Santa found the light of the Lamp Post and was good to us this year.
I think it was in large part due to the righting of Sam's unruly behavior.
Sam squeaked in as an eleventh hour addition to the Nice List.
Santa was pleased as were his parents.
The Lamp Post has a new addition (left). I can now see when I write. It was my favorite gift.....
....just edging out these. I think I need a country concert on the calendar for 2013. Let me know if you find a good one.
Eloise is a ton of fun to go with.
2013 will continue with the Eloise Is Getting Buff plan.
I'm so strong now from my new routine that I needed 15 pound dumbbells.
More on this inspirational story to come. Check the next blog for more details about a fun new group of people that Eloise is working with.
For this lesson though, I'd like to focus on some of the simplest creatures:
the donkey
and the sheep:
I've got big plans for 2013. If I win the lottery or my books make the New York Times Best Seller List, you'll know I've found success if I have a sheep and a donkey in my possession. Should I find wealth on a larger scale someday, you won't find me in a bigger house. I'm staying right here in the Lamp Post. I'll still be wearing jeans and cowgirl boots, inserting my quarter into the Aldi's cart rack. I will have a cozy little barn on my 3 acre plot, housing a donkey and a sheep just for my pure enjoyment. That's when you'll know I've made it Big Time.
I love these creatures as much as my labrador retriever. These humble and gentle animals are both part of my favorite story--The Christmas story.
Legend has it that at the stroke of midnight on Christmas Eve, animals can talk. The story is traced back to European folklore that told of the animals in the manger praising God in Latin at the birth of Jesus.
Eloise has a very fuzzy memory of my mother taking me to the barn across the street on Christmas Eve when I was a small child. The barn is now the winery 6 Mile Cellars. But at the time Eloise was a tot, this corral across the street from the Lamp Post had horses grazing inside it. We went to see those horses one night long ago, but I don't remember them greeting me by name. Knowing my parents their clocks were slow and we got there late.
It was a donkey carried Mary into Bethlehem.
Our savior in womb was not carried into the city on a fine horse like those that lived in the barn across the street. He was delivered there by the donkey which is why you can find one in almost every Nativity set.
The donkey was there for Jesus's birth, as well as his crucifixion as legend tells. That is why the image of the cross appears on the back of every donkey.
I'll write a little more about this closer to Easter. For the lesson today, I'd like to reiterate what Pastor Keith taught us at church on Christmas Eve. Part of his sermon was about sheep.
Pastor reminded us of the words of Luke, Chapter 2, my most favorite story in the Bible. He talked of the Roman Empire and the census and Mary and Joseph needing to register in Bethlehem. Mary made that 70 mile trek on the back of a donkey. There hasn't been a Christmas since my child bearing years that I haven't thought of her.
Verse 8 of chapter 2 reads: 8 And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night.
9 An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified.
10 But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people.11 Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord.12 This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.”
13 Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying,
14 “Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.”
15 When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let’s go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about.”
16 So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger.17 When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child,18 and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them.
One of the most interesting parts of Pastor's sermon was about the shepherds themselves. Shepherds at the time were are the bottom of the social class. They spent most of their time in the fields guarding their flock. They spent more time with sheep than with people. The shepherds outside of the city did have an important job, however. It was up to them to raise the lambs for sacrificial purposes. When a lamb was chosen from the flock, it was wrapped in swaddling cloths and placed in a manger until the time of sacrifice. How perfect that God would choose His son to enter the earth in this exact way.
Don't be in a big hurry to take down that Nativity set. Let baby Jesus be present with you as you enter the new year. When it is time to return your Nativity set to the box again, give more attention to the humble donkey and the lowly shepherd holding the sheep. They were important parts of the Christmas story, too. Tonight I gave them a voice here at the Lamp Post. Don't reduce the part they played in the greatest story of all that happened 2,000 years ago. The story was so important it's been told and retold an infinite amount of times. How beautiful is that?
Here is a beautiful story of my own. If you'd like to experience Christmas at the Lamp Post, click on the video below. It is set to Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas from Lady Antebellum's new Christmas Album On This Winter's Night......and a winter's night it is. We got some snow at the Lamp Post today. What a beautiful night.
This lesson doesn't need my words. Luke's got it all in Chapter 2 and you can read it for yourself.
Enjoy the Mercy Me Song, Joseph's Lullaby and experience again the greatest gift of all.
Sam brought home a sparkly nosed Rudolph, with hand antlers today.
...and an elf hat complete with pointy ears.
Eloise would like to extend a personal thank you to the person who purchased the Silly Putty and Flarp he got as his Kindergarten Christmas exchange gift.
Flarp came out of Sam's hair okay, but it took a bit longer go get out of mine.
As unhappy as I was for what is now known as The Flarp Incident at the Lamp Post,
I was not as unhappy as this person.
This is Kenyan, Slovenians. She's my one and only sibling and she turned 39 on December 18th.
Math has always been a bit of a challenge for Eloise. I guess I lost count of the years.
Whoops! My mistake.
Kenyan says I am not invited on the limo ride she has planned for next year.
She'll forget in twelve months time.
Ellen did a great job in her Christmas dance show this past week.
Natalie is all excited for the holiday, too.
Sometimes it is difficult for Natalie to make and hold eye contact.
In the moments when she does connect, it's as if she can see into your soul.
Our souls are still shaken over the tragedy in Connecticut a week ago. It has felt as though this week has been one long night. Fitting that I would be writing this blog post on the night of the winter solstice, which is the longest night of the year. It is also the night that ends the ancient Mayan calendar. What we have learned this week is that with any ending, comes a new beginning. Starting tomorrow, every day we gain a little more daylight.
It is my hope that we can all do this: bring ourselves
It's going to take some work. Some loving. Some praying. Some believing. But we can do it. I have faith.
On this long, dark night, absorb the silence. In your quietest moment, please pray for those who are hurting. May they wake tomorrow as we all will be, inching ourselves back toward the light a little at a time.
Enjoy this song of comfort, Readers. It is one of my very favorites of the Christmas season. The song is Winter Snow by Chris Tomlin & Audrey Assad. It is a beautiful song about God's love.
Winter snow? What's that? It's what we Erieites are asking ourselves again this year. We are going into a second Christmas season snowless. People around here gripe about snow, but it sure is pretty at Christmastime. Snow is clean, fresh, and soft, just like a baby.
Remember the baby tonight folks, on this 351st day of the year. His name is Jesus and was sent to save us. He arrived just like the winter snow-- quiet, soft, and slow, falling from the sky, in the night, to the earth below.
..........be a Grinch this year.
My red correcting pen was poised and ready.
I was going to cross some of you off of my Christmas card list permanently because you never reciprocate.
I saved last year's decree all this time.
Eloise was feeling Grinchy, tired of the time and the expense of this seemingly thankless Christmas task of sending holiday cards.
However, in light of a recent event, I've had a change of heart.
Luke 1:79
To give light to those who sit in the darkness and in the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the way of peace.
Eloise has concluded that life is too short to act like this fictional character:
He's the mean one, Slovenians.
That's The Grinch. He stole Christmas.
In case you haven't read it, my Slovenian followers, the book is a classic Christmas tale, written by the legendary Dr. Seuss. The book was adapted into a cartoon version and it airs every December here in the United States. The Grinch is one mean and nasty louse, filled with negativity. Living on a mountain top, somewhat content in his own misery, he discovers the Whos in the village below him, who are filled with love. The Grinch attempts to "steal" their Christmas by taking their gifts, trees, and their feast---right down to the leg of the roast beast.
He robs the innocence of this child as she watches in sadness as The Grinch steals her Christmas, right out of the safety of her own home. This is Cindy Lou Who.
The Whos awoke on Christmas morning to find that their houses had been wiped clean. There were no symbols of Christmas left. But what did the Whos do? They carried on. They made their own light out of the darkness.
The Whos joined hands in the town square where the tree once stood and sang together. They kept the faith despite the circumstances.
And so must we, Readers.
Our faith been so severely tested this weekend.
26 lives taken in Newton, Connecticut.
Why, God?
Why do the innocent suffer?
Continue to question.
Continue to ask.
That means you believe that God is there and He is listening.
We need to harness the power and energy of every believer out there.
There are many of us. People of Connecticut, we are praying for you.
Do not allow this monster rob you of your faith. Do not let him take your light. Otherwise he wins and the devil could not be happier.
John 1: 5 The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.
After a nearly sleepless night on Friday, I decided to stop tossing and turning and go get some shopping done. JC Penny opened at 7:00 am, and I was waiting outside the store as the clerk unlocked the door. I did some shopping and caught my reflection in the dressing room mirror. My eyes were red and swollen and my face wore the grief I was feeling for people I never met.
Upon checkout, the clerk glanced at me and said, "Long night?" I nodded, breath catching in my chest. Our eyes met. I struggled with my words, "I couldn't sleep.......I.......the news....."
"Those children......." the clerk whispered.
And we lost it, both of us breaking down into tears. Two complete strangers standing at the JC Penny check out desk, grieving for people we've never met.
Another clerk saw us and came over to us. She put her hand on my shoulder and said, "Did you know one of the victims?"
I snuffled and sniffed. "No. I knew them all," I said. "I'm a mom, and a teacher, and a human being. They are my family."
And our trio stood there and cried for half a minute. In that thirty-three seconds we felt it---that power. That energy that comes from human connection--in unity, in belief, and in this case, pain.
What can we do to help? It's not as easy to explain as the answers come in the form of intangibles. With hurricane relief, we were able to give money or supplies needed and we sent them off to New Jersey in the hope that they got to people who needed them the most. We could volunteer our time and our skills to help rebuild homes and communities. In this case, rebuilding is not that neat.
Believers send up prayers to heaven and we don't receive a printed receipt. We do however, receive peace in our hearts, knowing that they were heard. Even if it is just momentary peace--it comes. Wait for it. Recognize it. Expect it. Peace will come to you if you pray. And when that peace you felt is overcome again by sadness or darkness, pray again.
And again.
And again.
You will receive peace again.
And again.
And again.
And again.
Eloise has been searching the Bible for appropriate scriptures to share with you. I've found some that I liked and have given me some comfort. I suggest you do the same, or consult your pastor for some guidance. I am but a mere baby in my understanding of the Word and all it has to offer us. The enormity of God's word is not something I can explain without the guidance of a professional. I am a teacher, but would not dream of showing calculus to a Kindergartner. The only "teaching" I can offer in this lesson is to simply model behavior I would ask of my students. Mourn. Question. Seek guidance. Pray. Love.
I can give you a suggestion about something I do know and understand: children. Eloise is a teacher and I know how children learn. They learn best through stories. Reading with and to your children is the single best thing you can do. When sitting next to a trusted adult, feeling the warmth of their body and hearing the rhythm of a familiar voice, a child is comforted.
Eloise recommends this book. It is a collection of essays on a dozen Dr. Seuss stories. :
The author, James Kemp is a man about my age, who was a Methodist pastor for fifteen years. He has a remarkable story of his own. Pastor Kemp was enjoying his life and using his gift for language to share God's word in his weekly sermons when he was stricken with Multiple Sclerosis. He now is a quadriplegic.
Why God?
Why rob a man of his health?
Especially one who does good by loving you and sharing your word with others.
Kemp answers this best himself in an interview I found on the Christianbook.com website. When asked about his condition, Pastor Kemp answered this:
I think people can tell from my site that I still have a healthy sense of humor and a desire to help other people.For example, I tell people with challenges similar to mine that God is not picking on them for whatever reason they might imagine. Instead, God is in the middle of our struggles and gives strength to us in many different ways. With God’s help, I have not allowed my physical condition to define who I am. It’s hard to put in a few words, but prayer has become a central part of my life. The crucifixion and resurrection speak loudly of a God who enters our pain and offers us hope.
In his book, Kemp finds parallels between Dr. Seuss's messages and Christian teaching. It is a great way to bridge something kids know and understand on their level, to much deeper messages of Christianity. There are two excellent essays in the book on The Grinch. You can find a copy in your local library, or purchase your own copy for less than ten dollars on Amazon. Please consider it if you have children who are having trouble dealing with the tragedy.
Eloise is finishing her Christmas cards tonight. You are all back on the list. Hopefully they will go into the mailbox tomorrow and the next day. My Grinchiness is gone and my heart, albeit broken, has grown three sizes larger.
Everyone gets a card this year, whether you sent me one or not. You get one because you matter. I can show you that are important to me by taking my words and pictures and putting them onto a 33 cent photo card from Wal-Mart.
Eloise is a sentimental soul. Words matter to me. So does effort. I appreciate the cards I do receive at Christmastime, as well as any other heartfelt messages you send me throughout the year. I understand what it takes to choose that special card, sign it, find the Lamp Post address, locate a stamp, and mail it. In the age of e-everything, it's a pain. But as I stated in a prior blog, pain has a purpose. The purpose of your effort makes my day better.
I tend hang onto my cards and letters for years. I have saved many a card or a letter in my Drawer Full of Stuff. It's probably why my In-box is so full a work, too. Sorry Tech Department. There are just some emails I can't part with either. When I am down, or lonely, or missing you, I pull out (or up, if it's on my computer) that tangible and reread it. Seeing your words, smiling at the picture on the card, or even just looking at your signature is comforting.
So for me, a Christmas card is important. Send me one and I'll send you one in return. I'm not a stickler for timelines, so even if it arrives in March, it's fine. If something is meant to reach you, it will find its way in its own time.
The day you find that card from Eloise in your mailbox in the mix of all the bills, it will make you smile. Here. I'll even save you the trouble of looking up my address:
Eloise at The Lamp Post
5768 Firman Road
Erie, PA 16510
If you further want to lift your spirits and are a local, I recommend taking a ride out to Cambridge Springs. We were at this place last weekend:
It's decorated beautifully for Christmas. Outside there is a neat row of lamp posts that were just crying to be photographed.
Psalm 119: 105
Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light for my path.
Psalm 18:28
You, O Lord, keep my lamp burning; you turn my darkness into light.
Luke 11: 33
No one lights a lamp and puts it in a place where it will be hidden, or under a bowl. Instead he puts it on its stand, so that those who come in may see the light.
The video below is from Sam's first wrestling tournament last weekend. Enjoy the photos and remember the Whos down in Whoville. They gathered together and made their own light. Let us do the same.
