I love Christmas. I love Christmas music. I have always wanted to record some songs that should be listened to at Christmas time, helping us to reflect on the true meaning of Christmas, and preparing our hearts to hear the story of the coming of Jesus.
Admittedly, it felt a little strange singing Christmas songs in July and August! But then again, it was summer time in Nashville, and I am used to Christmas occurring in the summer (back in Sydney), so it was a little familiar too.
I found that reflecting on the Christmas story, months before the Christmas season, allowed me to step back and see the beauty and wonder of the Christmas message. The promise that God would save His people finally comes to pass in the birth of a baby boy, His Son, Jesus. The angels can’t help but sing! The shepherds can’t help but leave their flocks to find Him (the one who would soon call Himself the Good Shepherd)! The wise kings can’t help but bow down before this child King.
God is with us.
In the worlds before Monkey, primal chaos reigned. Heaven sought order. But the phoenix can fly only when its feathers are grown. The four worlds formed again and yet again, as endless aeons wheeled and passed. Time and the pure essences of Heaven, the moisture of the Earth, the powers of the Sun and the Moon all worked upon a certain rock, old as creation. And it became magically fertile. That first egg was named "Thought". Tathagata Buddha, the Father Buddha, said, "With our thoughts, we make the World". Elemental forces caused the egg to hatch. From it then came a stone monkey. The nature of Monkey was irrepressible!
I'm preparing for the TWIST Conference in 2 weeks. Enjoying the prep. So I asked of of my early mentors, David Miles (he was actually my MTS Trainer), for some sermons he has done.Young people are theological canaries [in a coal mine]. If they’re keeling over and dropping out. That’s an early warning signal that poison is in the air. The poison of passionless/sold out faith. It means we adults have lost our first love – and so we’ve stopped suffering…I forget how important David has been in my life.
In case anyone was wondering if Dr Laurel is a medical doctor, let me lay that to rest. She dissects words, not bodies. She has her PhD in Shakespeare, and we have pics to prove it.It is one thing to know that Shakespeare knew the Scriptures well; it is quite another to know the Scriptures and understand Shakespeare’s works in light of the references and themes that he uses. I agree with Shakespeare’s friends that we should read Shakespeare, ‘and again and again.’ But, in order to get under the skin of his plays and truly enjoy and understand what we’re reading, it would help us to also read the Scriptures that Shakespeare obviously knew so well. Reading the Scriptures, if only as literature, gives a contemporary reader knowledge shared by Shakespeare and his original audience, a group of people who, like Shakespeare, would have known the Bible and the Anglican Book of Common Prayer if not through their own private reading, then through their mandatory attendance at church services.
BEING AUSTRALIAN:Sydneysiders belong to 'multiple, highly-motivated global tribes which exert influence, not control'. Like most Australians, they are passionate about being Aussie, without any substantial understanding of what constitutes the national identity (unlike many Americans). Sydneysiders don’t know Australian history; they only know some Australian stories. Traveling brings out some sort of essential Aussie-ness, and so young people travel often and regularly, with families often holidaying overseas.This one is my favourite.
MORALS:Sydneysiders are generous, and younger generation of Sydneysiders are getting more passionate (or at least interested) in issues of justice. They want to serve and they appreciate service. However, there is no overarching moral vision of life, and most determine their own versions of right and wrong, and are quite defensive of their own beliefs and opinions.Yes?
FAMILY:Sydneysiders are rarely interested in marriage until around 28. They regularly live together before marriage. And before then, they couldn’t imagine having a baby, but when they do they can’t imagine anything else. (Babies are burdens before marriage and accessories after marriage). As they get older, the men in particular are hurting, and they are sensitive to the possibility that they have not been close enough to their sons and daughters as they imagined they would.That accessories bit is kind of harsh, but someone said it in our brainstorm session, and I'd be interested to know your thoughts.
Conversation today in the car about Star Wars:Daddy, who is 'Boba Fett'?___________________
Me: He's a Bounty Hunter.
Daddy, what is a Bounty Hunter?
Me: A person who chases people for cashola.
Daddy, who is cashola?
Me: Cashola is green, and lots of people like it.
Daddy, so is Yoda cashola?
RELATIONSHIPS:Sydneysiders pride themselves in community spirit, helping fellow Aussies when in need. They value time to socialise, and they like crowded summer events (e.g. Cricket, NYE, and Australia Day). They have numerous social connections but often few deep friends. They are often sexually active, with the assumption that something is not right if they are not.No?
Sydneysiders love to taste and experience. They like a superior beer and good food, preferring quality over quantity. They love good coffee (and are generally repulsed by the instant variety) and they eat out frequently. They use their eyes, rather than their minds.
