Christmas musing

Been thinking about Christmas, aside from the true meaning in the Advent of Christ, and I can remember only a few Christmas' with family, especially in childhood. Why is that, is it my childhood that makes it vague or what. I can think that they were not special, uneventful or even centered too much on church events. As I raise my own sons and since we have no family traditions to follow, we want to create our own, but when do you start? How do we start? Right now it has been sparse because the boys are only 2 and 6 months old.

I perceive that much has unfortunately to do with what other Christians do around me. I am not fond of some traditions and have no 'proof' that they are harmful, but how much time can you spend averting danger, when maybe you don't even know if there is. I don't even have a great idea what to do when neither my wife or I have any 'traditions.' Yet starting with family and being together and making sure it is a positive time is always a good start. Adding the reason for the season is important but if Christ doesn't make a difference my sons will not have a 'good impression' of Christmas. I certainly am not impressed.

In ministry I went years and years as a single not returning home for Christmas because of Church events. So this defined my Christmas and it robbed me of enjoyment to be sure. I think I need to be careful as we raise the boy to make sure nothing becomes a burden that is 'church' nor my involvement change their perspective of Church and God.

Well 'Merry Christmas' I hope we all think more about what we do and why so we can always think back and say, 'Isn't Christmas Grand!, 'Isn't God Grand to send His Son!'

Learning to pray...

Last week my eldest son (two and a half years old) asked me something, being bedtime he has a pacifier in his mouth and I didn't quite understand what he said. After a few moments I figured out he was asking me to pray. He was afraid of the loud noises outside his window, usually firecrackers outside some house or temple. So we prayed and he went to sleep quite soon. After a few days of this and teaching him he can pray too, he asked after hearing his deedee crying if we could pray also for Noah. How precious.

It impacted me after hearing that a good friends son asked if he could pray one night and he prayed for our family. When did I pray for anyone as a child? Did my parents model and teach me to pray? I really can't remember. I wonder if we take enough time to see what our children are learning and examine where they learn it from. I want my sons to know, love and commune with God, how can they learn if I don't. Gotta keep on my toes, or rather my knees more often.

Starting again...

Well yet again I start a blog and I hope i can keep it up and share what is in my heart and learn some things too.

Brothers share a moment

I think I like raising these two boys, they make life interesting.