There are so many other things Jesus did. If they were all written down, each of them, one by one, I can’t imagine a world big enough to hold such a library of books. – John 21:25

Blair’s Thoughts:  Over the past 10 years, I have created 250 different meditations on every aspect of the Christmas season.

I’d like to thank each one of you who have sent me an email of encouragement or responded to my literary meanderings over the years.  It’s been a unique journey, and I feel that you’ve each shared it with me.

So, it is with some sadness that I announce that this is my very last Advent reading.  I feel that I have said everything I set out to share with you and it is time for me to gracefully retire.

Again, thank you all for joining me.  What a long, strange trip it’s been…

Blair You Video Gift is HERE

The End of the Story HERE

He came to Nazareth where he had been reared. As he always did on the Sabbath, he went to the meeting place. When he stood up to read, he was handed the scroll of the prophet Isaiah. All who were there, watching and listening, were surprised at how well he spoke. But they also said, “Isn’t this Joseph’s son, the one we’ve known since he was a youngster?” He answered, “Well, let me tell you something: No prophet is ever welcomed in his hometown.” That set everyone in the meeting place seething with anger. They threw him out, banishing him from the village, then took him to a mountain cliff at the edge of the village to throw him to his doom, but he gave them the slip and was on his way. – Luke 4:16-17, 22-24, 28-30

Blair’s Thoughts:  Have you ever traveled back to your childhood home, school or neighborhood and discovered that everything seems smaller? Jesus went home and found that his neighbors were small-minded.  The people already had a preconception of who Jesus was, and he certainly wasn’t going to change their minds.  As far as I know, he never went back.  And who can blame him?

Home is wherever we are at the moment.  I’ve lived in 13 different homes in my life.  Which one is my real home?  All of them are temporary, whether I lived there for a few months or many years. Home is always evolving as well.  We change the decor, the color of the rooms, add architectural improvements, etc… Even the people who live in our homes change.  Babies grow up and move out as young adults.  Pets come and go.

When we idealize our home, thinking that it has to be a certain way, we will end up disappointed.  We are always moving forward, seeing things through more mature eyes.  In a very real sense, we never can go home.  Each experience we have, changes us and our perception of home.  Home is where our heart is.

Video of the Day HERE

When they finished everything required by God in the Law, they returned to Galilee and their own town, Nazareth. There the child grew strong in body and wise in spirit. And the grace of God was on him. – Luke 2:39-40

Blair’s Thoughts:  I’ll be honest.  I was an average student.  School never interested me much.  I was bored most of the time, and some subjects just seemed beyond my understanding.  Yet, whenever I’ve taken an IQ test, my scores usually rest somewhere between 130-140.  So, what is wisdom really?

To me it’s all about understanding.  Understanding life.  Understanding the consequences of our actions.  Cause and effect.  How the world works.

I’ve been reading a book by Eckhart Tolle recently, and what he has to say really makes sense to me.  Basically, he intimates that our ego (or self imposed idea of self) keeps us dumbed down.  That we are trapped within our own thinking process when we intellectualize life.  When we analyze our lives to the point where we’re no longer even aware that we’re alive.

Wisdom comes from realizing our connection to everything around us; to creation, to fellow beings, to God.  We’re all a part of this gigantic puzzle of living, and by missing even one piece, the whole picture is incomplete.  Wisdom is knowing that we each play an equally important role in existence.

I believe that as Jesus grew up as a child, he learned this basic truth.  That he was no more or less important than the others around him.  That is why he was able to shut up the pharisees, to walk away from those who wanted to throw him over the cliff, to remain silent in the face of persecution.  He was never threatened, he was secure in the wisdom that only he could allow others to do him harm.  In the end, he gave up his spirit.  No one took it from him.  And no one can take your spirit from you, unless you let them.

Words of encouragement in times of doubt.

Video of the Day HERE

Find Out How Wise You Are HERE (I scored a 4.1)

In Jerusalem at the time, there was a man, Simeon by name, a good man, a man who lived in the prayerful expectancy of help for Israel. And the Holy Spirit was on him. The Holy Spirit had shown him that he would see the Messiah of God before he died. Led by the Spirit, he entered the Temple. As the parents of the child Jesus brought him in to carry out the rituals of the Law, Simeon took him into his arms and blessed God:

God, you can now release your servant;
release me in peace as you promised.
With my own eyes I’ve seen your salvation;
it’s now out in the open for everyone to see:
A God-revealing light to the non-Jewish nations,
and of glory for your people Israel. – Luke 2:25-32

Blair’s Thoughts:  Remember the movie, “Willie Wonka and the Chocolate Factory“? One of the kids who won a trip into the factory is always wanting something.  “Daddy, I want one of those!”, “I want it now!”, “Buy it for me, Daddy!”.  Her impatience is her downfall.  Literally. In the end, she loses her chance to experience the wonders throughout the rest of the tour.

Waiting for something can be very hard.  We see it through all stages of life.  Babies want food and comfort.  Little kids want toys.  School children want vacation.  Adults want significant relationships.  Seniors want retirement.

What’s ironic, is that often as soon as we have what we were waiting for, we’re no happier than we were before.

We’ve been waiting for Christmas to arrive.  Counting down the days of advent.  When it gets here, try to be in the moment.  Not wanting something else, not waiting for anything.  Just appreciating each minute that we are given.  And isn’t that a miracle in itself?

Video of the Day HERE

Make a Miracle Happen HERE

This child marks both the failure and the recovery of many in Israel, A figure misunderstood and contradicted— the pain of a sword-thrust through you— But the rejection will force honesty, as God reveals who they really are.- Luke 2:35

Blair’s Thoughts:  I lived a pretty solitary life growing up. I was an only child with no cousins.  All throughout grade school, I was almost always the last kid chosen for any team.  I often thought that when someone was laughing, they were laughing at me.  I had only one friend for a few short years, but my parents ended up moving, and that was that.  In a very real sense, I felt rejected by most of my peers.

I’ve been rejected in other ways.  You’ve already heard about the situation in my neighborhood (see Advent Day 16). I’ve also tried to find a spiritual community (i.e. – church) for the last 20 years where I can fit in.  At last count, I’ve regularly attended or been a member of 8 different churches.  About a decade ago, my wife and I were in a six member Christian rock band. It all ended in the worst possible way a few weeks after we released our first (and only) CD.  The other four members (and some of their wives!) surprised us at a rehearsal by sitting my wife & I down for three and half hours to tell us everything they thought we had ever done wrong.

The thing is, in spite of all of these rejections throughout my life, I haven’t given up.  We are each given a choice.  To develop inner strength or lose all hope.  The bible gives some perspective when it says:  “exult in (y)our tribulations, knowing that tribulation brings about perseverance; and perseverance, proven character; and proven character, hope; and hope does not disappoint”.    There are only two paths.    In the midst of whatever you may be going through during the holidays, know that there is always hope.  Nothing, no matter how bad it is, lasts forever.

Video of the Day HERE

Famous Rejections HERE