A great Collision 30 hours of movement:

10 hours to get to Corpach Scotland
10 hours to hike up the tallest Mountain in all of England (Ben Nevis)
10 hours to get home to Cambridge England

The Queen’s Diamond Jubilee was this past weekend offering students a four day weekend. For me there was a great collision of events beginning with a hospital visit on Friday where I had a conversation with an elderly man. He shared his life story with me which ended in tears. His wife had passed away less than a month ago and he expressed to me that he didn’t see a point in continuing with life. He said “Life will be fine, but it just isn’t going to be as good as it once was with her.” He later expressed a desire to die. 

Ironically, I was assigned to write a paper for an ethics course on euthanasia, not the lightest of topics. In the collision of events beginning with this encounter I have had several epiphanies, and a jubilee of my own (of the jewish sort). A few months ago my parents as a generous birthday gift purchased a rail pass. I spent a month trying to decide how I was going to use this gift. After some research I decided I was going to go to Corpach/Fort William and climb the tallest mountain in all of England; Ben Nevis. 

In this journey I had ten hours of travel time that I used to work on the earlier mentioned paper. So what do we really think of euthanasia? I must admit before meeting the man I mentioned earlier I would say I was adamantly against euthanasia. My empathy however took over as I visited with him and I thought; “I wish I could stop his pain.” Not that I wished him death, but only that I wished for what he wished for and in that moment it was death. Upon reflecting and thinking on my paper I wrestled with the idea of “Is it okay to exit this life when the pain is so great and the burden so heavy and the promise of eternal life is so much more appealing in the midst of pain?” 

My conclusion:

Ten hours up the side of Ben Nevis. My legs were shaking, my feet hurt, my hips were sore, my stomach hurt and I was nauseas all day from the intense physical activity. My climb only consisted of 10 more minutes to get to the summit and each glance upward felt no closer to the summit than the one before. There were combating dialogs going on in my head: “I’m never going to make it” “One rock at a time, just keep moving” “I was crazy to think I could do this” “Your committed now, you can’t turn back. You Can Do this!” “I’m going to die, I just know it” “One foot in front of the other, you are the one in control! Don’t just tell your body what to do, make it do it!” 

When I made it to the summit, it was not at all what I thought it would be. It was almost surreal, as if the summit was real but the idea was driving me more than the reality of it was. The summit itself held nothing for me, the journey did. The journey made the summit a place of victory (I am reminded of what my father often says; “It isn’t about the destination, it’s about the journey”).

I reached that summit with my legs shaking, and stomach all tied up and my lungs hurting. There wasn’t any sort of fanfare for me and yet, from that moment of being on top, there was no other place to look except where I had been. I had taken the climb and enjoyed various perspectives of the Mountain that others wouldn’t have seen climbing up the path. Looking back, it wasn’t about the summit at all, it was the climb. 

I’m not saying that life means more than the eternal life that God offers us through his Son. Rather I am saying that in those moments of trial, in those moments when we want to give up; don’t! Even when it seems like the future holds no point or meaning, press on! God never fails, his promises are new every morning! His faithfulness endures forever. Know that God is present in pain. Know that while it may seem as though there is no purpose in the pain, it doesn’t matter because there is a summit, it is there even if you can’t see it. If you need a goal, fix your eyes on the summit, otherwise enjoy the climb.The promise of eternal life is there, it isn’t moving and in the face of loss grief, pain and suffering it will still remain. We cling to that! Not to the present sufferings, but to the future glory that God has promised! Fight the good fight! Finish the race! This is the conclusion I have come to: In my final hour, when I wish for death, I will continue to live because it is a promise of the life I have been given and will be given. I will take one stone at a time, one foot in front of the other knowing that God is the one in control and that he has already promised me life even in my dying, and what is more is that he is with me in that journey. 

My dear family and friends, Thank you so much for all your prayers and support! I think of all of you very often. My journey here in England is nearing an end and a new journey is about to begin. I will miss many of you, and many of you I am excited to see again. Please never stop praying!

Philippians 1:3-4 I thank my God upon every remembrance of you,  always in every prayer of mine making request for you all with joy

From Rain to Shine

My Dear family and friends!!!

I just received some very exciting news! My internship for the past two weeks has been pending and the official word just came through! The service in the Lord which has been given for my internship is a two year internship. Wait for it.... I have to build it up. 

The last two weeks have been especially cold and rainy for entering into the beginnings of summer. As I waited the official announcement of my internship there was this feeling of expectant hope. I have known since February where my internship was to tentatively be but I wan not ready to tell anyone just in case something were to come up. It is funny how much of our lives reflect the ultimate hope in which we expectantly wait for. We have it now, but not yet! The kingdom is ours right now, but not yet. My internship was mine, but not yet. I view this as a HUGE gift from God!!! 

While I expectantly waited for the official stamp of approval for my internship I contemplated what this internship would mean for me and my relationship with all of you, and with my family, and more importantly with my God. As a deaconess, we are presented with internship offers to choose from, assuming there are enough internship offers out there to offer. The first offer I received I panicked because my greatest fear, and biggest dream were realized all at once. The fear being the separation from family by miles, and the dream being to enter into the mission field. After I had time to think and talk with my father I came to the realization that no mater where I go there will always be a divide of miles between my family and I. The second realization I came to was that no matter how far I go, and no matter how long I am away, even if I were to never get to see my family again, I enter into a work that promises I will see them again. Not just for little visits and for special holidays, but for eternity! This world is temporal and the fact that I am allowed to serve the very Apha and Omega, who promises eternity is an honor and a privilege. Home has become wherever my God takes me. For twenty five years home was wherever my family went and last year it was a little further in the rainy land of Fort Wayne. This year it was even farther to the rainy places of England, but next year I am pleased to say it will be a little closer and a lot more sunny. 

Right now I wait for the cold April and May showers to give way to bright sunshine. Next year I am promised more than enough sunshine to make up for the lack of it here in England. My deaconess internship (drum roll please......) will be a two year internship in the Dominican Republic. I will be working with LCMS World Mission and the team stationed there. There are several locations and areas I have potential to serve in. From what I understand thus far, the mission in the DR is connected with Bethesda. This means they work with children with disabilities and their parents to help them better care for their children. I will also be given the task of teaching theology to the women of the DR. This will be a two year internship because one year is needed to learn the language. Please pray for me!!! I must say the idea of teaching theology in Spanish is a little intimidating as theology in English is a foreign language in itself. I know your love and support go with me and I am so grateful to have you all as my family (additional shout out to all those of First Lutheran in Papillion NE!)  I look forward to telling you more about the work I will be doing as I find more out about it.    

For now the work assigned before I am able to go is to tell everyone about what I will be doing and to raise support in the mission. If you presently feel so inclined to support me in the next two years to come then here are some details for offering financial support. I however in this moment really appreciate your prayers as I prepare mentally, emotionally, and physically to move to the D.R. Thank you all so much for any and all the support you have given me, I have never felt alone in this process!

To support this mission: 

make checks payable to LCMS International Mission. On the memo line of the check include "Support Kathryn Ziegler - 69304" 

Mail gifts to:

Missionary Support
LCMS Mission Advancement
1333 S Kirkwood Rd
St. Louis, MO 63122

All the pretty Churches

I went through some of my pictures that I have taken in my time here in Cambridge. It is hard to believe that in a little while I will know for sure where my placement for internship will be (pray for me!) and my year of study here will be over. It has been quite an adventure. I have learned so much! As I looked over my pictures I noticed that most of my pictures were of one thing, that being churches. I have taken to capturing pictures of the grand churches here in Europe. In fact I have found that when I visit places the first thing I want to do is to see the churches. It makes me think of several things. First, where I have come from (referencing my baptism) second, where I am going (that being heaven) third, who I am presently connected to, (that being you, and the whole body of believers connected in Christ). So the common thread that I find in all that is; (drum roll please!......the good old Sunday school answer....) JESUS! I think it is interesting that I have gone looking for Jesus in Europe, and in big gaudy churches in Europe. Granted Jesus doesn't dwell in brick and mortar, my search for Jesus in these churches has only solidified for me where he really is; with you! Sure, Jesus can be seen in the grand windows, and beautiful mosaics and all that communicates Him and His work at the cross but more importantly, He does not reside there. He takes dwelling with all of us, even past the church. We are the church!

There is a certain sense of amusement when I pay a small contribution in order to pass the gift shop of an old church and enter into the place where God offers his richest gifts of forgiveness of sins, and new life. The irony! This beautiful place that once was a beloved home to pious people of the faith has now turned into a money chamber, or museum of what once was important. It has become a place where people come and gawk at a bit of history, and which history do they gawk at? Is it the history from the point of the ground breaking for the church that they paid 10 euros to look at? Perhaps it is the history of the book that is upon the altar that the building was first erected for? To me it is amazing that no matter where the tourists stand with God, their very presence in that moment is an act of worship. People have come to explore a bit of history that is connected not only to the history of the past, but is a history offered to each individual to own as their own history of salvation. In addition (as was the case with Westminster Abby) so many people are willing to go through the motions of a worship service in order that they may enter into the church for free and see the place where His glory dwells. This experience brought to light the whole reality for me that is found in the verse:

Philippians 2:10-11

New King James Version (NKJV)

¹⁰ that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those in heaven, and of those on earth, and of those under the earth, ¹¹ and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christis Lord, to the glory of God the Father.


God is so amazing that he would not make himself known through the stone walls of churches and the glass windows of ancient historical churches, but through his son. The very light of the world, Who one day will be confessed all over the world by believers and unbelievers alike and not for selfish gain and pictures but because everyone will be made acutely aware of where they came from, where they are going, and who held them in every moment of their life even when they did not want to be held. It is a powerful and intimidating thought to think of that last hour when every knee will bow and every tongue will confess, because it is in that hour that we will realize the foolishness of our buildings used to contain God and our wanderings to find Him. God cannot be contained, His story, His Son, His grace mercy and peace has been bestowed upon us and not the works of our hands, but the work of his son. He makes us His dwelling place and we wait for that day that is arriving when God shall walk with us as a man walks with his friend. 
HE IS RISEN!!! HE IS RISEN INDEED ALLELUIA!!!!!!!! 

Fount of EVERY Blessing!!!!

Recapitulate 

A bondage of spirit 

The declaration, a proclamation

The chains of sorrow, the pains of separation

The burden of broken bones, and broken bodies

The glimmer of hope lost on my own

I know in my flesh

He holds onto me 

He knows my tears he numbers them all to dry them all

He is the “Gift giver” 

He has snatched me up

I know in my body He gives Me His life

The Hope

The Healer

The Comforter

The declaration, a proclamation of peace 

A freedom, a release

“Here I am Lord! Send me! Send me!” Our God NEVER ceases to amaze me. Just when I begin to lament my life not being what I had hoped it would be at 26 years old, God steps in and says, “I will take you on an adventure, I will give you more than you can possibly dream of for yourself.” 

I am presently learning in one of my classes how everything that God gives is gift. It is easy to say that, it is another thing to recognize it and believe it for your life. I am learning that the language we use to talk about our God is so quickly tainted with our own understanding and limiting of God. For so long I have been praying to God; “God! This is what I want my life to look like...” In the meantime God is stepping forth and responding with “Okay Katie, I hear what you are saying, how would you like this (something I never asked for)” My very prayers limit a God who is so much bigger than my petitions! My requests are limited to what I know and see as being what is best for me, where the God who knew the right time and place for everything is the one who gives all that I ask for.  

 While my class is teaching me that God gives good gifts, my work in Chaplaincy is teaching me that sometimes those gifts are not at all what we ask for. Sometimes we do not even know what we are asking for or what we want. There are so many people who ask for healing, but you look at them and wonder; “is healing of body what you really want?” For some, healing of spirit or comfort for their loved ones would offer so much more peace than their own physical healing. Sometimes asking for what we want we miss out on what we really need. For some in hospital beds they honestly just want to rest in peace, meet their maker, (nice little euphemisms for saying that they want to ‘die’) but because they have family so desperately clinging to them, they hold on and pray for healing, even if life would never be the same in their health. 

Having only one good ear myself, I often wonder how traumatic healing must have been for the deaf that Christ restored hearing to. They then had to learn a new way to live, their world was turned upside down. Now the unemployable have no excuse to sit at the side of the road and beg for money. Now they must learn to earn their wages. What type of healing do we really want? What sort of life do we seek? God’s gifts are better. They may not be what we recognize as being needed but he places them upon the table. He gives good gifts! Even sometimes the things we don’t recognize as gifts are gifts. Our trials, our sufferings, the points in our life that shake us to the core and make us wonder “what is it all for?” can be turned to gift when God is the orchestrator and composer of all our life. 

There is communicated to me at times, and I don’t fully know how to express this, but when I think; “Gee, I really wish I had....(fill in the blank)” I feel in my bones and my soul a whisper from God saying; “Yes! Yes! Yes Katie! I will give that to you! I want to give that to you! I want to give you so much more than you could ever ask for. It is yours now! It is all for you, and one day you will have it in full! Because you are MINE, you have all and so much more!” I know! I know that someday I WILL be whole! WE WILL be whole! In a world where wholeness does not mean devastation, we will be changed. Someday all the tears I have cried for lost dreams and wishes will be shown to me and God will say, “You see, they all meant something to me because they meant something to you, and you are MINE. I have held every tear you cried, I have counted them, now I will dry them and wipe them all away.” I am overwhelmed when I think of what love the Father has lavished upon us! The hope he instills, the promises he gives, the gifts he offers. EVERYTHING HE GIVES IS GIFT!!!!! WE HAVE A GREAT, GIVING GOD!!! The only thing I wish that I could ask of him is that I would be able to wrap my arms around him and be held, cradled within his loving arms. Even still his whisper rings true “Yes! Yes! This gift is for YOU!”. This gift is for US! AMEN!   

Psalm 56:8

You number my wanderings;
Put my tears into Your bottle;
Are they not in Your book?

Revelation 21:4
And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes; there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying. There shall be no more pain, for the former things have passed away.”

What to say.... (Breaking the silence and filling the void)

Well what can you say... I have been thinking a lot about blogging, and not because I have anything interesting to say (That's a real attention getter) but because I haven't blogged in a while. I was getting nervous about my own silence (that speaks volumes). It has snowed here in Cambridge but for the most part it is much like the cold months of February in the States; not a lot is going on. Like most years in most places, we are anticipating the liveliness of spring and all the wonderful things that come with it. I am anticipating a visit from my parents and my friends Stacey and Daniel sometime in the spring, but until then I sit and wait, and go about my busy life.
 I have mentioned it before in one of my very first blogs but I am learning so much about how much of life is just waiting. You would think that a degree in baking and pastry would have taught me a thing or two about waiting, but if anything it only taught me that you need to wait for optimal results, not that you are going to be waiting for much of your life. Baking taught me that while you are waiting on one thing you can start up another thing to wait on, and another while waiting on that one, and then by the time you have set up a fourth thing to wait on you can go back to your initial project and do something with that, and eventually you aren't waiting anymore. You are just constantly filling the voids of your day with one more thing that sits in the back waiting on you while you keep moving forward. Very American! Why should I have to wait on the world, it should wait on me. I have things to do, people to see, and places to go. I have silences to break, voids to fill, and jobs to finish. All the while I am forgetting that there is one thing that is more important than all this; nothing.
I don't know how I do it but I always manage to fill my day, week or month up with more than what one person should be able to do. I squish it all in because I am sometimes afraid of nothing. I am afraid to face a day alone by myself, I am frightened of the idea of when life comes to be just me alone on a bed waiting for the nurse to come in and wipe the drool off my face because I can't do it myself. I am afraid of the day when nobody needs me anymore (not like they ever did) and the day when I have nothing left to offer. For some reason this is what the cold months remind me of. This idea that the world is slowing down, businesses suffer because nobody wants to brave the cold to go out and buy a new pair of boots or a cardigan. Nobody wants to suffer the snow to go into town. The slow winter months always remind me of just how small all of us are.
The world keeps turning if I don't go into work, it keeps revolving and tilting on it's axis if I don't visit that one patient. The world keeps going and God keeps working. The law isn't that I have to work, it's the idea that I need to work. The gospel is that I get to work. My work, the work given to me is the law and the gospel. It is the law in that I allow my jobs and tasks to fill up my day and place chains and shackles upon me that make me think I am needed, in such a way as to make the whole world dependent upon my showing up. The Gospel is that it doesn't matter at all... none of it matters. I've been given a task. I didn't take it, it was given to me, I only destroy the gift when I make it into something it was never meant to be in the first place. When I make one batch of dough, I create it in a way thinking about the end result. When I realize I have to wait for that result I begin to make more dough to distract myself. I then loose the desire and interest of that first batch of dough because I have just filled my time with too much dough to mix, proof, portion, and bake. God has given us creative interests that we plug into our various vocations. Just like our creator we too create. However, unlike our creator we abuse that creative process by creating too much and sometimes not doing nothing (double negative-I know).
 Isn't it interesting that in the beginning God only created ONE man, and later ONE woman? Then God rested. Likewise God only made one you! It is true that the world will keep on turning without us doing anything, and our existence upon this earth is quite insignificant. Yet God made me and he made You! He made us with a plan and purpose. NOTHING! He made us for nothing in this world but for another home, a heavenly home. He made us for nothing that we could do but because he loved us. He made us out of nothing other than the sheer madness of the divine Creators love for creation. This means that when I do nothing, even then he loves me. This means that when I no longer can go to the bathroom on my own, even then he loves me. When I no longer have anything to contribute to this world, God still values me and holds me precious in the palm of his hand. (This goes for you too by the way) Even if no one else knew me but my God, I would still matter because God has purchased and won me. We were bought at a price, we are not just filler created to fill the voids of a day otherwise left to waiting. We are the bread, even when just a pile of dough sits and waits. We are what God is eagerly awaiting to bring home, and we too eagerly await the return of our King, Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, when he will transform our lowly bodies to be like his glorious body! So we can wait... I guess we don't have to do anything because Christ has done and said it all, and that which we do we can take as gift from God.

^{2 Corinthians 3:4-6} And we have such trust through Christ toward God. Not that we are sufficient of ourselves to think of anything as being from ourselves, but our sufficiency is from God, who also made us sufficient as ministers of the new covenant, not of the letter but of the Spirit; for the letter kills, but the Spirit gives life.


Thanks everybody who reads this! I am equally encouraged by all of you- (especially those who come by it via KPZ's facebook page) God bless you all!

WHAT A DAY, WEEK, MONTH, YEAR!!!

WHAT A DAY!!! So the latest in my life would be to tell you all about what I have been up to over my term break. I haven't seen the Eiffel tower, or the Colosseum. I haven't eaten any bratwurst or had any gluhwein to drink. I have however been extremely busy. I have been working full time at White Stuff and making visits out of the chaplaincy office at Addenbrooks once a week. For those of you who do not know; I was offered the opportunity of a lifetime for my studies here in Cambridge! That being the opportunity to have some practical training out of a very large training hospital (Addenbrookes) in Cambridge. 

Every day that I work at Addenbrookes I am invited into the lives of several different people. Amazingly wonderful people! People who remind me of the richness in the gifts God gives. The people I visit all come with their own unique stories and backgrounds but all have one thing in common. They have all been taken out of the world and detained in the 'Addenbrookes bubble." If you haven't noticed already; I am quite fond of the greatest theologian, Dr.Seuss, who defines this bubble as "The waiting place." This place is a place where people have far too much time to contemplate life or perhaps lament life or even wonder when the next time someone is going to visit them. I am blessed to be that someone to visit them. 

It is a humbling experience to visit the sick and dying. It makes you realize at times that there are no words. I have found myself at a loss for words in the presence of a weeping elderly woman, in the company of a lonely old man, in a room filled with incubators filled with babies who made their entrance into the world far too early. Words are lost in the presence of young men and women who should be beginning to enjoy the fruits of their youth but instead are being injected with drugs to kill cancerous cells that have slowly been taking over their bodies. Words have no place in the company of a family who realizes that their loved one is going to be departing the world earlier than anyone had ever expected and they are not ready to say "goodbye." 

One thing I have noticed in my many visits with people is that while words may fail me, presence doesn't. There is one thing I feel I share with the people I visit and that is the need to feel the very real presence of someone. Christians and non-Christians alike all have a need to be connected. We all need to know that when all the words have been said, there will be someone there to just hold a hand, smile or even cry with us. I am learning that all the theology I have read and learned manifests itself in the silent physical presence of one who genuinely cares enough to sit through the uncomfortable silence that abandonment, loss of autonomy, sin, disease, decay, and death brings to the hospital bedside. What is more is that I get to do this. Who am I that I should be so blessed to be brought into the sacred space of these peoples grief and suffering? It is my prayer as I go and make visits on the many patients of Addenbrookes that God would allow my able body and limbs be used and taken advantage of for as long as I am given these gifts. I pray that I never take advantage of my own personal mobility, autonomy and ability to surround myself with others who love me. God has blessed me so very much, not only with the above mentioned gifts, but also with the gift of his son who emptied himself much like those whom I visit, but he did it for all those I visit and for me and for you. One day victory for the patients of Addenbrookes, for myself and all under the effects of sin will ring forth and we will no longer know the sorrow in loneliness, grief or pain. 

God bless, and may you have a Happy New Year! 

Philippians 2:1-11

 ¹ Therefore if there is any consolation in Christ, if any comfort of love, if any fellowship of the Spirit, if any affection and mercy, ² fulfill my joy by being like-minded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind. ³ Let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit, but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than himself. ⁴ Let each of you look out not only for his own interests, but also for the interests of others. ⁵ Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus, ⁶ who, being in the form of God, did not consider it robbery to be equal with God, ⁷ but made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bondservant, and coming in the likeness of men. ⁸ And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross. ⁹ Therefore God also has highly exalted Him and given Him the name which is above every name, ¹⁰ that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those in heaven, and of those on earth, and of those under the earth, ¹¹ and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

 

How the Grinch Skipped Christmas

In years past, about this time, I would record a voicemail message where I would read a bit of “How the Grinch Stole Christmas” by Dr. Seuss. I am no longer in possession of a phone number for people to call, so in lieu of my voicemail message I have tried my own hand at creating my own Seussical ditty. Enjoy:

 This time of year is the most wonderful time of the year. Just ask Andy Williams, he sings for all to hear. Except for some, because I’m sorry to say, that for some it can be a dreadful season of sorts. It can come without ribbons, without tags, without packages, boxes or bags. These things are not needed for the whole Christmas season, for Christmas of course means a little bit more, Christmas comes without heeding, and sometimes without warning. But even so, it comes just the same, except when it doesn’t I’m sorry to say, for some the meaning of Christmas is lacking the love and warmth in their heart. For some it will come with lives torn apart, separated by miles, or the death of a loved one, the distance of love makes this season a sad one. Even still Christmas will come just the same, it will come. Whether you be Bixbee, or Bray, or Mordichi Allen, Von Ali, or Shay. The yule log will burn without presents, or gifts, without tinsel, or  mistletoe wreaths. It will come without puddings. It will come without pies. It will come without stockings, or Rare Who-Roast Beast. More sadly than most is the ones that you love, who make this whole season the most wonderful of most. It comes without mum, it comes without dad, it comes with sisters, and brothers, and lads. It makes me quite sad to think of this season, a whole celebration without any nieces. Without nephews, or cousins or even Andy Williams. So draw near to the ones that you hold oh so dear. Just remember for some the whole Christmas season finds them far too far away. They cannot hold, or even share in yuletide joy, for miles and time find them waiting and wishing for another day far far away from the day that is today (December 25th).

Wow! I sure hope that didn’t bum you out! This is however the Christmas I face this year. It’s okay! I promise, don’t feel sorry for me, I can do that for myself well enough. The real point I wanted to make was not to make a pity party but to share a different kind of gift I have received this year. A gift of solitude. It seems like an odd thing to consider a gift this time of year when we draw the ones we love close, but it is a gift just the same. You may be wondering how this is, and I will explain. 

This summer I was excited about the idea of ‘Skipping Christmas’  (another reference to a book about Christmas written by John Grisham). I am now discovering that you can’t really skip Christmas. Christmas is quite a commercialized holiday here in England. In fact the absence of a Thanksgiving holiday allows Europe to begin marketing for the Christmas season much earlier than Americans do (Imagine that!). Santa, bows, lights, music, all the beautiful things that I thought made Christmas feel warm and fuzzy are still here. 

I must admit that Dr.Seuss and I have a lot in common, like him, I really do not care for Christmas. I think it has something to do with being childlike and not being able to recreate that innocence found in Christmas from when you were young, but that is another blog. I however do love what Christmas points to. Easter! I tried to gain a new perspective of Christmas in viewing it from the perspective of not being able to get to the empty tomb unless you fill the manger (kind of a cool image). 

This year I have discovered another facet to this understanding of Christmas. First I have discovered “Skipping Christmas” doesn’t work. Second I have discovered that presence (not presents) is so powerful for what we know and understand Christmas to be. This season we celebrate Emmanuel (GOD WITH US!) Not only does God take on human flesh and come to us (LSB-332 Savior of the Nations Come expresses this wonder so beautifully) but he has placed his image upon all of humanity. Christ surely comes to us in and through those we love. 

I recently watched a movie about C.S. Lewis entitled “Shadowlands” in which C.S. states “the pain now is part of the happiness then” This is how my solitude this Christmas is such a gift. How would I know the joy in the presence of my family even with all the stress of Christmas, without the pain of being separated from them. More importantly how would I know the gift of ‘God With Us” without knowing the need of his presence in the manger. Point is; even in my so called “solitude” this season I am not alone. God is with me. He came robed in knuckles, knees, and toes to show his infinite love that goes beyond the American borders and follows me to England and is ever with me, you, and all who find themselves without family this holiday season. I hope and pray that your Christmas is merry and bright, but more importantly, I hope you find the presence of God the greatest gift we could ever be given. 

Matthew 1:23 “Behold, the virgin shall be with child, and bear a Son, and they shall call His name Immanuel,” which is translated, “God with us.” 

Joshua 1:9  Have I not commanded you? Be strong and of good courage; do not be afraid, nor be dismayed, for the LORD your God is with you wherever you go.