Song In My Heart This November

Onward, Christian soldiers, Marching as to war,
With the cross of Jesus Going on before.
Christ, the royal Master, Leads against the Foe;
Forward into battle See His banners go!
Onward, Christian soldiers, Marching as to war,
With the cross of Jesus Going on before.

Like a mighty army Moves the Church of God;
Brothers, we are treading Where the saints have trod.
We are not divided, All one body we,
One in hope and doctrine, One in charity.
Onward, Christian soldiers, Marching as to war,
With the cross of Jesus Going on before.

Crowns and thrones may perish, Kingdoms rise and wane,
But the Church of Jesus Constant will remain.
Gates of hell can never 'Gainst that Church prevail;
We have Christ's own promise, And that cannot fail.
Onward, Christian soldiers, Marching as to war,
With the cross of Jesus Going on before.

Onward, then, ye faithful, Join our happy throng,
Blend with ours your voices In the triumph-song;
Glory, laud, and honor Unto Christ the King;
This, through countless ages, Men and angels sing.
Onward, Christian soldiers, Marching as to war,
With the cross of Jesus Going on before.

- Sabine Baring-Gould, 1864

Feast of the Presentation

Time to put away the Christmas decorations!

40 days after His birth, Jesus was presented at the temple (Luke 2:22-36). The church celebrates this event in Jesus's life with the Feast of the Presentation.

It is also the source of beautiful song of Simeon which is a part of our liturgy known as nunc dimittis (Latin for "now dismiss"). Lutherans sing this following the celebration of communion.

Now dismiss Thy servant, O Lord, In peace,

according to Thy word:

For mine own eyes hath seen Thy salvation,

Which Thou hast prepared in the sight of all the peoples,

A light to reveal Thee to the nations

And the glory of Thy people Israel.

#3

Sleep!!! 8 hours a night. Every night.

Zzzzzz Zzzzzz

Resolution #2

Drink water. 8x8

Slosh. Slosh. Slosh.

New Year's Resolution #1

Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.

Yes, in an election year. I like a challenge.

Tidings of Comfort & Joy!

A very merry Christmas to all of you out there in cyberspace! 2011 was indeed a very interesting year, I look forward to what 2012 will bring. God bless & keep you.

A New Tradition?

We had a lovely Thanksgiving at my in-laws. Delicious food, great company, good times. But when it came time for desserts my youngest, Sally, asked for pumpkin pie - but sadly there wasn't any.

My in-laws, now in their 70s, were tired of eating the same old thing every Thanksgiving and served pulled-pork sandwiches, baked beans, macaroni salad, scalloped potatoes and for dessert chocolate cake or banana cream pie. As I said, the food was great, I didn't think twice about it until Sally asked for pumpkin pie. And I realized what is routine, and perhaps boring, for us is neither routine nor boring for a six year old. The smell of a roasting turkey is not an ingrained memory for her.

I can't re-do Thanksgiving. Our tradition has always been to spend it at either my parents' or Mr. Bee's parents' homes. My parents are gone too soon, and I enjoy being with my in-laws whatever they decide to serve. We will keep going there.

Christmas is a different story and I have decided to start a new chapter, beginning with Christmas dinner. Turkey, sweet potatoes, mashed potatoes and gravy, cranberry relish, pumpkin pie. Digging out the china, white table linen, cloth napkins, crystal candlesticks. What good does all that stuff do tucked away in cupboards? Some of it we received as wedding presents 23+ years ago and have never used!

I've never done the big dinner before. I am excited and a little nervous, but ready to start a new family tradition. I think Sally and the other kids will appreciate it someday. I'm making a memory. A good one, I hope. :-)