Christmas Shopping Revelations

I am done my Christmas shopping! Have been for a few days now actually. I found Christmas shopping strangely relaxing this year even in December crowded malls with Christmas crazed shoppers. Maybe it was all the spare time I have had lately, or maybe it was because I bought most of my gifts at smaller local stores, or maybe it was because of a revelation I had the other day.

 I was standing in a crowded Canadian Tire store when I noticed something odd. There were guys standing in the kitchen supply aisle talking about spatulas and mixers and there were ladies in the tool aisle pondering over ratchet sets and cordless drills. Now I don't want to stereotype genders but I know this is not usual behaviour for the majority of Canadian Tire customers. These shoppers were clearly out of their element as they tried to understand and predict the interests and desires of their loved ones. Through their Christmas shopping and gift giving they were communicating a desire to know and be known which was unexpectedly beautiful.

A certain (ir?)rational part of my brain has always rebelled against the typical gift exchange. Why should I spend money buying a gift that you only sort of want/need only to have you spend money doing the same for me? Wouldn't it be easier/more efficient if I just bought something for myself and you did the same? And then there are the obvious objections to the over-commercialization and blatant greed that becomes so prevalent around Christmas time. Which is of course valid. As I was wandering the malls I also occasionally thought "can any of us really afford this?" and as I heard parents grumbling about the 2hr wait to get their child's photo taken with Santa I thought "don't we all take this a little too far?"

Certainly many of those shoppers in Canadian Tire will get their gift wrong. Come boxing day the stores will be packed with people who bought the wrong size, shape, colour or gift and are frantically trying to correct their mistake. Tempers will flare and frustrations will abound because after all we still live in a sinful world. But for one brilliant moment we tried to forget that and reached out in hope, seeking to love and be loved in our own imperfect way.

It's Snowing!

It's Snowing!

And that leaves me with an inexplicable desire to skip around the kitchen table singing jingle bells! (I used to do that!!) When I was a little kid I truly believed that singing Christmas songs/playing Christmas music would make it snow more. Since winter is my favourite season I can't wait for mountains of snow so I can take my snowshoes and x-country skis out of hibernation!

In the meantime enjoy these links to some Christmas music. The Youtube video is for the delightful pop song "Peppermint Winter" by Owl City. The second Youtube video is just for my older sister, one of her favourite Christmas songs.  For those who don't like pop music so much follow this link to a collection of Sufjan Steven's Christmas music. There you can find such delightful songs as "What Child is this Anyway" and "That was the worst Christmas Ever" alongside such Christmas classics as "O Come O Come Immanuel" and "Once in Royal David's City." His sound is unique so if you are unfamiliar with it just check it out!

Or send me a link to your favourite Christmas music so I can enjoy!

O Tidings of Comfort and Joy!

So I know Christmas and New Years have come and gone but I was too busy enjoying them at the time to bother with a blog post. So now that I am back, settling into my routine, and seem to have some internet connectivity; here are my thoughts.

My title seems rather ironic to me. The news I received this Christmas season did not necessarily connote comfort and joy. My uncertain future, the poor health of an uncle, and the suicide of a young woman whom I had taught drama in highschool (and a sibling of one of my classmates) weighed heavy on my mind. On top of it all was global news: deaths of dictators, wars and rumours of wars, environmental destruction etc. These topics are not joyful. Yet in the midst of it all I was able to feel a comfort. For as we celebrated the first coming of Jesus- as a tiny baby in a manger, we look forward to His second coming as a strong and conquering king. We also eagerly anticipate the establishment of His kingdom- where mental illness, corruption, and violence have no power.

It is fitting that New Years falls so close to Christmas. After a reminder of Christ second coming we are given a fresh start: a New Year. New Years are full of hope and promise.We can set aside all the hurts, sorrows and pains of the past year and look forward to a new year of hope and promise.

I know we celebrate New Years at a different time of year than the Jewish people who’s New Year’s celebration is Rosh Hashanah (typically falling in September or October.) Yet their idea of New Year’s celebration is intriguing. I won't go into too much detail- you can look it up yourself and i strongly suggest you do. However their celebrations involve a period of self examination, sacrifices, and the symbolic casting off of sins. It actually last for several days and traditionally involves numerous ceremonial sacrifices (when I read the Old Testament accounts of how these holidays were to be celebrated to my housemates in university I remember we had several funny comments about all the animal sacrifices) culminating in Yom Kippur- the Day of Atonement. This new years practice of self examination and purification is a good reminder for us as well. We don’t need to make animal sacrifices- Christ has come and made the sacrifice for us already. But we can examine ourselves and cast off our sin. We have been given a fresh start so let’s use it. Let’s work to build the promised kingdom that is here but not yet in completeness.

Advent Peace???

I can now say with (almost) certainty- “I’ll be home for Christmas!” both Kuiper Christmas and actual Christmas, barring any unforeseen circumstances of course. It will involve lots of driving, and hoping for good weather but I will be there. Hurray!

I have been really worried about the long drive by myself, especially if the weather turns nasty- I have to drive through several snowbelt regions. To top it all off I had some recent issues with my car that had me rather anxious. But the weather report looks clear enough and my car was given a clean bill of health so now I am looking forward to good food, good fun and family!

 Christmas is always an interesting time of year; so full of magic, and wonder, and excitement, and also so stressful in many ways. As people gather with their families to celebrate there is also the rush of shopping, and stress of preparing meals, and interesting family dynamics that emerge amongst family members that haven’t seen each other in awhile.

In my advent posts I haven’t been so good at following the traditional advent format (Peace, Hope, Joy, Love) but this post is about advent peace. Peace is sometimes hard to find at Christmas. Stores are busier, we are busier, and it is all too easy to forget about Peace. I frequently remember as a child my mother declaring that the only Christmas present she wanted was for us children to just get along for once. We hear about peace in Christmas songs, and read about peace in stories and on Christmas cards. But something about that version of peace is too syrupy sweet and unrealistic. It sounds nice in stories but in reality I think it might be a bit fake.

  

I remember one year I spent a lot of time and effort to cultivate that Christmas card-type “peace” in my family. I thought it meant evenings spent around a beautifully decorated tree, or advent wreath, singing songs, reading stories etc. My intentions were noble but the reality was much less idyllic. Siblings were grouchy, Christmas tree lights got tangled, and eyes strained trying to read stories by candlelight. The result brought a whole new meaning to when Jesus said he came, “ to turn a man against his father, a daughter against her mother, a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law…” (Matthew 10:35)

There is no magical formula for Christmas peace. But I have a feeling it might involve a bit of smiling through family photo shoots and settling for Chinese food instead of turkey. Today I bring you the song “Just for Now” by Imogen Heap. I love the way she captures both sides of the holiday experience. Enjoy!

Since Advent is also the time of anxious waiting for the (second) coming of Christ we can also anticipate the Peace that will come. For anyone who has read Revelations it is clear that kind of peace wouldn’t fit on a Christmas card either- plagues, wars, bloodshed, tears and violence abound but at the end there is a city, and a river and a tree whose leaves are for the healing of the nations, and there will no longer be any curse, and the Spirit and the Bride say “Come!”

Advent Action- SEEK JUSTICE- (for Attawapiskat)

As Christmas approaches our thoughts often turn to gift giving and gift receiving. Our focus is on our families and friends, and on our homes. One of my favourite traditions is decorating the Christmas tree and my family has several ornaments that are "my tradition" to put up every year. This year being away from my family around Christmastime- and being unsure how much time I will be able to spend with them over the holidays, my thoughts turn toward family, and Christmas even more. (I will be home for Christmas, but I may have to miss several family gatherings- needless to say the song "I'll be home for Christmas" is particularly poignant to me this year.) How often we take for granted what we have until we realize what it is like to not have it. This has become all the more clear to me considering some events making news in Canada.....

I have been loosely following the news about the situation in the community of Attawapiskat. (a Northern Ontario First Nation's reserve) The news of their housing shortage and dire living conditions has struck me deeply. (My own housing frustrations and worries over the past two years pale in comparison!) I have watched several videos about their community's plight and it angers and saddens me to see this sort of thing happening in Canada. I know Attawapiskat is not the only First Nations reserve or northern community in this kind of situation, but their story has impacted me personally.

I have never been to Attawapiskat myself, but just last week I finished processing a bunch of peat samples that came from the Attawapiskat area. Perhaps it is that connection that has piqued my interest and concern, or perhaps it is the national news coverage they have been receiving as a result of their band declaring a state of emergency. All I can say is that it is clear that there is injustice, that their is great need, and that something needs to be done.

So I am putting out a call to everyone reading to SEEK JUSTICE. Justice takes on many forms. In this case one of the basic needs is adequate housing and emergency supplies which require some financial inputs. As a result I have included a link to the Canadian Red cross Attawapiskat Appeal, but money alone cannot solve this problem. I urge everyone to SEEK JUSTICE- whether that means educating yourself more fully on the situation in Attawapiskat and other northern communities, or whether it means writing a letter to your local MP or MPP urging them to take action on this issue. Perhaps justice also involves re-evaluating your own prejudices and preconceived notions. Above all else I urge you to pray- for the community, for those providing aid, for the government, for wisdom, and for justice.

Consider these two verses one as a call to action, and one as a warning:

Learn to do right; seek justice. Defend the oppressed.Take up the cause of the fatherless; plead the case of the widow. (Isaiah 1:17)

(interestingly enough some translations say "correct the oppressor" instead of "defend the oppressed" if you do a little research into Attawapiskat's situation you will find either interpretation applies to this situation.)

 Like cages full of birds, their houses are full of deceit; they have become rich and powerful and have grown fat and sleek. Their evil deeds have no limit; they do not seek justice. They do not promote the case of the fatherless; they do not defend the just cause of the poor. Should I not punish them for this?” declares the LORD. “Should I not avenge myself on such a nation as this? (Jeremiah 5:27-29)

Tough tidings as we enter the Christmas season.
Advent is a time for waiting, anticipating and preparing for the coming of Christ celebrated at Christmas, and also Christ's second coming. Are we ready?

 http://www.redcross.ca/article.asp?id=41676&tid=001

Advent #1

Advent is one of my favourite seasons on the Christian calendar. I grew up in a church where we lit candles each week to celebrate advent. It was always a time of magic and anticipation for me. One year I made my family celebrate advent at home as well, including making my own advent wreath with candles and preparing weekly Christmas readings. When I was in university the church I attended did not celebrate advent the same way (they thought lighting candles was too catholic.) In fact they barely mentioned advent at all. Although I loved the church I went to I ended up attending another church during advent season just so I could be amongst believers who were celebrating advent too.

Advent it a wonderful season of anticipation. We prepare ourselves to celebrate Christ's coming at Christmas, remembering the anticipation and prophecies of the Old Testament. We also are reminded to eagerly anticipate and prepare for Christ's second coming. The church I currently attend doesn't do much in the way of celebrating advent either. I am a little disappointed; though this time I don't think I will find a different place to worship for the month of December. Instead I will find my own ways to celebrate advent and share it with anyone who is interested enough to read my blog posts.

For my first Advent reflection I want to share this post from Alissa Wilkinson which I found on the Cardus blog. Click the link below and enjoy! Feel free to share any comments or reflections with me- it will be like we are celebrating advent together!

Longing and restraint Cardus Blog