[1] I haven’t blogged in over ten days and I don’t have any good reasons or excuses. Some days I have so much I would love to say here and I sit down and I can’t seem to write anything coherent. Other days I am excited about blogging all day and before I know it it’s 11pm and I tell myself “I’ll blog tomorrow.” Sometimes I go through days of wanting to write and knowing I should but I don’t and then I wonder if James 4:17 applies even to blogging…

Last week Tyler and I had colds for a few days. I ended up taking him to the doctor for his normal check-up and to see if he had an ear infection, thankfully he didn’t. The poor little guy was not his usual self crawling all around exploring. Instead he was sensitive and just wanted to be held. I didn’t mind though. I enjoyed holding him while he slept a few times, it made me realize how much he has grown in only a matter of months. People always say to new moms, “Enjoy it [2] now, they grow up so fast,” and I guess it is true. In just over two months Tyler will be a year old and it sure doesn’t seem like it’s already been a whole year. It’s a good reminder to me to make the most of each day!

This weekend we had a special activity for our high school group called “Christmas in the City.” We used to do this event in San Francisco but now that we live in Orange County we had to find some ways to customize the event to our new group. Friday night students came for several hours to decorate lots of sugar cookies, have a white elephant gift exchange and do some caroling. Saturday morning is spent delivering the cookies we[3] decorated the night before to people who serve in our church. After meeting up for lunch we loaded up the vans and headed up to Santa Monica where we spent the afternoon at the pier. There is a ferris wheel and many other rides and it was a good time hanging out with our students and getting to talk with some of the leaders. After the pier everyone walked a few blocks down to a nice Italian restaurant for a big family-style dinner before heading home.

Today, Pastor Mike gave a great exhortation for us to be lights in this dark world. I liked how he described a tree with hundreds of lights amidst a group of trees that have no lights–the lit tree stands out clearly and distinctly. We need to stand out in our actions and words, shining with the truth and love of the gospel.

“You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven.” Matthew 5:14-16

During Christmas time something people are talking a lot about is joy and peace. I always find this a contradiction to the chaos of commercialism and materialism that goes on this time of year. There doesn’t seem to be much of either, even though everyone is talking and singing about it. One thing that Pastor Mike said addressed this is — “Joy comes from obedience.” We cannot have joy if we ignore Christ or are ashamed of Him. We also cannot have joy if we are just trying to do the religious things without a true relationship with God. Joy comes and from obedience because obedience is what someone does who is following Christ. Obedience means that they are right before God, what could possibly bring more joy than that?

Last week I put evergreen garland that has little white lights in it up on our fireplace mantle. Every time I pointed it out to Tyler I would say “Look at those pretty lights Tyler, wow!” A few days later, he was playing in the living room when I plugged in the lights. I was so surprised when Tyler looked up and said “Wow!” I thought of that today during Pastor Mike’s message. For many Christians Christmas is just the same busy holiday year after year, they do all the parties and family gatherings, presents and a tree. The traditions are all in place but nothing is really different about them because it is somehow all too easy to get caught up in the season but be lazy spiritually. Pastor Mike urged us to take advantage of this time to be renewed in our joy as we reflect on the fact that Jesus is the light of the world.

I want to opt out on a few parties and maybe not get too crazy with gifts and baking and decorations if that would help me spend time before the Father to say “wow” that there was born a Savior who is Christ the Lord!