Monday, December 28, 2009
Post Christmas
Grace and Gravity is taking the week off. Please be sure to read Leona's Christmas Day post! It's a great post and we want to be sure you don't miss it in your busy season!
Friday, December 25, 2009
Looking for Baby Jesus
Posted by Leona Bergstrom
Call me old fashioned. Lots of people will, including many worship leaders and pastors. But, I’m having a hard time getting into the “groove” this Christmas.
I’ve spent considerable time attending Christmas performances this year. I’ve also scanned the promotion materials to see what churches are doing to celebrate the birth of Christ. Words like “multi-media,” “fast moving,” “rocking and jiving,” and even a “hip-hop Christmas experience” describe programs being offered in local communities of faith. Something gnaws at my soul.
I figured out what it was. I was missing baby Jesus. I observed spotlighted dancers, rocking drummers (aka little drummer boy) obscured from view by dry-ice induced smoke, video, and an array of light shows. I even heard most of the traditional Christmas carols, albeit the tunes often took off on unfamiliar trajectories of discord or off-beat rhythm.
But, no baby Jesus. No costumed teenagers portraying Mary and Joseph in their journey to a bustling city and a desolate stable. No little kids in bathrobes being awed by the bright and glorious light.
Yep, call me old fashioned, but there’s something comforting and joyously refreshing in seeing the nativity played out by the common folk of the church. As a pastor’s wife, I’ve directed my share of Christmas pageants – and in so doing, I secured the coveted roles of Mary and Joseph for my own kids. (One time we had to rescue my daughter from a near fall off of a real donkey spooked by the luminaria lighting the way to the stable!) I’ve laughed and cried over the “Best Christmas Pageant Ever” --because it is so real and so like my experiences.
So, I was startled last week as I left one of those contemporary, multi-media productions. I took the back hallway for my exit, and there sat the almost life-size crèche. Alone, in a dark hallway, Mary and Joseph were bending over the manger. And who was looking up at them? The little ceramic baby Jesus, wrapped in swaddling clothes – abandoned close to a seldom-used exit door. I paused, touched the well-worn figure, and reflected on the fact that I “found” baby Jesus at last. He wasn’t in the middle of the noise or production. He was in the quiet of an abandoned place waiting to be noticed. Waiting to be brought on stage.
(Photo by Stinkie Pinkie, shared via Flickr)
Call me old fashioned. Lots of people will, including many worship leaders and pastors. But, I’m having a hard time getting into the “groove” this Christmas.
I’ve spent considerable time attending Christmas performances this year. I’ve also scanned the promotion materials to see what churches are doing to celebrate the birth of Christ. Words like “multi-media,” “fast moving,” “rocking and jiving,” and even a “hip-hop Christmas experience” describe programs being offered in local communities of faith. Something gnaws at my soul.
I figured out what it was. I was missing baby Jesus. I observed spotlighted dancers, rocking drummers (aka little drummer boy) obscured from view by dry-ice induced smoke, video, and an array of light shows. I even heard most of the traditional Christmas carols, albeit the tunes often took off on unfamiliar trajectories of discord or off-beat rhythm.
But, no baby Jesus. No costumed teenagers portraying Mary and Joseph in their journey to a bustling city and a desolate stable. No little kids in bathrobes being awed by the bright and glorious light.
Yep, call me old fashioned, but there’s something comforting and joyously refreshing in seeing the nativity played out by the common folk of the church. As a pastor’s wife, I’ve directed my share of Christmas pageants – and in so doing, I secured the coveted roles of Mary and Joseph for my own kids. (One time we had to rescue my daughter from a near fall off of a real donkey spooked by the luminaria lighting the way to the stable!) I’ve laughed and cried over the “Best Christmas Pageant Ever” --because it is so real and so like my experiences.
(Photo by Stinkie Pinkie, shared via Flickr)
Wednesday, December 23, 2009
Christmas pondering
Posted by Leona Bergstrom
“And Mary treasured up all of these things, pondering them in her heart.” Luke 2:19
I love the word “ponder.” One of its definitions is “to wonder about.” While I prefer to think that Mary sat in a non-anxious presence and just thought about the chaotic events going on around her, it is probably more likely that she truly “wondered” about them. I can’t imagine all the ways her life changed after that little visit from Gabriel and the encounter with the Holy Spirit. Her words, “How can this be?” must have echoed a doubt laced with rationality, faith mixed with fear.
I take great comfort in pondering. I love to think, brood, analyze. Or, as my dad would have put it, “stew” over things. But at Christmas, I also “wonder.” The story seems so unusual, so fanciful, so unlikely! The world around me is so chaotic that it is hard to believe that a tiny child in a manger could actually bring peace.
But Mary was there. And the things that she saw and experienced confirmed for her that a big God was in control of the whole story. “For the Mighty One has done great things for me; and holy is His name,” Mary said to her cousin Elizabeth. And then she sang of the powerful, wondrous things God has done and will do because He is the author of the story. (Luke 1:46-55)
It’s all worth treasuring and pondering.
(Photo by Jun Acullador, shared via Flickr)
“And Mary treasured up all of these things, pondering them in her heart.” Luke 2:19I love the word “ponder.” One of its definitions is “to wonder about.” While I prefer to think that Mary sat in a non-anxious presence and just thought about the chaotic events going on around her, it is probably more likely that she truly “wondered” about them. I can’t imagine all the ways her life changed after that little visit from Gabriel and the encounter with the Holy Spirit. Her words, “How can this be?” must have echoed a doubt laced with rationality, faith mixed with fear.
I take great comfort in pondering. I love to think, brood, analyze. Or, as my dad would have put it, “stew” over things. But at Christmas, I also “wonder.” The story seems so unusual, so fanciful, so unlikely! The world around me is so chaotic that it is hard to believe that a tiny child in a manger could actually bring peace.
But Mary was there. And the things that she saw and experienced confirmed for her that a big God was in control of the whole story. “For the Mighty One has done great things for me; and holy is His name,” Mary said to her cousin Elizabeth. And then she sang of the powerful, wondrous things God has done and will do because He is the author of the story. (Luke 1:46-55)
It’s all worth treasuring and pondering.
(Photo by Jun Acullador, shared via Flickr)
Monday, December 21, 2009
The Christmas Creche
Posted by Terry McNichols
This is one of my favorite Christmas stories and I post it here again as Christmas approaches.
One of my regrets in life is that my husband and I simply did not manage to have a lot of traditions in our home that carried on from year to year. I’m not exactly sure why this happened, but we just didn’t seem to have very many traditions that stuck. We tried getting our Christmas tree together a few times, had birthday parties for Jesus, opened presents at night, in the morning, collected ornaments -- some years! In fact, when I recently asked my daughter what we should have to eat on Christmas Eve, she stated that our family “tradition” was to have something different every year. That’s one way of reframing it!
One thing we did have, however, was a Christmas crèche. When Ken and I were first married, we bought a complete crèche scene and painstakingly painted and antiqued every piece. We still have all the pieces, minus one chip out of the donkey’s ear, knocked off the shelf by the family cat. We never did find that missing ear and finally decided that the crèche was just perfect without it!
As our children grew, however, the crèche took on “other” meanings during the Christmas season. Our kids had a lot of fun changing the scene. One year the shepherds and wise men formed a rock band, complete with little guitars and drums. Another year, Sylvester the Cat would show up in the scene. Or various animals would roam the stage. Or the smurfs. Or whatever action figures happened to be in vogue at the time. Our kids recreated life, mostly in fun.
But one year, as we were waiting to have our Christmas eve dinner, we got a phone call from our middle son. He had pulled out into oncoming traffic, driving my car, and been hit by a car he hadn’t seen coming. He and his girlfriend were fine, but shaken up, and we interrupted our planned events to go and sort things out.
When we returned home, the crèche had mysteriously morphed into a new scene, complete with a wrecked toy car with shepherds and wise men all looking on with concern. Joseph was on the phone, Mary was sitting at the dinner table waiting for the family. And above it all, the angel hovered, having done her job, keeping everyone safe.
Today the crèche sits, undisturbed by the hands of children, awaiting the next generation’s take on the meaning of Christmas. And, after a half hour search in my completely disorganized photo storage system, I found the picture! If you look closely, you can even see the missing donkey ear.
Addendum:
Last year I had my 2-1/2-year-old grandson, Caleb,visiting and he and I set up my Playmobile creche scene. It has a cardboard backing with a stable and door. We set up the camel, the wise men, Mary, Joseph, baby Jesus, the angel. I was waiting for Caleb to begin acting out the story of Christmas. Caleb picked up a shepherd and resolutely walked him over to the stable door. "TRICK OR TREAT!" he yelled!
Guess we've got a little way to go til he gets the story down!
(Photo by mharrsch, shared via Flickr)
This is one of my favorite Christmas stories and I post it here again as Christmas approaches.
One of my regrets in life is that my husband and I simply did not manage to have a lot of traditions in our home that carried on from year to year. I’m not exactly sure why this happened, but we just didn’t seem to have very many traditions that stuck. We tried getting our Christmas tree together a few times, had birthday parties for Jesus, opened presents at night, in the morning, collected ornaments -- some years! In fact, when I recently asked my daughter what we should have to eat on Christmas Eve, she stated that our family “tradition” was to have something different every year. That’s one way of reframing it!
One thing we did have, however, was a Christmas crèche. When Ken and I were first married, we bought a complete crèche scene and painstakingly painted and antiqued every piece. We still have all the pieces, minus one chip out of the donkey’s ear, knocked off the shelf by the family cat. We never did find that missing ear and finally decided that the crèche was just perfect without it!
As our children grew, however, the crèche took on “other” meanings during the Christmas season. Our kids had a lot of fun changing the scene. One year the shepherds and wise men formed a rock band, complete with little guitars and drums. Another year, Sylvester the Cat would show up in the scene. Or various animals would roam the stage. Or the smurfs. Or whatever action figures happened to be in vogue at the time. Our kids recreated life, mostly in fun.
But one year, as we were waiting to have our Christmas eve dinner, we got a phone call from our middle son. He had pulled out into oncoming traffic, driving my car, and been hit by a car he hadn’t seen coming. He and his girlfriend were fine, but shaken up, and we interrupted our planned events to go and sort things out.
When we returned home, the crèche had mysteriously morphed into a new scene, complete with a wrecked toy car with shepherds and wise men all looking on with concern. Joseph was on the phone, Mary was sitting at the dinner table waiting for the family. And above it all, the angel hovered, having done her job, keeping everyone safe.Today the crèche sits, undisturbed by the hands of children, awaiting the next generation’s take on the meaning of Christmas. And, after a half hour search in my completely disorganized photo storage system, I found the picture! If you look closely, you can even see the missing donkey ear.
Addendum:
Last year I had my 2-1/2-year-old grandson, Caleb,visiting and he and I set up my Playmobile creche scene. It has a cardboard backing with a stable and door. We set up the camel, the wise men, Mary, Joseph, baby Jesus, the angel. I was waiting for Caleb to begin acting out the story of Christmas. Caleb picked up a shepherd and resolutely walked him over to the stable door. "TRICK OR TREAT!" he yelled!Guess we've got a little way to go til he gets the story down!
(Photo by mharrsch, shared via Flickr)
Friday, December 18, 2009
What Would Jesus Buy?
Posted by Leona Bergstrom
It’s that time of the year again where I find myself thinking, “well, maybe I should get her ONE more little thing.” And off I go, buying one more unneeded, unnecessary gift just to be sure I have done enough.
That’s probably why Pastor Jonathan’s sermon entitled What Would Jesus Buy? was so poignant. Preaching from both the Bible and Charlie Brown’s Christmas Special (1965), Jonathan challenged us to not buy one more gift, but buy one less gift – for family and friends at least. He wisely suggested that instead we find ways to give generously to the needs of the poor and less fortunate.
So today I went back to one of my favorite on-line shopping sites: the AGROS Catalog. For some of the family I bought school supplies for children in Central America. And in memory of my dad I bought an acre of seeds. What a great way to shop – and to give to an amazing organization that successfully ministers to the real needs of the poor.
Somehow, I think that indeed, seeds and trees and goats and chickens for the poor are exactly the things Jesus would buy!
Won’t you join the shopping spree? Go to Agros’ website at and give the gift of hope.
It’s that time of the year again where I find myself thinking, “well, maybe I should get her ONE more little thing.” And off I go, buying one more unneeded, unnecessary gift just to be sure I have done enough.
That’s probably why Pastor Jonathan’s sermon entitled What Would Jesus Buy? was so poignant. Preaching from both the Bible and Charlie Brown’s Christmas Special (1965), Jonathan challenged us to not buy one more gift, but buy one less gift – for family and friends at least. He wisely suggested that instead we find ways to give generously to the needs of the poor and less fortunate.
So today I went back to one of my favorite on-line shopping sites: the AGROS Catalog. For some of the family I bought school supplies for children in Central America. And in memory of my dad I bought an acre of seeds. What a great way to shop – and to give to an amazing organization that successfully ministers to the real needs of the poor.
Somehow, I think that indeed, seeds and trees and goats and chickens for the poor are exactly the things Jesus would buy!
Won’t you join the shopping spree? Go to Agros’ website at and give the gift of hope.
Wednesday, December 16, 2009
Letter from Jesus about Christmas
Posted by Leona and Terry
This has been circulating on the email and internet channels. "I don't usually forward these things, but...."
It has come to my attention that many of you are upset that folks are taking My name out of the season.
How I personally feel about this celebration can probably be most easily understood by those of you who have been blessed with children of your own. I don't care what you call the day. If you want to celebrate My birth, just GET ALONG AND LOVE ONE ANOTHER.
Now, having said that let Me go on. If it bothers you that the town in which you live doesn't allow a scene depicting My birth, then just get rid of a couple of Santa’s and snowmen and put in a small Nativity scene on your own front lawn. If all My followers did that there wouldn't be any need for such a scene on the town square because there would be many of them all around town.
Don’t worry about the fact that people call the tree a holiday tree, instead of a Christmas tree. It was I who made all trees. You can remember Me anytime you see any tree. Decorate a grape vine if you wish: I actually spoke of that one in a teaching, explaining who I am in relation to you and what each of our tasks were. If you have forgotten that one, look up John 15: 1 - 8.
If you want to give Me a present in remembrance of My birth here is my wish list. Choose something from it:
1. Instead of writing protest letters objecting to the way My birthday is being celebrated, write letters of love and hope to soldiers and others away from home. They are terribly afraid and lonely this time of year. I know, they tell Me all the time.
2. Visit someone in a nursing home. You don't have to know them personally. They just need to know that someone cares about them.
3. Instead of writing the President complaining about the wording on the cards his staff sent out this year, why don't you write to tell him that you'll be praying for him and his family this year. Then follow up... It will be nice hearing from you again. 4. Instead of giving your children a lot of gifts you can't afford and they don't need, spend time with them. Tell them the story of My birth, and why I came to live with you down here. Hold them in your arms and remind them that I love them. 5 Pick someone that has hurt you in the past and forgive him or her.
6. Did you know that someone in your town will attempt to take their own life this season because they feel so alone and hopeless? Since you don't know who that person is, try giving everyone you meet a warm smile; it could make the difference.
7. Instead of nit picking about what the retailer in your town calls the holiday, be patient with the people who work there. Give them a warm smile and a kind word. Even if they aren't allowed to wish you a "Merry Christmas" that doesn't keep you from wishing them one. Then stop shopping there on Sunday. If the store didn't make so much money on that day they'd close and let their employees spend the day at home with their families
8. If you really want to make a difference, support a missionary-- one who takes My love and Good News to those who have never heard My name.
9. Here's a good one. There are individuals and whole families in your town who not only will have no "Christmas" tree, but neither will they have any presents to give or receive. If you don't know them, buy some food and a few gifts and give them to the Salvation Army or some other charity which believes in Me and they will make the delivery for you.
10. Finally, if you want to make a statement about your belief in and loyalty to Me, do behave like a Christian. Don't do things in secret that you wouldn't do in My presence. Let people know by your actions that you are one of mine.
Don't forget; I am God and can take care of Myself. Just love Me and do what I have told you to do.. I'll take care of all the rest. Check out the list above and get to work; time is short. I'll help you, but the ball is now in your court. And do have a most blessed Christmas with all those whom you love and remember :
I LOVE YOU, JESUS
This has been circulating on the email and internet channels. "I don't usually forward these things, but...."
It has come to my attention that many of you are upset that folks are taking My name out of the season.
How I personally feel about this celebration can probably be most easily understood by those of you who have been blessed with children of your own. I don't care what you call the day. If you want to celebrate My birth, just GET ALONG AND LOVE ONE ANOTHER.
Now, having said that let Me go on. If it bothers you that the town in which you live doesn't allow a scene depicting My birth, then just get rid of a couple of Santa’s and snowmen and put in a small Nativity scene on your own front lawn. If all My followers did that there wouldn't be any need for such a scene on the town square because there would be many of them all around town.
Don’t worry about the fact that people call the tree a holiday tree, instead of a Christmas tree. It was I who made all trees. You can remember Me anytime you see any tree. Decorate a grape vine if you wish: I actually spoke of that one in a teaching, explaining who I am in relation to you and what each of our tasks were. If you have forgotten that one, look up John 15: 1 - 8.
If you want to give Me a present in remembrance of My birth here is my wish list. Choose something from it:
1. Instead of writing protest letters objecting to the way My birthday is being celebrated, write letters of love and hope to soldiers and others away from home. They are terribly afraid and lonely this time of year. I know, they tell Me all the time.
2. Visit someone in a nursing home. You don't have to know them personally. They just need to know that someone cares about them.
3. Instead of writing the President complaining about the wording on the cards his staff sent out this year, why don't you write to tell him that you'll be praying for him and his family this year. Then follow up... It will be nice hearing from you again. 4. Instead of giving your children a lot of gifts you can't afford and they don't need, spend time with them. Tell them the story of My birth, and why I came to live with you down here. Hold them in your arms and remind them that I love them. 5 Pick someone that has hurt you in the past and forgive him or her.
6. Did you know that someone in your town will attempt to take their own life this season because they feel so alone and hopeless? Since you don't know who that person is, try giving everyone you meet a warm smile; it could make the difference.
7. Instead of nit picking about what the retailer in your town calls the holiday, be patient with the people who work there. Give them a warm smile and a kind word. Even if they aren't allowed to wish you a "Merry Christmas" that doesn't keep you from wishing them one. Then stop shopping there on Sunday. If the store didn't make so much money on that day they'd close and let their employees spend the day at home with their families
8. If you really want to make a difference, support a missionary-- one who takes My love and Good News to those who have never heard My name.
9. Here's a good one. There are individuals and whole families in your town who not only will have no "Christmas" tree, but neither will they have any presents to give or receive. If you don't know them, buy some food and a few gifts and give them to the Salvation Army or some other charity which believes in Me and they will make the delivery for you.
10. Finally, if you want to make a statement about your belief in and loyalty to Me, do behave like a Christian. Don't do things in secret that you wouldn't do in My presence. Let people know by your actions that you are one of mine.
Don't forget; I am God and can take care of Myself. Just love Me and do what I have told you to do.. I'll take care of all the rest. Check out the list above and get to work; time is short. I'll help you, but the ball is now in your court. And do have a most blessed Christmas with all those whom you love and remember :
I LOVE YOU, JESUS
Monday, December 14, 2009
Fortress of Solitude
Posted by Terry McNichols
For many years I have saved a clipping of an article called "My Fortress of Solitude" from the book Coping in the Country by Mike Drummond. I was about to copy it in total from a worn newspaper article but began to worry about copyright issues. So I googled and came up with a blog by Mike in which he tells the story. My husband and I have used the story many times throughout our lives at times when we are trying to "get away from it all," but still find our suitcase or backpack loaded with cell phones, ipods, cameras, rechargers, computers -- whatever paraphernalia we might otherwise need to make our own "fortress of solitude." Or we have referenced our own solitary rock as we have moved to smaller and smaller living spaces, yet missed some of the conveniences of prior homes and begun to restock our simple abode. We so long to simplify our lives, but find that we do enjoy our modern conveniences and technological advances. Do read it here!
Friday, December 11, 2009
Advice....
Posted by Leona Bergstrom
Terry's advice to Leona when she lost all of her newsletter content. Right before vacation!
"It's not the big things that send us to the madhouse, not the loss of love, but the shoelace that breaks when there is no time left." (author unknown)
"Be master of your petty annoyances and conserve your energies for the big, worthwhile things. It isn't the mountain ahead that wears you out -- it's the grain of sand in your shoe." (Robert Service, writer, 1874-1958)
"Nothing that grieves us can be called little: by the eternal laws of proportion a child's loss of a doll and a king's loss of a crown are events of the same size." (Mark Twain, author and humorist, 1935-1910)
(Terry's note: Hey, we're good for each other! Here's what else I sent to Leona: "Two are better than one; because they have a good reward for their labour. For if they fall, the one will lift up his fellow: but woe to him that is alone when he falleth, for he hath not another to help him up." (Bible, Ecclesiastes 4:9)
(Photo by xandroid, shared via Flickr)
Terry's advice to Leona when she lost all of her newsletter content. Right before vacation!
"It's not the big things that send us to the madhouse, not the loss of love, but the shoelace that breaks when there is no time left." (author unknown)
"Be master of your petty annoyances and conserve your energies for the big, worthwhile things. It isn't the mountain ahead that wears you out -- it's the grain of sand in your shoe." (Robert Service, writer, 1874-1958)
"Nothing that grieves us can be called little: by the eternal laws of proportion a child's loss of a doll and a king's loss of a crown are events of the same size." (Mark Twain, author and humorist, 1935-1910)
(Terry's note: Hey, we're good for each other! Here's what else I sent to Leona: "Two are better than one; because they have a good reward for their labour. For if they fall, the one will lift up his fellow: but woe to him that is alone when he falleth, for he hath not another to help him up." (Bible, Ecclesiastes 4:9)
(Photo by xandroid, shared via Flickr)
Wednesday, December 9, 2009
Helping Kids Cope With Death
Posted by Leona Bergstrom
We live in a society that often avoids, if not denies, death. But it is a fact of life for all of us, including children. Few may arrive at adulthood without experiencing the death of a close family member or friend; most of us do not. How can parents best help children prepare for and deal with the reality of death?To read the rest of this article on helping kids cope with death from our friend and past guest poster, Jim Schmotzer, click here. Do check out the rest of the article as it is a very good summary of helpful tips.
Monday, December 7, 2009
Compliments Addendum
Posted by Terry McNichols
A couple of weeks ago I had a post about compliments and how we shouldn't wait to pass them on. A friend on Facebook recently told this story:
"Quite a few weeks ago I was wearing my daughter in my frontpack at the grocery store, and she was SCREAMING. The WHOLE STORE was staring at me - it was like looking at a fish tank when you stand there and all the fish look toward you. Anyway, this Chinese woman with a strong accent came up and said "She gon' be a lawya. She gon' buy you a house!" It was awesome."
What a wonderfully different response this woman had to a screaming baby in a grocery store. How many of us have given our share of dirty looks or tsk, tsks, or said the time-honored response of "She'll be grown up before you know it," or even worse, "These are the best days of your life?" I used to hear that and cringe. SURELY I thought things must be going to get better, or I wouldn't be able to survive. If we're going to be passing on the compliments, we need to give young parents everywhere the benefit of the doubt and respond like the woman in the grocery store. What a great positive reframe! And I know this young mother needed the encouragement, because I've been reading a lot on Facebook about this challenging (NO, potential lawyer, potential new house) baby!
(Photo by LexnGer, shared via Flickr)
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