Merry Christmas

Merry Christmas, everyone!

bobtraupman2 Comments

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The Birthday of Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ

While all things were

      in quiet silence,

And that night was

      in the midst of

   her swift course,

Thine Almighty Word,

     O Lord,

Leaped down out

of thy royal throne,

      Alleluia!

 ~ And the Word became flesh and lived among us.  John 1:14

h

 

              WE Christians tend to sentimentalize the Christmas story. 

And yet the whole message is there beneath the charming Christmas pageants with the cute little girls holding baby dolls and boys dressed up in bathrobes as St. Joseph.  Yes, it’s all there. Now let’s think about what it means.

John sums the whole story in one sentence(!) saying “the Word became flesh and lived (dwelt) among us” or as the Greek word actually translates as “pitched his tent among us.” Thus, he intended to move with us and stay with us a while!

He is Emmanuel ~ God  with us!

Now there are two words here that Christians generally don’t like.  One is “flesh” as in “the world, the flesh and the devil.”  And the other is in the middle of the Christmas part of our faith story in theology. That theological word is “Incarnation. The “carn” part is carnal.  We don’t like that word, do we? We think it ~ um ~refers to sin!

But there you are, folks “flesh” and “carnal” referring to what our God has taken upon himself.

 Let’s look at what this charming Christmas story means ~ what its implications mean for your life today:

If God accepted our “fleshiness” (by becoming flesh, by taking on a human body) – then so should (must) we accept our own bodies and, yes, our sexuality, our “fleshiness.” This was the reason he became Man: to throw his lot with the human race and show us how to  become fully human, fully alive!

Dear Friends,

Our waiting is over.

Christmas is here.

I have the peace and satisfaction that I have poured my love into my writings.

I think I’m ready to receive the special gift Jesus wants to give me this Christmas.

And I pray so very earnestly that you receive the special gift God wishes to give you.

Cleanse your heart of resentments / of preoccupations with unnecessary things.

Ask yourself what really is the meaning of life ~ your life.

For me the answer is to love as best I can.

I also have some wisdom to share that arises out of  my own crosses I’ve carried over the years.

But it’s all gift!

So, I hope you have received something nourishing and sweet in the 23 posts I’ve been able to create this Advent.

They are my gift to you.

Have a wonderful Christmas with your family.

And if your Christmas is lonely with no one really special to share it with,

know that you have someone here who understands and who reaches out to you from my heart to yours.

And be sure to open yourself to the holiness ~ the wholeness ~ the peace of Christmas.

It is there beneath all the craziness and hype.  It is yours if you seek it and ask for it.

MERRY CHRISTMAS, EVERYONE!

Glory to God in the highest and peace to people of good will!

If you would like the Scripture readings for the Scripture readings for any of the several Masses for Christmas Click here. 

Here is a very special Christmas music video for you. Click here. Be sure to turn up your speakers and enter full screen.

 

And, before you go,here’s another one, if you would like,  of  Handel’s glorious GLORY TO GOD ~ PEACE ON EARTH ~ GOOD WILL TOWARD MEN!

With love,

Bob Traupman

contemplative writer  

P. S. We’ll be back again on December 26th ~ The Feast of  St. Stephen and the Twelve Days of Christmas!

Merry Christmas, everyone!

bobtraupmanLeave a comment

IMG_1511Quantcast

The Birthday of Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ

Check out this video first! Click here.  (Then click on the  << arrow on the top left corner of your computer to return to this page.)

h

While all things were

      in quiet silence,

And that night was

      in the midst of

   her swift course,

Thine Almighty Word,

     O Lord,

Leaped down out

of thy royal throne,

      Alleluia!

 ~ And the Word became flesh and lived among us.  John 1:14

 


 WE Christians tend to sentimentalize the Christmas story. 

And yet the whole message is there beneath the charming Christmas pageants with the cute little girls holding baby dolls and boys dressed up in bathrobes as St. Joseph.  Yes, it’s all there. Now let’s think about what it means.

John sums the whole story in one sentence!  “The Word became flesh and lived (dwelt) among us.”  The Greek word actually translates as “pitched his tent among us.”   Thus, he intended to move in with us and stay with us a while!

He is Emmanuel ~ God  with us!

Now there are two words here that Christians generally don’t like.  One is “flesh” as in “the world, the flesh and the devil.”  And the other is in the middle of the Christmas part of our faith story in theology. That theological word is “Incarnation”. The “carn” part is carnal.  We don’t like that word, do we? We think it~um~refers to sin!

But there you are, folks “flesh” and “carnal” referring to what our God has taken upon himself.

 Let’s look at what the Christmas story means ~ what its implications might mean for your life today:

If God accepted our “fleshiness” (by becoming flesh, by taking on a human body) – then so should (must) we accept our own bodies and, yes, our sexuality, our “fleshiness.”

This was the reason he became Man: to throw in his lot with the human race and show us how to  become fully human, fully alive!

Dear Friends,

Our waiting is over.

Christmas is here.

I have the peace and satisfaction that I have poured my love into my writings

I hope to receive the special gift Jesus wants to give me this Christmas.

And I pray so very earnestly that you receive the special gift God wishes to give you.

Cleanse your heart of resentments / of preoccupations with unnecessary things.

Ask yourself what really is the meaning of life ~ your life.

For me the answer is to love as best I can.

I have a lot of love in my heart to share with whomever would like to receive.

I also have some wisdom to share that arises out of  my own crosses I’ver carried over the years.

But it’s all gift!

So, I hope you have received something nourishing and sweet in the 21 posts I have been able to create this Advent.

They are my gift to you.

Have a wonderful Christmas with your family.

And if your Christmas is lonely with no one really special to share it with,

know that you have someone here who understands and who reaches out to you from my heart to yours.

And be sure to open yourself to the holiness / the wholeness / the peace of Christmas.

It is there beneath all the craziness and hype.  It is yours if you seek it and ask for it.

MERRY CHRISTMAS, EVERYONE!

Glory to God in the highest and peace to people of good will! 

Here is a thrilling version of “O Holy Night” sung by the men and boys choir at Kings College, Cambridge. Click here.  Be sure to turn up your speakers and enter full screen.

If you would like the Scripture readings for the Scripture readings for any of the several Masses for Christmas Click here.

With love,

Bob Traupman

contemplative writer

Merry Christmas, everyone!

bobtraupman1 Comment

Quantcasth

The Birthday of Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ

(Check this video out first!)  (Then click on the  << arrow on the top left corner of your computer to return to this page.)

h

While all things were

      in quiet silence,

And that night was

      in the midst of

   her swift course,

Thine Almighty Word,

     O Lord,

Leaped down out

of thy royal throne,

      Alleluia!

 ~ And the Word became flesh and lived among us.  John 1:14

 


              WE Christians tend to sentimentalize the Christmas story. 

And yet the whole message is there beneath the charming Christmas pageants with the cute little girls holding baby dolls and boys dressed up in bathrobes as St. Joseph.  Yes, it’s all there. Now let’s think about what it means.

John sums the whole story in one sentence(!) saying “the Word became flesh and lived (dwelt) among us” or as the Greek word actually translates as “pitched his tent among us.” Thus, he intended to move with us and stay with us a while!

He is Emmanuel ~ God  with us!

Now there are two words here that Christians generally don’t like.  One is “flesh” as in “the world, the flesh and the devil.”  And the other is in the middle of the Christmas part of our faith story in theology. That theologica word is “Incarnation. The “carn” part is carnal.  We don’t like that word, do we? We think it (um) refers to sin!

But there you are, folks “flesh” and “carnal” referring to what our God has taken upon himself.

 Let’s look at what this charming Christmas story means ~ what its implications mean for your life today:

If God accepted our “fleshiness” (by becoming flesh, by taking on a human body) – then so should (must) we accept our own bodies and, yes, our sexuality, our “fleshiness.” This was the reason he became Man: to throw his lot with the human race and show us how to  become fully human, fully alive!

Dear Friends,

Our waiting is over.

Christmas is here.

I have the peace and satisfaction that I have poured my love into my writings

I am at peace.  My heart is ready to receive the special gift Jesus wants to give me this Christmas.

And I pray so very earnestly that you receive the special gift God wishes to give you.

Cleanse your heart of resentments / of preoccupations with unnecessary things.

Ask yourself what really is the meaning of life ~ your life.

For me the answer is to love as best I can.

I have a lot of love in my heart to share with whomever would like to receive.

I also have some wisdom to share that arises out of  my own crosses I’ver carries over the years.

But it’s all gift!

So, I hope you have received something nourishing and sweet in the 24 posts I have been able to create this Advent.

They are my gift to you.

Have a wonderful Christmas with your family.

And if your Christmas is lonely with no one really special to share it with,

know that you have someone here who understands and who reaches out to you from my heart to yours.

And be sure to open yourself to the holiness / the wholeness / the peace of Christmas.

It is there beneath all the craziness and hype.  It is yours if you seek it and ask for it.

MERRY CHRISTMAS, EVERYONE!

Glory to God in the highest and peace to people of good will! If you would like the Scripture readings for the Scripture readings for any of the several Masses for Christmas Click here.

Here is a YouTube video of  Handel’s glorious GLORY TO GOD ~ PEACE ON EARTH ~ GOOD WILL TOWARD MEN!

With love,

Bob Traupman

contemplative writer

Merry Christmas, everyone!

bobtraupmanLeave a comment

Quantcast“Merry Christmas, everyone!”

       Lo, how a rose e’er blooming,

From Jesse’s lineage coming,

As men of old have sung.

It came, a floweret bright,

Amid the cold of winter

When half spent was the night

Isaiah ’twas foretold it,
The Rose I have in mind
With Mary we behold it,
The Virgin mother kind

To show God’s love aright,
She bore to us a Savior
When half spent was the night

The shepherds heard the story
Proclaimed by angels bright,
How Christ, the Lord of Glory
Was born on earth this night.

To Bethlehem they sped
And in the manger they found him,
As angels heralds said.

This Flower, whose fragrance tender
With sweetness fills the air,
Dispels with glorious splendor
The darkness everywhere;

True man, yet very God,
From Sin and death he saves us,
And lightens every load.

Dear Friends,

Our waiting is over.

Christmas is here.

I’m content that I’ve poured my love into my writings.

I am at peace.  My heart is ready to receive the special gift Jesus wants to give me this Christmas.

And I pray so very earnestly that you receive the special gift God wishes to give you.

Cleanse your heart of resentments / of preoccupations with unnecessary things.

Ask yourself what really is the meaning of your life?

For me the answer is to love as best I can.

I have a lot of love in my heart to share.

So, I hope you’ve received something nourishing and sweet in the 20 posts I’ve shared with you this Advent. It takes me two to three hours a night to put one together, even if I started with a older post.

They are my gift to you.

Have a wonderful Christmas with your family.

 

And if your Christmas is lonely with no one really special to share it with, know that you have someone here who understands and who reaches out to you from my heart to yours because my Christmases are often lonely too.

And be sure to open yourself to the holiness ~ the wholeness  ~ the peace of Christmas.

It is there beneath all the craziness and hype.  It is yours ~ if you seek it. 

Ask for it.

Merry Christmas,  everyone!

Glory to God in the highest and peace to people of good will!

 

Here’s a YouTube video of Handel’s glorious: “Glory to God in the Highest ~ Peace on Earth towards Men of Good Will”

Click on this link:  Be sure to turn up your speakers and enter full screen.

Once you get to you tube and you have time you can finish up with the HALLELULIA CHORUS and WORTHY IS THE LAMB.

With love,

Bob Traupman

contemplative writer

Merry Christmas, everyone!

bobtraupmanLeave a comment

Quantcast
(Check this video out first!)
BE SURE TO ENTER FULL SCREEN.

Lo, how a rose e’er blooming,
From Jesse’s lineage coming,
As men of old have sung.
It came, a floweret bright,
Amid the cold of winter
When half spent was the night

Isaiah ’twas foretold it,
The Rose I have in mind
With Mary we behold it,
The Virgin mother kind

To show God’s love aright,
She bore to us a Savior
When half spent was the night

The shepherds heard the story
Proclaimed by angels bright,
How Christ, the Lord of Glory
Was born on earth this night.

This Flower, whose fragrance tender
With sweetness fills the air,
Dispels with glorious splendor
The darkness everywhere.


Here’s a very unusual spontaneous video of this lovely carol

by six young men in perfect pitch on a cold winter’s night.


Dear Friends,

I have the peaceful easy feelin’ that I’ve poured  some of my love into these writings and images.

And my own heart is ready to receive the special gift Jesus wants to give me this Christmas.

And I pray so very earnestly that you receive the special gift God wishes to give you as well.

Cleanse your heart of bitterness,  of selfishness and resentments.

Put aside unnecessary things.

Ask yourself what really is the meaning of your life?

For me the answer is to love as very best I can.

I am a flawed human being.  We all are.

Sometimes I miss the mark.

(That’s what sin is ~ “Hamartia in Greek: to miss the mark.”

But we also have gifts to share.

I have a lot of love in my heart to share with whomever would like to receive.

And I have some wisdom to share arising years of suffering from the heavy cross of manic depressive disorder.

But it’s also a gift and it keeps of giving.

So, I hope you have received something nourishing and sweet in the 24 posts I have been able to create this Advent.

They are my gift to you.

Have a wonderful Christmas with your family or with a friend or two.

And if your Christmas is lonely with no one really special to share it with,

or if you are depressed or without a friend or if you are down on your luck

or don’t know where your next buck is gonna come from

or have lost a loved one at this time of year,

please know that you have someone here who understands and who reaches out to you from my heart to yours.

Be sure to open yourself to the holiness / the wholeness / the Peace of Christmas.

It is there beneath all the craziness and hype.  It is yours if you seek it and ask for it.

MERRY CHRISTMAS, EVERYONE!!!

And now to close let’s let Handel have the last word:

Click here: GLORY TO GOD~PEACE ON EARTH~GOOD WILL TOWARD MEN!

BE SURE TO TURN UP YOUR SPEAKERS AND ENTER FOR SCREEN.  Right next to where you are in You Tube you can end your celebration with the awesome coda of the Messiah WORTHY IS THE LAMB!

HAVE A WONDERFUL CHRISTMAS WITH YOUR FAMILY!

We will be will be right back after Christmas.  As you might know we Catholics extend the celebration until the feast of the Epiphany ~ January 6th.

BEFORE YOU GO, IF YOU HAVE ENJOYED THESE POSTS WOULD YOU  LEAVE A COMMENT OR A THANK OR SOMETHIN’ IN THE COMMENT BOX BELOW OR BOUNCE BACK AN EMAIL?

I WOULD GREATLY ‘PRECIATE IT FROM THE BOTTOM OF ME AROMATIC SOCKS!


With love,

Bob Traupman

Contemplative writer