Tuesday, December 22, 2009

birth day

Today, I am sharing a poem that my mom wrote.. It seems appropriate to reflect on birth - the birth of Christ, and the expected birth of a new niece or nephew next July. Especially since receiving good news today of a favorable ultrasound and hearing the baby's heartbeat. Oh, little one - I pray for you each day!

Birth Day by Anne Zimmerman

I am the light of the world.
John 8:12

Fifty years ago,
wondering how to emphasize
the true meaning of Christmas,
I happened to read about
a Baby Jesus Birthday Cake...
So every Christmas, beginning then,
one has been the focus of
our family's Christmas dessert.

Our cake of choice is always the same;
a small (baby size) chocolate layer cake,
chocolate frosted, simple and plain,
just as the stable was simple and plain;
round, as the world is round.

We decorate the top of the cake with
lots of small white birthday candles
to represent the starry sky
the night the Baby was born;
and with a larger white candle in the center,
to represent Christ, the Christmas Star
and the Light of the World.

Christmas Day, at dessert time,
the dinner table cleared, the lights dimmed;
the candle-lit Baby Jesus Birthday Cake
is carried to the table,
while we all join in singing
"Happy birthday to you,
happy birthday to you.
Happy birthday, Baby Jesus,
happy birthday to you."

...Thank you, God
for the gift of your Son...
Baby Jesus.
Hallelujah.

Sunday, December 20, 2009

NewEveryMorning.com




I notice that life has not slowed down one bit since my last post in September. Time to evaluate and prioritize, always a good end-of-year activity.

This morning, I read Lamentations 3:22-23,

Because of the Lord's great love, we are not consumed
For His compassions never fail;
They are new every morning...

I stared at those three words for awhile.

New every morning.
New every morning.
New every morning.

Wouldn't it be amazing to live like I believe it? It's not just when I'm in crisis. It's not just when I am living up to my so-called standards. It's not just when I am living up to God's standards.

God's compassions are a gift, as fresh and new every morning as the snow that laced the trees this morning when I woke up.

Wouldn't it be refreshing to go to a website, www.neweverymorning.com, and revel in the good news of God's love and mercy crowning us? (I actually came downstairs and looked on the computer to see if the domain was available - nope, someone has snagged it already, though it is not in use. Pity.)

New. A fresh start!

Every. Without a doubt; past, present, future!

Morning. Daily!