Always Anxiously Engaged: Christmas

Showing posts with label Christmas. Show all posts

Friday, December 25, 2020

2020 - Christmas Beauty of the Day #25 - Kerry and Peggy

Today concludes my Christmas posts for 2020. I hope there has been some joy in both the music and the treasures I have posted.

Today's posts is a culmination of all of the previous posts. All have pointed to Christ in one way or another. They are filled with the appreciation I have for all he has given to me - to us.

Even the tiniest of things have meaning. The Danish plates point to Kerry's heritage. The ornament from Valley Forge represents my own ancestors, as well as some of Kerry's who fought to preserve our God-given freedoms on this land.

The Russian nativities and nesting dolls point to all of God's children around the world that he loves.

The Christmas plates from Kerry's mother point to the giving of something we would cherish for the rest of our lives. The kerosene lamps reminding me of Christmas Eves with my parents point to the light that Christ brings into our lives.

The red gingham bows my mom and I made together represent the time spent within a family, and how we should make an effort to get things all tied up in our lives.

The baby booties and quilt made and give to baby son Peter represent that Peter once lived, he died, and is very much alive in spirit in the afterlife. Trust me when I say I know this.

The cowboy boot from OGS represents that every now and then we need a kick in the rear to get us going in the right direction. Again, trust me when I say I know this.

So today, Kerry and I are grateful for the birth of Jesus Christ whose birth we celebrate today. A deeper study will show that it likely didn't happen in December, but that it happened at a different time of year. But, that's a whole other discourse. Today we commemorate that he was born and lived and taught his doctrine, he died to redeem us from our sins through his atoning sacrifice, he was resurrected.

And, he will return.

We were taught those things as children, growing up 3,000 miles apart.

We believe those things as adults, because we choose to.

Merry Christmas to all of you. May you find the peace that we have.

Peace is not living without conflict. It is finding peace amidst the conflict.

#Christmas

#LightTheWorld

2020 - Christmas Music of the Day #25 - World’s Largest Virtual #Hallelujah Chorus

This virtual Hallelujah Chorus came out in 2016 before there was ever a pandemic, or virtual choirs and orchestras.

It was spot on!

So today as we celebrate and commemorate the birth of Jesus Christ, we have every reason to sing Hallelujah that such a tiny one came into to the world to redeem us from our sins.

This will conclude my Christmas music posts for 2020. Merry Christmas!

#ChristmasMusicoftheDay

#LightTheWorld

Thursday, December 24, 2020

2020 - Christmas Beauty of the Day #24 - Kerry's Christmas Star

During the years 1971-1973, young Kerry was serving a mission in the Delaware/Maryland Mission. He had left for the mission field in September of 1971, arriving in Maryland sometime in October.

It was his first real time away from home. His parents taught him well, and he loved his mission and the area he was in - enough to return to it at the end of his mission.

But at Christmastime, your heart turns homeward.

During his first Christmas away from home, he and his missionary companion were poor, not having much more than about $150 each month as a living allowance.

They at least wanted to have a tree, so pooling their money they bought one for $4.

And, most missionaries don't take Christmas decorations with them in their suitcases from home. So, Kerry found some cardboard and cut out a star to place on top of their $4 tree.

We still have that star 49 years later.

After we married in December 1977, we decorated our first tree together. Soon, Kerry placed this cardboard star on the top of our absolutely perfect tree. I gasped. What in the world was that thing?

He told me. Oh. Okay.

I put up with that star for years, always wanting a beautiful angel with a long flowing dress. One year I finally bought one and told him that it was going on the tree.

He quietly took his star down, placed it safely in a folder, and didn't say much.

I felt like a heel. I looked at our tree, and thought it was the ugliest one I had ever seen. I told him how I felt, and asked him to bring his star back out.

Peggy learned a valuable lesson that didn't use any words. Just feelings. I learned how to get rid of my selfish self.

We now have framed the star so the points don't get damaged, and it hangs year round in our dining room.

And, it is the most beautiful thing in that room.

#ChristmasBeautyoftheDay

#LightTheWorld

Wednesday, December 23, 2020

2020 - Christmas Beauty of the Day #23 - Nativity Ornament from Relief Society

A few years ago I made a decision about Christmas. My own children were adult enough to realize the meaning behind celebrating the birth of Christ during this time of year.

So, I decide that every Christmas card I sent, and nearly every decoration would be centered around this meaning. I still have some of the favorites from years' past.

But, I began to change on the inside.

My heart changed.

My actions changed.

I changed.

And it's all for the better.

This year the Relief Society Presidency gave out gift bags that contained a number of beautiful items inside. One of them was this ornament that I absolutely love. And, everyone who received one loves theirs, too!

#ChristmasBeautyoftheDay

#LightTheWorld

Tuesday, December 22, 2020

2020 - Christmas Beauty of the Day #22 - Holy Family, by sister Betty

Monday, December 21, 2020

2020 - Christmas Beauties of the Day #21 - Peter's Baby Booties and Quilt

By all admissions, this is probably the hardest of my Christmas posts to write.

Eleven years ago at this very moment, son Peter was fighting for his life at Celebration Hospital in Florida. It was a Monday.

Three hours later, he would be gone.

But as I look at our tree and our surroundings, you will always be able to tell that we had a child by that name - a child who would not live past age thirty.

He was born in April, and the little green booties were made for him by a member of our local congregation. They hang on the tree as a reminder that he and our other three children were absolute gifts from God. We could not have received greater gifts than the four of them.

The second is a quilt made by my mom and dad. Peter would have been about eight months old when they stopped by our house with this quilt. All of the babies in our house have been snuggled in this quilt. Kerry held it up for me to take this photo last night, and I later looked at the detail in the binding that they sewed on. I still have the Necchi sewing machine they used to stitch it.

As every Christmas rolled around, we would spend quiet candle time in the evenings reading stories, listening to music, or watching special holiday television shows. Whoever the baby was that year was the one that was snuggled. I would wrap them up like a little burrito and wonder if it was anything like the swaddling clothes used to wrap baby Jesus.

I'm going to say probably not.

It is still in good shape, even after forty-one years and lots of "kid stuff" happening to it.

And, it is quite meaningful today - especially today.

#ChristmasBeautyoftheDay

#LightTheWorld

Sunday, December 20, 2020

2020 - Christmas Beauty of the Day #20 - Danish Santa Claus

In keeping with the Danish theme that runs through our home, and also through Kerry's lineage, I am posting this Danish Santa Claus I found at a craft fair a few years ago.

#ChristmasBeautyoftheDay

#LightTheWorld

Saturday, December 19, 2020

2020 - Christmas Beauty of the Day #19 - Cowboy Boot from OGS

About three years ago, the Ohio Genealogical Society had "Blazing New Trails", or something similar to that, as their annual conference theme. Many of the talks centered around Ohio being either a place you were going to or through as ancestors migrated westward.

As a speaker, there hasn't been a single conference I've been to that didn't have a marvelous gift bag for the speakers. Many times they contain gifts and products related to the them or are from the local area.

When I opened my bag, I was delighted to see cowboy boot cookies from the marvelous Stacey Adger. I am amazed at her baking talent!

But, also included was this adorable boot! I absolutely loved it then, and love it still! First, I have always wanted a pair of cowboy boots.

And second, Mr. Kerry worked on his dad's ranch and dairy farm as a "cowboy". This ornament is one that hangs on a special tree year round.

As a hint for conference organizers...if we ever get back to any sort of normal, in-person conferences, this is the type of thing I would love from your area. It provides a history for me.

Thank you to Marleen Applegate and Stacey Adger for the thoughtful things that go into these bags, and to each and every organizer I have received things from. I absolutely love them!

#ChristmasBeautyoftheDay

#LightTheWorld

Friday, December 18, 2020

2020 - Christmas Beauty of the Day #18 - Mini Cooking Utensils from Deseret Book

Years ago I placed order for Christmas items from Deseret Book in Salt Lake City. To my surprise this tiny set of cooking utensils were included as a gift.

Though not entirely sure what they were meant to be used for, I decided to hang them on the tree. They represent thousands and thousands of meals eaten at our table. At a bare minimum, that would be a minimum of 6,708 meals.

As our children grew older, they were responsible for one evening meal each week. They just had to let me know what to plan for early in the week so I could pick up the ingredients. They learned to crank out some pretty good meals!

Mealtime was sacred to our family. We talked about our day, what went well, what could have gone better, different issues facing the country, plans for the next day, Kerry quizzing them about American history, LDS church history, math, etc. In turn, if they answered correctly they had the chance to stump Dad. (Guests were invited to participate, too!)

Ours was a family that sat and talked - and listened. We were not "meals on wheels" just walking around the house eating whatever. There was a purpose to mealtime.

So, this tiny utensil set may have had a different purpose, but to me it represents good conversations around our dinner table where we made every attempt to stay connected. To this day, I can't remember what many of the meals were.

I just remember the feeling.

#ChristmasBeautyoftheDay

#LightTheWorld

Thursday, December 17, 2020

2020 - Christmas Beauty of the Day #17 - Danish Plates and Commemoration of the Death of Kerry's Father

It was sixteen years ago today that we learned of the death of Kerry's father Orson William Lauritzen. He was truly one of the kindest men I ever knew, and our loss was great.

He made me feel welcome from the first moment I met him. He was a gentleman, and taught his children well. Kerry often talks about how his father taught him to care and be respectful of women - to help them on with their coats, pull their chair out for them, open doors, etc. He taught them - and he also set the example.

And, Kerry still does this for me. When we were dating, many would say it wouldn't last. I knew better, for I knew his father. My sons tried to do the same for the girls they dated, but they were often shrugged off, with an "I can do it myself" following their attempts. Kerry taught them, but couldn't help it if it wasn't received.

Orson's paternal heritage is pure Danish, with the generations hailing from Vesterlund, Denmark. (Lauritz Lauritzen b1816 Denmark d1896 Utah - the immigrant)

Kerry's family is quite proud of their Danish heritage, but he and each of his siblings are actually only one quarter Danish. But today, we regale in Orson's paternal heritage as we remember the day of his passing.

Years ago we met a man who had been quite a collector, and a curator at a Swedish museum. He had several of the Danish Christmas plates, and gave us a boatload of them. They are clean and proudly displayed in our home.

The earliest one I have happens to be from the year of Orson's birth.

#ChristmasBeautyoftheDay

#LightTheWorld

Wednesday, December 16, 2020

2020 - Christmas Beauty of the Day #16 - Valley Forge Ornament

Kerry and I love to travel. We have had the opportunity to set our footprints in all fifty states, and a few countries, as well.

When we traveled with our children, we often visited American history sites, and also LDS Church historical sites. We would stop, perhaps feasting on snacks or lunch, and Kerry would begin to tell them of events that took place on the very ground they were standing on. Some of those would be:

Antietam Battlefield

Gettysburg

Boston Harbor

Kirtland, Ohio

Nauvoo, Illinois

The North Platte River

Emigration Canyon in Utah

Jamestown and Williamsburg, Virginia

Sharon, Vermont

Palmyra, New York

Bunker Hill

And, Valley Forge

The latter is where this beautiful little ornament was bought just a few years ago.

After Kerry would tell them the history of the area, then it was my turn to tell them of their ancestors who also stood in that very spot. By doing this, we hoped it would help them to make a connection when they studied the subject in school.

We hoped.

Now, we send post cards to all of the grandchildren when we visit these places. With son Jordan's children, I will write something like, "One of your grandfathers fought in the battle that took place here. Have your dad tell you about him!"

Son: Mom. Why do you do that?

Me: Because I can.

In the case of this Valley Forge trip, I later learned that two ancestors were there during that fateful winter. By looking on the Valley Forge site, I learned they had actually been housed in cabins pretty much next to each other.

And, we had parked right in front of those cabins.

You know they had to know each other.

#ChristmasBeautyoftheDay

#LighttheWorld

Tuesday, December 15, 2020

2020 - Christmas Beauty of the Day #15 - Christmas Stockings

Kerry and I still have the stockings from our youth. I imagine they would be considered antiques at this point.

His is a large stocking that his sister Joy made for him. She has always been an excellent seamstress, and can make just about anything. When he was a young man she presented him with this beautiful stocking that he has used ever since.

Mine is a bit older. Perhaps you remember me talking about the log cabin I grew up in until I was age five. I had it then, and am age 65 now.

It's old. I am old.

#ChristmasBeautyoftheDay

#LighttheWorld

Monday, December 14, 2020

2020 - Christmas Beauty of the Day #14 - Musical Ornaments

Many of you who know me also know that beside being an Accredited Genealogist I am a musician.

So, it is only right that a few things representing music also hang on my tree.

#ChristmasBeautyoftheDay

#LightTheWorld

Sunday, December 13, 2020

2020 - Christmas Beauty of the Day #13 - Kerosene lamps

Though not normally associated with Christmastime, my memories of kerosene lamps go back to the holidays of my childhood.

On Christmas Eve, my mom would turn out every light in the house except for the ones that were twinkling on the Christmas tree. Then, with only the embers crackling from the fireplace and the image of my grandmother sitting beside it in her chair, warming her arthritic knees...mom would light every kerosene lamp she had.

With just those soft glows emanating from the lamps, the fireplace, and the Christmas tree, Dad would go over the Christmas story. It was during those winter nights that I developed a love for the holiday season, and a deeper love for the meaning behind celebrating His birth.

I can't recall but one or two gifts that I ever received for Christmas. But, I will never forget those Christmas Eves of my childhood.

When I married, mom gave me one of her kerosene lamps. She said they were good to have on hand, "just in case". And, when I married Kerry, I was delighted to know he already had one, too!

Our collection grew. A couple of times when storms had taken our electricity out, we lit them and ate "cowboy grub" at the dinner table with our children. They were quite disappointed when the electricity was restored.

A few days ago I gathered them together and saw that their globes needed to be washed. I thought of the replacement globes we've bought through the years, of the many times we've used them and had to buy replacement wicks, of the tender nighttime talks we've had with our children, and how we do an inventory a couple of times each year to make sure...we have enough oil for our lamps.

#ChristmasBeautyoftheDay

#LightTheWorld

Saturday, December 12, 2020

2020 - Christmas Beauty of the Day #12 - The Christus

Many years ago I stood in front of the large Christus statue in the North Visitor's Center on Temple Square. It towered over me at 11', and weighed in at 12,000 pounds.

And I could not take my eyes off of it.

It is a reproduction of the one in Copenhagen, Denmark. Here is its history: "Officially entitled Christus Consolator, this statue by Bertel Thorvaldsen is known around the world. After a fire destroyed the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Our Lady in Copenhagen, Denmark, Thorvaldsen was commissioned to create the statue, which was moved into the rebuilt church in 1833. The original statue was carved from Italian Carrara marble and is 11 feet tall. It contains a description in Danish underneath on the pedestal: "Kommer til mig." This translates to "Come to me."

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is known for its use of the Christus statue. This association began in the 1950s when Elder Stephen L. Richards, a member of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, presented the 11-foot replica now displayed on Temple Square to President David O. McKay. The Church has continued to place the Christus in Visitor Centers and exhibitions around the world.

I can recall hearing the news in 1982 that this beautiful piece of work had been severely damaged by a man wielding a hammer. Why in the world would someone do that?

"For the second time in 18 months, the towering white statue of Christ in the Mormon Church's Temple Square has been battered with a hammer, church officials say. A man identified as Larry B. Sargeant, 51 years old, of Heber City, attacked the 12-foot statue Thursday, the authorities said, breaking its hands and arms before being pulled off by bystanders. He was charged with felonious destruction of property and aggravated assault."

https://www.nytimes.com/1982/12/18/us/mormon-statue-battered.html#:~:text=For%20the%20second%20time%20in,man%20identified%20as%20Larry%20B

Over the years, replicas have been available for purchase through different venues. I knew I had to have one, and presented one to my own self one Christmas many years ago. They are a bit more expensive now, but it wouldn't matter to me. This is one of the most beautiful things I own in my home.

It stays up year round in a place of prominence. It is 19" high, and is quite heavy. I carefully dust it and make sure nothing is near that could harm it.

I once heard that when you walk into a person's home, the first thing your eyes land on is the thing that is most important to the people in that home.

This is the first thing you see when you come through my front door. Next are all the pictures of my family.

#ChristmasBeautyoftheDay

#LightTheWorld

Friday, December 11, 2020

2020 - Christmas Beauty of the Day - Russian Nesting Dolls

When we visited Russia in 2005, I was able to acquire several of these Russian nesting dolls. These are just a few pictures of them.

Thursday, December 10, 2020

2020 - Chrisitmas Beauty of the Day - The Magi, made by Gay Nickle Lauritzen

One year we received a box from Kerry's sister, Gay. She was quite the artist and sculptor, so we never quite knew what was coming when her name was on the return address.

Low and behold, she had created The Magi. These are probably 33-35 years old, and still hold a place of honor in our home.

#ChristmasBeautyoftheDay

#LightTheWorld

Wednesday, December 9, 2020

2020 - Christmas Beauty of the Day #9 - Christmas Eggs from Russian Friends

Son Erik served his mission to Samara Russia 2003-2005. While he was there both he and us were introduced to different artforms that struck me with their beauty.

For our anniversary one year, he sent home a beautiful painted egg with our portraits on one side and a painting of the Washington Temple on the other. Kerry and I were in awe as we looked at the talent that had gone into this precious gift.

When we visited there at the end of Erik's mission, I was able to meet the woman who had done this work for us. She then showed us a nativity egg that she had done. It was much smaller, but again the detail was remarkable. She laid it in my hand and gave it to me.

And, I cried at her tender gesture.

Tuesday, December 8, 2020

2020 - Christmas Beauty of the Day #8 - Baby in a Walnut Shell, Made by Kerry's mother

Christmas Beauty of the Day #8 - Baby in a Walnut Shell, Made by Kerry's mother

Kerry's mother Shirley Elma Rhoades Lauritzen was one of the most creative women I've ever known. She could see vision in just about everything - a gift I have not always possessed.

One year she and Kerry's father Orson came for a visit for Thanksgiving. We were thrilled, for most of the time holidays for them meant a lot of people at their home. This time, I could serve them.

They would always arrive ready to do a project for those they were visiting. And, Shirley would be bring materials for a craft with the grandchildren. She had an amazing ability to make each grandchild feel that they were her only one, and that they were her favorite.

I watched from a few feet away as my children nestled around the items she brought - walnut shells, yarn, a tiny bit of flannel, and a tiny plastic baby.

Before long, those materials became a tiny manger for baby Jesus.

#ChristmasBeautyoftheDay

#LightTheWorld

Monday, December 7, 2020

2020 - Christmas Beauty of the Day #7 - Red Gingham Bows

Christmas Beauty of the Day #7 - Red Gingham Bows

I had more comments on this post last year than I could even count.

A few of you know that I didn't grow up in a very wealthy home. My first few years were spent in a log cabin that had indoor plumbing, but no indoor bathroom.

After a few years, we were in another home that I lived in until after I graduated from high school. My dad built an addition onto the front of the house that had a warm and cozy fireplace. Both of these homes are now gone.

One year my mom wanted to do something special. She had seen a Good Housekeeping magazine in 1963 that had a tree decorated with red gingham bows. She wanted that same look on our tree, so she bought a yard of red gingham and we spent an afternoon cutting out long strips and ironing them.

We both thought that was just the prettiest tree that had ever been decorated.

And somehow, I inherited all of those bows. They have been on every tree throughout our 43 years of marriage, and are decorated the four trees we have up today.

I'm sure they would not be considered a decorator's dream today. But, it doesn't matter. those bows have been tied on Christmas trees for four generations now, for even my grandmother took a few back home to Kentucky with her. (She lived with us every winter, returning to Kentucky in March.)

If any of my children or grandchildren should ever want one, there are plenty for them, too.

#ChristmasBeautyoftheDay

#LightTheWorld