A Very Merry Burtis Christmas

December 27.  Not exactly my favorite day of the year but I'll take the quiet of the morning to enjoy our last week.

Two of our kids are sleeping and two left yesterday to get back to Indiana in time to help lead snow camp for their church's youth group this weekend. The house is starting to empty again, but our hearts are full.

Let me back up.

Ben got here two weeks ago and last Friday our newlyweds came home for Christmas. Oh happy day! We hadn't touched them since Labor Day - the longest stretch ever for Scott and me to not see our boy and our darling daughter-in-law in person.

Initially they had no plans to travel this way, but after a certain someone felt a certain boldness one certain Sunday skype day and laid out 539 reasons why it was in their best interest (ahem) to be with parents and siblings for Christmas, they agreed and began making plans. What great kids! Hey - don't judge - this mama wasn't ready to have empty seats at the Christmas table this year.

Sunday at church, I was positively giddy. There's nothing quite like the joy of having your whole family in the same row at church. Scott's mom was with us too. Scott and Ally sang a duet together that made us all appreciate their gifts. As we did I wondered what the boys and I could add. They could play basketball....

On the way home I played some favorite selections that our kids grew up on and much to my delight, the boys sang along and quite frankly, nailed it. When we got to Karen Carpenter's Sleigh Ride-It's Christmas Time-Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas, they sang her gorgeous high to low back to high syrupy runs with gusto. I was so proud. The girls giggled, surprised maybe that they knew all the words. I think a tear or two escaped from my eyes as I thought, "I've never been so happy as I am at this very moment", so very pleased with my parenting.

We have enjoyed many gatherings with extended family. The gifts can be unpredictable. Take Scott's favorite, for example, given by his favorite mother-in-law.  The title - The Chicken Whisperer's Guide to Keeping Chickens. HA!  A sign?  How can it not be?

We ate (and are still eating) "December food" and have enjoyed every saturated fat and sugar filled calorie. Thank God January eating is on the way to save our wardrobes and overall health.

Here's the one thing I wait for all year round....cod fish balls. Before you gag, let me explain. You take a small piece of pizza dough, stretch it out in your hand, fill it with some cod fish, roll it up and deep fry. Don't knock it til you've tried it. I swear, these are all I care to eat on Christmas Eve.

I tried to bring back some family traditions from Christmases past with some success. We brought out this velvet box. A gift given to us many years ago to keep under the tree as a reminder of God's greatest gift to us, His Son Jesus.

We usually give this the most attention around New Years time when Scott, the kids and I each write on a piece of paper what our gift to God will be for the year ahead and place it inside. It could be a spiritual discipline, a goal or a plan to change in some area that we hope will please Him. Drew read back through some and we all laughed at the repetition. For example, "read through the Bible", "pray more", "stop teasing my siblings", and my favorite, not "throwing fits and freaking out so much". You get the idea. We encouraged the kids to be thinking now of what their gift to Jesus will be for 2015.

We discussed that in order to lead a blessed life all we have to do is live according to God's Word and that His commandments and expectations written therein are always for our good because He loves us and wants a close relationship with us more than anything else.

Next I asked the girls (did I mention Brittany's cousin whom we love like one of our own was with us for a few days?) to choose from the Christmas book collection I have accumulated these last 22 years.

They indulged me by letting me read one to them for old times sake

but it really came alive when I asked Drew to read A Churchmouse Christmas.

 The backstory here is that when the kids were younger I would have him read to Ben and Ally sometimes and I would always have to interrupt with "read with expression!". Finally, at almost 23 years old, he nailed it. Way too much fun.We all died laughing as he put the emphasis in the right places of the rhymed lines and laughed at the sillyness. (And he even wore the Christmas socks I left in his room.)

Here's a picture of the Burtis men just about to lose a rousing game of MadGab to us girls. As it should be.

Then off to Connecticut to visit Britt's family they went for a few days. Ben and I made an executive decision that we would not frost the cut out cookies. He said it would be more fun to do all together and time just didn't allow. BIG step for this type-A mama. I even put them all in the freezer to save for next year. Some times you have to let things go. It kind of felt good to tell you the truth.

On Christmas Eve, Ally sang one of my new favorite songs at church. She did a beautiful job. You can see the video on my facebook page. The candlelight singing was a treat as usual. Yes.

Later at home, the cutest thing- that even in their older teen years, they expect Christmas jammies to sleep in. What mother could resist? Not this one. In fact, because she's a girl, someone got two pairs.

Early evening Christmas Day, Drew and Britt came back to us. We waited the whole day to open presents. Some of us were rather anxious to get to it. No names will be mentioned.

Here are some of my favorite gifts. One day a few weeks ago, I stumbled upon a kiosk of silly t-shirts. I swear I made a spectacle of myself for 45 minutes, giggling and laughing out loud in the store at so many as I tried to choose one for each of these characters. I'm pretty sure I nailed it.

Each of my kids surprised me with something they knew I would enjoy and not expect. Made me feel loved.

Drew and Brittany were especially confident that their gift would make me cry.  So much so that they took a video to get my response "on tape". No you can't see it.

The gift - this personalized canvas print.

Why so special? Of course, you know they got married in June. I chose the song medley for the mother/son dance with Drew. The first song was Steven Curtis Chapman's "I Believe in You" and Scott tacked the chorus of Phil Collins' "You'll Be in My Heart" (from the Tarzan movie) on the end. Waaaaaaa!

It's ok, you can cry too. They seemed pleased with my reaction. One of the best.gifts.ever.

This morning, I sit in the same spot as I have this whole month and thank God for many amazing gifts. Husband. Kids. Family. Time together. Friends. Laughter. Church. Thoughtful gifts. Health. Food. Warm home.

But the greatest gift, the one that makes the above all the sweeter - God's gift of Jesus to me, to save me from my sin and give me a new and eternal life in Him.

"Thanks be to God for His Indescribable Gift." 2 Cor. 9:15

Proof once again that when we choose gratitude, the not-so-good's fade into the background. Like the lack of snow for Christmas. Don't tempt me. I'm shaking it off.

We hope you too, had a most memorable and Merry Christmas.

Fear Not....For There is Frosting In Your Future

Oh how I love Advent. Have you picked up on that yet? All these quiet, albeit early mornings sitting in the dim living room by the Christmas tree, soft music in the background with candles lit, eager for God to show up.

Had you asked me three years if I was a person given to fear I would have answered with an emphatic no. How can one trust God and simultaneously be fearful...of anything? Kind of arrogant, no?

Funny how desperate and difficult times can bring to the surface stuff you didn't even know was there. Unnecessary, unhelpful stuff that needs to come up in order to get it out.

Maybe that's why the Gospel accounts of angel appearances seem to be highlighted this December. Every time a messenger showed up, the first thing said was, "Fear not" or "Don't be afraid". Coincidence? I don't think so.

 I think we are all given to fear in some ways, don't you? Fear we will fail. Fear we will lose someone or something we love. Fear of pain. Fear that God's love will run out.

If like me, you are in a season of extraordinary dependence on God for big things, most everything actually, you might fear that God will get tired of rescuing and providing. That He is weary of the same old, same old prayers, the begging, the pleading. That He is standing back, looking down saying, "It's time you stop leaning on Me, get up on your own two feet now and take back some control, provide for yourself."


Yeah, that. Not exactly consistent with the Scriptures I read, yet loud enough to seem real.

So when I read this today from Ann Voskamp, I was redirected (again) and relieved.

"Some days it's hard not to panic.

As the cold can move you deeper toward the fire, struggling can move you deeper toward God, who warms you with joy. Struggling can deepen joy.

The secret of joy is always a matter of focus: a resolute focusing on the Father, not the fears. All fear is but the notion that God's love ends...When you can't touch the bottom is when you touch the depths of God.

The solution to fear is the gift of Christmas. Fear not. For behold! We have a Savior. 'Since He did not spare even His own Son but gave Him up for us all, won't He also give us everything else?' Romans 8:32

Hasn't He already unequivocally earned trust? You can take your hands off your life--you don't have to try and save yourself.   

Behold Him everywhere, and be held."*

Would you believe me if I told you I've had that very verse on my kitchen sink for months? If you believe God speaks to us in sacred echoes you are not surprised. Not in a voice our human ears can hear, but in our spirits in a way that we absolutely know it has to be Him who knows and loves us best.

Remember that stuff (fear unaware) that was deep down inside? Yeah, God has every plan to bring it up and skim it off. If we will let Him.

Advent. We're waiting. Jesus is coming. He came for us once as a baby in a manger. He will come for us again and we will all see Him with our own eyes. When we focus on Him, on this, fear disappears. He's already given us salvation and that's the very best gift. He will also give the rest, which I like to think of as the frosting.

Have I mentioned I love frosting too? One may or may not have an addiction to frosting if two friends for two different occasions give it to you as a gift.

Christmas. The Gift, more gifts, frosting - all from God. Keep watching...


*The Greatest Gift

Sleepless in Endwell Advent Day 11

'Twas two weeks before Christmas and all through my house
Everyone was sleeping at 4:40 am - except me!

That's two days in a row now and I'm not exactly wild about it. Instead of laying there with my eyes squeezed shut hoping for sleep to come back, I get up. I turn the lights on four Christmas trees (yes, I know I have a problem), find some instrumental Christmas music to listen to (is it me or does this become more pleasing as we get older?), brew my favorite Starbucks Christmas Blend coffee, warm up a corn bag (Have I mentioned I am obsessed with corn bags? I can't sleep without a few of them in the bed. I even warm them up during the day when I'm cold just to put on my lap for comfort.), light a candle or two, and settle on the comfy couch to be still and listen knowing I won't be disturbed by another human being for hours.

I've got about four different Advent books going. Two for the morning, one for afternoon if I have time and one to read before I sleep. Being completely preoccupied and absorbed by the Biblical account of Jesus' human birth is one of the greatest joys of Christmas. Don't believe me?  I dare you to try it.

May I share what stirred me and is perhaps the reason I am up at this hour?

When approached by the angel who brought her the news that she is God's chosen one to be His Son's mother, "with heart pounding, with uncertainty, fear and confusion, Mary's response was clear: 'Here am I, the servant of the Lord.'

Mary from Peru

As we consider that moment of decision for Mary, we see in her a witness and example of how we are meant to live. Her mission reminds us that God's call is sometimes difficult. It may lead us to set aside our own plans. It may mean giving up hopes and dreams we have cherished for a lifetime. It may mean risks. It may be frightening.

Mary from Kenya

Sometimes God asks us to be with people we don't want to be with, to go to places we don't want to go to, and to do things we don't want to do. This is part of what Mary's story teaches us. Mary is twice said to be favored by God, and yet God's favor meant not a life of bliss, but a life of risk. It must have been hard to imagine that this was what it meant to be favored by God.

Mary from Panama

Knowing how Mary responded to God's request, we are inspired with her, to say, 'Here am I, the servant of the Lord; let it be with me according to your word.'

Mary from Kenya

As we prepare our hearts for Christmas, we remember the little town of Nazareth and God's choice of a young woman from this humble village through whom He would do His greatest work. This season brings us an invitation as surely as Gabriel brought Mary an invitation.

Part of the invitation of Advent, the season leading up to Christmas, is to offer ourselves wholly to God just as Mary did. Christmas is not about how much you buy or what you eat or whom you visit. It is about your willingness to say, with Mary, 'Here am I, Lord. Use me according to your will.'"

Mary from Dominican Republic

This is what I love about concentrated time seeking God and waiting for Him during Advent. We find ourselves in the story. He speaks to us and invites us. Why else would He have written it down and preserved it for every generation?

I ask myself a few questions.  Has God asked me to be with people I don't want to be with?  Yes.

Has God asked me to go to places I don't want to go?  Yes.

Has God asked me to do things I don't want to do?  Yes.

Has God's call on my life proven to be difficult sometimes?  Yes.

Have I had to lay aside some of my own plans?  Yes.

Have I given up some hopes and dreams I've had for a lifetime?  Yes, on occasion.

Have there been risks?  Yes.  Have I been frightened?  Oh yes.

Can you see where this is going?  Perhaps, I too, am favored by God. No, I'm not comparing myself to Mary in virtue and purity.  Heaven's no!  That ship sailed a long time ago.

Mary from America

But I do know this -  I can't get too far into the Bible before I am overwhelmed with the message of God's love for me and invitation to be a part of His story that continues all the way to the last page.

So, am I favored by the Lord?  Yes and by the way, you are too.

Mary from the Holy Land

So take heart! A difficult life, multiple opportunities to surrender your will and endless invitations to experience God's power and wonder are exactly what characterizes a life blessed by God. Talk about good news great joy!

As this year, 2014, draws to a close and I am weary from a hard year with few answers, I am delighted by this truth today.  I hope it hits you the same way.

I love Advent and it's only Day 11. So much more to come. I'll be waiting and watching....


Excerpt from The Journey by Adam Hamilton

Advent...The (Real) Most Wonderful Time of the Year

 It's finally here - December. My most favorite month for so many reasons.

Have I ever told you that I have a Christmas thought every day? That's right.  Every.day.all.year.long. What? Doesn't everyone?

It's so easy to do. These thoughts range from being with family and friends, decorating (inside and out), the beautiful snow, the trees, the lights, the gifts (to purchase and to make), the food, the gatherings. And so much more. But the best part of all, the thing I look forward to most, is observing Advent.

To aid me I have purchased many a devotional. They add up over the years and each one is special. Some might call it an obsession. To them I say, what's wrong with that?

What's the big deal you may ask.  This is - from one of my favorites:

"The month of December and the season of Advent are not synonymous; they are, in fact, radically different. December brings all the outward preparations, all that we have to do to prepare for Christmas. Advent is an invitation to an inward preparation, calling us to listen, to attend to the preparation of the heart. Advent calls us to stop - however briefly - all of the frenetic doing and invites us to come into an experience of the holy. Advent is an experience of anticipation, an invitation to prepare for the coming of the light of Christ into our world. Advent is a dance set to the rhythm of waiting. We wait for the holy, we wait for the birth, we wait for the light...Advent reminds us that we are a pregnant people, for God calls each of us to bring forth the Christ."*

See what I mean? Now that's something to get excited about and it lasts so much longer than the outward delights, the opened gifts and extra pounds.

Sitting quietly each day, reading, praying, waiting, hoping - that's what Christmas means to me. Eventually, it turns into worship, which is what ultimately brings us the calm and peace and true joy we are all looking for.

If you've never considered this practice, I'd like to invite you to intentionally celebrate your December this way. Just set aside time each day to be still. In quiet. By the lights of the tree is the best spot, I think. Read. Enter into the Biblical story. Imagine. Dream. Pray. Listen.

If your first thought is that you don't have the time, you may be the one who needs it most. Make the effort. I promise you won't be sorry.

Every year I invite God to show up and show off. I ask Him to come into my world in a miraculous way. He never disappoints. You see, that's how the first Advent of Jesus happened and it's also how the Second will come. It won't be ordinary and it won't be predictable. We will be in awe of Him and thrilled.

If we are His pregnant people then He is eagerly waiting to be born in us. Why not ask Him to reveal Himself in a way you've not known Him yet? It's not too late - it's only Day 2.

Go buy an Advent devotional if you can. If that's not an option, I'm sure there are many online offerings. If you're local, you can come borrow one of mine.

Of course, the best text is the Bible itself. Linger in Luke 2 for the month. Add in some prophetic passages from Isaiah. Then keep your eyes pealed for glimpses of His grace and love meant for you.

Whatever you do, don't get so swept up in the cultural celebration of Christmas that you miss Advent. It will bring the deep meaning we are all longing for.

"It really is a small commitment of time.
But with time comes focus.
With focus comes fresh truth.
With fresh truth comes wonder.
With wonder comes joy."**

I'd like to try and post something most days here too. So come on back and join me as we await His Arrival with eyes focused and hopeful.


*Christ, Light of the World by Thomas Kinkade
**And He Shall Be Called Wonderful Counselor by Larry Libby & Steve Halliday

The Enemy of Thanksgiving

I have a sign in my living room that a crafty friend made me a few years back at my request. I love it and don't ever take it off its shelf but I realize now it doesn't say the right thing. It should read, 'How Many Days Until Thanksgiving' since that's what I'm really counting down to. Because when we finally get there, I stop counting and simply savor each day as my favorite through the end of the year.

We are inching closer and closer. Just nine days until we feast. It's time to start planning menus and grocery lists. For me, these recent years also mean changing sheets and anticipating the return of a college kid or two. 

Oh you noticed I left out a certain newlywed couple? Well, I'm choosing denial as my coping mechanism because they will not be at our table next week. Sniff sniff. So I won't be talking about that today. 

 

Scott continues to preach gratitude every Sunday with a new action item each week. Having homework keeps the subject on our minds continually. 

I was thinking how nice it would be if saying thanks was my automatic first reaction to everything both wanted and unwanted. I mean, the natural knee jerk response like when I think about Christmas. I am immediately happy and excited and can't wait for all the traditions and festivities that come with it. Or when I think about my kids being all together with us. I am giddy and can't stop grinning.

 

Many of you know for years now I keep a daily list of what I'm grateful for, so that should mean I've mastered it, right? I'd like to tell you that's true, but let's be real here. I fail often. As I consider this, I realize there is an enemy to the practice of thanksgiving. It has a name and that name is entitlement.

Anyone raising teenagers is well aware of how this word presents itself.  For example, I imagine many of you have heard this, "But their parents let them fill in the blank so I should be able to."  Entitlement.

Or "I'm a senior and seniors deserve fill in the blank." Entitlement.

Or maybe you know someone who has reached a certain advanced age and says things like, "I have lived long enough now and deserve fill in the blank." Entitlement.

I think it's even starting much younger like when our kids come home comparing to their friends saying, "Mom, everyone has fill in the blank, I'll be an outcast if I'm the only one who doesn't." Entitlement.

It is so easy to see it in others, isn't it?  What if we looked in the mirror at our grown-up selves? The truth is, I'm just as susceptible to copping this attitude as anyone else. Looking back over my life I'm embarassed at how many times I not only felt entitled but actually spoke it out loud. Cringe with me:

Like when I was approaching graduation from high school and tried telling my parents, "I'm 18, you can't tell me what to do. I can do whatever I want." Entitlement.

Or when I grumbled at age 20 because there wasn't a suitable mate in sight. "Why can everyone else find a husband? I should have one too." Entitlement.

Or maybe when several years into marriage and childbearing we were still bouncing between apartments unable to afford our own house. I whined, "It's not fair. Everyone else has a house.  We work hard, we deserve one too." Entitlement.

Let's not forget the never ending comparison of our gifts and abilities to someone else's. "Why can't I write or speak or sing or play an instrument like her? I deserve to be good at any of those things." Entitlement.

Did you notice a second word that accompanies the self-infused entitlement?  Deserve. Yuck. Where do I get off thinking I deserve anything someone else has? 

I looked up entitlement in the dictionary and found this: "the right to be guaranteed benefits...."  Rights. Now there's a culturally signifcant term.

Who among us doesn't feel we have the right to expect something we believe we deserve?

The person whose heart is steeped in gratitude, that's who. 

Steeped in gratitude?  That is so counter-cultural when you consider our entitlement issues. That's the point! As with so many issues for us Christ-followers trying to be obedient to the Scriptures, entitlement falls into the category of "Do not conform to the world...." Romans 12:2

You see, the common denominator and breeding ground for rights, deserving something and entitlement come from fixing our gaze horizontally (conforming to the world) on what others have or can do or have accomplished. 

Comparison is a downward spiral, a losing game we dare not play, a trap we can't afford to fall into. Along with the others, it is also found at the root of entitlement.

It's what keeps us from being grateful.

When we compare with others, we give room for entitlement to grow in our hearts, which then gives birth to discontentment which will eventually take up every inch of space leaving no room for gratitude.

Jesus knew we might fall for this tactic of the enemy and gave us instruction through a conversation with Peter, whom He dearly loved. Jesus told Peter how he would live and how he would glorify God in his death. It wasn't very glamorous and certainly insinuated pain and suffering. Peter looked around.

He saw John nearby and asked Jesus what was going to happen to him. Jesus said to Peter, "If it is my will that he remain until I come, what is that to you? You follow me!" John 21

I can so relate to Peter. God has pointed me to those verses many, many times when I'm given to whining, complaining and comparing.

"What is that to you, Angela? Follow me." In other words, "Mind your own business and keep your eyes on Me."

When I choose to follow Jesus, I am consciously trusting Him to lead me wherever He is going. Wherever He wants me. Because that place is where He will be too.

Yes, it may be tough. Yes, I may experience pain. Yes, I may be asked to go there alone. But, He will be there.

I don't know about you, but I don't want to be anywhere God isn't. 

Choosing to follow Him with full trust births thanksgiving. My thoughts are then steered in the direction of Who I know God to be, what I read recorded in the Bible about His character and faithfulness, and what I've witnessed in my own life (listed in my journal).  

And I give thanks. Come to think of it, I can't stop saying "Thank You" because He is not done. Not done with His kingdom agenda. Not done with me. There is so much more to come.

When I make room for all that, everything else dims.

Maybe as Thanksgiving approaches, we should pay closer attention to the words we speak or allow to be spoken in our homes. Have some of those nasty words above subtly crept into your heart and home? Do you see entitlement attitudes at work? Maybe you've never really noticed until now. 

Remember, entitlement is the enemy of thanksgiving which means we need a radar up, sensitive to spotting it and squashing it so that gratitude has room to grow and reside long after the turkey leftovers are eaten.

 

Just a side note (let's call it a bonus!) - have you noticed that grateful people are much more pleasant to be around than Johnny Rainclouds? Me too and I know which one I'd rather be and be around.

It's certainly not too late to make some changes. I know I'll be working on this, requiring it of myself and urging it in the ones I'm raising.

Happy Thanksgiving friends. I'm grateful for you.