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Chirstmas Genes: Intro

“For unto you is born this day in the city of David, a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.” Luke 2:11

My husband loves investigating his genealogy. After subscribing to Ancestry.com, he learned that his Scottish family arrived in the US in the mid-1700s. Further back, he discovered that his ancestors lived in a castle and he is distantly related to England’s Queen Camilla. Less than two weeks later, he also found that one of his more recent ancestors was convicted of murder.

Learning about your ancestry can help people feel rooted. Reading the names of my own indigenous relatives helped me connect with my biological father’s family in unexpected ways. I even discovered some more siblings. Some people prize these roots so much that infamous people are cut out of their family trees. It is as if their entire existence is erased because their relatives don’t want the family tree marred by a rotten branch.

I went to the same high school that my mom and her siblings attended. Because I had my mother’s maiden name, the high school principal, Mr Havey, asked if I was related to Dennis and Dave Walter. My twin uncles were amazing men, but had a reputation for being a bit mischievous in high school. Quite often, Mr Havey would call my grandmother to report on their escapades. I replied yes to his question but quickly reminded him I was also related to Kenny and Debbie Walter, my uncle and aunt, who were much more studious. I wanted him to know who I identified with as a high school student.

For the next few weeks, I will be writing about the genealogy of Jesus. Specifically, I want to examine the four women that Matthew chose to include in his account of Jesus’ birth. First, the fact that he was willing to include women in the genealogy says something significant about Jesus. Matthew was trying to prove the “Jewishness” of Jesus by tracing his lineage back to Abraham. But, inspired by God, Matthew included women in Jesus’ genealogical record, which was controversial in those days. Furthermore, all four women had stories filled with brokenness perpetuated by the misogynistic society in which they lived. Again, inspired by God, Matthew included these women for a reason, and that reason gets at the heart of who Jesus is.

Another woman, Mary, the mother of Jesus, said it best in what is referred to as her “Magnificat.” Mary offers this praise after her cousin Elizabeth confirms that Mary is indeed carrying the Messiah. This praise came when so much was still unknown in her future. Her betrothed, Joseph, had not yet indicated how he was going to manage this scandalous pregnancy. According to Hebrew law, he had the right to publicly shame her by legally divorcing her. Despite her uncertain future, Mary was confident in God, declaring “My soul magnifies the Lord.” She goes on to say, “For he took notice of his lowly servant girl and from now on all generations will call me blessed.” Jesus was lifting women up for future generations.

On the surface, it’s obvious that women were treated unfairly in biblical times. Many Christians have perpetuated that in the modern church. They have minimized women’s roles in ministry, marriage, and life. However, reading deeper, you can see that Jesus was trying to raise up women. Peter declared that salvation was for men and women. Jesus declared he came to set the “captive free.” Women were, and continue to be, captive by limitations contrived by society. Jesus intended salvation to bring women liberty and freedom.

My husband reminded me how significant it was that Matthew added these women in the Bible. Matthew knew firsthand how the prejudices of society could impact a person. As a tax collector on behalf of the hated Roman government, Matthew was an outcast among his own people. It is likely he was called names, shunned, and spat upon. He may not have been welcomed in the temple or allowed to share Shabbat with his family. Jesus saw how loneliness and bitterness had broken Matthew’s spirit. But Jesus also saw beyond what others labeled as an outcast and called Matthew to be his disciple. Over the next few years, Matthew was an eyewitness to how Jesus treated those devalued by society, especially women, several of whom were named as followers of Jesus.

Join me and hear the stories of Tamar, Rahab, Ruth and Bethsheba. Note: I want to give credit to Raymond Woodward for inspiring this piece with his message “Broken Christmas.” You can find his message on YouTube. I disagreed with his interpretation of Bethsheba. Read my upcoming piece on her to see my interpretation

This is a picture of my uncles, Dennis and David, who have since passed away.
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Formations 21: Tree Hugger

“They are like trees planted along a riverbank, with roots that reach deep into the water.” Jeremiah 17:8

Terry and I drove by our old house and were devastated when we saw the maple tree we love had been massacred. Yes, this is a slight exaggeration; we were devastated because our maple tree had been trimmed to fit the stereotypical tree shape most HOAs dictate. Gone were all the branches that countless children had dared to climb. Gone were the low-hanging branches that we ducked under while we mowed the lawn. Gone was the canopy that provided backyard shade on hot days. Yes, the tree was still there, and I am sure it will fill out beautifully next year. But right now, it is half the tree it used to be, and I mourn the memory of the maple tree that was.

My husband loves trees and shares this passion with me. His absolute delight is contagious, and I, too, have fallen in love with these majestic monuments of nature. They provide many benefits for us: cleaner air, cooler temperatures, better stormwater management, improved health by reducing stress, and the creation of habitats for wildlife. I have done a deep dive on trees with books like The Hidden Lives of Trees, Reforesting Faith, and the most recent, Tree Collectors. These authors have helped me see how trees are communal, distinct, and important to God.

But more than reading about trees, I love taking walks among trees. Whether it is a park where a weeping willow is swaying in the wind, or down a city street where Ginkgos have been planted. I love to explore the woods where I walk on needles and smell the scent of pine trees. Like a child, I stop to pick up leaves, run my fingers across the bark, and gaze up to look at the crowns of oaks, birches, and elms.

Trees are another treasure from a good God.

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Formations 20: Friendship

“Share each other’s burens, and in this way, obey the law of Christ.” Galatians 6:2

Research indicates that having three to five friends is associated with high life satisfaction. Other studies have demonstrated that having at least six friends can improve overall health. I know I have more than six people in my inner circle, and that makes me a blessed woman.

I am so thankful for my lifelong friends who have been with me at every major milestone in my life. They accepted me as a messy teenager and still love me in my middle age. I am blessed.

I am so thankful for the family that I call friends. Some of them came with titles: sisters, cousins, and aunts. But somewhere along the way, that relationship has moved from an obligation to a rich friendship, and I am blessed.

Moving from Wisconsin to Pennsylvania was one of the hardest things I have ever done. It took some time, even moving churches, but I have found a group of friends that I am so blessed to do life with. Whether it is sending messages on a text stream, going out for coffee, or just having a game night, these people know, accept, and love me. I am so blessed.

I may not have a lot of money in the bank or a vault full of jewels. I may not be able to travel to Bali or Blackberry Farm for a week’s stay, but my life is rich. It is rich with relationships, old and new. And when appraised, the value is priceless.

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Formations 19: Alexa, Please Play…

“I will shout for joy and sing your praises,” Psalms 71:23

Alexa has reawakened my love of music. Sometimes, I ask her to play worship music, and I get lost in communion with God. Other times, I bop around to 80s music from my own teenage era or start my morning with modern music from Forest Frank or Cain. Sometimes, Terry and I play Sinatra or Bublé and dance slowly in our living room. (I would dance to Ed Sheeran, but Terry doesn’t share my love of him). Other times, I sing off-key to Broadway hits or belt out Adele or Taylor. Music inspires, motivates, and transforms me. I love old, new, indie, pop, classical, and jazz. And yes, I know it is only November, but I am blissfully indulging in Christmas music (this is the only time I don’t want any comments from the “no Christmas before Thanksgiving” people; let me live my life the way I want). I believe that music is a good gift from a good God. So, bring on the banjo, cello, and keyboard, just maybe not at the same time.

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Formations 18: God’s Word

“Your word is a lamp to guide my feet and a light for my path.” Psalms 110:105

God’s Word

Nourishes me,

Encourages me,

Inspires me,

Reminds me, and then,

Convicts me.

God’s Word

Informs me,

Persuades me,

Awakens me,

To whom God is

And who I am not.

God’s Word

Has been misaligned,

Has been weaponized,

Has been misinterpreted,

Has been misused,

And this is so unfortunate.

God’s Word

I need to study,

I need to mediate,

I need to pray.

And when I repeat,

It will be alive in me.

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Formations 16: Adulting

“O people, the Lord has told you what is good, and this is what he requires of you:to do what is right, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God.” Micah 6:8

I love all the seasons of adult life.

In the spring of adulthood, I embraced collegiate life like a sponge. I adopted new ideas and became more passionate about others. I saw every opportunity as something to try and find out what I liked and what I didn’t. Although I poured myself into my studies, I poured myself into my friendships even more. Life seemed full of possibilities, and I wistfully dreamed of the future. It was the season when I fell in love with the person who would become my husband, with a DQ Mr. Misty by my side. And God’s goodness was chasing after me.

In the summer of adulthood, I was more confident in who I was. I embraced motherhood, creating opportunities for them to learn, explore, and thrive. I created traditions and celebrated life in a big way. I poured myself into ministry, both as a mother and as a faithful member of the body of Christ. In this season, I made the decision to home educate. I did childcare on the side. I loved my life and strived to do everything well fueled by Diet Pepsi. And God’s goodness was chasing after me.

It is the autumn of my adulthood, and I am still loving my life. I am an empty nester enjoying the quietness of our home. We still have plenty of family moments filled with lots of hugs and kisses from grandchildren. But now, we have time to focus on each other. I have cast my net wider than the four walls of my church, as far as ministry, trying to care for those who are marginalized in my community. I published a book and hope to write another one next year. I am energized by my relationship with God and the more than occasional cup of coffee. And God’s goodness is chasing after me.

The winter of adulthood has not arrived. I hope it will be filled with family, friends, and serving my community. I pray that I grow less attached to things and more attached to God. I believe I will continue to write, learn, and explore. And some day, when I am at the end, I will drink and feast at the table of my king. Because God’s goodness chased after me.

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Formations 15: Shop Small

“Good comes to those who lend money generously and conduct their business fairly.” Psalms 112:5

In the late 80s and 90s, I was a mall girl. I went to Waldenbooks looking for, well, books; to DEB for my Wham sweatshirt and bracelets; and smelled candles at Wicks ‘n’ Sticks. As a young adult, I improved my tastes by exploring different stores, but I was still a mall girl at heart. I may or may not have had a Bath and Body Works credit card, bought Terry’s first Christmas gift from The Bombay Furniture Company, and found Christmas ornaments at Marshall Fields. As a young mother, I still perused malls occasionally, but became a regular shopper at Target, TJ Maxx, and Barnes & Noble. Like all good parents do on these sometimes-long days of shopping, we bribed our kids with massive cookies at The All-American Cookie Company.

I still shop at some big box stores, but I really believe in supporting small local businesses. The owners have put a passion into opening a store that will hopefully offer some personally curated items and books, or have created an enjoyable experience or service. I may have paid a little more than I would on Amazon, but I know that this money is supporting my local economy. I also love hearing the stories of these shop owners, what inspired them to take the retail risk. So here is a list of some of my favorites. I am keeping the list exclusively to shops, not restaurants or coffee shops, which will be later.

  • Relish in Federick, Maryland
  • Cheerful Flowers and Gifts in Chambersburg
  • Grayce Gardens in Chambersburg
  • Central Wedge in Carlisle
  • Whistlestop Bookshop in Carlisle
  • Cocalico Creek in Lancaster
  • Nooks in Lancaster
  • Main Street Exchange in Lancaster
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Formations 14: The Littles (and Some Who are not so Little)

“Let the children come to me, and do not hinder them, for to such belongs the kingdom of God.” Luke 18:15

Excerpt from Reclaimed & Restored

“This has continued throughout my adult life. We made the decision to be a one-income family, so that I could stay home and educate our children. Soon, providing childcare for others was a way to supplement our income, which I have been doing for over 24 years. Just when I think I am done with childcare, God brings a new set of children into my life. Each child has been unique and has their own way of looking at the world. Some believe they are magical; others get lost in the world of books. Some love to dance; others love to create. But each child has brought a gift into my life: they have allowed me to reclaim the time when I should have been playing with Play-Doh, blowing bubbles, and singing silly songs.”

I still have a lot of littles in my life. Some come to my house and eat my fruit, while I chat with others about books, Gilmore Girls, and Anne with an E. Others tell me their dreams of owning snakes, while others tell me about their love for pitbulls. I am not related to any of these littles, but I am so thankful they are in my life. My life is richer, busier, and more fun with them in it. Thank you, parents, for sharing your little people with me.

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Formations 13: Four Seasons

“For everything there is a season, a time for every activity under heaven.” Ecclesiastes 3:1

I am thankful for all four seasons!

In spring, bunnies frolic in the grass, nibbling on the clover. Lilacs bloom, wafting their sweet, heady perfume across the yard. Trees bud and unfurl their chartreuse leaves. Cheeful daffodils wave hello across the city, and everyone’s steps seem lighter. It is a season of anticipation, where anything can happen, and we can all start over. It is the season when we indulge in strawberries, green peas, and asparagus, embracing the season’s freshness. And God made it so good.

In summer, groundhogs waddle through the fields, feasting on the greens before they wilt in the sun. Birds sing at dawn and in the evening, hiding in their nests during the heat of the day. Flowers are blooming everywhere, filling pots and boxes with explosions of color. People meander around the city, as if time has stopped, and having a good time is the priority. Laughter fills the air, while peaches, nectarines, and corn fill the stands at Farmers’ Markets. Gatherings during the days and late nights keep the city buzzing like bees looking for the sweet nectar of the good life. It is the season of enjoyment. And God made it so good.

In autumn, squirrels skitter across the streets, gathering nuts and acorns for the winter. Mornings start with a chilly nip, while golden light frames the afternoon. Flowers may fade, but the trees express artistry with deep red, yellow, and orange leaves. Pumpkins, butternut squash, and apples are seasonal flavors in both food and drinks. People still gather, but the atmosphere has changed. It is a season of thankfulness, expressed with open hearts and warm smiles around tables and bonfires. And God made it so good.

In winter, the blanket of snow tells the tales of deer, raccoons, and foxes by their tracks. The snow sparkles like glitter in the sunlight, and the air feels icy. Wrapped up in coats, scarves, gloves, and knitted hats with pompoms, people walk quickly and determinedly. Yet, children still find joy in the season, squealing as they sled down a hill or make a snowman. Once inside, they warm up with steamy mugs of tea, coffee, or hot chocolate and fill their stomachs with stews of turnips, parsnips, and potatoes. Despite the landscape being a bit monochromatic, citrus fills the grocers, adding a bit of brightness to the season. It is the season for quiet contemplation, reading books, or playing games as a family. And God made it so good.

I love the God who made the four seasons so good.