At school these past few weeks, we have been getting ready for the holidays. One day, we met with our advisory groups to make decorations for our school. We were told we could only use the colors blue, white, and neutral colors on the banners, and the phrase "Peace on Earth". They gave us some drawings we could use as models on the posters. One of the other restrictions, was that we couldn't put any religious symbols on the decorations. The ironic part of this project was that the permitted drawings were a dove, candle, star, and the earth. Those aren't religious at all, are they? I leaned over to one of my Christian friends and said, "How are these not religious?" My friend and I started laughing at the irony of the whole thing. The truth is that no one can escape from God and you can't take the Christ out of Christmas. Even if you can't say "Merry Christmas" (and have to say "Happy Holidays") or can't draw "religious symbols" on posters, God still reveals himself through other things...even at a secular school or anywhere else God isn't welcome.
In the Bible, the magi who were following a star weren't looking for Jesus. They were astronomers and all they cared about was the star. The magi were not believers. They were not even Jewish. Think about that for a second. When I learned this, I was stunned for the rest of the day. I had thought that the wise men were looking for Jesus and they believed he was the Messiah...but they actually were not looking for Jesus. When they saw the baby Jesus lying in the manger, they fell on their knees and worshiped Him and gave Him gifts. Even though they were atheists essentially, they were awestruck by Jesus, the newborn king. To me, that is pretty powerful. This history draws a parallel to what happened at my school. My school tries to "ban" religious symbols but whether you realize or even accept it, Jesus is imminent during Christmastime. Everywhere you go, whether or not you're looking for Him, He is there. You cannot evade God...everyone will eventually face Him sometime. Even if you can't draw religious symbols on posters or say "Merry Christmas," God reveals Himself in amazing ways like He did to the magi. Some people will acknowledge it (like the magi) and others will not accept it (like secular schools) but in the end, God is present to everyone during the holiday season.
1. Favorite ornament: I'm not one to follow the rules when an experience can be enhanced by offering something else. We also have more than 952 ornaments on the tree... so here are my top five in reverse order.
Number 5. Interlocking circles. This is a MoMA ornament we picked up when we lived in NYC. If you're seeking classic modernism, go here. Number 4. 2 cent star. The craft from one of our caroling parties... Allie made this from pipe cleaners and the cheapest possible pony beads from Michaels. I adore it.
Number 3. Christmas imagery, kinda. Another high-concept art piece, I think this was from Oilily
Number 2. Tree trunk plus paint pen. Another craft from another caroling party. I hand sawed slices of Christmas tree trunk (about 1/4" thick), sanded and finished them then the kidlets at the party drew on them. Allie did this one, it's a kid's version of the nativity. Priceless.
Number 1. "Baby's first" life jacket. Don't ask me where this came from because I have no idea. It snuck into the ornament box and found it's way onto the tree. As a kid I'd hang anything I could find on our tree. This is one of those. I love it.
2. Favorite tradition: Ultra-simple Christmas day walks... in the snowy woods behind my childhood home, on the beach or through the lagoon out here in sunny San Diego. Nothing...nothing beats a simple walk through nature in the midst of the hullabaloo. When it's all said and done Christmas has been stolen...it's a miracle in the midst of a retail sham. Don't get me wrong, I like gifts as much as any economy-nudging American...it's simply refreshing to get outside and stretch the legs a bit.
3. Favorite gift: I've been wearing Vans for decades...pretty much everywhere. A few years ago Andy bought me some swank Italian Bruno Magli shoes. They are slip-ons so, on one hand they are similar to the Vans I'm wearing as I type this. On the other hand, they add a level of sophistication of which I'm probably not worthy. I wore them this past week to the Obama transition team meetings; they worked like a charm. They are my favorite because they represent something I'd never have bought for myself.
4. Favorite Christmas meal: I'm not sure how this tradition ever started but somehow we ended up having lasagna for Christmas dinner. I think it's probably due to the fact that I've been hungry since April of 1963...and lasagna is a hearty, filling meal that satisfied my gluttonous appetite. Now that I'm allergic to 75% of the food groups, I'm not sure what we'll have. Thai food seems to be permissible so maybe we'll switch the lasagna out for some Christmas red and green curry.
5. Favorite Christmas cookie: My mom made some pretty sick (in a good way) Mexican wedding cakes. I've never had anything like 'em in any part of Mexico and I'm not sure they even ARE Mexican... but they were tres good.
6. Favorite place to be: In front of a fire in the fireplace. This year I told Andy all I really wanted for Christmas was a 1/2 cord of wood. She granted that wish early so, every night until Christmas we are burning the best smelling pinon logs (and acting out at least one charade per person). Everything slows down when a fire is in the fireplace...and no movie seems worth it when you have to leave the warm room where the fire's burning to go watch it.
7. Favorite memory: Few things are as outside the norm as Christmas through a child's eyes...so my favorite memories are of those years. Being the youngest of five kids...waking up with snow on the ground and tearing wrapping paper like a rabid dog...ah, the days of youth. Now I've taken on the role of my dad--just chilling and gaining pleasure from watching our kidlets open presents. However, my dad outdoes me when it comes to Christmas day wardrobes. Picture Royal Stewart plaid in spades. This picture isn't my family...they may be related to the Halfords. This photo just makes me think of Christmas day...clawing my way out of a sea of wrapping paper...looking up and seeing my dad round the corner, dressed head-to-toe in plaid... singing Bing Crosby tunes.
Benny feels he's blending into the woodwork and hasn't been featured nearly enough in this photo review. He has a point. Truth be told, our faithful mutt could use more exercise and more brushing. To his credit, he has learned to be content in all things.
Allie gets home after dark this winter because of soccer. Jim left work early one day to get a shot of her recent game. She loves the endorphin rush that follows each practice if not the demanding coaches who keep them conditioning rain or shine.
As Reid mentioned in his favorites, Borders bookstore invited The Kingsmen for a second gig, to play their Holiday Party. Reid and his buds brought the crowd some Christmas cheer and had them singing carols. He's stepped into the self-appointed role of "front man," introducing each song and band member from the microphone. His latest tactic is to begin clapping during the last measure of each song as if to cue the audience that it is time they show their appreciation. Wonder where he got this leadership skill?
Here's another great shot from Jim's Camera Bag iphone app. Reid and The Kingsmen played All These Things that I've Done by The Killers at all 3 of our services at church last Sunday. It was an incredible day of experiencing how the Holy Spirit works through resonance; not so much what was said but how it all worked together was powerful. The message by our Pastor Josh, an introduction by Angela Neve, the advent reading Allie did, and the lyrics of this secular song moved like sound waves to illustrate the Advent Conspiracy call to "love all." Truly amazing and masterminded by a God worth yielding to.
As we draw this Christmas Countdown blog to a close I must admit to finding gaps, edits, and multiple ways to rework it...maybe next year? Most notably, I made reference to the Moriarty Family Reunion in Hatteras but never illustrated it. It was a week well worth the decade-long wait to get everyone together in four houses along the Outer Banks. The overabundance of photos taken that week eluded me until now, although I am confident they are stored for eternity on Shutterfly?*! (Turns out they were on Jim's computer.) So, in the spirit of an Endless Summer, I'll conclude the photo montage with these lost and found shots of our week on the Atlantic.
Jim gave everyone tattoos to celebrate the pirate lore of the region; I led a kayak expedition fit for foolhardy die-hards(and took most of the pictures so I'm not in them!).
I'm soooo glad it's finally Christmas break! Homework and soccer were taking up basically all of my social life, so now I actually have time to blog. Here are some of my favorites of Christmastime and I hope you enjoy reading them. 1. Favorite ornament: My favorite ornament is a sparkly, glittery, silver snowflake-ish looking ball that has been my favorite ever since I was little. (Mom always puts it near the top of the tree because its fragile).
2. Favorite tradition: Sitting around the fire eating Nicoise salad on Christmas Eve is one of my favorite traditions. And opening one, and only one, Christmas gift that night. It's always entertaining trying to eat our dinner peacefully before our dog, Benny, eats it from the low coffee table where we have Christmas Eve...good times. I think one year he got part of our food and mom got really mad and shut him in the family room...that was the last time Benny ate dinner with us...
3. Favorite gift: My favorite gift...hmmm...I would have to say last year when my parents allowed me to lease a horse for three months and I got to ride 4x a week. It was one of the best days (and months that followed) of my life. I love riding horses and I adored the horse, Midnight, that I was able to lease. I was thrilled and had a ton of fun riding Midnight around the ranch for the weeks that followed. It was a gift that meant a lot to me and I know it was probably a pain for them to drive me to the ranch during that time because we were really busy.
4. Favorite Christmas meal: This is no competition...my mom's cranberry strudel for breakfast beats anything else we have all year. It's that delicious. Cranberry filling (with nuts) and flaky, buttery, phyllo "crust" surrounding it. I would do almost anything for it.
5. Favorite Christmas cookie: This is a hard one... I would have to say either gingerbread cookies or peppermint bark (from Williams-Sonoma). I absolutely love making gingerbread cookies because they are soooo delicious =) and they're pretty much the only thing I know how to make. Peppermint bark is...well, there's no way to possibly describe the scrumptious taste and smooth texture. So if you've never had peppermint bark, you definitely have to try some. (It's basically layers of milk chocolate and white chocolate and peppermint...what more could you want!)
6. Favorite place to be: For Christmas and Christmas Eve, I love to be in front of the fire with my family in our house in San Diego. But, after Christmas (or before) I am obsessed with snow and I love to be anywhere it snows...Deer Valley, Big Bear, Ohio... Basically anywhere that's cozy and has snow is my favorite place to be.
7. Favorite memory: My favorite memory of Christmas is a couple years ago when I told my family that I wanted to read the Christmas story from the Bible on Christmas Eve. So I got out my Bible and I read the Christmas story from Luke. I don't really know why this memory has stuck with me for so long, but I will always remember reading it to my family. (We should have videotaped it.)
Jim and I get to go out once in awhile now that the kids are staying home alone. This was a fun outdoor wedding overlooking the Pacific. Use your imagination....
Jim continues to thrive in his high profile job as Executive Director of Surfrider Foundation. I bought three frames and hung his smiling face from the various publications in which he's been featured recently. He commanded me to remove from the family room wall immediately. Not his style, but we are proud of him!
He also keeps a low profile at home, especially after the international travel which continues to punctuate our year.
Like Allie, Reid is at a new school. He's made an awesome transition riding the bus and doing homework diligently. He posed with his awesome case manager at back to school night.
I had hoped by now to have outgrown Halloween but instead Allie actually wore her costume to school for the first time. I guess the Cinderella story is timeless. Jim took this early morning shot with one of his many iphone apps.
Way to go everyone on the comments! Reading the numerous contributions Thursday stirred up a lot more memories for me. I appreciate those who took the challenge and highly recommend everyone click on "comments" at the end of the December 18th post to hear what others chimed in. I had totally forgotten the faux green crocodile bedspreads at my grandmother's house! Good times. Wish we were all together in one room--singing carols!
Reid and I sat down before dinner and he offered these answers very directly. Glad I asked! He is so easy to please.
1. Favorite ornament: the golden star
2. Favorite tradition: snow in Ohio
3. Favorite gift: Charlie and the Chocolate Factory video
4. Favorite Christmas meal: bean and cheese burritos
5. Favorite Christmas cookie: the gingerbread man
6. Favorite place to be: the family room watching whatever new DVD I get
I have a confession to make. A few years ago I hacked the concept of the Christmas letter. I conjured up a fictitious family, fabricated their Christmas letter, embellished it with photos I found online, and sent it anonymously to about 50 friends and family from mailboxes outside San Diego. I did all this intentionally to make people stop and wonder.
To sink the hook...each recipient had a customized line in the first few sentences. "If it wasn't for the _____ from _____ I'm not sure we would have made it through the year." The first blank was their last name and the second space was their town. The content of the letter was designed to start slow and burn hotter as it progressed. To this day, only a few people (my own brothers) figured out that I had sent it.
PS. I sent another phony letter out this year, family name: McDooleys.
Christmas isn't about us. I know many of us "know" that... but we all forget it. I'm not against Christmas letters at all, in fact I love the idea of sharing (otherwise this would just be Andy's Twelve Days of Christmas blog). Let's connect... but let's be as real as possible with each other. We are human, we're in an economic meltdown... maybe... just maybe we're in a liiiitle bit better shape than the Halfords.
At school these past few weeks, we have been getting ready for the holidays. One day, we met with our advisory groups to make decorations for our school. We were told we could only use the colors blue, white, and neutral colors on the banners, and the phrase "Peace on Earth". They gave us some drawings we could use as models on the posters. One of the other restrictions, was that we couldn't put any religious symbols on the decorations. The ironic part of this project was that the permitted drawings were a dove, candle, star, and the earth. Those aren't religious at all, are they? I leaned over to one of my Christian friends and said, "How are these not religious?" My friend and I started laughing at the irony of the whole thing. The truth is that no one can escape from God and you can't take the Christ out of Christmas. Even if you can't say "Merry Christmas" (and have to say "Happy Holidays") or can't draw "religious symbols" on posters, God still reveals himself through other things...even at a secular school or anywhere else God isn't welcome.
In the Bible, the magi who were following a star weren't looking for Jesus. They were astronomers and all they cared about was the star. The magi were not believers. They were not even Jewish. Think about that for a second. When I learned this, I was stunned for the rest of the day. I had thought that the wise men were looking for Jesus and they believed he was the Messiah...but they actually were not looking for Jesus. When they saw the baby Jesus lying in the manger, they fell on their knees and worshiped Him and gave Him gifts. Even though they were atheists essentially, they were awestruck by Jesus, the newborn king. To me, that is pretty powerful. This history draws a parallel to what happened at my school. My school tries to "ban" religious symbols but whether you realize or even accept it, Jesus is imminent during Christmastime. Everywhere you go, whether or not you're looking for Him, He is there. You cannot evade God...everyone will eventually face Him sometime. Even if you can't draw religious symbols on posters or say "Merry Christmas," God reveals Himself in amazing ways like He did to the magi. Some people will acknowledge it (like the magi) and others will not accept it (like secular schools) but in the end, God is present to everyone during the holiday season.
