Happy Birthday Mom

 99 years ago today, the 23rd day of December 2023, my mother was born in Vernal, Utah.  Her mother was Elizabeth Slaugh, her father, Lewis Chivers.  Elizabeth was known as "Lizzie" and described as "an angel".  She died of consumption when she was 48, mom was 12.  Lewis was a farmer and a sheepherder.  He died when he was 70.  

I wasn't around as mom was growing up in the Uintah basin.  I do know that she was the oldest daughter in the family after aunt Mary got married and moved out.  I also know that she played some mean softball and was a good student.  Mom left home before finishing high school, worked as a waitress in Colorado and made her way to Salt Lake.  She and dad met while dad was stationed at Camp Kearns toward the end of WWII.  She went back to school in her 40's to become a counselor for alcoholics.  I think she tried to do what she could to make the world a bit better.  I know that life for her was hard at times.  I didn't realize that when I was a kid.

Christmas time bring memories of family as a kid and mom plays a large role in those (yeah, "duh!").  See the post about ruining Christmas for a glimpse.

In her later years we would have all of the Edge side of the Kayser/Edge collaboration come to our home on Dec 23 to celebrate Mom's birthday.  I think she enjoyed those.  I hope so.

Love you mom, hope you are doing well.  Happy Birthday.  We miss having you here to celebrate them.

Gifts

 So, it's late Christmas Eve as I sit and write these few thoughts.  For those of us who wear more than a handful of decades, this season, and this night particularly, bring about many memories.  As is my custom most years, I am following Ebenezer's adventures of this night many years ago.  What a gift he was given to see past, present, future Christmas's with otherworldly beings as guides.

I'm going to share with you a short tale of Christmas present (now) and of a present (gift) I gave Grandma on her birthday this year, and of another Gift to all of us.

First-let it be known that I am not the best chooser and giver of gifts.  I love giving gifts but am not good at finding gifts that fit-literally and metaphorically.  Maybe I could shop the cosmos and find some that might fit better metaphysically.  But that would indeed be a tale for another time!

Maybe that is what I did for Grandma's birthday this year.  A question for all of you-how do you know that a gift you present to someone is appreciated, used, valuable-even cherished?   I'll let you think while I tell this tale.

On Grandma's birthday (26th of November each year-sometimes on Thanksgiving, always with great thanksgiving)  I gave her a sweater/sweatshirt thingy with a cowl/turtle neck.  Yes, I can see that you understand my sense of clothes and fashion.  Whenever I am a brave enough to give her clothes on her birthday I make sure it is something warm and looks cozy since her birthday is, as already noted, in late November.  Other than that I am out in the cold.  Well, she opened the sweater thingy-yes, I kept the receipt just in case- I have learned from past efforts.  She smiled and told me "thank you very much, I love it".  I thought "sure!-nice attempt".  Then she wore it to church, as her birthday was on a Sunday.  I thought "great!  At least it will be worn once".  Then, the next day, Monday, she wore it to work.  And again on Tuesday.  And Wednesday. And everyday for the next three weeks.  I think I mentioned to her once that it could stand to be chucked in the washing machine.  She responded that she would when it needed it.

Well! I did it!  I gave her a gift that was warm, comforting, comfortable and looked good on her.  One that she used.  A lot!    The fact that Grandma likes and uses the gift I gave her makes me feel good inside and I smile when I see her wear it.  What a good gift-giver I was! At least that time.

So, back to my question to you.  How do you know a gift you've given is appreciated, cherished, valuable to the giftee?  Of course you know-they use the gift and it does serve an important purpose to them-like being comfortable, warm and cozy like the sweater I gave Grandma.

You all, being so clever, know where this is headed, right?  Well, it's Christmas.  What Gift that we celebrate this time of year have we all been given?  You are correct!  It is the Lamb of God sent here to sacrifice Himself for each of us.  The Good Shepherd sent here to call each of us by name to follow him, take care of each other, and journey with Him home to heavenly pastures.  It is our Friend and Brother who knows us better than we know ourselves sent to comfort, lift burdens, strengthen feeble knees and lift hanging arms. It is a member of the Godhead sent here to experience what you and I experience-and more-so He knows perfectly how to best care for us.  If we let Him.

So how does our Father know that we appreciate, value, even cherish His Gift to Us?  We use it everyday.  We let it comfort and warm us.  We try to wear it out-unsuccessfully since it is infinite-in our use of His Love for us.  And we share it with others through providing care and comfort and warmth and safety and sharing burdens and lifting and strengthening our mortal brothers and sisters while on our eternal journeys.  All while using His Love, Light, Bread, and Living Water to sustain, support and strengthen us as we journey together.

This Christmas let us all consider how we best can reach up to better use the Gift of His Son and how we can then reach out to others to best use the Gift of His Son.

I think when God sees us using the Gift of His Son it makes Him feel good and smile for us.  Doesn't that make you feel good?  Now, my little Brutes, hang on to that little good feeling!

Merry Christmas!

Signs and Wonders-then More Wandering-Far, Far Away From Judea's Plains

 If it's OK with you, we'll leave the Little Town of Bethlehem and Mary and Joseph for today and see what has been happening on the other side of the world.

I hope you all realize that the purpose for the Book of Mormon, that record of the Lord's dealings with the people on the Western continents, is to help convince everyone that "Jesus is the Christ (we talked about that a bit yesterday), the Eternal Father manifesting himself unto all nations...".  While we have been following Mary and Joseph and the Shepherds and all in the Holy Land there has been trouble in the New World.  Nephi had been teaching the people about the Savior and trying to get them to change and repent.  Samuel the Lamanite came to the Nephites and prophesied about the coming of the Savior and also called for repentance and returning to the Lord.  He was actually with them for some time before they drove him out.  He was prompted to return, and that was when he gave his great sermon on the wall.  He told the people that not five years should pass before the Son of Man came to earth.  He also told them of a new star and of a day, a night, and a day without darkness at the time of his birth.  Then Samuel left without further record of him.  

Nephi continued his enduring work to try to get the Nephites to repent and come to the Lord, but didn't have great success.  Satan stirred up the hearts of the people to the point of those in charge issuing an edict that all the believers would be killed on a certain day if the signs of the Savior's birth had not happened.  As the fateful day approached, Nephi "..bowed himself down upon the earth, and cried mightily to his God in behalf of his people, yea, those who were about to be destroyed because of their faith in the tradition of their fathers.  And it came to pass that he cried mightily unto the lord all that day: and behold, the voice of the Lord came unto him, saying: Lift up your head and be of good cheer; for behold, the time is at hand, an on this night shall the sign be given , and on the morrow come I int the world, to show unto the world that I will fulfil all that which I have caused to be spoken by the mouth of my holy prophets.  Behold, I come unto my own...to do the will, both of the Father and of the Son..."

And, what do you know-the next day it did not get dark at sundown, and there appeared a new star, just as had been prophesied.  The people were astonished and many unbelievers fell to the earth.  Everyone began to know that the Son of God must shortly appear.  "And it had come to pass, yea, all things, every whit, according to the words of the prophets."

Now you might think that all the people had mighty heart changes because of these signs, right? Well, they did, most of them.  For a time.  Withing four or five years the people began to forget those signs and wonders which they had heard, and began to be less and less astonished at a sign or a wonder from heaven", leading to hardening hearts.

OK-this has taken too long to get to the point.  Signs and wonders from Heaven don't guarantee our faithfulness in following The Good Shepherd.  In the Holy Land and the New World both, people who had seen miracles and prophecies fulfilled....forgot.  And wandered on other paths.

Two suggestions from Mary and Shepherds.  When we see God's hand in our lives, let us ponder these things in our hearts, and, let others know of the wonderful things we see hear and feel.  Maybe especially at Christmas.

Fathers, More Angels, and Names

 Joseph, the husband of Mary, has not had much mention is our story of shepherds and lambs, of the Good Shepherd and the Lamb of God, and of angels, but we will talk about his role in this Holy Family tonight.

What kind of man do you think our Heavenly Father would choose to be the mortal guardian of God's Only Begotten, a member of the Godhead in his own right?  I am sure that Joseph was a good man who could "hear Him".  We assume that Joseph was from the same little village of Nazareth as was his betrothed, Mary.  We are told that he was a carpenter-a laborer like most of those around him.  Matthew tells us that he was a "just man".  "Just" can mean to put things right, to be fair.  When he became aware that his Mary was expecting it says that he, being a just man, was "...not willing to make her a publick example, was minded to put her away privily".  We do not know what this good man felt or understood or imagined, but it seems he was doing the best he could to be "just" and kind in this situation.  

Matthew continues "But while he thought on these things,"-let's stop here for a moment and consider what Joseph is doing.  And not doing.  He is not jumping into action and ranting and raving that life has not been "fair" to him.  He is thinking, considering, pondering.  Ok, on with the story- "...behold, the angel of the Lord appeared unto him in a dream, saying, Joseph, thou son of David, fear not to take unto thee Mary thy wife: for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Ghost.  And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins."

I can't imagine all that good Joseph had to sort out.  An angel!  Mary's son to be He who saves his people from sin.  The name Jesus means "God is help" or Savior".  "Christ" is short for "the Christ", meaning "The Anointed", or "Savior".  This Babe to be born in a manger in Bethlehem would be Jesus the Christ, the Savior not only of the Israelites, but of everyone.  You. And me.  And Grandma.  Your siblings-yes, even the annoying one (which may well be you!).  Your good friends and your nemesis.  All of us to be given freedom from death and hell and a place we are willing to accept in heaven with our Father and our Brother the Lamb of God.

I don't know how much of this Joseph processed, but he did act.  When the Babe was eight days old He was given the name JESUS as instructed by the angel.

I haven't had an angelic visit-except for when the grandchildren come visit us-and I don't know if any of you have either, but I can only try to imagine the impact it would have on us.  We couldn't help but do what the angel would tell us, right?  Not so fast-I'm sure you can come up with stories from the scriptures where angelic visits were made and direction given-and not always followed.  Joseph chose to do what he should.  I hope to try to do the same, angelic visits or not.  You try your best, too, won't you?

Wandering and Wondering

 We-Grandma and I-won the lottery this year!  Yay!

Well, the lottery for tickets to the Christmas Concert in the Conference Center.  C? (read that last bit out loud if it didn't make you smile just a bit)  It has been 5 years since we attended this gala and we were fortunate to get 4 tickets this year and had our eldest daughter and her husband join with us.  It was great.  The guest artist this year is a Broadway actor, Michael Makialel.  He has been the lead in Aladdin on Broadway.  We went not knowing what to expect, then this young, skinny Indian fellow blew our socks off.  He was great.

One of the songs he sang was "I Wonder as I Wander".  The lyrics in the second verse read: "When Mary birthed Jesus 'twas in a cow's stall With wise men and farmers and shepherds and all.  But high from God's heaven a star's light did fall, And the promise of ages it then did recall."

I realized as I watched a monitor at the concert with the lyrics to all the songs that I enjoy many Christmas songs without knowing all the lyrics.  Including this one!  I should probably make a point of singing them (to myself-no need to inflict that on others) so I could learn the stories better.

Christmas story from Luke catch up.  The verses today deal with the shepherds-I'm getting to like this group of folks more all the time-returning-I assume to their flocks-"glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen".  The following verse tells us that Mary "kept all these things and pondered them in her heart".

Two different responses to the coming of the Lamb from the shepherds and Mary, right?  But that doesn't make one "right" or "better".  Both are wonderful.  We should indeed glorify and praise God for all we get to see, hear, and feel, as well as all we get to endure, learn, experience and wonder about.  We also need to keep and ponder valuable things in our hearts.  The "keeps" in ancient castles were strong, safe places where the most valuable things were kept.  Our hearts are those "keeps" for each of us-where we hold that which is most precious to us.

So let us both "praise and glorify God", as well as "keep and ponder" those beliefs, confirmations, experiences, relationships, virtues and values that we treasure most.  Both take conscience effort and both make us better followers of the Lamb.

Related Christmas song-"Breath of Heaven"  sung by Amy Grant.  Read the lyrics as you listen.

Catching up a bit...

 OK-here are my excuses.  I worked Monday AM, we skied to the cabin Mon PM and stayed until yesterday afternoon.  I worked on Mom's Highlander and went to bed.  So we missed a couple of days.  Not to fear!  Wait, what?  That was a couple of blogs ago, right?  "Fear not"?  Oh, how soon you all forget!   Back to it this evening.

Well, our shepherds did what the angel told them-stopped fearing and listened to an angelic concert put on in the heavens above them.  So, what now?  An angelic messenger had just told them that a Savior had been born not too far away.  This was confirmed by the heavenly choir.  Then.....check on the sheep?  Make sure the kids (and the other kids) are OK?  I'm pretty sure they had that already covered-you know, shepherds, right?  Luke tells us that they said to each other that they should go to Bethlehem (the city of David) and see the thing the angel had said come to pass.  So they went "with haste" the 2 or 3 miles (I'm guessing here) to Bethlehem and found the stable, manger and Mary, Joseph and the Babe.

The record is brief in telling us that "when they had seen it, they made know abroad the saying which was told them concerning this child". 

You all have been out on a dark night, no ambient lighting (I'll wait while you ask your parents or older sibs.  Or Sirilexa) and no flashlights.  I wonder how starry it was that night, or if there may have been a bright moon.  Were they worried about predators or bad guys?  What we know is that they hurried-they "came with haste".  When I was a kid growing up in South Salt Lake we would go "in haste" when a fire truck passed our street to see what was happening.  We would use haste to get home when we were out playing and Mom called us for dinner (without the aide of cell phones...).

I'm sure our little kid haste was fairly pedestrian when compared with the shepherds hurrying to see this "Saviour, which is Christ the Lord".  Their haste brought them to the place where they found the Child lying in a manger.  I imagine they spent what time they thought they could worshipping this heavenly being become mortal.  The best we got to see when we hurried to chase the fire truck-if we caught up with it-was usually some smoke coming from someone's incinerator or my friend's pigeon coop.  Not much compared to seeing the Savior!

And what did they do about it?  They made sure to tell everyone what they had seen.  The world's first missionaries-witnesses of the Savior!  Well, after all the angels and singing and stuff.

The lesson for me here?  If there is something wonderful to find, like the Savior, I should go with more haste.  You know we can find Him everywhere if we look.  Then I should make sure I let others know of the impact such encounters have on me.  Let my light shine so others know of Him.

I'll work more on my hastening and testifying.

Signs and Songs

 Yesterday-nothing, nada, zip.  So we get to catch up today.  

We left our shepherds hearing their heavenly messenger tell them to "fear not" and that he had brought them, and all people, good tidings of  great joy because of a Saviour born that day in Bethlehem.  

He then told them of a sign (when he wasn't wearing his sign...).  They would find this Babe wrapped in swaddling clothes and laying in a manger.  Then the heavens opened above these poor, blessed shepherds and angelic singing broke out praising God and telling of peace on earth and of goodwill to us.

Good enough?  We are now caught up and you can all go to bed. Goodnight!

Um, would you mind wait just a few more minutes whilst I pontificate a bit?  Thank you!

I have tried to imagine this scene from both sides.  The shepherds with their frightening/glorious angelic visitation followed by a singing heavenly multitude.  Imagine TCATS (Tab Choir At Temple Square), only multitudes more. We are happy when we can get tickets to the Christmas Concert at the Conference Center.  Then we are usually up on the upper deck on the side.  Imagine being front and center for this celestial performance in the field!  

And the angels singing!  I imagine them waiting millennia for their/our Savior to come to Earth to fulfill His mission here.  I'm sure they were aware of the absolute necessity for a Savior for themselves and for all of us, and of the life He would lead, and the cost of it all.  Songs of praise and Hallelujah were indeed in order.  They still are. Today we had a sister in our ward sing with her sisters in sacrament meeting.  It was wonderful.  They were probably part of the Shepherds' Field Symphony.  I have wondered if I might of also been singing.  Nope.  Not with my voice.  Maybe I was keeping an eye on the sheep to make sure they didn't scatter while the shepherds' attention was so deservedly  distracted.  We do what we can, right?

So the heavenly messenger and the singing cherubs played their parts, as will the shepherds tomorrow.  They did what they could.

This message about Peace and Goodwill toward all of us.  How have we been doing?  Have each of us been doing what we can?  I'm sure we can do a bit better each day bringing peace and goodwill to those around us.  Try it tomorrow.  Smile instead of grumble.  Be patient.  Help out without permission to do so nor needing notice of so doing.  

I know, imagine everyone you see or interact with wearing a lanyard and a picture badge with their name and title.  Here's an easy example-"Grandma Edge.  Child of God".

Tomorrow-Moving Shepherds.

Fear Not! You Can't Ruin Christmas

 The angel came to the shepherds yesterday.  Without his name badge with a Celestial Picture and his name on it.  The shepherds were "sore afraid".  If you look at angelic visits in the Old Testament you might well understand why they were afraid.  They may have been more afraid thinking it was an angel than a ghost.  Old Ebeneezer (ask your folks what that name means and see if they know.  You can thank them if they do) had visits from both ghosts and angels during his night of revelation.  I'm not sure which would have frightened me more-Jacob with his head cloth holding his mouth shut and his chains and warnings, or the "ghost" of Christmas Future" with his dire visions of want and ignorance.

The next may seem like a non sequitur (another opportunity to see how smart your spouse or parents may be) but I will connect everything in a bit.

Some blogs ago I told the tale of the Edge boys awakening in Christmas' early morning hours about the year of 1959 and, being the considerate young men (9, 7, 5 years old) decided to not awaken their folks.  Instead, we thought we could well sort out the presents under the tree without parental assistance.  We started with unwrapping and divvying up the goods, progressed to ripping and tearing and playing with everything.  Once we thought we had everything sorted out we wondered why mom and dad weren't up joining in the fun yet.  One of us-I won't tell you that it was the eldest brother (Randy)-thought it would be hilarious if we used a shiny new pop gun as an alarm.  At about 4 AM.

After the very loud "POP" both of our parents vaulted out of their bed thinking that home and hearth might be under attack.  It was funny.  For about 3 seconds.  Neither appeared to be overjoyed in our manner of inviting them to come play.

As they entered the chaos room-formally known as the living room-both sat down in wonder and despair.  Mom put her head in her hands, wept, and loudly announced that we three boys had "Ruined Christmas!".

Indeed, as the responsible middle child, I took this personally and have felt a bit of shame (even though the memories bring back a few chuckles) for ruining Christmas some 60 plus years ago.  I'm sure we boys tried to "ruin Christmas" (without knowing that was what we were doing) a few more times.

Then I realized something this week.  I CAN'T RUIN CHRISTMAS!  NEITHER CAN YOU!  NO MATTER WHAT!

It all has to do with what the angel told those shepherds long ago on those dark but glorious plains.  The "Good News" leading to great joy for everyone.  "For unto you is born this day, in the city of David, a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord".  That changed everything.  Because now, Easter would happen!  Well, not especially the stuff about chicks and eggs, but the miracles of overcoming death and hell.  For "all people"!  

This Babe of Bethlehem was the literal Son of God-much more than the Jews were looking for-who, from the beginning, was to be our Saviour.  And nothing could change or "ruin" that.  He would live His Perfect life, Atone for all of us, break the bands of death and make  our unimaginable eternal home assessable to us.  And nothing could or would change that. 

So, if you or your bratty, er, I mean rambunctious kids get up and destroy the presents in the middle of the night or "discover" the perfect gift where you hid it two weeks before Christmas or throw a fit in the middle of the Christmas concert or just act like a moody teenager-Christmas isn't ruined.  We are all still delivered from those monsters of death and hell.

Every time we drive toward the freeway on 90th South this time of year I recall that a family had a horrendous wreck near the river years ago during Christmas.  Lives were lost and bodies damaged and hearts broken.  Every Christmas season as this world turns there are tragedies large and small, personal and remote.  Growing up, we had several Christmases with more heartache than holiday.  In spite of all of this, "Christmas" can't be "ruined".  We all have the eternal gifts of Life and Heaven made available through that Babe in Bethlehem.  Nothing can change that.  For God so loves you, and me, and all people that He sent His Only Begotten to save us.

So, if, in your short-or lengthy-life have had difficulties this time of year, I'm sorry, but please look up, realize what the Plan is, and rejoice.  If you haven't had things go "wrong" during the "holiday season", good for you, but realize that you probably will at some time in your earthly journey.  And when troubles and heartache and tragedy visit, please know in your heart that we have a Savior who is "mighty to save" who has indeed done just that, and find a reason to rejoice and "fear not", as our friendly Ghost from the shepherds' fields would tell us.

Fear Not!

 OK-I don't know for sure if the angel shouted "Fear Not" or if he spoke it in a more comforting voice.  I do know that there have been times in my life when I needed some "Fear Not!" loud enough to get my attention  away from my fears so I could do what needed doing.  The most recent was  a week ago.  Grandma and I had been asked to tell stories at our ward Christmas dinner-something about the Nativity.  We agreed of course, even though this is a very scary thing for me.  Grandma prepared a very entertaining story and she, along with help from her stage crew (me) had the kids and adults engrossed and engaged as she shared a very timely tale.  We had the few kids in the ward-ward members and guests-sitting on the red rug just a few feet in front of us.  I handled the props well and provided the "music" and Grandma was animated and amusing as she told her tale.  The kids watched and listened and enjoyed.

When she was done and it was my turn to tell a tale, the kids were, well, almost done.  I could see them fidgeting and squirming early on.  Then there was a bit of full-on wrestling.  I had to tell myself a few times to "fear not".  We eventually got through the story without anyone being injured.  Yay!

Those poor shepherds.  They were out in the dark of night-no city lights-in the wild protecting their sheep when the angel "came upon them".  Of course they were afraid.  So the instruction, counsel, admonition (yes, use that last one please) to "fear not" was probably the best thing the angel could have told them.  

You know those lanyards that we all have to wear to work or at conferences and such-those things hanging around our necks with our names and positions on them?  All of your teachers wear them.  As do almost everyone else. I'm supposed to wear mine when I go to people's homes to do my work.  Do you know one reason we wear those?  Perhaps it is to put others at ease that this is someone with an official name badge and picture who belongs here and has a role to fill.  Not just a random person, or, in the shepherds' case, some ghost with nefarious purposes.  

Maybe it would have been easier if the angel had had his picture, name and title hanging around his neck.  Or maybe the glory shinning around him was enough.

Even better, the angel went on to tell these keepers of sheep and lambs that he had brought them "good tidings of great joy which shall be to all people".  The fact that the angel was bringing good tidings probably helped relieve the shepherds' fears. At least a bit.  Now their flight or fight responses would be inhibited and they could hear the Good Tidings to follow.  Tomorrow.

Don't blame me for stopping mid story, blame the giant advent calendar one of you sent us!

Note-I know we didn't start this on 1 Dec so we missed the first few days.  We may (or may not) try to revisit those first few days if I can see places to easily do it.  As always, it's all about Grandpa's convenience.  

Another note-I've been thinking the past few weeks that all of us, perhaps, should start wearing picture name badges with the title "Child of God" on them.  Maybe it would help us all see each other a bit more clearly and with more charity.  And with less fear.  Except for those stinkin' dentists.. I may always fear them, even if I pretend otherwise.  I might change the title on the one I have from "PT" (for Physical Therapist) to "COG" and see if anyone notices.  I'll let you know.

Three Brief Thoughts

 Have you ever been out wandering in the back country with no trail and just a vague sense of direction and no real destination?  That describes yesterday's blog thoughts.  But since it is unlikely that these thoughts will enlighten any  brain cells, heart strings or screen pixels other than this one, that's OK!

When we are wandering as noted above, sometimes we need to find some game trail, path, or stream to follow.  One could always backtrack, but who wants to do that?  If all else fails, what's the advice-head downhill and you should find water which should lead to some track, trail, path, road.

So that's what I'm doing tonight-heading downhill and seeing where I end up.

So I promised thoughts on the "Nu ar det Jul Igen" lyrics.  Did you look them up?  Then you know that the first (and repeating verse) translates as something like "now it's Christmas again, and now it's Christmas again and Christmas lasts until Easter".  When I first heard this it made little sense to me.  Perhaps that's due to the fact that I focused on the feasting that would occur on Christmas Eve.  And Christmas.  And Second Day Christmas (yes, that's a real holiday).  I couldn't see past the marzipan pigs, smoked salmon, Christmas sausage, delectable baked goods, and lutefisk to note the connection that Christmas and Easter have as expressed in our little song.  Other than holiday food. We could plan on being fed at both holidays. It was just a fun song and tune that gave us an excuse to romp around the Christmas tree, always on the lookout for the next treat. 

Sometimes we look past the Mark searching for the next marzipan pig...

The verse on our Advent calendar today is the one following yesterday's (convenient, don't you think?) about shepherds abiding in the fields watching over their flocks.  So today and angel comes to them and the shepherds-out in the fields with no lights other than heavenly ones-are "sore afraid".  I don't recall being so frightened that I got sore but Grandma has told me she gets a pain deep in her gut when she sees you kids/grandkids near the edge of high places, so maybe being "sore afraid" is a real phenomenon.   But I can easily imagine these good people tasked with caring for their flocks of sheep, lambs and kids (both kinds) being frightened by a gloriously bright being coming toward them.  Perhaps they thought it was a ghost, as in a real ghost or something supernatural.  My guess is that they hadn't ever experienced something like this before.  I know that when we are out in the backcountry at night and I hear a sound, imagine a light, sense unexpected movement-I get the chill up my back and my lizard brain kicks in and it feels like flight or fight time.  We were on an Oregon beach at 4 AM a few years ago when I saw a line of bright lights moving across the ink black sky.  I knew it had to be an alien invasion and my body was gearing up to run!  Until Megan told me it was just Elon's starlink satellites!  Yeah, I felt a bit dumb.  

And I think that all of us can be frightened by things that are new to us.

Tomorrow-the good council from this frightening angelic messenger.

OK?- I covered some about "Nu ar det Jul Igen" lyrics, mentioned food a time or two and did a little pontificating about scary angels.  Good enough for today?  Good Night!

It is Indeed Christmas Time Again!

 I had been in Sweden about 4 1/2 months when my first Christmas season as a missionary began.  I was starting to get a decent handle on the language, except for my very American accent, and was past the point of wanting to run away back home.  It was too far to run to anyway.  I had settled in as a now- senior companion in Gotenborg.  That meant I was supposed to be responsible for my junior companion, our branch and our area.  Seemed like a lot for a youngster without a lot of mission/church background.  But I was too inexperienced to realize how much responsibility I had.  I knew how to work, how to function with as a team and how to listen to and follow directions from our leaders.

So we worked hard (not always smart or spirit-led, I think), studied, played, wrote letters and in journals and did the things we were supposed to.

But it was Sweden.  And winter.  And Dark!  Even though Goteborg is in southern Sweden the daylight was measly and short.  Sunrise about 9 AM, sunset about 3 PM.  That sounds like 6 hours of sun, but the angle of the sun was so low that it seemed like we only had a couple hours of sunshine in that 6 hours, as the sun only got 8 or 9 degrees above the horizon for much of the winter.  When we had snow it sure wasn't Utah Powder.  It was slushy and not pretty most of the time.  So we were often wet and cold and in the dark.  And hungry.  What was kind of wonderful was all the wonderful aromas we encountered as goodies were baked in preparation for the Christmas feasting.  But what we got was mostly just the aromas.

The members didn't seem to feed the missionaries much while I was in Sweden.  I was/am very grateful for the times we were fed! But it didn't seem often enough. I remember thinking even those 50 years ago--I just realized that it was 50 years ago this year-what a golden memory!  Ok, I think I just got sidetracked again.  It happens.  Yes-I was whining about being a poor, cold-in-the-dark starving missionary.  But hey, everybody's a baby about something, right?  I am pretty sure I wrote a little about my first mission Christmas but that won't stop me from repeating myself.  Kind of expected from someone a half century removed from his mission, don't you think?

We were invited to celebrate Christmas Eve-the Big Christmas day-at a family's home outside of Goteborg.  This was a great family with several small children and we looked forward to this day off from knocking on seldom-opened-doors and bothering nice people who were busy getting ready for Christmas.  And there was much preparation for Christmas!  We counted down the days, but not in an Advent way.

Now that was a lengthy run up to today's point, about to which I am now getting! (How convoluted was that sentence?!)

Last week I found a large, rectangular package on our porch.  I asked Vick if she had ordered a large print of something, she responded that she hadn't.  I opened it and found a Giant Advent calendar-one huge page for each day with a short excerpt from the nativity account. A nice gift from one of our kids.  You know who you are-thanks!  So I thought I might make a short daily entry in this seldom perused blogging place about the season.  Some of them may even be related to that day's Advent calendar's excerpts.  Except when they aren't.  Like today's.  Here it is.  Don't try to figure out how things are related yet-I haven't!

The first Swedish Christmas song I learned was "Nu ar det Jul igen".  If you are reading this you can find the lyrics online even without the double dots above the "a" in "ar".  Take a look, listen to it and the catchy tune may well be your ear companion for a day or two.  

We'll talk about the lyrics and more about Swedish Christmas food next time-tomorrow. 

Hope and Joy

 What do you think was the most important pronouncement for all humankind ever spoken?

Sunday, at last! (no, that's not it, but close!)  His disciples had been through more than they ever imagined over the past two days.  Jesus being betrayed, taken away, scoured and crucified.  Their Savior-He who had told them that He was the Son of God and that His kingdom had come to Earth-had given His life on the cross.  Then he had been laid in a tomb, lifeless.

The women came-of course it was the women first-to the tomb early in the morning after the Sabbath.  They came to finish the anointment and embalmment of His body, which had not been finished before He was laid in the tomb just prior to the Sabbath. They worried about gaining access to the tomb-"who shall roll away the stone?".  Well, they needed not be concerned about gaining entrance, as an angel (or two) had come in the night, frightened away with their very glory the Roman soldiers, and rolled away the stone.

When Mary and the other women approached the tomb the angel told them “Fear not ye: for I know that ye seek Jesus, which was crucified. He is not here: for he is risen, as he said. Come, see the place where the Lord lay. And go quickly, and tell his disciples that he is risen from the dead;". 

The women quickly inspected the now empty tomb and hurried back to tell the apostles.  Peter and John ran to see and found the tomb empty.  Mary made her quick return.  While Peter and John were in  the tomb, someone approached Mary.  Mary had heard the angel proclaim "He is not here" but maybe didn't fully understand "...For He is risen, as he said".  She only knew that He was not there and asked the gardener, as she assumed, where He had been taken so she could complete her loving service in anointing and embalming His body.  It was then that He revealed his resurrected self to her and her hope turned to joy.

Unimaginable and infinite grace and mercy was pronounced on each of us with the angel's utterance of "...he is risen, as he said."  The most important declaration ever spoken.

Because He is indeed risen, we celebrate His atonement and resurrection on this holy day.  There was, in His time, still much work to do, as there still is.  Work to change all mankind and  each of us.  That means me.  And you.  And even you!  We get to learn, have faith, grow, stumble and fall, and rise again-until we become more like him.

The second most important declaration we all long to hear?  Because He did His Father's will and He is indeed risen, when we are each, one by one, again in His embrace, may we hear, as he lovingly calls us by our name,  "Well done, my good and faithful servant".

More Things Broken

 Saturday.  The day after He was crucified and laid in a tomb.  His followers and friends and family all witnessed this.  As we talked about yesterday, I am sure their hearts were broken.  

Have you ever had something happen to you that you thought all hope was lost?  Lost something you thought was irretrievable?  Done something that you thought was irreversible?  Became something you were sure could never change into something better, stronger, holier?  Well, Saturday was, for His disciples, such a day.  They had seen Him heal, bless, restore sight and hearing and health and even life itself.  He had taught them of the Kingdom of God and told them it was here with them.

Now He was gone.  But where had He gone?  

He had gone to break a few more things.

He broke the grave wide open.  "Oh death, where is thy sting?  Oh grave, where is thy victory?"  His followers didn't know it yet, but death would no longer be the end.  Because of Him, all of us will live again.  All of us will be made alive.  He broke the bands of death.

He also broke the gates of hell.  No longer would they open only one way.  Now the inhabitants could learn of Him, develop faith in Him, repent of their sins and have saving ordinances made in their behalf so they could return to their Father and their Heavenly Home.  And don't we all long for home?

Yesterday we mentioned that when He died on the cross, the earth itself broke in places to mourn His suffering.  The veil in His Father's house rent, symbolizing that all, through Jesus, can return to live with our Heavenly Parents again if that is what we wish.

Despair was broken.  Never again would mankind-that includes me, you and even you!-be slaves to death and hell.  He provides the way Home.  To live with each other.  We all have hope because of Him.

"And what is it that ye shall hope for? Behold I say unto you that ye shall have hope through the atonement of Christ and the power of his resurrection, to be raised unto life eternal, and this because of your faith in him according to the promise."  Thank you, Moroni, for this reminder.

Some broken things are blessings.  Our broken hearts, because of Him, can be hopeful hearts that lead us to work in faith to learn, grow, serve, rejoice and become.  Because of Him.

A Good Friday For Broken Things

 "Good Friday"  I don't recall hearing about Good Friday as I was growing up in South Salt Lake.  It was probably, maybe, mentioned in a primary or Sunday school class, but that was so long ago that it would be deeply buried in my gray matter.  I remember some things about my church meetings from my teenage years at the Butler 12th Ward, but nothing is coming to mind about this holy day.  I don't think it was a thing from my mission days in the Lutheran-dominated world of Sweden.  People there went to church on Christmas and Easter, but, again I don't recall anything about Good Friday, even though Wikipedia tells me that it is an observed holiday by Lutherans.  Actually, I think it has just been in recent years that I have become more aware of the significance of this Holy Day.

We all know of the events of Good Friday and the day/night before.  They began with the Last Supper with all of His wonderful teachings and love demonstrated to his disciples, continued through Gethsemane, the betrayal, arrest, conviction, flogging, thorn-crowning, cross bearing, and ridicule.  They continued on this day-Good Friday-with His crucifixion.  Which ended with Jesus willingly fulfilling his Father's will and willingly giving up his mortal life-"no man taketh if from me".  This "good" day ended with our Savior lying in a borrowed tomb, his body not yet properly prepared and anointed for burial, as the Sabbath began before all could be completed.

Since I became more aware of Good Friday, I have often asked myself what those around the Savior found to be "good" on this day.  Now we, knowing how the story ends, can see the significance of the events and know of the need for Jesus to be "bruised, broken and torn for us" on that hill, even if we don't understand it, can see how these events were "good".  But what about His disciples who had been waiting oh, so long for the Messiahs to deliver them?  His family and friends who were so close to him and loved him?  And the twelve, now eleven, who had been through so much, had seen and done miracles in His name, had looked to Him to usher His kingdom into the world?  And now He was gone, his body in a tomb.

I think there were other things broken on that Good Friday, in addition to the Savior's mortal body.  Some must have had their hopes for a Messiahs-a deliverer-dashed and broken on that stony hill.  We know there were rules, laws, traditions broken in order to arrest, convict, and crucify Him.  I believe that those dearest to Him-Mary his mother and Mary and the other women, his apostles, his friends like Mary and Martha and Lazarus, whom Jesus had raised from the dead, must have had broken souls and broken hearts and wept bitter tears.  I am sure there were others who had not been "official" disciples, like the Roman soldier, whose hearts also ached as they watched the events of that "good" day.

But what else was broken?  We will talk of other marvelous truths tomorrow about broken things that He caused and which make it possible for us to return to Him.

In the meantime, let us remember what He suffered on this day and the night before.  For me.  For you.  And, yes, even you! And if, as we consider the Garden and the Cross, our hearts become broken, even a little bit cracked, because of his love for you, and me, and all of us, let us remember that He has asked us to bring these broken hearts to Him and put them on His alter so He can heal and sanctify them.  Broken things can be remade perfectly if we give them to Him. Hearts and hopes and even our lives.  He is might to heal and mighty to save.  Even me.  And you.  And even you!

Good Friday to you all!

The Passover Lamb

 Jesus went to Jerusalem and the temple-His house-during the Feast of the Passover.  He met with his disciples on Thursday, Passover day, for the Passover meal and to teach and prepare his disciples for what was to come.  I don't think they realized that what He had been teaching them was to be literally fulfilled.

The first Passover involved the blood of an unblemished lamb, obedience to the Lord's directions and deliverance from centuries of captivity and slavery by miraculous means.

This Passover would involve the blood of the Lamb of God, direction given by the Savior to his disciples, covenants made, the will of the Father (who loves us) being fullfilled by His Son, and deliverance from the captivity of death.  God's grace and mercy saves us from the slavery of sin and pain and disappointment and misery and anger and depression and physical imperfections and agony and addiction and anything else that causes us to have sad hearts, by means of the greatest miracle in the history of mankind.  Remember-a God needed to die to provide our deliverance.  Nothing less would suffice.

Jesus and his twelve met for Passover supper.  He washed their feet.  Peter initially refused, but the Savior taught him that this was needed.

 Jesus taught his twelve many things.  Love was a preeminent principle.  "This new commandment I give ye; love one another."  "By this shall men know ye are my disciples; if ye have love one to another."  He also promised them comfort, as I'm sure He knew they would need it, both for the events of the next few days and when they would take his word to the world.   After he told them that they would be persecuted and killed, he taught them "These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world."

He instituted the Sacrament with his twelve.  He told them to eat the bread and drink the wine in remembrance of His flesh and blood.  We take Him into us when we renew covenants through the sacrament. 

After the washing, teaching, the breaking of bread, the institution of the sacrament, and the pleading to have them love one another, He left them, saving three, and went to Gethsemane. 

After his holy work and supplications to his father in the garden, he allowed himself to be taken.

OK, my apologies, little family.  If any of you have read this far.  I can't come close to communicating what I feel about the Atonement of Jesus Christ in this little post.  Here is what I know, but don't fully understand.  God loves us.  He sent his Son.  Jesus' infinite atonement saves us from death-He is mighty to save and we will all live again.  It also allows us to change and try to do, then be, better. To be like Him. So we can live with God and our Brother and our families again.

So-I don't at all know how this "condescension of God" works.  But, like Nephi, I know why-that He loves his children-us.  "For God so loved the world...".

 Love each other.  Be His disciples.  Miracles happen when we do.

Atoning Passover day love to each of you. 

Spy Wednesday

 We aren't sure of the exact chronology of  the events of Holy Week.  Luke makes mention of something interesting.  It seems that the chief priests and scribes were troubled by some of the Savior's hard-to-hear teachings.  Here is what they did in response-

19 ¶And the chief priests and the scribes the same hour sought to lay hands on him; and they feared the people: for they perceived that he had spoken this parable against them.

20 And they watched him, and sent forth spies, which should feign themselves just men, that they might take hold of his words, that so they might deliver him unto the power and authority of the governor.

They sent spies pretending to be "just men" to "take hold of his words".  They wanted to "catch" the Savior in his words, his teachings, in order to have a reason to deliver him up to the authorities.

Because of this, some call Wednesday of Holy Week "Spy Wednesday".

The Gospels all record ongoing teachings through this mid-week period.  I want to focus on one very important truth the Savior taught during this time. 

One of the scribes asked Him "Which is the first commandment of all?" The Savior answered  (Mark's version)  "And thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind, and with all thy strength: this is the first commandment.

31 And the second is like, namley this, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. There is none other commandment greater than these."

To which the scribe replied "Well, Master, thou hast said the truth: for there is one God; and there is none other but he: And to love him with all the heart, and with all the understanding, and with all the soul, and with all the strength, and to love his neighbour as himself, is more than all whole burnt offerings and sacrifices."

I don't know if this scribe was trying to catch the Savior in his teachings, but I am blessed that he posed the question, as the Savior's answer helps me keep perspective on my mortal adventure.  When I let myself get too caught up in the "work", the checkboxes, the often misunderstood "after all you can do" that follows the truth that it is by the Savior's grace that we are saved, the Saviors response-to love God and my neighbor-helps me refocus and get back on the right path.  If I think about what I could do to show God I love him with all my heart, soul, mind and strength, and my neighbor as myself, well, I tend to act better and try to become more like Him.

There is so much to think about how each of us is doing in following these two commandments.

How do you think the Savior replied to this scribe's response to Him?  "And when Jesus saw that he answered discreetly, he said unto him, Thou art not far from the kingdom of God.".

Seems like  this scribe understood what the Savior was talking about.  I would assume that his heart had been changed by the spirit as he had listened to the Savior's teachings that week.

May we all have hearts that allow us to love God and our neighbors that we may be found "...not far from the kingdom of God".  And I hope we listen with these same hearts to His teachings, even when they seem hard.

The People Who Love You

 At the end of the second day, when He had cleansed His Father's house, performed healings, and did wonderful things, Jesus "...left them and went out of the city into Bethany: and he lodged there."   Who might He lodge with in this small town some two miles from Jerusalem?  We know this is where he had spent time before with his friends Lazarus, Mary, and Martha.  We know He loved them (well, He loves all of us, but these were some of His friends, one who he even raised from the dead) and I'm sure they greatly loved Him.  He knew that there were great trials before him in the coming few days.  Many of the multitude who had praised Him as He entered the holy city would turn on Him, even demanding that He be crucified.  One of His closest disciples would betray Him.  One would deny that he knew Him. Many would hide.  Don't worry, they would do marvelous things later and would give their lives for Him.  We all need the opportunity to change and grow.  But the end of this week will be hard for them.  And Him.

He would be asked to do His Father's will to show love for His Father's children.  That includes you and me and your families and best friends and even those who don't like you and may torment you.  We are all His children and He came to save us.  It would be the greatest battle ever fought and there was only One who would be able to win it.  For us.  For His Father.  He knew this was at the doorstep for him.  I think He went to stay the night with those who loved Him so he could find rest and comfort and prepare.  

There is a strength that comes from being with those who know and love us best.  Their love for us strengthens us and helps us do our hard things.  Those closest to us help us know how we can grow and be better, as well as help us understand our potential and who we really are-especially when we most need it. Often this helps get us through our most difficult times. 

If you read Mathew 21-23, you'll see what He did on that third day after finding refuge with his friends.  You'll hear what he taught.  There is so much there-I won't even try to summarize, but please take time to read His wonderful teachings on this day, the day before His last mortal Passover meal.

In the meantime, consider doing a couple of things.  First-be willing to "lodge" with those who love you most.  Seek their strength, help, comfort (sounds like "home", right?).  Often this takes a soft heart on our part.  It is very hard for some of us to seek help-especially when it is most needed.  Pride gets in the way.  Second-be spiritually aware of those you love who may need your strength, help, comfort.  Those whose arms may hang down and whose knees might be feeble (not mine-mine are bionic-arms and knees!).  Help them by bearing burdens as well as feeling their sorrows so you may mourn with them.  Follow the Savior and His Friends on this third day.  

Love you all!

"Who is this?"

 Yesterday, Palm Sunday, Jesus made his triumphal entry into Jerusalem.  The multitudes recognized him as a "Son of David" and shouted "Hosanna" as he entered.  "Hosanna" means "God save us".  

After He entered Jerusalem Mathew wrote "...and all the city was moved, saying, Who is this?"

And just Who was it that they were expecting?  Moses had delivered their people, long ago, from the slavery of the Egyptians.  Would Jesus go to the Fortress Antonia and rid the city of the Roman soldiers, starting their long-awaited delivery from the Romans? 

No.  He went instead to His Father's house-the temple-and cleansed it of those who sold animals and coin for sacrifice and payment.  Matthew tells us that Jesus said  "It is written, My house shall be called a house of prayer; but you have made it a den of thieves".  The next verse reads "And the blind and the lame came to him in the temple; and he healed them."

I love the next verse-"And when the chief priests and scribes saw the wonderful things that he did, and the children crying in the temple, and saying, Hosanna to the Son of David; they were sore displeased."  How could one be "sore displeased" in the midst of healings, wonderful works and shouts of Hosanna?

Who is this?  It sounds as if the children knew who He was more than most of the leaders.  "Out of the mouth of babes...thou has perfected praise".

The temple is a liminal place.  A kind of in-between place.  It is where Heaven and Earth can meet.  It is His house.  Jesus went "home" to his house and found things happening there that ought not to have been.  So he drove those out who shouldn't have been there.  Then the blind and the lame came to Him-they knew where to find Him-at His house-and He healed them.  He did "wonderful things".  And there were children in the temple praising Him and shouting Hosanna-"God save us"!

I'm not sure what those around him were expecting-"Who is this?"  But I know He often told them that he came to do His Father's will.  This is the beginning of His last week of mortal work. Doing His Father's will.  Cleanse his house.  Heal. Do wonderful things. Be recognized and praised by the children.  The story continues tomorrow.

This brings up a few questions for me.  "Who is this" Jesus for me?

Do I spend time in liminal places, like the temple, where I can sense the presence of  Heaven better?  Have you been overwhelmed by awe and peace when out in the wilds, on a mountain, in a desert place?  Can I better make my home a place where Heavenly influence is welcome?  How can I help make these places more liminal?

"Who is this?" that I worship, want to emulate, try to follow, and declare to others as our Savior, Older Brother, and Son of Man of Holiness? 

I will keep following Him as best I can, knowing that I will fall short, but He will lift me up and He will cause me to shout "Hosanna" with the multitudes seeking peace and safety. 

He came, riding a donkey.

They had waited a long time. Longer than you or your parents or your grandparents or even their grandparents were alive. They had waited and watched for millennia. During that time they had seen kingdoms come and go. They had had wonderful prophets of God and kings who built temples for them. They had wandered for decades and been sustained by bread from heaven and water from rocks. They had conquered, been conquered, enslaved and been enslaved. They had seen fire from heaven, plagues of frogs, and divided seas. They had been obedient to their God and they had foolishly followed after graven images. They had been scattered and partially gathered. And they were still waiting. And watching. They knew what they were waiting for. Their Mesiah. He would teach them, heal them and deliver them. 

 And then He came. At first they didn't know it.  At least most of them.  Some shepherds knew.  And some old people at the temple.  A few more probably.  Some Magi from far away found him and told a "king" about the baby.  Stories from another season.

He grew up.  Some saw Different in Him.  Most saw the son of Mary and Joseph.  Until he started dong miracles.  Water became wine.  Withered became whole.  The Way walked on water.  People with chronic infirmities were made well and whole-and more. The blind saw, the deaf heard.  The unclean were cleansed.  The dead were restored to life.

At first, a few listened and heard.  A few looked and saw.  More, even multitudes, saw the miracles and started following to be fed.  A few small loaves and fishes fed thousands.  They had found Him-their king! They would be delivered from the oppression of their current rulers and their earthly kingdom restored!  Hallelujah!  But not now.  He was here for a much more marvelous mission than deliverance from earthly oppression.

He knew His mortal mission was near its completion.  He arranged to make his final entry into Jerusalem as a prophesized King-riding on a donkey.  The people thronged him and laid down palm fronds and even their cloaks for him to ride on into the city.  Surely this was their King, Deliverer, the Messiah.  Hosanna to God and sing His praises.  Deliverance was nigh at long last! No longer would they be yoked by political oppression.  They had their God with them.  They would surely be saved!

And so they, we, were truly saved.  But not yet in the way many of His time thought or maybe even knew was possible.  By the end of that week which started with His triumphal entry into their holy city, we would all be granted blessings unimagined by most.  We would all be delivered from those monsters of death and hell. 

We still live in a fallen world and await His next coming.  What will we be expecting and hoping for?  Will we be there laying down our hearts for him to enter? Are we even now listening and hearing, looking and seeing and feeling?

Blessed Palm Sunday to you all.  I understand that next time He'll be in His chariot of fire.