Wednesday, December 30, 2009

Silence



My last peep has flown away back to the city. The others had left earlier, back to life at 34, a small cabin in New Hampshire and the last two weeks of an adventure in the midwest.

And there is silence here.

As I sit here gazing at the fire with the two remaining dogs snuggled in beside me on the couch, there is quiet in the house. Quiet here echoing the quiet of the snowy outside where blankets of snow muffle the sound of traffic and noises of the neighborhood.

Life seems to have stopped after the whirlwind activity of the last month. The month before Christmas is packed with a frenzy of baking. Getting out recipes penned in my mom's handwriting, and baking those traditional things that bring back memories of times and people. Plans for parties, decorating the tree and the dining room, setting lights in the windows to welcome back those who have been away, arranging my cheerful snowmen all around the kitchen to keep me company while cooking, shopping for stockings and presents, and rearranging bedrooms for homecoming family.

I do not mind the silence now. Christmas is over and now is the time for serenity and reflection and anticipation about the year ahead.

There are still reminders of a wonderful month lingering here. I will leave the tree up a bit longer and the table will remain set with the Wedgwood and holiday goblets. And I will continue to light the myriad of candles around the house each night, to enjoy their flickering light and comforting presence.

January is a stretch of peace. I do not go out much forced by the weather and choice to stay put in this warm abode. Organizational and cleaning projects will command some time and energy though.

And as I sit here enjoying the fire and looking at over 200 pictures appearing on my new digital photo frame, I once again learn the lesson of old photographs.

Cherish the day.

They are passing on quickly.





Tuesday, December 29, 2009

The Spirit of Christ

This is an excerpt from Andrew Murray's, The Spirit of Christ.

"There were two things that John the Baptist preached concerning the person of Christ. The one was, that He was the Lamb of God that taketh away the sin of the world. The other, that He would baptize His disciples with the Holy Ghost and with fire. The Blood of the Lamb, and the Baptism of the Spirit, were the two central truths of his creed and his preaching. They are, indeed, inseparable; the Church cannot do her work in power, nor can her exalted Lord be glorified in her, except as the Blood as the foundation-stone, and the Spirit as the cornor-stone, are fully preached.

This has not at all times been done even among those who heartily accept Scripture as their guide. The preaching of the Lamb of God, of His suffering and atonement, of pardon and peace through Him, is more easily apprehended by the understanding of man, and can more speedily influence his feelings, than the more inward spiritual truth of the baptism, and indwelling, and guidance of the Holy Spirit. The pouring out of the blood took place upon earth, it was something visible and outward, and, in virtue of the types, not altogether unintelligible. The pouring out of the Spirit was in heaven, a Divine and hidden mystery. The shedding of the blood was for the ungodly and rebellious; the gift of the Spirit, for the loving and obedient disciple. It is no wonder, when the life of the Church is not in very intense devotion to her Lord, that the preaching and the faith of the Baptism of the Spirit should find less entrance than that of redemption and forgiveness."

Jesus gives us what he received himself. We receive the Spirit, joy and power, wisdom, courage and holiness is rooted in us. "It is the Personal Spirit of Christ making Him present within us, always abiding in the heart in the power of His glorified nature, as He is exalted above every enemy."

It gives us courage to face this new year, with all it's hidden challenges and potential victories.

Saturday, December 19, 2009

Memories and Traditions/ Music and Songs/ Friendship and Food/ Glory and Praise



"For unto us a child is born, a son is given.."

Unto to us a child is born. That's what the Word says. Usually when a baby is born one says, "Sue and Matt had a baby girl" The child was born to them.. But this special baby was born to us, not just Mary and Joseph, the shepherds, the wise men or the house of Israel. He was born to us, and we needed him. No rule book could give us what we needed and no behavioral modification course could control our issues.

We needed this child whose birth we now celebrate this Friday.

We needed a savior. And God sent his son.

So we glory in His glory in our lives this season.





Friendship and food, so closely connected. Lots of parties and lots of wonderful delicious food. A new game introduced, Mexican Train Game. I highly recommend this group, family game. So much fun!

Eight lovely guys, almost nine but one had to work, and three girls for breakfast Sunday morning. Strata and homemade applesauce and the introduction, to those not in the immediate family, of fresh Swedish limpa toasted with mounds of butter. Yum! They all loved it and Ben is going back to his Swedish Grandmother to ask about this new breakfast treat.

We've seen wonderful friends and family this month and, and long for the time when we will not be so far apart for extended periods of time.




Decorating a gym for a wedding. A transformation of trees, lights and candles. Two young people in love and so anxious to start their lives together. So much fun to see their excitment and anticipation of a new life together, forever.





Celebrations all through the month. A house decorated in anticipation of happy events, friendships celebrated and traditions continued. A home reaching out to embrace family and friends in memories and love, commitment and joy.





Shopping in new cities this year. At first disappointment that New York City was not an option this year since the whole city is appointed in it's finery for Christmas and I love every bit of it. But we got to visit a new city this Christmas and we were quite impressed with their version of a city decked out for the holidays. Lovely lights everywhere and at the end of the square a regal church showing us the real reason for the season.






And a tree. Not our usual huge tree, right to our 12 foot ceilings, but a nice tree. Elizabeth called it our see-through tree. But it's ours. This tree decked out in lights and glass bulbs, smelling of the forest. Clean and fragrant. Beautiful. And packages gathering at its base. Gifts, not quite gold and myrrh but tangible expressions of love for family and friends. A tree is appropriate. It foretells of another tree, not lovely and gracious but vicious, hard and bloody yet necessary to bring what we need. Freedom and belonging. A reconnection to our royal heritage, bought by a Father and Son who loved us so. Sonship, victory, hope, and a new life.

Thank you, Father, for this child born unto us and continuing to reach down through the ages to transform lives and bring grace and peace to all men.

Monday, December 7, 2009

It's Beginning To Look A Lot Like Christmas

My favorite time of the year. Christmas!

And it seems like we are getting ready for it earlier and earlier.

My grandparents put the Christmas tree up on Christmas Eve and everyone was surprised the next morning.

Now we are putting our Christmas tree up at the beginning of December.

Times change.

Thanksgiving was quickly swept away on Friday and bins were brought down and Christmas decorations were put up. Some in their old familiar spots while others received new places. The window candles were in place before Thanksgiving to welcome the family back from their present locations. But now loads of candles and miniature white lights peaked out of every room. We Scandinavians love light in all forms. I guess from our nearly three months of almost total darkness. And for me, it reminds me, Jesus is the Light of the World!

My Study Club came on Tuesday and I wanted them to enjoy all the Victorian decorations that the old Italianate has come to wear beautifully.





The wonderful smell of pine greets those who enter in the back way. The swag on the banister will have to wait a couple of more days. I do want it to last until December 25th. But candles and oil lamps give the evenings a wonderful glow. A welcoming to come in out of the cold. And yes, we have snow and it looks so pretty. The first collection. However, winter lasts a long time here in the North Country so I try to remember this feeling of wonder as the flakes fall. Spring has to fight to get her season here.




A wreath on the new garden shed. I think next year lights will adorn the beautiful edifice. The herbs are still growing nicely inside. We had fresh oregano, parsley and rosemary tonight.





Looking forward to a wonderful season of family, friends and neighbors in the house this season. Luncheons to host and concerts to attend. Gifts to be purchased and if possible a trip to New York City to see the city all decked out in its finery.

The church is decorated. The holiday orchestra has started and Christmas carols are being sung. A wedding is anticipated and two sons will be home for the holidays.

And on Thursday, a concert- The Vienna Boys Choir. Yes, all the way up here in remote Northern New York.