Christmas Music

Don't you love Christmas music? Here's the Christmas music I love:

Christmas carols on every radio station and in every mall, glorifying the Lord Jesus Christ in a way not possible the rest of the year.

Nostalgic Christmas songs from my childhood memories, such as "White Christmas," "Little Toy Trains," "Little Altar Boy," and "Silver Bells." They're so melodic and I know all the words.

Sunday School Christmas programs at Svea. On Saturday morning during our practice I got them going to the point that the 5th & 6th grade girls were absolutely mortified to think that all these little boys would be yelling out, at the top of their apparently-not-so-little lungs, "Go Tell it on the Mountain" and the chorus of "Angels We Have Heard on High." I didn't get a chance to reassure them, but of course on Sunday morning it calmed down to a beautiful enthusiasm that warmed everyone's hearts.

The Seasonal Choir at Svea. Tonight we had our last practice with only ten singers - but they were ten strong singers and filled the sanctuary, empty of people but full of beauty, with lovely sounds.

Organ/piano duets. Michelle will play the piano along with me on the organ for our Christmas Eve service tomorrow night. There's something special about that combination.

Christmas CDs. I find it very interesting that at Christmas, secular artists sing praises to God, and Christian artists sing secular songs. Someday those distinctions will be erased, and every knee will bow and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. May it be sooner rather than later!

Norling Christmas Celebrations

We had the Norling Christmas gatherings this weekend. The Palmer Norling family (my dad and his descendants) celebrated on Friday evening at my brother's home, and the Albin Norling family (my grandpa's descendants - he's been gone for 25 years) celebrated yesterday at my uncle's home.

What joy! At my brother's, the cousins had drawn names to buy gifts for each other. I wish you could have seen the grateful and giddy expressions on the little ones' faces as they hugged the cousin who had drawn their names and given them just what they wanted (thanks to the moms for good lists!). And especially the expressions on the givers' faces as they realized what a blessing they had provided. The Thursday snowstorm had prevented my big boys from shopping, so they left work early and found their cousin gifts on the way to the celebration - and did a great job! Michelle had brother Andrew's name instead of a cousin, and she made a poster with candy bars taped to it and a message using the words of the candy to say she'd take him to a coffee shop some time. Very creative!

Of course, the food at both potlucks was superb - ham dinner at one, turkey dinner at the other. At my uncle's, it was great to see my cousin Torry and his family, who moved to Orlando this summer to work for The Jesus Film. We were a small crowd this year - only 60 - because 4 families, totaling 23, weren't able to be there. Why so many, from my grandparents who had just 2 boys? Well, my dad has 3 children and 16 grandchildren (in the picture above), and his brother has 3 children, 18 grandchildren (10 have spouses), and 20 great-grandchildren. We all believe God loves people and wants more of them! Feasting and visiting with fellow believers who share the same values as well as heritage just can't be beat.

Also at my uncle Ray's, he thanked everyone for their prayers. Last year he was diagnosed with 90% aggressive prostate cancer. After treating it with radiation, natural foods, and prayer, it had shrunk to the point where they removed it this last August. They spent 3 days in the lab cutting it up and trying to find some cancer. They found 0% - praise the Lord! Ray knew that over 100 people were praying for him.

My heart goes out to people whose family times are filled with stress, strife, anxiety or bitterness. I pray that they may find a peaceful, loving family in the Church of Jesus Christ.

A Lost Letter

Yesterday I proctored a test for John K. When he was done, I had to scan it in, email it to the professor, and then put it in the mail. It was almost supper time when I had it ready, and I asked Andrew, who was going down to the mailbox with Philip to get the mail, to put the envelope in the mailbox for me. He took it and they left. When the food was ready, Andrew & Philip weren't back in yet. We went ahead without them because Sarah & Andrew had to go to confirmation, so we figured Andrew would have to postpone his supper until after class.

When the car had to leave, Andrew still wasn't back, so Pete left with Sarah and picked him up on the driveway. Philip came in and took off all his snow stuff, then sat down to eat. "Andrew lost the letter," he nonchalantly informed me.

"What do you mean?" I asked.

"It fell out of his pocket."

"Did you find it?"

"No."

"Is that why you were so late - you were looking for it?"

"Yep."

"Where did he lose it?" I finally got out of Philip that when they arrived at the mailbox, Andrew dug in his pocket - sort of like a hoodie pocket, stretching all the way across his jacket front - and the letter wasn't there. So it could be anywhere between the mailbox and the house - almost a quarter mile.

By this time, Pete had returned and we quizzed Philip some more on what had happened. Pete said, "It's snowing - if we don't find it now, it will get buried." Pete & Philip got their snowsuits on, picked up flashlights and went out to look, praying all the while.

I felt terrible. It was my responsibility to get the letter in the mail. My thoughts ran frantically over my options, John's options, what the professor would say or do. "At least it was scanned in and sent to her, so she does have it," was my only hope.

To my great relief, when the guys came in, they had an envelope! "Thank You, Lord!" I exclaimed. It had blown out of the pocket into the yard, and become stuck on the trampoline. It struck me later that I should be thankful that Andrew had remembered he had the letter - if he hadn't, it could have been lost and no one would have known until the professor emailed me to find out where it was. Then we would have been searching Andrew's coat pockets for days.

As I was cleaning the kitchen, waiting for Pete & Philip to come back, and praying that they would find the letter, it occurred to me that this was a great example of Christlike service - here were Pete & Philip, searching in the cold dark night for something that wasn't their responsibility and that they hadn't lost. They were helping me and helping Andrew with no thought of recompense.

Thanks, guys!

The Voyage of the Dawn Treader

Last night our church youth and families went to The Voyage of the Dawn Treader, the latest Narnia movie. I had visited with my cousin's daughter-in-law that afternoon and we agreed that Dawn Treader is our favorite Narnia book, and we were concerned about how the movie would treat it. I sent her a note on Facebook last night - "it's a good movie as long as you don't expect it to be the Voyage of the Dawn Treader!"

As with Prince Caspian, the best parts of the movie aren't in the book, and the best parts of the book aren't in the movie. No spoilers here - I won't mention the good parts of the movie, but be assured that there are some great moments and the overall message is good. But my favorite part of the book is the Dufflepud sequence, and it's terribly shortchanged here. So for those who will see the movie but haven't read the book, READ THE BOOK! The movie has more swashbuckling adventure, but the book has many more of those homey moments where we can recognize ourselves. I don't know about you, but I don't get in a lot of sword fights or have temptations to be king of the world. Judging others for their momentary weaknesses and wanting to know and control the future are more my style, which is where the book helps us. However, most females will be able to relate to Lucy's main struggle in the movie, and it's resolved well. And the Eustace character is an excellent actor!

If you're wondering whether to see the movie, I thought it was great. If your child is freaked out by sinister or creepy things, he/she should wait a while. From a Christian perspective, I think Aslan is portrayed accurately enough that even unbelievers will recognize the name he goes by in this world, and will want to get to know him better. Although again, he doesn't come into the story nearly as much in the movie as he does in the book.

Overall, a thumbs up for the movie as a movie, and thumbs down as an adaptation.

The New Harold Smith

Harold Smith (not his real name) was a gentleman (now deceased) who lived in the next small town west of here, and he wrote letters to the editor (of the newspaper in the bigger town) regularly. Every month or two, there would be a new letter to the editor from Harold. They were usually one sentence long, but quite pointed and pertinent. The other interesting thing about Harold was that he didn't look like a thoughtful person. People saw him around town (the big town) quite a bit; he went to most events where there was free food, including funerals of people he didn't know that well or maybe at all, and he looked like an old-time hobo - grizzled, stooped, and dressed in castoffs from Goodwill. But then there were these letters, so we learned not to judge a book by its cover.

I have an ambition to become the new Harold Smith - hopefully not in appearance, but in writing short but thoughtful letters to the editor. The paper doesn't print too many letters, so I've quit sending them every week and am sending them every month or so. Here are the ones I've sent so far:

Regarding the school levy proposal, which was defeated:

#1 -

To everyone who voted for the school levy:

Each year for the next ten years, when our property taxes come due, let's write a check to the school district for the amount the levy would have increased our taxes. That way at least they'll get some of the money.

If your taxes wouldn't have increased, just send them a check anyway.

Or volunteer in some way to make up the difference. Or help a child learn something outside the school.

Supporting education is still worthwhile even if "everyone" isn't doing it!

#2 -

To everyone who voted against the school levy:

If you wanted to support education, but couldn't afford the tax increase, then let's all put in a few extra hours in lieu of the money. Tutor a child. Volunteer in a classroom. Start an extra-curricular activity for free. Teach a child something other than academics - life, home or financial skills; arts, athletics or agriculture; mechanics, woodworking or animal care.

Supporting education doesn't have to cost money, and it doesn't have to happen in the school.

#3 -

Dear Editor:

Before the elections, in an interview, I heard a candidate repeatedly say "People want…" and fill in the blank with any number of good things that people undoubtedly do want. But I have a big problem with the idea that if people want something, they should be able to go into a little booth on November 2, check a box on a piece of paper, and get it.

Regarding the usual stories at Thanksgiving about how mean turkey farmers are to their birds, including a misleading video taken by the Humane Society at our local turkey hatchery and shown on Minnesota TV news:

#4 - Dear Editor:

Regarding the silly furor over "inhumane" turkey farming: All animal farmers have one goal - healthy, happy and heavy animals. Their profits depend on reaching that goal, so every practice is geared to reducing stress and increasing productivity. Film editors can cut and paste to achieve their desired results, so don't believe everything you see.

As you can see, my letters are longer than one sentence, but they're still pretty short! Unlike this blog entry...

Getting Ready for Christmas

Advent is here again, and it sneaked up on us because it started in November - as it often does. Today I found the Nativity scenes (easy this year because last year I actually put them in organized, labeled boxes!) and Philip helped set up the stables and animals - one in the living room, one in the entryway - to wait for the coming of Jesus.

Our ladies' Bible study group finished studying Ephesians last week, and decided to do an Advent-y thing while deciding what book to tackle after the first of the year. For several years we would study a 5-15 verse section throughout the week and then share our insights and applications during our time together. We learned a lot from the books of Mark, Acts, and 1 & 2 Samuel that way, taking from 1-3 years per book!

When we were about halfway through Ephesians, we were inspired to do lectio divina each week, taking 1-3 verses each time, reading it/them 4 times and meditating silently in between each reading. We have all learned a lot from and about Ephesians since last spring. Some of the most meaningful themes for my life:

- Eph. 2:10 says (in the Greek) we are "a" product of His - not "many" products. God's Church is His workmanship. My tendency is to want to know, "What's my line in this poem?" or "What's my part in the product?" If my focus was on "What's the poem about?" or "What does the finished product look like?", I and the kingdom might be better served.

- God's people have always had problems. Paul spends a good amount of his letter pleading with the Ephesians not to live as pagans, not to slip back into the bad habits of their culture, etc. Our failures and false beliefs do not nullify His love for us, and He is continuing to work in, on and through us.

- Eph. 2 & 3 talk a lot about the abolishing of the age-old walls between Jews and Greeks. Because Gal. 3:28 equates Jew/Greek with male/female, I think the lessons of Eph. 2 & 3 could be applied to the age-old resentments between men and women. Worth more investigating...

- Pray more. It's about Jesus, not me!

Anyway, Ephesians is an awesome book and I highly recommend it.

Kickoff

Pete here: This blogging is an experiment. Perhaps we can use this to update you who desire updating while getting writing and keyboarding practice.

This a.m., Svea had their Christmas program. God's voice, expertly articulated and heard behind the altar by David, is talking to two angels who are instructed to guide people to the community nativity scene where the Lord has a conversation with them.

• A busy business man talking on a cell phone is asked to take time.
• A family kneels together and receives gentle teaching from the parents. Philip asked several thoughtful questions and Mother, Sarah responded very motherly. Their words were heard loudly and clearly.
• Another scene, a divorced mother receives comfort and assurance.
• Andrew played an arogant rock singer. Not only is that a near type cast for Andrew but he did well not breaking character when the congregation laughed at his haughty acting.
• A pure hearted young girl is praised by God for her trust in him. Interspersed in God's extemporaneous words to these passersby are Biblical quotes.
• There was a confused boy who wondered what the nativity was and another passerby who told him.
• There was a hardworking groundskeeper with a simple faith. . .

Interspersed in the dialogue were songs sung by the 6th grade and under and accompanied by the 'mega praise team' with Michelle on piano, Daniel on trumpet, Joel on guitar, and five other musicians. It was so well done and so meaningful that I could see using the same format for next year. Afterward our interim pastor said that this is the best group of singing kids he has seen in all his congregations, an incredible statement considering five outstanding musicians in the Kraemer family had to be absent for their Chicago Christmas. We are very proud of our children and the Svea kids. The good singing is a testament to the power of expectations. Svea has consistently known that they are a good singing congregation so they all live up to that expectation. Kari, as the music leader just expects open mouthed, big singing, unashamed vocalists and that is what she gets. Now if we could just expect better performance in other areas of Stadem life. . . Kyrie Eleison.

Christmas day there will be two "Christmas in the Barn" events. The first, we will be receiving 50,000 baby turkeys at 6:00a.m. The Gorans Brothers management is going to make it a celebration and serve a waffle breakfast after the poults are 'placed'. Then at 9:30 the community is invited to our neighbors where a number some will play guitar, others will dress up in shepherd, King, Mary and Joseph costumes and in times past, we have even had a real baby in a real straw laden manger. The barn worship will be complete with goats that wander between people's legs, sheep, horses and dogs. There will be lots of singing, a message, communion, snacks and lots of fellowship in close quarters.