Get Ready, It Is Coming

Today starts the random Christmas pictures. So, you are going to have to periodically check the site because my pictures rock (well, they rock in a kinda scary, guard the kids kinda way). Enough of that, now to the meat and potatoes.

Yesterday some one posed the question to me, "what traditions do you have for Christmas?" I easily rattled off things like, Christmas Eve with the cousins, Cliff house biscuits on Christmas morning, Santy Clause, and etc. There was a brief discussion amongst us sharing ideas and funny stories. Then the question, "What traditions do you have for the Birth of Christ?" That one hit me like a ton of bricks. My mind raced trying to find a definitive answer that didn't leave me looking or feeling shallow. The best I could come up with was the nifty advent calendars we use to read every night before going to bed. You know, the ones with the little windows and the "divine" chocolate you get, marking the victory of patiently, and some times not so patiently, sitting through the story. But, that happened years ago...like ten years ago. Then I realized I didn't have any real traditions or special methods of bring Christ into the world. Of course there are the services and carols and other highly marketed Christmas musts, but personally there is nothing. So much of the month is focused on year-end quotas, dodging Christmas Crazies (as I have deemed them) while shopping, and finding that one perfect gift for the twenty some odd people on my list. But, were does that leave the birth of the Messiah? Trying smiling after figuring that out.

I am not saying I am completely void of spirituality around this time of year. Far from it, in fact. But there is not that one thing I long to do or wait for... Right now I am listening to the KLOVE radio station on-line. They are playing Heart of Worship. One of may favorites. The verse goes "I am coming back to the Heart of Worship and it is all about you, it's all about you Jesus. I'm sorry Lord for the thing I've made, cause it's all about You." Talk about perfect timing, or God's presence in your life even when you don't know it. Wrapped in that blanket of Love and Grace. Man it's amazing. I have to listen to the end of the song... Wow, awesome...Time to make a change.

So, I shout it now from the mountain top, or the Top of my office chair...Family beware, this year I am introducing a Christ centered tradition for years to come. Now I don't know what it is going to be just yet, mostly because I just sat down today and started typing, but I will have one, and next year I am going to add another one. Eventually buying presents, work, and the Christmas Crazies will only be a by product of the Coming Of Christ, God the Son, the Messiah. Oh, yeah.


Now, I leave you with the First Wish of a Happy Christmas, from Mine/Me, to Yours: I call this Home Cooking.