Symanzik Family Update

Reflecting on the year 2010, this timely blog came in my email from John Piper's ministry, http://www.desiringgod.org/blog.

"The last week of the year is a good time--with God's help--to reflect on the past 12 months, do a little self-assessment, and decide what things to repent of and reach for in the next lap around the sun.

At the end of his first year as pastor at Bethlehem Baptist Church, John Piper led his people in doing this through his sermon "I Have Kept the Faith."

Below is the conclusion of that sermon. Just plug in "2010" and "2011" where you read "1980" and "1981," and the content is still relevant 30 years later.

So, how did we do in 1980? If 1980 were the whole of our life, could we say with Paul, "I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness"? My guess is that there are people here who can give three different answers to that question. * One will say, "I fought no fight because I felt no great desire to follow Christ's counsel and trust his promises. Satan and my own flesh got no resistance from me." * Another will say, "I felt some desire to trust Christ and go his way, but whenever a conflict arose, I was defeated every time. I really didn't fight a very good fight." * And a third will say, "Praise God, it was a hard but glorious year. The Word of God came alive for me and helped time and time again to overcome temptation and hold to Christ. It wasn't always easy, but thanks be to God who gives us the victory through Jesus Christ our Lord." Whichever one of those groups you are in now, remember this: by the grace of God, this day is only a rehearsal of the end. His mercy is opening before you a new life in 1981, and you can enter it and finish as a victorious fighter if you will declare yourself from your heart as one who now renounces Satan's power and self-reliance and who trusts Jesus Christ for all his word."

I had a dear friend from the US enlighten me to the true meaning of the Christmas Novena - a 9 day service leading up to Christmas Day that a Father Charles Vachetta developed back in 1721.

Father Charles Vachetta, pastor of the Church of the Immaculate in Turin, Italy, wanted to give his parishioners something special for the Advent of 1721. He wanted them to understand the intertwining of the Old and New Testaments so they could see for themselves the love of God unfold from the beginning of time and for all eternity. Father Vachetta decided to give them the gift of a novena--a prayer going deep into the spirit of Advent, leaving one inspired with inexpressible joy. So Father Vachetta began to write his nine-day prayer, to stir the hearts of his parishioners to eagerly await the coming of Christ.

This is an excellent reading the way he wove the Old and New Testament together to point to the coming of Christ.

What saddens my heart is my Filipino friends being told that if they
do this 9 day prayer their wish, whatever it is, will come true.
I do not believe this was Father Vachetta's intent. His was to point his parishioners to Christ.

From the website: http://campus.udayton.edu/mary/prayers/chrnovena.html

Father Vachetta was a poet and scholar, steeped in Biblical theology. Using the Latin Vulgate, he wove the novena from the psalms and prophecies of the Old Testament which foretold the coming of the Messiah and crowned his masterpiece by retelling the birth of John the Baptist. Then, taking some of Scripture's lesser known prophecies, he composed a canticle, or prayer- song of incomparable beauty called "Let the Heavens Be Glad." The canticle is sung after the seven major prophecies and makes a fitting antiphon for the Scripture readings of the day. The Christmas novena, as it is now known, begins on December 16, nine days before Christmas, and ends on Christmas Eve. Father Vachetta left us the heritage of a lovely Advent tradition and his work continues to prepare hearts for the coming of Christ through the prophecies, psalms and Gospels. His Christmas novena will inspire people for ages to come.

Cinnamon Rolls and Stollen baked for gifts and eating.

Mikayla making a RedWall recipe for Christmas Eve Dinner.

Flowers that were delivered to us for Christmas!

Christmas Eve Dinner

Jerard sleeping through the Christmas morning festivities!

Mikayla, Kirsten, Ben and James

Optimus Prime and BumbleBee Transformer masks

Being silly in the kitchen.

Kurt buried in wrapping paper by James and Ben

The neighbors behind us played and sang karaoke all night til the sun came up. They had games and food and drinking going on.
Catholics attend a 3am mass each morning for 9 mornings in order to be guaranteed receiving their wish....the true meaning of the birth of Christ in the stable seems a bit lost.
The Muslim call to prayer sounds at 4:45am.........

Luke 2:12 This will be a sign to you
you shall find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.

"Is there anyone in our midst who pretends to understand the awesome love in the heart of the Abba of Jesus that inspired, motivated, and brought about Christmas?....
God entered into our world not with the crushing impact of unbearable glory, but in the way of weakness, vulnerability, and need. On a wintry night in an obscure cave, the infant Jesus was a humble, naked, helpless God who allowed us to get close to him." (Brennan Manning)

Blessings on your holiday celebrations. May each of us remember the TRUE meaning of Christmas - Christ has come - He is here.

May our zeal to reach the lost with the true gospel be increased.

I am currently reading several excellent books!

Randy Alcorn's book "Money, Possessions and Eternity" has me rethinking how I use what God has provided for us; how best to build for eternity by helping those in need here on earth; how to be better in showing hospitality to others; and how to raise my kids to realize that each deed done here on earth is building for eternity - whether good or bad. This is an excellent read and I highly recommend it.

"Conformed To His Image" by Kenneth Boa is about 12 facets of spiritual formation. This book is actually a college text book but not dry or boring in any way. This book helps develop a fuller, holistic Biblical foundation for our lives.

I just also started reading "Intimate Allies" by Dan Allendar and Tremper Longman III. It's a book about God's design for marriage and becoming soul-mates for life. It seems to me that marriages have seasons they go through. And some seasons require more committed work to keep the friendship, love and passion going than other seasons. (But don't worry - thought Kurt and I have walked rough paths in our marriage, we are doing well - there is always room for improvement and we are working toward that end. Another great book is "Hold Me Tight" by Dr. Sue Johnson!) [ I want to learn all I can about being a better wife and friend to Kurt - - especially when reflecting that marriage is a type and shadow of Christ's relationship to us, His church!]

So, if you need a book to read this holiday season, I recommend these!