MIA

It seems as though I have been Missing In Action lately but I haven't forgotten about you out there.  The reality of coming back from 12 days of vacation means that there are some piles to dig through and unfortunately it has taken me longer to dig out than I'd hoped.

If I had been more on top of it I would have asked you all about your Christmas'.  Did you start a new faith tradition this year?  But Christmas has come and gone and so has New Year's.  But I think that a week into the New Year is still an ok time to talk about resolutions.

Most of us make resolutions this time of year.  It is a chance for us to reflect on the year past and what changes we want to make.  It is a natural time to pause and take stock of what is important.  Below are the top ten most common New Year's resolutions.  Do you see something missing?

1. Stop smoking 

2. Get Fit

3. Lose Weight 

4. Enjoy Life More 

5. Quit Drinking 

6. Get Organized 

7. Learn Something New 

8. Get Out of Debt 

9. Spend more time with the Family 

10. Help Others

These are some wonderful resolutions and they serve a purpose - to make our lives more as we would wish them to be.  We want to be happier, healthier and more secure in our lives and these resolutions help that.  But there is something that is missing...there is nothing on there about improving on your relationship with God.  Now in particular spending time with your family and helping others are often products of a full life with God but they are not the same thing. 

It takes courage to admit that you are not always in a faithful state of mind.  THis is not to admit that you never have doubts or questions about God and faith, rather this is a state where God doesn't even register on our radar screens for the day, week, month or year.

Most Christians would agree that a relationship with God is an important thing, so why are we not resolved to start the year off and make it so?  We've just witnessed the miracle of Christmas - the birth of a Savior in the stable - will that affect your life this new year?  Or is it something you pack away with the Christmas lights or leave on the curb with the dry tree?

I say that we should resolve to make God in our top ten at very least.  It may not be a complicated resolution.  It may be as simple as resolving to pray before each meal, or before bed, or to put the sign of the cross on your children each day and remind them of their baptism.

What might your resolution be to bring yourself closer to God in 2010?

P.S.  Mine? I resolve to share my faith openly and honestly with you here on this blog.  My struggles and successes,  because sharing here makes me think again and in a new way about my own need for Salvation and God's grace that has been given to me.

Merry Christmas!

MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!

May your day be filled with joy and peace!

Kid Crossings will return on January 4th after a much needed holiday break.  Peace to you all in the holiday season!

The Night Before Christmas

The Night Before Christmas
A more spiritual version of the famous Christmas story
by: Sister St. Thomas, B.N.D. de N


Twas the night before Christmas, and all through the town,
Joseph was searching, walking up roads and down;
Mary was waiting, so meek and so mild,
While Joseph was seeking a place for the Child.

The children were nestled, each snug in their beds,
The grown-ups wouldn't bother, there's no room they said;
When even the innkeeper sent them away,
Joseph was wondering, where they would stay.

He thought of the caves in the side of the hills,
Lets go there said Mary, it's silent and still;
The moon on the breast of the new fallen snow,
Made pathways of light for their tired feet to go.

And there in a cave, in a cradle of hay,
Our Savior was born on that first Christmas Day!
The Father was watching in heaven above,
He sent for His angels, His couriers of love.

More rapid than eagles God's bright angels came;
Rejoicing and eager as each heard his name;
Come Power, Come Cherubs, Come Virtues, Come Raphael,
Come Thrones and Dominions, come Michael and Gabriel.

Now fly to the Earth, where My poor people live,
Announce the glad tiding My Son comes to give;
The Shepherds were watching their flocks on this night,
And saw in the heavens and unearthly light.

The Angels assured them, they'd nothing to fear,
It's Christmas they said, the Savior is here!
They hastened to find Him, and stood at the door,
Till Mary invited them in to adore.

He was swaddled in bands from His head to His feet,
Never did the Shepherds see a baby so sweet!
He spoke not a word, but the shepherds all knew,
He was telling them secrets and blessing them too.

Then softly they left Him, The Babe in the hay,
And rejoiced with great joy on that first Christmas Day;
Mary heard them exclaim as they walked up the hill,
Glory to God in the Highest, Peace to men of good will!

Celebrate the birth of the Savior!

Christmas Worship 2009
St. Luke's Lutheran Church, Bloomington, MN
1701 W. Old Shakopee Rd.
Bloomington, MN 55431
952-881-5801
www.stlukes.ws

Christmas Eve
December 24, 2009

2:30pm - Festival Worship with Children's Choirs *

4:00pm - Blended Worship with Jubilee Worship Team *

10:30pm - Candelight Worship with St. Luke's Choir
Prelude begins at 10:00pm

* Nursery care available for children 3 years and younger

Christmas Day
December 25, 2009

10:00am - Festival Worship with Holy Communion


"And the Word became flesh and lived among us, and we have seen his glory, the glory as of a father's only son, full of grace and truth" ~ John 1:14

Advent

Sometimes it seems like Advent gets the short end of the stick when it comes to church seasons.  There are great Advent hymns that sing about the process of waiting and hoping for Christ, but we want Christmas songs!  We want our Silent Nights and our Hark the Herald Angels.  And who can blame us really?  These songs are filled with joy and love and faith for us.  Christmas is a time to slow down and truly celebrate with those around us that God loved us so much to send his son.

The problem of course is that to slow down for Christmas means that Advent speeds up to a near frantic pace.  There is shopping, cooking and cleaning to do, not to mention all the holiday parties, concerts and family activities to do.  It is no wonder that by the time we reach the Christmas season we are just tired.

It may be that there is no avoiding the hustle and bustle, but try to find a family activity that can center you during the season and remind you about the wonderful thing that we wait for in Advent - the birth of Jesus Christ.

Here are some ways to remember Advent as a family:

• Consider investing in a family advent wreath and light it each night at dinner.  One candle is lit for each week of Advent.  So by Advent 4 all candles are lit.
  
  
• Use an advent calendar to mark down the days until Christmas.  Everyday a box can be opened or an ornament can be hung in celebration of being one day closer to Jesus' birth.
  
  
• If you don't have an advent calendar one can be made easily by making a paper chain and ripping off one link each day.
• When shopping consider getting a gift for Toys for Tots or donating to a local food shelf like VEAP to remind yourself that giving is a greater joy than recieving.
  
  
• Read the a portion of the Christmas story each day or use or Taking Faith Home inserts for daily Advent readings.
  
  
• Place a new piece of a Nativity out each day counting down for Christmas.  Remember to save the baby Jesus for last!  If you don't have many pieces for your nativity consider having your children make sheep or other animals to have one to add each day.

What Advent Traditions help you slow down as a family before Christmas?

Happy Thanksgiving everyone!

Don't forget to save some room for Christmas Cookie baking later this week!

FAMILY CHRISTMAS COOKIE BAKING
Friday and Saturday, November 27 & 28, 10am—4pm

Want to bake Christmas Cookies with your family but don’t want to buy the ingredients, make the mess and clean up too? Join Lou Dalton on Thanksgiving weekend to make your cookies together as a family.

Come when you can and stay as long as you want. Walk-ins are also welcome. A freewill donation will cover the cost of the cookie supplies. Lunch will be provided. For more information or to RSVP please call Elizabeth Paul at 952-881-5801 or elizabethp@stlukes.ws

P.S. More help is needed with the cookies. Even if you don't have time to bring your kids consider coming and helping out on Friday or Saturday!

Pumpkin Carving Prayer

Halloween is a fun holiday to celebrate with your family.  This week when you are carving pumpkins consider using this prayer with your family.  Consider making one of these pumpkins to go along with your traditional Jack O' Lanterns this year!  (I'm unable to find a copyright source of this due to its prevalence on the internet).

The Pumpkin Carving Prayer

Dear God,
As I carve my pumpkin help me say this prayer:

Open my mind so I can learn about You;
(Cut the top of the pumpkin)

Take away all my sin and forgive me for the wrong things I do.
(Clean out the inside)

Open my eyes so Your love I will see;
(Cut the eyes out in heart shapes)

I'm so sorry for turning up my nose to all you've given me.
(Cut a nose in the shape of a cross)

Open my ears so your word I will hear.
(Cut the ears shaped like the Bible)

Open my mouth so I can tell others You're near
(cut the mouth in the shape of a fish)

Let Your light shine in all I say and do! Amen.
(Place a candle inside and light it)