A New Day, A New Month, A New Year, A New Song

He lifted me out of the pit of despair,

out of the mud and the mire.

He set my feet on solid ground

and steadied me as I walked along.

Amen! The LORD has done that for me.  In the year 2011, I was recovering from a lobectomy, seriously reacted to the chemo drug for RCC (kidney cancer), was hospitalized for six days, had a serious infection that put me back into the hospital for four more days, and has moved me to San Jose.  I had to retire from teaching, rent out my townhome, move two states away from family and friends, and make adjustments to my physical way of life.

Despair? Depressed? Discouraged? Maybe at times but this Almighty God lifted me, set my feet on solid ground, and steadied me as I walked each day. This is for real in my life. I do look at life differently but maybe the way we should always live life. I have prioritized what is important to me:  family, friends, relationship with the Lord, praying, reading/studying His Word, writing, reading, pausing to look all around me, bringing joy to others, and encouraging anyone who is brought into my life.

 

He has given me a new song to sing,

a hymn of praise to our God.

This past week I have been blessed with visiting my nephew and his family in the LA area.  Every other day I was able to do things with them.  Then I would "crash" for a day and be able to get up and go again.  I even went to Disneyland!  I have been blessed with contentment for little steps or activities, and a brother and sister-in-law who will assist me.  Our Lord shows me the positive steps and makes me cherish life around me.  HE cares about me, loves me, and walks each step with me.

Many will see what He has done and be amazed.

They will put their trust in the Lord.

Oh, the joys of those who trust the Lord,

who have no confidence in the proud

or in those who worship idols.

Psalm 40:2 - 4  NLT

We all have struggles.  Some are financial, constant pain, loss of a family member or friend, or rejection.  You may have a teenager who is out of control or a friend who is making poor choices.  Someone you know may be in a coma or battling a disease. Our gracious loving Lord knows and can be trusted.  As we say goodbye to Saturday, to December, to 2011, to our troubles, trust the all-knowing, ever-present God.  There is joy in trusting Him.

Advent is About the Nativity

And there was the Baby, lying in the manger.

After seeing Him,

the shepherds told everyone what had happened

and what the angel had said to them about this Child.

Luke 2:16 - 17  NLT

The shepherds went, saw, and told others.  We can go toward Him this Christmas and see Who He is and what He is.  Just like the shepherds, we will not be disappointed.

As I am writing this it is Christmas Eve.  I am at home unable to go to church. For the first time in a long time, it really bothered me and I teared up.  My brother's family's Christmas Eve tradition is to go to their favorite Chinese restaurant and then to church.  I was really looking forward to going to both.  Last night was the play, "Christmas Carol" at the repertoire theater.  I also could not go.  My meds make me fatigued and I've had three migraines (vision, numbing, nausea) in the past week.  No energy.  Head hurts. Breathing is difficult. 

That is not where I am supposed to be or stay, emotionally.  This weekend is not about me.  This is about our Lord and all that He gave up for me - you - us.  So, instead of throwing a pity party, I need to look around at the reminders of why I wanted to go to church, why I want to celebrate, why I want to bring joy to others. It is totally because of our Lord Jesus Christ and His sacrifices.

If you are like me and did not get to do what you wanted or expected, focus on the manger, on others, on God.  Now I am glad that the others got to enjoy the play, dinner, and church. 

The shepherds went back to their flocks,

glorifying and praising God

for all they had heard and seen.

It was just as the angel had told them.

Luke 2:20  NLT

(I did get a plate of food from the restaurant. Yum!)

Advent is All About Others

During the past 2 1/2 years of my cancer battle, it has been a joy to see people "give" to me in a variety of ways. I have had to learn the art of receiving which was difficult for me.  But, once each person's individual gifts became visible, I relaxed.  Like my brother said, "This is the journey the Lord has for us too."  My reaction was, "Daaahhh!  I should know that" and not feel guilty that others are helping.  The Lord is working in their lives too.  So, when my sister and later a friend moved in, their sacrifices were huge.  Now when I look back, it was a season of growth for them as well as a blessing for me.

During Advent, how do we give to others or put others first?  As our Example, the Lord thought of us when He came in human form.  When He healed the leaper, it was His compassion for the man.  When He made the lame man walk, it was because of His love for this person as well as to glorify His Father.  When He healed the Roman officer's young servant, it was because the Lord saw His strong faith.  (Matthew 8) 

For even the Son of Man

came not to be served

but to serve others

and to give His life

as a ransom for many.

Mark 10:45  NLT

This is a time for us to focus on why Jesus was on earth, what He would like us to do for others, and how He is coming again.  Advent may be coming to a close but ADVENT, preparing for His return and our meeting with Him, is a daily choice.  Holidays are difficult for those who are alone, some who are single, those who are jobless, the homeless who are hungry and out in the cold, those who are grieving loss, and those who are sick.  Let's think of them and act.  One serves because of compassion.  One gives because of love for others.  One sacrifices because of our Example.  Remember:

For a Child is born to us,

a Son is given to us.

The government will rest on His shoulders.

And He will be called:

Wonderful Counselor,

Mighty God,

Everlasting Father,

Prince of Peace.

Isaiah 9:6  NLT

And, He is our wonderful counselor, a mighty God, everlasting Father, and our Prince of Peace. That is why we serve:

“Glory to God in highest heaven,

and peace on earth

to those with whom God is pleased.”Luke 2:14  NLT

Advent is about Jesus, those He loves, and our giving to those around us.  HE gave, so we give.

Advent Preparations are Intentional

As I was taking my nap, I could hear whining in my room.  Maggie, my niece's dog, was in my room trying to get me out of bed.  To get there, this loving pet had purposely pushed the door open, walked down the hall, and into my room.  She had done it willfully, with the intention of having me meet her needs.  Maggie deliberately set out to get attention.

Because I have limited energy, I must be intentional about where to use it.  My doctor is intentional about keeping my blood counts stable.  My oncologist is intentional about balancing quality of life with quantity of life.  Those in the retail businesses are intentional about catching our attention and making us need what they are selling.

What is intentional in our celebration of Advent?  What is intentional in our Advent preparations?  What is intentional on our December calendars?  Yesterday, we discussed our traditions when celebrating our Savior's human birth.  People purposely choose which family traditions are giving them the focus they desire.  For me, the manger scene, music, and Luke 2 put my focus on the true meaning of this December holiday.  Some willfully give service or gifts to strangers so that they can make another person smile.  For me, single moms, homeless, or families dealing with mental illnesses are people I want to help smile.  Others deliberately decorate their yards to share their joy with neighbors and visitors.  For me, including lights, a manger scene, and an angel have been my past choices to focus on the true source of joy.

The Almighty God intentionally got our attention using all of our senses:  vision - bright star and radiant angels, hearing - angels speaking, touching - Mary putting Jesus in snug pieces of cloth, smelling - barn, cows, and sheep have their own odor, tasting - the shepherds were staying in the fields and would milk the sheep and make cheese, and emotions - excitement of what is coming and concern about no room for the baby's birth. 

That night there were shepherds staying in the fields nearby,

guarding their flocks of sheep.

Suddenly, an angel of the Lord appeared among them,

and the radiance of the Lord’s glory surrounded them.

They were terrified, but the angel reassured them.

“Don’t be afraid!” he said.

“I bring you good news that will bring great joy to all people.

The Savior—yes, the Messiah, the Lord—has been born today

in Bethlehem, the city of David!

And you will recognize him by this sign:

You will find a baby wrapped snugly in strips of cloth,

lying in a manger.”

Suddenly, the angel was joined by

a vast host of others—the armies of heaven—praising God and saying,

“Glory to God in highest heaven,

and peace on earth to those with whom God is pleased.”

They hurried to the village and found Mary and Joseph.

And there was the baby, lying in the manger.

After seeing him, the shepherds told everyone what had happened

and what the angel had said to them about this child.

Luke 2:8 - 14, 16 - 17  NLT

God was intentional about every detail of His Son's arrival.  The angel was intentional about calming the fears of the shepherds before making the announcement. The shepherds were intentional about sharing the good news.  We make intentional choices in our lives everyday.  What do you do differently this season that is an intentional celebration of His birth?

Advent is About Traditions

"Traditions ~ pa dum dum...
Traditions ~ Traditions"
(Fiddler on the Roof)

Advent is full of family and cultural traditions.  The cultural ones tend to be about shopping and sales. But, there are many other traditions in our culture:  putting up lights, baking, Christmas trees, Santa, snowmen, angels, reindeer, and even penguins can get in there too.  The family ones can be secular but also spiritual.

Last night, four of us drove to Vasona Park's Festival of Lights in Los Gatos, CA.  It was beautiful!  Two years ago, ten of us rented a limo van and rode through Spanaway's Festival of Lights, WA.  It was also very beautiful. The displays were bright, had moving parts, funny, colorful, and secular...but still a fun time.  I love looking at Christmas lights.

It took me back to childhood as one of our traditions was driving to look at the Christmas lights. "Back then" many neighborhoods had themes with everyone decorating. I remember one, Candy Cane Lane but there were many others in the Seattle/Renton areas.  We would go to Lake Wilderness, Fairwood, Maple Valley, and end in West Seattle at Gai's fancy, fancy house.  (He was one of the "Gai's Breads'" brothers.) The evening was a peaceful, family time. A tradition.

As a child, our tree had an angel on the top and icicles hanging on most branches.  We used the large lighted bulbs and mostly round ornaments. Grandma sent us double fudge and fruit chews which Dad carried on after Grandma died. Mom always made divinity  and Spritz cookies. Our family would go to the Christmas Eve service in Rainier Beach area and see friends and relatives. I remember it feeling like a holy time of focusing on Jesus.  Then we would come home and open our gifts. (Santa's gifts were for Christmas morning.)

As an adult and mother, we continued many of the traditions except that we opened our gifts on Christmas morning.  Christmas Eve Candlelight service and a potluck with friends became the focus of the evening.  Christmas morning was a time for gifts, games, music, and cinnamon rolls.  The larger meal was in the afternoon.  The decorations changed a little:  a manger scene, small lights on the tree, different shaped ornaments, some snowmen, but still an angel on the top.  The icicles changed to ribbons. The tree had a theme: children, school, music, or angels. Giving to friends and family expanded to giving to single moms and/or the homeless.

From a child, to an adult, married, children, single, grown children, two years fighting breast cancer, and now living with my brother, sister-in-law, and niece, some things remain the same:  celebrating Jesus' entrance on earth. No matter what the traditions, this season is still a time for me - us - to reflect on our Lord.  No matter what the economics, we can celebrate His birth. No matter what the location, we can loudly celebrate His sacrifice. No matter what is happening around the world, we can still have peace, love, joy, and hope in our hearts. 

Suddenly, an angel of the Lord appeared among them,

and the radiance of the Lord’s glory surrounded them.

They were terrified,

but the angel reassured them.

“Don’t be afraid!” he said.

“I bring you good news

that will bring great joy to all people.

The Savior—yes, the Messiah, the Lord—has been born today

in Bethlehem, the city of David!

And you will recognize Him by this sign:

You will find a baby wrapped snugly in strips of cloth,

lying in a manger.” 

Luke 2:9 - 12  NLT

Advent is About the ALMIGHTY

God sent a man, John the Baptist, to tell about the light so that everyone might believe because of his testimony. John himself was not the light; he was simply a witness to tell about the light. The One who is the true light, Who gives light to everyone, was coming into the world.

He came into the very world He created, but the world didn’t recognize Him. He came to His own people, and even they rejected Him. But to all who believed Him and accepted Him, He gave the right to become children of God. They are reborn—not with a physical birth resulting from human passion or plan, but a birth that comes from God.So the Word became human and made His home among us. He was full of unfailing love and faithfulness. And we have seen His glory, the glory of the Father’s one and only Son. John testified about him when he shouted to the crowds, “This is the one I was talking about when I said, ‘Someone is coming after me who is far greater than I am, for he existed long before me.’”

From His abundance we have all received one gracious blessing after another.
John 1:6 - 16  NLT

Wow! The Almighty God, the all-powerful, supreme God put on flesh for us. Every time I think about this, which is daily in Advent, it amazes me that He loves me - us - people so much that He became vulnerable to rejection, pain, misunderstanding, and wasn't even recognized by most people.

Have you ever felt like you should be recognized but weren't?  I was gone from school for one year while having chemo, came back to teach the following school year, and had some parents and some students not know me.  After eleven years of teaching in that building, I had been forgotten, unrecognized...and I am not God.  Imagine being Jesus, giving up Heaven to come and be the Savior to people, and then they don't even recognize you, including your family.

 

Have you been rejected?  Most of us have in one way or another:  not making the team, not receiving an award that we thought we had earned, a spouse leaving for someone else, a parent deserting us. There are many ways in which we have been rejected.  But, we are not God.  Jesus gave up Heaven, His throne, to be the Savior, and many still reject Him. But, watch what He does:  He gives us a gift!

 

The Lord Almighty, the Word, the Creator, the faithful God, our unconditional Lover gives us a gift!  Christmas is ALL about the gift from Almighty God.  We can become HIS children...if we believe Him to be the Only Son of God AND accept Him as such.  We might be battling cancer, loneliness, or financial struggles but we are children of the Almighty God.  Wow!

 

Gifts?  Gifts?  That is the focus:  His gifts to us.

One gracious blessing after another.

Amen!

Advent Is About Our Radiant Lord

What does radiant mean? I can tell you what it doesn't mean. I am not radiant.  Today I couldn't even muster up enough energy to go to the Ralph Carmichael Big Band concert.  It would have been invigorating and I could have spent time with some people from church.  No energy. Headache. Blurry vision. Did I say "No Energy"?

 

According to the dictionary, RADIANT can be a noun or an adjective:  emitting light or filled with light.  Beaming. Bright. Brilliant. Glowing. Dazzling. Do those words make you think of anything or anyone?  Does this word make you think of Christmas?

 

The star that led the wise men was radiant. The angel announcing Jesus' coming birth was radiant. Many people think that pregnancy makes a woman radiant. Pictures portray the Baby Jesus as being radiant. All mean bright, brilliant, glowing, and joyful.

 

The Baby Jesus fills us with joy. He is radiant because He beams unconditional love. He is radiant because He dazzles us with His wisdom.  He is radiant because He brightly shows us the way to Heaven. He is radiant because He emits light on truth. Jesus is the One Who embodies love, joy, peace, and hope.

 

How does that relate to everyday? Tonight I was very disappointed that I did not get to go and hear Big Band music. Then two blessings from God came my way: a Christmas gift from Tim & Rachel and Maggie brought me the ball to play with her. Their gift is one that I can and will use daily.  God knew that Tim & Rachel thinking of me in a personal way would put a smile on my face.  God knew that sitting near the tree and the glowing fire with Maggie would be comforting to me. 

 

Thinking about the Radiance of our Lord Jesus puts a smile on my face. Reflecting on His personal touch in daily life is what Christmastime gives me.  No energy? But, it does give me time to reflect and see His personal touch in my life.  It gives me time for prayer or conversation with the Father.  Advent is about our Radiant Lord.

 

Suddenly, the angel was joined by a vast host of others

—the armies of heaven—

praising God and saying,

 

“Glory to God in highest heaven,

and peace on earth to those with whom God is pleased.”

Luke 2: 13 - 14  NLT