Christmas 2010 (with intercessions)

My photos are tardy because I left my camera at Bill's on Christmas Day and only retrieved it amid last night's festivities.

Here is my tree with all my wonderful children gathered around it.


Blogs are almost as notorious as Facebook for having way too much information on them but if anyone is so vulgar as to wonder with whom I've been sleeping for the past several years it's the larger furry fellow in the lower right corner: His Orthodox Majesty Maximiliano Cuauhtémoc Juárez Primo, Emperor of El Cerrito, Archduke of Hercules, and Margrave of the Great River. You have to hand it to him for claiming territories wherever he goes. He is known as Cocoa to his friends.

Christmas Morning from Bill's living room

Cranes viewed from Bob and Janet's dining room

The portal at Bill's house with the luminarias lit*

* Yes, in Santa Fe these are farolitos and luminarias are the small bonfires; in Albuquerque these are called luminarias (and the candles for them are so labeled in the store). I report and natives debate.

Men in and around the kitchen just before Christmas dinner
(the slender young ones are our nephews and godsons)

I have not posted much for numerous unrelated reasons. I cannot blame the business of the holidays. While I get fired up over politics I have not had the emotional energy to compose my usual rants. I have alternately been battling tooth problems and a persistent sinus infection for three months now. I have thus often been in pain or drugged or anxious. It is to be hoped this will soon be resolved. I have also been pursuing a private life for a change.

I have had three root canals in as many months. This Tuesday I will have sinus surgery to drain all the infection and repair a deviated septum at the same time. They will be working in three sinuses on my right side. It is day surgery and Bill will be with me that day and night. The doctor will remove plastic stents when I see him ten days later. So I will be out of commission for the next two weeks. Your prayers are requested and appreciated.

Between this and holidays and too many doctor appointments paychecks have been slim and medical expenses high. I give thanks that I am insured and still employed and think of those who lack work and seek it, those without insurance, those who are homeless. Let us hold them in our hearts also and seek to make our social systems better.

David@Montreal has called for our prayers once again:

I've just had a call from Carol, the heroic wife of my very dear cousin Frank who, as you'll remember has been putting up a heroic fight against lukemia and the compications it brings.
unfortunately Frank and Carol have had a pretty horrendous holiday season. the original plan to admit him before Christmas was abandoned when the hospital found themselves with some pretty serious viral outbreaks and Frank was sent home for his own protection. since then, they've been treating him daily as an outpatient with Carol having to drive to and from Whitrock BC to Vancouver each day and eight hours in the hospital, seven on seven.
in addition to the rapidly depleting white blood cell/platlets, the primary foe of the moment is an aspergillis fungal infection in his lungs.
with no spleen and a non-existent immuse system as his body still recovers from his second genetic transplant on Sept 22, the hospital is throwing everything they have at the fungus without success so far.

David follows that with a second request for some others very dear to him:

I've just had news that the situation with the poet Mark Doty's eye has deteriorated. on Christmas night, the torn retina detached for a second time within a number of weeks, and he and Paul are going to have to wait at least a week or more before the NYC medical system can accomidate the rather long operation.
i don't know if you know Mark's poetry, but he is one of the most light-filled poets alive today in your country, and his memoir 'Heaven's Coast' was one of the most powerful books to come out of the first decade of AIDS. I cherish both Mark and Paul and would ask your prayers for them, they're a wonderful couple, both of them generous teachers and wonderful writers.

There are prayer requests at OCICBW: here and here (poor Mrs. Mad Priest, putting up with Mad Priest and us lot plus having migraines).

We ate well, drank plenty, and made noise last night (not on the Eve) but you are spared photos; I took none.

A blessed 2011 to you all. May it, and perhaps we, be kinder than 2010.

--the BB

Buon Natale!

From Desert Farne go wishes to old friends and new, to all visitors here: May peace and joy and hope touch your hearts this season of the Incarnation.

I have not been posting much. My life updates and rantlets have mostly been on Facebook (that evil device which serves those with little time and helps waste what time we have). I'll be offline later today and tomorrow, for the most part.

Yes, the teddy bear angel on top of the tree appears a bit tipsy this year. I told him to stay out of the egg nog, but who am I to give orders to angels?

Now off to do some baking.

--the BB

Happy Twelfth Night

W. Heath Robinson:
Shakespeare's Comedy of Twelfth Night or What You Will
(snaffled from here)

I want to give kudos to the California Shakespeare Festival back when it was the Berkeley Shakespeare Festival. They did a production of Twelfth Night in John Hinkle Park many years ago that knocked out socks off. Clever, jazzy, imaginative, delightful, memorable. It set the bar very high.

May y'all have a wonderful 12th day of Christmas as you prepare to celebrate the Theophany of our Savior.

--the BB

Christmas dinner

Luminarias in front of the house, during one of the moments when they were all burning.


The table.

It has been a lovely Christmas here at Desert Farne. Friends and family enjoying each other's company. My ex-daddy-in-law was engaged and engaging, which is pretty impressive in one's mid-90s. Great food, if I say so myself, though I only fixed half of it and Bill the rest. Even after living apart for seven years we're an amazing team in the kitchen.

I am beyond grateful for his presence in my life.

There was the joy of old and new friends.

Now the dishes are all done and folks were sent home with See's candies.

I can catch my breath. At least tonight. A busy weekend remains.

Prayers offered for the lonely this Christmas, the homeless, the hungry, the depressed, those caught up in war and civil strife, the frightened, the grieving. May we strive for a society where basic human needs are met, the dignity of every person honored, and peace flows over and through us.

--the BB

Christmas Eve

This is about half of the luminarias put out at the church tonight.


Tarted up a bit for the Twelve Days


A vision in red, white, and green


The nacimiento before the arrival of the Baby Jesus


Here is a side view of the chancel area. You can see the three wise guys lurking between the veiled chalice and the altar book on the right. They still have a way to go before Epiphany.

We sang nine hymns (the first two verses of each of the first seven, then all verses of "Silent night" and "Joy to the world."

Real bread (thank you, Linda), real frankincense (thanks, Scott, for the thurible), a banner for color (thanks, St Mike's), poinsettias (thanks, Warren and Anne Marie). A dear friend and two new guests (thanks, Google). We had singing in harmony. Snacks and hot cider afterward as we sat around and shared.

Mostly, thank you, God, for loving your creation enough to become part of it, joining us to yourself.

--the BB

Oofda!

The cards are all placed by the chimney with care.


All my "kids" are under the tree, the first time they have all been in one place since I cannot remember when.

I have tons of cleaning and cooking still to do, but a sense of rightness now prevails.



--the BB

Blessed Christmas!

και το φως εν τη σκοτια φαινει και η σκοτια αυτο ου κατελαβεν
And the light shines in the darkness and the darkness has not comprehended it.
John 1:5

It isn't Christmas without them

Mrs. Londquist's Peppar Kakar
(Swedish Pepper Cookies)

1 Cup melted butter
1-1/4 Cup sugar (white or brown)
Cream butter and sugar together.

1/2 Cup sour cream
1-1/2 Cups light molasses
1-1/2 teaspoons baking soda
Mix together in a very large bowl and add the butter & sugar mixture.

1/4 teaspoon cloves
1/2 teaspoon ginger
1/2 teaspoon black pepper
1/2 teaspoon nutmeg
8 Cups flour
Mix dry ingredients together then add to wet ingredients. Mix thoroughly.

Roll to 1/8 inch thickness on floured board. Cut.

Bake at 350 degrees F. for 15 minutes.

This recipe makes a lot of cookies. You may keep the dough in the refrigerator and roll out and bake some at a time. It takes a bit of work to make the cold dough malleable but if it gets too warm it does not handle well either. Practice, and lots of sprinkling with flour.

They are best made around Thanksgiving, stored in an airtight container, and served at Christmas. We love making holes in some of them and hanging them on the Christmas tree. Those hanging on the tree will be perfectly edible when Epiphany arrives.

[Photos of my Christmas tree with said cookies to follow.]

--the BB

We will, we will rock you!

Going for full-on intimidation, our team terrified the competition in the holiday decoration contest and prizes (with chocolate and other candies) came our way today when the judges visited out Winter Wonderland. It has been suggested we need to retire our jersey now.

I am very proud of my cow, so we start with her tonight. Isn't she a sweetheart?


Our stockings were all hung by the chimney with care.


You've seen the flying reinducks, but we have skiing ducks on a bunny hill too.


The Queen of all Snowflakes has been a constant centerpiece.


In addition to Hannukah and Kwanzaa, yesterday was noted as well.


And Christmas was not forgotten (just the last to be completed).

Click on this one to see detail.

So that's the report back from the holiday decorations. I am happy to lay my scissors down and not cut another snowflake until next year. Most of today was spent processing updates in the system and/or hoping for snow.

Here is the forecast from the National Weather Service:

Tonight: Rain likely before 11pm, then snow likely. Cloudy, with a low around 25. Breezy, with a south wind 5 to 10 mph becoming west between 20 and 25 mph. Winds could gust as high as 35 mph. Chance of precipitation is 70%. Total nighttime snow accumulation of 1 to 2 inches possible.

Wednesday: A 50 percent chance of snow. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 35. West wind between 5 and 15 mph. New snow accumulation of less than one inch possible.

Wednesday Night: A 20 percent chance of snow showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 17. West wind between 5 and 10 mph.

Thursday: A 20 percent chance of snow showers. Partly cloudy, with a high near 32. West wind between 10 and 15 mph.

Thursday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 11. West wind between 5 and 10 mph.

Here is a photo from December 15, 2008:



--the BB

A Christmas Prayer from Bishop Marc

The Rt Rev Marc Andrus is the Bishop of California (my bishop). This is his Christmas prayer from Diobytes, the online diocesan newsletter:

God of the universe, you came among us as one of us, because of your infinite love for all. The world needed you then, and we need you now. You came to take away the sin of the world, our almost unbelievable propensity for self-interest. Plunging into human life fully you showed us the way out of the coil of our greed and avarice and self-protective fear, and you also broke the bonds of the world by your act of love.

We return again to remember this act of love, the Word made flesh; to give thanks for Jesus born in Bethlehem; and to pray for the rebirth of the Christ in our lives. Help us to be generous, unafraid, and so open to the possibilities of this surprising, still beautiful earth and all its people.

We thank you now for all those who have shown us the path of Christ in our lives –- teachers, parents, grandparents, friends, loves. We pray for all those who find themselves isolated this Christmas, without the warmth of human love. May we be your messengers to them.

Amen

--the BB

On the tenth day of Christmas

I finally rolled out the rest of the dough and finished baking Swedish pepper cookies. The recipe, rich in the goodness of melted butter, molasses, sour cream, and all kinds of spices--including black pepper, along with the allspice, ginger, and cloves--is so wonderful that I found myself eating bits of raw dough this past week. [Kids, do not do this at home, the uncooked dough has eggs in it.]

The recipe also makes lots of dough and that means lots of rolling it out. So we will have traditional ethnic cookies for our Twelfth Night party.
No, my cookies do not look like this. They are thinner, crisper, and are not adorned with sugar on top. They are just thin little ginger crisps. They may be iced or decorated with colored sprinkles but I prefer them plain. I did not locate my cookie cutters this year, so they are all small and round. Very boring, I know. Usually I have bells and wonderful crosses and Christmas trees along with round ones, but not this year. I have some copper cookie cutters that my mother used to make these same cookies--somewhere in the house or garage. They will turn up.

I may make another type of cookie but no promises. We also have my best friend's fruitcake, made according to his great-grandmother's recipe. I love it and those of you who don't care for fruitcake... all the more for me! I have the last little bit of last year's fruitcake (yes, I dole it out, not as thinly sliced as my Uncle Virgil used to do but not frequently). So we each get a small bite of last year's before enjoying whole slices from this year.

We shall celebrate the conclusion of Christmas. Twelfth Night, the Eve of Epiphany, is also the anniversary of my mother's death in 1985. The next morning I rode the train to Fresno, thumbing through my hymnal and singing hymns and weeping a lot. Somewhere around 1996 or 1997 (perhaps even 1998?) on January 5 we were having a party at our home and I got word that our next door neighbor Betty had died. I grabbed a white stole that I had been making and a prayer book, walked next door, and led the Litany at Time of Death.

Betty and I had a funny relationship. We were neighbors who chatted over the fence in the best ancient manner. Her upbringing as a Catholic was so entrenched, however, that when she wanted to say "shit" or actually slipped and said it she would say, "I'm sorry, Father." I kept telling her, "I'm your neighbor, Betty, not your priest." But those nuns had brought her up proper, don't you know?

I had been making that stole with the Baptism of Christ in mind and actually made two of them. I still have one. It is an off-white silk with bright turquoise blue silk lining, evocative of water in my mind because it is not only blue but suggestive of blue swimming pools in southern California. The orphreys on the front include shades of blue and green. I wore the stole when I was invited to participate in her Requiem and when I laid her to rest in the earth. Whenever I put it on I think of her.

On Christmas Eve I wore another white stole, one that was part of my "hope chest." It had been given to me by Vyolene Henry, a dear woman of the Cathedral of Saint Paul in Los Angeles (the old cathedral, long since replaced with a bank). Her birthday was Christmas and I remember when we had dinner with her on Christmas Eve many years ago. She gave me the stole before I was even fully in the "process." When I put it on last week it was to honor and give thanks for her.

Everything comes with a story. In a few moments I am going to eat the unshaped cookie, the one made with the last bit of dough rolled out and untrimmed. I shall eat it in honor of my oldest nephew, who never cared what shape his cookies were when he was a child, and in honor of my Aunt Ruby Victoria who died this week, and in honor of Kazan the cookie-loving dog with whom I shared my pepper cookies.

I hope you all have been having a blessed Twelve Days of Christmas. Though it is not how I was raised--God knows--I am now quite old-fashioned about the Twelve Days. I don't really begin to enjoy and savor Christmas until the second day. Too much hustle and anxiety until all the Christmas services and Christmas dinner are over. This has been my time and I have enjoyed it very much.

Peace and joy to all.
--the BB

Call to Christmas Prayer

Bidding Prayer at Christmas Lessons and Carols
Beloved in Christ, in this Christmastide, let it be our care
and delight to hear again the message of the Angels, and in
heart and mind to go even unto Bethlehem, and see this
thing which is come to pass, and the Babe lying in a manger.

Let us read and mark in Holy Scripture the tale of the loving
purposes of God from the first days of our disobedience unto
the glorious Redemption brought us by this holy Child; and
let us make this place glad with our carols of praise.

But first, let us pray for the needs of his whole world; for
peace and goodwill over all the earth; for the mission and
unity of the Church for which he died, and especially in this
country and within this city.

And because this of all things would rejoice his heart, let us
at this time remember in his name the poor and the helpless;
the hungry and the oppressed; the sick and those who mourn; the
lonely and the unloved; the aged and the little children; and all
those who know not the Lord Jesus, or who love him not, or who by
sin have grieved his heart of love.

Lastly, let us remember before God his pure and lowly Mother, and
all those who rejoice with us, but upon another shore and in a
greater light, that multitude which no one can number, whose hope
was in the Word made flesh, and with whom, in this Lord Jesus, we
for evermore are one.

[Book of Occasional Services]

John Lennon's "Happy Christmas" with images to move us toward intercession and work for peace and justice:



For the Poor and the Neglected

Almighty and most merciful God, we remember before you all poor and neglected persons whom it would be easy for us to forget: the homeless and the destitute, the old and the sick, and all who have none to care for them. Help us to heal those who are broken in body or spirit, and to turn their sorrow into joy. Grant this, Father, for the love of your Son, who for our sake became poor, Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

For the Oppressed

Look with pity, O heavenly Father, upon the people in this land who live with injustice, terror, disease, and death as their constant companions. Have mercy upon us. Help us to eliminate our cruelty to these our neighbors. Strengthen those who spend their lives establishing equal protection of the law and equal opportunities for all. And grant that every one of us may enjoy a fair portion of the riches of this land; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

For the Human Family

O God, you made us in your own image and redeemed us through Jesus your Son: Look with compassion on the whole human family; take away the arrogance and hatred which infect our hearts; break down the walls that separate us unite us in bonds of love; and work through our struggle and confusion to accomplish your purposes on earth; that, in your good time, all nations and races may serve you in harmony around your heavenly throne; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

For our Enemies

O God, the Father of all, whose Son commanded us to love our enemies: Lead them and us from prejudice to truth; deliver them and us from hatred, cruelty, and revenge; and in your good time enable us all to stand reconciled before you; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.



THE NATIVITY OF CHRIST 25th December

TROPARION From The Festal Menaion
Thy Nativity, O Christ our God, has shone upon the world with the light of knowledge: for thereby they who adored the stars through a star were taught to worship Thee, the Sun of Righteousness, and to know Thee the Dayspring from on high. O Lord, glory to Thee.

KONTAKION From The Festal Menaion
Today the Virgin gives birth to Him who is above all being, and the earth offers a cave to Him whom no man can approach. Angels with shepherds give glory, and Magi journey with a star. For unto us is born a young Child, the pre-eternal God.

An Arabic Christmas Carol (Byzantine Hymn to the Nativity):



Collect for Christmas Day
Almighty God, you have given your only-begotten Son to take our nature upon him, and to be born [this day] of a pure virgin: Grant that we, who have been born again and made your children by adoption and grace, may daily be renewed by your Holy Spirit; through our Lord Jesus Christ, to whom with you and the same Spirit be honor and glory, now and for ever. Amen.

h/t to JN1034 for the videos and the concept
--the BB

O God, enlarge my heart

Savior is Born by Estonian artist Ain Vares

Diane posted a prayer at Faith in Community that I cannot resist sharing here:

Advent Prayer
O God:
Enlarge my heart
that it may be big enough to receive the greatness of your love.
Stretch my heart
that it may take into it all those who with me around the world
believe in Jesus Christ.
Stretch it
that it may take into all those who do not know him,
but who are my responsibility because I know him.
And stretch it
that it may take in all those who are not lovely in my eyes,
and whose hands I do not want to touch;
through Jesus Christ, my savior. Amen

Prayer of an African Christian
With All God's People, World Council of Churches, 1989
From the book Bread of Tomorrow, ed. Janet Morley, Orbis Books 1992


It puts me in mind of that glorious passage in Isaiah:
Sing, O barren one who did not bear;
burst into song and shout,
you who have not been in labor!
For the children of the desolate woman
will be more than the children
of her that is married,
says the Lord.
Enlarge the site of your tent,
and let the curtains of your habitations
be stretched out;
do not hold back;
lengthen your cords
and strengthen your stakes.
For you will spread out
to the right and to the left,
and your descendants will possess the nations
and will settle the desolate towns.
(Isaiah 54:1-3)

Our hearts, our dreams, our visions, our hopes are all so small. God calls us to enlarge them all, to make room for the new, to make room for more.

The Theotokos is called Platytera, More Spacious [than the heavens], because she contained in her womb the Creator of all things. We too are called to be God-bearers as Christ dwells also in and among us.

There is so much enlarging to be done.

From Pepper Marts came this prayer to point us beyond Tuesday:

The Work of Christmas


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 teach the nations
To bring Christ to all
To make music in the heart.

-- Howard Thurman

Be kind to yourselves these last few days before the Feast of the Incarnation.

Keep space for God.

God will enlarge us; we need to say, "Yes."
--the BB

Episcopollyanna tempted me

Your Christmas is Most Like: A Charlie Brown Christmas

Each year, you really get into the spirit of Christmas. Which is much more important to you than nifty presents.

What Movie Is Your Christmas Most Like?

Actually, during Advent I am fairly Grinch-like, but rather quietly jolly during the actual Twelve Days.

I have also not watched more than a minute of any Peanuts television shows (me dan asco) and try not to watch ANY Christmas shows on the telly. Midnight Mass with Gregorian chant is more my style (though that is an ideal I've only experienced on telly, not in real life). Then celebrating with dear friends. My favorite presents are alternative gifts or donations to good causes. Christmas music AFTER Dec 25 is awesome. I also try to stay out of all commercial establishments during December (quick in-and-out dashes into the supermarket when absolutely necessary).

Well, is today the day I bake jul limpa?

One on-line recipe for limpa (a sweet Swedish rye bread) here. (Link for illustrative purposes only; I've not tried this recipe.) It becomes Christmas limpa when one adds candied fruit.

More silliness ahead.
--the BB

Your Advent Ferlinghetti

Walt over at My Two Cents has posted Lawrence Ferlinghetti's poem "Christ Climbed Down," written in 1958. I think it merits a read, so click on over.

Here's the beginning to whet your appetite:

Christ climbed down
from His bare Tree
this year
and ran away to where
there were no rootless Christmas trees
hung with candycanes and breakable stars

--the BB

Let your Grinch out

This comes to you courtesy of the Revgalblogpal Friday Five.

I saw this set of questions over at Snow on Roses (who got them from Will Smama):

Please tell us your least favorite/most annoying seasonal....

1) dessert/cookie/family food
Lutfisk (Swedish spelling) would be high on my list except I never come anywhere near it. There are many holiday baking traditions to ponder but I am fond of almost anything baked. Genuine minced meat pie is definitely an exception. Had it once. Been there. Done that. Never again. I actually like mock mince (apples, raisins, nuts, spices).

2) beverage (seasonal beer, eggnog w/ way too much egg and not enough nog, etc...)
Hmm. Hot toddies. Why? Actually glögg is worse. I like eggnog in moderation though all the gums in commercial versions are icky. Seasonal ales are produced but I drink nothing in the beer family. Val Rentsch’s recipe for Williamsburg eggnog is killer and if I’m very good and my ex has whipped it up, I get some.

3) tradition (church, family, other)
Exchanging gifts at work. Loathe it! I am generally uncomfortable with anything that smacks of enforced socializing in the work place. Joining in meals or potlucks now and again is fine. Liking the people you work with is important to me. Being a good team and enjoying working together is a real plus. But I choose my friends one by one and I have never felt that my coworkers were all friends (though some have been very good friends). Gift exchanges at work lead to trading stuff none of us needs, most of us don’t want, and you are expected to put effort and some modest amount of money into it. What a flipping waste! I think this is a “chick thing” and I have yet to meet a guy, gay or straight or “other: specify,” who understands or enjoys it—though we do it so as not to appear “anti-social.”

4) decoration
Tandaina mentioned blow-up lawn ornaments. Totally. There oughtta be a law.

Wreathes with anything on them other than pine (or redwood) cones and ONE red or gold ribbon (optional). Evergreen wreathes should be inviting, restful, and natural, not fresh shocks to the senses. Cover them with crap and it’s visual assault. [see above]

5) gift (received or given)
Christmas tree ornaments. I know, having ornaments that represent people you love and events in lives carries a special glow. I’m not knocking that and I’m not immune to it. But most of the ornaments that are produced out there … can we say “cheap tacky crap”? If I wanted ornaments for my tree, I’d buy them. My trees have small white lights, red glass balls, and un-iced Swedish pepper cookies. That’s it. I like the simplicity.

BONUS: SONG/CD that makes you want to tell the elves where to stick it.
Anything and everything you hear in a shopping mall. I like country music. I don’t like any Christmas music sung by C&W singers. I don’t like pop versions of Christmas carols. I detest “Jingle bell rock” and “The little drummer boy” makes me want to commit mayhem.
So, call me a grinch. I won’t put up a tree any sooner than my late mother’s birthday (December 19) and I don’t celebrate Christmas until sunset on December 24. Then I enjoy it through Twelfth Night, when the commercial carols fall silent and the Incarnation can be celebrated and savored.

Nobody tagged me and I ain't taggin' nobody else. Play at your own risk.
--the BB