January is about to begin… Augh!
For a lot of people, it’s the worst month of the year. There is the cold, the snow, the darkness, the post holiday blues...and did I say anything about the cold?
Honestly, I don’t mind January. I enjoy sitting by the fireplace with a book or my laptop. I have a teenage son who takes care of the snow. Life slows down after the holidays and deep winter is a good season for me to gear up for spring.
But January is also a reflection and planning month for me. The name of the month comes from the Roman figure, Janus, who was a two-headed deity...one head looking back and the other looking forward. The Romans named the first month of their calendar January, because it is an effective thing to look back as you plan the year ahead.
During the cold, bleak days of January, I lift my spirits looking back at the blessings of the year. I try to list them out in writing and thank God out loud for each. I include blessings related to family, friends, provision, realized goals, and lessons learned. I review pictures, read my journal, and share highlights with the rest of the family.
I also look back to learn from failures. I try to examine where I went wrong, time I wasted, projects I didn’t finish, or relationships I did not cultivate.
A friend of mine instituted a tradition in his family that they call, “highlights and low points.” Every year on their birthday, the kids share their lowest points of the year before, and then their highlights. They close off their time talking about the lessons they learned from both and the goals they want to set for the year ahead. He says that it teaches his kids to be always giving thanks, learning lessons and planning for the future.
That’s what January is for me.
But it’s also a time to move forward. January is the first month of the new year, and it’s a great time to re-examine long term goals (5 years) and set short term goals (1 year). And of course, goals are of no use if you don’t make a plan to realize them. So January is also my planning month, as I enumerate the steps I need to take in order to realize the goals I have set.
I think it is by design that God gave us the seasons. It would be nice to live in a place like Maui, where the weather is paradise fifty-two weeks a year. But then we wouldn’t have the blessing of being forced inside to curl up by the fire to re-examine life.
January doesn’t have to be a cold, dark, snowing depressing month. It could serve as the foundation for the rest of your year!
Wednesday, December 26, 2012
Thursday, December 20, 2012
Don't Miss Christmas
It was the day before Christmas Eve and she was trying to finish up
some last minute shopping at the mall. The kids tugged her towards the
line to make requests from Santa. After a 25 minute wait, they were
finally able to sit on his lap and tell him their dream gifts for the
year. Mom smiled knowingly, as she had already wrapped most of those
items. On the way out of the mall, they passed an elderly woman who was
gently ringing a red-handled silver bell standing beside the Salvation
Army donation pot. The kids begged for a couple of coins to drop in but
she quipped, “We’ve spent all the money we are going to spend today!”
They walked through the parking lot and got into their SUV. On the way
home, she pulled through the drive-thru and ordered enough McNuggets,
burgers, fries and cokes for the family. Once she was back on the road,
her cell phone rang. It was her husband letting her know that he was on
his way home but he would be a little late. She told him that she had
already stopped to pick up dinner and asked if he would run by the
grocery store to get some things that she had forgotten for their family
Christmas Eve meal.
That evening, after tearing open their fast food meals and eating most of it, the kids begged to watch a DVD they had talked her into buying earlier that day. She sat down to wrap the gifts from the afternoon of shopping. The phone rang. It was someone from church they attended here and there reminding them of the candle-light Christmas Eve service they were having the next evening. She politely told them that Christmas Eve was a family night for them and with out-of-town family members coming as their guests, they wouldn’t be able to make it to church. The door-bell rang. It was a middle aged couple who were going door-to-door. A shelter in the city was running short on supplies and they explained how they were going to “nicer” neighborhoods asking for donations to make Christmas a little better for those who were hurting. The husband explained that he was already maxed out with charity between United Way at work and what he gave at church (he actually gave very little).
The next day, their house filled up with parents, siblings and cousins. Soft holiday music played and the aroma of ham and sweet potatoes filled the air. When it came time for the gift exchange, there were bursts of laughter from adults and squeals of delight from kids. Once the family left, all the left-over food put away and the wrapping paper and excess packaging in the trash, the parents reminded their kids that Santa was coming in the night so they’d better get ready for bed. It was a rare evening in that the kids actually seemed happy to go to bed.
The next morning, while they sat sipping coffee and smiling at the children, who were now playing with their prizes, the husband commented on how rewarding Christmas was this year. His wife smiled and nodded in agreement.
Off on a distant shelf, a ceramic manger scene sat in the shadows.
This is a story of how one family missed Christmas. But they weren’t alone. Those who actually understand what it is about, and celebrate accordingly, are in the minority.
Don’t miss Christmas this year! Give it to Jesus!
(Reposted from December 11, 2009)
That evening, after tearing open their fast food meals and eating most of it, the kids begged to watch a DVD they had talked her into buying earlier that day. She sat down to wrap the gifts from the afternoon of shopping. The phone rang. It was someone from church they attended here and there reminding them of the candle-light Christmas Eve service they were having the next evening. She politely told them that Christmas Eve was a family night for them and with out-of-town family members coming as their guests, they wouldn’t be able to make it to church. The door-bell rang. It was a middle aged couple who were going door-to-door. A shelter in the city was running short on supplies and they explained how they were going to “nicer” neighborhoods asking for donations to make Christmas a little better for those who were hurting. The husband explained that he was already maxed out with charity between United Way at work and what he gave at church (he actually gave very little).
The next day, their house filled up with parents, siblings and cousins. Soft holiday music played and the aroma of ham and sweet potatoes filled the air. When it came time for the gift exchange, there were bursts of laughter from adults and squeals of delight from kids. Once the family left, all the left-over food put away and the wrapping paper and excess packaging in the trash, the parents reminded their kids that Santa was coming in the night so they’d better get ready for bed. It was a rare evening in that the kids actually seemed happy to go to bed.
The next morning, while they sat sipping coffee and smiling at the children, who were now playing with their prizes, the husband commented on how rewarding Christmas was this year. His wife smiled and nodded in agreement.
Off on a distant shelf, a ceramic manger scene sat in the shadows.
This is a story of how one family missed Christmas. But they weren’t alone. Those who actually understand what it is about, and celebrate accordingly, are in the minority.
Don’t miss Christmas this year! Give it to Jesus!
(Reposted from December 11, 2009)
Thursday, December 13, 2012
Peace On Earth? Here? Where?
The world has been afraid that this was coming. When I was in Korea three years ago, it was interspersed as an impending dread in casual conversations. Now it has become a reality. North Korea, already possessors of nuclear weaponry, has now successfully sent a rocket into space, demonstrating it’s ability to send a nuclear payload to just about any part of the world. Several other countries have that capability, but none are as ill trusted as North Korea...not yet, anyway. Iran is on the way.
International threats can cause a lot of anxiety and consternation. I was surprised by a survey of elementary school students released last year that their greatest fear outside of immediate family concerns, revolved around global threats.
It’s always been that way. When I was a kid, we’d be given clear instructions in school about the location of the nearest nuclear shelters. A generation before me would practice regular “bomb drills” and the kids would race under their desks with sirens wailing outside. These fears go back to ancient times when children in the Roman Empire were taught that being bad would bring the wrath of Hannibal (Rome’s most formidable enemy) upon them.
When Jesus came to the planet 2,000 years ago, the world was growing weary of promises for peace. The “pax Romana” (peace of Rome) was the promise of Rome, but that facade of peace was propped in place by brutal and bloodthirsty legions and caesars.
It was in this context, and to a people long oppressed by ruthless foreign powers, that the angels appeared on a tranquil field in the quiet of night and announced that, “peace on earth,” was being made available through a baby being born just then.
Yet here we are, in the midst of terrorism, hatred, threats of bombings, shootings, and even nuclear holocaust, about to celebrate the supposed anniversary of that announcement. Maybe like the author of, “I Heard The Bells,” you respond with a smirk, “Really? When?”
International threats can cause a lot of anxiety and consternation. I was surprised by a survey of elementary school students released last year that their greatest fear outside of immediate family concerns, revolved around global threats.
It’s always been that way. When I was a kid, we’d be given clear instructions in school about the location of the nearest nuclear shelters. A generation before me would practice regular “bomb drills” and the kids would race under their desks with sirens wailing outside. These fears go back to ancient times when children in the Roman Empire were taught that being bad would bring the wrath of Hannibal (Rome’s most formidable enemy) upon them.
When Jesus came to the planet 2,000 years ago, the world was growing weary of promises for peace. The “pax Romana” (peace of Rome) was the promise of Rome, but that facade of peace was propped in place by brutal and bloodthirsty legions and caesars.
It was in this context, and to a people long oppressed by ruthless foreign powers, that the angels appeared on a tranquil field in the quiet of night and announced that, “peace on earth,” was being made available through a baby being born just then.
Yet here we are, in the midst of terrorism, hatred, threats of bombings, shootings, and even nuclear holocaust, about to celebrate the supposed anniversary of that announcement. Maybe like the author of, “I Heard The Bells,” you respond with a smirk, “Really? When?”
“And in despair I bowed my head,
‘There is no peace on earth,’ I said;
For hate is strong and mocks the song
Of peace on earth goodwill to men.”
The angels announcement to the shepherds that night was not a promise of immediate relief of this world’s dreaded monsters. But it was a promise to be fulfilled by the one who was born that night. Jesus made it clear that before there would be peace, war would be a reality. God has suffered long with sin and his mercy has held back his justice, for the sake of those who are yet to respond to his offer of salvation. But God’s justice, which was satisfied in the death of Jesus, will prevail and the peace that ensues will someday become a reality. That Christmas carol continues…
“Then pealed the bells more loud and deep:
‘God is not dead, nor doth he sleep;
The wrong shall fail, the right prevail,
With peace on earth, good will to men.’”
Yes, North Korea has successfully launched a rocket into space. It’s true, entire nations of people hate us and everything about us. And yes, even in our own midst, sin often prevails and violence and injustice reign. But all of that is so very temporary. We have reason to rejoice this Christmas. For us, this is a celebration of the beginning of the end. Jesus came to defeat sin, to conquer death, to destroy violence...to provide for our eternal peace. And if you will receive him by faith, that peace starts now, in your heart and in your life.
Wednesday, December 5, 2012
What's So Exciting About Christmas?
I have to admit, I loved Christmas as a kid…but for all the wrong reasons. Yes, excitement was in the air. I could feel the “Christmas magic” all the Hallmark Channel specials this time of the year talk about. But for me, it was based on the anticipation of “getting”. It shouldn’t have been, but that’s what it was for me. Every year we went to church and my parochial school put on a program where the focus was on Jesus’ birth. But I think most of us were just looking forward to getting home and unwrapping all the loot under the tree. By 5pm on Christmas Day, the excitement was over, some of the toys were broken, and I was already bored. So much for Christmas magic.
Linda and I wanted a very different experience for our kids. Then again, when our kids were little, we didn’t have much to spend on Christmas gifts anyway. So we had a different focus. When the kids were young, Linda started a tradition for them we called, “The Blessing Tree”. She hung 23 sealed notes on the tree with instructions or “blessings”. Most of them instructed us to bless others in a specific way, such as, “Write an anonymous note to someone at church and tell them why they are appreciated,” and each of us would do it. Another was, “Pick out someone who is hurting and slip a $5 bill into their pocket.” Others were about treats: “We go to Culver’s tonight for ice cream!” Every night the kids would argue about whose turn it was to choose a blessing and open it, and then we did it together as a family. Since the kids have gotten older, we’ve gotten away from the tradition the last couple of years. But by popular demand, Linda is resurrecting it this year :-).
We also have always tried to take on a project to focus on others this time of year. One year we wrapped gifts that were supplied by donors for needy families. For a couple of years we brought hats and gloves into the city to give to homeless people we could find. This year we are going to the city to give out McDonald’s gift cards.
And of course, every year it’s a priority for us to go to church on Christmas Eve (whether or not we are in town). I’m amazed at the number of Christians who say things like, “Keep Christ in Christmas” but then stay home from church for some family gathering and spend the time talking to the kids about Santa.
Believe me, I’m not against gift-giving on Christmas Eve, and we do that as a family. It’s just that we spend relatively little, and really try to use the season as a focus on Christ, and representing him to others. Think of the impact we could make if all Christians truly focused on Jesus during this holiday, rather than falling prey to the world’s trappings of false “magic” and fake excitement. If Jesus really was God who became a man and if that’s what we are celebrating this time of year, I’d say we ought to do so with reckless abandon. When we do that, there is no letdown after the holiday...no boredom on Christmas Day evening. It then becomes an excitement, a magic, if you please, that changes us and our kids for a lifetime. That’s a Christmas worth celebrating!
Linda and I wanted a very different experience for our kids. Then again, when our kids were little, we didn’t have much to spend on Christmas gifts anyway. So we had a different focus. When the kids were young, Linda started a tradition for them we called, “The Blessing Tree”. She hung 23 sealed notes on the tree with instructions or “blessings”. Most of them instructed us to bless others in a specific way, such as, “Write an anonymous note to someone at church and tell them why they are appreciated,” and each of us would do it. Another was, “Pick out someone who is hurting and slip a $5 bill into their pocket.” Others were about treats: “We go to Culver’s tonight for ice cream!” Every night the kids would argue about whose turn it was to choose a blessing and open it, and then we did it together as a family. Since the kids have gotten older, we’ve gotten away from the tradition the last couple of years. But by popular demand, Linda is resurrecting it this year :-).
We also have always tried to take on a project to focus on others this time of year. One year we wrapped gifts that were supplied by donors for needy families. For a couple of years we brought hats and gloves into the city to give to homeless people we could find. This year we are going to the city to give out McDonald’s gift cards.
And of course, every year it’s a priority for us to go to church on Christmas Eve (whether or not we are in town). I’m amazed at the number of Christians who say things like, “Keep Christ in Christmas” but then stay home from church for some family gathering and spend the time talking to the kids about Santa.
Believe me, I’m not against gift-giving on Christmas Eve, and we do that as a family. It’s just that we spend relatively little, and really try to use the season as a focus on Christ, and representing him to others. Think of the impact we could make if all Christians truly focused on Jesus during this holiday, rather than falling prey to the world’s trappings of false “magic” and fake excitement. If Jesus really was God who became a man and if that’s what we are celebrating this time of year, I’d say we ought to do so with reckless abandon. When we do that, there is no letdown after the holiday...no boredom on Christmas Day evening. It then becomes an excitement, a magic, if you please, that changes us and our kids for a lifetime. That’s a Christmas worth celebrating!
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