People have been asking Jordan about his hospital stay. He answers with some variant of, "I got to watch lots of movies." And we did. In the seven days he was there, we watched all three Alladin movies, Robin Hood, Fantasia, The Land Before Time V, The Neverending Story and maybe a few more I'm forgetting. We don't own a TV and limit screen time pretty strictly so this was a real treat for Jordan. Most of the movie watching was early in his stay. By the end, when he was more alert and active, I was limiting him to one movie a day.
I find it interesting that this is what Jordan focuses on. He doesn't talk about painful needle sticks or the caustic IV medications that had him screaming. He likewise doesn't mention the teams of doctors who poked and prodded him or the two procedures he underwent. He doesn't speak of the more interesting aspects of his medical care either. Unsurprisingly, the doctors, nurses and technicians at Children's are used to young patients. They were wonderful about taking the time to explain to Jordan what was going on and showing him pictures of his veins, belly, bones, and abcess.
Children's Hospital Boston also has an utterly amazing Child Life program. Jordan had loads of games to play with me. He had a volunteer bring him comic books. He got to visit with a dog and a pair of clowns. He even met an author-illustrator and got to create and draw an "eligerpine" with him.
But this isn't what he talks about. He talks about the movies.
I'd say it was because they are a novelty for him, but so are medical tests and interactions with published artists. Maybe it's because his father and I wouldn't normally allow such a lot of watching whereas we would regularly jump at the more educational and interactive things. (And the hospital stay itself was definitely educational, though I don't recommend it.)
Whatever, the reason, the movies are what he focuses on. And it's a better focus than those horrid IV sessions. So I guess, I can be thankful. And I suspect that those unexpected anatomy lessons and the odd animal thing will actually stick with him longer. After all, he was a part of them, not just watching.
Sunday, January 30, 2011
Friday, January 28, 2011
So, these verses have been on my mind....
Is it OK for Christians to date non-Christians? Should Christians and Muslims train their spiritual leaders together?
These things come to mind when I consider this passage from 1 Cortinthians 6(NIV):
14 Do not be yoked together with unbelievers. For what do righteousness and wickedness have in common? Or what fellowship can light have with darkness? 15 What harmony is there between Christ and Belial[a]? Or what does a believer have in common with an unbeliever? 16 What agreement is there between the temple of God and idols? For we are the temple of the living God. As God has said:
“I will live with them
and walk among them,
and I will be their God,
and they will be my people.”[b]
This passage is most often talked about in terms of marriage. Certainly, I think Christians should be very careful about whom they marry. If we can't fully express our faith within the context of our marriage or there is spiritual conflict, that cannot be good. It could mean difficulty with maintaining harmony in the home, raising children and nurturing our own faith walk. So I guess that I feel a marriage or dating relationship would be covered by this verse.
A Christian seminary recently merged with a Muslim seminary. My church pulled its financial support. I have to say I think my church made the right move. Don't misunderstand. As an American, I believe in religious freedom for all and I will fight (at least on a political level, I am not much of a soldier) to see that all, certainly including Muslims, have the right to worship whom and how they please. Also, I think that Muslims and Christians can work together on many things -- like ensuring religious freedom, feeding the hungry, aiding disaster victims -- anything that allows us to maintain our separate spiritual identities.
I don't think it works in worship or training clergy. It smacks too much of "all religions are the same". I think this verse, combined with other aspects of Scripture and history, precludes it.
This verse talks about idolatry. Christians need to not worship Jesus AND other gods. There are no other Gods. We cannot have room in our lives for false idols. This concept is covered in the Ten Commandments as well. The first commandment: "Thou shalt have no other gods besided Me." So this is probably the most important thing about "Not being unequally quoked."
We all need to determine for ourselves how to live out the Scriptures. These things are my view of what God has to say. I freely admit that I may be wrong and I know full well that there will be plenty who's thoughts will differ. So be it. I have practice agreeing to disagree. I'm a Baptist and Baptists simply would not survive without that skill. We have too many different opinions. (Maybe that's true of other denominations, too, I don't know.)
Anyway, have a good day!
These things come to mind when I consider this passage from 1 Cortinthians 6(NIV):
14 Do not be yoked together with unbelievers. For what do righteousness and wickedness have in common? Or what fellowship can light have with darkness? 15 What harmony is there between Christ and Belial[a]? Or what does a believer have in common with an unbeliever? 16 What agreement is there between the temple of God and idols? For we are the temple of the living God. As God has said:
“I will live with them
and walk among them,
and I will be their God,
and they will be my people.”[b]
This passage is most often talked about in terms of marriage. Certainly, I think Christians should be very careful about whom they marry. If we can't fully express our faith within the context of our marriage or there is spiritual conflict, that cannot be good. It could mean difficulty with maintaining harmony in the home, raising children and nurturing our own faith walk. So I guess that I feel a marriage or dating relationship would be covered by this verse.
A Christian seminary recently merged with a Muslim seminary. My church pulled its financial support. I have to say I think my church made the right move. Don't misunderstand. As an American, I believe in religious freedom for all and I will fight (at least on a political level, I am not much of a soldier) to see that all, certainly including Muslims, have the right to worship whom and how they please. Also, I think that Muslims and Christians can work together on many things -- like ensuring religious freedom, feeding the hungry, aiding disaster victims -- anything that allows us to maintain our separate spiritual identities.
I don't think it works in worship or training clergy. It smacks too much of "all religions are the same". I think this verse, combined with other aspects of Scripture and history, precludes it.
This verse talks about idolatry. Christians need to not worship Jesus AND other gods. There are no other Gods. We cannot have room in our lives for false idols. This concept is covered in the Ten Commandments as well. The first commandment: "Thou shalt have no other gods besided Me." So this is probably the most important thing about "Not being unequally quoked."
We all need to determine for ourselves how to live out the Scriptures. These things are my view of what God has to say. I freely admit that I may be wrong and I know full well that there will be plenty who's thoughts will differ. So be it. I have practice agreeing to disagree. I'm a Baptist and Baptists simply would not survive without that skill. We have too many different opinions. (Maybe that's true of other denominations, too, I don't know.)
Anyway, have a good day!
Tuesday, January 25, 2011
Strange Thing to Be Thankful For
Last Thursday night, my son started talking gibberish. This turned out to be a good thing.
Of course, I didn't know it at the time. Then, I was wondering what to do. Assume it was just part of the fever? Get help?
I called a 24 hour nurse line which led to a 911 call, a trip to our local emergency room, and a transfer to Children's. Thank God.
Why thank Him for such a scary and all around stressful thing? Because, that morning, the pediatrician had said that Jordan's ongoing fever, vomiting and leg pain were due to a virus and a hamstring injury. We were to call if symptoms didn't improve in seven days. In the normal course of events, Jordan wouldn't have been seen til yesterday. That could have been really serious, because what he had was an abcess deep in the thigh muscle. The multiple teams of doctors here found it and treated it with aspiration and antibiotics before it became dangerous.
The Bible tells us to give thanks in all circumstances. In addition to Jordan's great care, we are deeply grateful for the outpouring of support we have received from family, CYC, the church member who drove a sick and exhausted David home, our church family and other friends.
Firstly, we are thankful to God that He used a low sodium -level and frightening symptoms to get Jordan where he needed to be.
As of now, Jordan will be coming home with a PICC line and three weeks of IV antibiotics plus three more of oral antibiotics. He's going to be fine, and we have already gotten some great anatomy lessons out of this.
Thanks everyone.
Have a great day!
Of course, I didn't know it at the time. Then, I was wondering what to do. Assume it was just part of the fever? Get help?
I called a 24 hour nurse line which led to a 911 call, a trip to our local emergency room, and a transfer to Children's. Thank God.
Why thank Him for such a scary and all around stressful thing? Because, that morning, the pediatrician had said that Jordan's ongoing fever, vomiting and leg pain were due to a virus and a hamstring injury. We were to call if symptoms didn't improve in seven days. In the normal course of events, Jordan wouldn't have been seen til yesterday. That could have been really serious, because what he had was an abcess deep in the thigh muscle. The multiple teams of doctors here found it and treated it with aspiration and antibiotics before it became dangerous.
The Bible tells us to give thanks in all circumstances. In addition to Jordan's great care, we are deeply grateful for the outpouring of support we have received from family, CYC, the church member who drove a sick and exhausted David home, our church family and other friends.
Firstly, we are thankful to God that He used a low sodium -level and frightening symptoms to get Jordan where he needed to be.
As of now, Jordan will be coming home with a PICC line and three weeks of IV antibiotics plus three more of oral antibiotics. He's going to be fine, and we have already gotten some great anatomy lessons out of this.
Thanks everyone.
Have a great day!
Tuesday, January 18, 2011
I love sledding.
I really enjoy zipping down the hill on my son's sled. The rush of the wind, the laughter, the thrill.
Aside from the fact that I love it, I know that exercise gurus tell us that playing with the kids counts as physical activity. I am pretty sure, however, that watching the kids play actively doesn't count. And engaging in exercise sets an example for the children and shows them that it is part of a healthy lifestyle and not just something for the younger set. And my son likes me to sled with him. Oh, have I mentioned that I think it is fun?
Still, when we went to the local hill yesterday, I felt awkward about participating. None of the other parents were going down. There seemed to be a culture of "this is for the kids".
It reminded of a time in Chapel at NEBYC (CYC) when we were having an open discussion about peer pressure. Jed stood up and said, "Adults aren't free from peer pressure. We just have older peers."
I love sledding enough to overcome the awkwardness about joining in. But I wonder how often we all skip things because we are thought to be "too old" or some similar reason. I am hoping to be more aware of these subtle influences and to combat them when necessary.
Have a good day!
Aside from the fact that I love it, I know that exercise gurus tell us that playing with the kids counts as physical activity. I am pretty sure, however, that watching the kids play actively doesn't count. And engaging in exercise sets an example for the children and shows them that it is part of a healthy lifestyle and not just something for the younger set. And my son likes me to sled with him. Oh, have I mentioned that I think it is fun?
Still, when we went to the local hill yesterday, I felt awkward about participating. None of the other parents were going down. There seemed to be a culture of "this is for the kids".
It reminded of a time in Chapel at NEBYC (CYC) when we were having an open discussion about peer pressure. Jed stood up and said, "Adults aren't free from peer pressure. We just have older peers."
I love sledding enough to overcome the awkwardness about joining in. But I wonder how often we all skip things because we are thought to be "too old" or some similar reason. I am hoping to be more aware of these subtle influences and to combat them when necessary.
Have a good day!
Monday, January 17, 2011
Martin Luther King, Jr. Day
So we took the day off from school.
We chatted about Martin Luther King, Jr and the Civil Rights Movement over breakfast. Then we went sledding.
It doesn't sem like much of a commemoration given the history-making importance of the Civil Rights Movement. The thing is, I didn't hear of any events in my area designed to mark the day. I am sure there were things going on in some places.
Not that I want to give up a day off in the middle of winter. But I wonder if the day would be more celebrated if school was in session? Perhaps there would be assemblies and so on. I don't know.
Or maybe we should have the day off (I like holidays. personally.) but we should actually hold it on Dr. King's birthday rather than on Monday. More people may then remember what it is really about.
In England they have a "Bank Holiday" in May, but noone could ever tell me what it was for when I lived there. I did an internet search and discovered that it used to be in honor of May Day but then was moved slightly to celebrate Victory in Europe (VE) Day. But the general public is unaware of this.
While three day weekends are wonderful things it seems sad to lose the real meaning of a holiday, especially one important to our history and common life.
I wonder what solution would be best.
We chatted about Martin Luther King, Jr and the Civil Rights Movement over breakfast. Then we went sledding.
It doesn't sem like much of a commemoration given the history-making importance of the Civil Rights Movement. The thing is, I didn't hear of any events in my area designed to mark the day. I am sure there were things going on in some places.
Not that I want to give up a day off in the middle of winter. But I wonder if the day would be more celebrated if school was in session? Perhaps there would be assemblies and so on. I don't know.
Or maybe we should have the day off (I like holidays. personally.) but we should actually hold it on Dr. King's birthday rather than on Monday. More people may then remember what it is really about.
In England they have a "Bank Holiday" in May, but noone could ever tell me what it was for when I lived there. I did an internet search and discovered that it used to be in honor of May Day but then was moved slightly to celebrate Victory in Europe (VE) Day. But the general public is unaware of this.
While three day weekends are wonderful things it seems sad to lose the real meaning of a holiday, especially one important to our history and common life.
I wonder what solution would be best.
Thursday, January 13, 2011
Prime Numbers
47 is a Prime Number.
So is 13. And 11. And 2011
I turned 47 today, the 13th at 11AM in the year 2011.
A few mathematicians consider 1 to be a prime number which would have made me 47 on 1/13/2011 at 11. Five prime numbers. As it is I get four which, I suppose, should be enough for anyone.
Assuming anyone else takes note of such things. I noticed it because Jordan and I are counting up to the 100th day of the year by determining which numbers are prime, which are composite and taking the composite numbers down to their prime factors. When we got to January 4 and I taught Jordan about factor trees, he was so delighted he chortled and made me demonstrate with a bunch of numbers, including 1,000,000.
He's a strange child. Lovable, awesome, kind, sweet...but definitely strange.
Oh, and in case any one is wondering, the prime factorization for 1,000,000 is
2x2x2x2x2x2x5x5x5x5x5x5.
Of course none of you need a math lesson and I doubt anyone wants one. Also, the conglomeration on prime numbers around today means absolutely nothing.
So, why bring it up?
I have no idea. I just felt like it. Maybe, I am as strange as my son.
Have a good day.
So is 13. And 11. And 2011
I turned 47 today, the 13th at 11AM in the year 2011.
A few mathematicians consider 1 to be a prime number which would have made me 47 on 1/13/2011 at 11. Five prime numbers. As it is I get four which, I suppose, should be enough for anyone.
Assuming anyone else takes note of such things. I noticed it because Jordan and I are counting up to the 100th day of the year by determining which numbers are prime, which are composite and taking the composite numbers down to their prime factors. When we got to January 4 and I taught Jordan about factor trees, he was so delighted he chortled and made me demonstrate with a bunch of numbers, including 1,000,000.
He's a strange child. Lovable, awesome, kind, sweet...but definitely strange.
Oh, and in case any one is wondering, the prime factorization for 1,000,000 is
2x2x2x2x2x2x5x5x5x5x5x5.
Of course none of you need a math lesson and I doubt anyone wants one. Also, the conglomeration on prime numbers around today means absolutely nothing.
So, why bring it up?
I have no idea. I just felt like it. Maybe, I am as strange as my son.
Have a good day.
Prime Numbers
47 is a Prime Number.
So is 13. And 11. And 2011
I turned 47 today, the 13th at 11AM in the year 2011.
A few mathematicians consider 1 to be a prime number which would have made me 47 on 1/13/2011 at 11. Five prime numbers. As it is I get four which, I suppose, should be enough for anyone.
Assuming anyone else takes note of such things. I noticed it because Jordan and I are counting up to the 100th day of the year by determining which numbers are prime, which are composite and taking the composite numbers down to their prime factors. When we got to January 4 and I taught Jordan about factor trees, he was so delighted he chortled and made me demonstrate with a bunch of numbers, including 1,000,000.
He's a strange child. Lovable, awesome, kind, sweet...but definitely strange.
Oh, and in case any one is wondering, the prime factorization for 1,000,000 is
2x2x2x2x2x2x5x5x5x5x5x5.
Of course none of you need a math lesson and I doubt anyone wants one. Also, the conglomeration on prime numbers around today means absolutely nothing.
So, why bring it up?
I have no idea. I just felt like it. Maybe, I am as strange as my son.
Have a good day.
So is 13. And 11. And 2011
I turned 47 today, the 13th at 11AM in the year 2011.
A few mathematicians consider 1 to be a prime number which would have made me 47 on 1/13/2011 at 11. Five prime numbers. As it is I get four which, I suppose, should be enough for anyone.
Assuming anyone else takes note of such things. I noticed it because Jordan and I are counting up to the 100th day of the year by determining which numbers are prime, which are composite and taking the composite numbers down to their prime factors. When we got to January 4 and I taught Jordan about factor trees, he was so delighted he chortled and made me demonstrate with a bunch of numbers, including 1,000,000.
He's a strange child. Lovable, awesome, kind, sweet...but definitely strange.
Oh, and in case any one is wondering, the prime factorization for 1,000,000 is
2x2x2x2x2x2x5x5x5x5x5x5.
Of course none of you need a math lesson and I doubt anyone wants one. Also, the conglomeration on prime numbers around today means absolutely nothing.
So, why bring it up?
I have no idea. I just felt like it. Maybe, I am as strange as my son.
Have a good day.
Tuesday, January 11, 2011
What Jordan thinks of his Mom
A blogging friend and acquaintance from college posted this and challenged others to do the same. I had tried it with my son two years ago, but I'll have another go.......
Jordan age 11 years 2 months 8 days, answers...
1. What is something mom always says to you? "Put away the laundry."
2. What makes mom happy? Doing what I am told to do.
3. What makes mom sad? When I am not doing what I am told to do.
4. How does your mom make you laugh? She doesn't.
5. What did your mom like to do as a child? I don't know....play games?
6. How old is your mom? 46, I believe. Pretty much 47.
7. How tall is your mom? 5'2". I think.
8. What is her favorite thing to do? Boss me around.
9. What does your mom do when you're not around? Go to trainings.
10. If your mom becomes famous, what will it be for? Probably for being an advocate.
11. What is your mom really good at? Everything, especially Plants vs. Zombies
12. What is your mom not very good at? Nothing
13. What does your mom do for her job? Advocate, training
14. What is your mom's favorite food? Pizza
15. What makes you proud of your mom? I do not know. How about you ask her?
16. If your mom were a cartoon character, who would she be? A weirdo from another planet.
17. What do you and your mom do together? Everything
18. How are you and your mom the same? We both like playing Plants Vs. Zombies.
19. How are you and your mom different? We have different feelings about playing two player Risk.
20. Where is your mom's favorite place to go? Africa
21.How do you know your mom loves you? How about you ask her. I am not going to go through the list of things.
And his answers two years ago.....
1. What is something mom always says to you? No
2. What makes mom happy? Parties
3. How does your mom make you laugh? I don’t know. You’ve never made me laugh before.
4. How old is your mom? 45
5. How tall is your mom? About 5’
6. What is her favorite thing to watch on TV? (Laughs) I don’t know
7. What does your mom do when you're not around? Walk
8. If your mom becomes famous, what will it be for? Walking the longest distance
9. What is your mom really good at? Exercising and cooking
10. What is your mom not very good at? Fixing clocks
11. What does your mom do for her job? Advocacy
12. What is your mom's favorite food? Peanut butter and jelly. (I just guessed. It’s healthy)
13. What makes you proud of your mom? No clue
14. If your mom were a cartoon character, who would she be? “Mom –Woman!”
15. What do you and your mom do together? Walk
16. How are you and your mom different? I like sweets. You don’t.
17. How are you and you mom the same? Sometimes we both like snuggling
18. How do you know your mom loves you? She tells me.
19. Where is your mom's favorite place to go? I’d say the park.
So an interesting undertaking. In some ways eye-opening. Maybe I should try being a little less bossy? Or just do more things that don't involve bossing. But it is also interesting to see how his perceptions have changed over time. I'll have to try this again in a couple of years and see what changes....
Jordan age 11 years 2 months 8 days, answers...
1. What is something mom always says to you? "Put away the laundry."
2. What makes mom happy? Doing what I am told to do.
3. What makes mom sad? When I am not doing what I am told to do.
4. How does your mom make you laugh? She doesn't.
5. What did your mom like to do as a child? I don't know....play games?
6. How old is your mom? 46, I believe. Pretty much 47.
7. How tall is your mom? 5'2". I think.
8. What is her favorite thing to do? Boss me around.
9. What does your mom do when you're not around? Go to trainings.
10. If your mom becomes famous, what will it be for? Probably for being an advocate.
11. What is your mom really good at? Everything, especially Plants vs. Zombies
12. What is your mom not very good at? Nothing
13. What does your mom do for her job? Advocate, training
14. What is your mom's favorite food? Pizza
15. What makes you proud of your mom? I do not know. How about you ask her?
16. If your mom were a cartoon character, who would she be? A weirdo from another planet.
17. What do you and your mom do together? Everything
18. How are you and your mom the same? We both like playing Plants Vs. Zombies.
19. How are you and your mom different? We have different feelings about playing two player Risk.
20. Where is your mom's favorite place to go? Africa
21.How do you know your mom loves you? How about you ask her. I am not going to go through the list of things.
And his answers two years ago.....
1. What is something mom always says to you? No
2. What makes mom happy? Parties
3. How does your mom make you laugh? I don’t know. You’ve never made me laugh before.
4. How old is your mom? 45
5. How tall is your mom? About 5’
6. What is her favorite thing to watch on TV? (Laughs) I don’t know
7. What does your mom do when you're not around? Walk
8. If your mom becomes famous, what will it be for? Walking the longest distance
9. What is your mom really good at? Exercising and cooking
10. What is your mom not very good at? Fixing clocks
11. What does your mom do for her job? Advocacy
12. What is your mom's favorite food? Peanut butter and jelly. (I just guessed. It’s healthy)
13. What makes you proud of your mom? No clue
14. If your mom were a cartoon character, who would she be? “Mom –Woman!”
15. What do you and your mom do together? Walk
16. How are you and your mom different? I like sweets. You don’t.
17. How are you and you mom the same? Sometimes we both like snuggling
18. How do you know your mom loves you? She tells me.
19. Where is your mom's favorite place to go? I’d say the park.
So an interesting undertaking. In some ways eye-opening. Maybe I should try being a little less bossy? Or just do more things that don't involve bossing. But it is also interesting to see how his perceptions have changed over time. I'll have to try this again in a couple of years and see what changes....
Thursday, January 6, 2011
The Twelfth Day of Christmas
So here we are at Epiphany. The verse for this last day of Christmas is Matthew 2: 12, again about the Wise Men:
And having been warned in a dream not to go back to Herod, they returned to their country by another route.
(For the whole passage go to Matthew 2:1-12)
Once again, the Wise Men get very specific guidance from God. This time in a dream. They understood this dream as a message. They must have been open to such things. Dreams are a common method of divine communicaiton, appearing several times in the Bible.
They obeyed that dream. Whether they already suspected Herod or not, whether they all had the dream or just one of them, they believed what they were told and and acted on it. This story is marked by these men's obedience.
It is unlikely that I will ever be given instructions that have such eternal consequences as saving the Messiah from death. However, if I am given any "marching orders" from God. I hope I will obey.
Merry Christmas, everyone!! And a blessed year until this season rolls around again.
And having been warned in a dream not to go back to Herod, they returned to their country by another route.
(For the whole passage go to Matthew 2:1-12)
Once again, the Wise Men get very specific guidance from God. This time in a dream. They understood this dream as a message. They must have been open to such things. Dreams are a common method of divine communicaiton, appearing several times in the Bible.
They obeyed that dream. Whether they already suspected Herod or not, whether they all had the dream or just one of them, they believed what they were told and and acted on it. This story is marked by these men's obedience.
It is unlikely that I will ever be given instructions that have such eternal consequences as saving the Messiah from death. However, if I am given any "marching orders" from God. I hope I will obey.
Merry Christmas, everyone!! And a blessed year until this season rolls around again.
Wednesday, January 5, 2011
The Eleventh Day of Christmas
For the eleventh day of Christmas, we read Matthew 2:11:
"On coming to the house, they saw the child with his mother Mary, and they bowed down and worshiped him. Then they opened their treasures and presented him with gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh."
(To see the whole passage, go to: Matthew 2:1-12)
They have arrived, And the first thing they do is bow down and worship. Keep in mind these men aren't Jews. If they were indeed from Persia, they would likely have been followers of Zoroaster (or in their language, Zarathushtra as in Also Sprach Zarathustra of 2001 fame). So it would seem that from their perspective this wasn't their God.
But they recognized him and they worshipped.
They also opened their treasures and gave him gifts: gold, frankincense and myrrh. Gold was for royalty. Frankincense was burned for deities. Myrrh was used in the wrappings of bodies at burial and also in ointments for healing. Were these given specifically because he was King, God and Sacrifice or were they given because they were treasure? Possibly both.
Worship and giving. Two of the hallmarks of Christmas, right here at the beginning. The Wise Men have again set us quite an example.
Merry Christmas!!
"On coming to the house, they saw the child with his mother Mary, and they bowed down and worshiped him. Then they opened their treasures and presented him with gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh."
(To see the whole passage, go to: Matthew 2:1-12)
They have arrived, And the first thing they do is bow down and worship. Keep in mind these men aren't Jews. If they were indeed from Persia, they would likely have been followers of Zoroaster (or in their language, Zarathushtra as in Also Sprach Zarathustra of 2001 fame). So it would seem that from their perspective this wasn't their God.
But they recognized him and they worshipped.
They also opened their treasures and gave him gifts: gold, frankincense and myrrh. Gold was for royalty. Frankincense was burned for deities. Myrrh was used in the wrappings of bodies at burial and also in ointments for healing. Were these given specifically because he was King, God and Sacrifice or were they given because they were treasure? Possibly both.
Worship and giving. Two of the hallmarks of Christmas, right here at the beginning. The Wise Men have again set us quite an example.
Merry Christmas!!
Tuesday, January 4, 2011
The Tenth Day of Christmas
Today's verse is Matthew 2:10, once again about the Wise Men:
"When they saw the star, they were overjoyed."
(Whole passage at: Matthew 2:1-12)
I bet they were.
They are away from the crowds and political intrigue of Jerusalem. On their final leg of a long journey. And suddenly they have a clear sign from above.
Christmas is a time of joy, even that first Christmas.
Mary must have been simply overwhelmed with joy at the birth of her son. Joseph, too. even if for both of them it was tinged with fear and uncertainty.
The Shepherds were overjoyed, spreading the news they heard from the angels.
Even the angels were full of "great joy."
And now the Wise Men, too.
Joy is a central theme of the Christmas message, part of what we seek and share.
What has brought you joy this season?
Merry Christmas!
"When they saw the star, they were overjoyed."
(Whole passage at: Matthew 2:1-12)
I bet they were.
They are away from the crowds and political intrigue of Jerusalem. On their final leg of a long journey. And suddenly they have a clear sign from above.
Christmas is a time of joy, even that first Christmas.
Mary must have been simply overwhelmed with joy at the birth of her son. Joseph, too. even if for both of them it was tinged with fear and uncertainty.
The Shepherds were overjoyed, spreading the news they heard from the angels.
Even the angels were full of "great joy."
And now the Wise Men, too.
Joy is a central theme of the Christmas message, part of what we seek and share.
What has brought you joy this season?
Merry Christmas!
Monday, January 3, 2011
The Ninth Day of Christmas
So today our family reads Matthew 2:9 about the Wise Men's actions after they spoke with Herod:
"After they had heard the king, they went on their way, and the star they had seen when it rose went ahead of them until it stopped over the place where the child was."
(For the whole passage, go to: Matthew 2:1-12)
What strikes me about this passage is that the Wise Men didn't need directions. Herod had sent them to Bethlehem but God led them right to the spot. He used a method they would comprehend and look for, too. The star that had brought them to Jerusalem returned.
God "spoke" and they listened and understood.
I am afraid I am not as attentive as the Wise Men, not as attentive as I should be. There are times when I wish God would make his will clearer and direct me in a more definite way. But I wonder if it is just that I have not learned to listen properly.
Has God sent you any "stars" lately?
Merry Christmas!!
"After they had heard the king, they went on their way, and the star they had seen when it rose went ahead of them until it stopped over the place where the child was."
(For the whole passage, go to: Matthew 2:1-12)
What strikes me about this passage is that the Wise Men didn't need directions. Herod had sent them to Bethlehem but God led them right to the spot. He used a method they would comprehend and look for, too. The star that had brought them to Jerusalem returned.
God "spoke" and they listened and understood.
I am afraid I am not as attentive as the Wise Men, not as attentive as I should be. There are times when I wish God would make his will clearer and direct me in a more definite way. But I wonder if it is just that I have not learned to listen properly.
Has God sent you any "stars" lately?
Merry Christmas!!
Sunday, January 2, 2011
The Eighth Day of Christmas
Today's verse gives more details of Herod's secret meeting with the Wise Men.
"He sent them to Bethlehem and said, 'Go and search carefully for the child. As soon as you find him, report to me, so that I too may go and worship him.'”
(The whole passage is at: Matthew 2:1-12)
Herod sends the Wise Men off to look for Jesus. Why didn't he go himself?
Perhaps because it would have been too obvious. Deception offered the only hope of success, because Herod did not want to worship this Child. He wanted to kill him.
There had to be some sort of self-deception going on here. Herod really believed himself capable of tracking down and killing the Messiah. As if God weren't the stronger or He would sit by and let it happen....
Of course, ultimately someone would kill the Messiah. Or, more accurately, the Messiah would lay down his life. But that's another story.
Merry Christmas!!
"He sent them to Bethlehem and said, 'Go and search carefully for the child. As soon as you find him, report to me, so that I too may go and worship him.'”
(The whole passage is at: Matthew 2:1-12)
Herod sends the Wise Men off to look for Jesus. Why didn't he go himself?
Perhaps because it would have been too obvious. Deception offered the only hope of success, because Herod did not want to worship this Child. He wanted to kill him.
There had to be some sort of self-deception going on here. Herod really believed himself capable of tracking down and killing the Messiah. As if God weren't the stronger or He would sit by and let it happen....
Of course, ultimately someone would kill the Messiah. Or, more accurately, the Messiah would lay down his life. But that's another story.
Merry Christmas!!
Saturday, January 1, 2011
The Seventh Day of Christmas
So for this seventh day of Christmas, also New Year's Day, we read Matthew 2:7:
"Then Herod called the Magi secretly and found out from them the exact time the star had appeared."
( To read the whole thing, go to Matthew 2:1-12)
Secretly. Scripture says, "For everyone who does evil hates the light, and doesn't come to the light, lest his works would be exposed." I suspect Herod is one who really hated the light. He had an awful lot of evil deeds to his credit-- or maybe discredit would be more accurate. He is laying the groundwork for a new one here in this verse.
I wonder what the Wise Men thought of being called in secret to be asked for such simple information as when the star appeared. Did it make them suspicious? Wary? They hadn't been in Jerusalem long and would not have known Herod well, but they may have heard something of his reputation.
Hopefully, we do not need to be secret like Herod. Hopefully, we welcome the Light.
Merry Christmas!
"Then Herod called the Magi secretly and found out from them the exact time the star had appeared."
( To read the whole thing, go to Matthew 2:1-12)
Secretly. Scripture says, "For everyone who does evil hates the light, and doesn't come to the light, lest his works would be exposed." I suspect Herod is one who really hated the light. He had an awful lot of evil deeds to his credit-- or maybe discredit would be more accurate. He is laying the groundwork for a new one here in this verse.
I wonder what the Wise Men thought of being called in secret to be asked for such simple information as when the star appeared. Did it make them suspicious? Wary? They hadn't been in Jerusalem long and would not have known Herod well, but they may have heard something of his reputation.
Hopefully, we do not need to be secret like Herod. Hopefully, we welcome the Light.
Merry Christmas!
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