Preparing for Christmas

Once again, Christians are scolding our culture for trying to delete Christ from Christmas. It's a pity, of course. Still, I think we need to take responsibility for keeping Him central in our own lives and homes, rather than expect our culture to make it easy for us to be Christ-centered.

Here's a conversation starter: talk about the original Santa Claus. He was named Nicholas, and was the Christian bishop of Myra in the early 300s. He had inherited his father's wealth, and he understood the heart of Christ--that blessings received are to be shared with the needy. Times were tough, and a family with three daughters had no money for their dowries. This almost certainly meant no marriage, with only one career choice: prostitution. Nicholas discovered the family's difficulty the night before the first daughter came of age, and he tossed a bag of gold through an open window of the home. When the second daughter was about to come of age, he did the same. When it came the third daughter's turn, Nicholas learned that the father planned to hide next to the window to discover the benefactor. So instead, the bishop climbed to the roof and dropped a bag of gold down the chimney.

After he died of old age on December 6, 343, the people of Myra continued to provide for those in need. They gave gifts anonymously, attributing them to the late Bishop Nicholas. Before long, the bishop--who had worn liturgical robes of red and white-- was canonized as Saint Nicholas, protector of innocents, and secret giver of gifts. His story surely reflects the spirit of Christ. Pass it on. Follow his example.

Chemo went well yesterday. While several of the blood factors continue to move downward, the only one in trouble is the hemoglobin. The insurance company had not yet approved the hemoglobin-building shot (requested a week earlier, supposed to take 24 to 48 hours for pre-approval). But a conscientious nurse at the insurance company rushed approval through so I was able to get it before leaving the doctor's office at noon. I think over the coming weeks I should start to regain some energy. Friday morning we should have the report on the CA 125, which will give us some idea of what's happening with the cancer.

I spent a few hours at the office in the afternoon cleaning up my email Inbox. Today I think I'll work most of the day. I slept almost 11 hours last night. Try it! It's wonderfully restorataive.

Thanks so much for your love and prayers.
Carol