Merry Christmas,
It's beginning to look, feel, sound, and smell a lot like Christmas everywhere. We are excited and thrilled that we can celebrate the birth of our Lord and Savior one more time. Praise the Lord for the way our Lord and God, surrounded by majesty and glory, came down to a world filled with the mundane. He invaded the world at the beachhead of Bethlehem and brought His glory to the mangers of life, which are often filled with cow dung. He transformed it into His dwelling place and Holy habitation. May He come into our hearts and into our hearths pervading us with His Truth and Grace. May the Lord fill you and yours with His everlasting Joy.
We are excited to have all our family coming to be together here this week. Sunita and Andy are coming this evening. Jessica is coming this evening, too. Her boyfriend, Tom, also will be joining us. Janice and Jeremy, who are planning to celebrate Christmas Day at their home in Massachusetts, are planning to be here with us the day after Christmas. Micah and Simeon are coming too, of course, to celebrate Christmas here with us.
We are excited about the Christmas Eve Services, at 7 PM and 10:30 PM. Those who live around here, please join us.
My wife has turned the parsonage into a Christmas house. She has placed over 30 lighted trees in and around the house, and there are a variety of small trees as well.
I am enclosing herewith a copy of our annual Christmas letter, a gift of love from us to you. My wife composes the Christmas letter each year, lovingly, reflectively, and carefully. I call it her "Christmas epistle".
Thank you for your beautiful cards and letters. Also, special thanks to those who have sent gifts to be sent to Orissa. Our Christian friends there will be glad to know that their brothers and sisters in the United States are standing with them.
May Jesus, the Giver of all good and perfect gifts, return to you His rich blessings a hundred-fold, sixty-fold, thirty-fold.
Christmas, 2008
Gigantic clusters of feathery flakes floating down in the dark sky. . frosty air forming miniature clouds with each breath. . . children sliding, making snow angels, or building forts. . . churches warmly aglow with candlelight and carols. . . mugs of frothy hot chocolate and platters of gingerbread, snowballs, and spritz. . . lights, trees, swags, and brightly colored packages artistically placed around the house. . . Currier and Ives paintings on glittery Christmas cards. . . dolls and teddy bears nestled in the tree, with stockings scattered around. . . friends, family, and fun all around. . . daddies proudly bearing mountains of gifts out to the living room after the wee ones have been securely tucked into bed. . .
These are but a few of the imprinted memories that are the hallmark of this time of year. The green, red, and gold of gifts and decorations, bathed in a glow from lights and candles, make every hearth and home seem even more warm and welcoming at this time of year. Isn’t it wonderful how we associate our Christmases with some of favorite memories of times past? It seems that each year we want Christmas present to live up to the Paul Bunyon-sized Christmases that live in our hearts and minds. We want to give the best, have the best, love the best, create the best memories ever. That is a tall order.
The evergreen trees at Christmas time point to the sky, reminding us of the Savior who came to bring everlasting life in and through Jesus Christ. They also remind us of the cross where He suffered and died, that He might bring us life. Wreaths that deck our doors and walls are reminiscent of the crowns of laurel worn by victors in ancient battles. They also are in the shape of the circle – a figure with no beginning and no end. Lights remind us of the star that shone over Bethlehem, leading the poor shepherds and the weary wise men to the humble manger where Jesus, the Messiah, was laid. They also remind us that Jesus is the Light of the world, and that His light can never remain dim or hidden. The gold used at Christmas time reminds us of the gold that was brought to Jesus as His first kingly birthday gift, and the many sweet scents of Christmas remind us of the frankincense that was brought to Him as a symbol of His priesthood. The reds of Christmas remind us of the shed blood of Jesus, given freely to redeem us from our sin and degradation. The downcast and downtrodden at Christmas time remind us that there are still many who have not trusted the Savior, who do not share the joy of the season because they have never met Emmanuel, God with us.
This Christmas, 2008, is a very special Christmas. It is, more than ever, a year in which we are to look to the cares, hopes, dreams, needs, and wants of our fellow sojourners on this planet. In 2008 we beheld many tragic events unfold around the world – human rights abuses in nation upon nation, warfare without end, destruction of thousands of homes belonging to Christians in India and elsewhere, terror which has robbed many of much-desired peace, job losses that have tested the hopes and dreams of many families, dire economic news, and so on – because of all of this we need to reach out a hand to help him or her whom the Lord places in our path or in our hearts. This is destined to be a year when God opens the storehouses of heaven and pours out his blessings if His children do their part. All is not lost. God still is upon the throne of the Universe, deeply caring for each of His children and longing for us all to be willing servants, sharing His love with those who are in need around us. We need to be bearers of the tidings of great joy, “which shall be to all people.” We are called to be light to the darkness all around us. That is our calling, our destiny, and our joy.
2008 has been a year of tremendous contrasts and contradictions, containing joys and sorrows, and even joy despite sorrows. It has been a year of Amen and Amen.
Janice and Jeremy have settled well into their lovely home in Jamaica Plain, MA, where they love to run, walk, explore, and play with Micah (who recently turned 3!!!) and Simeon (who is now almost 1½ !!!) We spend as much time as we can with them, so that the grandchildren will know their Gramps and Grams very well. In January we went out to their place so that we could attend Simeon’s baptism service. It was a great blessing for us, and a great photo op as well. In May Jeremy finished his law degree from Boston University. May also led Laureen and me to Vermont to the home of our good friend, Warren and Linda Ayer, so that we could help watch the little ones while Janice and Jeremy split the running of the Burlington Marathon. It was great fun spending that time with them, visiting Warren and Linda, and watching the little ones interact with their newfound adult friends. Who knew that a tortilla chip could make such a good spoon for feeding little Simeon his baby food? (Apparently Warren did.)
Brown and I also took some good grandparent trips to Boston over the summer. During one of them a good friend of Janice and Jeremy’s was killed in the line of duty as a police officer in Fort Myers, Florida, so I watched Micah while her parents attended the funeral. (Police officer Andy Widmann wanted the world to know Christ and once had desired to be a missionary in Myanmar. Over two thousand police officers from around the nation attended his funeral, where the gospel was clearly presented by several individuals.)
Jeremy has settled into his job with a downtown firm, has taken the bar and passed, and is now a member of the Bar Association of Massachusetts. Janice has happily reduced her workload to (usually) one day a week. She loves spending more time being the mama of their sweet children. In July we celebrated Simeon’s birthday here in Union Center, with lots of adoring family members, in October we celebrated Micah’s birthday here with her “cousins” (Bernard, Elisha, Susanna, Shelley, Sharon, and Hosanna), and we are looking forward to Christmas celebrations with them. Micah has already made a date with her Grams to go to the beach together next summer. She and Simeon recently had their first lesson in rock climbing, and have already enjoyed hiking, camping, and canoeing.
Sunita and Andy are doing well in Washington, DC. Sunita continues to work and travel for World Vision, and her travels took both of them to Lisbon, Portugal for a few days. Sunita instantly loved the bright, sun-drenched city. Sunita also made multiple trips to various parts of Africa in 2008. Such trips are exhausting, but she loves the places and the people wherever she goes. Sunita and Andy flew to India to join Brown there this summer, and they also have joined us several times here in Union Center this year, most recently over Thanksgiving week. It is always a joy to have Sunita and Andy with us. They also joined us for a week in North Conway, New Hampshire, where we all got together for hiking, games, sight-seeing in the beautiful Presidential Range, and lots and lots of eating. We introduced Andy to frozen M&M’s during our nighttime rounds of card games.
Brown and I visited Sunita and Andy during the Cherry Blossom Festival. Along with Laureen, we all walked around the Tidal Basin, visiting the FDR Memorial for the first time. The cherry trees were in full bloom, as were many magnolias, and it was magnificent. I took a solo trip down to DC in the summer, and visited the National Zoo with Sunita. The two of us walked back to her place in ninety-plus degree heat, traversing through Rock Creek Park. Recently Sunita and Andy treated the two of us to a wonderful performance of Handel’s “Messiah” at the National Cathedral. The musicians were amazing with clear, pure tones and the cathedral was such a beautiful setting.
Recently, Sunita and Andy have started looking at houses, hoping to be able to find a place of their own. We had the privilege of going with them to preview a couple of places, and are glad to give some input. One of their favorite out-of-town retreats is in the Shenandoah Mountains and another is the quietly reverent of a Franciscan monastery that in town. They also love spending “free time” at soccer games – Andy playing goalie and Sunita being the faithful soccer wife.
Toward the end of July I flew down to DC (the same trip that took Sunita and me to the National Zoo) to help Laureen with her move up from Virginia. After getting Andy, Sunita, and some of Laureen’s friends to help pack the U-Haul, we learned the fine art of “kicking it to the curb”. The next day I donned my best truck driver attitude and drove the U-Haul van from Falls Church, Virginia to New York State. It was quite a daunting experience. Laureen left the charming colonial brick house in Falls Church, Virginia, which was her home for over two years, and began a new adventure nearer to our home. After joining the rest of the family on vacation in New Hampshire, she took a job at Lourdes Hospital, where she meets and greets new babies and their mamas, and tends Level 2 Nursery patients. In October, the Lord blessed Laureen with a new home –half a house (plus) - located just one block away from Lourdes. She had prayed for a two bedroom apartment with washer and dryer, and had her prayers answered exceedingly above what she could ask or think. It is great to have her nearby, and it is good to know that on wintry days she can walk to work. She has recently been reconnecting with some of the friends she has known since high school and college. She loves to entertain, and she and Jovita even entertained the young cousins by having the girls for a sleepover at her home.
Laureen is having a great time getting ready for Christmas. She and a college friend, Julia, went with us into the wild hills to hunt down a Christmas tree for the parsonage. We returned with a beautiful balsam fir, cold feet, chilly noses, and light hearts. There is still something about a wagon ride out into the fields of firs that still brings out the kid in us. Laureen has been preparing her own home with swags and candles on the mantle, lights, trees, and festive decorations. She has planned for a Christmas Open House, for which she has been making preparations for weeks now.
Jessica is still living and working in Philadelphia – for over two years now. She shares an apartment with her cousin, Jovita, who is also working in Philly. Jessica has been home several times this year, sometimes with Tom and sometimes coming up with Jovita. She helped us celebrate birthdays – Simeon’s and her dad’s. When she and Tom came up this summer, both made fast friendships with Micah and Simeon. She and Tom also traveled up to New Hampshire to be a part of the fun there. She is quite a drill sergeant on the hiking trail, I hear.
We really miss Jessy’s quick wit and good humor, but she is doing well as a city girl. She was excited that the home team won the World Series this year, and though she didn’t get to see a Series game, she was able to see part of the parade given in honor of the World Series Champions. She was also able to go to a Duke basketball game last winter when the Blue Devils came to town – Tom’s Christmas present to her last year. Jess still calls and chats, and loves to wow her friends with her chocolate chip cookies or her eggnog.
It has been a good year for one and all. Brown was able to go to Boston, Washington, DC, and India this year. He has enjoyed telephone conversations with everyone, especially Micah, and has also loved the time that he spent with the grandchildren at various times during the year. How they grow and change, but their gramps loves every minute with them. All of us met in North Conway, New Hampshire this year for a one week getaway in the heart of the Presidential Range of mountains. There, we hiked to Lonesome Lake, drove through an Alpine Village and past Storybook Land, looked out over the land from Cathedral Ledge, played miniature golf, shopped, and drove a convoy of three cars up Mount Washington. We loved spending time relaxing with the whole family and playing with Micah and Simeon. We also loved that Janice and the children were here for the first week in September and for Micah’s birthday celebration in October. In October they visited the pumpkin farm, Apple Hills, and the Cider Mill, and swished through the autumn leaves.
This summer Brown spent over a month in India along with most of the Naik relatives who reside in the US. When it was time to come home the roads were barricaded, and their return was delayed for a week. How grateful I was when they were able to come back safely before full violence erupted in Orissa during August. This summer began some very stressful and dangerous times in Orissa. Brown’s brother, Potel, was arrested, and has been held without bond, bail, or trial since July. In August, his mother and Potel’s son and daughter fled to the jungle, where living among the snakes seemed safer than staying at home. One Sunday morning they awoke to see a mob entering their home to burn it down. Their house and belongings have been utterly destroyed, but they were able to escape to a neighboring village. Now the three are living in a city several hours away, but they are grateful to be alive. They were among many thousands of Christians to be burned out of their homes in recent months. Many have died in Orissa, but Christ still lives within the believers there.
One of the greatest highlights of the year for Brown was his 60th birthday party. Held more than a month late, it was well worth the wait. Sunita, Laureen, and Jessica were gracious hostesses, and they emceed and took photos, too. There was a tremendous outpouring of affection from the many friends who came. The party was a veritable feast of Indian food (and other foods, too). Anecdotes were shared, and enjoyed by all.
When Brown went to India in June I was still in school, finishing up my eighth year of teaching full-time in Marathon. When things wrapped up there, I departed for Boston for a time, traveled back home to set up for Simeon’s first birthday celebration, went back to Boston, flew to DC, drove to New York, went to New Hampshire for a week, and on it goes. Since September I have been teaching the new Integrated Geometry that is New York’s newest mandate for 10th grade students, and a return to the old way of teaching proof upon proof. Since the first day of school, the time has flown, and we are already planning and preparing for the celebration of our Lord’s birth. That brings us full circle, ready to close out the old year and begin anew.
In all things we are grateful. The Lord has given us home, family, and jobs. We weren’t planning to take an early retirement, so the present economy is less of a setback to us than if we had done so. Our daughters and their loved ones are well. We find a hearty welcome awaiting us in Boston, Washington, and Philadelphia any time we are able to go. Our family in India is still safe, at least for now, though the situation could worsen again. God is still in control, and we must trust him in all circumstances.
Christmas is almost here – ready or not. Who could believe the forest that has sprung up in and around the parsonage? There are trees in almost every room, except bathrooms and the study, and the balsam in the dining room smells amazing. No scent from an aerosol can is able to compare to the real thing. We are almost ready for Christmas, with last minute gifts to buy and wrap and some special cooking and baking to do. We are ready for Christmas joy to break upon us, like sunrise on a new morning.
Recently Brown and I were traveling early in the morning. We traveled for over an hour before the slightest hint of light began to seep into the morning sky. It grew imperceptibly, gradually smudging a grey hue into the sky that had been almost black. The sooty grey was soon blended with traces of rose, gold, and then blue. Day finally broke upon us with a wide band of rosy, golden light, suddenly shooting out of the Eastern sky. I don’t think that the coming of Christ was quite like that. I believe that the Jewish people were living lives of quiet desperation, knowing intense darkness in every corner of their lives. It was so much darker than ever before; when Christ came to bring His light and enlightenment to the people it was like having a spotlight shine into their eyes in the middle of the blackest night. They were so used to groping around in the darkness that they could not welcome the Light of the world. “And the Light shineth in darkness, and the darkness comprehended it not.” They could not understand Jesus, and were not sure that they wanted to.
Do we want to know the Light of the world? Do we want to expose every area of our lives to the light of Jesus, every sin, every lie, and every wayward thought? Yes! Expose it and then remove it. O come to us, Emmanuel. O come to us, Prince of peace. Let your peace pervade every part of our lives. Let your grace shine through us to the world around us.
Joy to the world! The Lord is come!
Brown and Alice
Merry Christmas,
It's beginning to look, feel, sound, and smell a lot like Christmas everywhere. We are excited and thrilled that we can celebrate the birth of our Lord and Savior one more time. Praise the Lord for the way our Lord and God, surrounded by majesty and glory, came down to a world filled with the mundane. He invaded the world at the beachhead of Bethlehem and brought His glory to the mangers of life, which are often filled with cow dung. He transformed it into His dwelling place and Holy habitation. May He come into our hearts and into our hearths pervading us with His Truth and Grace. May the Lord fill you and yours with His everlasting Joy.
We are excited to have all our family coming to be together here this week. Sunita and Andy are coming this evening. Jessica is coming this evening, too. Her boyfriend, Tom, also will be joining us. Janice and Jeremy, who are planning to celebrate Christmas Day at their home in Massachusetts, are planning to be here with us the day after Christmas. Micah and Simeon are coming too, of course, to celebrate Christmas here with us.
We are excited about the Christmas Eve Services, at 7 PM and 10:30 PM. Those who live around here, please join us.
My wife has turned the parsonage into a Christmas house. She has placed over 30 lighted trees in and around the house, and there are a variety of small trees as well.
I am enclosing herewith a copy of our annual Christmas letter, a gift of love from us to you. My wife composes the Christmas letter each year, lovingly, reflectively, and carefully. I call it her "Christmas epistle".
Thank you for your beautiful cards and letters. Also, special thanks to those who have sent gifts to be sent to Orissa. Our Christian friends there will be glad to know that their brothers and sisters in the United States are standing with them.
May Jesus, the Giver of all good and perfect gifts, return to you His rich blessings a hundred-fold, sixty-fold, thirty-fold.
Christmas, 2008
Gigantic clusters of feathery flakes floating down in the dark sky. . frosty air forming miniature clouds with each breath. . . children sliding, making snow angels, or building forts. . . churches warmly aglow with candlelight and carols. . . mugs of frothy hot chocolate and platters of gingerbread, snowballs, and spritz. . . lights, trees, swags, and brightly colored packages artistically placed around the house. . . Currier and Ives paintings on glittery Christmas cards. . . dolls and teddy bears nestled in the tree, with stockings scattered around. . . friends, family, and fun all around. . . daddies proudly bearing mountains of gifts out to the living room after the wee ones have been securely tucked into bed. . .
These are but a few of the imprinted memories that are the hallmark of this time of year. The green, red, and gold of gifts and decorations, bathed in a glow from lights and candles, make every hearth and home seem even more warm and welcoming at this time of year. Isn’t it wonderful how we associate our Christmases with some of favorite memories of times past? It seems that each year we want Christmas present to live up to the Paul Bunyon-sized Christmases that live in our hearts and minds. We want to give the best, have the best, love the best, create the best memories ever. That is a tall order.
The evergreen trees at Christmas time point to the sky, reminding us of the Savior who came to bring everlasting life in and through Jesus Christ. They also remind us of the cross where He suffered and died, that He might bring us life. Wreaths that deck our doors and walls are reminiscent of the crowns of laurel worn by victors in ancient battles. They also are in the shape of the circle – a figure with no beginning and no end. Lights remind us of the star that shone over Bethlehem, leading the poor shepherds and the weary wise men to the humble manger where Jesus, the Messiah, was laid. They also remind us that Jesus is the Light of the world, and that His light can never remain dim or hidden. The gold used at Christmas time reminds us of the gold that was brought to Jesus as His first kingly birthday gift, and the many sweet scents of Christmas remind us of the frankincense that was brought to Him as a symbol of His priesthood. The reds of Christmas remind us of the shed blood of Jesus, given freely to redeem us from our sin and degradation. The downcast and downtrodden at Christmas time remind us that there are still many who have not trusted the Savior, who do not share the joy of the season because they have never met Emmanuel, God with us.
This Christmas, 2008, is a very special Christmas. It is, more than ever, a year in which we are to look to the cares, hopes, dreams, needs, and wants of our fellow sojourners on this planet. In 2008 we beheld many tragic events unfold around the world – human rights abuses in nation upon nation, warfare without end, destruction of thousands of homes belonging to Christians in India and elsewhere, terror which has robbed many of much-desired peace, job losses that have tested the hopes and dreams of many families, dire economic news, and so on – because of all of this we need to reach out a hand to help him or her whom the Lord places in our path or in our hearts. This is destined to be a year when God opens the storehouses of heaven and pours out his blessings if His children do their part. All is not lost. God still is upon the throne of the Universe, deeply caring for each of His children and longing for us all to be willing servants, sharing His love with those who are in need around us. We need to be bearers of the tidings of great joy, “which shall be to all people.” We are called to be light to the darkness all around us. That is our calling, our destiny, and our joy.
2008 has been a year of tremendous contrasts and contradictions, containing joys and sorrows, and even joy despite sorrows. It has been a year of Amen and Amen.
Janice and Jeremy have settled well into their lovely home in Jamaica Plain, MA, where they love to run, walk, explore, and play with Micah (who recently turned 3!!!) and Simeon (who is now almost 1½ !!!) We spend as much time as we can with them, so that the grandchildren will know their Gramps and Grams very well. In January we went out to their place so that we could attend Simeon’s baptism service. It was a great blessing for us, and a great photo op as well. In May Jeremy finished his law degree from Boston University. May also led Laureen and me to Vermont to the home of our good friend, Warren and Linda Ayer, so that we could help watch the little ones while Janice and Jeremy split the running of the Burlington Marathon. It was great fun spending that time with them, visiting Warren and Linda, and watching the little ones interact with their newfound adult friends. Who knew that a tortilla chip could make such a good spoon for feeding little Simeon his baby food? (Apparently Warren did.)
Brown and I also took some good grandparent trips to Boston over the summer. During one of them a good friend of Janice and Jeremy’s was killed in the line of duty as a police officer in Fort Myers, Florida, so I watched Micah while her parents attended the funeral. (Police officer Andy Widmann wanted the world to know Christ and once had desired to be a missionary in Myanmar. Over two thousand police officers from around the nation attended his funeral, where the gospel was clearly presented by several individuals.)
Jeremy has settled into his job with a downtown firm, has taken the bar and passed, and is now a member of the Bar Association of Massachusetts. Janice has happily reduced her workload to (usually) one day a week. She loves spending more time being the mama of their sweet children. In July we celebrated Simeon’s birthday here in Union Center, with lots of adoring family members, in October we celebrated Micah’s birthday here with her “cousins” (Bernard, Elisha, Susanna, Shelley, Sharon, and Hosanna), and we are looking forward to Christmas celebrations with them. Micah has already made a date with her Grams to go to the beach together next summer. She and Simeon recently had their first lesson in rock climbing, and have already enjoyed hiking, camping, and canoeing.
Sunita and Andy are doing well in Washington, DC. Sunita continues to work and travel for World Vision, and her travels took both of them to Lisbon, Portugal for a few days. Sunita instantly loved the bright, sun-drenched city. Sunita also made multiple trips to various parts of Africa in 2008. Such trips are exhausting, but she loves the places and the people wherever she goes. Sunita and Andy flew to India to join Brown there this summer, and they also have joined us several times here in Union Center this year, most recently over Thanksgiving week. It is always a joy to have Sunita and Andy with us. They also joined us for a week in North Conway, New Hampshire, where we all got together for hiking, games, sight-seeing in the beautiful Presidential Range, and lots and lots of eating. We introduced Andy to frozen M&M’s during our nighttime rounds of card games.
Brown and I visited Sunita and Andy during the Cherry Blossom Festival. Along with Laureen, we all walked around the Tidal Basin, visiting the FDR Memorial for the first time. The cherry trees were in full bloom, as were many magnolias, and it was magnificent. I took a solo trip down to DC in the summer, and visited the National Zoo with Sunita. The two of us walked back to her place in ninety-plus degree heat, traversing through Rock Creek Park. Recently Sunita and Andy treated the two of us to a wonderful performance of Handel’s “Messiah” at the National Cathedral. The musicians were amazing with clear, pure tones and the cathedral was such a beautiful setting.
Recently, Sunita and Andy have started looking at houses, hoping to be able to find a place of their own. We had the privilege of going with them to preview a couple of places, and are glad to give some input. One of their favorite out-of-town retreats is in the Shenandoah Mountains and another is the quietly reverent of a Franciscan monastery that in town. They also love spending “free time” at soccer games – Andy playing goalie and Sunita being the faithful soccer wife.
Toward the end of July I flew down to DC (the same trip that took Sunita and me to the National Zoo) to help Laureen with her move up from Virginia. After getting Andy, Sunita, and some of Laureen’s friends to help pack the U-Haul, we learned the fine art of “kicking it to the curb”. The next day I donned my best truck driver attitude and drove the U-Haul van from Falls Church, Virginia to New York State. It was quite a daunting experience. Laureen left the charming colonial brick house in Falls Church, Virginia, which was her home for over two years, and began a new adventure nearer to our home. After joining the rest of the family on vacation in New Hampshire, she took a job at Lourdes Hospital, where she meets and greets new babies and their mamas, and tends Level 2 Nursery patients. In October, the Lord blessed Laureen with a new home –half a house (plus) - located just one block away from Lourdes. She had prayed for a two bedroom apartment with washer and dryer, and had her prayers answered exceedingly above what she could ask or think. It is great to have her nearby, and it is good to know that on wintry days she can walk to work. She has recently been reconnecting with some of the friends she has known since high school and college. She loves to entertain, and she and Jovita even entertained the young cousins by having the girls for a sleepover at her home.
Laureen is having a great time getting ready for Christmas. She and a college friend, Julia, went with us into the wild hills to hunt down a Christmas tree for the parsonage. We returned with a beautiful balsam fir, cold feet, chilly noses, and light hearts. There is still something about a wagon ride out into the fields of firs that still brings out the kid in us. Laureen has been preparing her own home with swags and candles on the mantle, lights, trees, and festive decorations. She has planned for a Christmas Open House, for which she has been making preparations for weeks now.
Jessica is still living and working in Philadelphia – for over two years now. She shares an apartment with her cousin, Jovita, who is also working in Philly. Jessica has been home several times this year, sometimes with Tom and sometimes coming up with Jovita. She helped us celebrate birthdays – Simeon’s and her dad’s. When she and Tom came up this summer, both made fast friendships with Micah and Simeon. She and Tom also traveled up to New Hampshire to be a part of the fun there. She is quite a drill sergeant on the hiking trail, I hear.
We really miss Jessy’s quick wit and good humor, but she is doing well as a city girl. She was excited that the home team won the World Series this year, and though she didn’t get to see a Series game, she was able to see part of the parade given in honor of the World Series Champions. She was also able to go to a Duke basketball game last winter when the Blue Devils came to town – Tom’s Christmas present to her last year. Jess still calls and chats, and loves to wow her friends with her chocolate chip cookies or her eggnog.
It has been a good year for one and all. Brown was able to go to Boston, Washington, DC, and India this year. He has enjoyed telephone conversations with everyone, especially Micah, and has also loved the time that he spent with the grandchildren at various times during the year. How they grow and change, but their gramps loves every minute with them. All of us met in North Conway, New Hampshire this year for a one week getaway in the heart of the Presidential Range of mountains. There, we hiked to Lonesome Lake, drove through an Alpine Village and past Storybook Land, looked out over the land from Cathedral Ledge, played miniature golf, shopped, and drove a convoy of three cars up Mount Washington. We loved spending time relaxing with the whole family and playing with Micah and Simeon. We also loved that Janice and the children were here for the first week in September and for Micah’s birthday celebration in October. In October they visited the pumpkin farm, Apple Hills, and the Cider Mill, and swished through the autumn leaves.
This summer Brown spent over a month in India along with most of the Naik relatives who reside in the US. When it was time to come home the roads were barricaded, and their return was delayed for a week. How grateful I was when they were able to come back safely before full violence erupted in Orissa during August. This summer began some very stressful and dangerous times in Orissa. Brown’s brother, Potel, was arrested, and has been held without bond, bail, or trial since July. In August, his mother and Potel’s son and daughter fled to the jungle, where living among the snakes seemed safer than staying at home. One Sunday morning they awoke to see a mob entering their home to burn it down. Their house and belongings have been utterly destroyed, but they were able to escape to a neighboring village. Now the three are living in a city several hours away, but they are grateful to be alive. They were among many thousands of Christians to be burned out of their homes in recent months. Many have died in Orissa, but Christ still lives within the believers there.
One of the greatest highlights of the year for Brown was his 60th birthday party. Held more than a month late, it was well worth the wait. Sunita, Laureen, and Jessica were gracious hostesses, and they emceed and took photos, too. There was a tremendous outpouring of affection from the many friends who came. The party was a veritable feast of Indian food (and other foods, too). Anecdotes were shared, and enjoyed by all.
When Brown went to India in June I was still in school, finishing up my eighth year of teaching full-time in Marathon. When things wrapped up there, I departed for Boston for a time, traveled back home to set up for Simeon’s first birthday celebration, went back to Boston, flew to DC, drove to New York, went to New Hampshire for a week, and on it goes. Since September I have been teaching the new Integrated Geometry that is New York’s newest mandate for 10th grade students, and a return to the old way of teaching proof upon proof. Since the first day of school, the time has flown, and we are already planning and preparing for the celebration of our Lord’s birth. That brings us full circle, ready to close out the old year and begin anew.
In all things we are grateful. The Lord has given us home, family, and jobs. We weren’t planning to take an early retirement, so the present economy is less of a setback to us than if we had done so. Our daughters and their loved ones are well. We find a hearty welcome awaiting us in Boston, Washington, and Philadelphia any time we are able to go. Our family in India is still safe, at least for now, though the situation could worsen again. God is still in control, and we must trust him in all circumstances.
Christmas is almost here – ready or not. Who could believe the forest that has sprung up in and around the parsonage? There are trees in almost every room, except bathrooms and the study, and the balsam in the dining room smells amazing. No scent from an aerosol can is able to compare to the real thing. We are almost ready for Christmas, with last minute gifts to buy and wrap and some special cooking and baking to do. We are ready for Christmas joy to break upon us, like sunrise on a new morning.
Recently Brown and I were traveling early in the morning. We traveled for over an hour before the slightest hint of light began to seep into the morning sky. It grew imperceptibly, gradually smudging a grey hue into the sky that had been almost black. The sooty grey was soon blended with traces of rose, gold, and then blue. Day finally broke upon us with a wide band of rosy, golden light, suddenly shooting out of the Eastern sky. I don’t think that the coming of Christ was quite like that. I believe that the Jewish people were living lives of quiet desperation, knowing intense darkness in every corner of their lives. It was so much darker than ever before; when Christ came to bring His light and enlightenment to the people it was like having a spotlight shine into their eyes in the middle of the blackest night. They were so used to groping around in the darkness that they could not welcome the Light of the world. “And the Light shineth in darkness, and the darkness comprehended it not.” They could not understand Jesus, and were not sure that they wanted to.
Do we want to know the Light of the world? Do we want to expose every area of our lives to the light of Jesus, every sin, every lie, and every wayward thought? Yes! Expose it and then remove it. O come to us, Emmanuel. O come to us, Prince of peace. Let your peace pervade every part of our lives. Let your grace shine through us to the world around us.
Joy to the world! The Lord is come!
Brown and Alice
Merry Christmas,
It's beginning to look, feel, sound, and smell a lot like Christmas everywhere. We are excited and thrilled that we can celebrate the birth of our Lord and Savior one more time. Praise the Lord for the way our Lord and God, surrounded by majesty and glory, came down to a world filled with the mundane. He invaded the world at the beachhead of Bethlehem and brought His glory to the mangers of life, which are often filled with cow dung. He transformed it into His dwelling place and Holy habitation. May He come into our hearts and into our hearths pervading us with His Truth and Grace. May the Lord fill you and yours with His everlasting Joy.
We are excited to have all our family coming to be together here this week. Sunita and Andy are coming this evening. Jessica is coming this evening, too. Her boyfriend, Tom, also will be joining us. Janice and Jeremy, who are planning to celebrate Christmas Day at their home in Massachusetts, are planning to be here with us the day after Christmas. Micah and Simeon are coming too, of course, to celebrate Christmas here with us.
We are excited about the Christmas Eve Services, at 7 PM and 10:30 PM. Those who live around here, please join us.
My wife has turned the parsonage into a Christmas house. She has placed over 30 lighted trees in and around the house, and there are a variety of small trees as well.
I am enclosing herewith a copy of our annual Christmas letter, a gift of love from us to you. My wife composes the Christmas letter each year, lovingly, reflectively, and carefully. I call it her "Christmas epistle".
Thank you for your beautiful cards and letters. Also, special thanks to those who have sent gifts to be sent to Orissa. Our Christian friends there will be glad to know that their brothers and sisters in the United States are standing with them.
May Jesus, the Giver of all good and perfect gifts, return to you His rich blessings a hundred-fold, sixty-fold, thirty-fold.
Christmas, 2008
Gigantic clusters of feathery flakes floating down in the dark sky. . frosty air forming miniature clouds with each breath. . . children sliding, making snow angels, or building forts. . . churches warmly aglow with candlelight and carols. . . mugs of frothy hot chocolate and platters of gingerbread, snowballs, and spritz. . . lights, trees, swags, and brightly colored packages artistically placed around the house. . . Currier and Ives paintings on glittery Christmas cards. . . dolls and teddy bears nestled in the tree, with stockings scattered around. . . friends, family, and fun all around. . . daddies proudly bearing mountains of gifts out to the living room after the wee ones have been securely tucked into bed. . .
These are but a few of the imprinted memories that are the hallmark of this time of year. The green, red, and gold of gifts and decorations, bathed in a glow from lights and candles, make every hearth and home seem even more warm and welcoming at this time of year. Isn’t it wonderful how we associate our Christmases with some of favorite memories of times past? It seems that each year we want Christmas present to live up to the Paul Bunyon-sized Christmases that live in our hearts and minds. We want to give the best, have the best, love the best, create the best memories ever. That is a tall order.
The evergreen trees at Christmas time point to the sky, reminding us of the Savior who came to bring everlasting life in and through Jesus Christ. They also remind us of the cross where He suffered and died, that He might bring us life. Wreaths that deck our doors and walls are reminiscent of the crowns of laurel worn by victors in ancient battles. They also are in the shape of the circle – a figure with no beginning and no end. Lights remind us of the star that shone over Bethlehem, leading the poor shepherds and the weary wise men to the humble manger where Jesus, the Messiah, was laid. They also remind us that Jesus is the Light of the world, and that His light can never remain dim or hidden. The gold used at Christmas time reminds us of the gold that was brought to Jesus as His first kingly birthday gift, and the many sweet scents of Christmas remind us of the frankincense that was brought to Him as a symbol of His priesthood. The reds of Christmas remind us of the shed blood of Jesus, given freely to redeem us from our sin and degradation. The downcast and downtrodden at Christmas time remind us that there are still many who have not trusted the Savior, who do not share the joy of the season because they have never met Emmanuel, God with us.
This Christmas, 2008, is a very special Christmas. It is, more than ever, a year in which we are to look to the cares, hopes, dreams, needs, and wants of our fellow sojourners on this planet. In 2008 we beheld many tragic events unfold around the world – human rights abuses in nation upon nation, warfare without end, destruction of thousands of homes belonging to Christians in India and elsewhere, terror which has robbed many of much-desired peace, job losses that have tested the hopes and dreams of many families, dire economic news, and so on – because of all of this we need to reach out a hand to help him or her whom the Lord places in our path or in our hearts. This is destined to be a year when God opens the storehouses of heaven and pours out his blessings if His children do their part. All is not lost. God still is upon the throne of the Universe, deeply caring for each of His children and longing for us all to be willing servants, sharing His love with those who are in need around us. We need to be bearers of the tidings of great joy, “which shall be to all people.” We are called to be light to the darkness all around us. That is our calling, our destiny, and our joy.
2008 has been a year of tremendous contrasts and contradictions, containing joys and sorrows, and even joy despite sorrows. It has been a year of Amen and Amen.
Janice and Jeremy have settled well into their lovely home in Jamaica Plain, MA, where they love to run, walk, explore, and play with Micah (who recently turned 3!!!) and Simeon (who is now almost 1½ !!!) We spend as much time as we can with them, so that the grandchildren will know their Gramps and Grams very well. In January we went out to their place so that we could attend Simeon’s baptism service. It was a great blessing for us, and a great photo op as well. In May Jeremy finished his law degree from Boston University. May also led Laureen and me to Vermont to the home of our good friend, Warren and Linda Ayer, so that we could help watch the little ones while Janice and Jeremy split the running of the Burlington Marathon. It was great fun spending that time with them, visiting Warren and Linda, and watching the little ones interact with their newfound adult friends. Who knew that a tortilla chip could make such a good spoon for feeding little Simeon his baby food? (Apparently Warren did.)
Brown and I also took some good grandparent trips to Boston over the summer. During one of them a good friend of Janice and Jeremy’s was killed in the line of duty as a police officer in Fort Myers, Florida, so I watched Micah while her parents attended the funeral. (Police officer Andy Widmann wanted the world to know Christ and once had desired to be a missionary in Myanmar. Over two thousand police officers from around the nation attended his funeral, where the gospel was clearly presented by several individuals.)
Jeremy has settled into his job with a downtown firm, has taken the bar and passed, and is now a member of the Bar Association of Massachusetts. Janice has happily reduced her workload to (usually) one day a week. She loves spending more time being the mama of their sweet children. In July we celebrated Simeon’s birthday here in Union Center, with lots of adoring family members, in October we celebrated Micah’s birthday here with her “cousins” (Bernard, Elisha, Susanna, Shelley, Sharon, and Hosanna), and we are looking forward to Christmas celebrations with them. Micah has already made a date with her Grams to go to the beach together next summer. She and Simeon recently had their first lesson in rock climbing, and have already enjoyed hiking, camping, and canoeing.
Sunita and Andy are doing well in Washington, DC. Sunita continues to work and travel for World Vision, and her travels took both of them to Lisbon, Portugal for a few days. Sunita instantly loved the bright, sun-drenched city. Sunita also made multiple trips to various parts of Africa in 2008. Such trips are exhausting, but she loves the places and the people wherever she goes. Sunita and Andy flew to India to join Brown there this summer, and they also have joined us several times here in Union Center this year, most recently over Thanksgiving week. It is always a joy to have Sunita and Andy with us. They also joined us for a week in North Conway, New Hampshire, where we all got together for hiking, games, sight-seeing in the beautiful Presidential Range, and lots and lots of eating. We introduced Andy to frozen M&M’s during our nighttime rounds of card games.
Brown and I visited Sunita and Andy during the Cherry Blossom Festival. Along with Laureen, we all walked around the Tidal Basin, visiting the FDR Memorial for the first time. The cherry trees were in full bloom, as were many magnolias, and it was magnificent. I took a solo trip down to DC in the summer, and visited the National Zoo with Sunita. The two of us walked back to her place in ninety-plus degree heat, traversing through Rock Creek Park. Recently Sunita and Andy treated the two of us to a wonderful performance of Handel’s “Messiah” at the National Cathedral. The musicians were amazing with clear, pure tones and the cathedral was such a beautiful setting.
Recently, Sunita and Andy have started looking at houses, hoping to be able to find a place of their own. We had the privilege of going with them to preview a couple of places, and are glad to give some input. One of their favorite out-of-town retreats is in the Shenandoah Mountains and another is the quietly reverent of a Franciscan monastery that in town. They also love spending “free time” at soccer games – Andy playing goalie and Sunita being the faithful soccer wife.
Toward the end of July I flew down to DC (the same trip that took Sunita and me to the National Zoo) to help Laureen with her move up from Virginia. After getting Andy, Sunita, and some of Laureen’s friends to help pack the U-Haul, we learned the fine art of “kicking it to the curb”. The next day I donned my best truck driver attitude and drove the U-Haul van from Falls Church, Virginia to New York State. It was quite a daunting experience. Laureen left the charming colonial brick house in Falls Church, Virginia, which was her home for over two years, and began a new adventure nearer to our home. After joining the rest of the family on vacation in New Hampshire, she took a job at Lourdes Hospital, where she meets and greets new babies and their mamas, and tends Level 2 Nursery patients. In October, the Lord blessed Laureen with a new home –half a house (plus) - located just one block away from Lourdes. She had prayed for a two bedroom apartment with washer and dryer, and had her prayers answered exceedingly above what she could ask or think. It is great to have her nearby, and it is good to know that on wintry days she can walk to work. She has recently been reconnecting with some of the friends she has known since high school and college. She loves to entertain, and she and Jovita even entertained the young cousins by having the girls for a sleepover at her home.
Laureen is having a great time getting ready for Christmas. She and a college friend, Julia, went with us into the wild hills to hunt down a Christmas tree for the parsonage. We returned with a beautiful balsam fir, cold feet, chilly noses, and light hearts. There is still something about a wagon ride out into the fields of firs that still brings out the kid in us. Laureen has been preparing her own home with swags and candles on the mantle, lights, trees, and festive decorations. She has planned for a Christmas Open House, for which she has been making preparations for weeks now.
Jessica is still living and working in Philadelphia – for over two years now. She shares an apartment with her cousin, Jovita, who is also working in Philly. Jessica has been home several times this year, sometimes with Tom and sometimes coming up with Jovita. She helped us celebrate birthdays – Simeon’s and her dad’s. When she and Tom came up this summer, both made fast friendships with Micah and Simeon. She and Tom also traveled up to New Hampshire to be a part of the fun there. She is quite a drill sergeant on the hiking trail, I hear.
We really miss Jessy’s quick wit and good humor, but she is doing well as a city girl. She was excited that the home team won the World Series this year, and though she didn’t get to see a Series game, she was able to see part of the parade given in honor of the World Series Champions. She was also able to go to a Duke basketball game last winter when the Blue Devils came to town – Tom’s Christmas present to her last year. Jess still calls and chats, and loves to wow her friends with her chocolate chip cookies or her eggnog.
It has been a good year for one and all. Brown was able to go to Boston, Washington, DC, and India this year. He has enjoyed telephone conversations with everyone, especially Micah, and has also loved the time that he spent with the grandchildren at various times during the year. How they grow and change, but their gramps loves every minute with them. All of us met in North Conway, New Hampshire this year for a one week getaway in the heart of the Presidential Range of mountains. There, we hiked to Lonesome Lake, drove through an Alpine Village and past Storybook Land, looked out over the land from Cathedral Ledge, played miniature golf, shopped, and drove a convoy of three cars up Mount Washington. We loved spending time relaxing with the whole family and playing with Micah and Simeon. We also loved that Janice and the children were here for the first week in September and for Micah’s birthday celebration in October. In October they visited the pumpkin farm, Apple Hills, and the Cider Mill, and swished through the autumn leaves.
This summer Brown spent over a month in India along with most of the Naik relatives who reside in the US. When it was time to come home the roads were barricaded, and their return was delayed for a week. How grateful I was when they were able to come back safely before full violence erupted in Orissa during August. This summer began some very stressful and dangerous times in Orissa. Brown’s brother, Potel, was arrested, and has been held without bond, bail, or trial since July. In August, his mother and Potel’s son and daughter fled to the jungle, where living among the snakes seemed safer than staying at home. One Sunday morning they awoke to see a mob entering their home to burn it down. Their house and belongings have been utterly destroyed, but they were able to escape to a neighboring village. Now the three are living in a city several hours away, but they are grateful to be alive. They were among many thousands of Christians to be burned out of their homes in recent months. Many have died in Orissa, but Christ still lives within the believers there.
One of the greatest highlights of the year for Brown was his 60th birthday party. Held more than a month late, it was well worth the wait. Sunita, Laureen, and Jessica were gracious hostesses, and they emceed and took photos, too. There was a tremendous outpouring of affection from the many friends who came. The party was a veritable feast of Indian food (and other foods, too). Anecdotes were shared, and enjoyed by all.
When Brown went to India in June I was still in school, finishing up my eighth year of teaching full-time in Marathon. When things wrapped up there, I departed for Boston for a time, traveled back home to set up for Simeon’s first birthday celebration, went back to Boston, flew to DC, drove to New York, went to New Hampshire for a week, and on it goes. Since September I have been teaching the new Integrated Geometry that is New York’s newest mandate for 10th grade students, and a return to the old way of teaching proof upon proof. Since the first day of school, the time has flown, and we are already planning and preparing for the celebration of our Lord’s birth. That brings us full circle, ready to close out the old year and begin anew.
In all things we are grateful. The Lord has given us home, family, and jobs. We weren’t planning to take an early retirement, so the present economy is less of a setback to us than if we had done so. Our daughters and their loved ones are well. We find a hearty welcome awaiting us in Boston, Washington, and Philadelphia any time we are able to go. Our family in India is still safe, at least for now, though the situation could worsen again. God is still in control, and we must trust him in all circumstances.
Christmas is almost here – ready or not. Who could believe the forest that has sprung up in and around the parsonage? There are trees in almost every room, except bathrooms and the study, and the balsam in the dining room smells amazing. No scent from an aerosol can is able to compare to the real thing. We are almost ready for Christmas, with last minute gifts to buy and wrap and some special cooking and baking to do. We are ready for Christmas joy to break upon us, like sunrise on a new morning.
Recently Brown and I were traveling early in the morning. We traveled for over an hour before the slightest hint of light began to seep into the morning sky. It grew imperceptibly, gradually smudging a grey hue into the sky that had been almost black. The sooty grey was soon blended with traces of rose, gold, and then blue. Day finally broke upon us with a wide band of rosy, golden light, suddenly shooting out of the Eastern sky. I don’t think that the coming of Christ was quite like that. I believe that the Jewish people were living lives of quiet desperation, knowing intense darkness in every corner of their lives. It was so much darker than ever before; when Christ came to bring His light and enlightenment to the people it was like having a spotlight shine into their eyes in the middle of the blackest night. They were so used to groping around in the darkness that they could not welcome the Light of the world. “And the Light shineth in darkness, and the darkness comprehended it not.” They could not understand Jesus, and were not sure that they wanted to.
Do we want to know the Light of the world? Do we want to expose every area of our lives to the light of Jesus, every sin, every lie, and every wayward thought? Yes! Expose it and then remove it. O come to us, Emmanuel. O come to us, Prince of peace. Let your peace pervade every part of our lives. Let your grace shine through us to the world around us.
Joy to the world! The Lord is come!
Brown and Alice
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AWn7HHI-
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