Dreaming Big

When I was a kid, I wanted to be a television journalist. I could see myself standing on the steps in front of the Capitol building or the Supreme Court, explaining the day’s political news. Wanting as much preparation as possible, I got involved in a local television show (Action News for Kids) and even anchored a primetime special (7:30p is primetime, right?) I knew how to dream big.

Sometime during high school, I began to realize that this might not work out. Good journalists work long hours, especially if I made it to the national level. I wanted to be a mom. I am not sure I have dreamed big very often since.

I am trying to think through jobs I might want to have in the near or distant future, and it is harder to dream big than I would have previously believed. Adulthood has made me practical. I’ve been a little surprised that I’m selling things in my etsy store (and several custom cards outside of etsy.) But it’s hard for me to dream big about owning my own business. I hate self promotion. It’s not a guaranteed stream of income (and not very much at this point.) But I like the flexibility.

Maybe I need to learn how to dream again. I’m not really sure how to go about doing that, but it’s worth considering.

In Which I Am A Curmudgeon

I’ve watched the Elf on the Shelf trend for several years, and I am going to come out and say it: I just don’t get the popularity among Christian families.

Doing something every day (even for a season) makes it a pretty big deal. An elf that reports in to Santa and plays tricks around your house? What message is that sending?

We don’t do Santa. There are lots of reasons, but primarily because gifts are not the focus of our Christmas celebration. However, I can see how Santa could be a fun part of a Christian family’s Christmas without taking it over. Santa could bring one special gift. You don’t have to emphasize the naughty and nice element. This is certainly an area where freedom abounds.

I’ve said before, and will say again for clarity’s sake, it would be weird if all a family’s traditions were religious in nature and had deep theological meaning. It’s good to have fun traditions and family culture. I am not knocking that at all.

But Christmas is about incarnation. God in flesh, who came to dwell with us. It’s an amazing picture of grace.

How does the elf on a shelf fit into an incarnational Christmas celebration? God doesn’t keep a naughty list. He knows how sin easily entangles us. I want my children to know God’s holiness and to strive to follow Jesus in obedience. But I also want them to know that God wants repentant hearts more than compliant exteriors. Jesus came to call sinners, not the righteous.

The things that we spend the most time and energy on during Advent and Christmas are going to be things that draw us to this great story of incarnation. The hope and longing for a rescuer, then the joy at His appearing.

That’s not to say that we won’t watch Frosty or drive around looking at lights or do a myriad of other things that are not Christ-centered. But none of those things are daily, central parts of our celebration.

Maybe I’m wrong and your elf is gracious and kind and brings your child a Jesse Tree story every morning. Feel free to share if you’ve figured out a way to reconcile the elf to your Christmas celebration. I’ve just spent several years a little mystified watching this trend explode.

Third Sunday in Advent

Stir up your power, O Lord, and with great might come among us; and, because we are sorely hindered by our sins, let your bountiful grace and mercy speedily help and deliver us; through Jesus Christ our Lord, to whom, with you and the Holy Spirit, be honor and glory, now and for ever. Amen.

This is one of my very favorite collects. We don’t generally pray them at our new church, so I was happily surprised that we said this together in worship today, when we also happened to join the church.

Pondering Christ

Sally Clarkson has long been an encouragement to me as a mother, and her blog post on pondering Christ as a foundation for a philosophy of parenting is a must-read.

Radical, self-giving love is hard to make into a formula or six simple rules to be sure your children follow Jesus. But it’s what we are called to, as parents and as followers of Jesus.

Our Girls

I feel like this is as good an example as any of who Kate and Lexi are right now.

In their membership transfer interview, our new senior pastor asked them what they wanted to be when they grew up.

Kate said, “a scientist.”

Lexi said, “a rockstar!”

Wordless Wednesday: DPP Edition

Odds & Ends IX

+ Happy Feast of St. Nicholas! It’s a good day to practice generosity, recite the Nicene Creed and punch a heretic in the nose.
+ Chuck DeGroat’s excellent post on Advent Disappointment is worth contemplating.
+ I finished Start Something That Matters, and I really liked it. It’s a simple, quick read that will inspire people to follow their dreams, start small, and give. You have a few days left to win your own copy here.
+ The girl scouts were right, “make new friends and keep the old.” I have felt loved and known in the last few weeks, and that gives me a little hope that Memphis might start to feel like home. In the meantime, good conversations with old friends are still so precious they can buoy several days.

Second Sunday in Advent

Merciful God, who sent thy messengers the prophets to preach repentance and prepare the way for our salvation: Give us grace to heed their warnings and forsake our sins, that we may greet with joy the coming of Jesus Christ our Redeemer; who liveth and reigneth with thee and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.

More Advent Resources

I will add these to the big Advent at Home post, but a few things for this last day of the first week of Advent:

City Church Philadelphia has a good Advent Prayer Guide that is simple and not too time-consuming.

I made a few Advent printables (8×10) for y’all. Absolutely free decor to put next to your wreath or Jesse Tree.

FILES: Savior of the Nations, Come | Come Thou Long-Expected Jesus

Start Something That Matters Giveaway

I love my TOMS. They are ridiculously comfortable and even kind of cute. (I am waiting with great expectation for the ballet flats that are coming out this spring and REALLY cute.) But what I love most about TOMS is that they got our girls excited about the concept of one for one. TOMS were all Kate wanted for her 7th birthday because she really wanted a child who needed them to get a pair of shoes, too. It’s not perfect, it’s not the end to poverty, but it’s an innovative, exciting idea. Blake Mycoskie started something that matters, and he’s written a book about it so you can too.

In Start Something That Matters, Blake Mycoskie tells the story of TOMS, one of the fastest-growing shoe companies in the world, and combines it with lessons learned from such other innovative organizations as method, charity: water, FEED Projects, and TerraCycle. Blake presents the six simple keys for creating or transforming your own life and business, from discovering your core story to being resourceful without resources; from overcoming fear and doubt to incorporating giving into every aspect of your life. No matter what kind of change you’re considering, Start Something That Matters gives you the stories, ideas, and practical tips that can help you get started.

I was given two copies of this book from the publisher, I can’t wait to start reading mine and send one to one of you as well! If you’ve never used Rafflecopter, it’s simple and easy. (Though, occasionally you will have to refresh the page if the widget doesn’t show up below.)



Words on Wednesday

December Photo Project

Excited for the December Photo Project – I’ll be posting daily on tumblr and reposting my favorites on Wednesdays here :)

Recipe Roundup 5

I will continue to post advent resources and update my Advent at home post throughout the season but I will also be blogging about the usual things (namely food and books.)

Baked Chicken in Creamy Tomato Sauce from Dinner, A Love Story: Simple, budget-friendly (I subbed ricotta for the marscapone) and everyone ate a big helping. Doubled the sauce and served over pasta.

Chicken & Dumplings from Simply Recipes: A cold snap was the perfect opportunity to try this. It won’t be the last time I make it, as it is a solid rendition of a comfort food and we all enjoyed it.

Chocolate Chess Pie from Angus Barn: Very good. 1.5x it for a standard pie plate and it still could have been thicker.

Pumpkin Cheesecake from Martha Stewart: Subbed brown sugar and gingersnaps in the crust (abt 2:1 graham to gingersnap). Served with homemade caramel sauce and fresh whipped cream. Delicious!

Pumpkin Cream Cheese Muffins from Annie’s Eats: Awesome. They seem more fussy than they are, the filling and the topping are really easy.

Sweet Potato Casserole from Southern Living: I dubbed this the I Corinthians 9 casserole, all things to all people. With both marshmallows and crunchy cornflake topping, who can resist?

You can find these on my keepers board on pinterest, too.