My Favorite Day of the Year

MY FAVORITE DAY OF THE YEAR!

by

Sue Faris Raatjes©

December 26^th was my favorite day of the year when my four children were young. The frenzy of our holiday season looked like this:

·         Holiday parties

·         School events

·         Shopping, wrapping, decorating

·         Work responsibilities

·         Church programs

·         Service projects

Why do we do that to ourselves? We cram everything into the three weeks after Thanksgiving. Holidays are fun and memories are important, but often they drain a family.

That’s why I liked December 26. The pressure was done. The children were happy to stay in their jammies all day and play with their new toys. No sibling arguments because, well, it was Christmas and you don’t argue when Santa is so generous.

The best part of the day for me was reading a new book. My husband always gave me a book for Christmas. Often it was one by the late Erma Bombeck. Bombeck was a humorist who began her career writing for a Dayton, Ohio, newspaper. Her column, “At Wit’s End,” morphed into a book, then many books, and a successful writing career.

(In case of fire, I get people and pets out first, then my signed Erma Bombeck collection!)

Her books were a lifeline for women managing homes and raising children in the 1970s. She gave credibility to the difficult tasks and tedium that defined their days—especially for those who were stay-at-home moms. She helped me stay sane.

Two writing tips I learned from her:

·         Be real. She connects with readers because she isn’t afraid to show her true self. Look at the cover of her book, When You Look Like Your Passport Photo, It’s Time to Go Home. 

      A powerful aspect of her writing is how she transitions from humor to pathos. All of her books are hilarious. Then bam! About two-thirds through she hits the reader with an in-depth concept that rips the heart out. Her chapter about sending her last child off to kindergarten makes me cry every time I read it. I read it when I sent each of my children off to kindergarten and then again when I sent them away to college or work. That’s powerful writing.

Erma Bombeck was a long-time resident of Paradise Valley, Arizona. She gave generously to The National Kidney Foundation Arizona and founded the Authors’ Luncheon that supports that organization. Sadly, she died in 1996 from complications of a kidney transplant

This quote from her sums up her feelings about her gift of writing:

            “When I stand before God at the end of my life, I would hope that I had not a single bit of talent left, and could say, ‘I used everything you gave me.’”

My adult daughter has memories of me sitting in the recliner chair, the day after Christmas. I’m reading a Bombeck book and laughing out loud. Thanks, Erma.

·         Erma Bombeck Writing Workshop - University of Dayton every Spring

·         Authors’ Luncheon - Phoenix every Fall

PONDER POWER

Practice Pondering

“But Mary kept all these things, pondering them in her heart.” (Lk 2:19)

        God chose a reflective young woman to mother his Son. The shepherds’ visit caused astonishment to all but Mary, who tucked the event into her contemplative mind. Years later, after the amazing incident of twelve-year-old Jesus with the Jewish teachers in the temple, we’re told his mother “…treasured all these things in her heart.” (Luke 2:51)

        Mary is the picture of serenity even though she lived in a volatile society. Remember, she and Joseph had to flee for their baby’s life. Even as a lonely refugee in a foreign land, Mary was a woman at peace.

        Are you in need of tranquility? Try imitating Mary’s practice of pondering. Carve out time to read from the Bible and “treasure these things in your heart.”

This holiday season, be immersed in God’s love and peace.

CHRISTMAS CRIB

I own a Christmas book with pictures of different nativity sets from around the world. Each beautiful creche reflects facial features and costumes indigenous to the country of the artist.

The manger scene from Mexico shows Mary and Joseph with dark skin and the lovely brown eyes of the Mexican people.

The one from Sweden portrays Mary with blond hair and fair skin, while the set from Nigeria features dark-skinned people, adorned with ornate African headwear.

The Japanese Nativity is delicate and decidedly Asian. The most accurate of all is the one from Israel. It shows the figures with handsome Jewish features.

This suggests we desire identity with God. When we see ourselves reflected in Jesus' humanity, then his life, death, and resurrection take on personal meaning.

Our need for Emmanuel--God with us--is shown clearly in Christmas art. Accuracy in depicting the manger scene is not as important as the message: God willingly became one of us.

Praise him for that!

Do you have a Nativity Set displayed in your home this Christmas? Use it as a place for your family to remember the meaning of this special holiday.

A LIVING MESSAGE

"When will he come, Grandfather?"
"The Messiah? I hope very soon, my child," replied the bearded old man.
"Will he rule from the temple?"
"We'll know that in God's time, son. Meanwhile, let's get back to your lessons. We must study the Scriptures so we'll be ready when he comes."

The ancient Israelites eagerly awaited their Messiah. God worked with them, molding them into a people he would use to bring salvation to a hurting world. Through them, God would send his very own Son. They could hardly wait!

Sin and oppression ruled, and their only hope rested in the promised Messiah. They desperately needed God among them, in the flesh.

When Jesus entered the world as a man, he came not as a messenger, but as God's Living Message. He is God's love, brought to our level of understanding. If we're attentive, we can see it in the miracles around us and in the lives of people.

This December, look for Jesus to be the Living Message to your heart. Read the Christmas story in Luke 2 and prepare yourself to accept this love.

* * * * * * *

Pretend you're an Israelite, hearing your Savior was born. What will that mean for you?

Remember, Jesus is the Living Message