The Road to Bethlehem – Where are You, Christmas

Merry Christmas Dear Reader,

I have been besieged by a fever and a cold.  Being abed for these few days has not been my plan.   It is, however, necessary.   For good or ill I have made myself rest.  Those who know me understand that I do not like extra sleep. 

As I ponder the time needed for other things I consider that would rather be at work and about my other errands.  If I am to be healthy later, however, I must rest now.  So I spend the time resting and praying.  I spend it praying for those in need.  I spend it praying for those for whom the Christmas spirit is illusive. 

Sometimes I am more burdened for those who find Christmas hard to grasp than any others.  This is when we should celebrate hope and the beginning of our redemption.  I may never know the impact of my prayer but I know that it has impact.  

Today Dear Reader, as you move through your day take the time to look for Christmas.  Make the moments shine for others when you can.  Realize that the joy in the journey is always the joy of Christmas. 

Where are you Christmas – Faith Hill

Oh, hmm

Where are you Christmas

Why can't I find you

Why have you gone away

Where is the laughter

You used to bring me

Why can't I hear music play

My world is changing

I'm rearranging

Does that mean Christmas changes too

Where are you Christmas

Do you remember

The one you used to know

I'm not the same one

See what the time's done

Is that why you have let me go

Christmas is here

Everywhere, oh

Christmas is here

If you care, oh

If there is love in your heart and your mind

You will feel like Christmas all the time

Oh, I feel you Christmas

I know I've found you

You never fade away, oh

The joy of Christmas

Stays here inside us

Fills each and every heart with love

Where are you Christmas

Fill your heart with love

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 home owner. He liberally hands out new and old things from his great treasure store.”

(͡° ͜ʖ ͡°)

The Road to Bethlehem – Changes Impending

Merry Christmas Dear Reader,

Saint Nicholas Day has passed.   Decorations are decorating my home.  Snow is on the ground.  I am a week and a bit out from time off for good behavior.  I will spend my days writing and as much time with my Children and Grand Children as possible. 

The changes I hope to make require planning and effort.  More importantly they require that I follow Christ as closely as possible.  They require wisdom and thought.  They require selflessness. 

In this season of celebration, we always do it with the specter of the new year looming in the background.  We must plan parts of the journey if they are to be successful.  We must risk, sacrifice, and give to get where we want.  

We must also do it all in faith.   Whatever we do not do in faith is wrong.  And so we come to it.  That small girl in that small town in an ancient world found her life changed.   The road to Bethlehem starts with the announcement from an angel.  It is the news that is meant for joy.  It is in a time where her circumstance makes it fearful.

In Mary’s simple “as the Lord wills” everything changes.  In a moment everything becomes possible.  The impending changes will involve sorrow and pain.  They will also yield so much love and hope.  As we journey to Bethlehem we must constantly consider the woman who is the first to be changed by what is to come.  It always starts with this; one person willing to begin.  A baby changes everything…

A Baby Changes Everything – Faith Hill

Teenage girl, much too young

Unprepared for what's to come

A baby changes everything

Not a ring on her hand

All her dreams and all her plans

A baby changes everything

A baby changes everything

The man she loves she's never touched

How will she keep his trust?

A baby changes everything

A baby changes everything

And she cries!

Ooh, she cries

Ooh, oh

She has to leave, go far away

Heaven knows she can't stay

A baby changes everything

She can feel He's coming soon

There's no place, there's no room

A baby changes everything

A baby changes everything

And she cries!

And she cries!

Oh, she cries

gather 'round

(Up above the star shines down) star shines down

(A baby changes everything)

Choir of angels sing

Glory to the newborn King

A baby changes everything

A baby changes everything

Everything, everything, everything

Hallelujah

Hallelujah

Hallelujah

Hallelujah

My whole life has turned around

I was lost but now I'm found

A baby changes everything, yeah

A baby changes everything

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 home owner. He liberally hands out new and old things from his great treasure store.”

(͡° ͜ʖ ͡°)

Why I love Christmas – Christmas Stories

Happy Christmas Dear Reader,

In my library I have several books of Christmas stories.   Dickens is of course among my favorites.  I think that “A Christmas Carol” gets so much attention that some of the others get overlooked.  “The Chimes” if you have not read it is a beautiful tale. 

Other stories that surround the history and spirit of this season drift through my thoughts.  I reread my favorites.  I write short stories that I hope to someday share with you Dear Reader.  It is in the telling of Christmas stories that we share the ultimate Christmas story.

All good stories become part of his story.  Everything about the spirit of giving and the hope for humans runs back to the stable in Bethlehem where hope was born.  All that the world needs transects at the pinch in the hourglass.  Time was full.  The world was ready and God had promises to keep. 

The cascade of events that would lead to the cross and empty tomb begin in that moment when the angels announced the birth to shepherds.  All Christmas stories flow from the angel’s words, “For unto you is born this day in the city of David, a Saviour, who is Christ the Lord.”

That baby in that stable in that city changed everything.  God already knew every tale that would flow from this event to proclaim the good news of great joy.  The world is changed forever by this primary Christmas story.  I am changed forever by it.  Maybe there is always time for one more Christmas tale.

A Baby Changes Everything – Faith Hill

Teenage girl, much too young

Unprepared for what's to come

A baby changes everything

Not a ring on her hand

All her dreams and all her plans

A baby changes everything

A baby changes everything

The man she loves she's never touched

How will she keep his trust?

A baby changes everything

A baby changes everything

And she cries!

Ooh, she cries

Ooh, oh

She has to leave, go far away

Heaven knows she can't stay

A baby changes everything

She can feel He's coming soon

There's no place, there's no room

A baby changes everything

A baby changes everything

And she cries!

And she cries!

Oh, she cries

Shepherds all gather 'round

Up above the star shines down

A baby changes everything

Choir of angels sing

Glory to the newborn King

A baby changes everything

A baby changes everything

Everything, everything, everything

Hallelujah

Hallelujah

Hallelujah

Hallelujah

My whole life has turned around

I was lost but now I'm found

A baby changes everything, yeah

A baby changes everything

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 home owner. He liberally hands out new and old things from his great treasure store." 

( ͡° ͜ʖ ͡°)