Category Archives: 7 Keep Christmas

My FAVORITE of all holidays (and holy days), rich with symbolism and meaning. It is not only deeply spiritual, but full of meaning I get to publicly share during the season, my best witnessing days each year!

He shall be called Prince of Peace…

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There is a song for Advent in this post – you just have to read a lot first!  :)

hand prints, foot prints for christmas

Today I am adding  Casting Crown’s “I Heard the Bells.” It was probably about 10 or 12 years ago that I began to really understand the amazing thing that happened over “secular” radio airwaves each Christmas season as classic Christmas carols were played.  There it was – out in the hustle and bustle of shopping and crowds and malls, KOSI-101 playing Bing Crosby’s voice singing these lyrics:

“…’There is no peace on earth,’ I said,

‘For hate is strong and mocks the song

Of peace on earth, good will to men.’

Then pealed the bells more loud and deep:

“GOD IS NOT DEAD, NOR DOES HE SLEEP;

The wrong shall fail, the right prevail

With PEACE ON EARTH, goodwill to men.”

peace on earth

The story of Henry Wadsworth Longfellow writing these words, while unique to him, also proves that across time, we all experience the pain of loss.  These are chaotic and confusing days and our world is politically, socially and most certainly spiritually distraught.  Then in our own small lives an unforeseen setback comes to mar the beauty of the life we had tried to carve out.  Sickness, professional fails, broken friendships, shattered dreams, the death of some one important…it can cause us to want to just forget about the whole Christmas thing, to feel as Longfellow did at the prospect of merry-making

“In despair I bowed my head, ‘There is no peace on earth, ‘ I said.”

But, oh how I thank Henry W. Longfellow for pressing through and getting the revelation of the truth of what the angels proclaimed in dazzling, glorious, bright-light words to the shepherds so long ago.  Because he wrote the words that led to a song that, while we may see it as just another old-fashioned Christmas carol, becomes a TRUTH released into the atmosphere proclaiming the VERY words of God and His Word will always, ALWAYS accomplish what it was sent forth to do.  Dig it, people – Christmas is a time you can actually, really, with total boldness and clarity declare the Word of God on your life, on the lives of your friends and family and into your community.  You have the GOOD NEWS!  Give it!

“And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying:

‘Glory to God in the highest,

And on earth peace, goodwill toward men!'” Luke 2

So, for today, Casting Crowns with a newer rendition of these powerful lyrics.  This song gives me goosebumps!  Everytime the choir sings, “Peace on Earth,” I get so excited about this amazing gift from heaven all over again.

Glory to God in the highest – I worship Him, I gift Him with my abandoned love and praise.  Peace on earth and goodwill – He gifts me back!  And He gives good gifts!  Please receive this today, and believe it no matter how scary or hopeless the world seems: God is good and He gives PEACE.  May you be blessed today with a “suddenly” moment just like the shepherds were.  :)

P.S.  No kidding – I really just mean to post a song, not get all crazy enthusiastic about it, but this i what happens to me!

Jesus said:  “Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.”  John 14.27

Another Song for Advent, A Peaceful Lullaby

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Eight down, one to be born…

reindeer foot and handprints

The 8 grandbebes have had cold, wet paint squished through their fingers and toes for Nonna’s annual Christmas art exhibit.  And just in case she gets here on time (and oh, we hope she will since she is due to arrive in a mere 6 days, I have Evangeline’s “canvas” all ready to go.

I know Jesus wasn’t born on December 25.  But as we observe, we are marking the time as if He had been.  So Tredessa, my daughter, is in much the same place Mary would have been about now in her pregnancy.  The time is close and everthing about life begins to focus in on the coming glory.  So glad Tre will have a nice car for getting to the hospital instead of riding on a donkey for 4 days.  Although – that cannot hurt labor, can it?

And on that note, we have the iPhone docking station ready to go to the birthing room, where it will be playing the anointed, beautiful Hidden in My Heart Scripture Lullabies.  I cannot tell you how soothing and lovely this music is and how very peaceful the atmosphere becomes when it is playing.   The songs are beautifully arranged and while each stands alone, as an ongoing part of the whole: just so restful and faith-building!  Bonus: pure Word of God released into the air.  And His Word will accomplish everything it sets out to do.  Period.

So, this is perfect for now.  The week of desiring and longing and looking for the Peace only Jesus can give.  PLEASE take a few minutes and listen….

The Peace of God, Hidden in My Heart, Volume I

By the way, check out the Hidden in My Heart website and you can download a free song, or even send a free song.  I met the Stockers once (they are the writers/producers) and I gushed all over them because I love my 2 CDs so much.  They are a generous bunch, the people at Hidden in my Heart!  And Volume III was just released!  BUY!

The wreaths, the candles, the colors and other Advent mysteries

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I told you the other day I looked up something about Advent from a Catholic site and they had used Wikipedia’s definition of it, which is…odd.  But anyway…I have not come to criticize, I have come to try to figure out the traditions of it because it is fun.  And I have started my own tradition this year – songs.  :)

amelie belle and santa

Amelie was glad to discover her old friend is back today

Anyway, in the 80s we lived in a small Nebraska city and there was a strong liturgical bent and I followed along, observing customs like the Advent wreath and lighting candles and basically just did whatever everyone else was doing.  But I’ve decided to try to understand the value of it in my old age, because I like things with meaning, and I find that rituals and patterns in our lives offer a rhythmic order that keeps our steps steady, day in and day out, season by season…

be merry

So, this morning I wondered, “Now what exactly are all those purple candles and the one pink one about???”  And found, after just clicking through a few sites on my Google-search: that explanation varies greatly!!!  Proof: {{click here}}. 

Pick a meaning, any meaning.  What?  Am I going to have to attend seminary to sort this thing out?  I don’t think so.  I am choosing for the week following the second Sunday of Advent to be about Peace (which is one of the options listed.  Last week, hope.  This week. peace.).  So let’s just agree that yesterday’s Advent candle (which I did not light) began a week looking forward to Peace.  Yes, Peace on earth, in the world, OK.  But Peace inside us, too, in our homes, where we go, as we drive (with all the maniacs on the road), in the decisions we make and the conversations we have: Peace.

And since for whatever reason, I seem to be on an 80s kick today (as evidenced by my Twitter posts), I shouldn’t have been surprised by this song coming to mind when I said, “God?  Give me a song for my Advent observation.  Something in the peace-genre,”  as if He is just spinning discs on request for me.  I waited for something spectacular to come to mind.  Then, just as evening fell, I heard Carman’s voice in my head.  From the mid-80s: Fear Not, My Child.  It isn’t actually a “peace” song, but it reminds me of Jesus’s words in John 14.27

Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.

I think if Jesus says He is giving us HIS peace, we can safely kiss fear good-bye.    It isn’t helping us at all, anyway.  So, it’s 6:40 pm and I am going to listen, in the light of the tree (yes-TV is off!)…join me…

Today’s Advent Song…Fear Not, My Child

He knows how to take care of what is causing us fear.

So 80s!  Love it!

So this is coming up {APPLAUSE}

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Dave has written another Christmas play.

Banner

And he is directing it.  And he is acting in it.  And so are other people related to me by blood.  And so are many of the cast from last year’s Merry Gentlemen ~ A Christmas in Mediocrity, but it is a whole new story and feel.  In fact, the infamous and ridiculously good-looking Bill Barrow (and he needs to be because he is married to the ravishing Candi), whose character has a much more expanded role in this show said,

bill barrow

Bill Barrow, himself

“Last year’s play was good.  It was really good.  But this year’s is fantastic.  It is so much better!”

Well, then!  Last year’s production was amazing.  REALLY good.  Two sold-out, standing-room-only nights of fun with live music and great acting.  So – wow, then…THIS YEAR will be even better!

It is slated for two performances, December 20 and 21 at Community of Faith in Broomfield (90 Emerald Street), which is sponsoring the whole shebang.

jmj

All I know about the story is what Dave will let me know until the performance:  It’s about a children’s pastor who has been assigned the task of putting together the church Christmas pageant even though he doesn’t really care for Christmas and doesn’t even really like children, either.  But poor Pastor Mike is stuck.  He is stuck with overbearing assistant directors, a Joseph who wears football pads, a little superhero who calls himself The Pigeon, a prima dona named Twinkle and a skate board riding redhead known as Dorito.  Can Pastor Mike pull it off without losing his sanity?

Well, here is the deal~~ it’s a Christmas story through and through, Christmas as in Jesus was born.  It’s written by a man who LOVES Christmas like crazy – so you know it will be Christmas-y in every good way.  And it is laugh-out-loud funny (I have this on good authority) and yet heartwarming, too.  There is great music (PLUS live music with Rocky Rhoades, Tris and Stephanie Kelley, Stormie Rhoades, and Dave and Tara Powers – which is worth a huge ticket price alone and I am not just saying that because they are my kids, hehe).  And, because it’s Christmas?  It has a little magic, too!  So COME ON people!  Soooooo worth the $5 ticket price!  BUY TICKETS online www.callbacktheater.com.

rocky, stephanie, tristan, stormie

powers family

Plus: check out the cute director.  I know him.  He is a talented writer and director.  And actor.  So come to JESUS, MARY and JOSEPH!    :)

dave rhoades

Omygosh…I JUST realized I sort of married my very favorite actor from the High Chapparal 1960s TV show…Manolito Montoya, of whom this website says:

manolito montoyamanolito

The classic 60s Western centered on The High Chaparral ranch in 1870s Arizona where Big John Cannon married Manolito’s sister…Manolito himself was a dashing rogue who’d rather make love to the local ladies than get involved in fighting. Read more here…

Um yeah-the actor’s actual name:  Henry Darrow?  Manolito to me!

Church Christmas Decorating

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I just noticed in my dashboard site stats that I’m getting hits on some church christmas decorating I have done in the past.  I think I will dig through my digital photos and see what I can find.  I got to decorate at Northern Hills for 3 years, I believe and it was so much fun!

Here is one shot of the Celebration Center in 2009.

northern hills church christmas decor

The 3 wreaths hanging in the center over the stage look deceptively small in the pictures.  You can’t just buy these at the store.  I made them from recycling Christmas trees other people want to get rid of.  I basically did a Craigslist ad asking for old artificial trees for a non-profit organization and people would call and I picked them up.  These three wreaths used the branches of 7 trees.  We built a wooden frame and stapled them on.  The one in the middle is almost 7 feet tall and the 2 flanking it are about 5 1/2 feet tall.  I used 2 102″ red table cloths sewn together in the middle to drape through the wreaths.

At the time, the church had 3  really beautiful 9′ trees and I used one in the cafe and the other 2 on the stage, but the room is large, so I wanted to make them seem more grand and did so by placing them on 5 foot round tables draped in fabric.

The illuminated angels were the beautiful styrofoam silhouettes my amazingly artistic friend Pearl had created for the Garage venue a year or two earlier.  It broke up the black background and we uplighted them.

church christmas decorations decor

We lined the front of the stage with a giant “garland” also re-fashioned from recycled/upcycled old Christmas trees.  You really can’t just buy garland because a room that big will just swallow it up.  It is really quite large.  The “ribbon” was that florist-mesh wrap which can be twisted and tucked and glows prettily in the lights.

We used thousands of lights on everything because you have to overdo in a big space.  I think I had gotten all those gold-potted poinsettias for like 98-cents in an after-Christmas clearance the year before.  They are handy for lining edges and covering cords.

see more pics from 2009 here :)

Very simple, clean look.  The musicians and pastors need their space!  It was fun.  I miss doing it (plus I wasn’t out of ideas)!!!  Pastor Scott??

Second Sunday of Advent // Song for a Sunday

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We come with expectation

We’re waiting here for You…

I woke up to a crackling fire and the coffee brewing (Dave is sweet).  A soft snow is falling and it is so cold outside.  It is the second Sunday of Advent.  Each day I am taking the time of at least the length of a song and observing the days of longing and desiring, the centuries of waiting for the Messiah.  People living in darkness waited so long for Him.  Then He came.  We are so blessed.  I love the musical meetings in His Presence leading up to the Christmas celebration.

You’re the Lord of all creation

And still You know my heart

The Author of salvation

You’ve Loved me from the start ~ waiting here for you…

Waiting Here for You, Christy Nockels

Sometimes I wonder how our views of God can be so off course, like He is up there looking for reasons to kick any of us to the curb.  He is the Author of Salvation.  He is the One who so-loved-the-world that He gave us a Savior, a Savior!  Wow, that is love.  He first loved us and now we LOVE Him back!

This is one of those songs I sing with fervor and devotion, hoping He’ll somehow see how much He means to me.  I kind of think He answers me lightheartedly: Wonderful ~ because I have already been here waiting for you!  :)

Waiting here for you

With our hands lifted high in praise

And it’s You we adore

Singing Hallelujah

You are everything You promised

Your faithfulness is true

And we’re desperate for Your presence

All we need is You

Counting down the days until the Christmas Celebration with songs.   Because I love song.  Sing with me!  :)

Waiting here for you

nativitypics 2012

From the Nativity photo shoot of 2012

 UPDATE 12/12/13:  The sweet daughter Tredessa couldn’t believe I didn’t use THIS live-version of this song with {my favorite} Martin Smith and {my other favorite} Kim Walker, singing this song.  And I was like – OMYGOSH!  So true!  I LOVE-LOVE-LOVE this one!  So here it is now…

Let Me Say It Again: O, Come, Emmanuel

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Nativity 2010 (1) Nativity 2010 (2)

I already used this song Sunday, a Francesca Battistelli version, but it is so beautiful and totally embodies the whole thing about Advent. (Just as a humorous sidenote, Catholic Online uses a Wikipedia definition of what Advent is, haha).  I am still learning.  Should have known to go straight to Wikipedia.  Kinda funny!

Nativity 2010 (3) Nativity 2010 (4) Nativity 2010 (6)

The Piano Guys are awesome and have a really festive “Angels We Have Heard on High” video making the rounds these days, but this rendition of O Come, O Come Emmanuel is just exquisite {- exquisite} and will bring you peace for the weekend.  At the end they have a link to a special Christmas version of it.  In case once isn’t enough (and it wasn’t for me).

Nativity 2010 (8)

O come, Thou Day-Spring, come and cheer

Our spirits by Thine advent here

Disperse the gloomy clouds of night

And death’s dark shadows put to flight.

Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel

Shall come to thee, O Israel.

Stop what you’re doing.  Put that long list of things to do away.  Listen, shhhhh….listen by candlelight and pray it, too,

O Come, Emmanuel…

 

Nativity 2010 (7) Nativity 2010 (9)NOTE: These photos are some of the unedited (or at least unfinished) pictures we didn’t use on the 2010 Christmas card.  Four cameras going, less than 30 minutes start to finish includes getting the kids out of the car and into the cold, dressed, bringing all the animals in and snapping like wild.  Later a lovely card and “Baby Jesus” (depicted by little Miss Sawyer) was suddenly wearing blue.  ;)  But this?  Is what is REALLY looked like!  Haha.

Nativity 2010 (10)

Silent Prayer // Advent Song for today

1 Christ is All, 5 Songs I am Singing, 7 Keep Christmas

I am waiting in a silent prayer
I am frightened by the load I bear
In a  world as cold as stone
Must I walk this path alone?
Be with me now, be  with me now

Today, I choose Breath of Heaven by Amy Grant.  It is totally not meant for Advent, since the secondary title is “Mary’s Song,” but it is very prayerful.  That seems to be the theme with me lately.  That seems to be the state I am in: prayerfulness.

Do you wonder as you watch my face
If a wiser one should have had my  place?
But I offer all I am
For the mercy of Your plan
Help me be  strong, help me be, help me

And it isn’t the public kind, all flowery with beautiful words coming from my well-developed church vocabulary (churchish is my native language).  It isn’t the authoritative supplications of an anointed intercessor born to change the world with loud and powerful sentences while pacing platforms in decided strides.  That isn’t the kind of prayerfulness I am in, though I have done my share of those.

It’s the closet kind, in a whisper.  It’s the kind the Father and only the Father can hear.  It’s the slave of Romans 8 collapsing, finally into the arms of his Adopter , his Abba, realizing fear has no place – safe.   I am HIS child.  His.

breath of heaven

It is that kind of prayer.  Crying out to that kind of Father – the kind that sees me as a joint heir with the Savior of the universe:  even me ~ a sinner, flawed and fearful, a bundle of weirdness and insecurity, a weakling, a moaner, an anxious worrier, a broken vessel, a liar, a cheat, a thief…I have to confess it all and plead for mercy.  It’s safe because He is Mercy.  And He is my Father.  These are the times to run to Him, to Him, not away. The papers are signed, adoption final.  I am His daughter.

And I search His face for signs He is disappointed in His choice.  And from this very close and prayerful vantage point, there are none.  I am His.

Breath of Heaven, hold me together
Be forever near me, breath of Heaven
Breath of Heaven, lighten my darkness
Pour over me Your holiness for You are  holy
Breath of Heaven, Breath of Heaven


Take a few minutes to observe Advent today, with a prayerful song.

The Advent Song Goes On

5 Songs I am Singing, 7 Keep Christmas, Stuff I Actually Think,

“Advent as a season is meant to make the journey toward Christmas full of meaning; it’s meant to put us touch with our deepest longings and greatest hopes; it’s meant to teach us to bring all our desires together on one object: Christ. While “Christmas” as a season (properly) begins on December 25 and goes twelve days (yes, there’s a song about that!) until January 6th, Advent is all about the build-up to it. It begins on the fourth Sunday before Christmas and takes us right up to the glorious celebration of the incarnation.” -Glenn Packiam

So, we just passed the first Sunday of Advent.  This first week traditionally, at least so I am reading, is all about the Patriarchs and Old Testament figures from God creating the heavens and the earth, the fall into sin with Adam and Eve, through the lives of Noah, Abraham, Isaac and Jacob as the promised is being revealed and God’s great plan of salvation is put into motion.  So much happened to get a Savior to us, those whom God so loves, didn’t it?

So today, I chose a Phillips, Craig and Dean song (Dave loves them), Shine on Us.  It is prayerful, an invitation of all God is to come and just be welcomed in us, on us, around us.  Go sit in the light of your Christmas tree and listen for 4 minutes, and pray it.  Then receive it.

And I read a really wonderful blog by Glen Packiam about what Advent should be:

“Advent ought to be a gift of fresh Spirit-oxygen, not a busy, frenetic, string of shopping trips and meaningless parties.”

You can read the whole post HERE.  It isn’t long, but it does have some great insight into this Advent thing.

 

Advent Song // Get Up and Do a Christmas Jig!

5 Songs I am Singing, 7 Keep Christmas, Stuff I Actually Think

So, I just feel like today, as the temp is dropping, a nice, upbeat, dancing number is in order (just to keep us warm, for crying out loud).  So we’ll listen, sing with, and dance to:

Filled with Your Glory by Starfield

dec 2012 grandbebes

Stephanie took this shot of our 6 grandbebes last Christmas.  Now we habe 8.  Soon…

I love the powerful imagery created by the words:  Angels and men adore, mountains bow and oceans roar.  Creation longs for what’s in store… Well, YES!  Don’t you just have the sense that we’re all really pretty well sunk if the LORD does not show up and fill the earth with His very Glory – just like the water fills the sea?  I think Creation is crying out for His Presence and Glory and we better do that, too.  Though we live in so much light (because {Jesus} the LIGHT came), we sure are managing to embrace living that darkens the future for our planet, for nations, for the hearts and souls of children.  Arise and shine, people of God, for the glory of the LORD is risen upon you!

I’m kind of with the ocean on this one: maybe we need to be letting out a roar for His glory!

The whole earth

Is filled with Your glory, Lord

Angels and men adore

(Mountains bow and oceans roar)

Creation longs for what’s in store

May You be

Honored and glorified

Exalted and lifted high

Here at Your feet I lay my life

Great prayer for our Advent observation!