Come Thou Long Expected Jesus...

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A Mirror in the Manger

I shared these thoughts today in the communion meditation.  They are not mine... a college professor of mine at Milligan College, Lee Magness, wrote them (found HERE).

But when the time had fully come, God sent his Son, born of a woman, born under law, to redeem those under law, that we might receive the full rights of sons (Galatians 4:4, 5).

The scene is a sparse hill in ancient Judea, not far from Jerusalem. Nearby is a cave. Jesus wears one meager garment. Mary watches, wondering what it all means. A man stands by, not the father of Jesus, but the one who will care for her. Beneath Jesus are beams of rough wood. Above, the heavens sparkle with supernatural splendor. In the city sits Herod, pondering Jesus’ death. Jewish leaders discuss his coming. Nearby are outcasts, giving their own crude testimony. Soon the rich arrive with gifts, better for burial than for birth.

What did you picture? A birth or a death? A crèche or a cross?

The hill could be a sheep-studded hill near Bethlehem, or the hill called Golgotha. The cave could be a stable crudely cut into one of Bethlehem’s hills or a burial vault recently carved in a nearby cemetery. The garment could be swaddling clothes or a bloody, ragged loincloth.

It is Jesus of course, but is he a newborn baby or a dying man? And it is Mary, but is she sitting at a cradle comforting her baby or is she crouching, crying, and in need of comfort? Is the man Joseph the carpenter or John, who will make her a home? Are the wooden beams a manger or a cross? Are they eyeing a cold, clear star or an eclipsed sun and a blood-red moon.

The Herod could be “the Great,” who tried to kill the baby, or his son, who in a sense succeeded. The outcasts could be shepherds, kneeling on either side, or subversives, hanging on either side. The rich men could be magi who offer exorbitant gifts or Nicodemus and Joseph who offer only an empty tomb.

There’s a mirror in the manger, a birth reflecting a death. So there is no better way to celebrate Christmas than to keep Communion.

God, thank you for sending your Son, to be born, to live, to die, and to live again. We celebrate him this day and pray in his name, Amen. 

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Carol of the Bells... Crowder Style

A Different Perspective on Christmas...

Here's a bit of a different perspective on Christmas...

WARNING: You shouldn't take a sip of coffee as you start this video... you might wear it (you were warned...)!

December from 328 Stories on Vimeo.

Interesting...

Merry Christmas!

JC



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December 1st...

It never ceases to amaze me how the seasons change. 

This morning is December 1st. 

I walked out the door this morning to snow slowly drifting down on a car that was cold and snowy (thankfully for getting to work not as snowy as this picture).  I received a text message from my wife encouraging me that I could start listening to Christmas music.  So, right now I'm listening to one of my favorite Christmas albums (and someone should write this down because I really don't like to listen to Christmas music that) Third Day's Christmas Offerings.  As I look out my office window, I see a bit of snow falling onto the cars in the parking lot. 

I'm not really sure there is a well defined point here... but I guess I just enjoy the seasons.  While I may growl at an occasional disruption to my running schedule, I do enjoy the different seasons... especially snow. 

Happy December 1st! 
Jim

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Nativity Dance

This was a pretty fun video that a friend recommended. Enjoy a little different take on the nativity story.

Jim

Check it out HERE

Eric Samuel Timm - What's your Christmas all about?

I love Eric... He rocks!!!

Check out this little video about what your Christmas is about... (HERE)

Jim

The Living Nativity - The Skit Guys

This is awesome!!! Merry Christmas. Don't miss the end... It's great! Thanks Tommy and Eddie!

Jim

Check it out HERE

Leaving for Christmas travels today...

Jackie and I are hitting the road this afternoon for some Christmas travels, and joining 53 million others according to "The Weather Channel" and "AAA."

We are heading to Ohio first this year and will be there until Christmas afternoon and then we'll be heading to Meadville for a few days. I doubt that I'll be able to make actual posts except occasionally. (I am planning to be on the internet for some sermon work with Steve next Wednesday or Thursday...)

But I will try to keep my blog updated with some mobile posts. Before I go, though, I would like to wish each and every one of you, my faithful readers, a Merry Christmas!!! And a Happy New Year. May your Christmas Day be filled with joy as you remember the birth of God's one of a kind Son, Jesus Christ.

Jackie sporting her new Cubs T-Shirt

I talked Jackie into opening one present tonight. She gave me a sweet tumbler from Starbucks that allows me to brew French press coffee from anywhere... which will be nice over the next week or so while we travel (my parents drink decaf) and this summer at CIY. I love coffee... especially good coffee and this will let me make it anywhere.

I bought Jackie a "Ryan Theriot" Cubs jersey. There is a longer story there... that I can tell if there is enough clamoring for it. But here she is sporting it and looking "Cubs-sexy."

Jim

Scariest Holiday Greeting ever!!!

Want to see something scary...

Check THIS out.

Now if that doesn't make you want to have a Merry Christmas, I don't know what will.

Jim

Shopping like crazy

We spent all of the day shopping. On at our last stops was Cold Water
Creek. I found a cozy place to sit while Jackie shopped...

I miss our fireplace.