by jphilo | Dec 1, 2014 | Church Newsletter Columns
And He is the radiance of His glory
and the exact representation of His nature,
and upholds all things by the word of His power.
Hebrews 1:3
Babies on the brain. That’s been the state of affairs at our house ever since this summer. When both our children and their spouses announced Philo grandbaby #2 will arrive in late January followed by #3 in early April. Hiram’s busy building baby furniture and baby toys in his shop. I’m busy ordering board books and preparing freezer meals. My sister is planning a small family baby shower the weekend after Thanksgiving, and Hiram and I are planning other Christmas surprises to make life easier for the mammas after their babies are born.
With Christmas only weeks away, each time I dream of holding those sweet infants in my arms, breathing in their baby smell, and kissing their foreheads, my thoughts drift to the birth of Jesus. I think of Jesus–the radiance of God’s glory, the exact representation of His nature, who upholds all things by the word of His power–come to earth as a newborn babe. The thought boggles my mind.
Why did God come to earth as a baby? As a human baby, more dependent and for longer than any other babies in all creation? Why did God come to earth as a baby dependent on parents for both his physical survival and for the nurturing, loving relationship that teaches babies how to love? Why would God set aside his power and majesty and glory and come in humility as a baby who needed the love of mere humans in order to thrive and grow?
My answer feels small as a baby.
Insignificant as a manger.
But a baby in a manger changed the world, and the answer the Holy Spirit whispers in my heart changes the way I see the world. God came to the earth as a baby to show us that tiny lives have value. He was born to Mary and Joseph to impress upon mankind the sacredness of family. He was nurtured throughout childhood by his parents to show the importance of relationship and compassion and patience in the shaping of every life.
God sent Jesus to earth as a tiny baby, dependent on the adults who loved Him, to show sinful men how to reflect the radiance of God’s glory, the exact representation of His nature, and the power that upholds the world. It is reflected when we follow the example of Christ by humbling ourselves before the Father. By submitting to His call to engage in relationship with those who are small. With those whose survival depends upon our acts of compassion.
The changing of a diaper.
An Operation Christmas Child shoebox.
Thirty-five dollars a month to support a child in the Congo.
Fixing supper for children at Adventure Club.
Because, “Truly,” Jesus tells us, “to the extent that you did it to one of these brothers of Mine, even the least of them, you did it to Me.”
To Jesus. A baby born in a manger.
To Jesus, Lord of all.
by jphilo | Nov 19, 2014 | Recipes
Our extended family will celebrate Christmas the Saturday after Thanksgiving this year. Grandma Josie’s tapioca fruit salad will grace our table. The recipe for this delectable family favorite debuted on this blog in January of 2012 and is making a return appearance for two reasons. First, it keeps making the rounds on Pinterest. Secon I’m still slaving over the PTSD book edits to meet the November 30 deadline so there’s hardly time to cook, much less try new recipes!
Today’s recipe comes from my mother’s mother, Josephine Newell Hess. She made huge batches of this tapioca fruit salad when her 8 children, their spouses, and her 39 grandchildren gathered for Thanksgiving and Christmas. Once she was unable to host the gatherings, the recipe was lost for many years. Finally, my sister and I were so hungry for it, we recreated the dish with help from Mom. Now we serve it at Thanksgiving and Christmas and eat it as greedily as hobbits do mushrooms.
Though the recipe below doesn’t make as big a batch as Grandma whipped up in her prime, it’s still enough to fill a large Tupperware bowl. Why make so much? Because we love to eat what’s left over the next morning for breakfast!
Holiday Tapioca Fruit Salad
1 box (8 ounces) large pearl tapioca
4 cups water, divided into two equal parts
1/2 cup sugar
1 20 ounce can pineapple tidbits
1 cup heavy whipping cream
1/4 cup sugar
1-2 tsp. vanilla
2 cups seedless red grapes, halved
1 cup chopped walnuts
2 apples, cored and diced
2 bananas, sliced
2 oranges, diced
The night before the meal, put tapioca in a medium bowl. Add 2 cups of water to the tapioca, cover, and let soak overnight.
Several hours before serving, place soaked tapioca in heavy saucepan. Add 2 cups water and the sugar. Cook over medium heat, stirring constantly, until most of the tapioca is translucent and the mixture is very thick. Pour into a large bowl and immediately add pineapple (juice and all) into the thick tapioca. Stir thoroughly. Put in the refrigerator or on the porch to cool.
An hour before serving whip the cream. Add sugar and vanilla. In a large bowl mix the tapioca, fruit, (except the bananas), and whipped cream together. Immediately before the meal, slice the bananas and stir them in, along with the nuts.
by jphilo | Dec 25, 2013 | Current Events
Photo Credit: www.stock.xchng
by jphilo | Dec 24, 2013 | Top Ten Tuesday
10. Way back in Genesis 3:15, God promised the birth of Mary’s Son who would rule over the enemy:
“And I will put enmity
Between you and the woman,
And between your seed and her seed;
He shall bruise you on the head,
And you shall bruise him on the heel.”
9 & 8. Isaiah prophesies the birth of Jesus in chapters 7 and 9…and centuries later his birth fulfilled every detail.
Therefore the Lord Himself will give you a sign:
Behold, a virgin will be with child and bear a son,
and she will call His nameImmanuel. (7:14)
For a child will be born to us, a son will be given to us;
And the government will rest on His shoulders;
And His name will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,
Eternal Father, Prince of Peace. (9:6)
7. The small book of Micah the prophecy about the birth of Jesus in Bethlehem is found.
“But as for you, Bethlehem Ephrathah,
Too little to be among the clans of Judah,
From you One will go forth for Me to be ruler in Israel.
His goings forth are from long ago,
From the days of eternity.”
3 Therefore He will give them up until the time
When she who is in labor has borne a child.
6 & 5. Powerful angels and humble shepherds use similar language to praise the arrival of Christ in Luke 2: 14 & 20:
“Glory to God in the highest,
And on earth peace among menwith whom He is pleased.”
The shepherds went back,
glorifying and praising God for all that they had heard and seen,
just as had been told them.
4. In Matthew 2: 10–11, three wise men from the east also bow down and worship Jesus. Quite a fuss over a poor, humble babe.
When they saw the star, they rejoiced exceedingly with great joy.
After coming into the house they saw the Child with Mary His mother;
and they fell to the ground and worshiped Him.
Then, opening their treasures,
they presented to Him gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh.
3. Then, in Luke 2: 29–30, Simeon responds as should all righteous believers waiting eagerly for Christ’s coming:
“Now Lord, You are releasing Your bond-servant to depart in peace,
According to Your word;
For my eyes have seen Your salvation,
Which You have prepared in the presence of all peoples,
A Light of revelation to the Gentiles,
And the glory of Your people Israel.”
2. In John, God reveals the reason for the birth of His Son in human flesh.
“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.
1. My absolute favorite Christmas verse is a beautiful reminder of God’s propensity to partner with frail humans to accomplish his eternal purposes.
But Mary treasured all these things, pondering them in her heart.
Luke 2:19
Is there any mother’s heart that does not break to think of the joy and sorrow Mary’s baby will bring to her life? Is there any believing heart that doesn’t beat faster in anticipation of the coming of the King?
Photo Credit: www.freedigitalphotos.net
by jphilo | Dec 20, 2013 | Daily Life
Today’s the day to share weekend-before-Christmas to do lists. Why? To reassure one another that we’re not the only ones with shopping to do, presents to wrap, and more baking projects than are humanly possible. Therefore, I’m posting my to do list for the world to see and hoping you’ll share yours, too.
Saturday:
✓ Get Christmas letters ready to mail.
✓ Make a birthday cake for a rellie’s party.
✓ Make biscotti for friends, neighbors, church family, and publishers.
✓ Make snacks for the Saturday night church service.
✓ Deliver and mail biscotti.
✓ Figure out how to wrap the man of steel’s Christmas present which is bigger than me.
Sunday:
✓ Go to church and think about the true meaning of Christmas.
✓ Shop for the man of steel’s stocking stuffers…Hello, Kitty duct tape, here I come!
✓ Finish up Mom’s Christmas shopping and gift wrapping.
✓ Attend rellie’s birthday supper and party.
Tag…now you’re it. Leave your weekend-before-Christmas to do list in the comment box!
Photo Credit: www.freedigitalphotos.net
