A Child is Born and Child-Like Faith

A Child is Born and Child Like Faith

One of my fondest memories, as a child, was memorizing a Christmas poem for my church’s Children’s Christmas Program. It may have been the simplest of words “Christmas is a time of joy. It started with a baby boy. He came to save us from our sins. Won’t you let him be your friend?” But those words resonated in my young soul. It meant practicing our poems and the songs we would sing at the program, as well as getting our costumes made or borrowed for the Nativity Play. Then the big night came when I, along with the other children, would sing in the Children’s Choir and hold up acrostic letters that spelled J-E-S-U-S and recite our poems that themed the birth of Jesus. There would always be a re-enactment of Mary and Joseph traveling to Bethlehem, arriving at the stable, placing a baby doll in the manger and the angels appearing to the shepherds. Then the grand finale came when the shepherds and wise men bowed down and worshiped the newborn king.

This exciting night of children being children with bloopers and blunders and little ones waving at their parents and boys with shirts untucked from their pants, that all culminated with the reward of a paper bag filled with an orange, an apple and hard candy for each child. It was the best reward EVER!

We got it right back then – everything exciting started and finished with the birth of Jesus. Maybe it was because I was a child with very few responsibilities. After all, I only had to memorize some lines in a poem and pose as an angel at the manger scene, but now I think, in the middle of the busyness, the to-do lists and a loaded up calendar, that we’re missing that simplistic approach to Christmas. Maybe I knew so much more than I do now. Because what I remember from those times, more than anything else, is the feeling of the wonder of realizing that sweet little baby boy, Jesus, came for me.

Maybe it’s because the older I get. the simpler I desire my life to be.. The reality that Jesus came for me and all He wanted in return was for me to love Him back, seems like the answer to it all. I started complicating things. Somehow, the Christmas story was more about what I do -- decorating my home to look like a Christmas Store, finding the perfect gifts, how well I can tie bows, making all my Christmas cookies, choosing the perfect outfit and making sure the table is set just right.

But the angels didn’t say, “Good news! You get to try hard. You get to wear yourself out. You get to make sure you have it all together.” Instead they declared: “I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. Today in the town of David, a Savior has been born to you. (Luke 2:10-11)

Great joy! A Savior! For us! This reminds me that the heart of Christmas has always been about two things: A child in a manger and childlike faith. I sang "Away in a Manger" with my childlike faith and I believed it. “I love Thee Lord Jesus, look down from the sky, and stay by my cradle till morning is nigh. Be near me, Lord Jesus, I ask Thee to stay, close by me forever, and love me, I pray. Bless all the dear children, in Thy tender care and take us to Heaven to live with Thee there.”

Childlike faith is not about hustle; it’s about humility. It’s not about perfection; it’s about grace. It’s not about effort; it’s about extravagant love. Maybe we could all go back to the simpler, easier, less stressful way of celebrating this most beautiful night when Christ was born. Maybe we could sit in our living rooms on a silent night. Maybe we could read the story again and remember the version we understood long ago -- the one that’s still true today. Jesus came. We are loved. We love Him back. That is all that really matters.

Merry Christmas Eve!

Merry Christmas Eve!
My sweet Mama would always make her calls to each of her grown children on Christmas Eve morning, saying -- "Merry Christmas Eve". We expected that call. And I say that to all of my FB friends today -- MERRY CHRISTMAS EVE! That little greeting and memory certainly does turn my heart to this day 2,000 years ago. Mary, in labor and fast approaching the birth of her baby boy, and Joseph scurrying to find a place for the big debut of the Son of God, knew what "last minute details" were all about.

We're getting closer to "Silent Night -- Holy Night", but until then...this day is probably filled with lots of activity for us all -- last minute shopping, wrapping the final packages, and getting some of our Christmas meal ready to go for tomorrow. After two more Christmas productions that Staci and the kids will perform in today, we'll settle down for our Christmas Eve traditions. Then, when these two grandkids wake up tomorrow morning, I will have arrived in Austin after an early morning drive to celebrate Christmas Day with my family there. I'll wave at Santa enroute, as he'll probably be delivering his last presents along the the way! ;-)

What a treat it was to see my sweet cousins, Mary Ellen Snow and Charles Snow and daughter and two of their grandchildren at the production. Of course, I had to have a quick photo opt. They live nearby here in Frisco. Lots of sweet family memories invade my mind when we're together. Our Mamas are sisters.

Tonight we will have our traditional "Wuerch/Wallace style" opening of all the presents -- except for what Santa brings in the stockings, of course which will be tomorrow morning. Sweet, hilarious time of making memories for another year.

Yes, the traditions and festivities are so enjoyable, but rolling out the red carpet and recognizing the Guest of Honor is what this awe-inspiring season is all about. And.....it's up to us to ensure the Honoree is positioned in His rightful place of distinction.

I love the story of St. Nicholas. He was a very kind man and had a reputation for helping the poor and giving secret gifts to people who needed it. And that story inspires us all with a heart of giving. St. Nicholas is where "Santa Claus" came from. But, as sweet as those "treasured" photos of Santa Claus with our little ones are, and seeing their little eyes sparkling with wonder, and putting cookies out for this jolly old soul to pay us a visit, Santa ISN'T the "Guest of Honor".

The leading characters of the Christmas Story are Mary, Joseph, the shepherds, the angels, and, of course, the Headliner, the main attraction and the Star of the Show is Jesus Christ. He is the REASON for the celebrations and He should be the Guest of Honor at each one. I love that we have a role to play in this great story, too. Perhaps we can be one of the shepherds. We don't need eloquent words and we don't need a place of prominence or status. We just need to be bearers and sharers of "the good news of great joy".

People expect pastors and priests to talk about Christmas being about Christ. But what people need are shepherds of the world to teach and preach that message.

You and I have the ability to amaze someone today with the message of Christmas. "For God so loved the world He GAVE His one and only Son."

Even Santa bows down to Him as the Guest of Honor.

I pray that the awesome richness of this gift is experienced in the lives of you and your precious families -- that makes this a Christmas to remember. Much love and MERRY CHRISTMAS, one and all!

It's All About Him......NOT ME!

It's All About Him......NOT ME!
In years past, my Christmas traditions started right after Thanksgiving. I loved this time of the year so much that I decorated every bedroom with its own fully decorated, lit tree. The inside and outside of the house looked like a Christmas Store. I had several nativity sets throughout my house. After all, I wanted Jesus to be prominent amidst all the Santa Clauses and snowmen. I had a huge village of little houses and ice skating pond, trees, churches (lots of churches). I made dozens of cookies and candies to share with family and friends. I handwrote and mailed a flood of Christmas cards with my family's picture on it. That was a "must do" every year -- getting the family Christmas picture at Thanksgiving. I purchased way too many gifts. I spent hours and hours shopping for just the right treasures to give. We squeezed in Christmas parties and programs into all the other "must do's". Despite my best intentions to make Christ the center of our Christmas, hyper mode was my mode of operation for years. Does that sound familiar to you?

I never felt guilty about the flood of activity and way-too-much-attention to so many details. I loved this time of year so much that I gave it ALL I had. The family traditions were so dear and precious to me. It was a work-out, but at the end -- we had made so many precious memories, and it was worth every effort. But, this year, my story takes a big turn.

Since I sold my home in Tulsa and, at my children's urging, making a temporary decision to live a "vagabond" lifestyle (going from my children's homes, mother-in-law's home and friends' home), until at least February of next year, my "normal" is no longer the same. My way-of-thinking is certainly having to make adjustments. My "way" isn't the way when I place myself at the mercy of the schedules, environments, cultures and lifestyles of friends and family. I never knew the "single" lifestyle until my sweetheart graduated to heaven. I guess I didn't realize how it had affected my outlook on responsibility to and for others again.

So, I'll admit, my faith journey that was somewhat ideal because it was MY faith journey now includes the faith journeys of others, which means my ideals and my desires must submit and become secondary to others. As I type this, once again, I've heard God's voice saying "Trust Me! I've got this. This is part of my plan!"

So, as I sit here eating my "Humble Pie", I've come back to what the PRINCIPLE THING is supposed to be. I've recalibrated my thinking to HIS thing. A widow friend of mine gave me wisdom a couple of nights ago. In her Widow's Group, she told me there were a couple of gals who had no intentions of decorating their homes this year. They weren't wanting to put forth the effort. She told me she scolded them. She said, "Is Christmas about YOU, or is it about the birthday of the ONE who gave His life for us, Who came here to earth so He would understand us and die for us so we could live forever with Him? Don't decorate for you.....decorate for Him!"

I loved that. My life, this season, my wants, my desires -- shouldn't be about ME. Everything should be about THE ONE whom we celebrate so I'm determining to keep my focus on Jesus' birthday. I even started my Christmas baking yesterday for me, us AND Him!

When I attend several more performances of the Christmas program at my daughter's church, it will be in honor of celebrating He Who this Christmas is about. I will lean in to the real sweetness and tenderness of this season, and turn my attention to the STAR of this story, Mary's baby boy that grew up to be my great I AM. "I AM" is my protector, my healer, my strength and my joy giver, my way-maker, truth-finder and my peace-provider

If you've been like me -- whether in an utter frenzy-mode to this point, or in a little whiny mode about the changes in your life and even disappointments about things being different than they once were, since it's His birthday.....we get to just show up and celebrate Him. No matter how we decorate the house for His party, it is still ALL ABOUT HIM, Who is ALWAYS the life of the party. And He has come to give life to all the people at the party. And, when we lean in even closer, we'll find that the LIFE of the party holds out Himself as the gift that keeps on giving. And the gift tag? It has our names on it. Oh, what a relief it is!

Reviving the Lost Art of Caroling

Day 357 of Photo Inspirations -- Reviving the Lost Art of Caroling
Caroling was a familiar Christmas tradition when I was a kid.  Our youth group would go to nearby neighborhoods or to nursing homes to sing the old traditional Christmas carols.  I'll never forget the looks on those precious people's faces who seemed to soak in every word we sang.  But, today, we don’t carol like we once did…. back in the good ole' days.

The word "Carol" actually means dance or a song of praise and joy!   And, isn't that what we should be doing at this time of year -- dancing, praising and being joyful because of "the newborn King"? That's what I saw Sunday night at my kids' church's Christmas Program. There was lots of dancing, praising and great merriment, celebrating Christ's birthday.  I was so proud of Payton and Alexia for doing such great jobs in the program that will continue on through Christmas Eve night.  We heard and sang lots of beautiful Christmas carols.

Perhaps a return to simple core values like we had back in "the day" would help turn the tide of a world that seems to want to squelch Christmas and its true meaning.  Simple, little pleasures, such as family dinners, game nights and holiday caroling could be just what we need to bring back the "Tis' the season to be jolly" times again.

Last week, a group of young people from a nearby church came by to carol in my community in Tulsa.  It was a sweet experience as they came to my front door to sing.  The residents in my community enjoyed their thoughtful gesture to sing for us.    

Now I've attended my godson's Christmas musical and my grandchildren's Christmas program here in Texas.  While we love to watch our kids perform, as adults we just don’t embrace caroling the way our parents did.  Remember the old black and white movies, (It’s a Wonderful Life, Miracle on 34th Street, A Christmas Carol), where those folks caroled?

Anytime there was a group of people gathered together at a holiday party, office function or neighborhood gathering, a festive song usually broke out. That’s exactly what this Christmas season needs: people embracing the lost art of caroling again. It might be just the ticket to sing out those wonderful old carols that speak of "Peace on earth good will to men", and "Joy to the World the Lord is Come".  It could put a smile on our faces and a song in our hearts that remind us of the hope that this season brings us -- not just at Christmas, but all year through.

Last Sunday, we heard the pastor's wife say "I'd like to encourage you all to do some caroling this Christmas like we once did as kids.  People need to hear our joy and hope.  Perhaps it's just what they need, especially when they may be lonely or sad."  Then pastor said, "Well, I think we need to do that.  As a matter of fact, let's go caroling this week."

And what a fun, joyful night we had, as pastor and his wife invited our little Wallace crew to come to their house for dinner and then go caroling with them.  There were about 25 of us that joined them, and after dinner, we all went door-to-door singing joyfully.  One lady came to her door and was overjoyed because she is alone this Christmas. We turned her sadness to joy.

Every time, where the residents were home, they expressed their gratitude for our little concert.  A simple gesture on our part, brought smiles and joy to those neighbors.  And while we were giving out, we were receiving far more back in return.  We wanted to bless them, but we were the ones who were blessed.   Maybe you and your family could revive this wonderful art of Christmas caroling this year and bring extra joy in your "little corner of the world".

It's the Most Wonderful Time of the Year

I love Christmas -- always have, always will -- and the celebrations start the day AFTER Thanksgiving.  It takes every ounce of willpower I have not to listen to Christmas music until AFTER Thanksgiving -- but the day AFTER -- let the "O Holy Night" and "Mary Did You Know?" and "Here Comes Santa Claus" music BEGIN!  Honestly, it’s been my favorite time of the year for as long as I can remember.

I’ve known great joy at Christmas. My daughter was born in December "several" years ago.    But, as just a teenager, I knew heartache at Christmas -- my Dad passed away just eight days before Christmas.  I remember watching my precious mother, through tears, opening up the Christmas presents she had wrapped for him.

But the most precious times have been realized in this season: decorating the house with "memories" -- my "Christmas Church Collection"

and my Kitchen Christmas Tree,

my Mom's ceramic reindeer

and her ceramic lighted tree,

decorating the house with the photos of my two children when they were little to visit Santa,

Papa reading the Christmas Story to the grandkids

(and now displaying photos of those precious times in my Christmas decor').

And, oh, the sweet memories of the children's Christmas programs, taking the children and grandchildren to see Santa, the Talent Shows the kids and grandkids would provide for us each Christmas Eve, the "Happy Birthday Jesus" cake.

But my most favorite part of Christmas.....is the #1 REASON FOR THE SEASON -- just thinking about our Lord coming to this earth as a little baby -- to be one of us -- to know He knows EXACTLY how it feels to hurt, to feel pain, to feel rejection, to feel the joys. He was ALL MAN.  He is ALL GOD and HE SINCERELY GETS US!    I am overwhelmed with emotion for Who He is, what He's done for us, and why He did it.

I share some of my favorite and sweet Christmas treasures with you in these photos. And  I urge you to get caught up in this beautiful time of the year -- with thanksgiving for the MASTER MINDED, GRAND and PERFECT scheme of it all.  As I type this post. I know the PERFECT PLAN became reality.  It isn't a fairy tale story.  It is a REAL FACT!  How do I know?  I sense His presence with me right here, right now!  Indeed He is Emmanuel -- God With Us!