Christmas preparations and rituals

Tonight I make my traditional Christmas Sacher Torte's. One for Gail and I and one for the family gathering at Christmas eve. I have been making them for many years now as a special treat for Christmas. I am getting better at doing it every time and now they almost look professional. But not quite. I don't really care about getting them any better but it would be nice. They have always tasted great though! Some years the family seems to appreciate it and others they seem indifferant. The last two years I threatened to just keep both of them at home for Gail and I but she insist's I take one to the gathering. So I will again.

We failed to get any Lefse this year. Werners was out both trips.

This is a hard Christmas for Gail and I. I have been unemployed for over a year now. Being this broke at Christmas is not easy.

As usual, I am sad because my children and grandchildren are far from me and I don't get to see them at this time of year.

I still remember the core reason for Christmas. The birth of Jesus of Nazareth. After all these years and everything I have been through, I can still say that I am a follower of this Jesus of Nazareth. I still think that love and forgivness is the way to live. I still think his way is the best way. As the living revelation of our Heavenly Father, I rest in the thought of dwelling within his mercy and grace.
I hope that those who know me will forgive me as I endevour to forgive them.
After all those years of Seminary and theological study I have concluded that it's really just very simple. Karl Barth said it well when in answer to what he beleived he answered, "Jesus loves me this I know, for the Bible tells me so" You of course recognize the simple childs song and prayer many of us repeated so very long ago.

Of course, this is Barth and not Falwell. If you know Barth, you will understand.


So, simply put, my theology is this.
Jesus was the living Word of God and the living revelation of God to us. His instructions to us are simple and profound. Forgive us our sins, as we forgive those who sin against us. We pray that we are not lead into temptation and that God will deliver us from evil. We pray for God's will to be done knowing if often is not. I rest in his Grace knowing I am far from worthy. Anything more complicated than this is folly in my opinion. I keep it simple. It works for me.

So, I am lifted up by remembering all this on Christmas.

Gail just told me to make sure you know she made 5 loaves of banana bread too!