The Real Christmas Spirit

Some thoughts on Christmas I thought worth sharing-
"We talk gibly of the "Christmas Spirit", rarely meaning more by this than sentimental jollity on a family basis. But what we have said makes it clear that the phrase should in fact carry a tremendous weight of meaning. It ought to mean the reproducing in human lives of the temper of him who for out sakes became poor at the first Christmas. And the Christmas spirit itself ought to be the mark of every Christian all year round. It is to our shame and disgrace today that so many Christians—I will be more specific: so many of the soundest and most orthodox Christians—go through this world in the spirit of the priest and the Levite in our Lord’s parable, seeing human needs all around them, but (after a pious wish and perhaps a prayer, that God might meet those needs) averting their eyes and passing by on the other side. That is not the Christmas spirit. Nor is it the spirit of those Christians—alas, they are many—whose ambition in life seems limited to building a nice middle-class Christian home, and making nice middle-class Christian friends, and bringing up their children in nice middle-class Christian ways, and who leave the submiddle-class sections of the community, Christian and non-Christian to get on by themselves. The Christmas spirit does not shine out in the Christian snob. For the Christmas spirit is the spirit of those who, like their Master, live their whole lives on the principle o making themselves poor—spending and being spent—to enrich their fellow humans, giving time, trouble, and care and concern, to do good to others--- and not just their own friends—in whatever way there seems need. There are not as many who show this spirit as there should be. If God in mercy revives us, one of the things we will do will be to work more of this spirit in our hearts and lives. If we desire spiritual quickening for ourselves individually, one step we should take is to seek to cultivate this spirit. ‘You know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich yet for out sakes he became poor, so that you through his poverty might become rich’ (2 Cor. 8:9). ‘Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus’ (Phil. 2:5). ‘I will run the way of thy commandments, when thou shalt enlarge my heart’ (Psalm 119:32)."
J.I Packer, Knowing God

Hannah's welcome into the Lepehn family

The Stoxens

These are the Stoxens- Josh, Jill and baby Karis! Karis is 7 or 8? weeks old and we were actually there when Jill's water broke! She was the most cheerful water-broken pregnant woman I have ever met (that was because at the time she didn't know Karis would be born 2 days later!). Anyway, we hang out at the Stoxen hideout a lot and they feed us pretty frequently. Jill's pantries are absolutely fabulous, like the Scherezade cave of the forty thieves from the Arabian Nights) ...Josh is pretty cool too, Isaac says that he is the sweetest man on the face of the earth- Niednagel style, for all you CFCizzlers (boo yah Ben Herring). The Stoxens are our current small group, and even though our apt is too small for the gigantic proportions of our summer small groups we love the fellowship ;).

more friends

These are the Puckets, Chris and Dara, who invited us for a delicious dinner a couple of weeks ago. The other picture has some of my students in the after-school program and their landforms map of south america. They were messy but turned out really cute!

Lily Ann Martin

This is Lily Ann, the awaited first niece! We love you, Lily!

These are Jordan and Leah, fellow seminarians and Lord of the Rings fans- their apartment is nicknamed MORIA! And underneath are Ryan and Amanda and their babies Samuel and Evie- the cutest kids! They love Agatha Christie and old English books made into A&E movies ;).

our apartment is the first one on the right side of the first floor!

The North Shore Setting

So, we've moved! The scenery here is beautiful, with many a beautiful old house and thousands of trees. We love the tiny studio and the 'dormish' setting that helps us get into community. Until the slideshow gadget picks up, take a look at what we see outside our window.