Holiday posts coming soon

Lots of pics and commentary. I promise.

A great opportunity this Christmas season (and beyond)

Here is a wonderful post from Billy about an exciting opportunity to support microlending across the world. It is sponsored by One Horizon in cooperation with Communality, and is largely Billy's brainchild. It's really cool. Please, please check it out and consider acting however you feel led.

Advent IV: Conceive

In this final week of Advent, almost upon the inbreaking of Christmas, we conceive of reality in which the Messiah is right here. Imagine the coming of Messiah. Break out of cynicism and pessimism. Challenge yourself and others with the presumption that God is acting and that creation is being drawn into redemption - conceive the re:creation that starts with Jesus and continues with us. Conceive of a love as genuine, as tangible, and as pervasive as the struggle which we more readily perceive. Let that conception be birthed in your actions.

This is the stuff of faith.... a substantial outworking of what we haven't fully seen yet; the kingdom of God, just within reach.

God calls us to the same radical re-visioning of life to which the people of God have been called throughout Scripture. We are called to "see" through the eyes of God's redemptive story. Mary is told that she will become an unwed mother, and she obediently rejoices. Zechariah hears that he will be a father, contrary to reason and biology, and loses his voice for his unbelief. Joseph moves his family to Egypt on the word of a dream and the trust of his faith. Magi journey to see in flesh the child whom they have glimpsed in the stars.

And the beauty of submitting to the dreams of God is that they become reality.

Some suggestions for action:

• Give $10 when asked for a quarter by the guy on the street. Imagine that God can change a life with grace.
• Take lunch with a coworker whom you've written off as "impossible". Imagine that you can appreciate them without antagonism.
• Imagine an hour without cynicism, skepticism, fear, distrust, or something else that you struggle with.... and then meditate on your feelings within the context of the whole redemptive story of God, and the ultimate hope of new life.
• Imagine your own action, and post a comment here.
• Read these scriptures and let them shape your imagining: Isaiah 2:1-5, Isaiah 11:1-10, Isaiah 35:1-10.
  

Advent III: Be Patient

Wholeness, love, and joy come with the Advent of Messiah. We've been awakened to that. But we've also been awakened to the reality that our journey is potholed by brokenness, hate and discontent... and we're caught in the middle.

We welcome the coming. We are surprised and challenged by the glimpses of advent that God reveals to us, and we would welcome its full coming sooner. We expect it; we anticipate it; we long for it.

And we wait.

Wait for the coming of Messiah. Slow down and watch for it carefully. The faithful have been doing so since the story began. Abraham looked for the seed of blessing, and only caught a glimpse. David shepherded the people of Israel in seeking God's heart, and struggled through. Isaiah prophesied of the judgement and restoration of that inbreaking of Messiah, and himself waited for that culmination.

And so we wait as well... and active, hope-filled waiting leads us to faithfulness.... and calls us to patience.

Some suggestions for action:

• Fast from convenience. Fast from the microwave or the car or perhaps fast food.
  Choose to wait in line. Take the "human" register at the supermarket and take the time to tell the cashier, "I appreciate you."
• Think of a person or situation that has left you in a place of exasperation or wanting to give up, and pray for patience. Genuinely, expectantly... pray for patience.
• Read Psalm 146, James 5:7-10, 2 Peter 3:13-15

Christmas List -- Yes, you too can play along!!

I found this on 32-Aker Woods, and shamelessly stole it.


1. Wrapping paper or gift bags? Paper is my favorite, but I'm pretty picky about the color schemes (I tend towards paper-bag brown, with deep but soft greens and reds, with raffia ribbon), so I'll go with bags if I can't find any paper I like.

2. Real or artificial tree? I can't even type the words "artificial tree" without getting the heebie-jeebies.

3. When do you put up the tree? Usually the first weekend in December, or the weekend after Thanksgiving, whichever comes first.

4. When do you take the tree down? I hate to rush it; Epiphany seems like a good time, as we're trying to celebrate the Christmas season throughout its actual end, which is Epiphany.

5. Do you like Eggnog? Yes, the kind in the carton! Yum.

6. Favorite Gift you received as a child? My horse Pocus, absolutely.

7. Do you have a nativity scene? I have quite a few; I like to collect them from different places I've visited. Maybe I'll do a pictoral blog about them.

8. Hardest person to buy for? Ummm, they're all about the same.

9. Easiest person to buy for? Miranda, for now -- there are so many things she likes!

10. Worst Christmas gift ever received? The can of "potted meat product" I got at the Wesley Foundation staff gag gift swap.

11. Christmas Cards...Snail mail or E-mail? Snail mail, although it seems like a waste of time and money sometimes. But, in the end I love sending and receiving them. I guess it's part of the season to extend yourself in these kinds of ways.

12. Favorite Christmas Movie? Emmit Otter's Jug-Band Christmas. Everything else, as good as they are, are just distant contenders. And if you don't know this movie, go to Amazon and get it, right now.

13. When do you start shopping for Christmas? I like to shop throughout the year, as I see things people might like. I also like to shop on my trips overseas, get something a little different.

14. Have you ever 'recycled' a Christmas present? Yes, lots, and let's leave it at that.

15. Favorite thing to eat at Christmas? My mom's dressing. And each and every bite of leftovers of EVERYTHING.

16. Clear lights or colored on the tree? Clear, although Billy may lobby for colored next year. I love how clear lights look -- so clean and crisp.

17. Favorite Christmas Song? "Merry Christmas From The Family" by Robert Earl Keen. (Although there are a few selections from South Park that I'm rumored to enjoy...)

18. Travel at Christmas or Stay Home? Both. We like spending Christmas Day at home, then going to relatives on the 26th. The best of both worlds!

19. Can you name Santa's Reindeer? Only if I sing the song.

20. Do you have an Angel or a Star on top of your tree? A golden angel.

21. Open the Presents Christmas Eve or Morning? When I was growing up, we did presents on Christmas Eve, and Santa on the Morning. But I think we might change it a bit, open one the night before and the rest after Santa. I'd like to keep Christmas Eve as clear as possible for church and reflection.

22. Most annoying thing about this time of the year? Decorating and marketing for Christmas before Thanksgiving. And the terrible commercialization.

23. Shopping...Mall or on-line? A mix of both.

24. Do you decorate outside for Christmas or just inside (or at all?) Just inside for now, maybe we'll be more inspired next year.

25. Favorite Christmas cookie? My mom's mint meringues. Nothing better.

26. Do you own Christmasy clothing or jewelry? I used to, but not anymore. Miranda does have several cute holiday dresses.

27. Do you believe in Santa? Don't you???

Advent II: Welcome

Here's the meditation and scripture for the second week of Advent.

****************************************************

Welcoming the Advent means welcoming not only Messiah come to us, but also welcoming Messiah come through us. We welcome as God has welcomed.... graciously, eagerly, lavishly, expectantly. This week of Advent, open yourself up and invite the "other" in. You may find you are hosting Jesus; you may find that Jesus is hosting you.

This welcome surprises us. It comes in times and places that are unexpected, and draws us into journeys that are challenging. No less could be expected of the coming of Messiah.

The call of the first Advent was the call of love and was the call of transformation. Within the incarnation is found the welcoming of God on all that is human; it is a divine and intimate embrace of creation, if you will. Similarly then, in that same incarnation is found the exposure and rejection of all that is inhumane; and herein lies our responsibility to welcoming the new life to which God invites us.

We hope to go beyond remembering this Advent season. We want to do more than recall the events of 2000 years ago. We hope to learn what it means for us to be re-made and re-formed as if this incarnation was as close to you in time and space as the skin on your hands and the tears in your eyes. Our being welcomed by and welcoming Messiah should quicken us with the same present-tense energy as today’s headlines.

Some suggestions for action:

· Host a lavish dinner at your place and invite someone who would not be able to do the same for you.
· Spend time in prayer and meditation. Imagine that you have an evening get together with an old friend, and share that kind of time and space with God.
· Invite the change and transformation of repentance. Call on a friend with whom you can be vulnerable and open up your sins and struggles with him or her.
Read Romans 15:1-13..."welcome one another!"

Advent I -- Awake!

Growing up, I attended the Episcopalian Church with my family. Although not quite as liturgical as the Catholic Church, it nonetheless faithfully followed the church calender throughout the year. Surprisingly, the church year begins again -- not after Easter, which always seemd to make sense to me -- but during Advent, that season during which we await the arrival of Christ in the infant Jesus.

As a child, the meaning of Advent was largely restricted to the opening of an Advent calender each day, and counting down the days until Christmas. But in reality, Advent is a time not just of joyful anticipation, but of somber anticipation as well. It's similar to Lent in that it's a season of examination, of preparation for a special event the meaning of which we may not truly understand. It's true, we are awaiting the arrival of Christ, and that's exciting. But it's also extremely serious in a way that is somewhat lessened by the festive nature of the season in our culture. Don't get me wrong -- I love the excitement of the season. But it's only been recently that I've genuinely understood the true meaning of Advent, and been able to participate in its richness, in both the solemnity and the joy.

The theme for the first week of Advent was Awake! Below is the community's reading for the week. Since Advent actually began on December 2nd, this reading is a week behind. Hopefully you can jump in now, if you like, and savor the anticipation that the season beings.

Advent I: Awake

Wake up! Rub away the comfort of drowsy eyes and take a look around. We live in a world of injustice and pain... Can you see it? Can you hear it? It echos from the groaning of the earth consumed by greed, to the cry of the refugee torn from her country, to the silence of the man sitting cold and alone on the park bench downtown.

Advent calls us to become aware of the need for healing, for hope, and for help. Advent calls us to be awakened to the need for Messiah.

As the faithful waited for the advent of the Messiah many years ago, their longing was filled with the desperation of those on the margins. During this Advent, let's participate in that desperate expectancy by remembering and confronting the brokenness and struggle around and within us.... so awaking ourselves both to the need for and hope of God's life-renewal.

Some suggestions for action:

· Fast this week... skip lunch, or simply eat rice and beans for supper. Remember those for whom choosing what or whether to eat is not an option.
· Donate time and money saved by fasting to the Catholic Action Center or Lexington Rescue Mission
· Sit outside for an hour... on your porch, in the park, where ever. Experience the cold and remember those with whom you share this hour.
· Donate a pair of gloves and a winter hat to Kentucky Refugee Ministries as they welcome folks relocating to Lexington who are not used to the cold of winter.

Read Scripture:

1. Mark 14: 32-42 - your eyes are very heavy…keep awake!
2. Matthew 24:37-44 - be awake and ready
3. Romans 13:8-14 – now is the moment for you to wake from sleep.

On the Twelfth Day of Christmas...

... I realized that it was January 14th and we still had decorations everyone, I hadn't started on my thank-yous, and this Christmas blog series was way behind. This is definitely the opposite of cutting off Christmas on the 26th.

Having Miranda has made me stop to consider the holiday and all its trappings. It's been interesting and somehow comforting to think through what I want to do for Christmas, and why. Here's some of what I've been pondering:

• What kinds of traditions do I remember and treasure from my childhood and adulthood? Some of these are pretty predictable, but good nonetheless. I loved traveling to my grandparents' home. There were always sweets in little tin canisters, and lots of jellies and jams for breakfast, and a veritable sea of presents under the tree. We'd gather on Christmas Eve and open them, enjoying the evening. Then, Ellery and I would camp out of the floor and await Santa's visit. As an adult, I love visiting my parents' homes and seeing the same decorations, year after year; it's so comforting and welcoming. My mom has these holiday glasses and spoons that she puts out every year; I just love seeing them when we arrive, it feels like Christmas. And for several years, we also took an afternoon to shop for a family for the Salvation Army, which was one tangible way to express an outward concern during this increasingly selfish season. I also love receiving holiday pictures and letters; it makes me feel connected to folks near and far.
• What do I particularly enjoy doing during the Christmas season? What are my special giftings? Four main things, which have lots of overlap: cooking, decorating, entertaining, and serving. I love the holiday meal; I love cooking it, and I love eating it. And I don't like creativity in this meal; it needs to be the classics. So, I'd like to offer this to our family each and every year, as a cornerstone of the holiday experience. I also like decorating, bringing out the same things every year as welcomed and cherished friends. "Hello nativity scenes, I've missed you! It's good to see you again!" I loved hosting our holiday movie party, and hosting the Browns for Christmas dinner; I'd like to continue these in the coming years.`
• What are new traditions that I see our family developing? How can I nurture them?We've had the blessing of celebrating Advent with our community for the past few years, and it's something that I'd like to prioritize in the years to come. Perhaps we could combine the daily opening of the Advent calendar with the reading of the daily scriptures. We've also done Chrsitmas morning brunch for a few eyars, and it's a ncie way to begin the day. In addition to the usual holiday decorating, we covered the front door this year with the cards and family pictures we'd received from friends and family. This was a great way to combine tradition and keeping up with friends and family. The flip side of this is that we've sent our own picture/letter a few (non-consecutive) years, and this is something I'd like to continue doing. These may sound somewhat commonplace, but sometimes it's nice to gradually live our way into meaning, as it were.
• How can I pursue these holiday moments without creating stress and unhappiness in our home? This is a big question for me. Sending 100 holiday letters sounds like a good idea, until we actually have to get it done. And even if we don't mind the folding, stamping, and addressing, it still takes time and energy. Ditto with decorating, cooking, everything else. What can I do to make these things fun, family-oriented, and an integral part of the holiday experience?

These are just some of the things I'm considering; next year it may be totally different!

Last year, my advisor Robert said, "Next year will be a great Christmas, Miranda's first real one to remember and to share." He was right; it was wonderful.

On the Eleventh Day of Christmas...

... we traveled with Tracey, Travis, and Jessica to Georgia to visit Billy's mother's family. We saw "Gigi" (aka Grandma Stevens) and celebrated her 84th birthday. We stayed with Billy's Aunt Linda and Uncle Chuck, who were fabulous hosts. We had more good meals than I can remember. Let's just say... breakfast was bacon, sausage, english muffins, perfect hashbrowned potatoes, and eggs scrambled in real butter. Yummmmmmm.

We also saw Billy's cousins Chip and Todd. Todd lives in London with his family. Hopefully I'll be able to see them when I'm there in March. Chip and his wife Celeste have 2 great kids and are tons of fun.

It felt so nice to have a real vacation with Billy's family. They are great people and I'm enjoying getting to know everyone. We opened presents from Tracey and the Georgia folks and had an amazing run of college bowl victories (Georgia, Texas Tech, Kentucky, and South Carolina!) Miranda had so much fun, and we can't wait to go back.

On the Tenth Day of Christmas...

... we celebrated Christmas morning at home. We emptied stockings and unwrapped presents, and brunched on cinnamon french toast, maple sausage and spiced tea. It was so nice to have a leisurely morning filled with wrapping paper, carols, and yummy food.

John helping Miranda open her blocks from the Metropolitan Museum of Art. Grandmommie gives such interesting gifts!

She became quite adept at ripping open the wrapping paper -- show her an edge, and she's off!


Examining the personalized Christmas ornament from Miss Marie.

No need for help here, Mom! I'm headed for that equilateral triangle. Thank you, Aunt Tracey!

I love apples!!!

John received a gift certificate to Buffalo Wild Wings and a case of Sprite, as well as several Twix bars.

Billy displaying the beer Santa left in his stocking. It was a nice complement to the Reeses cups and banana.

I love the game Scene It. We took this to our friends the Leffels a few nights later and had a blast. Billy can't believe I want the Harry Potter version!

The best present of the year -- a breadmaker for the family. We've been wanting to have more homecooked meals, and Billy thought this would be a great asset. As I write, a loaf of garlic-romano-rosemary bread is baking.

Miranda's first ride on her new "Hog", courtesy of Pop and Nanny. A hint for the environmentally aware -- employing a favorite housemate for propulsion greatly increases gas mileage!

After the morning's excitement, it's nice to stretch out with your Daddy.

After a fun day playing with toys and snacking, we concluded the day with a traditional holiday meal, which was actually fairly stress-free since I cooked some the day before. We were joined by Mike and Sarah Brown and their kids Ya'el and Ezekiel, and noshed on turkey breast and gravy, mustard glazed ham, cornbread dressing, yams mashed with raisins and apples, green bean casserole, homemade cranberry sauce and jello salad, fresh bread and banana bread, and a family favorite - celery stuffed with cheese. We finished with pumpkin pie and assorted sweets from the Brown bakery.


All in all, it was a wonderful day. I hope the rest are just as rich and peaceful.

On the Ninth Day of Christmas...

... I was initiated into a very special and solemn aspect of adulthood, time-honored and inviolate. What is it, you ask? Education? Graduation? Employment? Marriage? Parenthood? Taxes?

No, the rite of passage of which I speak is that sacred Christmas Eve ritual, the Assembly of the Presents.

This year there was only one, a blue and yellow tricycle with a push-handle (since her legs can't reach the pedals). After we returned from the Christmas Eve gathering and put the Wunchie to bed, I was pretty tired and just wanted to sleep. But instead, I brewed some tea and put on a movie, and sat down with 1) several dozen screws, washers, and strange pieces of metal and plastic, 2) one set of instructions (in English, Spanish, and French), and 3) every screwdriver and allen wrench I could find in the toolbox. I couldn't have felt more liturgical if I had been blessing the communion elements. I read instructions and watched the movie, and lost several nuts and washers amongst the couch cushions, and thought about how many times my parents must have done this for me. I remembered the glasses of milk and plates of cookies we left for Santa, and how they were magically consumed by the time we awoke, and how exciting it was to find the little note that read, "Thank You." (Even now I can remember just how it looked, and can now realize that it was, in fact, my dad's distinctive handwriting.) Did they split the cookies, and did those carrots we left for Rudolph just go back in the fridge?

I also remembered one more recent Christmas, before I was married, that I spent with my mom's family in south Texas. With four grandchildren in the mix, there were lots of adults assembling toys in the living room that Christmas Eve. And the whole thing took on an almost surreal feel for me. This, it seemed to me, was an enactment of a serious duty, a commitment to maintaining the excitement of a young child's Christmas. They'll know the truth about Santa soon enough; for tonight, the mystery remains, and it rests squarely on the shoulders of these committed elves, preparing the feast for the morning.

This sounds pretty corny, I know. But as I sat with those tools and instructions, I was struck by how... significant it felt to be assembling that little tricycle. Knowing that at that very moment, parents near and far were doing the same thing, for the same reason -- to make their children happy, and to allow them that precious, all too fleeting season of genuine childhood. Soon enough, the mysteries will be more complicated, and harder to find. Here's to a fresh and unspoilt gift of a tricycle, and of wonder.

On the Eighth Day of Christmas...

... we celebrated the culmination of the Advent Season and the arrival of Christ with a lovely Christmas Eve gathering. Folks from Communality gathered at the Samsons' home (formerly the Third Street House) for a simple yet meaningful liturgy and a fabulous potluck meal. My favorite part was the kids proudly exhibiting and explaining the Jesse Tree ornaments they had created. Some of the best Scripture discussion I've heard in a while, even if their references weren't always spot-on!

Miranda was lovely in a bright red-and-green plaid dress and tights; she looked like a little Christmas ribbon. She loved all the activity and had possibly her most diverse meal to date, featuring roast goose, venison hash, and oyster dressing. Our little foodie!

See here for pictures and here for the Samsons' blog account of the lovely evening.

On the Seventh Day of Christmas...

... we hosted the First Annual Kenney-Papafio Christmas Movie Bonanza. (OK, I didn't come up with the title until just now, but I'll keep using it.) With an impressive stack of holiday movies and little hope of actually watching them, we decided to make an occasion of it. We invited friends (young and old), mulled some cider and made soup, put out some candy and soft drinks, and settled in for a lazy, fun afternoon and evening. It turned out to be great fun -- the kids loved the cartoons, and the adults did too!

The evening's lineup included Frosty, Charlie Brown, Rudolph, the Grinch, Emmet Otter (if you don't recognize this, buy it and watch it, immediately), and a Christmas Story. Rumor has it that the excellent South Park episode featuring Mr. Hankey also made an appearance, but sources will neither confirm nor deny this statement.

Strangely enough, this was one of my favorite parts of this year's holiday. It was so much fun to relax with our friends and their kids and just enjoy these classic movies. It was easy to plan and easy to host, and made for a great afternoon and evening. Next year, we plan to repeat the fun, and possibly divide the event into cartoon and non-cartoon sections. Hopefully we can expand our listings as well.

Here's to new holiday traditions!

On the Sixth Day of Christmas...

... we took Miranda to the local mall to ride the Christmas train. We weren't sure how she'd react -- either with definite joy, or definite fear. Fortunately, it was the former. She loved it and began cheering midway through the ride. Somehow, we didn't get that on film -- rats!

Look at our big, big girl!!!

On the Fifth Day of Christmas...

... I decided to dress Miranda for the occasion, as many days as I could. I have several holiday dresses, both from consignment and from my sister's twins, so the pickings were plentiful. The most beautiful of them she wore on Christmas Eve, but I forgot to get a picture. I'll re-dress her in it and take a picture to add later -- she was beautiful! Here are the ones I have captured on film.

I've already posted this pic. Miranda was very festive in a dark plaid smocked dress with lovely deep greens and reds.


This was last year's family picture dress. Notice the little Santas in the smocking. Too precious.

This is borrowed from my sister, and is my personal favorite. I love the sweet red plaid and the little nutcrackers in the smocking. It also coordinates well with the book she's perusing, Solzhenitsyn's The First Circle.

This is Billy's favorite, which I picked up at consignment. It's very plush and has a cute little Santa hat to match, which she refuses to wear.

Frankly, I'm not sure Miranda was partial to any of these outfits; she seems to prefer staying in her jammies.

On the Fourth Day of Christmas...

... I took a minute to reflect on Christmas past. Sometimes things become so familiar that we lose any real appreciation of their special nature. So without further ado, here is a list of Yuletide blessings:

• the 37th Christmas with my family
• the 8th Christmas with Billy
• the 7th Christmas at 701 Golfview Drive
• the 5th Christmas with John
• the 2nd Christmas with Miranda

On the Third Day of Christmas...

... we decorated the house for what is probably the last time. For the last seven years, Billy and I have decorated for Christmas -- sometimes a little, sometimes a lot. This year, early December was very hectic, and we got such a late start that I almost decided not to take the trouble. But, this is very likely the last Christmas we'll have at 701 Golfview, and I couldn't stand the thought of going out with a whimper. So, I simmered cinnamon and cloves while John got the boxes out of the garage, and Miranda played with the packing paper while we taped Christmas cards to the door and arranged the nativity scenes. It was a great day, and wasn't nearly as difficult as I had imagined. And Billy enjoyed arriving home to some holiday cheer!

Decorating committee, chair and co-chair

On the Second Day of Christmas...

... we traveled from Texas to Colorado to celebrate an early Christmas with our relatives there. We continued to weather our bouts of multiple illness; Miranda developed a double ear infection and pinkeye, but somehow we made it through. We exchanged presents and had our usual laugh-fest over clever buttons and other stocking stuffers. (When we get together, Mom, Ellery and I really crack each other up. Creig and Billy sit patiently and wait for us to finish.) Some of this year's stocking highlights included "Next to the Last Supper" gum and matches, and some "W" joke items that are too vulgar to publish here.

We also spent time with Billy's family in Colorado Springs, which was really nice. Billy's grandmother is quite amazing, being 86 years old and still living on her own.

Miranda was quite taken with the stairs at my sister's house, and enjoying getting to know her cousins Lauren and Ava. There were a few... negotiations over toys and whatnot, but it was really fun to watch them together. I also watched my first episodes of the TV show "Pingu", which is strange and fun!

On the First Day of Christmas...

... we traveled to Texas to celebrate an early Christmas with the Russell/Selim clan. It was lots of fun, and we took our annual large family picture. This is the image we tried to convey:

... although this might be a more accurate representation of the spirit of the group...

... or this. Yikes!

Our Christmas Season 2006: A New Paradigm

In the midst of trying to get everything "done" by that magical date -- Christmas Eve -- I started reflecting on the meaning of the phrase "the Christmas season". I've always thought (or at least acted like) that the "season" meant December with its superhyped lead-up to the 25th. Thus, there was always this tremendous pressure to pack all the requisite Christmas activities into December 1-24, and if it didn't get done by then, we just had to wait until next year.

However, as our community has considered and experienced Advent, I've realized that the Christmas season actually begins on Christmas Day and continues until Epiphany. So, we actually have until January 5th to celebrate and enjoy the tree, the food, the cards (receiving AND sending!), the presents, the carols, everything.

So, in the spirit of a great holiday song, I will chronicle our season within the framework of the 12 days of Christmas. Stay tuned!