Thursday, November 29, 2007

Such a Time as This

We lead a Bible study each week for a group of teenagers and are pausing in our study of Romans for a look at the Christmas story. Tonight we studied the first chapter of Luke, including the telling of the future births of John the Baptist and Jesus.

It is very interesting reading the accounts now that I am pregnant. I was particularly struck by what was told to Zechariah about his son, John. Gabriel told him, "Many of the people of Israel will he bring back to the Lord their God. And he will go on before the Lord, in the spirit and power of Elijah, to turn the hearts of the fathers to their children and the disobedient to the wisdom of the righteous—to make ready a people prepared for the Lord." (Luke 1:16-17) That is a pretty high calling for Zechariah's son and I cannot imagine what it would be like to be told that my son would be used by God to lead His people in such a way.

It reminds me of when I listened to a teaching from the Old Testament book of Esther when I was just about six weeks pregnant. Esther was a woman used by God to save her people and one of my favorite verses is what is said to her by her cousin: "And who knows but that you have come to royal position for such a time as this?" (Esther 4:14b). I remember at that time wondering what my baby's "time such as this" is? Why did God choose to bring my son to this world at this point in history? What is the plan for his life and how will God choose to use him?

I am so excited to see all that God will do in his life. It causes me to pray for him, that he will be obedient and ready to be used by God. It also encourages me to be a mother that guides him to be a godly man. Because who knows but that he has come to position for such a time as this?

Wednesday, November 28, 2007

What is it all about?

I am full on in the Christmas spirit! I am listening to Christmas music, making my lists and plans, parking my self in front of A Charlie Brown Christmas last night…it is on full swing! We are decorating our home for Christmas this week and that really sets me in a Christmasy mood. It is always a fun time for us and I enjoy the warmth of our apartment.

We are in a new apartment this year so we are trying to decide new places for all of our decorations. I collect nativity scenes and I am beginning to have quite a few. I was struggling to find the best way to display them because I don't like putting a nativity scene next to something like a Santa Claus or snowman. They just don't fit together and something about it looks incorrect so I don’t. It caused me to think about how that applies to this season. I try to mix the meaning and purpose of Christmas in with all of the other secular things and sometimes it just doesn’t fit together. One always ends up distracting from the other and for me, it is unfortunately the spiritual celebration. I know it will only get harder when I have a child next year so I am now trying to make an effort to not let myself get too distracted.

That is what I love about A Charlie Brown Christmas. Charlie gets so fed up with the commercialism and stress of the season and finally cries out “isn’t there anyone out there who can tell me what Christmas is all about?” Charlie has a faithful friend in Linus who very simply tells him what Christmas is all about. It is such a sweet moment and it causes me to think “oh yeah, that is what it is all about.” I love Christmas and wouldn’t ever want to change all that is involved with it. I just want to make sure in all of it, that I remember that all it is really about is fulfillment of God’s promise to bring salvation to his people. After all, “That's what Christmas is all about, Charlie Brown.”

Monday, November 26, 2007

Anticipations

Today I had another appointment with my doctor to see how our little guy is doing. His heartbeat is my favorite sound in the world. It brings such a mix of emotions: amazement that there are two hearts beating inside of me right now, relief that he is healthy and joy at hearing my little boy. I am more impatient by the day for him to arrive!

Now that we know he is a boy and call him by his name, it is even more fun to dream about life with him. I imagine his personality and am so excited to experience life with him. Anything we do now, my husband and I talk about what it will be like next year when we have him. It is amazing that I have not met him but I absolutely love my son and would easily give up my life for him. It is such a wonderous thing.

Friday, November 9, 2007

Thankful for Thanksgiving

Where did Thanksgiving go? I feel like our holidays go straight from Halloween to Christmas, forgetting a special event in November. The grocery store is the only place that you see a hint that another holiday besides Christmas is happening in the next few weeks. All of the stores have their fall decorations on clearance by mid October. The holiday newsletter I get through email goes directly from ideas for a Halloween party to Christmas card designs. And the worst, a local radio station began playing 24 hour Christmas music starting in the second week of November.

Do not get me wrong, I LOVE Christmas. I am not even one of those who complain about Christmas decorations being put up in stores in August and I will even stop and look at them. I don't mind starting to think about Christmas plans, gift ideas and crafts in October. But, I don't want all of that to happen at the expense of Thanksgiving.

Thanksgiving is one of my favorite holidays. Why wouldn't it be? The historical purpose of the holiday is to be thankful for how God has blessed us. It is a government endorsed holiday to express gratefulness. It is a time that I get to be with family and have lots of delicious food. Plus, it has what no other holiday can offer, the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade! I am 25 but I still love watching it every year and it is my dream to see it live one day.

I located the first presidential proclamation for Thanksgiving Day and added it below because I thought it was really nice. Happy Thanksgiving!

THANKSGIVING DAY 1789 BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA - A PROCLAMATION Whereas it is the duty of all Nations to acknowledge the providence of almighty God, to obey his will, to be grateful for his benefits, and humbly to implore his protection and favor - and Whereas both Houses of Congress have by their joint Committee requested me "to recommend to the People of the United States a day of public thanksgiving and prayer to be observed by acknowledging with grateful hearts the many signal favors of Almighty God, especially by affording them an opportunity peaceably to establish a form of government for their safety and happiness." Now therefore I do recommend and assign Thursday the 26th day of November next to be devoted by the People of these States to the service of that great and glorious Being, who is the beneficent Author of all the good that was, that is, or that will be – That we may then all unite in rendering unto him our sincere and humble thanks – for his kind care and protection of the People of this country previous to their becoming a Nation – for the signal and manifold mercies, and the favorable interpositions of his providence, which we experienced in the course and conclusion of the late war –for the great degree of tranquillity, union, and plenty, which we have since enjoyed – for the peaceable and rational manner in which we have been enabled to establish constitutions of government for our safety and happiness, and particularly the national One now lately instituted, for the civil and religious liberty with which we are blessed, and the means we have of acquiring and diffusing useful knowledge; and in general for all the great and various favors which he hath been pleased to confer upon us. And also that we may then unite in most humbly offering our prayers and supplications to the great Lord and Ruler of Nations and beseech him to pardon our national and other transgressions – to enable us all, whether in public or private stations, to perform our several and relative duties properly and punctually – to render our national government a blessing to all the People, by constantly being a government of wise, just, and constitutional laws, discreetly and faithfully executed and obeyed – to protect and guide all Sovereigns and Nations (especially such as have shewn kindness unto us) and to bless them with good government, peace, and concord – To promote the knowledge and practice of true religion and virtue, and the increase of science among them and Us – and generally to grant unto all mankind such a degree of temporal prosperity as he alone knows to be best. Given under my hand at the City of New York the third day of October in the year of our Lord 1789. GO. WASHINGTON.

Wednesday, November 7, 2007

A Little Boy!

We learned last week that we are going to have a son! It was amazing to see him through the sonogram. He has grown so much since the last time we saw him and is absolutely perfect. It was fun to see him moving around, kicking his legs, waving his arms, and (I believe) smiling at us. My husband is certain he was singing! It is fun to daydream of his personality and the joy he will bring to our days.

We heard something on the radio about young men and I told my husband "you have a big job in teaching our little boy." I was teasing at the time but the thought remained with me. I am so grateful that I have a husband who will do such a wonderful job in leading and teaching our son. Not only do I trust his intentions and that it will be a priority to him to be a guide to our son but even more, I know he will be an example of Christian character. I believe that an example has much more lasting impact than words.

My mom told me that having a child will make me love my husband even more. I didn't know that it could start in my pregnancy though. He is so excited about our child and absolutely loves him. His excitement is contagious and makes it clear that he will be an involved daddy. He has been so caring towards me and has been patient and celebrated everything about my pregnancy. I thought about this the other night and was saddened for the families where the father is uninvolved or uninterested. I am so grateful for my husband's excitement and love for our son.

I never thought that I could be as excited as I am about playing with cars and blocks. I am about as girly as they come but I can't wait for the excitement of a little boy in our lives. If he is anything like his daddy, he will bring a lot of joy.