h2odevos eots 120611 JOY! (St. Nick's Day)

H2odevos eots 120611 JOY!

St. Nicholas Day

“Sing Joy, joy, joy in the morning”

On Saturday as the snow was falling in our community a young couple at church attending a baptism seminar brought me a gift of Arthur Bryant’s BBQ Sauce. Now, let me tell you, “this is the real deal.” They had been visiting family in Kansas City. And so like the traveling Magi, the Wise Ones of old, these travelers from the East brought a gift that was worth it’s weight in gold, frankincense and myrrh. Arthur Bryant’s BBQ is authentic.  This gift which came totally out of the blue (it is that heavenly, as well as a lovely Advent gift) brought me a great sense of joy.

On Monday morning Sue Ann and I took a trip to the mountains to cut down a Christmas tree. This was in a national forest. The tree cutting process is all part of forest management. I thought to myself about what things need to be “cut down” in my life during this season of Advent? Where is there too much growth? Where does the spiritual landscape need a sabbatical in order for new growth to take place at a future date?

On Saturday as the snow was falling in our community a young couple at church attending a baptism seminar brought me a gift of Arthur Bryant’s BBQ Sauce. Now, let me tell you, “this is the real deal.” They had been visiting family in Kansas City. And so like the traveling Magi, the Wise Ones of old, these travelers from the East brought a gift that was worth it’s weight in gold, frankincense and myrrh. Arthur Bryant’s BBQ is authentic.  This gift which came totally out of the blue (it is that heavenly, as well as a lovely Advent gift) brought me a great sense of joy.

On Monday morning Sue Ann and I took a trip to the mountains to cut down a Christmas tree. This was in a national forest. The tree cutting process is all part of forest management. I thought to myself about what things need to be “cut down” in my life during this season of Advent? Where is there too much growth? Where does the spiritual landscape need a sabbatical in order for new growth to take place at a future date.

We were way out there. Besides a few animal prints in the snow there wasn’t much evidence that there was any thing or any one else around us. And yet, we knew we were in the presence of LIFE in this holy  cathedral of creation. The snowy trees sang “JOY!”

If you live in Colorado you can “bring” JOY by participating in www.firstgiving.org

on this day we remember Jolly Old St. Nick. If you live in another part of the country you might want to share you JOY by making a surprise donation or give a secret gift to another. You’ll be glad you did.

Deck the halls,

rtg