Jerusalem Greer

The Theology of Place, Liturgical Shenanigans, Farm Living

in the dark street shines: a holiday weekend recap

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*the Zens 20th Year Reunion*
Y’all last week was a booger. It was hard, and stressful, and there were a few times when I thought I might just lose IT at long last.  That I might just finally come completely undone once and for all.
More than once I played Sara Groves song, Peace, Peace, singing along with these lyrics, tears in my eyes.
Peace, peace, it’s hard to find
Doubt comes like a tiny voice that’s so unkind
And all your fears
They conspire to unwind youMy fears, my doubt, my insecurities, they were doing a bang up job of unwinding me. All the questions that I cannot see the answers to, all the problem that I want solutions for NOW. They were an avalanche that would not stop crashing in on me.
And in your dark street shines
An everlasting light
And all your hopes and fears
Are met in Him tonight
 
But then the weekend came and I went away with some very old and dear friends, and that little light in the dark street begin to shine a little brighter, hope at not abandoned me after all. I basked in the laughter, and ease of 20 years of friendship, and in freedom of just being myself of 24 hours and not fulfilling any roles of duty.
20 years since our first Christmas gathering (which you can read about in AHY), and here we all were (one via Skype from overseas) together again.
In their presence I felt as carefree as I did all those years ago as a college freshman, I saw a bit of the girl I was, the girl who is still inside, who occasional gets buried deep beneath To-Do List and Raising Kids and Doing Laundry. It was so good to hang out with her again.

*St. Nicholas visiting our church potluck.*
Sunday was our big Alternative Gift Fair and Potluck Brunch at church.
I love our church. It is nothing like what I would have thought I wanted a decade ago, but God works in mysterious ways, and for this gift of a church I am so very grateful.

Sunday was also our St. Nicholas celebration (a week later than planned due to our winter weather last weekend,) and it was big fun for all of us to visit with St. Nick.
I wish we had started the St. Nicholas tradition instead of Santa Claus when the kids were little. I think it is the perfect answer to the Santa/No Santa debate.
The more I have studied liturgical traditions, the sadder I am for how much heritage and wisdom has been lost to Christians in Evangelical churches. All too often the baby was thrown out with the bath water, resulting in great divisions and misunderstandings over things that could have aided families in incorporating faith in their homes so easily.
Like the whole Santa debate. Here is the perfect solution – one rooted in faith- that could be enjoyed by all Christians. Santa doesn’t have to compete with Christ, but yet there is still a way to enjoy the tradition during the season.
(Sigh. I think we have hit upon my soap box.)

*feliz navidad banner in progress”
I also did a little banner making Sunday night for a friend with Love Actually playing in the background. Some people craft to music. I craft to movies.
  I don’t remember the last banner I made, which is so odd because it used to be ALL I DID. BANNERS and more BANNERS.
I have to say it was fun and highly therapeutic. Special K stays in my craft room now so I don’t get very much alone time to craft, and I didn’t realize how much I missed it until last night. Crafting with the kids is fun, but it isn’t the same. I can’t get lost in thought the same way I can when it is just me and the paper and the glue. When I am able to play with all the pieces, change my mind, and try new ideas, I am able to leave all the other stresses of my life behind and just have fun.
I think 2014 is going to involve resolving this issue.
Momma needs to get her craft on.
*this years make-shift advent wreath*
Last night we ate amazing BLT sandwiches ala Sweet Man, and celebrated the third week in Advent. We used the readings in  A Homemade Year as our guide (okay, I know I wrote the book, but dang it comes in handy,) and everyone participated by reading, lighting or praying. We focused on John the Baptist preparing the way,and how we can spread joy, being Christ hands and feet on earth, through prayer, strength, and love. We prayed and gave thanks for all those who go into the places and love on the people that no one else will. We prayed that we would have that same tenderness and humility.
Joy is prayer – Joy is strength – Joy is love – Joy is a net of love by which you can catch souls.
Mother Teresa
The light is shining a bit brighter, and we are getting closer.
Christmas is coming.
Wishing you all much love this week.
J
 

 

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