Mysterious Magi….More questions than Answers?
Who were they? When did they come? How did they know about ‘A New King of the Jews?’ Where was the East? If you need every blank filled in about the magi , you may want to consider removing them from your nativity scene. Hold off on recycling them into the caravan that Joseph arranged for safe travel for he and Mary to Bethlehem. They have something to teach us. The shepherds were Jewish. The Magi were Gentiles. The shepherds were poor. The magi were rich. The magi travelled with servants. The shepherds travelled with lambs (cute, cuddly, warm, and smelly!). The shepherds visited a manger and the wise man visited a house. The shepherds were used by God to spread the word of Jesus birth. The magi provided the means for Jesus and his parents to travel to a safe place and not be butchered by King Herod.
But disregarding all differences, the greatest thing to remember is both the shepherds and the Magi recognized Jesus as the New King of the Jews and honored Him with their worship. Which leads to a self examination; am I honoring the Lord and worshiping Him alone?
For God so loved the world that he gave His only begotten son Matthew 2:1-12 (The Message)
Blessing as we quickly approach Christmas!
Hugs and love to all,
Mimi
Thursday, December 16, 2010
Sunday, December 12, 2010
Just for fun
I wrote the following for a writing group that I am a part of on Tuesday evenings. Enjoy!
A Page from of the Journal of Annabelle Claus
December 23, 1959
As I kissed my Nicolas goodbye this morning, I reminded him, “Now remember what Doc said at your annual visit in July, and with my best Irish brogue, I mimicked Doc’s words verbatim; “Now, don’t you go letting one little night trip undo all of your hard work of these last six months. You go and eat only a bite of the cookies and have your helpers enjoy all of theirs, but saints be declared, the very next day it’s back to the program for you, Nicolas” The doctor was a wee Irish lad that loved the North Pole and moved North with his wife and seven wee ones three Christmases ago. Some said it was the scenery; others knew the truth of the matter and the cold and difficult travel did keep his mother-in-law at home; her home on the Emerald isle, that is,
My Nicolas always planned for his annual physical exam to be in July when he was always was at his peak physical shape but after several months at the Pole ole doc had joined the other men of the Pole for his morning coffee break at Shinynickels. The sledders, miners, fishermen, and Santa and many of the elves were really old Jim’s only customers. When Nicolas’ workshop reopened every year on July 1—that’s when the letters started coming in from children in Australia and New Zealand where it’s winter down under— Jim cut back his hours. Half of his customer base had become busy, busy, busy. He’d take off for fishing singing something about a cat’s cradle.
My Nicolas always made New Year’s resolutions, and they never vary—get fit, lose weight; and then take Annabelle to Hawaii during my October vacation. I’ve yet to see any surfers riding the curl. My departing words this morning to my dear Nicolas, “Remember, Nicolas, just one bite from each cookie. The elves have a metabolism that matches their pointy ears. They need to eat the whole cookies left for you at the houses they visit—but for you, one bite only!” As I headed out the door to my mother’s house for our annual cookies bake-athon and preparation for the First Day of Christmas Feast, I knew I needn’t worry about myself being in bikini shape any time soon.
Update: December 23, 2010
Hawaii was wonderful again this year! When Nicolas brought back the news in 1962 that many people were foregoing the celebrations of the Twelve Days of Christmas due to the increase in the price of partridges, gold, and the ladies dancing, lords leaping, drummers drumming from the Actors Guild, we decided to limit our feast days to the first and the last. What would Christmas be without the celebration of our Lord’s birth and the visit of the Magi honoring Jesus as the new King.?
As I kissed Nicolas goodbye this morning, heading off to Mother’s for our annual visit to the new spa that’s opened down on Polar Bear Lane, I reminded him to dodge all of the satellites, take only one bite of each cookie, and of this year’s motto which Nicolas and the elves would pronounce on every house visited, “Joy to the Whole World—and Let it begin in YOUR Heart!”
Mimi
A Page from of the Journal of Annabelle Claus
December 23, 1959
As I kissed my Nicolas goodbye this morning, I reminded him, “Now remember what Doc said at your annual visit in July, and with my best Irish brogue, I mimicked Doc’s words verbatim; “Now, don’t you go letting one little night trip undo all of your hard work of these last six months. You go and eat only a bite of the cookies and have your helpers enjoy all of theirs, but saints be declared, the very next day it’s back to the program for you, Nicolas” The doctor was a wee Irish lad that loved the North Pole and moved North with his wife and seven wee ones three Christmases ago. Some said it was the scenery; others knew the truth of the matter and the cold and difficult travel did keep his mother-in-law at home; her home on the Emerald isle, that is,
My Nicolas always planned for his annual physical exam to be in July when he was always was at his peak physical shape but after several months at the Pole ole doc had joined the other men of the Pole for his morning coffee break at Shinynickels. The sledders, miners, fishermen, and Santa and many of the elves were really old Jim’s only customers. When Nicolas’ workshop reopened every year on July 1—that’s when the letters started coming in from children in Australia and New Zealand where it’s winter down under— Jim cut back his hours. Half of his customer base had become busy, busy, busy. He’d take off for fishing singing something about a cat’s cradle.
My Nicolas always made New Year’s resolutions, and they never vary—get fit, lose weight; and then take Annabelle to Hawaii during my October vacation. I’ve yet to see any surfers riding the curl. My departing words this morning to my dear Nicolas, “Remember, Nicolas, just one bite from each cookie. The elves have a metabolism that matches their pointy ears. They need to eat the whole cookies left for you at the houses they visit—but for you, one bite only!” As I headed out the door to my mother’s house for our annual cookies bake-athon and preparation for the First Day of Christmas Feast, I knew I needn’t worry about myself being in bikini shape any time soon.
Update: December 23, 2010
Hawaii was wonderful again this year! When Nicolas brought back the news in 1962 that many people were foregoing the celebrations of the Twelve Days of Christmas due to the increase in the price of partridges, gold, and the ladies dancing, lords leaping, drummers drumming from the Actors Guild, we decided to limit our feast days to the first and the last. What would Christmas be without the celebration of our Lord’s birth and the visit of the Magi honoring Jesus as the new King.?
As I kissed Nicolas goodbye this morning, heading off to Mother’s for our annual visit to the new spa that’s opened down on Polar Bear Lane, I reminded him to dodge all of the satellites, take only one bite of each cookie, and of this year’s motto which Nicolas and the elves would pronounce on every house visited, “Joy to the Whole World—and Let it begin in YOUR Heart!”
Mimi
Saturday, December 11, 2010
Do something to make yourself happy today.
This a give your self break day. I've decared it and so it must be true! Maybe you too have been doing lots of prep work for Christmas. My break is going to be time in my swing under our large oak tree. It is a great example of God's hand and thought in creation—its leaves wait until spring to drop when survival of new leaves are more possible. So, as soon as it warms up a bit, I'm heading out with a mug of cocoa in my hand!
Blessings
Mimi
Blessings
Mimi
Saturday, December 4, 2010
Mary's Song and Dance
Luke 1:46-56
Please do not think I am being sacrilegious but Mary was responding to the faith building experience of Elizabeth’s words spoken by the inspiration of the Holy Spirit . She was bursting with the good news of God and rejoicing or as the Message puts it “dancing the song of my Savior God.” I imagine Elizabeth didn’t just stand still but “danced” in her own way, too. Remember she was an old woman with child and John was going to be special, true, but pregnant is pregnant —and light on your feet, it’s not.
Mary’s response included a tribute to God and the child within her—showing humility by accepting and embracing the gift of giving birth to our Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ. There’s an E (example) here for us who follow the SPACE method of discipleship time with God.* Following the example of Mary, we should accept, embrace, develop, and most of all use the gifts God has given to you. God’s mercy is new every morning we wake up and say, “God morning, Lord.”
As a beach bum living in the high desert 500+ miles from the ocean, I love the fact that God’s “mercy flows wave after wave” on those who are in awe before Him. That is a refreshing word picture for me. Notice the present tense of our position/relationship with God—it’s present tense, happening now. Remember this is the day to draw near to God and He will be near to you. Speaking of remembering, that is what Mary did next; recount God’s faithfulness to His people. If you are not familiar with the Old Testament’s accounts of God in the lives of Abraham, Samuel, Elijah, David, Ruth, Esther and others, you are missing out on some foundational blocks of the Christian faith and some examples of living in obedience to God and the gift of God’s forgiveness. Check them out.
How long do you think Mary and Elizabeth rejoiced in this experience? I can read the words in about 28 seconds. I think during the actual experience the words were savored and the moment fully lived. Rejoice in God’s work in you and may ourFfather be glorified today in our lives.
Hugs,
Mimi
*SPACE a daily devotional practice that includes: Sin for us to confess, a Promise of God for us to embrace, an Attitude for me to change, Command for me to obey, and an example for me to follow. I first heard of SPACE from Billie Hanks.
Please do not think I am being sacrilegious but Mary was responding to the faith building experience of Elizabeth’s words spoken by the inspiration of the Holy Spirit . She was bursting with the good news of God and rejoicing or as the Message puts it “dancing the song of my Savior God.” I imagine Elizabeth didn’t just stand still but “danced” in her own way, too. Remember she was an old woman with child and John was going to be special, true, but pregnant is pregnant —and light on your feet, it’s not.
Mary’s response included a tribute to God and the child within her—showing humility by accepting and embracing the gift of giving birth to our Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ. There’s an E (example) here for us who follow the SPACE method of discipleship time with God.* Following the example of Mary, we should accept, embrace, develop, and most of all use the gifts God has given to you. God’s mercy is new every morning we wake up and say, “God morning, Lord.”
As a beach bum living in the high desert 500+ miles from the ocean, I love the fact that God’s “mercy flows wave after wave” on those who are in awe before Him. That is a refreshing word picture for me. Notice the present tense of our position/relationship with God—it’s present tense, happening now. Remember this is the day to draw near to God and He will be near to you. Speaking of remembering, that is what Mary did next; recount God’s faithfulness to His people. If you are not familiar with the Old Testament’s accounts of God in the lives of Abraham, Samuel, Elijah, David, Ruth, Esther and others, you are missing out on some foundational blocks of the Christian faith and some examples of living in obedience to God and the gift of God’s forgiveness. Check them out.
How long do you think Mary and Elizabeth rejoiced in this experience? I can read the words in about 28 seconds. I think during the actual experience the words were savored and the moment fully lived. Rejoice in God’s work in you and may ourFfather be glorified today in our lives.
Hugs,
Mimi
*SPACE a daily devotional practice that includes: Sin for us to confess, a Promise of God for us to embrace, an Attitude for me to change, Command for me to obey, and an example for me to follow. I first heard of SPACE from Billie Hanks.
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