Our Christmastime with Small Children

Christmas with two young children is a strange adventure. Today Anna, Will, and I braved the mall in an attempt to locate a few last-minute items. Anna rode in the stroller as Will and I pushed it, stopping to pet Santa's reindeer along the way and dodging the several groups of young students apparently on field trips with their classes (when did going to the mall become a school field trip, I wonder). Our worst moment was my effort to buy some Christmas cards at Target... Will still wanted to push the stroller and threw a fit because we were not moving (I put the brakes on); Anna was still in the stroller, but had slunk down far enough that her feet could reach the floor, and she managed to push the stroller backwards into me; I tried to hold Will, but then he wanted to grab the stroller handle bar to push it that way, and he wailed when I would not let him do that. Those Christmas cards required some hard work! I did not get all that I needed, but that may be all that I get this year! The highlight of our excursion for the kids was probably riding the train that's set up in the center of the mall. For me, the highlight was the mere fact that I succeeded in buying a couple presents, didn't lose anybody, and made it home by Will's naptime! Tonight Anna made a point of telling Jon what she and Will got him for Christmas (yes, I said previously I wasn't going to share anymore secrets with her, but I thought it would be nice for her to help pick it out!)! Jon just laughed.

Our Christmas tree has also been a source of excitement around here. The day after we decorated it, Will managed to break two Christmas balls when I was in another room. I think he was trying to pull an ornament off that was not cooperating with him, and he shook the tree so that the ball ornaments fell and broke. Then a couple days ago, Will was eating his morning waffle on the couch next to the tree when he decided it would be fun to toss pieces of the waffle into the Christmas tree... a kind of free-form decorating exercise. So I grabbed the remaining waffle away from him, only to turn around and find Dixie, our food-crazed cocker spaniel, standing precariously on the arm of the couch, peering into the tree, poised to launch a waffle recovery mission! I could just imagine the whole tree tumbling over... but I thwarted Dixie's plans and retrieved the waffle pieces myself.

Just one week left til Christmas... who knows what wonders await us!

Reflecting on Christmas

Just a little more than a week til Christmas, and I find myself struggling as usual to find that quiet place inside to reflect on the meaning of it all. There are gifts to buy and gifts to wrap, schedules to coordinate or rearrange, food to prepare and food to eat! A flurry of busyness all around. But what is at the heart of it all? What is the meaning of Christmas? Is it really about a jolly fat man in a red suit who magically gives presents to good little boys and girls (though he would appear to be socio-economically biased)? Or maybe it's about family and tradition, warm fuzzy feelings and cozy nights in front of the fire? Or is it about the Jewish baby boy, born in a stable of all places, some 2000 years ago?

Is it really about the baby? He was an amazing baby with an incredible story chock full of angels, a virgin mother, lowly shepherds, great kings traveling from afar, the evil plan of an evil ruler. There is wonder and reverence and awe as we gaze on the peaceful manger in that silent night, holy night... the night when God entered our world as one of us, forever changing the course of human events. Emmanuel... God with us, just as He promised.

But more than the baby, I think Christmas is about the man... Son of God and Son of man. As we gaze on the peaceful manger, let's lift our eyes to the cross on the horizon, His purpose in coming. The sweet helpless babe grew to a man of humility and power, a man of justice and grace, a man of peace and division. He came to bear our burdens, to make the great exchange... taking our sin upon Himself and giving us His righteousness that all who believe may be one with God. His love compelled Him to come and die for us; His loves bids us to die in order to truly live. (The truth is full of mysteries and paradox.)

Let us reflect on the babe in the manger this Christmas, being mindful of the man on the cross. And as we bow before Him, let us remember, too, that He will come again. Amen.

Starry Starry Night

It was a cold, starry night in the North Carolina mountains 20 years ago. On December 13, 1987, a senior in high school, I was on a retreat at Windy Gap, a Young Life camp. There was a group meeting that night, and I don't remember exactly what the speaker said anymore, but somehow the message I'd been hearing for months at Young Life meetings became crystal clear to me. The message about God's unconditional love, about my own helplessly sinful heart, about the great chasm separating me from God, about Jesus who chose to die to bridge the chasm, about new life and peace and freedom and hope... it all made its way from my head to my heart. Life was at stake. I had to act. I went to one of the leaders after the meeting and asked what I must do. Her answer was "nothing." I was puzzled, and then she added that God had done it all; there is nothing for us to add, nothing to be done; it is grace. Then she recommended that I go out on the mountainside and talk to God, tell him what I was thinking and feeling. In my mind I remember it so clearly... walking up the hillside in the moonlight with the cold wind blowing. It was there that I had my reckoning. I had heard the undeniable call of the Creator, and I answered with the tears of a humble heart. And that has made all the difference. My life has never been the same. I've seen God's provision, His protection, His blessing, His guidance, His power time after time. So I like to take time to reflect each year on my re-birth date, if you will, and to be thankful. "Amazing grace, how sweet the sound that saved a wretch like me." We sing "Amazing Grace" because it is so utterly amazing! If by chance you don't know what I'm talking about, I invite you to contact me... I'd love to pass on to you the great story of God's love for you.

Reflections on the USS Yorktown

This weekend Jon, Anna, Will, and I went to Charleston to visit Patriot's Point - where the USS Yorktown museum is - and to drive through the Festival of Lights - 3 miles of lights and activities - on James Island. It made for a long day, but also a fun one (mostly). Anna and Will were quite impressed with the Yorktown aircraft carrier and all the planes on it. Will kept shouting "plane" in his special way (he has no concept of an indoor voice). And he insisted on maneuvering the steep, narrow stairs himself. It was actually safer to hold his hand VERY tightly and let him "walk" the stairs than to wrestle with him, trying to carry him up or down! He has no fear (or common sense, I might add)!

As for me, I felt a sense of awe and humility on the Yorktown. There is something sacred about historic places, especially where people have given their all, and sometimes their lives. Active through World War II and Vietnam, the Yorktown and crew played a significant role in history. Seeing the kitchen, the sleeping quarters, the black and white photos of war... what was it like to have been there? It was a different world. I'm not sure today's media would allow us to win World War II today... too many casualties, too high a cost, too much sacrifice. I heard a woman comment near the Vietnam Base Camp replica, "what a waste." I understand the deep regret that so many people lost their lives, but I'm not sure I'd say it was a waste. I admit I am no expert on the complexities of the Vietnam situation, but I hesitate to call it a waste when people fight valiantly (in spite of what John Kerry says) and do their best for their country, their home. Yes, there were issues, but war is hell. I do not want to go there; I do not want to know the details of it; but sometimes war must be waged, and I'm thankful there are brave men and women who step up and do their best. A life is not a waste if it was lived well. Maybe "how tragic" or "how sad" wouldn't have bothered me the way "what a waste" did. Maybe it's just me, but somehow "waste" carried with it some contempt that made me bristle. Anyway... the point is that it was an honor to visit the USS Yorktown and rub elbows with a bit of history, and take time to remember the many brave Americans and others who have fought (and are fighting) for our country and our freedom.

Thoughts from Christmas Caroling

Today Anna, Will, and I went Christmas caroling at a nursing home with our playgroup. We sang some songs, handed out glittery star ornaments we made last week, and wished everyone a Merry Christmas. It was nice. Will really enjoyed handing out the stars to people. One of the elderly ladies commented with a smile that her son's hair was the same color as Will's when he was little, and it gave me a different perspective, a glimpse into who she is. For an instant I didn't see her as an elderly woman at a nursing home, but as a mom about my age, chasing after her young "cotton-head" son, laughing and snuggling him, doing her best to balance all the aspects of her life. She used to be like me. It was a sweet privilege to gain this insight during our brief encounter. Sometimes we forget when people age and life takes its toll on their bodies and/or minds, that they're still them inside... the heart, if you will, is the same. My mom, for example, is 70 and has multiple sclerosis, which plays on her mind sometimes and has led her to a wheelchair. In some ways she's so different from the vibrant, strong woman I remember raising me, but inside she has the same heart; she is the same person.

Back at the nursing home, time flashed forward and I thought - look at what we become. Sure there are people who live active, independent lives right up to the end, but the reality is we all know where we're headed. We won't always be as strong as we are now, or as capable, or as independent. No use in worrying over the future, but let's make the most of the present. Live well. Love deeply. Follow your dreams. Take the chance.

Live well.

Anna's Stage Debut

Yesterday Anna danced in her first ballet performance, "'Twas the Night Before Christmas." There were two shows at the Trustees Theater in Downtown Savannah. It was a long day for everyone, especially the little ones, but Anna was a real trooper and did a great job! (I was more nervous all day than she was!) We were all very proud of her. In three scenes she was a little girl at a party, and in one scene she was a mouse. There were twelve other little girls the same age doing the same things. Very cute indeed! Anna had a great time - she was so wound up at the end of the day, she twirled and danced all the way back to the van. Grandma and Grandpa, MiMi and PopPop, Uncle Karl, Aunt Sherri, Ryan, and my coworker Cynthia all attended the ballet.