I just know you've said to yourself, "Self, I'd love to jot down our musings but alas, a good notebook, like a good man, or woman, is hard to find." My, haven't we all? But come now, cast aside thy fretting and enter this week's 12 Weeks of Christmas Book-And, for the staff here at the Dirty Shame has voted and yes, we're giving away a Moleskine. Moleskine (mol-a-skeen'-a) - the legendary notebook of artists, writers, intellectuals and travelers. From gifted artists Henri Matisse (1869–1954) and Vincent van Gogh (1853–1890), to poet and leader of the surrealist movement André Breton (1896-1966) to Ernest Hemingway (1899-1961) considered the most influential writer of the last century, to famous travel writer Bruce Chatwin (1940-1989), and even part-time saint and wanna-be-cowboy John Blase (1967- ). Sure, you can jot down thoughts on your iPhone or even that rascally Kindle and the hip world will consider you one of their own. But take out a Moleskine and begin writing and the heavenly host will pause and say behold, the way that is-eth right to a man...
Seriously, what better way to pay attention (a.k.a., pray) through the wonderful season known as Christmas than by jotting down what you're seeing/hearing/touching/tasting/smelling? Think of this gift as a way to come to your senses. You might even use it to accompany your reading of Touching Wonder: Recapturing the Awe of Christmas, writing down your own impressions from those stories of "that old life, startling in its ribbed strength and dangerous still."
I'm sure there's a character in the Christmas narrative with whom you feel a bond; briefly tell me who? and why? and you're in the running. Yes, I'll accept extra-biblical narratives, but I draw the line at Olive the Other Reindeer.
I think I'd be a smidge smarter if I were ever to jot in a Moleskine. I still haven't gotten a copy of your book... any chance you'll be reading it for Audible.com?
ReplyDeleteit is Anna ... definitely Anna.
ReplyDeleteas one of two witnesses (so important in Jewish tradition) who bears witness to the Redeemer.
her cv is short but packed inside just three verses.
her first response at seeing our Lord ... thanksgiving.
what moleskine wouldn't want to be the sacred custodian of the thoughts,fasted prayers, and witness of this middle-aged woman?
Yay! A moleskine giveaway is one of the nicest Christmas presents anyone can ever receive. :)
ReplyDeleteDefinitely Joseph for me. Believed God amidst the prospect of both ridicule and judgement. Tender treatment of Mary. Yep and a role model for some men in our midst.
ReplyDeleteThis may sound tongue-in-cheek, but it's not.
ReplyDeleteI don't know if I identify with him, but I sure would've loved to have been the angel Gabriel. I always lurve to share good news with folks and be happy with/for them. I cannot imagine the magnitude of sharing THIS Good News. For the first time. Blows me away every time I think of it. Whether news about John the Baptizer or about Jesus. Even one of those announcements would've been incredible. But 2? Wow.
Mary.
ReplyDeleteI've often wondered if I would have been able to say "yes" like she did and then followed my son to his horrifying death.
Thank God she was there for the Resurrection too.
Mary.
ReplyDeleteI know it may be a bit cliche but I'm tellin' you...ever since God blessed me with my own children, each Christmas season has brought me more perspective on her heart...on what she got to see, experience with every phase of being an infant, toddler, boy, etc...I wonder if she ever got wrapped up (as I do) thinking that He actually belonged to her...covering His chubby neck shugar with giggles and smiles only to have her thoughts quickly turn to what she knew would happen...bittersweet. As a mother of son, I get teary just thinking about how she must've felt.
the shepherds.
ReplyDeletesimple and available, but among the first to see the messiah. how mind-blowing it must have been to be on their usual night watch to see the sky opened with angels praising God. i love how God isn't impressed with power or position - but simply with hearts.
now that i think about it, the moleskin is simple and available too... ;)
Thanks for the phonetic guide to Moleskine - I would really have botched that one! Would make an amazing present for Todd.
ReplyDeleteI think Anna and Simeon move me the most - I don't know if that means I identify w/them the most or not, though. When I stop and think about how long the Messiah had been promised (since the beginning really), and that these two were on the look-out, watching and ready, I am overwhelmed by their faith and constancy. Their stories encourage me when I feel like giving up.
Zechariah. Cause man, I usually need to learn the hard way.
ReplyDeleteJesus.
ReplyDeleteNot sure of the "bond" these days, but I do know I have been trying to figure the dude out for a long time.
I have been thinking and thinking..and I guess it would have to be the shepherds. They had such an ordinary, everyday job and yet they were rewarded in the most amazing way. Can you imagine what they saw? All those angels? Then they were so obedient and went to find Jesus. Amazing!
ReplyDeleteSo many choices, I would either pick the Wise Men or the Shepherds. Both followed the lead that they had to find Jesus. What a nice give-away!
ReplyDeleteNot trying to "win" anything, but I was blessed reading the other entries of inspiration, so I guess I'll contribute.
ReplyDeleteI'm not sure why I've always been moved by Elizabeth but I think the whole miracle is wonderful. She miraculously conceived also, what an answer to prayer for her! And when she saw Mary her baby turned in utero and she begin to prophesy and knew that her young niece was carrying the messiah!! WOW, that is intense! The promise was finally being fulfilled in flesh and blood. I like all of Luke 1. Zach stood up too after that.
So, I identify with Elizabeth because she stayed hidden but she recognized and rejoiced in Jesus' coming.
I love the Christmas story. It is what my childhood Christmas memories are built on.
ReplyDeleteI have to pick my mom as the person during Christmas that I most relate to.
We didn't have much when I was growing up, but we did have love. My mom gave us the best Christmas she could. I don't know how she pulled off the things she did.
I remember walking to midnight mass on Christmas Eve and coming home to find that Santa had been there. I remember mom decorating the house to bring honor to the baby Jesus.
I remember that none of the decorations were taken down until after the Epiphany because they were our gifts to the kings.
Mom made Christmas fun but also a learning lesson. We learned so much about the birth of Jesus just from our mom.
As an older momma (39) with a new baby, I'm relating to Elizabeth these days. My tiny girl bears her name, which means "consecrated to God." I love that when Gabriel speaks to Mary, he uses the news of Elizabeth's pregnancy to remind her that "nothing is impossible with God." (Can I get an "Amen!"?)
ReplyDeleteGonna have to go w/ Simeon. What a cool epiphany moment marked w/ such beautiful words: Lord, now you let your servant go in peace. Your word has been fulfilled; my own eyes have seen your salvation, which you have prepared in the sight of every people, a light to reveal you to the nations and the glory of your people, Israel.
ReplyDeleteLove singing it in worship too...
I'd have to say Mary, also. My second baby was born a few months before Christmas so having a baby boy around Christmas always reminded me of Jesus as a baby boy. I always wondered how Mary would have felt...that song "Mary did you know?" always left me teary eyed that year especially.
ReplyDeleteI need to add a P.S. to my post from yesterday.
ReplyDeleteI chose my mom because she taught us the Christmas story. She read from the Bible each year. But not only did she do that she taught us about love and sacrifice throughout the Christmas season and all the year too.
We learned about God and Jesus through the Word but also by my mom's example.