Christmas is here!
This Advent I came to a new realization of the meaning of Christmas. We can celebrate an event of cosmic proportions, the Son of God taking on our humanity.
Why is this so important? Jesus' arrival is what the prophets spoke of and what kings and patriarchs longed to see. They awaited the Saviour.
We are fortunate in having the notion of eternal salvation as something of a cultural birthright. I say "something of" because we are not saved because of where or when we are born, but by believing in the Good News of Jesus, and accepting Him as the Way.
So, in the joy of this Good News, have a blessed Christmas season and a Happy New Year!
Wednesday, December 26, 2007
Saturday, December 22, 2007
Saturday, December 15, 2007
Advent
In and earlier post I had said that Christmas is not until December 25th. I thought I should elaborate.
We have essentially been celebrating Christmas for a few weeks now. I used to really enjoy this time of year, going to Christmas parties, etc.
But a few years ago it began dawning on me that I was jumping the gun. During the season of Advent, it is more appropriate to anticipate Christmas than actually celebrate it.
How might I anticipate Christmas? As the carol says, "let every heart prepare Him room." Or, as John the Baptist put it, "Make straight the way of the Lord." At one time, Advent was observed as Lent is (or was) observed before Easter, as a time of prayer, fasting, and almsgiving. In fact, the time before Easter was known as "Great Lent", to distinguish it from the "smaller" lent before Christmas.
So perhaps I can anticipate Christmas, the celebration of the birth of Jesus, by making room for Him in my heart by putting aside the things that take up that space, starting with my own self! This can be done quite effectively by giving up what "I" want, by praying, fasting, and almsgiving. Think of others first, do for others first, not forgetting that Other Who put me here in the first place!
I still have a long way to go - but the way forward seems worth the effort!
We have essentially been celebrating Christmas for a few weeks now. I used to really enjoy this time of year, going to Christmas parties, etc.
But a few years ago it began dawning on me that I was jumping the gun. During the season of Advent, it is more appropriate to anticipate Christmas than actually celebrate it.
How might I anticipate Christmas? As the carol says, "let every heart prepare Him room." Or, as John the Baptist put it, "Make straight the way of the Lord." At one time, Advent was observed as Lent is (or was) observed before Easter, as a time of prayer, fasting, and almsgiving. In fact, the time before Easter was known as "Great Lent", to distinguish it from the "smaller" lent before Christmas.
So perhaps I can anticipate Christmas, the celebration of the birth of Jesus, by making room for Him in my heart by putting aside the things that take up that space, starting with my own self! This can be done quite effectively by giving up what "I" want, by praying, fasting, and almsgiving. Think of others first, do for others first, not forgetting that Other Who put me here in the first place!
I still have a long way to go - but the way forward seems worth the effort!
Tuesday, December 11, 2007
Born to Run
In my last post I mentioned how some of Bruce Springsteen's songs were difficult to follow musically.
Yesterday I looked at a guitar tab of Born to Run just to see if I could play it. It looks doable, but I kind of struggle with chords like E/G# ;-) So I will continue to work on it as time permits.
It is much easier on bass, by the way...
Yesterday I looked at a guitar tab of Born to Run just to see if I could play it. It looks doable, but I kind of struggle with chords like E/G# ;-) So I will continue to work on it as time permits.
It is much easier on bass, by the way...
Saturday, December 8, 2007
Another Boss Moment
Anthony C lent me his copy of the DVD Wings for Wheels - The Making of Born to Run. I watched it last week and was overwhelmed. In a good way...
Even though it brought back the 70s in less-than-glorious black and white video imagery, the music and attitude behind it came straight through. I grimaced at the thought of how much work went into that album. For instance, they worked on the song Born to Run for six months. I get antsy if I'm in the studio for less than six hours. Can't imagine what six months is like. And taking 14 hours to get a saxophone solo that worked - completely beyond my comprehension.
On the other hand, Bruce's single-mindedness and extraordinary devotion to the project inspired me greatly. Something I must have heard about along the line, but never registered. I take it as a challenge now!
Bruce said two things that touched me especially. He mentioned how he was running away from his hometown, yet at the same time writing songs about it gave him his identity. And now, apparently, he lives near there still. Secondly, he referred to the Born to Run effort as a kind of communion with his band, and that the record was sacramental, in a way.
Now THAT was something I'd never heard from a rock star before. A most interesting description, and one that might have been illustrated by some concert footage from 1973 that was included on the DVD.
One thing that always bothered me about Springsteen songs was that they were rather complex. I couldn't easily follow them musically. For example, if I were in a jam session, I would not be able to do any Springsteen songs, except for Glory Days, Cover Me, or Trapped. It would be a lot of work to learn some of his earlier, longer songs.
But watching the concert footage I was floored by how tightly the band played, and how Garry Tallent played a tuba in one song, not to mention the dynamics and drama, even though I had no idea what the songs were about.
I was drawn in.
Even though it brought back the 70s in less-than-glorious black and white video imagery, the music and attitude behind it came straight through. I grimaced at the thought of how much work went into that album. For instance, they worked on the song Born to Run for six months. I get antsy if I'm in the studio for less than six hours. Can't imagine what six months is like. And taking 14 hours to get a saxophone solo that worked - completely beyond my comprehension.
On the other hand, Bruce's single-mindedness and extraordinary devotion to the project inspired me greatly. Something I must have heard about along the line, but never registered. I take it as a challenge now!
Bruce said two things that touched me especially. He mentioned how he was running away from his hometown, yet at the same time writing songs about it gave him his identity. And now, apparently, he lives near there still. Secondly, he referred to the Born to Run effort as a kind of communion with his band, and that the record was sacramental, in a way.
Now THAT was something I'd never heard from a rock star before. A most interesting description, and one that might have been illustrated by some concert footage from 1973 that was included on the DVD.
One thing that always bothered me about Springsteen songs was that they were rather complex. I couldn't easily follow them musically. For example, if I were in a jam session, I would not be able to do any Springsteen songs, except for Glory Days, Cover Me, or Trapped. It would be a lot of work to learn some of his earlier, longer songs.
But watching the concert footage I was floored by how tightly the band played, and how Garry Tallent played a tuba in one song, not to mention the dynamics and drama, even though I had no idea what the songs were about.
I was drawn in.
Tuesday, December 4, 2007
Sunday, December 2, 2007
Saturday, December 1, 2007
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