MERRY CHRISTMAS (belatedly)

Joy to the world,

The LORD is come. (trad. carol)

The true light, who brings light to all people, has entered the world, as John 1:9 describes the arrival of Jesus.

Lots of presents, lots of food. I felt more relaxed with my church family than my own extended family. Interesting...

Change Coming

I have been on maternity leave for the last 12 months and I have to return to work in 3 weeks time. I am beginning to prepare myself for spending chunks of time away from my almost-11 month old. I am finding myself thinking more about the tasks and responsibilities I will have to take up in my job.

This year has been an oasis of calm for me. I am a little afraid that busy-ness and rushing will seep back into life when I go back to work. Don't misunderstand me - I have had plenty of tasks to occupy me in the past 12 months. But there has been a freedom to stop and absorb the blessing around me. To marvel at the people I share life with.

My husband has been able to devote himself to work full-time while I have been home more. I really wanted to see him take full advantage of this - capitalise on it fully! He has found it hard to have so much time. He is looking forward to the restriction on his available time, because he says it makes him more efficient. Here's hoping that happens for me, too.

This is my final maternity leave (according to our best plans), and that has helped me to enjoy and relish it. I am also sad to leave this 'stage' behind me.

photo: stock.xchng

Children are sociopaths?

I really enjoyed this article from the Onion, and my eyes have been opened to the sociopaths living in my own house.

It just goes to show that anecdote and opinion can be used to back up any assertion. Brilliantly.

I love my little sociopaths, and I'm not sure I'd like to have one of the other 2%.

Today

I visited a Christian bookstore today. The word 'megastore' is probably appropriate. In fact, I was overwhelmed by the amount of material there. My mind was boggled with the thought of taking even a thousandth of the information there into its recesses. And then actually putting it into practice?

I had fun choosing lots of Christmas books for preschoolers, so that they can be the presents at our playgroup Christmas party. There were some fantastic books that really appeal to kids.

Tonight I am pondering the time, energy, resources (read money) that goes into producing books, CDs, DVDs, gifts, etc. There is no end to the writing of books, but in the end, are they all meaningful, just because they are 'Christian' books? Do they distract us from the real things that matter? Are people writing books to glorify God or themselves? Are there lots of people out there who just like to drive an agenda (the new Holden Agenda, a great car for pastors)?

Don't misunderstand me, I have read some great books and been encouraged immensely by some of them. Some people have deep insights and wisdom from God to share. But how do we sift through and find it when there is such a forest around the important trees?