So we are coming up on our third month here in Düsseldorf, and things seem to be going well. Language school is wrapping up the first session, but we have decided to start up in January instead of waiting until February. Kristen and I both agree that is best.
As it gets closer to Christmas, I think it is beginning to hit both of us how much we miss home. Christmas is a time to be with family, and it will not feel the same with the ones we love so far away. We miss being home, but we are not without a little plan for Christmas here. As many know, Mike Gorski will be coming to Germany for a week to spend Christmas with us. Already it is beginning to feel like old times. We are planning to visit friends while he is in town, so it will be a great time of fellowship. Mike and I are going to try and find some places to play music while he is in town. Maybe we will bust out a couple of the old Four In The FIre songs. They were a big hit last time we were in Germany :-) Mostly it will be good to have another Laramie person around. If anything, we can sit around and talk about our church family, and friends who we love and miss very much.
We hope everyone has a great Christmas this year. I pray with all the shopping and baking everyone has to do before the big day, they will take time to remember the reason why we as Christians celebrate. In all the fuss of shopping and lights, and Glüwein (for all you folks who know what that is) I hope you take the time to remember and worship God for the gift he gave us when he sent his only son to this world to be the sacrifice for our sin. I have been studying the book of Isaiah these past few weeks, and as we go through the Christmas season, This book has really helped be see this season in a broader perspective. We put out our manger scenes every Christmas without really pondering on the magnitude of that moment.
As I have finally reached chapter 53, I am reminded of a song that we sang last year for Christmas. It says, "Gathered round your table, on this holy eve. Viewing Bethlehem's table we rejoice and greave. Joy to see you lying in Your manger bed. Weep to see you dying in our sinful stead." We celebrate Christ's life because it symbolizes hope. "Surely our griefs He Himself bore, and our sorrows he carrried; Yet we ourselves esteemed Him stricken, smitten of God and afflicted. But he was pierced through for our transgressions, He was crushed fo our iniquities; The chastening for our well-being fell upon Him, and by His scourging we are healed." (Isaiah 534-5) I know this is an "Easter verse", but the reality is, we cannot really grasp the love of God in the manger scene, unless we see it in direct relation to the cross. This Christmas season is going to be a special one for us because we will not have the traditional time with our family. We will have eachother, and a few close friends, but the change will be a good chance to reflect on the greater meaning of Christmas than "family". After all, the real meaning of Christmas is the real reason we are here.
"But the angel said to them, "do not be afraid; for behold, I bring you good news of great joy which will be for all the people; for today in the city of David there has been born for you a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. this will be a sign for you; You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger. And suddenly there appeard with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying, 'Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among men with whom He is pleased.' " (Luke 2:10-14
