Hating Christmas.

I work with two women who say they "hate Christmas" because one lost a son and the other lost a grandson.  For them, they say, that just makes Christmas too difficult.  I feel sad for these folks.  Why would you dwell on your loss so much that you hate one of the best celebrations ever?  The birth of our Lord and Savior. 

I can honestly say from experience, the first year is difficult.  Partially for my family because my grandma's death was only 6 days before Christmas, which was her favorite time of year.  However, this year was completely different than last year.  Sure, we missed her.  But we were able to focus on so many funny moments and her "sisu" (Finnish for determination/stubborn-ness) that this Christmas was a wonderful one.  We shared stories about her portioning out her treats that everyone gave her, if you were lucky enough to be offered one, you were expected to share one with 4 people (meaning you got a quarter) while she enjoyed a half of a treat :)  Some may say that it's not fair, or that she should have been sharing equally, but I think part of the reason why she did it was because she enjoyed us teasing her for how she so very conservatively shared these amazing treats!

But back to these ladies at work.  Both men have been gone for at least 3 years.  Now, I'm not saying that I think they should be completely over their losses, however, to still count each and every month that they've been gone and to say that Christmas is better spent by themselves than with their families because of their losses...

Almost everyone I work with has lost someone close to them, but they do not "hate Christmas" they embrace this time of celebration and enjoy spending it with their families.  That is what Christmas is about, is it not?  Fellowship with family and friends remembering the birth of Jesus and what that led to.  They also realize that those who have passed on are spending the one of the best celebrations in a Christian's life with Jesus. 

I keep praying for the words to say to either of these ladies, but so far I have not found any that seem fitting. 

I am not insensitive to either of these ladies' losses, but I do find myself annoyed by their very vocal hatred for the Christmas holiday.

I don't know the point of this post, except maybe to say that even through our losses, we still need to be grateful for the birth of our Redeemer... and maybe in part to vent too. 

So I leave you with... could you hate Christmas?  How would you deal with someone who openly hated the holiday due to a loss they suffered?

Blessings in Christ,

 

Reflecting Back on 2011...

I think back to 2011 and wonder where it went.  It seems like just a month ago was the start of a new year, but here we are again beginning a new year.  I wonder how last year flew by so fast.  There seems to be so many things that happened, but yet on the otherhand there weren't too many major events, at least not in my life. 

My sister graduated from college as a nurse in April and 5 months later, finally, found a job (as she would say :). 

My cousin had a second baby girl in May, who is truly a blessing to all of us and a miracle that she was a girl.  God truly has His hand in everything, even if the people who it happens to don't really believe in Him...

Two 4-year-old cousins just being 4!

My grandma turned 80 and we had a nice gathering for her.  Even some out-of-town family was able to make it :)

My family had 2 weddings, even though I don't agree with either circumstance, I am happy that each found happiness. 

The best part for me though was having a truly wonderful visit with my family when I went home for Christmas. 

I look forward to the challenges and new adventures that will present themselves in 2012. 

My goals for this year:
Spiritually: To pick-up my "church shopping" again this year...after slacking on that for so many months I really do need to find a church to attend. 

Physically: To start exercising more regularly.  (Not that I believe I'm overweight or anything of the like, but I believe that exercising will help me to just feel better over-all!)

I would also love to be able to slow down and just enjoy life more, enjoy what God has given to me, enjoy the beauty that He has created all around. 

Sunset from Fall 2011

Do you set goals for yourself? 

I hope for a blessed 2012 for each of you, one that you allow God to guide you through. 

Blessings in Christ,

 

Merry Christmas

Merry CHRISTmas to all!  I know we've all heard this Bible story many-a-times, but I wanted to share it since today is when we celebrate HIS birth. 

Luke 2:1-20 (KJV)

And it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be taxed.  (And this taxing was first made when Cyrenius was governor of Syria.)  And all went to be taxed, every one into his own city.  And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judaea, unto the city of David, which is called Bethlehem; (because he was of the house and lineage of David:) To be taxed with Mary his espoused wife, being great with child.  And so it was, that, while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered.  And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn.  And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night.  And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid.  And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.  For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.  And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.  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, good will toward men.  And it came to pass, as the angels were gone away from them into heaven, the shepherds said one to another, Let us now go even unto Bethlehem, and see this thing which is come to pass, which the Lord hath made known unto us.  And they came with haste, and found Mary, and Joseph, and the babe lying in a manger.  And when they had seen it, they made known abroad the saying which was told them concerning this child.  And all they that heard it wondered at those things which were told them by the shepherds.  But Mary kept all these things, and pondered them in her heart.  And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, as it was told unto them.

I wish everyone a wonderful day of fellowship with family and friends and remembering what the true meaning for the season is... Christ. 


Blessings in Christ,

 

Christmas Traditions

A fellow blogger recently posted on the Christmas traditions of her culture, the Hutterites.  Here is her first post, and then second post.  It is actually quite interesting. 

I hope to be able to post again in the next few days or so.  But for now, I hope that some of you may find these Hutterite Christmas traditions interesting!
Blessings in Christ,

 

White Chili

Tis' the season for hot home-cooked meals :)  One of my favorites is chili, the traditional kind and the white chili kind.

White Chili
1 - 48 oz jar of Northern Beans
24 oz. jar mild salsa
8-10 oz. shredded monterey jack cheese
1/4 t. cumin
1 pound cooked chicken cubed

Combine all ingredients into a pot, simmer until cheese is melted and all ingredients are blended.  Serve with toritilla chips. 

At home we would always leave the chicken on the side because my sister is a vegetarian, and that was good too!

Blessings in Christ,

 

Caramel Dip

This goes wonderfully with apples :)

1 cup sugar
1 cup corn syrup
14 oz. sweetened condensed milk
1 t. vanilla

Combine all ingredients except for the vanilla in a sauce pan.  Bring to a rolling boil and let thicken.  (225 degrees if using a thermometer). 

Add vanilla, stir and let cool. 

You can store this in the fridge or on your counter. 

Enjoy!!

Blessings in Christ,

 

Are Christmas and Easter...

...pagan or religious? In talking to someone I had just met, I learned that she does not celebrate Christmas or Easter because of their pagan and "occult" roots. I asked her to explain herself, and most of what she said went over my head. So I decided to see what I could find about the roots of both Christian holidays.


From what I can find, it appears that the time of year is what is pagan. Not the meaning behind the holidays. I think though, as Christians, we can focus on what the meaning of the holidays are rather than the fact that the day may not be the specific day that Jesus was born on. Just because we do not have a specific date given to us by the authors of the Bible, does that mean that we should not celebrate His birth?

Should we not celebrate His resurrection after He was so cruely crucified to save us from our sins? With Easter, we do know that He rose from the dead on "the first day of the week" (John 20:1). Typically the first day of the week is recognized as Sunday, although some might argue that Monday is really the first day of the week.

I know some people do not feel we should celebrate His birth on December 25th and I guess my thought on that is that we do not know the exact date He was born. The Bible does not tell us that. I do not mind celebrating His birthday on a date declared by humans while recognizing that it may not be His actual birthday. Nor do I mind celebrating His resurrection and the gift which He gave us all on a date that is not the actual date (especially since the date of Easter changes year to year...). I feel better to celebrate those two significant events rather than not celebrating and remembering them at all because we do not have a "right" date to put on the calendar.

What do you believe?

Blessings in Christ,