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Most Americans celebrate Christmas. (Well, some of my Christian friends didn’t, but that’s another post 😉

And I always ask, “What are the non-believers celebrating?”

Those who have mocked their very Creator the entire year (either openly or simply by their denial), put on red hats and buy gifts, and have feasts, and wear bells–they celebrate. But what do they celebrate?

I haven’t pondered it much, but this morning as I was sweeping the floor, I had this deep sense of grief. For each person who celebrated apart from being Redeemed by Jesus’ blood, should have been rather in mourning this season.

The reality of Christmas is nothing but the Savior’s birth. That’s it.

There is nothing to celebrate for those who are lost and in rejection of the “Glad tidings we bring”.

For the believer, there is everything–freedom from sin, from fear, and from death itself.

For the non-believer this short breath of life and what joy you can squeeze out of it is it…and after that the judgement.

But the believer–even beyond eternal hope and redemption is, truly, peace on earth. The wonder of that, the exhilaration of knowing that my life rests in the hand of a sovereign God is too wonderful for me.

And my heart cries out this morning, for the world. For the lost. That Emmanuel will draw you to Himself.

Dancin’ Queen (Tucker is the sweetest boy I know)

Davy Crockett, Um, I’ll get back on that one, Annie Oakley? (Was she a feminist? ;-), Buffalo Bill

My right-hand lady…quickly becoming a woman. She amazes me in every way.

Kyla, a.k.a. “Cutie Patootie“

“Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us, 21 to Him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever. Amen.” (Eph. 3:20-21).

Merry Christmas to all my blog friends!

“Plugged in”. That’s the only way we live a fruit-bearing life. We can’t just claim Christ, kinda, sorta know what Christianity is, and struggle through the day trying to do the right thing.

We don’t bear fruit by trying. We bear fruit by abiding in the Vine. If we have truly been grafted into the Vine, we resemble the Vine. We imitate the Vine, and we effortlessly become more and more like the Vine.

We don’t argue with the Vine (we are mere branches!), or submit our agenda to the Vine. We are a natural extension and we “glorify the Father” by our fruit.

ABIDE. To sojourn or tarry.

The voices of the world that would pull us away from abiding in the truth of the Vine are loud and aggressive.

We must tarry in God’s Word. Be students of it. Pray to know it, and pray to understand it. We must seek Him…the true Vine. And when we do, our fruit will break forth and weigh down our branches in abundance.

Random thoughts about the added benefits of “sheltering your children”…

Being “deprived” (of course I put that in quotations because it is only perceived from the outside…) has huge advantages–your children become so easy to please!

Commercials.

As economic pressure squeezes us, I am so thankful that we DON’T feel the pressure at Christmas to fill Santa’s shoes or to break the bank so our children don’t feel left out when they return to school.

I heard a woman in the store say she had gone to every store she could think of looking “for that one thing her child had to have” but to no avail.

We don’t really keep commercialization away from our children (we do get out, you know), but they aren’t bombarded with commercials for the latest “gotta have it” toy, nor do they hang out with children who are. Their peers aren’t really into the latest gadgets either, so Christmas shopping is so much easier in that respect.

Santa.

Since we don’t “do Santa”, (be aware, I’m not a “Santa is too closely spelled like Satan” kind of mom ;-), we just have a number of reasons why we choose not to make the focus of Christmas a fictitious character), it relieves us of a tremendous amount of financial pressure.

We are free to focus on really talking about giving and the meaning of Christmas (“every good and perfect gift is from above”) without the added burden of having to represent the guy in the red suit who has an endless supply of cash.

And reality is, our children know we live tightly, and they are sensitive to that. They are thrilled that they know they’ll be getting some things for Christmas, but they don’t expect too much. One of them said, “Mom you can just get me like two things?” *smile*

Hannah Montana

Yeah, they know who she is, but they are all annoyed by her constant presence in every check out line, thank the Lord.

I remember riding with some friends last year with my 6-year-old daughter at the time. I heard my friend’s daughter gasp…”YOU DON’T KNOW HANNAH MONTANA?!” It was too funny, but it is sad that a teenage icon represents such importance in the measurement of “socialization”.

Whatever the newest game machine is.

Even I don’t know that, but it hasn’t hindered my life a bit 😉 Really, who can keep up with head-spinning technology? And are we really the dumb consumer they think we are–that the X-box is “so 2007″ (I have no idea what year that was popular, so don’t laugh.)

Soft Drinks

Don’t get me wrong, we like soft drinks, we just don’t usually keep them in the house–too tempting. But every now and then, at a party or something, the kids will get a taste. So this year, Avi asked for a Sprite in her stocking. Lol! How easy is that! Yes, deprivation can be sweet 😉

You’d be surprised how not knowing things really doesn’t affect your level of happiness, or maybe it does, in a positive way. My children are happy. I’m so thankful. They don’t feel deprived, even though some of their toys will not be brand new.

The proverb really is true, “too much honey makes one sick of honey” (paraphrased).

The five Trustees of the Eastport Board of Education were elected by the school districts’ qualified voters to govern the operation of our school. The Principal, as educational leader of the program, holds responsibility in the implementation of all regulations. The Board must require high standards of conduct and appearance if we are to create an atmosphere within the school that will insure the best possible learning conditions.While respecting individual student rights and responsibilities, the Principal, in his traditional role, is obliged to support and defend what furthers the “common good” and common standards of the community.

When individual behavior, action, or dress undermines or is detrimental to these purposes and tends to negate the learning environment of the school, such actions must be limited by the school authorities — board of education, and district principal.Therefore, in conjunction with the purposes and climate needed to conduct school properly, the school should set reasonable standards of behavior and dress for its students.The importance of being a good citizen at school and elsewhere cannot be overemphasized. Our school’s reputation is the responsibility of each student as he or she demonstrates habits of citizenship and manners.

The following regulations have been developed to assist students in learning accepted standards:

1. Smoking is prohibited in the school building, on the grounds or on any school sponsored trip. This habit is injurious to health and should be discouraged, especially for young people. Enrolled students may not carry matches or smoking materials to school or on any school trip. Offenders will be reported to the principal for punishment.

2. Chewing gum or candy may only be used in the Dining Hall. It is not courteous to use it in class, therefore, it is forbidden.

3. Dress appropriately whenever you are at school. This evidence of respect for your educational institution will bring rewards to all of us in our school’s reputation.

BOYS:

1. No jeans above Grade 8.

2. Shirt buttons closed except top button when worn without tie.

3. At all socials — shirt, tie, and suit coat are required.

4. Hair is to be cut to give a neat manly appearance.
5. If a shirt has tails, they should be tucked in pants.

6. One must respect himself before others will respect him. Being neat and clean generates a respect for you in others.

GIRLS:

1. Girls should give a ladylike impression; therefore slacks, shorts, etc., are not permitted. Skirts should be suitable for school use.

2. Makeup should be appropriate for teenagers. This means no eye makeup except at formal dances in reasonable degree.

3. Hair should be groomed to give a neat appearance; of course this means no curlers, etc.

4. Large dangling earrings are not to be worn during the regular school day.

If in doubt concerning proper dress, makeup, etc., please consult the school nurse-teacher. Students should use please, thank you, and pardon me, whenever necessary. These phrases are verbal courtesies which are an evidence of good manners.

It might be helpful to note that yesterday’s post definitely reflected the agenda of what might be called “radical feminism”. Many “waves” of feminism blur the lines between anti-family feminism, and women who just want “equality”.

This article, “Why Congress Should Ignore Radical Feminist Opposition to Marriage” does a great job tracing the history of radical feminism, quoting from many reliable sources and feminist leaders, making some distinction between radical and modern feminists. It’s an informative read.

The danger is the small step between what many would call “good feminism” and family-hating feminism. The deception is subtle and deadly. (Hmmm…Eve was the first to fall 😉 One concern leads to another wrong solution until there is no way to embrace the love of family and the love of feminism.

God’s ways are so simple…we are fools to reject them.