Comments on: Restoring God’s Wonder

By: Chrystie

Chrystie — Thu, 03 Dec 2009 11:43:39 +0000

That questions is a doozy. My answer would have to be no. I am definitely not living in a rhythm of life that restores God's wonder in me. Thanks for posing the question and providing a goal to strive for...Looking forward to podcasting the sermon! .-= Chrystie´s last blog ..A Grand Experience: Pushing Through The Fear =-.

By: Paula

Paula — Wed, 02 Dec 2009 23:07:57 +0000

I have a love/hate relationship with Christmas. I love it for what it truly means…I love that it brings family and friends together…I love that it opens the hearts of non-believers to potentially hear the truth of what God has to offer.

I hate the gift giving process entirely! I hate that the world has taken away the precious-ness.

Most of all, I hate it when non-belivers, whether atheist, agnostic, or believers of other religions, take on this holiday as their own and twist and torment it into some superficial and selfishly motivating time of year. It angers me!

It’s not that my anger makes me a scrooge – quite the contrary! My anger regarding the disrespect of Christmas has challenged me to do something every year that will make a difference to someone else. Sometimes it’s anonymous – sometimes not. Sometimes it’s a gift – sometimes it’s an act. But I never tell anyone – it’s something between me and God – it creates intimacy. My wonderment with God is – the delight of figuring out who that one person is each year. It often leads to so much more later…

By: Nicole

Nicole — Wed, 02 Dec 2009 00:29:41 +0000

What a challenging question to consider. Thanks, Pete. .-= Nicole´s last blog ..We All Have AIDS =-.

By: Vicki

Vicki — Tue, 01 Dec 2009 22:43:57 +0000

This year, it is getting back to being joyful, creating memories with my child, and investing time in friends, new friendships, and being with family. The emphasis is loving others as Christ loves me.

By: DEb

DEb — Tue, 01 Dec 2009 22:37:06 +0000

I’m SLOWING down…and realizing…..it’s OK that I dont have enough money to buy EVERYONE a gift (even though, I continue to play the lottery AND pray that someday, I would win so that I CAN buy everyone a gift). It totally wigs me out that I cant buy for every single person who enters into my world… I LOVE THEM.

But alas… I am s l o w l y realizing it…hate it…but realizing it anyway.
.-= DEb´s last blog ..Merry Christmas…. to Y – O – U !!!!! =-.

By: Jan Owen

Jan Owen — Tue, 01 Dec 2009 20:53:47 +0000

Pete, it’s so funny. Christmas Eve services were soooo hard when my kids were younger. Spending all day at church on Christmas Eve was not fun for anyone at that time in my life. Now that they are grown, I don’t have any services to do and I actually kind of miss it. But I’m going to enjoy it this year. Who knows what the future holds?

Wish I could help you out but my guess is your CP family would be disappointed if they showed up and I was there and you weren’t!
.-= Jan Owen´s last blog ..Embrace the Gift of Limits =-.

By: Pete Wilson

Pete Wilson — Tue, 01 Dec 2009 20:17:07 +0000

@Lily, very cool. I appreciate the unique way in which you celebrate!

By: Lily

Lily — Tue, 01 Dec 2009 19:42:37 +0000

To tell you the truth we were not always able to celebrate Christmas because my mum was most of the time in the hospital. But when we were able it was always about gifts and food in a way it was nice but I’ve always felt something was missing. I have to mention I wasn’t a Christian then. And I never liked christmas, all the things you HAVE to do.

Now I do it differently. I don’t even buy a tree. I do light the candles and make everything beautiful with decorations but that’s not only for Christmas because I also celebrate my birthday at the end of the year. (I don’t have children if I had I probably would have bought a tree, I’m not sure). I invite friends who say they feel lonely those days. I cook for them a nice dinner this has never been a stress for me, and I put music on and we dance. I don’t think it has to stop at Christmas. Even during the year after the service in the church when they go home they feel lonely. I ask them to come to my house for a brunch. I ask the Holy Spirit to fill my house with His peace and people always say they don’t want to leave and they are comfortable in my house. I thank my God for that. I guess it’s because I know what it means to feel lonely. But God has been good to me and still is.
This is my Christmas way.
.-= Lily´s last blog ..LilyAny: God uses people to refresh other people. He loves this kind of ministry. : http://bit.ly/51ndkC =-.

By: Jan C.

Jan C. — Tue, 01 Dec 2009 18:58:00 +0000

Usually I end up feeling overtired and somewhat resentful as I rush around trying to make Christmas happen at our house. And strangely, it’s usually Christmas Eve that saves me. That’s the day I forget about it all and spend time with my family, taking a walk through the woods or playing in the snow. We have a beautiful meal together, and we go to the late evening mass together. My husband and I sing in the choir, enjoy the candles and twinkling lights, concentrate on the Christmas readings, and just experience the feeling of community at our church. It’s the moment when the wonder and awe strike me.

Happens every year, and I pray it never stops happening!
.-= Jan C.´s last blog ..Decorate Your Desktop for Christmas =-.

By: Pete Wilson

Pete Wilson — Tue, 01 Dec 2009 18:48:28 +0000

@aaron, It’s good for you!