* * *

1/8/07 edit: you will notice that bit by bit the Christmas music is being replaced …hope
you enjoy the new as well as you did the old…jim 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I know that Christmas-tide is past;
that time of gifts is gone
We’ve celebrated Jesus’ birth
and watched salvation’s dawn.

 

 

 

 

The gifts and trees are put away
the creche is in the crate. 
Our view, like Janus’ gaze, beholds
the new year at the gate.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

But still a fragrance lingers on
rekindling that light.
A longing glance the manger t’ward
relives the holy night.

 

 

 

..so just a few days let me have
to nurse the joy within;
the joy that came when one child’s birth

proclaimed the death of sin. 

 

And let me for a few hours more
the old glad tidings ring;
Come join me, friend, recall the day
the babe was born our King. 
                                                                                    
                                                                         ©copyright Jan, 2007,james a. smallish 

+ + + + +

“Finally, dear family, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovable, whatever is of good repute–if there is any virtue or anything deemed worthy of praise–(continue to) nurture and treasure the thought of these things.”
Philippians, 4:8, jimmish heartfelt translation

 

 

 

 

 

 

Now for something entirely different…

A friend who knew I had been working on increasing the depth and variety of music
in my Christmas album collection recently recommended an album from 1960 by Bobby Darin.

It’s entitled “The 25th Day Of December With Bobby Darin”
I went ahead and ordered it…
(and have added several cuts from it to the
bottom of the music player)

What a treat! Not only is it not the standard “Holiday” fare served up by most popular artists;
both in the 60′s and now, but is entirely populated by music focused around the birth of Jesus (imagine that!).
Even more to my delight, close to half of the album is devoted to Darin-ish renditions (very 60′s sounding, but then,
Bobby did much to define that) of traditional Afro-American Spirituals.

The following is from the album jacket:





Bobby Darin was born Robert Walden Cassotto at the height of the American Depression to a Mayflower-descendant English-Italian mother;
the son of an absent Italian-American father. He grew up in poverty in the Bronx, and contracted repeated bouts of rheumatic
fever at the age of 8, leaving him with a seriously damaged heart: one doctor told him not to expect to live beyond 16.
However, he grew and flourished intellectually and musically, He was an outstanding student, tested in the “genius” rank for IQ,
and not only performed on several instruments,
but also composed music as well. His career was well-established by the age of 23, and he was acclaimed as a singer, composer
and actor. He was passionate about politics, and though it is not well-remembered went through a period
in which he composed folk-rock pieces which touched on the human condition, including
“If I Were A Carpenter”, and “Simple Song Of Freedom”.

I was heartened to hear that Bobby was strong enough of character to express sentiments
such as those from the album jacket above, which did not shy away from issues of faith;
even more so that he understood the importance of loving the “neighbors” around him as a result .
While I understand that he was a man with flaws, I wanted to take this opportunity to
salute his positives. My guess is that a large part of the formation of this unique individual
came as a result of his crippling infirmity, which prevented him from pursuing physical outlets
in favor of musical, intellectual, and other more “spiritual” endeavors.

+ + +

I am reminded of Paul’s words to the Corinthians..

“To keep me from becoming conceited … there was given me a thorn in my flesh, … I pleaded with the Lord to take it away from me.
But he said to me,
“My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.”
Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me.
That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties.
For when I am weak, then I am strong.”
+ + +

 

Father, help me remember to complain neither about my lack nor infirmity,
rather show me how to
embrace the blessing in everything you have allowed for me; both
apple and thorn.
for Your glory and honor,
and in Your Name…
Amen

 

Edit:12/26: I just got access to some Polish Christmas
CDs..Beautiful! I’ve added two of the tracks to our
“World Carol Sampler” (at the bottom , of course!)

This is not a post!

(sort of)

This is an invitation to enjoy yourselves…
I’ve modified my Christmas Music player, found on the left side of my site,
so that it will shuffle play continually.
I’ve also added a number of new, less familiar songs, including some in Spanish & Gaelic,
as well as others from the Caribbean, Cameroon & South Africa… 
more will follow.
Please feel free to use this to play Christmas music while you’re
stressing, unstressing, online shopping,
in-home baking or wrapping or protesting the rank commercialism of this time.
My wish is that it will soothe, spark, and enliven your spirit
as you do whatever it is you do each day.

love to all…jim

 

EDIT 12:35 PM ..here’s a link to a remarkable post by a 19 year-old, which I just “came across”.
http://www.xanga.com/thefirstnoelle/557648654/item.html

perhaps not all is lost re: the next generation!

EDIT #2 ..be sure to check out Lance Gallup
(you know him on Xanga as LeftOverture)’s song, “More Than Just Christmas”,;
it’s # 36 on the playlist

 

 

 

 

 12/15 Edit:  Thank You, Ray ! (HeDied4U2 )
Ray has provided the HTML code for
the music player with shuffle which is
now found here. 

 

Wow!
I’d had an idea cooking for a video post; I wanted to use
one of my favorite songs, “Mary, Did You Know?”

…then I came across the video you will find
to the left…it powerfully conveys
much of what I was thinking.

*      (you’ll want to hit the “stop” button on
the musicplayer below the YouTube before you start the video)

********************

(from the Gospel, according to Luke)

Now in the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent from God to …Mary…   he  said  to her,
“Greetings, favored one! The Lord is with you.”

But she was very perplexed at this statement, and kept pondering what (  this meant )..he said to her, “Do  not be afraid, Mary; for you have found favor with God. “And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you shall name Him Jesus.  “He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High; and the Lord God will give Him the  throne of His father David; and He will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and His kingdom will have no end.”

Mary said to the angel, “How can this be, since I am  a virgin?”  The angel answered and said to her, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you; and for that reason the holy  Child shall be called the  Son of God.  “   … nothing will be impossible with God.” And Mary said, “Behold, the bondslave of the Lord; may it be done to me according to your word.” And the angel departed from her.

    ….  the days were completed for her to give birth. And she gave birth to her firstborn son; and she wrapped Him in cloths, and laid Him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.

        In the same region there were some shepherds staying out in the fields and keeping watch over their flock by night.  And an angel of the Lord suddenly stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them; and they were terribly frightened.  But the angel said to them, “Do  not be afraid; for behold, I bring you good news of great joy which will be for all the people;  for today in the city of David there has been born for you a Savior,  who is Christ   the  Lord.  “This will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.”   And suddenly there appeared with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying, ”Glory to God in the highest, And on earth peace among men with whom He is pleased.”  When the angels had gone away from them into heaven, the shepherds began saying to one another, “Let us go straight to Bethlehem then, and see this thing that has happened which the Lord has made known to us.” So they came in a hurry and found their way to Mary and Joseph, and the baby as He lay in the manger.  When they had seen this, they made known the statement which had been told them about this Child.  And all who heard it wondered at the things which were told them by the shepherds. 

 But Mary treasured all these things, pondering them in her heart.

 

 

 

Hmmmmm…..

 

change is definitely in the air…….

 

 * * * * * * * * *

“As the rain and the snow come down from heaven, and do not return to it
without watering the earth and making it bud and flourish, so that it yields
seed for the sower and bread for the eater,
so is my word that goes out from my mouth: It will not return to me empty,
but will accomplish what I desire and achieve the purpose for which I sent it.
You will go out in joy and be led forth in peace; the mountains and hills will burst
into song before you, and all the trees of the field will clap their hands.
Instead of the thornbush will grow the pine tree, and instead of briers the
myrtle will grow. This will be for the Lord’s renown, for an everlasting sign,
which will not be destroyed.”
Isaiah 55:10-13

 

Father, may all the precipitation of Your Word in our lives; in whatever form,
be recognized and embraced by us in grateful acceptance,
so that the fruit and growth  You long for in us will be nurtured and thereby flourish.

blessings at this time of year…Jim

 

  

 

 

Along the Road

 

Lord, God when on
the road through life,
When footing seems unsure,

make safe my track,
direct my pace,
and make my steps secure. 

 

And, Father when
my skies are dark
and storms of life draw near,

Lord, shelter me;
safe refuge be

Until the storm clouds clear.

 

 

Oh, Father God
The way is long;
with end not fully known.
Be thou my compass
And my light.

Lord keep me as Your own.

 

Oh Lord through dim uncertain ways
be yet the guardian of our ways
Lord help us see Your face
Reflected in this place;

and fill (despite our fears)
our days and hours and years

with love for Your great beauty
and wonder at Your grace.

© copyright, 11/28/2006 james a. smallish 

+ + +  

 

“I have set the Lord always before me; because he is at my right hand, I shall not be shaken. Therefore my heart is glad, and my whole being rejoices; my flesh also dwells secure.  For you will not abandon my soul to Sheol, or let your holy one see corruption.  You make known to me the path of life; in your presence there is fullness of joy; at your right hand are pleasures forevermore.”  Psalm 16:8-11

 

  

 

  

 

 

 

In mulling over today’s “thankful” holiday theme, I came across this
piece by Brother David Steindl-Rast;
a monastic and companion of Thomas Merton ,
on the Gratefulness.org web page.

It seems especially apropos in a world where, though we celebrate “Thanksgiving”,
many seem not grateful, thankful or giving.

 

“… there is good news: Yes, it is indeed possible to teach and learn gratefulness. A good starting point is surprise.
We can cultivate surprise at waking up to another day, surprise at whatever the weather happens to be that day,
surprise that there is anything rather than nothing! How come?
                                And how come we don’t think to ask “how come” more often?

Children have a natural ability to marvel. They are little philosophers in this respect, for, as Plato said,
all philosophizing starts with wonderment. It is easy to encourage children to look at the world with amazed eyes.
For teaching and learning gratefulness, a magnifying glass can be an invaluable tool.
Another teaching aide is a simple soap bubble blower, which contains several thousand incentives for wonderment.

Of course, in order to be taught, it is necessary to want to learn. But who would not want to learn, once they see
that the smallest act of gratefulness triggers immediate feedback.
                           Gratefulness unlocks joy.
                                                        Nothing that we take for granted gives us joy.
Yet the smallest surprise, received gratefully, yields a harvest of delight. As a teacher, you can look for moments of wonder,
multiply moments of wonder, to share with your students — children or adults — so that even the crustiest and most
hardened among them suddenly catches on to the fact that whatever there is, is pure gift.

In Daniel 12:3, we read, “Those who show many the way to life will shine forever like the stars in the firmament.”
What better way to a fuller life than teaching gratitude? I can just see the eyes of children light up like stars as gratitude
takes hold of their hearts. And to think that this multitude of stars will sparkle forever!”

May each of you be blessed with surprise, wonder , appreciation of God’s gifts; great and small,
and filled with thankfulness and gratefulness;
not only today, but every day.

Blessings…Jim

 

 

 

 

 

   can you feel it?

 

                  it’s coming…

                                  I know it….I feel it

                                                                                
                              I can’t see it clearly yet,

                                                   
                                                            but I KNOW it’s coming                                                                          

                                                            
                                                                       …..to be continued…….

        ”..if we hope for that which we do not yet see , with perseverence we wait eagerly for it.” Ro 8:25

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 Although I do think of my job as a blessing,
I have to admit I haven’t always taken time to enjoy
some of the little gifts within the context of the place I work:

like the courtyard there, readily available for a few moments
of “communion” when needed. (That’s it in the background)

Help me Lord,
Each day to see
The simple gifts
You give to me.

The sound of rain,
A breath of air,
The ones I meet,
The world we share

Help me to take the time to see
That every day You  care for me
In ways so num’rous I may miss
them, tender as a child’s kiss.

I do give thanks for life and love
Which You give freely from above
But all the tiny gems You bring
(like damselflies when on the wing)

Bedeck my life with precious grace
And further help me see Your face

For in these myriad waysYou show
Your heart and mind that we may know
Not only might and strength from you,
But sweetest love, and beauty too.

So help me, Lord
Each day to see
Your gifts both great and small to me

To treasure them ’till days are through ;
And make my life
a gift to You.
                                                               © 11/07/06 james a. smallish

“…since the creation of the world God’s ….divine nature has been
clearly visible to be seen through that which He created…”  from Rom. 1:19 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

SIGH…Back to Work…