sixteen -- life unedited
I'll either be on a freeway or some one's house while the sun is setting. I thought the rain would continue but it is sunny again. I keep forgetting it usually rains the week before Christmas here so it might mess up my picture taking. Oh well at least I'm writing, which was the backwards way to force myself to write everyday!
I am in LA with the family this evening to see our old church's Christmas Comedy Musical, Nativity (GO SEE IT THIS WEEKEND). You never really know what interesting and strange people show up...but they are all God's creations! It is a great way to get into the holiday spirit non seriously. It is a great comic relief to all the serious holiday stuff, but brings to light the nitty gritty details of Christmas. I am learning during this advent season through sermons on specific characters in the Christmas story, shows and advent readings the many different ways to view Christmas.
Tuesday night I gathered with a group of young adults for advent scripture readings and discussion. We went to our lovely pastor's home (herself and her home are lovely) for some snacks and beverages. It was an amazing discussion about different ways to view Christmas. We got into this discussion about how we don't really focus on the reality that our Lord, made himself so vulnerable coming into this world as a baby. How He submitted to the care and comfort of humans...wow that is some trust. It was interesting to talk about vulnerability because discussing my disease and letting people know my reality makes me extremely vulnerable. I like to put on the tough face and say everything is alright. But I've learned I'm missing the blessing, the blessing to allow others to comfort and love me. And by doing so maybe blessing them. That is what this Christmas season so far has been for my family. We have just been honest and open to others, accepting us for where we are at and doing the same for them. We have let our guard down, stopped fretting over getting sick, family drama and whatnot to be blessed with all this time to share this wonderful season. Christ's coming as a baby also shows, that all Christ wants is you and Him to be in relationship, a baby only needs the basics, but mostly a baby just needs your attention, your undivided attention. I'm not a mother, so my experience with children probably isn't as strong, but when I hold a baby, I am completely involved with them, nothing else matters. The baby focuses on you, they trust completely you will hold them, show them the way, make them smile, they are content and so are you. I hope this season you are content with the love, trust and honesty that surrounds you. I pray that you can be a blessing by just being you.
I am in LA with the family this evening to see our old church's Christmas Comedy Musical, Nativity (GO SEE IT THIS WEEKEND). You never really know what interesting and strange people show up...but they are all God's creations! It is a great way to get into the holiday spirit non seriously. It is a great comic relief to all the serious holiday stuff, but brings to light the nitty gritty details of Christmas. I am learning during this advent season through sermons on specific characters in the Christmas story, shows and advent readings the many different ways to view Christmas.
Tuesday night I gathered with a group of young adults for advent scripture readings and discussion. We went to our lovely pastor's home (herself and her home are lovely) for some snacks and beverages. It was an amazing discussion about different ways to view Christmas. We got into this discussion about how we don't really focus on the reality that our Lord, made himself so vulnerable coming into this world as a baby. How He submitted to the care and comfort of humans...wow that is some trust. It was interesting to talk about vulnerability because discussing my disease and letting people know my reality makes me extremely vulnerable. I like to put on the tough face and say everything is alright. But I've learned I'm missing the blessing, the blessing to allow others to comfort and love me. And by doing so maybe blessing them. That is what this Christmas season so far has been for my family. We have just been honest and open to others, accepting us for where we are at and doing the same for them. We have let our guard down, stopped fretting over getting sick, family drama and whatnot to be blessed with all this time to share this wonderful season. Christ's coming as a baby also shows, that all Christ wants is you and Him to be in relationship, a baby only needs the basics, but mostly a baby just needs your attention, your undivided attention. I'm not a mother, so my experience with children probably isn't as strong, but when I hold a baby, I am completely involved with them, nothing else matters. The baby focuses on you, they trust completely you will hold them, show them the way, make them smile, they are content and so are you. I hope this season you are content with the love, trust and honesty that surrounds you. I pray that you can be a blessing by just being you.