The Hochstetler's 2012 Christmas Tunes

Hark!  Radioland launches into a'caroling and all singing noel, and it's beginning to sound and look a lot like Christmas, even though there are still pumpkins and fall colors hanging out on my dining room table.  As I scramble to get the winter holiday trappings out of storage, I remind myself that I'm not late it's just that the Jeanettes and Isabellas are even quicker than usual about this decorating thing this year.

"O, Christmas tree", I bemoan as I pull the fake tree from the under-the-stairs closet. Bought in haste from a resale store to appease the hubby's objection to the mess of a real tree, I never did love this big bristle brush that seems to be missing it's bottom boughs.  I scrounge around for a box the right width and height to set it on so I can get the hang-from-the-branches-with-care party started.  Maybe my ship will be among the three sailing in on Christmas day in the morning and I will go out to some midnight clear sale and buy a tree more life-like. I decide to let some of the grand kids, with their eyes all a'glow, help me put the finishing touches on the tree when they come to spend the night. Somehow this time of the year is made most wonderful with children's excitement. 

I remove the expired objects and other clutter from the table to make room for the holly, jolly, candles, greens, and pine cones. I pick up an envelope that traveled back with us from a recent trip to visit Jodi and her family in Florida. I finger through the contents, smiling at 4 year old Ian's artwork. (Emmanuel works as a car mechanic for BMW, while Jodi is a stay-at-home mom)  We love time with Ian and his 2 year old brother, Dominic!  They won't be home for Christmas this year, so we will cherish these memories.

                                                    Emmanuel, Jodi, Ian &  Dominic

                                                        
    Kira & Josh

  As I set the digital camera aside to the desk, I take time to click through, again, the pixels I captured during that visit which also included a jaunt to MO. to visit Josh, Kira, his fiancee and Kira's two sons, Cody and Brayden. (Josh continues his sales job with a printing company in Tulsa).  Kira treated us to tickets into Silver Dollar City, not too far from her house.  The Branson theme park was alit with colorful lights, silver bells, jingle bells, the brightest and best of Christmas cheer. Besides seeing a show and watching a light parade, some of our party went dashing through the Powder Keg amusement ride.  I wanted to be home for Christmas, so I watched from the sidelines. :) Josh and Kira will have the parson do the job when he's in Tulsa where they plan to be married in April. We look forward to adding these wonderful three to our clan. (Kira is a loan underwriter at a bank, since just moving to Tulsa).

Cody(17)




 


Brayden (12)

July of this year, when Christmas things were lying very still in their deep and dreamless hibernation sleep,  Jill and Elle, Josh's lovely daughters, came to spend a week with us.  Our excursions included a trip to Lake Michigan, picking up Uncle Austin in Valparaiso. (Austin recently acquired a social work job, being a life skills coach to youth in the foster system). Jill and Elle wondered about Amish as we wandered through Shipshewana.  We made the most of our time together. You can  catch more details of their visit here.
                                                                                                             

                                                                                                                  Elle, Austin, & Jill

I break my reverie and return to my decorating. Lovingly, I position the manger scene figures.  Many years ago my brother, Jess, carved the pieces out of ivory soap. This memory leads me away to this year's October family visit to Virginia.  Dad and Lena continue in their sweet relationship.  Lois, Paul, Jess and their companions were all there.  Glad tidings to our great Showalter kin!

I tuck the baby Jesus away in the manger and put the finishing touches on my snowmen collection display.
I hope it's not just wishful thinking, but I'm dreaming of  a white Christmas. The season has yet to deliver any winter wonderland magic.

We'll have ourselves a merry little Christmas this Saturday as we rock around the Christmas tree with the family who live close by.  A.J. (working in manufacturing and a recent grad with a criminal justice admin degree) and Amanda (working part-time and a stay-at-home mom) will bring Auron (5) and Elika (2).  Dan (RV employee and an EMT trainee and volunteer with the fire department) and Kristina (full-time mom) will come with Aubrey (8), Shawn (5) and Rebecca (2).  Austin is also close enough to join us.

 Kristina, Dan, Shawn, Rebecca & Aubrey

                                                               A.J., Auron, Amanda & Elika

Kevin looks forward to being a rested merry gentleman as the holidays will bring a few days off from work at Tri-State Compressed Air Systems.  I am considering it great joy to have two weeks off from my job at the Goshen College Library.  We are thankful for jobs, good health, family to enjoy and many friends who are gifts all through the year. Harvest Community Church is the place where we connect to the body of Christ.

Christ Jesus entered our world as a baby, lived here as our example, died as our Savior, now lives in heaven to intercede for us and will one day come to take us to the place he is preparing for us. He is Healer for all the pain and sorrow in this world, the Wonderful Counselor, the Everlasting Father and the Prince of Peace! This is THE greatest gift of all. Joy to the world!

Do you hear what I hear? Our wish to each of you for a very meaningful and beautiful holiday and our heartfelt gratitude for all you mean to us.

In the love that came down at Christmas,

Kevin and Ruth


May the lyrics of this traditional carol bless you and be our prayer.

As with Gladness Men of Old

Words: Will­iam C. Dix, 1860.
Music: Dix, Kon­rad Koch­er, Stim­men aus dem Reiche Gott­es, 1838
As with gladness, men of old
Did the guiding star behold
As with joy they hailed its light
Leading onward, beaming bright
So, most glorious Lord, may we
Evermore be led to Thee.

As with joyful steps they sped
To that lowly manger bed
There to bend the knee before
Him Whom Heaven and earth adore;
So may we with willing feet
Ever seek Thy mercy seat.

As they offered gifts most rare
At that manger rude and bare;
So may we with holy joy,
Pure and free from sin’s alloy,
All our costliest treasures bring,
Christ, to Thee, our heavenly King.

Holy Jesus, every day
Keep us in the narrow way;
And, when earthly things are past,
Bring our ransomed souls at last
Where they need no star to guide,
Where no clouds Thy glory hide.

In the heavenly country bright,
Need they no created light;
Thou its Light, its Joy, its Crown,
Thou its Sun which goes not down;
There forever may we sing
Alleluias to our King!

Shrinking back?

Studying Hebrews with our community Bible study has been good and challenging. We've meandered  through warnings and promises and the reality of a High Priest who ever lives to make intercession for us.  Here is my response to the lesson this week from chapter 10, verses 35-39.

³⁵ So do not throw away your confidence; it will be richly rewarded.
³⁶ You need to persevere so that when you have done the will of God, you will receive what he has promised. ³⁷ For,

“In just a little while,
    he who is coming will come
    and will not delay.”

³⁸ And,

“But my righteous one will live by faith.
    And I take no pleasure
    in the one who shrinks back.”

³⁹ But we do not belong to those who shrink back and are destroyed, but to those who have faith and are saved.

shrink-

to draw back, as in retreat or avoidance: to shrink from danger; to shrink from contact

Lesson Question:
What does shrinks back (10:38) mean to you?

"Well that sure didn't work out", she concluded as she closed the door on another relationship.  "I'm not wasting time and effort on trying to be nice to her when all I get back are nasty remarks and sly put-downs."
     **Shrink back, or keep killing with kindness**

"They have no right to treat me that way or criticize what I do.  I'll just resign from the committee.  They apparently don't need me anyway."
     **Shrink back, or ask God for wisdom and humility and confidence in the midst of opposition**

"It's like I don't even exist.  No one takes anything I say seriously.  So I'll just shut-up and keep my thoughts to myself."
     **Shrink back, or believe He has good plans for me**

"Oh, I forgive her.  I just don't think we can be close anymore.  I'm not trusting her again."
     **Shrink back, or love as He loves me**

"I'm not praying as hard for that anymore.  God hasn't answered, so it must not be important to Him."
     **Shrink back, or press on in faith."

"I'm not praying as hard for that anymore.  I don't see anything happening so I kind of forget about it."
     **Shrink back, or make effort to remember what is important to Him**

"I want to be closer to God...I'll spend more time with Him...after I check my emails, take my next turn in Scrabble online, catch-up on Facebook, watch the news, call my kids, read my newest magazine..."
     **Shrink back, or be deliberate about pursuing my relationship with the Lord of Lords and King of 
          Kings who gave his life for me, knowing that in His presence is fullness of joy.**

"I'm getting older now, it's just easier to let someone else do it.  Besides, I've put in my time.  I think I deserve to slow down a bit."
      **Shrink back, or persevere in doing His will knowing He waits to richly reward me and He has no early retirement options or plans.  Each day I'm here, I'm His delight and He promises to provide for all my needs. If every hair on my head is accounted for, how can I not have confidence that He will be faithful to me and help me to continue to faithfully follow Him.**

Thank you, Father, that by your grace, I belong to those who do not shrink back but have faith and are saved. 

Further contemplation: 
C.H. Spurgeon-http://www.raystedman.org/hebrews2/heb2comm2.html#anchor159102
 

Childish Things

"Again"
So I held my two year old grandson on my lap and began to sing-song the little ryhme while bouncing him slowly and then faster until he was giggling gleefully. As soon as my actions stopped he begged for a repeat.

His brother watched the DVD I had brought along, not once but several times. One viewing of talking cars and simple stories was enough for me.

The knee bounce lover also liked wedging himself between the wall and the sofa and coaxing Papa to cover the opening with  pillows so he could "hiding".  Of course Papa's stacking skills were employed a multitude of times.

Bedtime stories were the same ones every night and oatmeal for breakfast four days in a row was by popular choice.

Living for a week with my daughter and her family was such a treat!
Children thrive on consistency and predictibility. Bedtime routine, scheduled naps, mealtime, chores and favorite toys and games. It was fun to watch and be part of the action.

I did tire of doing the same thing over and over. When the visist ended I would be able to choose v-a-r-i-e-t-y! Yet how different do my activities look from day to day? Work doesn't change much. I like to play app games over and over or eat the same favorite snacks. Buy me the wrong toothpaste brand and watch my reaction! Even though I may get away with an erratic bedtime schedule for a day or two, I know I'm wiser to stay in a good sleep pattern.

Maybe that's reflective of being made in the Creator's image. He's not the author of confusion but a God of order. The days come and go consistently. Laws of nature are so predictable we are rarely conscience of them. I am thankful for the sameness in my life.

Yet we reflect a God who is also artist, beginner of newness, and giver of unexpected rewards and a Lover whose love is sure and constant , but also wild and crazy.

"He's not safe, but he's good". (C.S. Lewis about Aslan)

What's not to love then about this life he's called us to? Whether you're feeling stuck in the monotony of routine or longing for stability or wish you were more in charge of the seasons of your life, know that our God is good and as we trust him for all of life we will live free from boredom and fear of change.

He is Greater!

Don't you love it when your every day programming is interrupted with a word from our Sponsor? The messages He gives remind me of who is running the show and a glimpse of what is happening behind scenes.  I had some reality shows interrupted in my world this week. I had no urge to mute these announcements; it was time to turn up the volume.

I first noticed the announcement playing during Post Election Day this week. After the campaign frenzy building up to the election and the anticipation that things might turn out the way I hoped, the morning after brought disappointment and a deep sense of loss. Hope for change and a different leader at the helm wouldn't happen. There were more Americans who wanted to continue in the direction we were headed, than wanted that change and that meant I was now a part of the minority. Did my vote really matter? How disheartening to go through all that expensive hoopla to have things stay almost the same.

Then I heard it. The reminder that someone greater than any president or governor was still in charge and there still is a Kingdom that cannot be shaken no matter who rules this piece of the planet. A Kingdom that I claim citizenship to and a King who has counted me worthy to serve Him. No matter what is happening on earth, the Kingdom of God is expanding and I get to work with Him to bring His justice, peace, and love to hearts of men that are open to knowing him. My King is greater. He still has a plan.

Philippians 3:20
But our citizenship is in heaven. And we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ...

1 Peter 2:11
I beg you, as those whom I love, to live in this world as strangers and “temporary residents”...

Was I hoping for an election win that would restore trust in earthly government? My trust can only be in the Lord.
 
It was then that I found more motivation to pray for this country than I had before and during the election. Oh, Lord forgive our sins. Forgive our arrogance of thinking we're wonderful when we aren't. Of denying our neediness and failure to learn from the past. For taking for granted our freedom and comfort. For judging others. For looking to man's ways to bring Godliness. May we keep our hope upon you, and honor the president in office. May we be people of prayer, sharing your love to everyone the same, regardless of political beliefs.

I get an email from my financial adviser this week telling me what to expect since the election is over. I hear  the Sponser's message saying the greater investments are the ones laid up in heaven. Am I managing that account with the same watchfulness I have for stocks, bonds and annuities? The pay offs are guaranteed and last through eternity.

I enjoy the woman's retreat at church this weekend. During worship I imagine the Great One's strength surrounding me as a father encircles a child who is struggling with quivering effort to prove his muscles are somehow strong enough to break free from the stronger embrace. A game they like to play. Like the child, when I'm spent from the tussle I lean confidently into Him, relaxed and secure.  He tells me again that He is in charge and quite capable of protecting me.

Someone shares their story at a workshop during the retreat. She says that wanting to know God more is not the same as knowing him better. And I'm reminded that knowing comes from spending time in His presence, soaking in His goodness and love, listening to His words. Desires and intentions may make me feel like I'm getting closer to him, but if I never follow through to actually drawing aside to be with him, I am fooling myself. He is greater than anything else this world has to offer.

Thank you for sharing words of encouragement with me this week, Father. You are greater, more wonderful and mighty than any earthly power. I worship you. May you be exalted in your people.

My hope is built on nothing less,
Than Jesus' blood and righteousness,
I dare not trust the sweetest frame,
But wholly lean on Jesus' name.

                                                                                   
On Christ the solid rock I stand,
All other ground is sinking sand,
All other ground is sinking sand.

We Are Heard

Skipping towards home with anticipation, her long pigtails lilted energetically against the back of her madras paid blouse.  Arriving at the white, green-shuttered bungalow she quickly twisted open the door handle of the side entrance. Would it be tomato soup and grilled cheese today or peanut-butter and banana sandwiches?  She loved living close enough to school to be able to come home each day for lunch.
"Mom!", she called loudly, bouncing inside. "In the kitchen, sweetie", came the reassuring reply.

This time she sits by the window in the little alcove her dad has turned into a dressing room.  She's a teenager. The house is quiet. It's dark except for the moon's glow bathing her up-turned face. Tears trickle  along her nose into the tissue she holds over her mouth to muffle the crying.  Her prayers are intense.  The quiet assurance of the Father's presence slowly placates her distress.

Many years have passed and the same girl, now a young mother, stirs a pot of soup on the stove. Simultaneously, she reads the recipe for the pumpkin pie she plans to bake for dessert.
"Mommy?", a child's voice queries from the next room.
"What is it?".  No answer.
"Mommy?"
"I'm in here, my love".  No comment.
The mother peeks quietly past the door frame to observe the toddler.  Happily engrossed in her play, the little one is unaware of the mother's furtive glance. Momma smiles and returns to her cooking.

Another One offered up prayers with loud cries and tears to his Father who had the power to save him from death and he was heard.  But he still died. Died a cruel death. Died an undeserved death. But he was heard. His Father sent angels to attend to him.  He was reminded of the joy that awaited him when the plan would be completed. He must have heard again how much the Father loved him.

The toddler, the school girl, the teen and the Son all were heard and it was good, it was enough.

Isn't knowing the Father is there, loving us lavishly and listening to us intently, amazing? Whatever our circumstances are now, whatever the outcome of our requests will be, we have the incredible privilege of being the apple of his eye and the one his ear is tuned to.  He is close.

Psalm 116:1 (AMP)

I love the Lord, because He has heard [and now hears] my voice and my supplications.

Proverbs 15:29 (NIV)

The Lord is far from the wicked but he hears the prayer of the righteous.

1John 5:15 (NIV)
And if we know that he hears us—whatever we ask—we know that we have what we asked of him. 

He hears a nation in prayer before an election, the cries of a city ravaged by a hurricane and a world torn by war.  He knows when and how to answer and He is good all the time.

Take courage any fearful among us! Stop doubting, any who have lost hope! He does hear, He is answering. It will be good for those who love him. 

Do-nut Let Me Miss This Day!

We gather early to sink our fingers into mounds of yeasty dough.  Chunks of the soft, almost too sticky squishiness are rolled to floured flatness on the countertop. Two-year old granddaugher, perches on the bar stool,  and presses the round cutter into the prepared rectangle while her dad adds an extra push, his strong hand around the smaller one. The younger face beams as the circle twists free like a piece from a puzzle. Clutching the tinier cutter, tongue lolling from side of mouth,  she and dad collaborate again to punch out a small round hole from the first circle. Her eyes follow the puffy creation as it's transported by spatula to cookie sheet. Oblivious to smudges of flour on elbows and nose, she's eager to do it again.

Other family teams cut more yeasty hole-in-the-middle circles.  The table is soon covered with cookie sheets full of the carefully spaced cut-outs, laying like over-sized lifesavers.  The wait is agonizing as mouths water, anticipating the first warm, sugary bite. The shapes must grow to just the right fatness, get plopped into hot oil until perfectly browned, then dipped into glazey sweetness and cooled just enough-enough is relative depending on which mouth is feeding- before the feasting begins.

It's Donut Day with a household of relatives who hang out from morning until afternoon making and eating the satisfying pastries. Older adults visit, coffee in hand. Techno generation makes eye contact with cellular apps and web, preserving memories instantly online; at times all gathered around the same palm to view the latest pixel taken.  Kid cousins run, hide-and-seek,  laugh and cry. The cooking oil makes eyes burn. Windows open to let in new air and coolness. Other family gatherings may get preempted by necessary engagements, but calendars hold only one appointment on this day of sacred tradition.

Thank heaven for leaven! For Homemade Donuts!

Giving Honor

October is pastor appreciation month.

Elders, ministry leaders and congregation collaborated in honoring our pastors on Sunday. Words of commendation were spoken and read aloud while photos from the present and past presented poses of our pastors laboring, laughing and lounging. We feasted together after the meeting and bestowed our gifts on them. We honored God in acknowledging the Godly service and example of those who lead us.

Are they perfect? You might have concluded that from the glowing tributes their adult children shared with us. But they wouldn't claim to be and we know they aren't. There have been times of ouch and oops and days when I would not have felt like singing their praises. Isn't that the way we are, though? Relationships we desire closeness with will disappoint.

Sometimes honor feels like kisses and bursting -at -the -seams pride and tears of gratitude, awe and veneration. But what about when it doesn't? When ho hum indifference or resentment or anger crowds out desire to honor? It's so not about us then, but obedience to God's Word to honor those in leadership, including parents and presidents.  If honoring through clenched teeth seems hypocritical, then it may be time to make  appointments at the throne of grace for attitude alignments, a forgiveness makeover and deep cleansing. Only when we're road worthy to his high Way, can we ask for wisdom and timing to make appeals or confront wrongs.

Help us honor each other as you've asked us to, Father. Not just on special days, but in our hearts and through our words, always.

Romans 12:10
Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves.