When I hear the words, “Pay attention”, I am transported back to seventh grade, and our P.E. teacher, Miss Kerbel. Her command would rise above the shrillness of the voices of twenty-five girls packed into a corner of the basement room where we met before going up to the gym or out to the ball field. The words came out in stentorian tones so that they became one word, one thought: “Paytenshun!” And we all got quiet immediately, waiting for her instructions, which came rapidly. In more recent times, as I watch myself drifting in and out of focus, starting a new task before completing the first one, making lists and losing them, I say the words to myself.
But a better instruction, a more encouraging and inviting way of encouraging focus, would be to think of the word “mindfulness”—a concept associated with the Vietnamese Buddhist monk, Thich Nhat Hanh, who worked tirelessly for peace for his nation, only to be exiled for his efforts. His work on “engaged Buddhism” and on the concept of mindfulness have made him known and appreciated all around the world.
I remembered mindfulness (how sadly typical that mindfulness is something that often slips my mind!) when I came across this quotation: “The most precious gift we can offer others is our presence. When mindfulness embraces those we love, they will bloom like flowers.”
I wrote those words of Thich Nhat Handh on a yellow post-it note a long time ago and tucked it away between the pages of a book I started reading and never finished. I don’t know where I found the quotation, or when I wrote it. I wasn’t paying proper attention.
“Mindfulness” is all about paying attention to where we are, what we are doing, who our companions are, what is going on, in the present moment. As I write that, I wonder if it sounds difficult—too concentrated a task. But as I look at the way I live, I think mindfulness would be a welcome relief from my tendency to try to do several things at once. Mindfulness would enable me to be present in each moment, without anticipating what I must do next, what I should say next, what to do next. Mindfulness would bring peace.
The rewards and results of mindfulness can readily be seen in children. When we have the patience to listen to them truly and well, asking questions that help them clarify their thoughts, letting them know that they are truly important to us, they do open and bloom like flowers. But all of us, at any age, are capable of opening and blooming, if there is someone to encourage and pay attention.
We live in a world of beauty and wonder, of complexity and even tragedy…and often we miss the beauty, oversimplify the complexity, and try to avoid the tragedy. We let ourselves get distracted by whatever is in front of us. We need to pay attention. When we pay attention not only to our own needs and feelings, but also to those of the people around us, our own lives will be enriched by the connection. It is a beautiful thing to have even a small part in helping others bloom and become all that God intends.
“Pay attention.” I’m saying that to myself calmly and quietly, not as a reprimand or a command, but as an invitation to mindfulness, to remember that “When mindfulness embraces those we love, they will bloom like flowers.”
Monday, June 23, 2008
Sunday, May 25, 2008
A Day in the Life….
There was a day when I knew about everything that was going on at First Church—at least I thought so. And I’m pretty sure I was almost right. I didn’t go to meetings of the Finance Committee or the Trustees; I didn’t go out with the Fisherfolk to call on first-time visitors in their homes, but I went to almost everything else.
That was a long time ago. It was probably sometime in the 80’s when I freed myself from guilt for not going to everything, and late in the 90’s when I began to realize that I couldn’t even know about everything that was happening.
Consider a recent Sunday—May 18. That day presented a dazzling array of activities for First Church members and friends, beginning with a choice of four worship services at 9:00. Sunday School classes met at 9:45, with several special options—a Godly Play Information/Demonstration session, a baptism counseling class, and a festive brunch for graduating high school seniors. The Café Mission team was selling great coffee and treats to benefit the Social Justice Team’s projects. Tweeners were selling manna bags to be given to hungry and homeless people, and youth were selling stock in the Appalachia Service Project, to make homes of some of the nation’s poorest people warmer, safer, and drier. There were two worship services at 11:00, followed by an Administrative Board meeting at noon. That ended the day at church for many people, but there were still more choices. The afternoon and early evening brought a Musica Sacra Concert, an organizational meeting for United Methodist Women, a training event for children’s Sunday School teachers, the United Methodist Youth Fellowship supper and meeting, and a worship service sponsored by the Reconciling Ministries Team.
A day in the life of First Church brings many opportunities for worship, study, service, and personal enrichment—all made possible by the dreaming and working of faithful and creative members. The days when staff members had to be at every event are long gone. We don’t have that much staff, but we do have plenty of members who make things happen. Most of us cannot keep up with everything that’s going on, but church leaders work hard, using every method they can think of, to let you know, so that you can choose to participate in the events and ministries that meet your needs, nourish your spiritual life, and use the gifts God has given you for the benefit of the Kingdom.
Not all days are as busy as was May 18, but every day in the life of First Church is important. Every day in the life of First Church is one in which we are called to use our God-given resources to bring as many people as possible into a lasting, life-changing relationship with God through Christ Jesus.
There was a day when I knew about everything that was going on at First Church—at least I thought so. And I’m pretty sure I was almost right. I didn’t go to meetings of the Finance Committee or the Trustees; I didn’t go out with the Fisherfolk to call on first-time visitors in their homes, but I went to almost everything else.
That was a long time ago. It was probably sometime in the 80’s when I freed myself from guilt for not going to everything, and late in the 90’s when I began to realize that I couldn’t even know about everything that was happening.
Consider a recent Sunday—May 18. That day presented a dazzling array of activities for First Church members and friends, beginning with a choice of four worship services at 9:00. Sunday School classes met at 9:45, with several special options—a Godly Play Information/Demonstration session, a baptism counseling class, and a festive brunch for graduating high school seniors. The Café Mission team was selling great coffee and treats to benefit the Social Justice Team’s projects. Tweeners were selling manna bags to be given to hungry and homeless people, and youth were selling stock in the Appalachia Service Project, to make homes of some of the nation’s poorest people warmer, safer, and drier. There were two worship services at 11:00, followed by an Administrative Board meeting at noon. That ended the day at church for many people, but there were still more choices. The afternoon and early evening brought a Musica Sacra Concert, an organizational meeting for United Methodist Women, a training event for children’s Sunday School teachers, the United Methodist Youth Fellowship supper and meeting, and a worship service sponsored by the Reconciling Ministries Team.
A day in the life of First Church brings many opportunities for worship, study, service, and personal enrichment—all made possible by the dreaming and working of faithful and creative members. The days when staff members had to be at every event are long gone. We don’t have that much staff, but we do have plenty of members who make things happen. Most of us cannot keep up with everything that’s going on, but church leaders work hard, using every method they can think of, to let you know, so that you can choose to participate in the events and ministries that meet your needs, nourish your spiritual life, and use the gifts God has given you for the benefit of the Kingdom.
Not all days are as busy as was May 18, but every day in the life of First Church is important. Every day in the life of First Church is one in which we are called to use our God-given resources to bring as many people as possible into a lasting, life-changing relationship with God through Christ Jesus.
Monday, April 28, 2008
Confirmation: Bridge to the Future
As I moved around Great Hall during the breakfast celebration for our eighth-grade Confirmation Class, greeting youth and their families, I was glad to realize that I knew most of them. Because it’s been a while since I worked directly with children and youth, and especially because we offer five different worship services on Sunday mornings, I can’t expect to know everyone—though I would like to!
Watching the young people with their families, I noted that I’ve watched some of them grow up in our 9:00 Chapel service, while I see others in the Sanctuary. Some of the youth were born into this church. There is at least one whose mother joined here as a young single, and one whose parents have not yet joined the church.
Some of the youth belong to families that go way back with us. Jenae Flores’ mother, Kelly Ausley-Flores, daughter of Tom and Robbie Ausley, was a preschooler when I came back to First Church in 1970. Jenae represents the third generation of the Ausley family to join FUMC. But Hailey and Will Grote have roots that go back even further, to four generations of First Church members. Their mother is Debbie Voss Grote, whose parents are John and Loretta Voss. John’s parents were Herman “Rookie” Voss and Dorothy Voss. Rookie was business administrator of First Church back in the 1950’s, and Dorothy was superintendent of the Senior High Department. John, the middle of three sons, returned to Austin after retiring from a military career. Debbie and her brother grew up in this church, and now Debbie and Butch Grote’s children are growing up here.
That tapestry of membership made me think of the theme of our capital campagin, “Bridge to the Future.” The Vosses began a relationship that has spanned four generations. They have kept on giving to First Church, long after their time. But the great thing is that you don’t have to have four generations of history here to love this church and to join in building that bridge. Newcomers pitch in all the time, shoring up support, extending the pathway, making it sure and safe not just for those who are here now, but also for those who will come after us.
Note these names: Tyler Bumpass…Jenae Flores…Wyatt Garrett…Hailey Grote…Will Grote…Haley Mills…Rachel Nauert…Rachel Proctor…Jefferson Reese…Luke Russell.
Those are the names of all the confirmands who joined First Church officially, solemnly, and joyfully on April 27. They belong to us now, they are walking on the bridge that you are building, and they are building it with us. I invite you to pray for each of them by name. And more than that, I challenge you to add your gifts to your prayers, by making a pledge to our capital campaign. We are building a bridge to the future not just for ourselves, but for these young people…for their children…for children we do not know but who will surely come to us! I thank God for them, and for each of you.
As I moved around Great Hall during the breakfast celebration for our eighth-grade Confirmation Class, greeting youth and their families, I was glad to realize that I knew most of them. Because it’s been a while since I worked directly with children and youth, and especially because we offer five different worship services on Sunday mornings, I can’t expect to know everyone—though I would like to!
Watching the young people with their families, I noted that I’ve watched some of them grow up in our 9:00 Chapel service, while I see others in the Sanctuary. Some of the youth were born into this church. There is at least one whose mother joined here as a young single, and one whose parents have not yet joined the church.
Some of the youth belong to families that go way back with us. Jenae Flores’ mother, Kelly Ausley-Flores, daughter of Tom and Robbie Ausley, was a preschooler when I came back to First Church in 1970. Jenae represents the third generation of the Ausley family to join FUMC. But Hailey and Will Grote have roots that go back even further, to four generations of First Church members. Their mother is Debbie Voss Grote, whose parents are John and Loretta Voss. John’s parents were Herman “Rookie” Voss and Dorothy Voss. Rookie was business administrator of First Church back in the 1950’s, and Dorothy was superintendent of the Senior High Department. John, the middle of three sons, returned to Austin after retiring from a military career. Debbie and her brother grew up in this church, and now Debbie and Butch Grote’s children are growing up here.
That tapestry of membership made me think of the theme of our capital campagin, “Bridge to the Future.” The Vosses began a relationship that has spanned four generations. They have kept on giving to First Church, long after their time. But the great thing is that you don’t have to have four generations of history here to love this church and to join in building that bridge. Newcomers pitch in all the time, shoring up support, extending the pathway, making it sure and safe not just for those who are here now, but also for those who will come after us.
Note these names: Tyler Bumpass…Jenae Flores…Wyatt Garrett…Hailey Grote…Will Grote…Haley Mills…Rachel Nauert…Rachel Proctor…Jefferson Reese…Luke Russell.
Those are the names of all the confirmands who joined First Church officially, solemnly, and joyfully on April 27. They belong to us now, they are walking on the bridge that you are building, and they are building it with us. I invite you to pray for each of them by name. And more than that, I challenge you to add your gifts to your prayers, by making a pledge to our capital campaign. We are building a bridge to the future not just for ourselves, but for these young people…for their children…for children we do not know but who will surely come to us! I thank God for them, and for each of you.
Monday, March 24, 2008
Easter is over?
Easter is over.
No, it isn’t. Keep reading.
Easter Sunday was March 23, 2008—as you probably know, one of the earliest Easters ever, and certainly the earliest one for many years to come. I heard at least one sports commentator complaining that Easter was conflicting with March Madness. He whined that Easter should be on one certain day every year. No one explained about how the date for Easter is set—at least not during that broadcast.
Easter Sunday was a glorious day for us at First Church. There was quiet joy at the Sunrise Service and the Contemplative Service. The Chapel was full at both the 9:00 and 11:00 services, and at the earlier service, we were delighted to have an Easter choir. The Sanctuary Services were just what they should have been on Easter—great hymn singing and great anthems, accompanied by a brass ensemble, a wonderful sermon, and Handel’s “Hallelujah” from “Messiah”, with members of the congregation invited to come sing with the choir.
Easter Sunday is past, but Easter continues. The Season of Easter continues for what is sometimes called The Great Fifty Days until Pentecost.Sunday on May 11. It is a season filled with the joy found in our assurance that Christ is risen. Tradition says that in the early church, monks and priests in monasteries made it a point to tell jokes and laugh all through the season, because God had outsmarted the forces of evil by raising Christ from the dead.
The Easter Sunday Sanctuary bulletins featured a quotation from Frederick Buechner, commenting on the mystery of the resurrection of Jesus: “It’s not his absence from an empty grave that convinces us. It’s his presence in our empty lives.”
Empty lives, you may think, doesn’t apply to people as busy and as purposeful as we First Methodists are. Our lives often seem over-full—places to go, people to see, tasks to accomplish. The point is to notice whether our lives are full of our responses to the call of God, or with substitutes to fill the emptiness.
The Easter Season is a perfect time to notice—in prayer, in meditation, in holy conferencing (intentional conversations with others)—the presence of Christ in our lives. It is a good time to notice how alive we are—not just in high, holy moments, not only in daunting challenges, but in the ordinary tasks and moments of every day.
Jesus said, “I have come that you might have life, and have it more abundantly.” Easter is a perfect time to choose and celebrate abundant life.
No, it isn’t. Keep reading.
Easter Sunday was March 23, 2008—as you probably know, one of the earliest Easters ever, and certainly the earliest one for many years to come. I heard at least one sports commentator complaining that Easter was conflicting with March Madness. He whined that Easter should be on one certain day every year. No one explained about how the date for Easter is set—at least not during that broadcast.
Easter Sunday was a glorious day for us at First Church. There was quiet joy at the Sunrise Service and the Contemplative Service. The Chapel was full at both the 9:00 and 11:00 services, and at the earlier service, we were delighted to have an Easter choir. The Sanctuary Services were just what they should have been on Easter—great hymn singing and great anthems, accompanied by a brass ensemble, a wonderful sermon, and Handel’s “Hallelujah” from “Messiah”, with members of the congregation invited to come sing with the choir.
Easter Sunday is past, but Easter continues. The Season of Easter continues for what is sometimes called The Great Fifty Days until Pentecost.Sunday on May 11. It is a season filled with the joy found in our assurance that Christ is risen. Tradition says that in the early church, monks and priests in monasteries made it a point to tell jokes and laugh all through the season, because God had outsmarted the forces of evil by raising Christ from the dead.
The Easter Sunday Sanctuary bulletins featured a quotation from Frederick Buechner, commenting on the mystery of the resurrection of Jesus: “It’s not his absence from an empty grave that convinces us. It’s his presence in our empty lives.”
Empty lives, you may think, doesn’t apply to people as busy and as purposeful as we First Methodists are. Our lives often seem over-full—places to go, people to see, tasks to accomplish. The point is to notice whether our lives are full of our responses to the call of God, or with substitutes to fill the emptiness.
The Easter Season is a perfect time to notice—in prayer, in meditation, in holy conferencing (intentional conversations with others)—the presence of Christ in our lives. It is a good time to notice how alive we are—not just in high, holy moments, not only in daunting challenges, but in the ordinary tasks and moments of every day.
Jesus said, “I have come that you might have life, and have it more abundantly.” Easter is a perfect time to choose and celebrate abundant life.
Monday, February 18, 2008
Core Message: What Do You Preach?
Last week I spent two days at Mount Wesley, our United Methodist center in Kerrville, for the spring meeting of the Conference Board of Ordained Ministry. On one marathon day we interviewed sixteen candidates for ordination, an arduous, sometimes difficult, often joyful task.
Candidates come into a large room to find 40 people seated around a big open square of tables. After a brief introduction and prayer, the interview begins. Any Board member can ask just about any question, from something theological (“What is the role of the Holy Spirit in salvation?”) to practice of ministry (“Suppose someone in your congregation comes to you after a spiritual experience, asking for re-baptism. What do you do?”) to personal (“How do you take care of yourself?”).
Having served on the Board for ten years now, I’ve learned that some Board members have their favorite questions, whoever the candidate is. One of our members almost always asks, “What is your core message? If you had just one sermon to preach, what would it be?”
Apart from Board meetings, I’ve heard veteran pastors say that every preacher has one sermon in his or her heart, and that every sermon will give that message. After some reflection, I think that may be true, and I think it’s true for me. I hope I don’t preach the same sermon over and over, but I think just about every sermon I preach has in it, to some degree, my “core message.” The text is found in the first few verses of Genesis 12. Stated simply, it’s “Blessed to be a blessing.”
That Scripture passage describes the call of Abram (not yet ready for his new name, Abraham), and God’s promise of blessing. God says to the not-so-young man, “Go from your country and your kindred and your father’s house to the land that I will show you. I will make you a great nation, and I will bless you, and make your name great, so that you will be a blessing….and in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed.”
I look back on my life…I consider what each new day brings…I look ahead…and I see blessings! Life has not been perfect; I’ve had my share of failures and disappointments. But in every experience, God has found a way to bless me…and, to my joy and gratitude, God often finds ways for me to bless others.
I see those blessings when I look at our congregation. I know many of your stories and your struggles. Some of you have been through incredibly difficult times, and yet you’ve found blessings, and you bless others. I look at our common life as a church. Again, there have been incredibly difficult times, real struggles, and yet we always find blessings and we continue to bless others.
Those of us who prepare a sermon every week are not the only preachers. All of us who are baptized are called to be ministers of Christ. St. Francis said, “Preach always! When necessary, use words.” So I ask you—what is your core message? If you had one sermon to preach, what would it be? There’s no vote involved, no pressure, but I invite you to reflect on the question. Look at your life, and see what you are preaching. And if the answer is not clear, take some more time. In this season of prayer, spend some time listening to God, and to your life. It will be time well spent!
Candidates come into a large room to find 40 people seated around a big open square of tables. After a brief introduction and prayer, the interview begins. Any Board member can ask just about any question, from something theological (“What is the role of the Holy Spirit in salvation?”) to practice of ministry (“Suppose someone in your congregation comes to you after a spiritual experience, asking for re-baptism. What do you do?”) to personal (“How do you take care of yourself?”).
Having served on the Board for ten years now, I’ve learned that some Board members have their favorite questions, whoever the candidate is. One of our members almost always asks, “What is your core message? If you had just one sermon to preach, what would it be?”
Apart from Board meetings, I’ve heard veteran pastors say that every preacher has one sermon in his or her heart, and that every sermon will give that message. After some reflection, I think that may be true, and I think it’s true for me. I hope I don’t preach the same sermon over and over, but I think just about every sermon I preach has in it, to some degree, my “core message.” The text is found in the first few verses of Genesis 12. Stated simply, it’s “Blessed to be a blessing.”
That Scripture passage describes the call of Abram (not yet ready for his new name, Abraham), and God’s promise of blessing. God says to the not-so-young man, “Go from your country and your kindred and your father’s house to the land that I will show you. I will make you a great nation, and I will bless you, and make your name great, so that you will be a blessing….and in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed.”
I look back on my life…I consider what each new day brings…I look ahead…and I see blessings! Life has not been perfect; I’ve had my share of failures and disappointments. But in every experience, God has found a way to bless me…and, to my joy and gratitude, God often finds ways for me to bless others.
I see those blessings when I look at our congregation. I know many of your stories and your struggles. Some of you have been through incredibly difficult times, and yet you’ve found blessings, and you bless others. I look at our common life as a church. Again, there have been incredibly difficult times, real struggles, and yet we always find blessings and we continue to bless others.
Those of us who prepare a sermon every week are not the only preachers. All of us who are baptized are called to be ministers of Christ. St. Francis said, “Preach always! When necessary, use words.” So I ask you—what is your core message? If you had one sermon to preach, what would it be? There’s no vote involved, no pressure, but I invite you to reflect on the question. Look at your life, and see what you are preaching. And if the answer is not clear, take some more time. In this season of prayer, spend some time listening to God, and to your life. It will be time well spent!
Monday, January 14, 2008
Holy Moments
John McMullen, in his January 13 sermon, shared with us his experience of a holy moment. On the Sunday before, two young sisters had served as readers in the 11:00 worship service, and because it was Communion Sunday, they helped us serve. John told how he was deeply moved as he listened to seven-year-old Libby clearly say to each person, as she held the cup, “The cup of Christ.” A few feet away from him, I was having the same kind of experience with Libby’s older sister, Caroline.
Reflecting on this, I thought how impossible, how unheard-of, serving Communion would have been for me in my childhood. Such a privilege was reserved only for those who were ordained. I remember hearing about altar boys from Catholic friends, but our church didn’t even have acolytes. I am so glad that our church welcomes children, and understands how they minister to us.
Let me be clear—I’m not describing how “sweet” or (perish forbid) “cute” it was to see children involved so closely in leading worship. There’s nothing inherently wrong with “sweet” and “cute”—children can’t help being sweet and cute. The moments were sweet and tender because the girls are young, and this was a first-time experience for them. But they were also holy moments! We could sense that the girls knew they were part of something holy; we could feel the Spirit of God resting on them and on us.
Holy moments come to me often, in all sorts of times and places, but none are more treasured than the ones I experience in the worship services here. Listening as Chapel friends share prayer concerns or ask for help for an outreach ministry, being present at a baptism, watching important friendships grow among people who met because they attend the same worship service, being moved by the amazing variety of music used at our several worship services—all of these are holy moments. God is present in all these experiences, seeking us, calling us into relationship with God and with each other.
I know we can experience holy moments every day, wherever we are…but life gets busy and complicated, and we may not always notice how God is in our midst. Our worship services are designed to remind us of God’s seeking love, to provide space and time for holy moments to happen. I hope they will happen for you—here and everywhere!
Reflecting on this, I thought how impossible, how unheard-of, serving Communion would have been for me in my childhood. Such a privilege was reserved only for those who were ordained. I remember hearing about altar boys from Catholic friends, but our church didn’t even have acolytes. I am so glad that our church welcomes children, and understands how they minister to us.
Let me be clear—I’m not describing how “sweet” or (perish forbid) “cute” it was to see children involved so closely in leading worship. There’s nothing inherently wrong with “sweet” and “cute”—children can’t help being sweet and cute. The moments were sweet and tender because the girls are young, and this was a first-time experience for them. But they were also holy moments! We could sense that the girls knew they were part of something holy; we could feel the Spirit of God resting on them and on us.
Holy moments come to me often, in all sorts of times and places, but none are more treasured than the ones I experience in the worship services here. Listening as Chapel friends share prayer concerns or ask for help for an outreach ministry, being present at a baptism, watching important friendships grow among people who met because they attend the same worship service, being moved by the amazing variety of music used at our several worship services—all of these are holy moments. God is present in all these experiences, seeking us, calling us into relationship with God and with each other.
I know we can experience holy moments every day, wherever we are…but life gets busy and complicated, and we may not always notice how God is in our midst. Our worship services are designed to remind us of God’s seeking love, to provide space and time for holy moments to happen. I hope they will happen for you—here and everywhere!
Friday, December 21, 2007
Christmas Decorations
Just between us, I'm going to make a confession. Although I love Christmas decorations, I have not decorated my home for Christmas.
All my Christmas celebrations happen away from home--many beautiful services at church, where both Chapel and Sanctuary bring us wonderful music and are gorgeously adorned with lighted trrees and wreaths and poinsettias and candles and stars and a major angel; in the homes of several church members who have made their homes beautiful and festive; at my sister's home in Seguin on Chrstmas Eve with my extended family, where the tree bears, in addition to the beautifully coordinated lights and ornaments, three that are several years older than I am: two little angels (one with pink wings, one with bhlue)and about eighteen inches of shiny foil circles on a thread (al that remains of perhaps six feet of the original, ordered, along with the angels, from the Sears catalog in 1925); and finally, on Christmas Day, in the home of Greg and Caroline and Veronica (children and grandchildren), where the decorations are lovely and quite eclectic.
Intending to decorate at my own cozy home, I got most of the boxes down from the high closets--many creches and angels and ornaments for display, but my artificial tree (purchased long ago in concession to my allergies) remains in the garage storeroom. and all the boxes of creches and angels and ornaments are stacked on the cedar chest in the spare bedroom. So...no decorations here at home.
Except for the gifts and wrapping paper spread out on the guest bed (to the great curiosity and enjoyment of my cat), and now overflowing to the kitchen table and the living room, where I stash them in big gift bags as they are wrapped (again, to the curiosity and enjoyment of my cat). So I've decided that the wrapping paper and ribbon and gift bags are, in fact, my Christmas decorations--including the foil packages and zip-loc bags of goodies in the freezer, awaiting distribution. They all remind me of the people I love, and the fun I had choosing and preparaing gifts for them. In our extended family, we no longer exchange gifts--we all have everything we need and most of what we want! But family members love readng the cards about what I chose for them at the Alternative Gift Market, and I've added some very small gifts designed to make them laugh. And of course, there are gift bags and boxes that have dome to me, bearing lovely things.
So it seems to me that the best Christmas decorations are the ones we give each other--from the wrappings around mny gifts to the decorations at church to the beautiful lights and displays in my neighborhood. I am grateful for them all. I urge you, at this Christmas time, to fill your heart with memories of these beautiful sighs and sounds. They will last long after the packages have been unwrapped and the decorations put away. They will warm your heart and light your way in the cold and darkness of winter and fill your life with your life with love.
Have a beautiful Christmas!
All my Christmas celebrations happen away from home--many beautiful services at church, where both Chapel and Sanctuary bring us wonderful music and are gorgeously adorned with lighted trrees and wreaths and poinsettias and candles and stars and a major angel; in the homes of several church members who have made their homes beautiful and festive; at my sister's home in Seguin on Chrstmas Eve with my extended family, where the tree bears, in addition to the beautifully coordinated lights and ornaments, three that are several years older than I am: two little angels (one with pink wings, one with bhlue)and about eighteen inches of shiny foil circles on a thread (al that remains of perhaps six feet of the original, ordered, along with the angels, from the Sears catalog in 1925); and finally, on Christmas Day, in the home of Greg and Caroline and Veronica (children and grandchildren), where the decorations are lovely and quite eclectic.
Intending to decorate at my own cozy home, I got most of the boxes down from the high closets--many creches and angels and ornaments for display, but my artificial tree (purchased long ago in concession to my allergies) remains in the garage storeroom. and all the boxes of creches and angels and ornaments are stacked on the cedar chest in the spare bedroom. So...no decorations here at home.
Except for the gifts and wrapping paper spread out on the guest bed (to the great curiosity and enjoyment of my cat), and now overflowing to the kitchen table and the living room, where I stash them in big gift bags as they are wrapped (again, to the curiosity and enjoyment of my cat). So I've decided that the wrapping paper and ribbon and gift bags are, in fact, my Christmas decorations--including the foil packages and zip-loc bags of goodies in the freezer, awaiting distribution. They all remind me of the people I love, and the fun I had choosing and preparaing gifts for them. In our extended family, we no longer exchange gifts--we all have everything we need and most of what we want! But family members love readng the cards about what I chose for them at the Alternative Gift Market, and I've added some very small gifts designed to make them laugh. And of course, there are gift bags and boxes that have dome to me, bearing lovely things.
So it seems to me that the best Christmas decorations are the ones we give each other--from the wrappings around mny gifts to the decorations at church to the beautiful lights and displays in my neighborhood. I am grateful for them all. I urge you, at this Christmas time, to fill your heart with memories of these beautiful sighs and sounds. They will last long after the packages have been unwrapped and the decorations put away. They will warm your heart and light your way in the cold and darkness of winter and fill your life with your life with love.
Have a beautiful Christmas!
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