"I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord." (Luke 2:10b-11)
Thanksgiving:
We managed to squeeze Mom, Dad, and Michael into our usually spacious apartment. Add John, Sarah, Ben, and Sam during the day and you have a very packed Piccadilly place. We had the whole week off from school so were able to enjoy lots of family time. It was great having them in town and showing them around Phoenix. Now they have a better idea of what to imagine when we start talking about Christ or Valley or even my favorite market ever - Sprouts!
The Blur (a.k.a. time between Thanksgiving and Christmas):
Let's see what I can remember. In the life of a musician, particularly a church or school teacher musician, the time after Thanksgiving can mark the time of panic. Now, this doesn't happen because of buying presents, or baking cookies, or even sending greeting cards (yep, this is our Christmas e-card). This "eustress" is caused by all the work it takes to prepare for a single performance or service. To add on to the joys of being a first year teacher and hoping his students pass their finals, oh yes, and let's not forget him coaching Valley's 1-3 J.V. girls basketball team, Theron had to make sure his debut as the new music director went smoothly. AND IT DID!!! He and the ensembles did an amazing job. Lots of people we so pleased with how well the students performed and enjoyed performing. Even though our schedules filled up rather quickly this last month (I started two extra duties over at Christ which now have me there everyday...oops) we've had many opportunities to be reminded of how much we are blessed.
Christmas:
Some of you may have heard me jokingly describe Phoenix as the wilderness where we sometimes feel like the grumbling Israelites. Theron and I are now part of the great Lutheran church worker diaspora and therefore are spending our first Christmas away from both sides of the family. I'm not gonna lie, it's not our ideal way of celebrating the birth of our Savior. It means that things we have taken for granted before; family, friends, big kitchens, and yes, even snow, are gonna have to wait for another time.
However, this teaches us to not take our current blessings for granted. When the going gets tough, it can be easy to hope a completely different situation, but truth is, God has given us an opportunity to share the message of Jesus in a place where we are surrounded by the love and support of Christian friends. Even though we have to wait to be with our real families, today we get to be with our Christian family here in Phoenix. Once the ham finally cooks all the way through, we'll be on our way to the Riske's house where we'll be joined by the Holts and the Hulkes, two other couples of great friends. Hmmm let me count some more blessings....employment, health, each other, good weather, time for fun, the list goes on.
So here's what we've learned in the 'wilderness' so far:
When stressed with work, we see God's active and living Word in the lives of our students
When missing our family and friends, we remember Immanuel, God with us.
When wishing that we had a better place and way to live, we remember that Jesus, King of Kings, came down to earth to be born in a stable.
When frustrated when I yet again mess up the pumpkin pie, we get to receive the forgiveness of our sins and the strengthening of faith until our salvation is completed by the body and blood of Jesus at Holy Communion.
When distracted about any other worldly matter, God's message to the shepherds and the world through the angel, "for unto you is born...a Savior," does not return to Him empty.
It is our prayer this Christmas Day that you may share the peace and joy that is ours through our Savior, Christ the Lord, who was born, sacrificed, and raised for the entire world.
Merry Christmas. We love you all!
Theron and Jessica
we love you too, Jessica! Merry Christmas to you both!
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