Have you ever second guessed yourself? Felt the anxiety of wondering if you were misunderstood? Been gripped by panic that what seemed fine at the time was actually gossiping, boasting or being hurtful? Waffled over whether you should say anything at all?
During our most recent Sunday night class we talked about boasting. I love these classes where our whole congregation is invited to study and bring their thoughts. At first it seemed that everyone confidently understood how to identify bragging. It makes us want to roll our eyes; it's a heart problem. It's exaggerated. It's a kind of one-up-manship. I began to think I was the only one who dithered about sharing good news in case that was boasting. In the past I have been misunderstood or I've struggled with boasting or both (See how I anxiously dither?) and sometimes now I just don't share at all.
If you recall last week, I reviewed an anthology of short fiction, essays and poetry edited by Susan Elliott. Well, today I have a treat for you. Susan wrote a post for MaidservantsofChrist all about the process. Enjoy.
Let me just say, wow! Putting together an anthology has been a huge learning curve. I had the idea for an anthology from Church of Christ Women Authors (COCWA) in 2015. I think I first mentioned it to Monica Mynk during a YouTube author interview a long time before I announced it on the website. She encouraged me to go for it, so I did.
One cool thing about the Heart Songs Anthology is that it is full of material from all genres of writing. It was an opportunity for any Christian woman writer to let her voice be heard. I love the variety of short stories, articles and poetry. It includes authors like Sandi Rog, Carol Shaw, Lynn Nodima, and of course Helene Smith. One thing I wanted to do with the anthology was to make sure that the writers retained their rights to their works. I want them to be able to enter contests, publish their own books, or share them in any way that they want. So, I didn’t garnish them in any way.
I love non-fiction- We have been back on a Metaxes kick at our house.
I love short stories- Especially the ones for kids. I enjoyed the Dahl, Kipling and Dickens short fiction pieces we've done for homeschool at least as much the kids did.
Recently my daughters and I joined a Tae Kwon Do class. If
you are struggling (or snickering) as you imagine me as the oldest white belt in a class filled with people under 12, that's ok I understand.It's pretty funny.Especially when we are crab walking.Or frog jumping.Or I am lying on the gym floor wondering if I just did irreparable damage to my body.Besides all the hilarity, and amazing physical benefits, Tae Kwon Do has taught me spiritual lessons as well.
Then when Herod saw that he had been tricked by the magi, he became very enraged, and sent and slew all the male children who were in Bethlehem and all its vicinity, from two years old and under, according to the time which he had determined from the magi. Then what had been spoken through Jeremiah the prophet was fulfilled:
“A VOICE WAS HEARD IN RAMAH,
WEEPING AND GREAT MOURNING,
RACHEL WEEPING FOR HER CHILDREN;
AND SHE REFUSED TO BE COMFORTED,
BECAUSE THEY WERE NO MORE.”
Christmas is a season of joy- “children laughing, people passing, dressed in holiday style.”
Christmas is a season of sorrow. Mother’s weep under shining trees over flat bellies-babies lost or never conceived. Tables heavy with holiday goodies have empty seats where spouses, parents, children, siblings passed or estranged used to sit.
There is a carol for a mourning Christmas-Coventry Carol. If you’ve never heard it, the carol commemorates the massacre of the innocents, when the enraged Herod slaughtered every son of Bethlehem two and under. With a lullaby of lamentation, the carol weeps with Rachel.
Think today of someone you know that may not be celebrating this Christmas. Take a moment of compassion and let them know that you and Rachel join them in their tears.
Now after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king, magi from the east arrived in Jerusalem, saying, “Where is He who has been born King of the Jews? For we saw His star in the east and have come to worship Him.”
All creation held its breath. The Savior was being born. That spring day was so momentous that a new star appeared in the heavens. I don’t understand the science of it exactly. Did the wise men witness the birth of a star or its death?
When did God put things in motion so that the light hit the earth at just that moment? Where was it positioned in the night sky? Was it visible in every hemisphere?
I understand this: creation knows its Creator! When Christ rode into Jerusalem, he told us that if the people hadn’t praised God in this the day of His visitation the rocks themselves would have done the job (Luke 19:40). Just a week later when He hung outside the city, the earth shook and the sun refused to shine (Matthew 27:45-53).
If the universe itself shines on the Savior can we do less?
“Those who have insight will shine brightly like the brightness of the expanse of heaven, and those who lead the many to righteousness, like the stars forever and ever" (Daniel 12:3). Ready for more Christmas Posts? A New Nativity Scene Shining as Lights
Now the birth of Jesus Christ was as follows: when His mother Mary had been betrothed to Joseph, before they came together she was found to be with child by the Holy Spirit. And Joseph her husband, being a righteous man and not wanting to disgrace her, planned to send her away secretly. But when he had considered this, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, “Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary as your wife; for the Child who has been conceived in her is of the Holy Spirit. “She will bear a Son; and you shall call His name Jesus, for He will save His people from their sins.” Now all this took place to fulfill what was spoken by the Lord through the prophet: “BEHOLD, THE VIRGIN SHALL BE WITHCHILD AND SHALL BEAR A SON, AND THEY SHALL CALL HIS NAME IMMANUEL,” which translated means, “GOD WITH US.” And Joseph awoke from his sleep and did as the angel of the Lord commanded him, and took Mary as his wife, but kept her a virgin until she gave birth to a Son; and he called His name Jesus.
Self-denial is at an ebb as a virtue. We are a society drive by self, desire, even whim. Thus we betray our future selves. We have forgotten how to wait.
Waiting was something Joseph excelled at. He waited to bed his betrothed until they were married. When the angel told him to wait further until his wife’s son was born, Joseph live with her chastely.
Self-denial at its best. He chose to do what was right over whim, desire, and self.
Is it any wonder that God chose this man to help Mary to raise his son? Joseph’s stepson grew up to become the expression of self-denial. Jesus calls us all to follow Him in this hard virtue. “Take up your cross and follow me.”
In this Christmas season of excess find a moment everyday to put yourself aside. With self out of the way, we can wait on God--a quiet servant ready to work her master’s will. Ready for more Christmas posts? Building a home for God Pregnancy Announcements
