The Twelve Days of Christmas, Seven Swans a Swimming

 

On the seventh day of Christmas

my true love sent to me:
Seven Swans a Swimming
Six Geese a Laying
Five Golden Rings
Four Calling Birds
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 shared previously, Brian McLaren pushed me to ponder how I might put the Twelve Days of Christmas into action. On the seventh day after Christmas, I'm finding my voice like Louis, in The Trumpet of the Swan.

A classic, The Trumpet of the Swan, by E.B. White, follows Louis (Loo-ee), a Trumpeter Swan, as he seeks his voice. Louis must find the courage to overcome his disability: he was born without a voice. He does overcome, and along the way, he learns perseverance, finds friendship, works hard, lives courageously, and gains true love.

A compelling story, we also must find our unique voices and overcome challenging circumstances. With Louis, we ponder love in a complex world, and we ask, "Who are my friends and whom might I help?"

We all deserve a voice, but some of us like Louis, are born without one. We greet the world in our own way, and yet must learn how to acquire our voice. We don't, as Louis did, pull on a shoe lace in order to say hello, but we do, by sheer grace and determination, pull up our bootstraps and make our way into the world. We get out of the nest, toddling as best we can.

Photo by Nicholas Lisi

Seven Swans a Swimming was difficult to write because finding my voice is an ever present journey. Writing, day in and day out, carves out space for craftsmanship, and while it requires discipline, it is gratifying, and mentally and emotionally freeing. But writing is not necessarily living. Like Louis, I must find my wings and fly in order to find my voice. We all must.

Further, in an extroverted world, so many pipe up loudly and often. Like Father Cob, they are loud and insistent with their words. We all know them. They take the world by force. For better or worse, they leave their mark on the world and us. To often, these people shape me. Their insistence is met by my resistance. Yet that resistance, that pulling back, is costly. Certainly for a writer, raw emotion often equals excellence, but so often I'd rather be in control of my words, rather than let streams of them run where they may. All the while, I resent those who do let their words run all over. While, it's tempting to believe the world's extroverts control the world's introverts, the many words vs. the few words, I've no excuse for not crafting my own life. My soul needs me to find my voice. Robert Lewis Stevenson said, "To know what you prefer instead of humbly saying Amen to what the world tells you you ought to prefer, is to have kept your soul alive." Yes. I must find and craft my own voice. I must craft my own life. 

And Sam Beaver asks what we all want to know, “How does a bird know how to get from where he is to where he wants to be? This too, is our question.

In spite of the many voices, whispering in our ears, we must seek our own voices and craft our creative selves. In this, the proper thing to do is to sit still, and birth what's growing under the current of our lives. 

Swans must be cheerful not sad, graceful not awkward, and brave not cowardly.

And Louis shows us the way. Louis lives his life, and he learns to sacrifice for himself and others. Ever observant, Louis saves Applegate Skinner from drowning. Even when misunderstood, Louis makes the lives of others richer and better for his presence. He keeps Serena, whom he loves and is far away, close to his heart. But in all that he does for love, with time, Louis acquires more and more around his neck. While good, these things weigh him down. Still, he presses towards his goal: Serena's love. And for the sake of his voice and music, Louis has Sam Beaver cut one of his webbed feet, elevating his trumpeting skills, even as it costs him some of his swimming abilities. Such is life, to gain in one area, we relinquish in another.

I will leave you to read the remainder of The Trumpet of the Swan on your own, but let us live with Louis' story and ask, "Who are the children around us who struggle to find their voice?" How can we help them? What about older adults, so often marginalized in our culture? How can we encourage them to use their voices? Where do we need to listen and with whom?

We also, like Father Cob, must come to grips with having people in our lives who do not live up to our first hopes or expectations. Can we adjust? We must. The loudest must adjust to the quietest, and the gregarious adjust to the still.

And like Louis towards his father, we must adjust to the actions of others and their effects upon our lives. Father Cob's poor choice of robbing the music store, burdened Louis with a huge debt, but in the end it was also what gave Louis both adventure and his voice. As Louis embraces the challenges his relationships create, he overcomes them and uses the disabilities to his advantage. Disabilities and difficult circumstances make some of us stronger, better, and more courageous. I want like Louis, to live with courage, and to rise, finding my way into the high stormy winds of life with strength in my wings.

We also remember that while some are not so awesome at observation, they make up for it in their own way with the skill of action. Father Cob's advice is timeless:

The takeoff must be into the wind. Don't look down. Look straight ahead, and don't lose your nerve.

The Trumpet of the Swan is my favorite E.B. White book. We read it a few years ago, discussing autism. It was a gift then, just as listening again is a gift. It reminds me that the journey to find my voice is worthy, and that in doing so, I can also help others find their voice.

This seventh day of Christmas may you be graced with both ideas and activity. Give the gift of voice to a child through the gift of story. Teach a child to read. Share an important story with someone you love. Listen to someone's story. Teach someone how to tell their story, by living your own. Nurture a soul.

Photo source unknown.

The world is full of talkers, but it is rare to find anyone who listens. 

*P.S. Listen to this on audio to enjoy Louis on his trumpet.

The Twelve Days of Christmas, Six Geese a Laying

On the sixth day of Christmas
my true love sent to me:
Six Geese a Laying
Five Golden Rings
Four Calling Birds
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 shared previously, Brian McLaren pushed me to ponder how I might put the Twelve Days of Christmas into action. Today, I ponder geese and a wild God.

Six geese a laying. Six geese a birthing. Six ganders partnering with six geese, guarding young and birthing life. Cooperative spirits in a wild land. They are wild migrating noisy spirits, honking their approval and encouragement.

They fly intentionally. They fly formally. One never carries the high winds alone for long before dropping back. Another will step up to shoulder the burden. He who is rested moves up to where winds rage strong. They trade off the highest winds and coldest air. They commit to togetherness, no matter the cost. A sick, weak, or wounded comrade will be escorted by two geese to the ground. They wait with the gander or goose until she or he has recovered or died. They commit in birthing. They commit in dying. A sancto insulam tres. 

Insula Sancta

Iona Abbey, island of Mull. Ii-shona. Picture by Oliver Bonjoch (Wikipedia)

The Celts likened God's spirit to wild geese. Migrating, even today, the committed gather at Iona Abbey, and take the spirit of Iona back to homeland and hearth. The spirit of Iona: craftsman who minister and ministers who craft. Poverty and mankind meet, living out the wild Spirit through hands and feet.

Here I Stand 

by Iona

Here I stand, looking out to sea
Where a thousand souls have prayed
And a thousand lives were laid on the sand
Were laid on the sand
Years have passed, since they have died
And The Word shall last
And the wild goose shall fly
Shall fly
Here I stand, looking out to sea
And I say a prayer
That the wild goose will come to me
That the wild goose will come to me

Iona is pilgrimage. Iona is a living breathing cell. Discerning the Spirit is the present desire. Do I want to know, hold the wild Spirit of God within?

Like wild things in our world, how quickly we dispense of God, if He encroaches upon our realm. Like the farmer, whose grasslands border the wildlife refuge, who is forever chasing wild geese away, we chase God away.

We shoot Him out the sky, the stars, and the heavens. With feet bound by us, and His comrades gathered round, He says, "Father forgive them. They know not what they do." And the grave shall not hold Him.

If visions be lacking, if prophecy be false, if revelations be lost, it is because we no longer want God in our wilderness.

Sunday it's easy to pretend we seek a wild God, but maybe we are simply running from our demons. Some Sunday's the drums rage so very loud, I'm convinced the noise is the clanging bells of hell. Yet, as we run from our demons, God speaks. The One wild Spirit lives.

God of the stillness speak today. Your voice cannot be tamed by men. Your voice cannot be taught. Your voice cannot be bought. Your voice is found in wild places. Your voice is caught in the silent space between the storms.

I tune my ear to the wind, Son, and Word. 

God speaks into the wilderness.

The Word.

Hearing God's voice in my ear? 

My choice.

The Twelve Days of Christmas, Five Golden Rings

The Fifth Day of Twelve Days of Christmas

I'm continuing my series on The Twelve Days of Christmas. As I shared previously, Brian McLaren pushed me to ponder how I might put the Twelve Days of Christmas into action.

I laid awake last night pondering five rings that we often wear: friends and family, community, self identity, faith, and presence. The substance of our lives is made up of these rings, the circles of humanity, that surround us.

The ring of friendship and family is fraught with trial and error, especially while young. We move from, "Who likes what I do?" to "Who believes what I do?" The journey is not without agony, where one truly loves, yet friendship and family help us survive, even thrive. CS Lewis reminds us, “Friendship is unnecessary, like philosophy, like art.... It has no survival value; rather it is one of those things which give value to survival.”

And Lewis on the cost of love, lest we forget:

To love at all is to be vulnerable. Love anything and your heart will be wrung and possibly broken. If you want to make sure of keeping it intact you must give it to no one, not even an animal. Wrap it carefully round with hobbies and little luxuries; avoid all entanglements. Lock it up safe in the casket or coffin of your selfishness. But in that casket, safe, dark, motionless, airless, it will change. It will not be broken; it will become unbreakable, impenetrable, irredeemable. To love is to be vulnerable.
― C.S. Lewis, The Four Loves

I'm not an expert on the subject of love, but I do know that love is most often an act one lives out. It's rarely a 24 hours a day feeling, past the first blush of a crush. There are moments the heart swells each day, moments the heart smiles and is warmed, but much of our lives is built on living out the act of love, creating a love that lasts. Where do I need to practice love today?

The ring of community is what keeps me living outside of myself and giving something back. While children, we are hopefully nurtured in community, but by the time we reach young adolescence we ought to be giving back in community. Community sustains us, as we sustain it. Community is forward thinking. It may need to address the past, but the best communities are daily planning for future generations. They are preparing to give back, while they yet live the present day. Where do you and I need to invest in our communities in a way that only we can invest?

A Survival Birthday. Let us do more than survive community!

The ring of self identity or peace with self is one of relinquishment. I will not always be who I hope to be. I will let go of expectations that are unrealistic. I will learn to love myself by actively putting myself out there in the world and living the gifts I have been given. I will take the time to figure out what gifts I have to give. I will be brave enough to ask others around me, "what are my strengths and what are my weaknesses?" I will recognize that I can never truly love others deeply and wholly until I love myself. I will get up every day and work on this journey.

The ring of faith reminds me that I need hope coursing through my veins and the world doesn't revolve around me. It recognizes that even if I cannot see the other side of the rainbow, it is there. It attests that while I cannot see the wind, I know it exists because I see how it blows the world around me. It humbly believes that while science may solve amazing mysteries, as it opens up new ones, I will not decide mankind is God. There are simply things I do not know. This is the beginnings of faith - relinquishing faith in one's self and one's limited knowledge. Admit need. Admitting you and I don't know it all. In this place, God's spirit has opportunity to abide.

Let us remember that God inhabits the praises of His people. My heart cry this year has been and will continue to be, "More of your Spirit Lord in our home and hearts. Increase our faith in You." Certainly, we will reach children in the way that is best for them, if His Spirit is within us. How can we care for the least of these, unless we have God's heart with which to care?

Finally, the ring of presence makes all the other rings possible. All real giving is given in relationship that honors the One True Giver and the recipient. Presence requires the gift of time, the relinquishment of one's own agenda for the day. Time. time. Presence keeps us awake at night with prayers for the one who is struggling. Presence means we go out of our way to do what is uncomfortable, when it's most uncomfortable, with no guarantee that the investment will at some point turn "comfortable." Presence means there's no guarantee we'll ever get anything from the situation, but we give anyway.

 Presence is not giving the repeated gift of being walked upon. Presence doesn't mean one must be subject to slander of one's self or others. Presence has boundaries, healthy ones, that recognize that your gift may be a one time investment, a pointer along their path and yours, that to give is better than to receive. Yet, presence listens to the still small voice of the Giver and knows when it's time to pull back and put one's energy elsewhere. Giving a gift is sometimes painful, and receiving a gift can even be painful, but God never intends for the gifts He bestows upon us to beat us down or berate us. God first came as love. We attempt to move from within the love of God, the Spirit of Love. But we remember, God doesn't knock down doors and force His presence and His time where it's not welcome. God shows up to those who open the door. 

Let us this year wear the rings that matter most upon our fingers and interlaced upon our hearts: the rings of friends and family, community, knowing self, faith, and presence. When December of 2015 comes round, we'll have given and received gifts that matter. We'll be adorned with golden rings that cannot easily be taken away, and who's value doesn't diminish.

The Twelve Days of Christmas, Four Calling Birds

Day Four of the Twelve Days of Christmas

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

I'm continuing my series on The Twelve Days of Christmas and keeping it simple this fourth day. As I shared previously, Brian McLaren pushed me to ponder how I might put the Twelve Days of Christmas into action.

On this fourth day of Christmas, let's savour each other and nature. In the midst of our return to busyness, let's find five minutes (or more!) to simply sit with the birds, take a walk in nature, gaze out a foggy window, or look to the heavens. Let us notice the true rhythms of a world all around us that's increasingly crowded out. Let us take time for God's creatures and for each other. Let us invest in living souls and relationships. Let us lay down Facebook snippets and really know one another. Call a friend or family member. Chat. Listen. Let us offer up the gift of presence to others, just as God invites us to the gift of His presence.  2 Peter 1:3 NIV

Four Calling Birds by J. Ferwerda

Drawing Song Birds at John Muir Laws

For little artists, the Draw Write Now books are awesome, especially if someone they love spends time helping them hone their skills.

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!