Tag: christmas

A Sprig of Parsley

James HoganLeave a comment

And a Merry Christmas Eve to you all!! I sit here as the fettuccine is beginning to boil on the stove. The salad is made and dished out and soon enough the family shall be sitting around the table about to celebrate the wondrous love of our God and Father and the Most Holy Spirit and Jesus Christ – the Messiah and our Saviour!

While it has been a most dazzling few days behind me, days of catching up with Dad and Mom and Maryanne and Laura and moments of utmost bliss sprinkled throughout the pain and sorrows that come with living in a weary and sorrowful world. Yet shrink not back do we from that ancient foe, that serpent of old – nay, we celebrate this day of Christmas as the day when God was born a Man – the Seed of woman and the Son of God. This Child was born and truly was it proclaimed – ‘Glory to God in the highest! And peace on earth to men upon whom His favour rests!’ And this Jesus was sent to this world to reconcile the shattered form of mankind to Himself and to herald the time when He would once and for all crush the dragon’s head – that devil and father of lies.

And this Messiah was born on this world as the most lowly child so that the love of God might be proclaimed in all the world – Joy to the world! The Lord is come! Let earth receive her King! And that love of God – so blissful, so sweet, so achingly beautiful – is proclaimed to us abundantly. Hear the call of the King! The Most Almighty God gave us the most shockingly lavish gift of all time – that gift of His Son Jesus, the Anointed One of God. This very God died so that we could come to Him in humble and broken adoration – this Jesus has died for the very forgiveness of our sins. What wonder! What hope! What love! Hear the cry of the King! Hear how he weeps for those who are lost and broken and in utter and complete darkness. Hear the trumpets of the heavens, the songs of the stars! Hear the chorus of the angels as they sing praises to our God! Hear the cry of our King!

A chorus of stars and angels high,
A dance of lovers in midnight sky,
A song of bliss and sparkling mirth –
A sigh of praises – oh God’s own birth!

The eye of the sea

James HoganLeave a comment

Mmmm…sipping some perfectly lovely mint-chocolate tea right now and feeling slightly sleepy, but I couldn’t resist writing a few words(and since I’m hearing my bed call my name, it will indeed be only a few!). Today, returned to Aberdeen after a totally awesome week in Florida!! I wish I had the time to truly do it justice, but alas for my tired state(flew from Tampa to Detroit to Amsterdam to Aberdeen last night and so didn’t quite get much sleep). Truly though, just let me say one thing(actually no, two things): firstly, I have pretty much the best family in the world. Secondly, God is awesome.

And while one week isn’t really the ideal length of time to spend at home…we made the most of the time, what with continuing our annual Mini-Golf Tournament of Champions tradition and eating like royalty(roast turkey, potatoes, stuffing, asparagus, fettucine alfredo, shrimp, lots of salad, chicken parmigiana, chocolate sheet cake…just the tip of the iceberg) and playing cards and ping-pong (which got stylishly interfered with by our resident kitten troublemakers, Caroline and Julia) and relaxing in the joy of each other’s company and watching Jack Bauer dominate it up in a ’24’ marathon(Season 3 – but we didn’t get to the finale before I left ahhhh!!!) and singing together and staying up late talking about random things with the sisters and making known the goodness of the Lord and going out to lunch far too much(TGI Friday’s with Mom, Panera with Katharyn, TGI Friday’s with Laura, Chili’s with Maryanne, Five Guys with Dad…yes, I told you I ate bad. Shh, no telling. But it was so worth it just to get the time to talk with everyone..) and catching up with friends(and seeing friends’ new baby – Gloria!! David and Dream, y’all are indeed most blessed of our Father!) and oh I just don’t know how to properly convey the joy of the blessings of the Lord which He has bestowed on me and my family! And while my prayers for them will not lessen as the distance between us increases, may my love for them increase all the more! And all of you that aren’t my family, don’t worry, I love you too. Always.

And as for me, it is not that late, but I fear my wits are fleeing me, begging me to rest my eyes and drift away to the land of my dreams before I pour out my whole mind like a waterfall into the deep… First though, I will finish my tea.

Merry Christmas!

James HoganLeave a comment

In the beginning was the Word,
and the Word was with God, and
the Word was God. He was in the
beginning with God. All things came
into being through Him, and apart from
Him nothing came into being that has
come into being. In Him was life, and
the life was the Light of men. The
Light shines in the darkness, and the
darkness did not comprehend it.
…And the Word became flesh, and
dwelt among us, and we saw His
glory, glory as of the only begotten
from the Father, full of grace and truth.
-John 1:1-5,14

Oh wondrous words!!! I couldn’t think of any words more fitting for remembering the birth of Christ our Lord and Savior than these. Glory to God in the highest! And on earth, peace among men with whom He is pleased! Remember the birth of the King!!

James HoganLeave a comment

I’ve had a pretty awesome Christmas, what! Cinnamon rolls, bacon, giving and receiving presents, relaxing and reading in my room with Maryanne and Laura, playing epic Monopoly(of which I was the champion!!), playing brutal Spades games(of which me and Katharyn SHOULD have been the champions), best-meal-ever-lasagna, more goofing off with sisters, enjoying the company of the best family EVER, and relaxing in the goodness of the LORD Almighty. ‘nough said? Yes.

James HoganLeave a comment

Now the birth of Jesus Christ was as follows: when His mother Mary had been betrothed to Joseph, before they came together she was found to be with child by the Holy Spirit. And Joseph her husband, being a righteous man and not wanting to disgrace her, planned to send her away secretly. But when he had considered this, behold, an angel of the LORD appeared to him in a dream, saying, “Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary as your wife; for the Child who has been conceived in her is of the Holy Spirit. She will bear a Son; and you shall call His name Jesus, for He will save His people from their sins.” Now all this took place to fulfill what was spoken by the LORD through the prophet: “Behold, the virgin shall be with child and shall bear a Son, and they shall call his name Immanuel,” which translated means, “God with us.” And Joseph awoke from his sleep and did as the angel of the LORD commanded him, and took Mary as his wife, but kept her a virgin until she gave birth to a Son; and he called his name Jesus.
-Matthew 1:18-25

How good is our God. All praise to the LORD of the universe, who sent His Son that we might have life abundantly!!! Amen!!

James HoganLeave a comment

Don’t have time for a long entry now…just wanted to say that being back in Florida with the fam is pretty awesome!!!! Been eating sumptuous meals, relaxing on the couch with the sisters, playing cards(and winning – me and Maryanne dominate at Spades, just sayin’), watching crazy movies(Vertigo with Jimmy Stewart…awesomeness), playing mini-golf all day long, proof-reading my little sisters’ stories they’re writing…yep, pretty much just good times. And now about to go to Panera for lunch with Katharyn…YES. Hope everyone is having as relaxing and sweet a Christmas break as me!!!! Alright, signing off.

James HoganLeave a comment

When they saw the star, they rejoiced exceedingly with great joy. After coming into the house they saw the Child with Mary His mother; and they fell to the ground and worshiped Him. Then, opening their treasures, they presented to Him gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh.

Might we always worship our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ with this spirit of awe and adoration!! Think on this glorious thought: To save us from all our trespasses against Him, God was born a man on this very earth…inconceivable. Amen and Amen!!