they changed in front of your eyes. The fluffy, white, pink and grey clouds drifted by on a sunny or a cloudy afternoon and became whatever your imagination could conjure up.

Remembering and thinking back on times gone by makes us realize how the shape of our world has changed. We look back and recollect our memories of carefree days, childhood dreams and better times. The world today has traded peace for protests; hearts for hatred; love for lies. What have we done? Hardship and healing are still here, but the hurts to Mother Earth are evident. We need to rise up and take notice that we can all help to make the world a better place.

The Greeks have a word - metanoia - which means thorough and purposeful change in life. Perhaps it’s time for us to think differently and make positive changes. What can I do to make someone’s life better? What can I do to help the world? Where can I serve? How can I use my talents and gifts? How can I leave this world a better place? How can I share love today? Only you have the answer to the questions - why not start that change today!

Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid. John 14:27

Praise, prayers and paths

We have seen our gardens devoid of color and life. The bees are gone, the flowers frozen in the pots and we awake to darker mornings. The full moon radiantly shines as it glances through the clouds and the trees whisper a prayer to say goodbye to yet another month. And yet, our prayer is one of praise.

Even though our lives have been changed in so many ways this past year; there is much to be thankful for. The birds still sing, the snow casts its white beauty over the branches and the glorious sun still rises in splendor each morning. People still smile, laugh and share their stories. Babies are born. We can still sing and revel in nature and all life has to offer. Gratitude.

I recently listened to Dr. R. T. Kenall who had some useful advice. He shares five tips to break the betrayal barrier when we can’t understand why things are as they are and they don’t make sense. He says to: Be honest and share your worries. Make that list of things to be thankful for. Fight self-pity with all your heart. Choose to believe that God has a purpose for everything. Be patient for blessings to happen. Check out: http://sermons.tsc.nyc/totally-forgiving-god/

We can choose to change up our thinking. Start your day with a praise and a prayer.

Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not rely on your own insight. In all your ways acknowledge him and he will make straight your paths. Proverbs 3: 5-6