Deck the halls

I spent the last few days trying to put up a few Christmas decorations but kept having a ton of interruptions. I am only doing about half of what I did last year (I hate taking them down and putting them away) but just seem to procrastinate this year. Today is a beautiful day - sun is shining and the doors and windows are all open - not quite the weather for Christmas decorating. This past week was cold and dreary - just the right weather to think about the Christmas season. The first thing I always put up is the manger scene, remembering the small manger scene we had as kids - you know - the kind you probably had, too. A cardboard manger with a hole in the back for a Christmas bulb - small ceramic figurines, with fake glittery snow. We were often warned not to touch it or play with it, but it was really hard to resist moving the sheep, shepherds, and wise men around. Mine today has angels, lots of sheep, a cow, donkey, and even a goat as well as many shepherds. I often look at it and think about that amazing day over 2000 years ago as the sky was lit up with the angelic hosts - probably scaring the poor shepherds out of their mind. Angels must have been very fierce, scary creatures - not the sweet cherubs often pictured in books. It seems that every time an angel appeared in the Bible, they said "fear not". I believe that today's angels look a lot like your neighbor down the street - an ordinary person on an extraordinary mission!

found this cute sleigh at the resale store

 the creche, my favorite part of Christmas - a gift from my brother

yule log  I made from real Wisconsin birch bark and pine cones

We have been extraordinarily busy with food and clothing donations this week - it seems that every one is in the giving mood this time of year. I do try to impress the fact that that the needy are needy all year round, but we are truly thankful for everything. Our park is so generous - we are collecting small hams for delivery Christmas week so that many others can have ham for Christmas. Most of those living in the colonias do not have a stove but many have or share a grill. The small hams can be put on the grill to be cooked for dinner, along with the donations of canned vegetables, macaroni and cheese (this can be prepared in a kettle on a grill). Fellow Chaplains Roy and Paula Gee delivered a truck load of winter coats (50 degrees is coat weather here), toys, toiletry items, hams, and other canned meat. What a blessing that was for one of our ministries ( a new one actually). We had the opportunity to get involved with another ministry but wondered if we were going to just stretch ourselves too thin and not have enough to fulfill the needs of the people. One of our suppliers (a dedicated man of God who provides us with various food items free of charge) discussed it with us and advised us to "go for it" as he had plenty to go around. So after praying, thinking, and praying more, we said yes. We thank God for bringing these opportunities to us and using us for His glory.

 

We had another inspiring church service this morning as we celebrated December birthdays and anniversaries (this is my birthday celebration week - yep, I want to celebrate mine all week long!). Did you know that there are things that God cannot do?? He cannot go against His word, He cannot lie, He cannot sin.  In order to obtain eternal life, we need to continue to obey the commandments. But because we are human, we are the sinners - even thinking against the commandments is a sin. God wants to touch our lives - to give up ourselves for Him. This does not mean to never enjoy life, but to always put Him first in order to enter into a personal relationship with Him. Let's get closer to God so we can enjoy this life here on earth.

 

During this busy Christmas season, it is easy to get lost in the hustle and bustle of shopping, cooking, baking, decorating, and sometimes being stressed out. Sit back, enjoy the beautiful Christmas carols, love you neighbor, and think about that night when the angels proclaimed the holy birth.