The Nativity Story According to Luke

On this Christmas Eve, with the snow all around in Massachusetts, I remember that it’s because of a tiny baby in a warm far away land that I should remember tonight.  I’m also thinking of all of the people around the world who, like that small baby, are in need of a place to sleep, or are in need of food or medicine.   Things I take for granted.  I am also thinking of the people who are living in places and situations of violence or inequality, and people who are trying to bring peace through out the world.  May 2009 be a year of healing for our world!

 

Luke 2 (New International Version)

The Birth of Jesus

 1In those days Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should be taken of the entire Roman world. 2(This was the first census that took place while Quirinius was governor of Syria.) 3And everyone went to his own town to register. 4So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David. 5He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child. 6While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, 7and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.

The Shepherds and the Angels

 8And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. 9An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. 10But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. 11Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord. 12This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.” 13Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying,
 14“Glory to God in the highest,
      and on earth peace to men on whom his favor rests.”

 15When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let’s go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about.”

 16So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger. 17When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, 18and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them. 19But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart. 20The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told.

Coconuts

I learned some interesting information on how to open up a coconut.  And since I believe in being a public servant, I am bringing this information to you.  The first video is on how to drain the coconut milk out.  Please note that no hammers are being used!

“Australia” the Film

I saw the movie “Australia” last night.  Truly, it is one of the best movies I think I’ve seen in YEARS!!  I’m really upset that it didn’t get any major Golden Globe nominations, but I’m still holding out for some major Academy Award nominations!  I think it ddefinitely deserves Oscars in the categories of Best Cinematography, Best Music- Score, Best Director for Baz Luhrmann and Lead actor Awards for Nicole Kidman and this year’s sexiest Man Alive (and boy does that show in the film,) Hugh Jackman.  There’s a scene in the film where you see the back of Hugh Jackman and the camera turns slowly around so that we can see his face and let me tell you, my heart was his at that moment.  There was some look in his eyes, and the way he tilted his head, and bonus—he was wearing a tuxedo.    This is his sexiest man moment!!

The movie takes place in Australia (hence the title) in 1939 and if love can overcome racism, class structure, and sexism.  But the real plot is about Australia’s struggle with the “creamy” children-called  the Stolen Generation- or otherwise known as the half white/half aboriginal children who were taken from their families. See this website on the Stolen Generation.  I think I began crying, not only through the bad, but also through the good parts, about half way through the move, so stock up on Kleenex.  And this is a movie for everyone, the guys will like the history, and action scenes come so fast.  Just get a baby sitter first before seeing this film.  It’s too harsh for kids under12 probably (that’s my suggestion)  But go out and see it!!

About KMH

Peace and Justice Facilitator 

Karen Marie Hedlund has received national training to become a facilitator in several different areas of Peace and Justice including racism, hunger/poverty and domestic violence.  Her most recent training was provided by the ELCA (Evangelical Lutheran Church in America) in their Equipping for Peacemaking series.  She currently serves on two ELCA – New England Synod task forces:   Healing the Wounds of Racism, and Justice and Ministry for Women.  Karen Marie’s facilitator training began when she was a student at St. Olaf College in Northfield, Minnesota, as a member of their Leadership Effectiveness and Awareness Team.  She is an active member of Immanuel Lutheran Church in Attleboro, MA, serves on their Social Ministry Committee and is on their ONE Campaign team.

OJ and Justice

Yes, I have demeaned myself by watching truTv this afternoon to see if OJ was going to get the maximum sentence for his little robbery in Las Vegas a year ago.  I gotta tell you that the minimum of what 7 1/2 years is not enough if you ask me, especially since he wrote a book entitled If I Did It.  And don’t give me the garbage about this trial having nothing to do with the murder trial 13 years ago.

If he wasn’t found guilty in the civil trial, he never would have had to ask his family and friends to hide his memorabilia from the Goldmans, so that they could begin to collect on their settlement.  OJ was trying to skirt the law by hiding assets, he wanted his stuff back, and he broke the law in trying to get the stuff back.

So what have we learned.

1) Don’t murder your spouse.  That’s just wrong!

2) Things are just stuff.  They’re not worth breaking the law for.  You can always get more stuff.

3) If you think that you are God and that the world revolves around you, eventually the world collapses, because your shoulders aren’t strong enough to hold up the world.

4) If you are patient enough, justice comes.  Not vengeance.  Justice

And now you may clap.