Second Thoughts ~ New Year’s Eve 2019

Greetings Dear Reader,

As I write my last BLOG post for the decade, I have looked into what this venue brings me.  Since 2013, I have not missed posting at least once per day.  My goal for the last five years has been 400 posts or better per year just to be sure.

The primary value for me is that it keeps me pushing forward in my attempt to follow Christ.  Some have seen my efforts as focusing on my self or venting my spleen.  My daily goal is to wrestle with the things that keep me from following Christ with all that I am.  I share this with you Dear Reader so that you may find questions of your own or benefit from my failures and victories.  The themes and series which I present always have the underlying desire to follow Christ in all that I do.

The next year holds two new literary works to be published, Thoughts and Questions on Galatians and Magi: The Gift Bearers.  The former will premiere in the Spring and the latter in Autumn before Christmas.   I will also keep my goal regarding daily BLOG posts and my commitment to daily writing in both areas.  It is my calling to write and so, I do not wish to skip a day doing it.

The other things that I hope to accomplish this coming year are to complete Project Tortoiseshell and to become independent of anything save my writing for income.  To do this I need to sell 10,000 books per year in any combination of any of my titles. 

I have so much to be thankful for as I close this year.  The Father has provided for me and I have been blessed to be allowed to help others. The need to write is ever-present.  So is the desire to be of help to others.  Several times this past year the Spirit has taken me to the right place at the proper time so that I could be of help to people who do not know me.  It is a beautiful serendipitous moment when this occurs.

I invite you to stay with me through the next year and to bring some friends along.  Please share my BLOG when you enjoy it.  Please buy my books when you are looking for something to do or if you have someone else to celebrate.  I am willing to travel to speak at your functions, meetings, or events.  My prices are modest and I promise to engage and entertain your folks.

It has been a good year filled with blessings.  I look forward to hearing your thoughts and questions as we journey ever onward.  Perhaps next year we can celebrate together.

Ever On – Dan Fogelberg

May the trail rise up to meet you
May your heart rejoice in song
May the skies be fair above you
As you journey ever on

Ever on--ever on
Ever on--ever on

And in this planetary circle
We are but a single stone
Spinning on our fragile axis
Through the endless night along

Ever on--ever on

May your love be there to guide us
May it always keep us strong
May we walk within your footsteps
As you lead us ever on

Ever on--ever on

Wishing you joy in the journey,

Aramis Thorn

Mat 13:52 So Jesus said to them, "That is why every writer who has become a disciple of Christ’s rule of the universe is like a homeowner. He liberally hands out new and old things from his great treasure store.”

(͡° ͜ʖ ͡°)

Contacts for Aramis Thorn:

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Carrying Christmas in my Heart ~ Closing of the Year

Happy Christmas Dear Reader,

I have seen so many memes and posts about how bad this year has been.  As we end the second decade of the twenty-first century, we seem to collectively be lacking in hope.  I, however, feel more hopeful than I have in quite some time. 

The entire idea of hope is vital to truly celebrating the closing of a year.   We do have challenges and pain.  There is difficulty in our time and we all have misfortunes.  Never will I discount the pain of others or diminish one’s perspective on his or her trials.  This night, however, heralds hope even to those who do not have a solid foundation on which to erect it.

I may not be able to comfort everyone.  I can offer hope.  The universe is unfolding as it should.  I would recommend that if we look carefully over the last twelve months, we can find things for which to be grateful in the midst of our twelve days of Christmas.  As we move into a new decade, there is hope.  It is found in the knowledge that we can carry Christ with us throughout the year.  We are moving closer to the reclamation of all things for good.

The world is not as we wish it but we seem to all pause for a moment to welcome another year into existence.  The year holds 366 opportunities to hope in faith.  “Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.”  It is not that hope yields faith, but rather that faith gives substance to our hope.  It is what puts us on the path home and keeps us moving along it. 

As we close the year, I completely wish for your new one to be filled with love, grace, and abundant hope.  There is truth in our journey that can keep us moving.  That truth is in the certain knowledge that we are headed toward better things.  It is in the understanding that if we walk in love with each other, the world will not matter.  The circumstances do not determine our hope.  It is faith in the one we follow that gives us hope. 

Dear Reader, know that I love you and cherish your company on the journey.  Instead of resolving to fix this or that thing in our lives, perhaps we should all agree that we are going to love each other more purely and deeply.  Then no matter the circumstance of the new year, we can walk together in hope and carry the Joy of Christmas with us into the deep winter and the long dark.

Closing of the Year – Wendy and Lisa

If I cannot bring you comfort

Then at least I bring you hope

For nothing is more precious

Than the time we have, and so

We all must learn from small misfortunes

Count the blessings that are real

Let the Bells ring out for Christmas

At the closing of the year

Let the Bells Ring out for Christmas

At the closing of the year

Up on the knees of a Sergeant Major

Ride through the woods with the wind in your hair

Silver bells on a golden reindeer

As they race to the castle over there

If I cannot bring you comfort then at least I bring you hope

Now all the winter bells are ringing

Hear them echo through the snow

And the children’s' voices singing

On the streets so far below

This is a time to be together

And the truth is somewhere here

Within our love of people

At the closing of the year

We'll walk in the sun

With all of the faith

And all of the Patience

All of the way

With all of us right

And all of us saying

"No one an island"

We'll fly in the arms of time

Walk in the waves, never fall

Don't fall...

At the closing of the year...

At the closing of the year...

At the closing of the year!

If I cannot bring you comfort, then at least I bring you hope

Then at least I bring you hope...

Wishing you joy in the journey,

Aramis Thorn

Mat 13:52 So Jesus said to them, "That is why every writer who has become a disciple of Christ’s rule of the universe is like a homeowner. He liberally hands out new and old things from his great treasure store.”

(͡° ͜ʖ ͡°)

Contacts for Aramis Thorn:

Support Page on Patreon: www.patreon.com/aramisthorn

Novels: From My Publisher or on Amazon          

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This BLOG:  http://aramisthorn.blogspot.com/ 

Carrying Christmas in my Heart ~ Egwin of Worcester

Happy Christmas Dear Reader,

OK, raise your hand if you have heard of Egwin of Worcester before today.  Some wrong guesses would be, he is the guy who invented Worcestershire Sauce although it is the same Worcester.  He had nothing to do with eggs.  I would guess that only one or two of you have any idea who he is.  Perhaps Amy or Ian.

The feast of Saint Egwin of Worcester celebrates an eighth-century bishop of Worcester.  Now it seems there were enough guys named Egwin back then that it was necessary to say which one by location.  Our Egwin is a descendant of the Mercian Kings and the founder of Evesham Abbey.

What is of note to us is that he stood steadfastly for morality in a world and time that did not.  At the time things like monogamy, morality, and celibacy were not common in the region.  The teachings on these matters were sometimes even met with violence.  It is not easy to stand for what is right in the riptide of a world that rejects it.  Egwin did so by example and by caring for the poor in his world.

As we draw toward the closing of the year, we consider what we are going to resolve to make better in our lives.  This year instead of the common things, I am going to repeat last year’s adventure and build upon it.  Last year it was a determination to respond to everything with love.  I have made progress but this will be a life-work, not a year.  I intend to build on that foundation being unoffendable.  If I am going to love always then I must not take up offense either. 

This will take intention and effort.  It will not be easy and will require that I fuel my love for others in every situation.  If I hold love without expectation, I become harder to offend.  If I face the day with Jesus as my only possession, then I can shed the preconceptions and expectations that lead to offense.  I need to not expect those who do not share my faith to act like those who do share it.  I need to release my fellow followers from any judgment from me and instead seek to love them where they are.

This day is at the root of our resolutions.  Let us resolve to be seriously deep about where we stand Dear Reader.  Let us stand strongly enough that our love and care for others leaves us unoffendable and lets our commitment stand for eighteen centuries like Egwin of Worcester. 

  

Wishing you joy in the journey,

Aramis Thorn

Mat 13:52 So Jesus said to them, "That is why every writer who has become a disciple of Christ’s rule of the universe is like a homeowner. He liberally hands out new and old things from his great treasure store.”

(͡° ͜ʖ ͡°)

Contacts for Aramis Thorn:

Support Page on Patreon: www.patreon.com/aramisthorn

Novels: From My Publisher or on Amazon          

Web Page:  www.aramisthorn.com

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This BLOG:  http://aramisthorn.blogspot.com/ 

Carrying Christmas in my Heart ~ Stand for Right

Happy Christmas Dear Reader,

Today is the day that we honor Thomas Becket.  He was the Archbishop of Canterbury during the 12^th century.   What he did that matters is that he stood firmly against the idea that the state can order the church in matters of faith and practice.  Whether you think he was right or not, he was murdered in the church for his position.   This was done by the vassals of King Henry II.

Much of what we think about church and state is rooted in these events.  I would say that one of the vital things to consider is that the state must never impose itself in the matter of personal freedom as regards faith and practice.  It seems that the abuses of the past by the church and the abandonment of Christ as influencing the state has caused us to get it the wrong way round.   I am not saying that the church should govern the state but it must, through good character and right action have influence. 

We must be so good and loving to others that our collective example influences the state.  Instead of marching, shouting, judging, and protesting, the church should be leading by loving examples of service and care.   If we feel that something is wrong, we should be the example of how to use love, generosity, kindness, and compassion to solve the problem.  The church should be the safest, most loving, and non-judgmental place to go when there is need.

At this point, if we are to carry Christmas in our hearts all year round, we must become the people known by their love.  We must become the example of social justice and advocate actors for the common good.  Instead, Dear Reader, we are more concerned about our half-caf, double-sweet, soy-milk latte than we are about the homeless man sitting on the sidewalk outside of the coffee shop.  We cannot be this way and hope to represent all that Christmas is to others.

Wishing you joy in the journey,

Aramis Thorn

Mat 13:52 So Jesus said to them, "That is why every writer who has become a disciple of Christ’s rule of the universe is like a homeowner. He liberally hands out new and old things from his great treasure store.”

(͡° ͜ʖ ͡°)

Contacts for Aramis Thorn:

Support Page on Patreon: www.patreon.com/aramisthorn

Novels: From My Publisher or on Amazon          

Web Page:  www.aramisthorn.com

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Carrying Christmas in my Heart ~ The Innocent Among Us

Happy Christmas Dear Reader,

My intent is not to put taint into the joy we carry.  If, however, it is going to be complete then we must face certain realities.  The fourth day of Christmas is dedicated to remembering the innocent lives that were lost because of Herod’s madness at the birth of Christ.

What I am pondering today as I drive is that we live in a world where it is allowable to treat innocent children with anything less than love, compassion, and care.  Whether it is refugees at our border, our own minor citizens, or defenseless children in the womb, we fail to protect the innocent among us.  I will not argue the politics of any of this with you.  That is a smokescreen that allows us to accept harm and death as a matter of course.  “Are there no prisons?  Are there no workhouses?”

I cannot say what we should do but I know we are not doing enough.  Children were welcomed by Christ and we should do the same.  There is no acceptable reason for those who claim to love Christ and follow him allowing children to be mistreated in any way no matter what human law makes it acceptable.  The spirit of this age is to treat children as optional, disposable inconveniences. 

We have not done enough until we realize that every child is our responsibility.   Every life matters equally.   There is always time to make Christmas live by protecting the innocent in our midst.  I am not angry Dear Reader.  I am serious.  This raises its head in every generation in some way.  Whether it is the children in Bethlehem, those in Nazi concentration camps or American Internment camps, or those in clinics in every city, the sacrifice of innocent lives for any purpose is wrong.

Today we remember that we will not get away with it.  The Father will hold us to account.  If we are to carry Christmas every day, there must be no room for ignorance and want when it comes to children.  They are not merely surplus population.  We owe them all the love we have at every turn.  Every child is ours.

Spirit of the Age – Michael Card

I thought that I heard crying coming through my door

Was it Rachel weeping for her sons who were no more

Could it have been the babies crying for themselves?

Never understanding that they died for someone else

A voice is heard of weeping and of wailing

History speaks of it on every page

Of innocent and helpless little babies

Offerings to the spirit of the age

No way of understanding this sad and painful sign

Whenever Satan rears his head, there comes a tragic time

If He could crush the cradle, then that would stop the cross

He knew that once the Light was born, his every hope was lost

A voice is heard of weeping and of wailing

History speaks of it on every page

Of innocent and helpless little babies

Offerings to the spirit of the age

Now every age has heard it, this voice that speaks from Hell

Sacrifice your children and for you, it will be well

The subtle serpent's lying, his dark and ruthless rage

Behold, it is revealed to be the spirit of the age

A voice is heard of weeping and of wailing

History speaks of it on every page

Of innocent and helpless little babies

Offerings to the spirit of the age

Soon all the ones who seemed to die for nothing

Will stand beside the ancient of days

With joy, we'll see that Infant from a manger

Come and crush the spirit of the age

We'll see Him crush the spirit of the age

Wishing you joy in the journey,

Aramis Thorn

Mat 13:52 So Jesus said to them, "That is why every writer who has become a disciple of Christ’s rule of the universe is like a homeowner. He liberally hands out new and old things from his great treasure store.”

(͡° ͜ʖ ͡°)

Contacts for Aramis Thorn:

Support Page on Patreon: www.patreon.com/aramisthorn

Novels: From My Publisher or on Amazon          

Web Page:  www.aramisthorn.com

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This BLOG:  http://aramisthorn.blogspot.com/ 

Carrying Christmas in my Heart ~ The Third Day…

Happy Christmas Dear Reader,

Much more than three French hens come to mind today.  In the Liturgical Calendar, today is the feast day for the Apostle John.   The tradition is to drink a mulled wine made with cloves, cinnamon, cardamom, and red wine. 

What I wish to see is that this fisherman managed to become close friends with Jesus and was the only Apostle who was present at the crucifixion.  He was also the first Apostle at the tomb after being informed by Mary that Jesus had risen. This comes to mind each time I think about the “third day” of Christmas.

The cross lays before the cradle and it is John who helps us understand that this is all an act of love from the Father.  “For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him shall not perish but have everlasting life.”  He understood that the death of Christ is an act of love so that anyone who wishes might have redemption through faith.

We cloud this with what people should and should not do.  We weigh one sin as heavier than another and dismiss entire groups of people from the love of God when it is clear that his love is for anyone who will accept it.  This does not make sin allowable, It is, however, clear that anyone who wishes, has access to redemption. 

All the half-price chocolate and discount decorations may be gone from the shops.  People are already putting Christmas away.  The closing of the year is upon us.  There is still and abundance of the Father’s love for “whosoever will”.  The entire human race is included in “whosoever will.”  That love, Dear Reader, will never be in short supply.  I challenge you to read John’s writings and see the love he evidences from Jesus to us.  The world sorely needs it.

Wishing you joy in the journey,

Aramis Thorn

Mat 13:52 So Jesus said to them, "That is why every writer who has become a disciple of Christ’s rule of the universe is like a homeowner. He liberally hands out new and old things from his great treasure store.”

(͡° ͜ʖ ͡°)

Contacts for Aramis Thorn:

Support Page on Patreon: www.patreon.com/aramisthorn

Novels: From My Publisher or on Amazon          

Web Page:  www.aramisthorn.com

Bookings: aramisthorn@aramisthorn.com

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This BLOG:  http://aramisthorn.blogspot.com/ 

Carrying Christmas in my Heart ~ Promises To Keep

Happy Boxing Day Dear Reader,

For those who do not know, today is the day where household servants were given a holiday and boxes of gifts from their employers.  It is also the beginning of the celebration of the twelve days of Christmas.  In The United States we have lost the deep meanings of Christmas in many ways and, therefore, see Christmas Day as the culmination of a celebration instead of the beginning of one.

You see, we are being cheated out of eleven more days of celebration.  Today is Saint Stephen’s Day and commemorates the man who was killed by Paul and others for his faith in Christ.  It is the day referred to in the song Good King Wenceslas.  It is the day that we remember that following Christ has promises in it as well as a cost. 

Celebrating Christ attaches us to the promises that the incarnation holds.  We are heirs to the redemption of the cross heralded and made possible by the cradle.  The promise that all will be made good again, that man’s striving will cease are all held in the days that unfold before us, marching us to that day when Christmas comes to stay. 

Instead of turning our minds toward sales, “getting back to normal”, and resolutions we will not keep, perhaps we can dwell on carrying Christmas a little longer.  My intent is to develop that over the next twelve days.  Hopefully, I will have an epiphany by then as to how I will carry Christmas in my writing whilst attending to other subjects.  I know that I have things in place to keep it at the forefront for me.  We will revisit it from time-to-time.

For today, let us joyfully remember that there are promises held in Christmas that can bring us joy all year long.  There are within those promises a cost as well.  The great celebration always heralds the journey to the crucifixion.  Like so many other things, we do not want to think about the shadow in the smiles of Christmas, but the Father wants us to see it all with joy.  That baby in the manger becomes the man who gives his life for our reclamation.  It is worth the time to celebrate.  It is how I intend to close the old year and open the new from now on. 

The promises of Christmas are rich and deep.  They are intended for everyone.  We cannot buy them as Christ has already purchased them for us.  They are not cheap and never go on sale.  No one is worthy of them but Jesus intends them for us all to enjoy.  This is the dream we seek whether we know it or not Dear Reader.  Before you settle in for your long winter’s nap, remember that the fullness of time is running to the day when time runs out and all things are as the Father intends them to be for us.  That is truly worth celebrating for a fortnight at least. 

Promises to Keep - Trans-Siberian Orchestra

Christmas time
On a cold December morning
All is calm
And the world is still asleep
Christmas lights
That have been caught without warning
Gently glitter on
Stars to wish upon
All the world is at peace

Christmas time and the year will soon be leaving
Cloaked in time till it's just a memory
Christmas stays if we don't forget its meaning
Days go quickly by
Years they multiply
And we go searching for thee

And the dream is still alive
From that first December morning
And it always will survive
As long as we can see
That the dreams we find in life
Are the dreams we tend to seek
And Christmas has its promises to keep

Christmas time
And the moments just beginning
From last night
When we'd wished upon a star

If our kindness
This day is just pretending
If we pretend long enough
Never giving up
It just might be who we are

Wishing you joy in the journey,

Aramis Thorn

Mat 13:52 So Jesus said to them, "That is why every writer who has become a disciple of Christ’s rule of the universe is like a homeowner. He liberally hands out new and old things from his great treasure store.”

(͡° ͜ʖ ͡°)

Contacts for Aramis Thorn:

Support Page on Patreon: www.patreon.com/aramisthorn

Novels: From My Publisher or on Amazon          

Web Page:  www.aramisthorn.com

Bookings: aramisthorn@aramisthorn.com

Facebook       Twitter        

Medium          Instagram 

This BLOG:  http://aramisthorn.blogspot.com/ 

Carrying Christmas in my Heart ~ This is Why We Joy

Happy Christmas Dear Reader,

I spent the evening with my Sons, Grandsons, and their friends before setting out to deliver gifts.  As I write this, I am still filled with joy from seeing family happy in their element.  The joy I feel this morning, however, is far deeper than that.

The entire reason for Christmas is that the Father wishes for us to have joy as we journey back to him.  No matter our circumstance or situation, we can find joy in Christ.  We can see the expressed love of the Father in the gift of the Son.  This is the gift, the promise, and the joy that we carry Dear Reader.  We need to carry this into the year and be aware that every encounter is an opportunity to share that joy.

I have to find my joy in the promises of Christmas by remembering that all the things that try us throughout the year will be solved when we reach that place where it is always Christmas.  Until I do, I intend to strive to keep Christmas in my heart every day of the year.  So, it is with great joy that I remind you of the good tidings recorded for us by Luke.

Luke 2:1-20

2 And it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be taxed. (And this taxing was first made when Cyrenius was governor of Syria.)  And all went to be taxed, every one into his own city. And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judaea, unto the city of David, which is called Bethlehem; (because he was of the house and lineage of David:), To be taxed with Mary his espoused wife, being great with child.  And so it was, that, while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered.  And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn.  And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night.  And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid.  And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord. And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.  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, good will toward men. And it came to pass, as the angels were gone away from them into heaven, the shepherds said one to another, Let us now go even unto Bethlehem, and see this thing which is come to pass, which the Lord hath made known unto us. And they came with haste and found Mary, and Joseph, and the babe lying in a manger. And when they had seen it, they made known abroad the saying which was told them concerning this child. And all they that heard it wondered at those things which were told them by the shepherds. But Mary kept all these things and pondered them in her heart.  And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, as it was told unto them.

Christmas Song – Jethro Tull

Once in Royal David's City stood a lowly cattle shed,

Where a mother laid her baby.

You'd do well to remember the things He later said.

When you're stuffing yourselves at the Christmas parties,

You'll laugh when I tell you to take a running jump.

You're missing the point I'm sure does not need making;

That Christmas spirit is not what you drink.

So how can you laugh when your own mother's hungry

And how can you smile when the reasons for smiling are wrong?

And if I messed up your thoughtless pleasures,

Remember, if you wish, this is just a Christmas song.

Hey, Santa... pass us that bottle, will you?

Wishing you joy in the journey,

Aramis Thorn

Mat 13:52 So Jesus said to them, "That is why every writer who has become a disciple of Christ’s rule of the universe is like a homeowner. He liberally hands out new and old things from his great treasure store.”

(͡° ͜ʖ ͡°)

Contacts for Aramis Thorn:

Support Page on Patreon: www.patreon.com/aramisthorn

Novels: From My Publisher or on Amazon          

Web Page:  www.aramisthorn.com

Bookings: aramisthorn@aramisthorn.com

Facebook       Twitter        

Medium          Instagram 

This BLOG:  http://aramisthorn.blogspot.com/ 

Carrying Christmas in my Heart ~ A Family Reunion

Happy Christmas Dear Reader,

I am staying in a nice hotel.  It has that old hotel feel where they call you Mr. Thorn, the staff is over-attentive, and any request is their joy to fulfill. It is not cheap but it is not expensive either. 

No, I am not writing a travel review.  There is a very large family staying here and they are having a family reunion.  Last evening, they were celebrating in the large breakfast area where the hotel provides a sumptuous free breakfast each morning.  I discovered this when I went to get some tea.

One of the younger men was dressed in a set of elf pajamas.  Several of his peers were teasing him.  I had just come in from running errands and still had on my Santa hat and Christmas scarf.  I stopped and said, “You look good enough to be one of MY elves. Merry Christmas.”

Several small children heard this and immediately crowded around me.  The elf looked at me and looked at them.  Smiling, mischief in his eyes, he said, “Santa, perhaps my young cousins could get a picture with you.”

There was no way to deny this.  We took a few pictures and I was trying to escape to my room.  I wished to eat and still wanted that cup of tea.  An elderly woman, who I was to learn is the matriarch for the family came up to me and smiled.   She wanted her picture taken with Santa as well.  After the picture, she insisted I “fix a plate” and eat with her.  I agreed and sat to listen to her family history.

Over the meal, I made some children happy, ate some good soul food, and made about a hundred new friends.  I spoke about my Children and Grand Children.  Toby, the elf said he wanted to read my books (he had internet stalked me whilst I was eating).  To his credit, he knew that Aramis was one of the Three Musketeers.

On Christmas Eve, I wish for us to remember that we are all headed toward a reunion.  When we get to the place where it is always Christmas, there is a big dinner planned.  You will get to meet my Grandfather of whom I write so often.  In expectation of that time is why I strive to carry Christmas in my heart always. 

Seeing this family sharing so much joy and giving them a little of my time reminded me why that practice is so vital.  I made a young man feel valued for who he is, gave some children a bit of wonder, and heard the story of a woman just two generations from slavery.  Investing in others is always a benefit to us Dear Reader.  There is always time to be a present for others by reuniting with them free from malice or resentment.  There is always a good reason to practice what will one day be our reality. 

I still have presents to prepare and a sleigh to load.  Enjoy your family and know that I wish your Christmas to be filled with wonder and joy.

Wishing you joy in the journey,

Aramis Thorn

Mat 13:52 So Jesus said to them, "That is why every writer who has become a disciple of Christ’s rule of the universe is like a homeowner. He liberally hands out new and old things from his great treasure store.”

(͡° ͜ʖ ͡°)

Contacts for Aramis Thorn:

Support Page on Patreon: www.patreon.com/aramisthorn

Novels: From My Publisher or on Amazon          

Web Page:  www.aramisthorn.com

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This BLOG:  http://aramisthorn.blogspot.com/ 

Carrying Christmas in my Heart ~ Wrapping Gifts

Happy Christmas Dear Reader,

Some years ago, a friend gave me perhaps the most beautifully wrapped gift I have ever seen.  The paper was heavy foil wrapping with wreaths made of roses and small trees to accent.  The ribbon and bow were the same gold as the trim on the wreaths and trees.  The present looked more like a catalog entry than a real thing.  My words do not do justice to the effort put into creating such a beautiful package.

It was not lost on me that this beauty was created for the purpose of being destroyed.  It was a moment in time captured by someone with skill in wrapping gifts far beyond mine.  I heard this person express that she takes so much effort to wrap gifts because it shows that she cares.  Obviously, the effort was not wasted as I was very impressed.

Still, it makes me wonder about how much effort we put into things.  As much as I loved the wrapping and the gift it contained, I later in the day overheard that same person say something very unkind about me to someone else.  It began a practice for me that I wish to pass on so that I may help in carrying Christmas in our hearts.

As I alluded before, I am terrible at wrapping gifts.  It is a skill that I have never mastered.  What I do instead is seriously ponder the person as I wrap the gift.  I search my mind for anything that I may hold against him or her to assure that I have forgiven anything that may be between us.  I pray for that person specifically as I cut paper with no hope of a straight line, fold irregular corners, and apply miles of tape.  I ponder the things I love about that person that caused me to choose the gift.

You may wonder how this translates into carrying Christmas the entire year.  If we put into practice intentional forgiveness, awareness of the value others to the Father, and needs that person may have, we can begin to do this in every endeavor.  I spent some hours wrapping gifts yesterday.  I found thoughts about the people for whom I prepared the gifts pleasant and exciting.  Many of us will be trying to get those last items wrapped and ready today and tomorrow.  Perhaps being intentional about our thoughts for others during this time will bring us more peace Dear Reader.

Wishing you joy in the journey,

Aramis Thorn

Mat 13:52 So Jesus said to them, "That is why every writer who has become a disciple of Christ’s rule of the universe is like a homeowner. He liberally hands out new and old things from his great treasure store.”

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