Christmas | Dschondog's Blog

Last December about this time Ann asked us to name the year 2011. I named it the Year of Now because I wanted to really live in the present moment not always be hoping for something in the future or pining about something in the past. This has been a special month of traveling to Bethlehem day by day, not just trying to get things done for Christmas Day. I’ve been able to live Jesus’ coming each and every day through using the Jesse tree and cradle to cross advent wreath. In the Multitudes on Mondays community at Ann’s I was also able to read about others’ journeys, too, and this enriched my own. Today I am thankful for

#415 Ann Voskamp’s free download of the Jesse Tree book and ornaments. It is a road map for the journey through the genealogical line of Christ that my husband and I enjoyed this Advent season.

#416 my ficus. It made a perfect Jesse tree presenting the genealogy of Jesus Christ through ornaments that sparkled in the light of my sun room.

#417 a young teen in my church who obeyed his mother and played the violin for the special music his mother and I sang.

#418 a new hairdresser who gave me a sensational hair cut for less than I usually pay.

#419 a blessed time of wrapping presents that really reminded me how very unique each and every one I buy for is!

#420 my daughters-in-law who tries to make time to visit around my crazy work schedule.

#421 the blaze of light when all the candles are lit on the advent wreath. (This is for Susan and Andrea Dawn.)

#422 that my husband can still preach although it tires him a lot.

#423 children and grandchildren and the fun we have together. I am thankful they know to keep visits short, however, because my husband has very little strength and can not have a lot of activity for too long. I am thankful for my daughter-in-law’s family who have lots of energy to keep them occupied.

#424 unexpected help from my 5-year-old grandson while preparing Christmas dinner. He would do everything I asked and listened attentively when I showed him how to place the silverware and fold the napkins. He really is a good helper.

#425 sons who break down instructions for little ones into bite-sized pieces of information that their children can follow easily. They must have learned it from their wives. I can’t remember being so wise. This is yet another good reason for marriage, one makes up for what the other lacks to make an entire whole.

#426 for work to do with the skills I have.

#427 frozen and canned goods from people’s gardens as gifts for Christmas. My refrigerator freezer and cupboard shelves are full.

#428 my dog, Sebastian, sleeping quietly most of the time, seemingly not suffering.

#429 a colleague at work who shares my vision for excellence in care delivery and is not afraid to takes risks to accomplish it.

#430 instant mashed potatoes…it’s a long story!

With the multitudes giving thanks,

Dawn

I was reading in Luke 2 and came upon verse 16 which says

¹⁶And they came with haste, and found Mary, and Joseph, and the babe lying in a manger.

An angel of the Lord had just visited the shepherds on the hillside outside of Bethlehem telling them that God the Savior was born and that they would find Him wrapped in swaddling clothes lying in a manger. The shepherds were trembling with fear at the sight of the angel and the glory of the Lord shining about them. All of a sudden a “multitude of the heavenly host” lit up the sky singing “Glory to God in the highest!”

When the angels left the shepherds discussed with one another what they would do. Oh, how I love their decision. I wish it were more often mine. They said, “Let’s go see this thing which has come to pass that the Lord has made known to us.” Ah, yes, let’s go, let’s do it. There is a compulsion when the Lord speaks to you. For me, it is an urgency that makes me tremble. It is the trembling that gives me the assurance that it is God. If it were me, I would do something comfortable. When He speaks to me, it is usually because He has to give me a push. And so, God sends His heavenly messengers to push the shepherds, but unlike me at times, they go at His bidding.

This could not have been convenient for them. It was night. They had sheep to care for. They had no idea what they were going to see or where they were going to see it. They simply went to Bethlehem. All the great people of faith had a bit of that “Just Do It” spirit. Abraham left Ur for a land he did not know. Peter left his fishing nets. Moses left his position in Egypt. The widow gave all that she had. And I think of Mother Teresa, Bruce Olson, John Wesley, Arthur Blessitt, Heidi Baker and Joan of Arc.

Today I am thankful for:

#333 the giants in the faith.

#334 the mercy of God because there are so many time I have hesitated.

#335 the miracles happening where I work.

#336 healing of a co-worker.

#337 notes from sermons of Christmases past in the margins of my Bible that make my reflection richer.

#338 the Jesse tree that points me to Jesus.

#339 many mini-Christmases this week: with sisters, with friends, with church family, with family family.

#340 for good friends who share great ideas. Thanks Andrea Dawn for the link to the envelope tutorial.

#341 for a husband who leaves love surprises all over for me to find them.