Betty and I fly home today from Nashville. Unfortunately, we have to go through Chicago on our way and there’s no telling what the weather will be.
God willing, we’ll be home tonight.
Here’s Peter, Paul and Mary doing a song by John Denver that we have always loved.
Enjoy.
If you’ve read this blog for any length of time you will know that we love to see our horses at liberty. Horses running, playing and even fighting are thrilling and beautiful all at the same time.
Here’s a video of horses at liberty set to the music of Rascal Flatts.
Enjoy.
This is a repeat of a video I posted last year, but it is so good I wanted to share it again.
Enjoy.
It’s the day after Christmas, but it’s still the Christmas season. John Denver was one of our favorite musician/singers when our kids were growing up. Here’s his Cowboy Christmas song.
Enjoy.
It’s Christmas Day. Betty and I are enjoying our time with our family in Franklin, Tennessee. We’re visiting with Betty’s stepmother, Nita, Betty’s sister, Margie, and her brother Jim and his family. By the time anyone reads this we’ll have opened our presents this morning and enjoyed a late breakfast of Tennessee country ham, biscuits and cheese grits –a family tradition with a definite Southern flavor.
We hope you and yours are enjoying this day as well and we hope we all remember the real reason for the season, the birth of our Lord and Savior Jesus.
But, I also believe we need to occasionally remind ourselves that our Savior’s life that ended with him paying the cost for our sins, started with others paying the cost for his birth – the Holy Innocents.
Matthew 2:1–18 tells this story: Herod was “greatly troubled” when astrologers from the east came asking the whereabouts of “the newborn king of the Jews,” whose star they had seen. They were told that the Jewish Scriptures named Bethlehem as the place where the Messiah would be born. Herod cunningly told them to report back to him so that he could also “do him homage.” They found Jesus, offered him their gifts and, warned by an angel, avoided Herod on their way home. Jesus escaped to Egypt.
Herod became furious and “ordered the massacre of all the boys in Bethlehem and its vicinity two years old and under.” Since Bethlehem was a small town, the number of babies killed was perhaps 20 or 25. The horror of the massacre and the devastation of the mothers and fathers led Matthew to quote Jeremiah: “A voice was heard in Ramah,/sobbing and loud lamentation;/Rachel weeping for her children...” (Matthew 2:18)
Our Lord’s life ended in his blood for others, but as we celebrate this Christmas day may we remember that his life began and was marked by the blood of others. The Christmas story is one of sacrifice from beginning to end.
Have a blessed Christmas.
And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born unto you; he is Christ the Lord. (Luke 2:8-12 )
Most biblical scholars believe that Jesus was born in the spring, perhaps around April by our calendar. One of the clues is what Luke records -- And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night.
During the rest of the year, shepherds would not live out in the fields with their sheep. Spring was the exception as that was the time of lambing and they would live with their flocks to protect the lambs from wild animals who would prey on the small lambs.
At this time, shepherds were among the lowest of the low in Jewish society. They handled unclean animals, including animals who died, and they didn’t have the ability to go through the cleansing ceremonies that were required in Jewish society. So no one of any standing would want to be around shepherds. They were the outcasts of their society.
God in his grace chose these lowest of the lowest to announce the coming of his Son. And what an announcement it was. Can you imagine if you were a shepherd who had done this same thing for many, many years.
It was another of many nights and they expected it to be the same that night and every night to come. The skies were probably dark, clear and full of stars in a way that we can hardly imagine with all the ambient light we have to endure.
Perhaps they had finished their evening meal and were beginning to settle down for their night’s rest, hoping they would not be awakened by the cry of threatened lambs. One or more would stand watch to listen and watch for any sign of an animal who would come to steal a lamb.
Suddenly, before their sleepy eyes, the heavens opened in a glory that we can only pretend to imagine. An angel appeared to them and announced the greatest of all news -- “Today in the town of David a Savior has been born unto you; he is Christ the Lord.”
Notice he did not say, “…a Savior has been born unto the world.” He said specifically that a Savior had been born unto them – lowly shepherds.
The God of the universe, the God of all creation did not announce his coming to kings or nobles. He sent his announcement to the lowest of the low and told them that a Savior was coming specifically to them.
What a Christmas gift.
May you and your family be blessed this Christmas Eve with the knowledge that the Son of God was born to each of you.
"A Different Christmas Poem"
The embers glowed softly, and in their dim light,
I gazed round the room and I cherished the sight.
My wife was asleep, her head on my chest,
My daughter beside me, angelic in rest.
Outside the snow fell, a blanket of white,
Transforming the yard to a winter delight.The sparkling lights in the tree I believe,
Completed the magic that was Christmas Eve.
My eyelids were heavy, my breathing was deep,
Secure and surrounded by love I would sleep.
In perfect contentment, or so it would seem,
So I slumbered, perhaps I started to dream.The sound wasn't loud, and it wasn't too near,
But I opened my eyes when it tickled my ear.
Perhaps just a cough, I didn't quite know,Then the sure sound of footsteps outside in the snow.
My soul gave a tremble, I struggled to hear,
And I crept to the door just to see who was near.Standing out in the cold and the dark of the night,
A lone figure stood, his face weary and tight.
A soldier, I puzzled, some twenty years old,
Perhaps a Marine, huddled here in the cold.
Alone in the dark, he looked up and smiled,
Standing watch over me, and my wife and my child."What are you doing?" I asked without fear,
"Come in this moment, it's freezing out here!
Put down your pack, brush the snow from your sleeve,
You should be at home on a cold Christmas Eve!"
For barely a moment I saw his eyes shift,
Away from the cold and the snow blown in drifts,To the window that danced with a warm fire's light
Then he sighed and he said "Its really all right,
I'm out here by choice. I'm here every night.
It's my duty to stand at the front of the line,
That separates you from the darkest of times.”“No one had to ask or beg or implore me,
I'm proud to stand here like my fathers before me.
My Gramps died at 'Pearl on a day in December,"
Then he sighed, "That's a Christmas 'Gram’ always remembers.
My dad stood his watch in the jungles of ' Nam ',
And now it is my turn and so, here I am.”“I've not seen my own son in more than a while,
But my wife sends me pictures, he's sure got her smile”.
Then he bent and he carefully pulled from his bag,
The red, white, and blue... an American flag.
“I can live through the cold and the being alone,
Away from my family, my house and my home.”“I can stand at my post through the rain and the sleet,
I can sleep in a foxhole with little to eat.
I can carry the weight of killing another,
Or lay down my life with my sister and brother..
Who stand at the front against any and all,
To ensure for all time that this flag will not fall.""So go back inside," he said, "harbor no fright,
Your family is waiting and I'll be all right."
"But isn't there something I can do, at the least,
Give you money," I asked, "or prepare you a feast?
It seems all too little for all that you've done,
For being away from your wife and your son."Then his eye welled a tear that held no regret,
"Just tell us you love us, and never forget.
To fight for our rights back at home while we're gone,
To stand your own watch, no matter how long.
For when we come home, either standing or dead,
To know you remember we fought and we bled.
Is payment enough, and with that we will trust,
That we mattered to you as you mattered to us."
Sleep well.
While we’re gone for Christmas visiting family, I thought I would share this cowboy Christmas song.
Enjoy.
And, on the other end of the serious scale, here’s the Muppets.
Merry Christmas!
One thing some of you may not know about me is I love American Indian flute music. In fact, I own several flutes and love to play around with them when I’m alone or just with Betty. I’m no where near as good as what you’re about to hear.
About half way through the video you’ll see a picture of Ship Rock in Ship Rock, New Mexico.
Enjoy this peaceful and worshipful piece of music.
If you need a little peace in the midst of the Christmas season, grab a cup of coffee or hot chocolate. Turn down the lights. Sit back and enjoy this music.
I don’t know if any of you are vegetarians (or vegans), but I thought this was funny. But, I have an off-kilter sense of humor.
Enjoy.
PS: We’re flying to Nashville, Tennessee today to be with family for the Christmas holidays. We'll return late on New Years Eve
We do have some pre-published posts for you while we're gone -- mostly Christmas stuff, including some neat videos.
So, if you have time, check each day. We have some special thoughts on December 23, Christmas Eve and Christmas Day so we hope you will find time to check out our blog on those special days.
Be good while we're gone and stay out of the cookie jar -- except on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day -- enjoy to your heart's content.
Warmest regards,
Dan & Betty
There are many staples of this season. Some of the most recognizable are the Salvation Army bell ringers. They’re outside grocery stores and malls. They’re collecting donations for a great cause.
But many simply ignore them. New York pranksters Improv Everywhere decided to lend a hand. Without his knowledge, one bell ringer became part of something bigger. This is a really nice video. And it’s a great example of holiday spirit.
Particularly watch the face of the original Salvation Army bell ringer.
Enjoy!
We received the poem below from a family member and thought it was appropriate for all of you who faithfully read this blog.
Christmas List
We have a list of folks we know,
All written in a book.
And every year at Christmastime
We go and take a look.
And that is when we realized that
These names are a part,
Not of the book they’re written in,
But of our very hearts.
For each name stands for someone
Who has crossed our path sometime,
And in that meeting they’ve become
The rhythm of the rhyme.
And while it sounds fantastic
For us to make this claim,
We really feel we are composed of
Each remembered name.
And while you may be aware
Of any special link,
Just meeting you shaped our lives
More than you can think.
For once you’ve met somebody,
The years cannot erase
The memories of a pleasant word
Or of a friendly face.
So never think our Christmas greeting
Is just a mere routine
Of names upon a Christmas list
Forgotten in between.
For when we send a Christmas greeting
That is addressed to you,
It’s because you’re on that list of
Folks we’re indebted to.
For we are but a total of the many
Folks we’ve met,
And you happen to be one of those
We prefer not to forget!
And whether we have known you
For many days or few,
In some way you had a part in
Shaping things we do.
And every year when Christmas comes,
We realize anew
The biggest gift life can give
Is meeting folks like you.
And may the Spirit of Christmas
That forever and ever endures
Leave its richest blessing in
The heart of you and yours.
Author Unknown
My sister, Jane McCauley, is four years older than me. She’s had a series of medical problems, especially over the past decade.
Recently she has been suffering from severe back pain. Recently they discovered that she has a cyst on her spine which is pressing against it. Plus, she has a couple of disks in her lower spine that have degenerated.
This morning she went through back surgery with two surgeons. One removed the cyst from her spine and the other fused the disks in her back.
Amazingly, she’s only supposed to be in the hospital for one night before coming home tomorrow.
Any prayers for safe surgery and quick healing will be greatly appreciated.
Thanks,
Dan
PS: I went to the Pacific Cataract and Laser Institute yesterday to confirm I need cataract surgery in my left eye and I do. It has gotten even worse from a month ago when I saw my eye doctor. In fact, they confirmed that the cataract in my right eye qualifies for surgery and I most likely will have that done in February to just get it all over with. My surgery for the left eye is scheduled for Tuesday, January 12. Fortunately, this surgery has become quite commonplace now and complications are very unlikely -- but I would appreciate your prayers if you think of me.
There are many people that light their houses with Christmas lights and time the lights with music. However, this house has one of the best choreographed light shows with an interesting remix of “Amazing Grace.”
Enjoy.
If you have ever watched anyone knit, you know what it takes to make something beautiful. But, if you look closely, you will see that each piece is different. The knitter is not a machine. The movement of hands, the breath that is taken, even the beating of a heart will affect each piece so that each piece is unique.
When God created you, the movement of his hands, his breath and his heart ensure that you are unique. You are one of a kind.
We see this in all of God’s creation. Man creates things with straight lines, curves, circles, angles, corners – all in a hard, planned way. God creates with joyful randomness – you rarely see a straight line in God’s creation. Lines twist and curve and turn back upon themselves. Most of God’s creations have a softness to them.
God has created many things besides us – trees, plants, animals – all unique creations reflecting the work of His hands, his breath, his heart.
One of God’s most unique creations is snowflakes. There is an order here that is contrary to the rest of his creation. God obviously is the creator of geometry. However, each snowflake is also an example of joyful randomness – for each snowflake is unique.
In God’s eyes, you are more unique and more beautiful than any snowflake He has ever created. A big difference is we were not created randomly – we were created for a purpose.
PS: Look once again at the snowflake pictures and notice how often you think of the Cross of Christ.
(Pictures courtesy of www.snowcrystals.com)
I can't help myself. I ran across this cartoon and it seemed appropriate for this Sunday Reflection:
Thursday night, Betty and I drove up to Santa Fe to see the Christmas lights and to have dinner. We parked by the Cathedral and walked over to the plaza. Some stores were open, but we weren’t there to shop. We came to see the lights – and to eat. Everything was beautiful because they still had a couple inches of snow from the storm a couple of days ago.
Then we walked down to Water Street to a little restaurant on the corner called Pasqual's. It’s a small restaurant with some really delicious food. We had passed it many times and we finally got a chance to eat there. Betty had a Chicken Mole Enchilada and I had a Filet Mignon with a green Chile rub. Both were delicious.
After dinner we drove up Canyon Road to see all the lights on the houses and galleries. It was a beautiful drive.
Then we drove home. All in all, a very nice night.
As many of you know, Betty and I do pastoral counseling at our church. Most of what we do involves marriage issues so we found this cartoon funny.
Enjoy.
Betty and I are trying to take advantage of the many neat things that go on around our area at Christmas time.
Tonight, we’re heading to Santa Fe to have dinner and see the Christmas lights and decorations there.
It should be a lot of fun.
About 4:30 AM this morning I was awakened by the wind – it was really howling. Then shortly after that the rain started – buckets of it coming down along with lightning and thunder – kind of unusual for December. When I went out to feed the horses they were drenched and were really glad to get their hay.
At the end of the rain, we got a little snow, but the wind continued to blow and the temperature dropped. It was 38 degrees when I went out to feed the horses and 35 degrees a couple of hours later.
I drove over to the Galloping Grace Youth Ranch Christmas Tree Corral to help unload some Christmas trees that were supposed to be delivered this morning at 8:00 AM. Besides me, Max was there and a couple of other guys who were braving the cold wind. We waited and waited, but no truck. Finally, Max called the truck dispatcher and found out that the truck was stuck in Prescott, Arizona where they had a huge snow storm over night. So, no trees this morning. I was sorry for Max and Michelle as they need the trees for their lot, but I was happy to get back into a warm truck to head home.
I came home and shortly after Morgunn and Sugar started running and kicking. I’m sure it was the wind, but all three garbage cans were blown down and that might have started them off.
When Morgunn slowed down, Sugar gave him a push to get him going again.
All this running gave Sugar an appetite and she tried to reach some sage clippings that blew up to the fence.
Time to rest after all that running.
Years later when Betty and I visited the Memorial we were struck by how respectful everyone was, including the kids. Many people brought leis to toss into the waters as an offering to those sailors still resting below us. Multi-colored bubbles of fuel oil still rise to the surface of the water above the sleeping giant as if it were saying, "I'm still here."
On September 2, 1945 the forces of the Japanese military signed the surrender documents on the Missouri and World War II finally came to an end.
I hope and pray we don't forget, but I'm afraid as the World War II generation to which Betty and I belong gets older and continues to pass on, Pearl Harbor will become just a name in a history book. I guess that's the nature of things.
Betty, my darling wife, was born and raised in the Episcopal Church. I was raised in a good family, but we didn't go to church much. So, when we got married and decided to go to church, we naturally started going to an Episcopal Church because that was where she felt comfortable and I didn't care one way or the other.
Over the years there was much about the Episcopal Church that I grew to love. There was a lot about the national church political organization that I grew to dislike, but the traditional Episcopal church, with its Anglican and Catholic heritage, had much to love about it.
One of the things I loved was the seasons of the church which originated in the early church and were handed down by the Catholic Church through the Anglican Church of England. These seasons include Advent, Christmas, Epiphany, Lent, Easter, and Pentecost.
They all have something special to add to the growing life of the serious Christian, but the one I enjoyed as much as any is Advent.
Advent comes from the Latin word adventus which means “coming.” Advent is the time of waiting and preparation for the celebration of Jesus’ birth -- his coming. Advent starts the fourth Sunday prior to December 25, the Sunday between November 27 and December 3 inclusive.
There are several traditions associated with Advent.
The first is that purple is the color of Advent. Churches would be decked out in purple and we see that in the Advent wreath (pictured above). There are four candles, three purple and one rose. On each of the Sundays during Advent a new candle is lit with the rose candle being lit on the third Sunday. On Christmas Day these candles are replaced by four white candles.
Another fun tradition is an Advent calendar. These are calendars with a ‘door’ for each day of Advent and there was some kind of picture behind each door of something associated with the season. Our kids would love to open one door a day to help them count down the days to Christmas.
However, my favorite tradition was one unique to our church, St. Thomas Episcopal in Terrace Park, Ohio. Since the purpose of Advent is to await the birth of Jesus, the ladies of the church would put small figures of Mary and Joseph in the rear of the church. Each day of Advent they would move Mary and Joseph a little closer to the front of the church – towards an empty nativity scene. This represented their journey from Nazareth to Bethlehem. On Christmas Eve Mary and Joseph would finally arrive at the nativity scene and, at midnight mass, baby Jesus would be added to the scene.
I guess it’s the little kid in me, but I still love the thought of watching those little figures make their way to the nativity and Jesus arriving just in time.
Happy Advent.
Dan & Betty
After living here for six years we finally made it to the River of Lights display at the Botanical Gardens on Thursday night. We have wanted to go every year, but reasons have gotten in the way -- too busy, bad weather, accidents, etc. This year we were determined to go. We planned to go this past Thursday and then it turned out to be one of the coldest days of the year. I first thought was to reschedule, but later we said, nope, let's go. If we put it off again, it will be another year of not going.
So we bundled up -- I had five layers on: long underwear, shirt, sweater, down vest, and my heavy coat. It was cold, cold, cold, but there was no breeze and the night was clear so it was a good night to go. I have to admit it was even better than I had hoped. I really enjoyed it. Of course, I enjoy anything I do with Betty.
Here are some pictures from our night out.
If you haven’t been to see the River of Lights, we highly recommend it.
