The Twelve Days of Christmas, Three French Hens

Day Three of The Twelve Days of Christmas

 On the third day of Christmas
my true love sent to me:
Three French Hens
Two Turtle Doves
and a Partridge in a Pear Tree

I'm continuing my series on The Twelve Days of Christmas. As I've shared previously, Brian McLaren pushed me to ponder how I might put the Twelve Days of Christmas into action. Today, the third day of Christmas, three french hens are hard to find, but I'm exploring French traditions. It's cultural awareness, meets fire and baking, with some pondering in the mix. I'm exploring ideas and heading towards Epiphany with intentionality.

To begin, let's explore the French version of The Twelve Days of Christmas. Many believe, "the French folk song "La Perdriole" ("The Partridge") is a cumulative song with the same kind of lyrics and a similar (but slightly different) melody." (Wikipedia) Is La Perdriole the song that inspired the song?

As for baking, the French incorporate Buche de Noel into their Christmas traditions. This delightful pastry is often mistaken for the Yule Log. In fact if you do a search on yule logs, you will find Buche de Noel, but they are different. See below.

It would be very easy to make the above Saveur version gluten free/cream free by using coconut cream in place of the cows cream. We are going to give a gf/cream free version an attempt this week.

Give baked goods away this week? Post Christmas baking sounds less stressful and like a whole lot of fun!

For the baking challenged:

Beginning with the Celts, the Yule Log was traditionally burned to welcome the sun back to earth, and then later in the Middle Ages, to cure people of illness and drive evil away.

The French carried on the tradition of burning a special Yule Log, until it was eventually replaced with the Buche de Noel, as gas stoves replaced the fireplace. The Yule Log worked its way to the table as the sweet Buche de Noel, surrounded by evergreen boughs.

When the kids were very young, I used to decorate a special log and place it by our gas fireplace, but we've not done this for years. I'm thinking we need to revive the tradition and place a special log to burn in our wood stove.  The walking/hunting time to find a yule log, and the calm fire time, can be used to discuss what spirits we want to fuel our home in the new year. Out with New Year's resolutions (which we've never done anyway) and in with a long family walk to discuss what matters most in the new year!

We are praying for the spirits of love, joy, peace, and patience, amongst others. As we endeavor in God this new year, we are asking for His Spirit to come without limit into our home, just as He's promised.John 3:34-36 MSG.

I'm also reminded of the need for wood by many. In rural areas, many still fuel their homes with wood, like us! Someone always needs wood. March is a good time to give wood away. Wood piles run low, and winter is not yet over. Have extra wood? Share some. Better yet, next summer or fall, order a cord of wood for someone in need. 

Photo from Shannon Berrey

Many French families display a creche in their home.  They also personalize their family creche with santons, or "little saints" that represent the people of their village. I love the idea of personalizing one's nativity to one's own home and village. 

Visit the Santon Festival in Marseille next Christmas? If not, here's two lovely options in Oregon: The Corvallis Nativity Festival and The Grotto. We were awed by the nativities from around the world at the Corvallis Festival. There were at least 200 creches from around the world. The kids were enthralled.

Or, begin a personalized creche/santons tradition in your home. We have several nativities, but none are personalized. I'm thinking about how we might make the manger more personal. With little kids, you might make your own nativity kit. I prefer clay or ceramic. Hmmm.... Maybe, I'll approach a local art center about helping us create some figurines in 2015.

Last night, we finished Richard Peck's, Season of Gifts. It's a slice of Christmas cheer set in rural America, but the overall message is that the best gifts are given throughout the year. Sister also started Jan Karon's Mitford series this Advent. She began with Shepherd's Abiding.

Shepherd's Abiding and the St Paul Christmas video have me pondering how we might bring the nativity alive next year. I'm thinking of a one minute nativity randomly performed throughout town. Now, just to rope another family or two into the process!

While, I love the idea of "elves for the twelves" in this series, especially for the kids, it's just not working for me. Maybe elves for twelves is a series for next year, or a stand alone story. I think the latter. For now, I'm going to stick with finding fresh ways to live out The Twelve Days of Christmas. 

Not exactly three french hens, but who can resist this kid? 

Spring chicks will arrive before we know it. 

The Twelve Days of Christmas, Two Turtle Doves

 Day Two of The Twelve Days of Christmas

 On the second day of Christmas
my true love sent to me:
Two Turtle Doves
and a Partridge in a Pear Tree

The dove is my favorite bird. Still and calm, she's a constant reminder of our potential for peace. Doves show up throughout Christian history, but I think it's safe to say, doves are important in many cultures, whether as food or religious symbols. Indeed, doves live in most every climate on earth, except the Sahara and Antarctica climes.

In Christianity, Noah sent the dove out to determine if the flood waters had receded enough to disembark the ark.  John saw the Spirit of God alight on Jesus like a dove, signifying Jesus' anointing by God. Jesus encouraged his disciples to be as wary as serpents, but as innocent as doves as they headed out into the world without him.

Elves for Twelves Ideas

 Give a peace offering.
Blessed are those who make peace. They will be called children of God. 
Mathew 5:9

Peacemaking is hard. Enough said. Right? Each of us, could work on peacemaking every day of our lives and never finish the work we have to do, but God.

 Make a financial peace offering.

Donate to an organization that promotes peace, not violence. I'm not well informed on what organizations I'd recommend that would spend your money well, but I will say that changing lives is where it's at. Let's make sure we give to organizations that equip others to lead the pack in peace. Organizations that don't choose predetermined sides. It's so easy to be entangled and not see which way is up in a conflict. We all need to be peacemakers daily, as well as expect to need peacemakers often in our lives.  The Center for Justice and Peacebuilding is powerful. 

From Wikipedia: Worldwide, EMU is probably best known for its Center for Justice and Peacebuilding (CJP), especially its graduate program in conflict transformation.^[8][9] CJP has educated and trained more than 3,000 people from 119 countries.^[10] CJP's founding director, John Paul Lederach, and its expert in restorative justice, Howard Zehr, are considered to be international leaders in the fields of peace and justice.^[11] CJP alumna Leymah Gbowee was a co-recipient of the 2011 Nobel Peace Prize.

We know people who live their training because it's their lives. Peace is who they are. We thank God for them, and we miss them like crazy!

Analyze your giving.

In 2015, where will you build, foster, and promote peace? Consider KIVA. The loan program that offers a chance out of poverty.

Consider the gift of education. Children who are educated are less likely to fight in wars or be recruited into a radical militia. Consider sponsoring a preschool education, or part of one, in your area. A love of learning must happen before 3rd grade. If a student is behind in 3rd grade, they'll likely be behind forever. Make a difference locally. All our children, all God's children, are important. Yours, mine, and ours are increasingly at risk in our increasingly violent world. Let's give them an education to ponder. They can and will make a difference in their world, but they need an education to do so.

 

 Stretch your own personal beliefs.

Educate yourself on what the rest of the world is struggling through. Make a point to get to know people of other heritages, cultures, and religions. What are their daily struggles?  How might we respond? Be willing to change preconceived notions, and get uncomfortable.  I could list 25 books, but here's two. If you like them, check out what other books Amazon recommends in this category.

BOOK LINK

BOOK LINK

Stand up for those who cannot stand up for themselves. 

Get involved when you see someone being bullied whether in the work place, school, or yes, at church. It will always be uncomfortable to get involved. Yes, always. Yet, now more than ever, we need citizens who will get involved.

 Get out of town.

If you live in the city and see only “pigeons” make your way to the country seeking doves. Leave a gift in a rural community. Sit and chat in a local shop. Support a small town business. Buy coffee for another? Start this tradition? 

If you live in the country, head to the city. Bring something to share with those less fortunate. Offer a smile to a harried city dweller, for aren't we all harried these days? Loop a scarf around someone's neck. Offer a pair of mittens on a cold day. Drop a book into someone's lap. Buy someone the newspaper, better yet, a comic book. Pay for their bill at the lunch counter?

Care for doves in your neighborhood. 

Let's continue to be elves for the twelves of Christmas, as we continue to seek the manger and the Messiah and walk towards Epiphany.

The Twelve Days of Christmas, a Partridge in a Pear Tree

Today begins the Twelve Days of Christmas. A few months ago, Brian McLaren pushed me to ponder how I might put the Twelve Days of Christmas into action. What if we did more than take out the trash and rest on the 26th?  

Surely, Facebook had me in a dither last night. Trash piled up under trees. It's a reality, but is that the world we want to live and share? Is this what I have to offer our world only one day after Jesus' birthday?

Might we stay upon bended knee beside the manger? Might we keep Christ, Christmas, and Advent our humble posture? It's not about the stuff folks. It's about Christ and what that messy manger birth might bring alive in me.

Certainly, some of the world hasn't even experienced Christmas yet, and we're already moving on. The Eastern Orthodox celebrate Christmas January 7th based on the Gregorian calendar vs. our December 25th Julian calendar celebrations. 

As we work our way towards the Magi's epiphany, how might we have an epiphany? I'm posting ideas for the next twelve days, follow along if you wish, but first a little background information.

The first known publication of The Twelve Days of Christmas was in 1780 England. Yet, the carol is believed to be of French origin. Some Christians believe the carol conveys a secret message about Christianity, but this secret message theory has neither been proven, nor disproven. 

Helen Haidle's Twelve Days

Whether you believe in Santa, St. Nicolas, our Savior, or all three, let's live The Twelve Days of Christmas.

Santa's elves rest with reindeer.

It's up to us to elf,

the real Twelve Days of Christmas.

Let's not put Christmas upon a shelf.

Human elves we shall be, 

living and giving,

The Twelve Days of Christmas,

ever cheerfully. 

 On the first day of Christmas
my true love sent to me:
A Partridge in a Pear Tree 

A medium sized non-migrating bird, partridges live in Europe, Asia, Africa, and the Middle East. Ground dwelling, partridges are considered a lowly and humble bird.

Elf the birds

Whether you own a bird feeder or not, put food out for the birds today. Ironically, the Humane Society encourages humans to place bird food and feeders at least twelve feet from brush and shrubs where bird predators hide. Recommended Feed: Mix peanut butter with suet drippings and high protein millet, cracked peanuts, or medium grain cracked corn.

Elf your neighbor with the blessing of birds. 

Make or buy several packages of bird suet. Hang with twine on a neighbor's tree with good window viewing. Next year, don't ask. Elf your neighbor the night of the 25th. This year, be brave. Take a plate of cookies over and ask about hanging bird suet in their tree. Watch the birds together.

Make a donation to the National Audubon Society.

Make plans to plant a fruit tree in late winter or very early spring. Don't have room for one in your yard? Purchase a tree for planting at a local community garden. In a few years, the fruit may be shared with birds and humans alike. Have a large orchard? Get involved with a gleaning organization in your area, or start one!

Why does every gingerbread man lose his head?

Maybe this series ought to be titled the The Twelve Elves of Christmas. Let's be elves for the next twelves!

Life is Messy

A few of us, and yours truly with a cluttered soul, need our visual spaces clear. We need our eyes to be free in order to see. My mess, often limits my ability to interact with others. My messiness keeps me from offering time and space, and the gift of presence to others. 

Surrounded by abundance, my soul still starves. Type A, American abundance, is more baggage than blessing, affecting my ability to love those things that really matter.

 But, type A's move their mess easily. We've moved several times in many years. Moving helps clear out the mess, just as it opens up new spaces and places. We leave some baggage behind, but not nearly enough, and we rarely leave the baggage behind that hinders our loving well in new spaces and places. The mess of our lives ever surrounds us. Dust and ashes cling to us, every move we make.

Ashes to ashes

Dust to dust

As wood heats our home, ashes accumulate. Like ashes, heartache accumulates. Some experiences never make sense. Things done, costing us and others pain, and things done to us. Our lives are fragments that will one day be made whole, but not here, not now.

This dark season, I seek to give all the fragments of my throbbing soul to a Soulmate. He's promised His yoke is light. I'm not there yet, giving it all to Him. So many days, I take back what I promised I would throw out. I keep the mess close to me. The baggage, ashes, dust, and mess are a millstone, but He's there, offering to take my burden. Because this side of His mountain, men are bent under the weight of the world. But one day we shall be whole, and bend under the weight of His glory.

Oh Jesus, so often we make a mess of our lives and we mess others up at the same time. Yet, you offer hope, yourself, amidst the mess. Help me relinquish my mess. Redeem the mess and the years the locusts have eaten. Help me embrace my mess, so I may embrace others, and embrace the Son in a dark solstice season.

Messy thoughts inspired by C. Last week, she got her hands on Marie Kondo's book, The Life Changing Magic of Tidying Up. Inclined to collecting, along with her brother, they cherish messy work spaces with nuts and bolts around them. I'm thankful for her motivation to straighten her creative space. One cannot find what one needs, when one needs it, in a space, where nothing has a place!

And just for fun, here's an excerpt from a children's book I wrote this fall that's roaming the planet for a home. 

  Bless Our Mess
by Kim Conolly

All across the map, there are dangerous traps. Rooms so dirty, kids are stuck in their precious muck.

From Egypt to Mongolia, parents complain of smells they disdain.

From Papau New Guinea to Cameroon, you hear, “Clean up your room!”

From Minnesota to Marrakesh, they say, “Take care of this mess!”

From Iceland to Vietnam, it is heard, “Your closet makes me cry; my nose want to die!”

....

Wishing you a lovely Christmas. Let us, this season, embrace our messiness and give it to God. Let us live moments with others that matter, and let us give our burdens to our Messiah, the One who saves. Merry Christmas, dear ones, He is born, the hope of our world and the world yet to come. 

St Lucia of the Light and Dark Matter

There was no St Lucia Day lussekatter this year. The young lass likes to sleep in these days and glutens are a no-go. Yet, it's hard for me to lay aside traditions, especially ones that involve baking. I miss my carbohydrates, but am living this tummy diet with her. If I sat on St. Nick's lap, I'd ask him to talk to the tooth fairy about vanquishing dietary restrictions with the wave of her wand. Yet, we are learning how to nourish and be nourished in new ways.

For every carbohydrate low meal, I'm reminded it's never about the bread, but about the Bread of Life. So we sing in a new season of gratitude. Dear God, Help us send gratitude and merry tidings into the dark nights. 

We thoroughly enjoyed the Christmas Ships this weekend with grandparents. We challenged ourselves to name a gratitude for every twinkle of the lights that grace our home. We are hoping our hearts will feel lighter by Epiphany.

And on winter's eve, I find myself penning darkness and Light. 

Light and Dark, Matters

Galaxies emit light from beyond,

reflections from God's luminescent pond.

Science says dark matter signals are weak,

and fail to interact with the light we seek.

Millions of miles away, light strobes along,

coming to us on the wings of the dawn.

While dark matter engages gravity's song.

Before the origins of man, what was dark matter?

Why do we care? What was out there?

Beyond the curtain of light, time, and space,

what hides in galaxies ablaze?

The mysteries of dark matter may forever abound.

Will the universe expand or decay?

In all this, we dance unbound.

All invisible matter, is it part of me?

Opening my eyes to the universe, what do I see?

Star dust and light, dark matter formed.

Molded in man's night, by God: “Let there be light.”

Then the God Light came, a broken world to see.

This dark matter, it matters to He.

Open our eyes, living Light.

Lift the curtain of the universe and help me see.

The veil torn for me.

Inspired by Huff Post Science

Advent Advances

How is it that walking into the dark, 
we are really walking into the Light?

Our family continues to walk forward with Safe Families. The new year will eventually hold new kids in our home. Right now, we must get off our duffs and finish our paperwork, a Christmas gift for our Lord. We are no Magi. We have nothing sweet, nor expensive for the Babe, but we have space. We can make room for one more weary head in our home. So, we walk into the dark, following the Light.

The shepherds quaked this year. No jest. One hit the deck, and he wasn't decking the halls. Maybe the cold night got him, or maybe he was in the barn struggling with a bad head cold, but quaking shepherds are real. Sometimes they look a lot like us.

Last week, a quaking threatened. Chaos sought us. In our home, in our community, and in our tummies. Because when we walk into the dark carrying the Light, in spite of our brokenness, because of our brokenness, we face an enemy who wishes to push us back into our dark places and dark spaces. "Get back into your dingy dark hole." he says.

Our enemy knows that when we bravely step out of our darkness, when we look up, we are given a Flame. The Flame that illumines a pathway to God. Ironically, this Flame most often leads us right back into the darkness, theirs and ours. Yet now, we hold the Flame. We are lit by the Light. The Flame burns  within and throughout our night.

Last week, Flame, God, Manna met with us, and we trekked to First Lego League qualifiers, not to Seattle Children's. God met a real need. The Flame bid us, "take off your sandals and praise in this wilderness." Manna consumed, healed. While we quaked, sustenance arrived in a manger. We only needed to walk with the Light. This week? We're still working on our chaos. Darkness ever threatens, but we know: the Light overcomes.

 So, let us walk towards the Light, like the shepherds. 

And let us carry the Light within, like Mary.

God of the Manger and God of the Barn, God of Manna with ministering hands, Flame of Fire and Light of Mankind, consume our darkness. Bring your light into our world, into our quaking and into our breaking. Let us carry your light, until it streams into a broken world and makes whole the weary, wandering, and woeful. Us. 

Light of Mankind, never give up on us. Meet us at the manger. We come empty handed, but quaking we come. Fill us dear Shepherd, that in turn, we may feed your sheep and give them a place to lay their weary heads. This Advent, help us look for your light and your life. Surely, we will find you in a dark space filling a manger, Manna for mankind.

‘My people are so poor, that God can only appear to them in the form of a piece of bread.’ ~ Ghandi

We Qualified!

Pretty darn proud of these kiddos!

   First Lego League asked students this year to improve learning for kids in ____________ field. Each team got to choose their focus. Our students decided to enhance and improve the study of architecture for kids in Oregon. They visited the University of Oregon School of Architecture, and interviewed architects, professors, interior designers, and students to learn more about architecture.  Each student also made their own architectural design and build, because architects: invent, design, and build! They've also been working on a future web site that will help kids learn more about the study of architecture in fun and engaging ways, as well as preparing to share their information at a local library in late winter. On top of all that, they've been learning Lego Robotics, game regulations, and programming. Their hard work paid off! Today, they won two trophies and qualified for the FLL Oregon State Tournament.

Table time at our station. There was hardly any down time.

Presentation time before the judges. One judge was the head of ORTOP. No stress there!

The "real" table time!

Will it do what we want!!!!?????

A future Robo Builder

 

 

Did we just qualify for state?

Now: breathe, prepare for state, and have a good time!

Way to go!