Anticipation

I stepped out very early on Christmas morning and walked to the shop in the predawn silent night. Yes, all was calm and all was bright. As I gazed up at the stars I couldn't help but think of the farmers on that first Christmas night.

 Sheep farmers who were just outside of town quietly doing their job when the sky suddenly lit up with an angel with a message.

First there was commotion. They were terrified. Then there was courage. They were told not to be afraid. Then there was communication. The angels told them about the new born King. Then there was commitment. The shepherds decided to check it out. Then there was caring. They adored the new born, bowed, and worshiped. Finally there was celebration. They returned to the farm glorifying and praising God.

We started out Christmas week last Sunday morning worshipping with our home congregation at Osky 1. We heard about Mary's visit to Elizabeth and how John the Baptist's birth was the opening act anticipating Jesus coming as a baby.

On Sunday evening Jan and I attended the third of six Christmas Eve services at The Bridge in Ottumwa. Marti reminded us when we focus on a big God our problems get smaller. When we focus on a small God our problems get bigger.

On Monday evening we attended the second of three services at Third Reformed in Pella. Kevin talked about reaching out and touching heaven while here on earth. Looking in folks eyes and seeing their hearts and listening to their stories.

We all like stories. Traditions are the stories that families write together. Christmas week is often about families and traditions and anticipation. Keep writing your story. Below two year old Hazel decided to feed her one year old cousin Sydnie her desert at one of our family traditions.

On Christmas morning Jan and I attended services at Pella 2 where Kurt and Emily and their family attend. Pastor Bradford talked about how the wise men anticipated a King when they saw the star in the east, left their everyday obligations, and traveled 1000 miles to check it out, bring gifts, and worship.

Our cabin has been busy all week with families leaving their normal obligations, some traveling, getting together, enjoying food, fellowship, and gift giving. Keeping old traditions, and making new ones. Below Suzanne is enjoying her time with her niece, Holly, who flew in from Kentucky to enjoy Christmas and traditions with Suzanne's parents, Harold and Ruth, and the rest of Suzanne's brother and sisters and their families.

We helped Seth, Jennifer, and their family move some grain this week from Jennifer's parents, Harold and Twyla, near Monroe. Seth is a son of Jan's sister Donna and Arlin. I know, Dutch bingo. :) 

I anticipate and enjoy visits from family even when they live close. Malaki has been coming and helping his dad, Karl.

Gideon, Ethan, and John came Christmas evening and cleaned up their trucks. Grandpa helped them.

The reason for getting up so early Christmas morning was because the ground surface had finally froze a little and I could finish up some chiseling, anticipating and looking forward to next years crop.

The new sunrise coming up over an old neighboring farmstead that morning reminded me about wrapping up the old and anticipating the new. Yes, just like those sheep famers on that first Christmas, we will have some commotion in 2019. It will take courage to get through the unexpected. We will need communication with God and others if we value relationships. 2019 will not be successful without our commitment to help make things happen. Caring for others in the new year will assure our own contentment. 

Like Mary on that first Christmas let's keep these things in our heart and (ponder) think about them often. Like the shepherds lets go into the new year celebrating what we see and hear. Like the wise men let's be willing to drop what we're doing sometimes and search for our King. Have a blessed and productive new year.