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We must confess, in our zeal to re-invent the Christmas card, we have inadvertently created what Jim is now calling, the Christmas newsletter on steroids! That was not our intent; but it's where we are.....and it's only December 18th. So, at this point, I will take it over the top and give you an assignment. Today's post begs a reply from you.

Beth Moore is my current favorite Bible teacher. She and her daughters posted this Christmas questionnaire and I thought it bore repeating. My mom is infamous for posing a "profound question" at the dinner table which everyone must go around and answer in turn. Since they often fall in the same category as the following, Jim and my jeering response is, "We'll decide whether it's profound or not."

To relieve any pressure, I would simply call these fun for the whole family. You decide how profound you want your answer to be! As Reid often says, "Come on, don't be shy." And as Allie recently told a friend who is fed up with their militaristic soccer coach, "I don't quit." I figure if I can get Jim, Allie, and Reid to reply, that's four more day's posts! Benny would make five. And Christmas is just 7 days away.

Here are mine. Will you give us yours in a comment? Just click on "comments" and share your 7 answers.

1. Favorite ornament

many, but this angel that I've re-glued multiple times because it reminds me of the Neopolitan tree at The Met in New York
2. Favorite tradition

waiting at the top of the stairs at Nana's in Sandusky; my aunts and uncles required all the cousins to do this when we were children so they could turn lights on, put batteries in, start the coffee and get the obligatory photo before we all descended to unwrap presents. The multiple photos capturing it make it all worthwhile in retrospect. (Where are those, anyway?)

3. Favorite gift ever received

cross country skis from Jim because I was NOT expecting them at all and he stretched me to new limits believing my potential for the future; coffee table art books from my mom because they broke from her normally practical nature in a streak of decadence and appreciation of beauty

4. Favorite Christmas meal

turkey with nouveau gourmet variations on the traditional, like brussel sprouts with orange glaze or mashed sweet potatoes and rutabagas or cornbread/sausage/chestnut dressing or pumpkin cheesecake with ginger snap crust

5. Favorite Christmas cookie

powdered pistachio mexican wedding cookies to eat; gingerbread men to look at

6. Favorite place to be

home in our living room Christmas Eve around the fireplace with salade Nicoise each opening one gift

7. Favorite memory

waking up to heavy snow falling outside the windows at the Moriarty's in Chagrin Falls and the exuberant sledding that ensues afterward down their hill

Anticipation is half the fun of any celebration. The other half may be memory.

2008 in Review: Fall

This September Allie started at a new private high school in our area, Pacific Ridge. She is loving the increased challenge across the board. Their hallmarks are academic excellence, ethical responsibility, and global engagement. Her faith is growing in new ways (despite leaving the Christian school) as are her soccer skills, dramatic reading, Harkness discussion ability and writing proficiency.















Which do you prefer, the spiffy new uniform or the Jack Johnson tour t-shirt and earbuds?
















We spent a weekend up in the mountains with Benny.

Andrea and her mom celebrated their November birthdays at Lake Austin Spa. We did not wear towels the entire time--just when paparazzi approached. When I received the following photos on my phone, I figured Jim must have everything under control at home.

Our year is sprinkled with musical events, like this San Diego Youth Symphony concert in October.


Allie is there in the white blouse, second to last row! See her with the flute?

Reid performed at the San Diego Walk Now for Autism event with his band, The Kingsmen, as well as with the In Harmony Band, Kibbles Rockin' Clubhouse and as a soloist. He can't get enough time in front of an audience so says yes to everyone who asks.

Including the music director at our church! We are grateful for his encouragement and interest in the band. He made it possible for them to record a CD in the sanctuary (above, Reid must have goofed) and play as guests during Advent at all three services. He recognizes the unique message these guys deliver especially in a church setting. Check them out on www.myspace.com/kingsmensandiego

The Gift of Song

Someone, who shall remain nameless, made us a priceless gift one year of a spiral bound book titled, Celebrate With Song. In it, were 50+ pages of Christmas carol lyrics. She spent hours poring over lyrics online to create a book of favorites for us. Each season, the kids initiate a session of singing through that book, a capella usually. It was a very thoughtful, useful and touching handmade gift that has kept on giving.

My favorite Christmas songs are the ones that tell the story of the first Christmas and are obscure enough to not have been overplayed and become cliche. I was able to find a few, like Ding Dong Merrily on High, and I Saw Three Ships Come Sailing In, to put on the green cassette in the sidebar. Have you figured out how to turn that on? (Click the > icon. You can advance it >> and pause it too, as you wish.)

Other favorites are The Little Drummer Boy and The Friendly Beasts for the same reason. They not only bring the nativity story to my mind but also dramatize it for children. I never tire of watching this version of The Little Drummer Boy video, which would explain why our VHS literally wore out.




Music is the language of our souls. With it we express things that won't come out any other way. "It is not necessary that you understand," as the magi tells heartbroken little Aaron.

Another New York City memory indelibly marked on my mind is the Messiah Sing-In we attended at Avery Fisher Hall, Lincoln Center. I have looked and looked for one in every city since to no avail. An usher handed us the entire score of Handel's music as we took our seats. Then, with the utmost respect and expectation of excellence, the conductor directed the audience of paying patrons to sing that magnum opus with a full orchestra and professional soloists. It was incredible and remains one of the ways I picture heaven: unceasing praise and worship with choirs of angels.

God inhabits the praises of His people. If you want to feel His presence, praise Him and He'll take up residence.

On the turntable...

After years of culling through album bins, CD collections and hard drives... here is one must-have for your Christmas collection.

HAVE YOURSELF A JAZZY LITTLE CHRISTMAS. (verve)

I went through a jazz phase years ago and one of the lessons I learned during that time is that ANY recording put out on the Verve label is solid. This is no exception to that rule.

Another truism is that most holiday music is smaltzy, derivative... unrefined. This group of recordings is the opposite of that, it's fun and builds on the classic feel of the tunes. Jimmy Smith on the Hammond organ doing Jingle Bells... Billie Holiday... Ella... they are the heavyweights of jazz.

These songs remind me of an event Andy and I went to when we lived in NYC, the Jazz Nativity. Jazz musicians (and tap dancers) would come forward and give baby Jesus their gifts (sax solos, etc). If you can't get yourself to NYC for the Jazz Nativity, get this instead.
To purchase.
Info. Verve. (listen to the entire CD here)
Buy. Amazon. itunes.

Christmas is about something new, something wild... something other-worldly. The Jazz Nativity event was that for me. The truth is that I'd point you to that event above suggesting you buy this disc but I'm guessing that's unrealistic.

I remember sitting in the pews of St. Bart's on Park Avenue... a cavernous space... watching a tap dancer's shadow shrink from 100 feet tall to 6 feet tall as he tapped down the aisle on his way to present his gift to the Christ child. It all came together for me. We each have gifts as unique as our fingerprints. They are ours to give away.

This set of recordings is the next best thing to Jazz Nativity.