“For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.” Isaiah 9:6
…the frame
A few years ago, I taught a Christmas lesson. The visuals included a frame made up of all the “trimmings” of the holidays (cookies, trees, Santa, bells, church, candles) and a beautiful picture of the manger in the center. What does a frame do for a painting? Perhaps the right frame, chosen correctly, enhances the picture itself. Perhaps the frame helps the picture fit in to a setting. Or on occasion, we blunder by choosing a frame that is so elaborate, the frame draws more attention than the picture itself. Has the frame changed the work of art? No, the purpose of the frame is to show that the painting is a masterpiece, finished, beautiful, and worthy to receive the attention it deserves, to draw attention to the picture itself.
Our celebration of Christmas this year in Cameroon reminds me of this lesson. Our frame for the celebration of the advent of Jesus is simpler than it has ever been. Lights? Haven’t seen any, except for the beautiful stars each night. Candles? Plenty of these, especially when the electricity is out – all one shape and size, all white, and no dripless version available. Christmas programs to attend? No “Nutcracker” this year, like we were able to see in Tallinn. No Sunday school presentation for our children to participate in. No piano lessons this year, so no recital to go to. The girls don’t dance in a national dance group here like they did in Estonia, so no dance performances to dress for and drive to. No chance to hear the “Messiah.” What about snow? Surely we don’t expect a white Christmas this year, although Brian keeps threatening to sift flour over our yard or tape white poster paper to our windows just for effect. We do, however, have a fireplace that doesn’t smoke if we build the fire properly in the back left corner. In fact, we enjoy its coziness. Gifts? Nothing to buy that interests our children. If the sea container with gifts purchased by my folks in August doesn’t clear customs in the next few days, we won’t have gifts to put under the tree for the first time ever. Advent calendars with chocolate to count down the days? Sorry, kids, not an option this year. The drive to Grandma’s house? Definitely not doable this year either. But we look forward to seeing everyone again next Christmas.
What makes up our simple frame this year? First, we collect green stuff. Cypress branches are easily available and last for about 2 weeks in water. Besides that, they are beautiful. A tree, definitely the Charlie Brown version, also cypress, stands in our living room. The branches look lovely, but the tree looks a bit gangly, especially with no lights, no garland, and no ornaments. We plan to come up with our very own handmade paper, cookie, popcorn, and fruit solutions for the decorations. Second, we make treats. Although not gingerbread, we bake brown sugar cut-outs and a few other traditional treats with our available supplies. We also celebrate two European traditions that we’ve picked up in the last ten years: St. Nicholas Day with animal shaped rolls, oranges and peanuts; and the elves who come each night to leave a treat in our children’s slippers as they do in Estonia (the treats are a bit monotonous, but we haven’t heard any complaints) have located us in Cameroon. Thirdly, we listen to Christmas music. We appreciate this real piece of home – no adaptation on this one. And lastly, we created a very simple advent wreath with our one-size-fits-all candles. It is lovely and colleagues lent us a book with readings from Scripture for us to read each day and a short program for us to do as a family each Sunday.
…the masterpiece
With our severely limited options, we have had an amazingly simple December this year. No programs fill up our calendars. No stores entice us to shop and spend. Our simple framework has provided abundant time to ponder the Masterpiece. Isn’t He beautiful? Our Wonderful Counselor and Mighty God comforts us when we long for home, guides us and reveals himself to us through his word. Our Everlasting Father reminds us of his presence in our lives each day. The Prince of Peace has given us peace with God and helps us to be content with how he has provided for us this year. Emmanuel is indeed with us. A simple frame merits some thought for the future. Perhaps our understanding of the Perfect Work of Art has been enhanced more than ever in the simplicity of it all.
…the frame
A few years ago, I taught a Christmas lesson. The visuals included a frame made up of all the “trimmings” of the holidays (cookies, trees, Santa, bells, church, candles) and a beautiful picture of the manger in the center. What does a frame do for a painting? Perhaps the right frame, chosen correctly, enhances the picture itself. Perhaps the frame helps the picture fit in to a setting. Or on occasion, we blunder by choosing a frame that is so elaborate, the frame draws more attention than the picture itself. Has the frame changed the work of art? No, the purpose of the frame is to show that the painting is a masterpiece, finished, beautiful, and worthy to receive the attention it deserves, to draw attention to the picture itself.
Our celebration of Christmas this year in Cameroon reminds me of this lesson. Our frame for the celebration of the advent of Jesus is simpler than it has ever been. Lights? Haven’t seen any, except for the beautiful stars each night. Candles? Plenty of these, especially when the electricity is out – all one shape and size, all white, and no dripless version available. Christmas programs to attend? No “Nutcracker” this year, like we were able to see in Tallinn. No Sunday school presentation for our children to participate in. No piano lessons this year, so no recital to go to. The girls don’t dance in a national dance group here like they did in Estonia, so no dance performances to dress for and drive to. No chance to hear the “Messiah.” What about snow? Surely we don’t expect a white Christmas this year, although Brian keeps threatening to sift flour over our yard or tape white poster paper to our windows just for effect. We do, however, have a fireplace that doesn’t smoke if we build the fire properly in the back left corner. In fact, we enjoy its coziness. Gifts? Nothing to buy that interests our children. If the sea container with gifts purchased by my folks in August doesn’t clear customs in the next few days, we won’t have gifts to put under the tree for the first time ever. Advent calendars with chocolate to count down the days? Sorry, kids, not an option this year. The drive to Grandma’s house? Definitely not doable this year either. But we look forward to seeing everyone again next Christmas.
What makes up our simple frame this year? First, we collect green stuff. Cypress branches are easily available and last for about 2 weeks in water. Besides that, they are beautiful. A tree, definitely the Charlie Brown version, also cypress, stands in our living room. The branches look lovely, but the tree looks a bit gangly, especially with no lights, no garland, and no ornaments. We plan to come up with our very own handmade paper, cookie, popcorn, and fruit solutions for the decorations. Second, we make treats. Although not gingerbread, we bake brown sugar cut-outs and a few other traditional treats with our available supplies. We also celebrate two European traditions that we’ve picked up in the last ten years: St. Nicholas Day with animal shaped rolls, oranges and peanuts; and the elves who come each night to leave a treat in our children’s slippers as they do in Estonia (the treats are a bit monotonous, but we haven’t heard any complaints) have located us in Cameroon. Thirdly, we listen to Christmas music. We appreciate this real piece of home – no adaptation on this one. And lastly, we created a very simple advent wreath with our one-size-fits-all candles. It is lovely and colleagues lent us a book with readings from Scripture for us to read each day and a short program for us to do as a family each Sunday.
…the masterpiece
With our severely limited options, we have had an amazingly simple December this year. No programs fill up our calendars. No stores entice us to shop and spend. Our simple framework has provided abundant time to ponder the Masterpiece. Isn’t He beautiful? Our Wonderful Counselor and Mighty God comforts us when we long for home, guides us and reveals himself to us through his word. Our Everlasting Father reminds us of his presence in our lives each day. The Prince of Peace has given us peace with God and helps us to be content with how he has provided for us this year. Emmanuel is indeed with us. A simple frame merits some thought for the future. Perhaps our understanding of the Perfect Work of Art has been enhanced more than ever in the simplicity of it all.
Posts
3 comments:
Merry Christmas, Stephanie and to all your family there in Cameroon.
I have just been reading your posts from July on and am amazed at what has been going on in your lives and all you have been dealing with. It will give us a new perspective on what we need to be praying for you and your family. God bless you. Merry Christmas.
Stephanie and Brian,
I need your contact information in the case that you did not receive my email. This regards a Christmas gift from Friendship Church. Greetings to all and Merry Christmas.
Post a Comment