Merry Christmas, one and all,
Recently, I have been looking at an old photograph and reminiscing. The photo was of my dad as he drove a sledge filled with rosy-cheeked children, having borrowed a team from my uncle on a day when the snow lay cold and deep upon the ground. I was only about 4 at the time, packed in between all of my cousins who lived on “the hill”, with Gordon standing proudly beside Dad, eager to hold the reins. Through the years I recall several such outings on that old sledge, talking, laughing, or singing “Jingle Bells, as we glided along frozen paths. I think it brought a special joy to Dad to give that very special gift to each one of us. He loved children – his and everyone else’s, and he loved Christmas. I think that Christmas was in his soul. No one was ever merrier putting gifts under a well-adorned tree at 11:30 at night than Dad. On any other night he would have been sound asleep in bed or on the sofa (too tired to make it to the bed), but on Christmas he brought piles of gifts from the corners of my parents’ bedroom with great delight. Memory is a funny thing. . . what starts out as a series of relatively unrated events gets jumbled and mixed together so that one event may be the catalyst for the remembrance of a host of things.
How do you feel when you hear the distant jingling of sleigh bells, slightly increasing in volume and Intensity as they come closer? Do you get as excited as a child who thinks that Santa is on his way, or do you think about a sleigh ride over mounds of snow, through fields and down country roads? I still love the sound of bells, a joyful ringing in my ears as well as in my heart. Every Christmas song that includes the hearty jingling of sleigh bells immediately captures my attention, if not my heart. I love to listen to carol upon carol and sing loudly the melodies and harmonies that fill the air. What is that gets the “Christmas juices” flowing for you? Is it the scent of evergreen, the sight of thousands of lights, the crisp, cold air, or the jingle of the Salvation Army bell? (For me it is all of the above.)
We celebrate the season of Advent and prepare for another Christmas, our minds turning in a thousand directions. We look to the past as a compass that points to Christmas as it “ought to be”, the source of the traditions we still keep. We ponder the present as we seek to minister and to serve, being the hands and feet of Jesus, who came to be Emmanuel, to dwell among us and to change our lives forever. We also are gazing toward the future, and preparing to face the new challenges that will come into our lives. In all of this we rejoice, for Christ, our Lord and Savior came for such ones as we are. As we focus on Christ the glitter and glam of this life pale in comparison with the richness and brilliance of God’s love, mercy, and grace toward us.
As in the past, family is one of life’s central themes for us. We love the gathering in of various members of our family, and we love to draw in friends as if they were family. We rejoice in the grace upon grace that is poured out upon us and our sweet family. Our daughters continue to be a great source of joy; the Lord blesses us greatly through them every day. My husband eagerly tries to call each one at least once a day, and he keeps close contact with all of the relatives in India, too. Each year brings countless minor changes to our lives, but family has been one constant through it all.
In 2010 we traveled fairly extensively. In May we both traveled to Burlington, Vermont, where Janice and Jeremy ran a half-marathon. It was at this time that we learned that Janice was newly expecting a baby. We also delighted to watch Micah as she ran her first race - for four and five year olds. Though she didn't win, she ran the entire distance with her daddy alongside. While in Burlington we all stayed with our good friends, Linda and Warren, who are proficient in spoiling little ones (and adults, too). We had a great time. Between us we made several trips to historic Boston, visiting Janice, Jeremy, Micah, and Simeon, with whom we walked the Freedom Trail, went to the beach, visited the aquarium (one of Micah's and Simeon's favorite places to hang out), took in the fresh air and open spaces of the Arboretum, visited local malls, and so much more. We made multiple trips to the Philadelphia area, where we visited Tom and Jess in their beautiful stone house, walked the acreage of a large estate, and relaxed as we enjoyed their hospitality. We also mad multiple trips to Washington, DC. On one of the trips we visited the museum of American history with six nieces and nephews and took a side trip to Rehoboth Beach in Delaware (brrr - the water was cold!)
What a year for Jessica! On Valentine’s Day she was joined in holy matrimony to Thomas Ross. Jess and Tom enjoyed a fine wintry day which, fortunately, was not one of the days that the Philadelphia area experienced multi-feet of snow. Their mutual friends and Tom’s relatives were able to drive to Binghamton for the wedding. It was a tremendous blessing for us all. After they honeymooned in Panama, the joyful pair went to their new home in Abington, PA. They had purchased a beautiful stone-walled house in the neighborhood where Tom grew up. Praise the Lord.
Laureen is our missionary to Binghamton, New York. This year she began a new job working for Lourdes at Home. She also decided that it was time to move out of our home and into her own once more. By early October she had moved into a beautiful duplex on Grand Avenue in Binghamton, a home with character, charm, and plenty of room for the furnishings that make it homey. (She called on my special talents again as I drove the U-Haul – backing it up is beastly!) Laureen recently helped to organize, direct, and play for the children’s musical at our church, making use of some of her very special talents. (The children were, of course, adorable and it all came together nicely.) The children’s musical kept her very busy, but now she is playing piano for the choir at First Assembly in Binghamton as they prepare for their Christmas program. It is a joy to have Laureen living close to home, and we look forward to each visit from her in our home or with her in hers.
Sunita and Andy continue to reside in our nation’s capitol in their lovely home on S Street NE. Between Sunita’s travels and daily work for World Vision, and Andy’s job at Freddie Mac, both stay (shall we say?) more than a little busy. They are involved together in prayer ministry, the Anglican church that they attend together, which meets at a shelter for homeless men, painting and decorating their house, growing the most prolific butternut squash plant that I have ever seen (with about 50 full sized squash on it), preening the lawn, entertaining a host of out-of-town visitors, welcoming a new pastor from Ireland, and a myriad of other pursuits. They are never too busy, however, to spend time with us, at least by phone. God has been merciful to them in all thins, and they are able to reach out in a tangible way within their community. Soon Andy will write a new chapter, as he soon will begin classes at Wesley Seminary in Washington, DC.
Janice and Jeremy have also kept me dazed with the zest that they have for life and living. Together they have begun to develop their photography passion into a business, Janice specializing in digital photos and Jeremy primarily using film. After second-shooting for a Boston photographic firm this summer, Janice has expanded her business from young children and families to include much wedding photography. We have loved our visits to Boston and their visits to “the country”. We had especially good time with Micah and Simeon, who visited us “sans parents” both during the summer and in the late autumn. We cheerfully wait to greet #3 grandbaby in January. Janice and Jeremy love to take the children on long explores – whether camping in New Hampshire (where the bear got their food), checking out model railroads, or swimming in a heated pool (outdoors) in the middle of winter.
God is so good, and He continues to lead us and direct our paths. Sometimes those paths take us where we would not follow, but He always blesses us on the journey and beyond. My husband has had wonderful visits this year with our “grands” and cannot wait to get them to our home again. His year has been richly fulfilling. A new ministry opportunity in downtown Endicott has been both challenging and exhilarating as we see various Christians from multiple backgrounds come alongside this motley group. He has ventured into a Saturday evening ministry in Endicott, with the aid of various friends and Christian leaders. The Lord has raised up leaders to step in and launch out. Brown also continues to serve in Union Center, and it is hard not to think of this parsonage as home. Union Center has recently decided to begin an addition to the church building here, expanding our fellowship hall, Sunday school space, and gathering room. In the context of the current economic situation it seems illogical to build, but the Lord does extraordinary things through those who love Him. (The historic Hendricks Chapel at Syracuse University was built during the Great Depression because of those who loved Jesus, loved the Church, and loved His Kingdom. They launched out in faith and fearlessness.)
In July Brown spent almost three weeks in England, staying in Oxford where he attended a summer school of Biblical studies. He had the thrill of meeting new friends, studying at historic Oxford University, and visiting many places of interest. While there he was able to visit our dear friends, Bruce and Joyce Henry. The day following that visit, Joyce went to be with her dear Savior.
This summer we celebrated our 35th wedding anniversary. Who could have imagined it as we stood before the altar all those years ago? We spent a lot of time in New Berlin this summer, where I worked on the house, painting and decorating, updating our "old house". It was fun to have nieces and nephews, grandchildren, children, and friends grace our home there. On one weekend Laureen treated her friends to a bed and breakfast experience in our house there.
We have experienced, as everyone over 50 eventually must, some bumps in the road. Most recently Brown has been sidelined by pain as a result of suffering shingles, which first onset on November 16. Though the pain is often debilitating, God is faithful, and I have never heard so much prayer and petition on a daily basis; this setback gives time for investing in the lives of those around us through prayer. He has not been able to preach as much as he would like, especially through Advent and Christmas. We cannot wait for full health to return, though the Lord has raised up leaders in ministry at Union Center, Wesley UMC, and First Church in Endicott.
As I said, we have experienced bumps in the road, but with them come opportunities. I have had the opportunity to bring the Sunday morning message several times this year, mostly at Wesley but also a couple of times in Union Center. Each time that I open the Word in this way the Lord has revealed something new in the familiar passages. Praise the Lord for His ability to speak through even me!
Christmas is rapidly approaching, and in our hearts we hear the jingling of bells, the brisk beat of drums, the trilling of flutes and the voices of thousands as we together proclaim the birth of our dear Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Be joyful as you celebrate the gifts of life, hope, and peace through Jesus. As we enter the New Year, may the Lord make us bold and fearless for Him, living our lives purposefully for His Kingdom.
Love and peace to all,
When the song of the angels is stilled,
when the star in the sky is gone,
when the kings and princes are home,
when the shepherds are back with their flocks,
the work of Christmas begins:
to find the lost,
to heal the broken,
to feed the hungry,
to release the prisoner,
to rebuild the nations,
to bring peace among the people,
to make music in the heart.Howard Thurman
Brown and Alice
Friday, December 31, 2010
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