Christ is Born! Glorify Him!

Christmas Eve

Holy Supper

Luke makes ready with our dear friend, Fr. Christopher

May you all have a very Merry Christmas and New Year. We are headed home for the next 10 days...so I'll catch up when we return.

"Today the Virgin comes to the cave to give birth to the Word in a manner that defies description..."

Handel's Messiah

In a beautiful, although insanely buzzing, wintery city accompanied by my husband and our dearest friend, Monk Christopher, we ventured into slushy Manhattan, to attend the New York Philharmonic presentation of Handel's Messiah held at the Lincoln Center.

After trying desperately to hale a cab from the Grand Central Station area, we decided to weave in and around the crowded-wet streets toward our destination. This lasted about 6 blocks and Thank God we were able to hale a cab. We almost hopped into an unmarked cab that wanted $25.00 to the Lincoln Center...needless to say, a rip off for the desperate dodging the snowy wet rain. We made it, in spite of, directional disagreements among hubby and me, the trek through the puddled streets, and the white-knuckled cab ride, all with time to spare.

While absorbing breathtaking music and charismatic conducting I was delighted in the whimsical-intoxicating atmosphere where warmth and peaceful comfort filled my soul from the joy of Good company!

I love Handel's Messiah with each Libretto broken into three parts: Jesus Christ's Birth, His Death and Resurrection http://gfhandel.org/messiahlibretto.htm

Only 5 more days until Christmas and I have yet to bake. The snow has fallen, so for now, the kids beckon for hot chocolate...

Amahl and the Night Visitors

My two girls and I, along with other families from the seminary, saw a local production of Amahl and the Night Visitors at Purchase University, NY on Friday evening.
A very grand performance of an Opera written by G.C. Menotti primarily geared toward children to encourage the love of the opera. Nonetheless, I thoroughly enjoyed every moment of only an hour long performance on a simple stage about a heart-warming tale of a crippled boy, his widowed mother and three night visitors needing a rest inside the families poor home before the three continue to follow their bright star.
http://www.usopera.com/operas/amahl.html

I believe we have found a more edifying Christmas tradition. The message of the Christ child outshines the decision process to choose what is appropriate and what is not -- especially during the Advent Fast.

some Christmas cheer in NYC...

Rockefeller Center through the Christmas lights

In Bryant Park, Manhattan...

The Famous Rockefeller Tree

Candle lights inside St. Patrick's Cathedral

Restored Gifts

Something happened, unforeseen, emerging from the reserve of my heart for continued healing. HE is a God that gives back what was lost or what was taken. I think of Job when all was taken from him, yet, in Job's steadfast love in long-suffering for God, all was, indeed, restored back to him TEN fold!

After posting Hannah's story about her father -- this wonderful-co-struggler blessed to call husband, I sat at the computer this morning, viewing the comments from Hannah's story and started to cry ...(no surprise there)
Feelings of mixed emotions filled my heart along with flooded memories --mingled with joy, peace, and saddness. Could that be? Should pain mix with joy only to be like Good medicine for your soul? Tears are cleansing...truly welcoming when upon you.

You see, at my sweet-daughter's age of 9, my father and mother were already divorced. An ugly, dragged out divorce where my two brothers, sister and I were pulled into the middle. Many-many seasons have passed bringing me back to dead-winter memories where "the years that locusts have eaten".

In trusting God, by allowing His Holy will to enter in -- to taste and see that the Lord is Good, I am comforted that Restoration is for all, given to us in a new born Child... "For God so Loved the World that He sent His ONLY begotten Son, so that whosoever believes in Him shall not parish but have everlasting life." HE is Wonderful, Counselor, the All-Mighty God, the Prince of Peace, the ever-lasting Father...

Please do not think me in despair. For, I am not, by God's grace, have found peace and joy during the seasons of life where in this Blessed gift of Family, which has been returned to an unworthy Handmaiden of God -- Ten fold! May the Lord have His continued Mercies on us all.

I am experiencing true Joy that my children have a father who loves so much to discipline them, provide, hug, laugh, and cry with. There is also experiences of bitter-sweetness, that each day is a God-given opportunity to Restore what was lost.

" O Lord, grant me to meet
the coming day in peace.
Help me in all things to rely upon Your holy will.

In every hour of the day reveal Your will to
me. Bless my dealings with all who
surround me.
Teach me to treat all that comes to me throughout

the day with peace of soul, and with firm conviction
that Your will governs all. In all my deeds and
words guide my thoughts and
feelings. In unforeseen events let me not
forget that all are sent by You.
Teach my to act firmly and wisely,
without embittering and embarrassing
others. Give me strength to bear
the fatigue of the coming day with all that
it shall bring. Direct my
will, teach me to pray, pray You Yourself in me.
Amen"
by Metropolitian Philaret

the gift of sharing...

I know this isn't exactly "Christmas traditions" but I (and dad's humbled tears) found Hannah's recent story so precious. Therefore, deemed share worthy for the rest of you...indeed within the true spirit of love that shone forth in a cave.

...Holy Father Nicholas...

Traditions

Throughout Advent and into Nativity, I will share photo-pieces of our family's preparations; while humbly manifesting customs of the Orthodox Faith, in addition to, some family togetherness.

Advent -- A Light to those who sit in darkness and the
shadow of death...

His Beatitude, Metropolitan Jonah
December 3,
2008

Beloved in Christ,
Christ is in our midst!

As we prepare for the celebration of the First Coming in the
Flesh of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, we must fast and pray, and especially
give alms, to be able to enter into the joy and grace of the Feast. By prayer
and fasting, we empty ourselves of the chaos of our passions and the
distractions of the world, so that we might have peace in our souls and silence
in our hearts. By this, we identify ourselves with the silence and peace of the
Mother of God, who accepted the Divine Presence within her self, so that the
Word might become flesh and dwell among us. Let us also let the Word become
incarnate in our hearts and souls and bodies, our thoughts and actions, that we
might become instruments of His Will, being recreated in Christ for good
works.

We give alms as a way of overcoming our selfishness, of
detaching ourselves from grasping for possessions and money, so that the
generosity of God who gave His Son for us may shine forth from us. We give alms
to those in need, as a way of honoring Christ, who identified Himself with the
poor, the suffering, the persecuted and the oppressed. Whoever is poor, whoever
is suffering, whoever is rejected and oppressed, is Christ; let us minister to
Him in them. Let us open our minds and hearts, our homes and our wallets, to
those suffering from loneliness and despair, those who have lost their jobs and
fear to lose their dignity, the orphans and widows-the fatherless and divorced,
elderly, abandoned and alone. It is good to write checks to organizations. But
the spiritual riches come from consoling Christ by serving those in need,
personally, with warm affection.

Ours is a time of great uncertainty, fear and war. The
economy is teetering, unemployment is mushrooming. Tens of thousands of our
children, brothers and sisters are in peril at war in distant lands. Of those
who have returned, how many are broken and in despair, not knowing where to turn
from the unending nightmares in their memories and their minds. We must
especially reach out to them and their families, Orthodox or not, to comfort and
console and give them our help, as individuals and as Christian
communities.

The Coming of Christ is a message of hope, the banishment of
despair. True spiritual striving is the means by which we cast out the works and
thoughts of darkness, and let the Holy Spirit heal and console our souls. Let us
cleanse our souls through confession, accepting Christ's forgiveness, forgiving
everyone who has offended or hurt us, and forgiving ourselves. By repentance we
must cast out all resentments and anger, bitterness and self-loathing,
selfishness and carnality, self-serving desires for revenge and retribution, all
that entombs us in guilt.

Then with a pure mind and a broken heart enkindled by love,
overflowing with compassion for those suffering and in need, we might give birth
to Christ in our lives, that we might behold His Glory, the Glory of the
Only-begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth.

Wishing you joy and peace, as we prepare together to receive
Christ Come in the Flesh, in the Holy Mysteries, in prayer, and in the service
of the needy, I remain faithfully yours,

With love in Christ,
+ Jonah

Archbishop of Washington and New York

Metropolitan of All America and Canada

Into your Hands, O Lord...

Check out Ancient Faith Radio...May our Lord have mercy and may we do our part in prayer, love and forgiveness -- let us work together for the vineyard of the Lord!
Especially listen to +JONAH's message to the council...INCREDIBLE!!

http://ancientfaith.com/specials/oca15aac

http://www.oca.org/15aac

endurance

Recently, I started working out, again, from a very long sabbatical. Many contributing factors to my long-vacation from the land of heart pumping sweat-ness which I owe to my children, husband, myself and the fact that my body is a ridiculous blob of laziness.

Why tell you this? I am weak, unmotivated, and discouraged easily in need of motivation, encouragement, and dare I say, praise.

Much like my role as wife, mom, teaching the children, being a good friend, etc...I am weak in all the stated areas and need all sorts of affirmation. Needy, geesh!

My expectations of were we SHOULD be in the schooling department is, well...a slow go. My begrudging motivation to attend an extra Vespers during the week is all wrong since all I can think about is "what others may think" if I do not attend. Now that we are here, I feel stretched, even more so, to preserve the friendships back home while developing new ones. Forgive me, my dear friends.

I lose site of true meaning around me. While, admittedly, slipping away into the land of wasteful thinking on tomorrow and not living in today. Dreamily, wishing for quick results, with the workouts, friendships, the children's progress, marital bliss, and my daily spiritual life.

"Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us. Looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God." Hebrews 12:1-5

May we all endure, for Jesus Christ, our Lord and King, to race not sprint until we fully enter the age to come while laying aside all earthly cares.

"Let us who mystically represent the Cherubim and who sing the thrice-holy hymn to the life-creating Trinity, now lay aside all earthly cares, that we may receive the King of All,who comes invisibly unborne by the angelic host! Allelluia, allelluia, alleluia"

for my dear friend...

Thanks Lenore for a great weekend away!

I'm singing Chris Trapper, thinking of Gorilla boy, realizing that the world can actually survive without "Pop-art"; and you'll find this hard to believe: insanely craving Maki rolls! My prayers and thoughts are with you, the girls, the boy, and Chris (I think I may start to call him "Phil"...think about it).

Love you and miss you tons!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Expectations...

Counting the days, 1 day more, till I hop on a plane to visit "home". My plan is to be with my dearest friend "L" and her sweet family, grab lunch with girlfriends and enjoy a long-over-due dinner-movie night with my mom and hopefully sister.

However, I leave in sadness, as I had hoped to visit, my friend, Stefani, who had taken ill in July...she passed Sunday evening from earth to eternity. Unfortunately, I will miss the viewing and funeral since it is Wednesday. I miss her -- graced with her beautiful smile. May the memory of Stefani be eternal...

Expectations in life can be disappointing rolled together with blessings birthed each day. So, here I am, wanting to let these expectations go -- daring to continue to dream, hope and plan...trusting God completely without wanting anything in return, well, except for deep meaningful friendships, love for my neighbor, patience with my children and their's with me, and unconditional love for my husband...I dare not continue.

"Hon, I need to go home, by myself" I meekly wait for his response. "Sure, find a time and I'll make it work" Even in the midst of his studies, he is willing to let his expectations go for my well-being. So that I may re-connect with friends and mom. No questions asked just..."Sure..." I am grateful for his love...

Here I am, once again, finding myself surrounded by loving moms who, on top of their own busy lives and children, are willing to "chip-in" so that I am able to go away...no questions asked...I am grateful for their new-found friendships and take comfort in it's strength.

My expectations are to face each day as the Lord God made it...new every morning. Grateful that God can and will fill my heart to the fullest, according to His plan -- His expectations for me, the handmaiden of God, Kelleylynn...may I be worthy to deserve such treasures!

There's something about Mary...Kate

Today is Mary Kate's 6th Birthday and over the weekend we had visitors: Grammie and Uncle Todd, her God-father. Needless to say, MK was spoiled - spoiled with much attention that the 3rd so desperately needs. We ventured into the city to the American Girl Doll Store, went to the Top of the Rockefeller Center and ate lunch out. IT was all grand kissed by a perfectly- sunny- warm- autumn- day!

She is our naturalist loving creepy crawly bugs (her favorite: the lady bug) to the flying bird. MK sings with all her heart and soul...this being one of her favorite songs that you are listening to. She reminds us, each day in her prayers, that the needy are among us and remains incredibly joyful! I wonder where she came from since the joyful part and the singing do not come from me. She reminds us of my sister-in-law, her Aunt Karla, who finds Joy with her voice in each new day.

In the city, tables were set up around to collect donations for the needy. MK noticed this right away and had to give some money. "Mom, is that money going to feed the poor people?", she asked. "Yes, that is why they are out here, sweetie," quickly is my answer as we hesitantly yet in haste cross the busy NY street. "Then that was a really good thing we did, mom, since we are spending money on us", she gleefully remarks.

She is my sunshine on a rainy day, my laughter when I cannot locate mine, my reminder to love all with no expectations.

Today we celebrate her life -- Mary Katherine is a treasure, indeed!

Thoughts

A friend here, seminarian wife and mother of two, also CPA had this to say on the recent events on our financial crisis:

"Thoughts on the proposed gov't bailout and the "financial crisis"

"Can we Americans learn to bear the consequences of
our poor decisions? Everyone should have to take an introductory finance class
in school, I think, where they would learn that debt is not inherently evil, but
too much leveraging results in an inability to meet present cash commitments,
let alone future commitments (the commitments to repay all that debt some day)!
Why can't we - and by "we" I mean businesses as well as individuals - be more
temperate and honest in our consumption? Is it right that we (meaning
individuals) should live beyond our means, and businesses should grow beyond
their means, and then expect the government to make our debts disappear when the
debtload threatens to bury us? The government is in debt too - up to its
eyeballs! America - its people, businesses, and government - has been hurtling
toward financial crisis for some time. It has been only a question of when that
crisis would hit.It seems to me that we should not, and possibly cannot, be
"bailed out." (Even if it were a morally acceptable idea, it probably would not
work - the government tried to bail out businesses and individuals during the
Great Depression, and its efforts largely failed.) What we need is a new moral
paradigm, one that is sustainable. We all should become "conservatives,"
conserving all that is wholesome and good and truly fulfilling. Getting rich and
consuming everything in sight is not fulfilling - it is numbing at best, masking
our deeper discontents. And we should not only conserve for the sake of the
economy or for the environment or for our children's quality of life, but
conserve because we understand that modesty, charity, and moderation are truly
sustainable moral attributes, while self-gratification and pride are not. The
crisis is not in the markets - it is in our hearts.I am not sure why I felt I
needed to post these comments. I cannot even say for sure that I am right.
Tonight I just feel frustrated with our tendency to focus so closely on
temporary crises (this too shall pass) while all the while we are neglecting the
crisis of losing our humanity. But maybe I should stop writing and focus on my
own crises. Lord have mercy. "

All things...

"So while the creations of man, when God is not working with him, are subject to time and orientated towards corruption, God's creations are orientated towards life and eternity" (taken from Man and the Environment: A Study of St. Symeon the New Theologian by Anestis G. Keselopoulos)

In reading this, an epiphany sparks, realizing why we are created; it is for complete union with all creation...small birds, fish, to the largest beast, and assuredly all mankind.

We, since Adam and Eve, have annihilated ourselves with our sin, our created-ness from The Creator. However, we are still God's creation held together by the life giving power of the Holy Spirit.

May we all make a metanoia and face Paradise. Lord have mercy, as we turn around, with boldness towards He who is uncreated.

wanted to share...

"How beautiful you are, Earth, and how sublime! How perfect is your obedience to the light, and how noble is your submission to the sun!"

"How generous you are, Earth, and how strong is your yearning for your children lost between that which they have attained and that which they could not obtain. We clamor and you smile, we flit but you stay!"

"Are you a seed dropped in the field of the firmament to become God's tree reaching above the heavens with its celestial branches?

Or are you a drop of blood in the veins of the giants of giants, or a bead of sweat upon his brow?"

Are you a fruit ripened by the sun? Do you grow from the tree of Absolute Knowledge, whose roots extend through Eternity, and whose branches soar through the Infinite?"

taken from Earth by Kahlil Gibran