Tag: Christmas

Yearend “Thoughts After Bookends”

Published on by Abigail RehmertLeave a comment

It seemed the consistent thing to do to share the last of my 2023 book reviews. This year I’m hopeful to read more NEW-to-me books. But how I love the old favorites! Do let me know if you have any must-reads you think I’d enjoy. My favorite time period for fiction is early 1900s, but I’d love to broaden my horizons in this as well.

Virgil Wander

(Leif Enger)

Virgil owns a movie house in a small, sleepy midwest town. He loses his memory in an accident so he must uncover his own personal history. Quirky, small-town ups and downs unfold. I enjoy Enger’s vivid writing style, but this storyline didn’t have the same depth as Peace like a River in my humble opinion. Not much plot, and sometimes a modern setting can just feel cheesy to me. I gave it three out of five stars on Goodreads.

Betsy and the Great World

(Maud Hart Lovelace)

Betsy decides college is not for her, and she goes off to tour Europe, hoping to broaden the scope of her imagination to fuel her writing. She soaks in the foreign cities, street cafes, and cultural traditions, and even witnesses the first dawn of WWI. When an author plucks a beloved character out of her endearing setting, I always feel homesick right along with them.

Betsy’s Wedding

(Maud Hart Lovelace)

I enjoyed this book more than the other times I’ve read it, perhaps because I’m married now too! Young couple in young America makes me smile and enjoy the authentic history of fashion/economics/etc. woven into the setting. How I wish young couples today could buy their first charming homes besides the lake with only $600 down. I think married Tacy and married Betsy are the best versions of themselves, and I’m relieved Betsy doesn’t chase another immaturity that leads to more heartbreak. Joe brings out the best in Betsy, and Harry brings out the best in Tacy. The young wives turn their energies toward homemaking, hospitality, writing, and babies . . . and trying to marry off the third in their trio, Tib!

Surprised by Oxford

(Carolyn Weber)

Carolyn sets out to study at Oxford as an agnostic, and through the kindness of a Christian, she begins to wrestle with the truth about the universe and her. A clever and honest book, making you really think about how we interact with those who are yet to meet God. Are we able to patiently endure when others ask us tough questions? A beautiful memoir!

Quote: “I’m very particular about mugs: I can taste how it influences my drink. I liked this one right away.”
Carolyn Weber//Surprised by Oxford

Carney’s House Party

(Maud Hart Lovelace)

I had a little trouble getting into this one, but stuck with it until the suspense of Larry’s visit took over. Carney hosts a “house party” for her friends in a hot, Minnesota summer. It includes Betsy! It’s a slow but sweet unfolding romance with some surprises at the end.

Memorizing Scripture: The Basics, Blessings, and Benefits of Meditating on God’s Word (Glenna Marshall)

Simple nourishment for a heart that longs to know His Word better. Thank you for writing this book, Glenna! We can also use compelling reasons to memorize and meditate on Scripture. I enjoyed her personal stories throughout this book, and it was inspiring to see how her different memorized passages encouraged her in various seasons of her life.

Quote by author: “Meditating on God’s Word–thinking deeply about it as we work to memorize–helps us to remember what the world would like us to forget: Christ has died. Christ is coming. Christ will come again!” –Glenna Marshall

         Mr. Dickens and His Carol by Samantha Silva *spoiler*

                  (Samantha Silva)

I wanted a cozy, Chirstmasy book for December. At first, it reminded me of the movie The Man Who Invented Christmas. I begun this book with great enjoyment; the style of it felt true to Dickens, easy to follow, and cast promise of the good feels of A Christmas Carol. I wish I had actually read A Christmas Carol instead for my December read. Mr. Dickens was primarily about his obsession with chasing down a couple different women, while his wife and children fended for themselves to enjoy Christmas. After looking it up, I understand historical evidence lends itself to perhaps make this a believable plot about Charles Dickens. But I didn’t want to read about it.

The Lord God Made Them All

(James Herriot)

More endearing stories from a country vet, with some war stories mixed in. Of course, I wanted more about Tristen, but we do get to meet Herriot’s kids.

The Larger Longing

Published on by Abigail Rehmert4 Comments

400 years of spiritual darkness.

Perhaps it would be another 400. Who could know? From the last of Malachi’s prophesies, to the reign of Herod, God seemed silent.

The scarce faithful hoped quietly. Ordinary prayers, ordinary waiting. Nothing flashy enough to be recorded for all of the future church to read. And yet, a remnant still clung to the promise that through Abraham all would be blessed.

Zechariah and Elizabeth, advanced in years, surely believed the end of their lives weren’t far away. King Herod would continue ruling with an evil heart, and they wouldn’t live to see his successor.

Unfulfilled longing.

“They were both righteous in the sight of God, walking blamelessly in all the commandments and requirements of the Lord. But they had no child, because Elizabeth was barren, and they were both advanced in years.”

No children, and it was too late, of course.

This couple could have succumbed to bitterness. Lose hope. Believe nothing else was left for them in a land ruled by a wicked king of Judea. Become absorbed into the greater masses of those reveling in disobedience.

But they obeyed, treasuring their faith. Even if they would never hold their own baby, the Messiah would come someday. He would right the wrongs of oppression, wouldn’t He?

But one day, while Zechariah served in the temple, they were privileged to see the glimmer of light at the end of a dark tunnel. And Elizabeth’s barrenness itself weaved a thread of yet another miraculous birth in the line of David. The earth pined for what was close enough to touch.

“The whole world would be turned upside down. Lowly shepherds would see angelic messengers. The dead would taste life. Darkness would be snuffed. Proud King Herod would be outmaneuvered. Promises to Anna and Simeon would be fulfilled. Blind would see. Curtains would be torn in two.” —last year’s post

It started with an angelic messenger announcing their parenthood, after all these years, like a dawn after a treacherous night. Their son John would be the one to prepare the way for the Lord! In just six months, God was going to visit His people in the flesh.

“What made the angel’s news so good?” I asked the children in my class.

“Zecheriah and Elizabeth would finally have a baby!”

Oh yes. How much joy for Elizabeth to carry a baby for the first time, to enjoy the laughter, the hugs, the smiles of a precious little one. Earthly longing fulfilled. But this was just a fraction of Zechariah and Elizabeth’s happiness. The gloriousness of John’s humble life would prelude good news STILL YET to reach every corner of the earth, every tribe and every nation — these will be offered an abundance of blessing through the sacrifice of Jesus Christ!

Through Elizabeth’s miracle baby, in a broader sense, God was setting His stage for the ultimate provision of grace. This baby would herold GOD’S BABY, Emmanuel. He would use John to prepare a dark, sleepy people to receive the Light of the World and the Lamb who takes away the sins of Israel, and even the world.

“You will have joy and gladness, and many will rejoice at his birth,” the angel said, “For he will be great in the sight of the Lord; and he will drink no wine or liquor, and he will be filled with the Holy Spirit while yet in his mother’s womb.  And he will turn many of the sons of Israel back to the Lord their God. It is he who will go as a forerunner before Him in the spirit and power of Elijah, to turn the hearts of the fathers back to the children, and the disobedient to the attitude of the righteous, so as to make ready a people prepared for the Lord.”

As I have studied the stories in the Old Testament with my little class, I’m marveling how each account keeps pointing to His Son. A promise to Adam and Eve would be carried like a torch through the generations. His love and redemption brings joy to the world, and the wonders of His love reach as far as the curse is found.

Do you have joy and gladness? Have you received God’s perfect lamb as the substitute for the punishment your sin deserves?

Every reason to rejoice awaits you — when you are called by His grace, He grants the glories of His forgiveness.

We can’t look to the world for our hope. Even Zechariah and Elizabeth’s son would die at the hands of King Herod, but not before John accomplished the ministry God had for Him. He had preached the HOPE of the world as God intended. Hear the good news and believe.

The next day he (John) saw Jesus coming to him and said,

“Behold, the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!”

John 1:29

We’re in another time of waiting right now, but Christ is coming back. Every wrong will be made right, and every tear wiped away. Each of our little and large longings will all be redeemed in the One we wait for — the Lamb! When He returns for His own, we will affirm like an anthem:

“the hopes and fears of all the years are met in Thee tonight.”

( Phillips Brooks )

Praise and Pondering

Published on by Abigail Rehmert3 Comments

When the angel gave Mary her pregnancy announcement, fear and confusion gripped her. But the angel declared “don’t be troubled” and “nothing will be impossible with God” and that this son would be God’s.

“And Mary said, ‘Behold, I am the servant of the Lord; let it be to me according to your word.'”

She knew she could be stoned for this — for being entrusted with something that was God’s not hers. She still presented an offering of obedience, for this is what servants do. I would have yearned for more information. As the reality sunk deeper into her heart, she most likely did spin a host of practical questions, but for the next step she clung to faith.

Her understanding of her Savior was affirmed by her cousin Elizabeth, whose baby leapt for joy at the presence of the unborn Deliverer. If they were anything like me, perhaps these women couldn’t sleep for the excitement. Perhaps they eagerly recited the prophesies about Emmanuel whom they would meet in just a matter of months.

We know Mary praised God, recorded for us in Luke 1. She called herself a “humble servant” and acknowledged the worth of a glorious God. His mercy to her nation prompted her to magnify the holy Lord. The “hopes and fears of all the years” met their answer in His display of strength.

“And Mary said,

‘My soul magnifies the Lord,
and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior,  for he has looked on the humble estate of his servant.
    For behold, from now on all generations will call me blessed;
for he who is mighty has done great things for me,
    and holy is his name.
And his mercy is for those who fear him
    from generation to generation.
He has shown strength with his arm;
    he has scattered the proud in the thoughts of their hearts;
he has brought down the mighty from their thrones
    and exalted those of humble estate;
he has filled the hungry with good things,
    and the rich he has sent away empty.
He has helped his servant Israel,
    in remembrance of his mercy,
as he spoke to our fathers,
    to Abraham and to his offspring forever.’”

Mary knew her weakness and humanity, but the object of her faith was Divine and Marvelous. She sang of humble things and mighty things. Perhaps morning sickness plagued her, but a generations’ hope would be birthed. God’s strength was revealed in the proud being scattered and the hungry being filled. The whole world would be turned upside down. Grace and justice would meet. Lowly shepherds would see angelic messengers. The dead would taste life. Darkness would be snuffed. Proud King Herod would be outmaneuvered. Promises to Anna and Simeon would be fulfilled. Blind would see. Curtains would be torn in two. Mary didn’t see all of this when she sang, at least not at first. But she knew what kind of God she had chosen to obey — One who would help Israel.

We’re told, “And his mother treasured up all these things in her heart.” She firsthand witnessed the Godhead clothed with flesh. Her response? Praise and pondering.

He has done great things for us! Do you know He still remembers His mercy today? The gift of the Savior is every bit as powerful and meaningful as it was for Jesus’ earthly parents.  Have you placed your trust in Him as your deliverer from your sins?

He is the Great I Am. I believe Mary’s advice for us would be to fear Him and taste His mercy — remember what she told the servants at the wedding in Cana?

“His mother said to the servants, ‘”Whatever He says to you, do it.'”
John 2:5

This instruction came from someone who had raised Jesus from infancy, bearing eyewitness to a sinless life. And a woman who was familiar with the cost of faithful obedience; how beautiful it is to hear her call to “do whatever He says.”

He says to come to Him. I hope to have an obedient Christmas. One where I ponder His activity in my past and future, one where I rejoice in His mighty deeds.

Whatever His will for us, let it be according to His Word. His mercy belongs to those who fear Him. Treasure the truth. Rejoice in humble worship.

Illustration from “The First Christmas According to Luke” by Concordia Publishing House 

The Good about the Bad

Published on by Abigail RehmertLeave a comment

The sky hung weighty and pale. Backyard held a foggy hush, but inside the whole household glittered with candlelight and beamed with courage.

Christmas togetherness circled a long table laid with evergreen. The year had been mostly good, aside from an unwelcome medical diagnosis in the midst, and this could have disheartened the season.

But . . . joy and light and great news for all people.

In Psalm 112, the ones who fear the Lord are described as blessed and fearless. Light arises in the darkness for the upright, those who delight in His commandments (vv. 1,4).


“For he will never be shaken;
The righteous will be remembered forever.

He will not fear evil tidings;
His heart is steadfast, trusting in the Lord.
His heart is upheld, he will not fear . . . “

Psalm 112:6-8

The reason we’re not cowering in fear of more evil news, tonight or next year, is because:

“…The gospel makes genuinely good news out of every other aspect of my life, including my severest trials.” ― Milton Vincent, A Gospel Primer

Are you clothed in Christ’s righteousness? Be steadfast in heart, trusting the Lord; there’s nothing left to fear.

Think about the shepherds, faced with a reason for terror.

When the sky split, it wasn’t Christmas-pageant, Dance of the Sugarplum Fairy imagery. An angel army began shouting in the sky.

I, too, would have been stricken with fright. I think the shepherds anticipated evil reports, judgment, or end-of-the-world pronouncements. Perhaps their sheep scattered.

No wonder the angel declared “do not be afraid” first of all. Their presence necessitated it.

And an angel of the Lord suddenly stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them; and they were terribly frightened. But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid; for behold, I bring you good news of great joy which will be for all the people. For today in the city of David there has been born for you a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. This will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.” And suddenly there appeared with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying,

“Glory to God in the highest,
And on earth peace among men with whom He is pleased.”

The shepherds’ fear of bad tidings was overwhelmed by good news in a manger.

The shepherds had sinful souls destined for wrath, and so do we. It paints the bleak night stage, set for the desperately needed good news/great joy of Christ’s birth, His death, and His resurrection.

Still today we have no need to be afraid because the light arises in the darkness. Sinners are called to hear and know the gospel, which changes everything about everything. We are considered “the righteous” because Jesus bought us. Each medical diagnosis is about glory to God in the highest. And He leaves peace with us, but not the kind the world gives.

Nothing can truly shake the righteous one’s position before God. No terror of the night can steal the peace promised that surpasses all understanding.

It’s why my family doesn’t need to fear evil tidings but can rejoice in the knowledge of our eternal security, the goodness of God’s perfect plan, and the desire for gory to the Prince of Peace, come what may. This is the good about the bad.

Unfiltered Christmas

Published on by Abigail Rehmert2 Comments

The eagerness mounted last year as I watched people all over the world bring Christmas to their hearths in golden creams and woodsy sparkle. I couldn’t wait to capture all I had learned about decorating into my first Christmas in a new home.

After Thanksgiving, I sat amidst the Walmart bags and bubblewrap wrapped around my ornaments and nativity set. My collection of childhood ornaments and hand-me-down castaways stared at me, as my vision for coco-bombs and neutral threads met . . . . what I had to work with. How could I make any theme out of mismatched snowmen, a painting of a cardinal, and ornaments chipped from my childhood? My taste in style had changed with the trends, but my decor bin hadn’t.

The feeling of unmet expectation peaked when we pulled out our sparse four-foot tree. What perched cozy and perfect in our apartment, now the most Charlie Brown tree that ever Charlie Browned.

We stood it on a table to keep it from being swallowed in our new space. “It looks like it’s trying to be something it’s not,” my husband pointed out, and then we burst into long laughter. So I made the best of our Christmasy mess and enjoyed it all December.

But I made mental notes for next year.

First, truth be told, I found a much grander tree, and today I decked the thrifted 7.5-footer with strands of red beads. It fills the room with announcement of light and honor brought to our humble ornament-shaped memories.

Secondly, remembering my decorating despair of 2020, I’m choosing to admire the lovely Christmas-card moments on “the ‘Gram,” but also pray a guard of contentment for myself. May I rejoice in my gifts of my own home and my Savior.

Material beauty will never be enough. The best of earth will never meet the deepest longing of our brokenness. We long, like pining Bethlehem, for our Mighty God to do great things for us. And He has.

I see it in the shiny gold letters that spell out the names of Christ, draping our tree. Prince of Peace. Emmanuel. Savior. Mighty God. Wonderful Counselor.

I see it in my little elfish helper, who will fully enjoy his first Christmas if cardboard boxes and people are involved.

I see it in how our Charlie Brown tree from the apartment days (now gracing the back room) reminds me unmet expectations are a mercy because they can set our eyes on God’s wondrous light. Each seasonal disappointment, shattered ornament, or sickness gives another reason to joyfully worship a perfect God who meets all our true needs.

I wish you an unfiltered, real Christmas where real truths, like “veiled in flesh the Godhead see . . . born to give them second birth” are the brightest theme of this season.

“Christ, by highest heav’n adored,
  Christ, the everlasting Lord:
Late in time behold Him come,
  Offspring of a virgin’s womb.
Veiled in flesh the Godhead see,
  Hail th’ incarnate Deity!
Pleased as man with man to dwell,
  Jesus our Immanuel.

Hail the heav’n-born Prince of Peace!
  Hail the Sun of righteousness!
Light and life to all He brings,
  Ris’n with healing in His wings:
Mild He lays His glory by,
  Born that man no more may die;
Born to raise the sons of earth;
  Born to give them second birth.”
“Hark the Harold Angels Sing,” Charles Wesley