Stirred Neurons

Two words people: Income. Generation.

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I always appreciate the artwork my kids do. At least I think I do. But having scads of paper floating in my home office just drives me crazy. Fortunately Vickie scored a nice multi-function printer w/scanner on Black Friday. So here are a few samples from over the summer that I really like. Noticeably absent are samples of her work where the animal’s/person’s eyes are bugging out like a pug. Or more accurately, one of those “Littlest Pet Shop” mutated animals.

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We had a nice meal at Chilis. Gwenny ponded down the mini Tacos while
Emma gagged on them. “Too spicy” Emma exclaimed with her nominal lisp.
More for daddy later MOOHAHA. Desert, needless to say, didn’t stand a
chance. It was like I never fed them sweets or something… Afterwards, I bought journals/sketchbooks for the twins today since
they like to have paper all over the house :). I couldn’t convince
either of them for Moleskines (Cahier or Volant) even in hot pink. Oh
well, maybe next time.

On 12/18/09, Vickie Stephens wrote:
> It’s Dec 19th and I’ve gotten Drew and Bella pj’s for Christmas. Ugh. I
> think we should break down and get Bella either the phone she wants or the
> ipod nano. Also, I’m going to get Drew an electric blanket and stocking
> stuffers, since the drums are coming. Any other ideas? I’m starting to
> panic. Yikes.
>
> BTW, I miss you. Hope all is well with you guys. :)
>
> Vickie
>
> —
> God Bless!!
>

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This book, authored by a Benedictine nun, aims to provide a broad and passionate overview of the Christian liturgical calendar. Within the may variations of Christianity there is a common thread of events all Christians celebrate. This book provides the meaning behind all the special day in a simple, straightforward way. Definitions and origins of holidays such as Christmas and Easter are given along with their spiritual significance.

Chittister successfully positions the liturgical calendar as a tool of spiritual discipline and exercise and not a mindless set of rites to be executed each year in some sort of empty religious duty. Being a Protestant/Evangelical for all of my life, one might expect that I shy away from a book written by a Roman Catholic on this topic. The author successfully presents the data, based on her Roman Catholic background, in a non-partisan way in order to benefit those from all Christian traditions.

I found her points regarding the orientation of the new year rather intriguing (pg. 4). Rather than celebrating the “New Year” when the ball drops on 1 Jan, the Christian more appropriately might celebrate the “New Year” with the revealing of the advent wreath. There is nothing magical here except the transformation that might occur in the individual by focusing more heavenward rather than on their civic realm. It is, as she puts it, the “…eternally spiritual dynamic” (pg 211).  Those interested in the true meaning of the liturgical year and yearning to find tools to develop a closer walk with Christ would do well by reading this book.

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