Merry Christmas

It’s been a while since I have blogged. In the meantime I have appeased the guilt and nagging about not blogging by convincing myself, if not others, that the delay was an overt attempt to leave the tribute to Tina up a little longer. Tina didn’t buy it, so I guess I’ll give in and blog.
I thought I’d share some seasonal thoughts and memories. There is good news and bad news to this. The bad news is I think a lot, so there is likely to be a scattering of random thoughts throughout the blog. The good news is I can’t remember what my thoughts were five minutes ago, so that should at least limit the volume, if not the randomness.

I took Tate shopping last night for a few last minute items. Every year he has trouble getting his shopping done, as he has neither money nor transportation. At least that’s true for shopping for mom. He can’t really surprise her much if she drives him and accompanies him throughout the store. So each year I take him shopping, sometimes the other kids go with us. Oh, and I’m usually behind on my shopping as well, so it’s not just for Tate. Hey give me a break, it’s not like I have money or wheels either. Well, money anyway. Even though I usually don’t look forward to this, I always enjoy it more than I thought, and this year was no exception. I enjoy seeing everyone busy about their shopping, and spending time with Tate. Tina accompanied us this year, but we dropped her at another store and met up later, so I think the surprise is intact, though my surprises are not always good ones, for instance her birthday, but that’s another story and memory that I’d rather not bring up. Anyway, the only part I didn’t like was the madness of driving, especially in the parking lot. As we were leaving some guy nearly ran over people trying to cut in front of us for a parking space. Made me chuckle a little since we were leaving, and since he didn’t kill anyone. Chill dude.

One of my favorite Christmas memories is the years when I played Jesus as an adult in our church’s Christmas play. Two things about this: 1) This always was very humbling for me (which I need) and made me closer to God, and 2) If you are looking for a good diet plan, I recommend committing to being on a stage in front of a thousand or more of your friends, relatives, coworkers, and strangers wearing what our music minister referred to as a diaper. If you would like pictures of this for blackmail or a good chuckle, I’m sure they are bringing a premium price somewhere on the internet.

This year around our house Christmas has included a few activities. Tad was in the church’s Christmas program. None of us were able to see it live, as we had commitments elsewhere, but I’m sure it was great. He also sang in the choir during our church’s two candlelight services. I attended one of these and it’s always a wonderful event. Teisha is home, and that adds a stronger sense of family to the season. We sure miss her when she’s away. This year her fiancé will be visiting us after Christmas and we are looking forward to that. Also, Tina’s parents will be joining us for a few days around New Year’s Day. Tina was busy toward the last few days of school baking and doing Christmas parties at Tate’s school. I think he really enjoyed having her be a part of that, and Teisha made it home in time to help as well. Teal managed to get caught up on all of her schoolwork before school let out, after missing a week due to illness. It was very hard on her, but she was a trooper and persevered and I think she worked hard enough that her grades didn’t suffer. She also received a driving permit recently, so I’m sure we’ll be taking a few trips while I am off of work to get her some experience.
We played a game of video clue the other night. That is a fun game, but it takes a while. Our kids are getting much better at fooling me. By the end of the game, I think they all had it figured out, and I was more confused than anyone. Also, they were laughing and making jokes through the entire game while I was trying to speed it along. Obviously they were planning on sleeping in the next day while I was getting up to go to work.
Speaking of work, today is Christmas Eve and I will be working. I received an email from our corporate office with a schedule of due dates in January. I replied to the lady who sent it with some housekeeping item. She replied and congratulated me on being the only person on her distribution list working today. Somehow that doesn’t make me feel like a winner. I went back and counted and there were 76 people on her distribution list, in multiple locations across the U.S. Yea me. Anyway, we close at 2 today, and I may slip out early in order to…um…not get locked in. Yeah that’s it, I wouldn’t want to get locked in on Christmas Eve now would I.

Well, I warned you it was going to be random and rambling, and I didn’t let you down. Oh, one last thing. I was reading a blog from “The Truth Project” and they had an interesting comment on the Christmas story. If you get a chance, read Galatians 4:4 and relate it to the Christmas story. I’ll summarize:

4) But when the fullness of time had come, God sent his Son, born of a woman, born under the law, 5)in order to redeem those who were under the law, so that we might receive adoption as children. 6)And because you are children, God has sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, crying, “Abba! Father!” 7)So you are no longer a slave but a child, and if a child then also an heir, through God.

I like the entire passage, but particularly focus on the first comment this time of year. The birth of Christ was no accident. It was planned and it happened just as planned, when the right time had come. That’s a quick summary, but if you have time, slow down and spend some time thinking and praying about what all that means. It’s incredible, as God’s Word always is.

Merry Christmas to everyone!