Sunday, December 14, 2014

The Size and Shape of Having Yourself A Merry Little Christmas

..
Have you sung it?
Or heard it?
You know
the Christmas song
that tells you
all about letting your heart be light
and letting the yuletide glow
and telling you from now on
your troubles will be
MILES AWAY,
as in olden days,
happy golden days?
It is all so
"Norman Rockwellish"
and
"Thomas Kincaidish"
and our hearts long for
merry
and bright
and joy
and perfect holiday meals
and parties
and family gatherings
and kissing under the mistletoe
and romantic sleigh rides.
When in reality,
there are bills to pay
and relationships to mend
and doctor visits
and anxiety
and fear
and pain
and grief
and loneliness
in the midst of a crowd
and tears
amidst laughter
and false smiles.

This morning
as the choir sang
I saw her
(I leaned over and told Philip,
"I see Melody singing this.")

in my mind
and in my heart,
there she stood
beautiful red hair
purposeful countenance...
and I felt memories
pool in the corners of my eyes
and 
slip from underneath my eyelids
and slide down my cheeks
and drip from my face.
I could hear her voice
and in another scene,
in my mind,
I saw her family standing
on the bridge
that exited the stage,
a prop...
there they stood singing.
And my heart broke
as I heard her voice
singing of
"The Spirit of Christmas."
Though, I did feel peaceful
as I contemplated her reality
of knowing true Christmas.
Afterwards,
we ate lunch
and then I sat down
at the piano to play
some Christmas songs.
As my fingers
danced through the notes of
"Have A Holly Jolly Christmas",
I heard the sounds
of 35 or 40 pairs of feet
as we shuffled across
the highly polished gym floor
of
Mountainburg High School gymnasium.
We attempted to quietly
assemble ourselves
on the risers
while Bren Marshell,
the high school choir pianist,
played the introduction to
"Have A Holly Jolly Christmas."
I really did,
in my mind,
I heard the distinct bass notes
just as he played them
and I heard our shuffling,
like we were shuffling
all those years ago,
as in olden days,
happy golden days.
And I wonder why?
Why do I remember
these random things?
And see them?
Why today?
And I think of those
whom I love
and care about...
And there are many
longings unfulfilled
and needs seemingly unmet
and relationships unmended
and grief borne
and sorrows uneased
and peace...
well...peace is surely...
out there somewhere...
and trust is wavering
and faith is ebbing away,

ALL WHILE JUST SIMPLY
TRYING TO HAVE
A MERRY LITTLE CHRISTMAS.

Reality isn't found in
the Norman Rockwell
picture perfect traditions
OR
the Thomas Kincaid
lights all aglow
beaming out,
there's no place like home.

No, unfortunately,
for many
that just isn't reality!

But the good news is...
for the dysfunction
AND
the broken,

for all of us
any size
any shape...

JESUS CAME

the size...
a tiny baby
the shape...
a manger,

JESUS CAME.

Tiny size
Manger shaped...

JESUS
Wonderful Counselor
Prince of Peace
Almighty God
Everlasting Father
Comforter
Healer
Provider
Prince of Peace
Strong Tower
Miraculous Mind Blower
Awesome Game Changer
My Best Friend

And that,
yes
THAT IS
"The size and shape
of
having  yourself a merry little Christmas!"



Monday, December 1, 2014

It Only Takes A Little

The room was shrouded in darkness.

I stumbled,

trying to find

 my way to the light switch 

on the wall across the room.

Pulling my cell phone from my pocket

I searched for the flashlight app 

on my phone screen.

Upon hearing the "squeee"...

from the flashlight turning on, 

the room flooded with light

and I could see!!

It never ceases to amaze me 

how light penetrates darkness.

With just a tiny light 

darkness is pushed away.

It's the same way with vinegar in water.

You see~
a little makes a big difference.


Think about:

Heat in the chill.

A smile toward the sad.

A hug to the lonely.

A forgiving word.

A prayer for the despondent.

Just a little.

Makes a difference.

We don't always know the extent or the impact.

In my Christian tradition, as I celebrate Christmas, 

we have entered the season we call 
Advent.

1.  a
 coming into place, view, or being; arrival:
the advent of the holiday season
.
2.  the coming of Christ into the world.3.  the period beginning four Sundays before Christmas, 
observed in commemoration of the coming of Christ into the world.
During this season of joy,
 of Advent,
 I ponder:

One tiny Child,a world changer,  
simply by being...being willing.

Am I a world changer?
Do I make a difference?
Am I willing?
Does my light shine?
Does it dispel darkness?

vinegar in water,
heat in the chill,
a smile toward the sad,
a hug to the lonely,
a forgiving word,
a prayer for the despondent

Just a little.
Makes a difference.