Posts Tagged With: advent

Where’s the Joy?

Posted on December 12, 2024 by tricialathrop

December 11

I didn’t write yesterday. Some days it is tough to process all that happens One day at a time, one foot in front of the other.

After an extra day in the hospital, Norm came home. The care at the hospital is awesome, the TLC shown by each staff member in words and actions goes a long way in minimizing suffering. But it’s not home.

The unfamiliarity, the flickering lights and shadows of the machines, the sounds, alarms…all disturb a sense of rest.

Norm was glad to be home. He looked around and commented on the lack of Christmas decoration, no tree, no nativities. I did pull out our Christmas plates and cups. It’s not been a priority. Since he mentioned it, I’ll get some things out. Definitely more low key this year.

As I wrote this, I thought of a quote from How the Grinch Stole Christmas by Dr. Seuss. “And the Grinch with his Grinch-feet ice cold in the snow, stood puzzling and puzzling, how could it be so? It came without ribbons. It came without tags. It came without packages, boxes or bags. And he puzzled and puzzled till his puzzler was sore. Then the Grinch thought of something he hadn’t before. What if Christmas, he thought, doesn’t come from a store. What if Christmas, perhaps, means a little bit more.”

We are definitely having a Christmas without a lot of the ribbons and wrappings. But I think we’ll get back to the heart of Christmas.

I am thankful that Norm is home.

I pray for all who are dealing with devastating illness or disability this season, that they will find times of fun and happiness in the celebration this year.

I rejoice in the Reason for the Season, the coming of the Son of God who died on the cross to bring salvation to all humanity.

And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn. And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid. And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David, a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord. And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger. And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying, Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men. Luke 2:7-14

For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life. For God did not send the Son into the world to judge the world, but that the world might by saved through Him. John 3:16-17

Where’s the joy? The Lord has come!

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Where’s the Joy?

Posted on December 5, 2024 by tricialathrop

December 4

Last night I went to choir rehearsal for the Nativity Pageant. It’s a yearly event here in Knoxville, free to all who want to come As we rehearsed “O Come All You Unfaithful” by Lisa Clow and Bob Kauflin, I cried.

You’ve probably heard “O Come All Ye Faithful”, a more familiar carol. It’s a joyful, jubilant song calling us to worship the King of Kings, Jesus Christ the Lord.

In contrast, “O Come All You Unfaithful” calls the broken, the weary, the imperfect, those in pain to come to the Good Shepherd, who shows compassion on those in need. Our ability to come to the Lord is not based on our goodness or how put together we appear. Our coming to the Lord is based on his death and resurrection. We cannot be good enough.

Before Norm’s illness, I bopped along with plans for this holiday season. I did procrastinate, but no big issues. It did not take long for it all to flip on end: Things I enjoyed…cancelled, groups I led…handed off to another. My self sufficiency totally out the window, and I never know when my emotions will bottom out and tears will well up.

God’s faithfulness overrides my issues. Jesus Christ desires those who are unworthy to come to Him, He is worthy. Jesus Christ calls the unloved to come to Him, for He is the standard for unconditional love. Jesus Christ calls those who walk in darkness to come to Him, for He is the Light of the World. Jesus Christ calls the sinner to come to Him, for He is righteousness. Christ calls those who are lost to come to Him, He is the Way. Christ calls the sick to come to Him, He will rise with healing in His wings.

My Thanks: Jesus has provided all I need through his life, death and resurrection. He always intercedes for me.

Surely our griefs He Himself bore, and our sorrows He carried; Yet we ourselves esteemed Him stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted.

But He was pierced through for our transgressions, He was crushed for our iniquities; the chastening for our well-being fell upon Him, and by His scourging we are healed.

All of us like sheep have gone astray, each of us has turned to his own way;

But the Lord has caused the iniquity of us all to fall on Him. Isaiah 53:4-6

My Prayer: As Norm and I walk this road, I pray that we will be able to encourage and support those we meet who are in need. And that we will always pray and express gratitude for those who minister to us.

Rejoice: I rejoice that Jesus came to earth as the Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world. He took my sins and sorrow to the cross and paid the debt of my sin, in full.

Where’s the joy? Music, the upbeat and the songs that make me think of who Christ is. Music calms the troubled soul.

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Where’s the Joy?

Posted on December 4, 2024 by tricialathrop

December 3

Norm is on the upside of the chemo cycle. Some of his college friends came for a few hours and he enjoyed his time with them, fortunately I like them too, so, a good day for all. It felt like a normal day. We laughed, we talked, we went out to eat.

But there is a shadow that hangs over the good days. He will suffer another round of chemo on Friday, and it will take time to recover from the treatment. I’m trying to take this one day at a time and rest in the reprieve, two more days…Jesus knows we have trouble living day to day.

For this reason I say to you, do not be worried about your life, as to what you will eat or what you will drink; for for your body, as to what you will put on. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing?

Look at the birds of the air, that they do not sow, nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not worth much more than they? And who of you by being worried can add a single hour to his life?

And why are you worried about clothing? Observe how the lilies of the field grow; they do not toil nor do they spin, yet I say to you that not even Solomon in all his glory clothed himself like one of these.

But if God so clothes the grass of the field, which is alive today and tomorrow is thrown into the furnace, will He not much more clothe you? You of little faith!

Do not worry then, saying, “What will we eat?” or “WHat will we drink?” or “What will we wear for clothing?”

For the Gentiles eagerly seek all these things; for your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things.

But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you

So do not worry about tomorrow; for tomorrow will care for itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own. Matthew 6:25-34

I’ve never considered myself a worrier, and yet this illness of Norm’s sometimes has me tied up in knots. I really have no control over the outcome, but God does. I can be faithful to support Norm, provide his needs, encourage and pray. Sometimes the support is just listening. All else is in the hand of God.

Thanks: We had a good day today, full of joy and laughter.

Prayer: For Norm to continue to gain back some strength before his next round of chemo.

Rejoice: That God cares for us and knows all that we need. He is working in ways we cannot see.

Where’s the joy? The joy is knowing that God has all this in his hand.

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Where’s the Joy?

Posted on December 3, 2024 by tricialathrop

December 2

Today, I had my husband back. Norm got up and moved around and joked with me. It’s a rare event since cancer entered our lives. I know he has a long way to go, but each day of respite is a delight.

Throughout this challenge, we have been supported, encouraged and prayed for by family and friends all over the US.

Before the diagnosis, Norm’s pain and overall body itching never stopped. He wanted to claw out of his skin. He was angry at God who could heal him, but chose not to. He knew people prayed for him, but in his mind, the prayers did no good. He walked in the darkness of pain and despair. Like a black hole, time seemed to stand still as he circled round and round without hope, closer and closer to the pit of absolute, overwhelming despair.

The prayers that Norm considered useless served as safety harnesses, holding him back from the pit, keeping him from giving up all hope. They not only kept him from falling, they pulled him back towards the light, eventually allowing him to see the light and restoring his hope. He recognized that the prayers lifted him up and that he was not alone in this walk.

Our prayers are powerful for those in need, piercing through the darkness, supporting the one who cannot see. A prayer at the right time delivers the mind and soul, drawing back the broken and feeble, who cannot survive on their own.

Thanks: I am grateful for family, friends, and those we do not know who have prayed and continue to pray for Norm and as we battle this cancer. I am also grateful for those who send kind thoughts and words of encouragement and support our way.

Prayer: Strength, wisdom, courage and hope as we continue this path God has chosen for us. Though tough days lie ahead, with the possibility of more despair, we pray that our hope does not diminish and remains near at hand.

Rejoice: Today, I rejoice that my husband had a day of hope and laughter.

Where’s the joy? It’s easier to be joyful when things go well. But we live in a world filled with broken people, and there will be times when things won’t go well. My joy is in the hope that is in Jesus Christ.

For we know that the whole creation groans and suffers the pains of childbirth together until now And not only this, but also we ourselves, having the first fruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting eagerly for our adoption as sons, the redemption of our body.

For in hope we have been saved, but hope that is seen is not hope: for who hopes for what he already sees? But if we hope for what we do not see, with perseverance we wait eagerly for it.

In the same way the Spirit also helps our weakness; for we do not know how to pray as we should, but the Spirit Himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words; and He who searches the hearts knows what the mind of the Spirit is, because He intercedes for the saints according to the will of God.

And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose. For those whom He foreknew, He also predestined to become conformed to the image of His Son, so that He would be the firstborn among many brethren; and these whom He predestined, He also called; and these whom He called, He also justified; and these whom He justified, He also glorified.

What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who is against us? He who did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him over for us all, how will He not also with Him freely give us all things?

Who will bring a charge against God’s elect? God is the one who justifies; who is the one who condemns? Christ Jesus is He who died, yes, rather who was raised, who is at the right hand of God, who also intercedes for us.

Who will separate us from the love of Christ? Will tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword?

Just as it is written, “For Your sake we are being put to death all day long; We were considered as sheep to be slaughtered.”

But in all these things we overwhelmingly conquer through Him who loved us. For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor any other created thing, will be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord. Romans 8:22-39

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Jesus, God’s Gift to Us

Posted on December 26, 2022 by tricialathrop

Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus: Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, but made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself and became obedient to death–even death of a cross. Philippians 2:5-8

The birth of my first child, Jennifer, gave me the opportunity to view the coming of Jesus in a new light. As I carefully held her in my arms, I thought of the vulnerability of the baby Jesus. He depended on Mary and Joseph for everything. He could not feed himself, defend himself or get anywhere on his own. He lived as all babies live, eating, sleeping and needing frequent diaper changes…or whatever they used in the first century. All his needs, safety and well-being rested in the hands of human beings, who really messed things up in the Garden of Eden.

It’s hard to comprehend that Jesus, who existed in the beginning with God, gave up all his deity for a time on earth. He gave up being omnipresent, he could only be in one place at a time. He gave up his omnipotence, he had no control over what happened to him as a baby. He gave up omniscience, he knew nothing at birth, except the sound of his mother’s voice. He went from a timeless reality to our 24 hour day existence. He chose to do this for us for the joy set before him.. But when he was lying in the stable in Bethlehem, he didn’t know yet what lay before him.

I used to think of Jesus as a baby at Christmas, and then as a man the rest of the year. I forget that he grew up as a human child–exposed to a total human existence, for us.

That day in the stable, when his life on earth began, he looked and acted like any other child. No halo surrounded his head. No birthmarks or other indicators of his deity. He had to learn like every other human being. He learned to communicate, to feed himself, to crawl, to walk, to run…to obey.

Seeing then that we have a great high priest, that is passed into the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our profession. For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities: but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin.Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need. Hebrews 4:14-16

With the assurance that Jesus came to earth as a human being, we know that he understands what we are going through.

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Tradition

Posted on December 25, 2022 by tricialathrop

Tradition! One morning we awoke to the noise of Robert waking the girls to go downstairs and look in the stockings. Half an hour later, Robert and the girls came to wake us so that we could all come down and open gifts.

Jenn and Robert fixed breakfast while Aimee slept on the couch and Norm read the comic “Dilbert.” Mom called to wish us a Merry Christmas. Later that morning we attended church, a reminder that He is the reason we celebrate Christmas.

The shepherds gave witness to Jesus Christ the Messiah who makes reconciliation between God and man possible. His birth, death and resurrection makes it possible for us to draw near to God without fear. But Jesus is much more than a ticket to heaven.

The Magi came to honor Jesus Christ as the King of all kings. He is the exalted One. He created all things and He holds all things together. He is worthy to be praised and to receive all glory, honor and power.

At the age of ten, I accepted Jesus Christ as my Savior. I knelt at the altar in Red Lion Methodist Church and prayed for Jesus to forgive my sins. That simple act changed my life forever. Several years passed before Jesus became the Lord of my life. Then I began to seek His will before making choices, instead of asking for forgiveness once the deed was done. I began to look for ways to honor Him in words and actions.

As you celebrate this day, take time to praise the One who makes the celebration possible.

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ who has blessed us in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ. For He chose us in Him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in His sight.

In love, He predestined us to be adopted as sons through Jesus Christ, in accordance with His pleasure and will, to the praise of His glorious grace, which He has freely given us in the One He loves.

In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God’s grace that He lavished on us with all wisdom and understanding.

And He made known to us the mystery of His will according to His good pleasure, which He purposed in Christ, to be put into effect when the times will have reached their fulfillment, to bring all things in heaven and on earth together under one head, even Christ.

In Him we were also chosen, having been predestined according to the plan of Him who works out everything in conformity with the purpose of His will, in order that we, who were the first to hope in Christ, might be for the praise of His glory.

And you also were included in Christ when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation.

Having believed, you were marked in Him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit, who is a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance until the redemptions of those who are God’s possession, to the praise of His glory. Ephesians 1:3-14

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Jesus ___________

Posted on December 24, 2022 by tricialathrop

“Three Wee Kings”, a musical fantasy by Fred Boch is one of my favorite Christmas pageants. Three kings (wee kings, it’s a children’s pageant) search for THE KING of all kings. It addresses various names of Christ. The characters, an arrogant shepherd, a brave lion, and a shining star each thinks he/she could be the Messiah. Only the lambs understand that this Lamb of God came to take their place as the perfect sacrifice.

What would you put in the above blank? Who is Jesus to you?

My concept of Jesus changes with my need or experience. I have found Him to be much more than my ticket to heaven. Over the years, He has been my strength, my confidant, my refuge, my friend, my hope…my Lord.

Here are some of my favorite names/titles for Jesus:

Isaiah 9:6 Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace

Jeremiah 23:6 The Lord, Our Righteousness

Matthew 16:16 The Son of the Living God

John 1:1 The Word made flesh

John 1:29 The Lamb of God

John 6:35 The Bread of Life

John 8:12 The Light of the World

John 10:11-17 The Good Shepherd

John 11:25-26 The Resurrection and the Life

John 14:6 The Way, the Truth, the Life

1 Corinthians 5:7 Our Passover Lamb

Colossians 1:15 The Image of the Invisible God

1 Timothy 1:1 Christ Jesus our Hope

Hebrews 12:24 Mediator of a new covenant

1 Peter 2:6 Chosen and precious Cornerstone

1 John 4:14 The Savior of the world

Revelation 1:8 Alpha and Omega, Who is, Who was, Who is to come

Revelation 17:14 Lord of lords, King of kings

He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. For by Him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities: all things were created by Him and for Him.

He is before all things and in Him all things hold together. And He is the head of the body, the church; He is the beginning and the firstborn from the dead, so that in everything He may have the supremacy.

For God was pleased to have all His fullness dwell in Him, and through Him to reconcile to Himself all things, whether things on earth or things in heaven, by making peace through His blood shed on the cross. Colossians 1:15-20

I pray that your concept of Jesus will deepen and broaden this Christmas season.

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Heavenly Visitors

Posted on December 23, 2022 by tricialathrop

Imagine a shepherd in a field, looking forward to a quiet peaceful night with the sheep. The sheep finally settle down and the shepherd yawns, stretching his arms and legs. He carries on a low conversation with the other shepherds resting for the night. Suddenly an angel appears. At first he thinks it’s a dream but with the realization that this extremely shiny being is real, he drops to the ground, trembling with fear.

Even though the shepherd is told not to be afraid, he still trembles as the angel delivers the message. It’s a simple message: the Messiah is born in Bethlehem and can be found in a manger wrapped in swaddling clothes.

And then, a multitude of heavenly hosts join the lone angel. We usually think the host as all angels, but the host includes the seraphim who each have 6 wigs (Isaiah 6:2), the living creatures who have 4 faces and 4 wings, and sparkly like burnished brass (Ezekiel 1:4-14), and beasts with 6 wings and full of eyes (Revelation 4:8), and the cherubim (Ezekiel 10:5). Wow, if they weren’t afraid before, they would be when they saw the heavenly host.

The heavenly host proclaimed the greatness of God, speaking of His glory, glory beyond our comprehension. They spoke of peace to the earth, available through Jesus Christ who opened the way to reconciliation with God. They spoke of God’s desire to do good to men.

God chose to send this message to a group of humble men, just doing their job. It lets me know that I don’t have to be doing anything special to hear from God. No hoops to jump through, just faithfully doing what I have been called to do, and when I least expect it, overwhelmed by the goodness of an awesome God.

And there were in the same country, shepherds abiding in the field keeping watch over their flock by night.

And lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shown round about them, and they were sore afraid. And the angel said unto them, “Fear not: for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy which shall be to all people.

“For unto you is born this day in the city of David, a Savior which is Christ the Lord. And this shall be a sign unto you; ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.”

And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host, praising God and saying, “glory to God in the highest and on earth peace, goodwill towards men.” Luke 2:8-14

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My Legacy

Posted on December 22, 2022 by tricialathrop

As Christmas approaches, I think of Christmas past. The memories are not so much the events, but the people who impacted my life. With their life examples or encouraging words, each played a part in who I am today. I look forward to saying thank you when I meet them again in Heaven.

Thelma sang “O Holy Night” every Christmas. A petite grandmother, her beautiful soprano voice combined with her love of god drew us into an attitude of worship, calling us to fall on our knees before the Savior. I cannot sing the song today without seeing her in from of Red Lion Methodist church, honoring God with her voice.

Al greeted us every Sunday morning, opening the church doors with a warm, enchanting smile. On Christmas he dressed up as Santa and gave each child a bag of candy as we left. He stands out as a faithful man, consistent in serving the Lord by making people feel welcomed.

When we had a service when we could choose the hymns, we could count on Jip to call out, “What a Friend We Have in Jesus”. He often cried as he shared how much the love of Jesus Christ meant to him. Everyone was his friend, and he made each of us feel special and important.

Our organist, Dolores, invited the teens at our church to form a singing group called “The Impossibles”, not because we were impossible…though that was a running joke…but because of the power of God to do impossible things in our lives. She, along with my mom, encouraged me to spend time in the Old Testament searching for the wealth of riches in the Word of God.

Each of these people, and many more, lived their lives serving God as best they could. And each has left an imprint on my own walk with God. They all gave me a rich heritage in the Lord.

It makes me consider, what kind of legacy am I leaving for those who are watching me today?

We always thank God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, when we pray for you, because we have heard of your faith in Christ Jesus and of the love you have for all the saints, the faith and love that spring from the hope that is stored up for you in heaven and that you have already heard about in the word of truth, the gospel that has come to you. All over the world this gospel is bearing fruit and growing, just as it has been doing among you since the day you heard it and understood God’s grace in all truth. Colossians 1:3-6.

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A Christmas Carol

Posted on December 21, 2022 by tricialathrop

Norm and I try to attend a live version of the “Christmas Carol” each year. In New York we saw it at Proctor’s Theater in Schenectady and here in Tennessee, we go to the Clarence Brown Theater in Knoxville. Post Covid, we enjoyed being able to see it in person this year.

I love to watch “A Christmas Carol” in all its variations. Many men and women have given their acting tribute to how they envision Scrooge. Each director brings his/her own emphasis. Some follow Dicken’s original story carefully, others take a bit of liberty with their interpretation. But each one inspires me to consider my own life and how I relate to others.

Some of the things I consider:

  • A focus on money or possessions corrupts our lives and relationships. God is the only one worthy of our undivided attention.

But if we have food and clothing, we will be content with that. People who want to get rich fall into temptation and a trap and into many foolish and harmful desires that plunge men into ruin and destruction. For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs. 1 Timothy 6:8-10

  • Taking care of the poor is a number one priority. God allows us to share in His concern for the poor by giving us many opportunities to give, time and money.

If there is a poor man among your brothers in any of the towns of the land that the Lord your God is giving you, do not be hardhearted or tightfisted toward your poor brother. Rather be openhanded and freely lend him whatever he needs. Deuteronomy 15:7-8

  • Even the person you consider beyond hope, is not.

Like the rest, we were by nature objects of wrath. But because of His great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions–it is by grace you have been saved. And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with Him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus, in order that in the coming ages He might show the incomparable riches of His grace, expressed in His kindness to us in Christ Jesus. For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith–and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God–not by works, so that no one can boast. Ephesians 2:4-10

Remember the words of Tiny Tim, “God bless us every one.” Let’s look for ways to extend God’s blessing to others.

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