Clerodendrum
Enjoy the Clerodendrum from last Spring. The butterfly is folded up and hard to see, but enjoy that too.
As I understand it, the bush is native to China and India. It does well under the shade of the holly tree in the back yard. It spreads like crazy by sending out runners under ground – and it smells like peanut butter when you break the leaves.
“Out of Zion, the perfection of beauty, God shines forth.” Psalms 50:2 ESV
Birth of Jesus Matthew 2:1 (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
(This post is part of the ChristianWriters.com blog chain for December – The theme is Christmas sense(s))
I struggle at times making sense of Christmas. Why did the God of Creation leave Heaven and come to earth – especially as a baby?
Then, at some time in the season, God blesses me with a glimpse of clarity. Last year, as it has often been in past years, it was our church’s Christmas Cantata. The theme was “Peace” – the peace from God, peace with God, the peace of God. It was a beautiful, focused hour of worship, with Scripture, meditations, and songs celebrating the birth of Jesus. The Son of God became a man and dwelt among us – and His life, death, and resurrection redeemed us and brought us peace.
The songs spoke of that redemption and that peace: “Bring the hour that banished sadness, brought redemption down to earth” (Stars of Glory). “Hail, thou ever blessed morn. Hail, redemption’s happy dawn (See Amid the Winter Snow). “The Prince of Peace has come, rejoice and sing Noel!” (Watchman).
The reading of Isaiah 53:5 reminded us that our peace came at a high price. “But he was wounded for our transgressions; he was crushed for our iniquities; upon him was the chastisement that brought us peace, and with his stripes we are healed.” ESV
The sorrow came later in His life on earth, but, on that first Christmas night long ago, there was rejoicing because the promised and long awaited Messiah had come. And, on the night of our cantata, the voice of a child reading the story brought tears to my eyes as the truth was revealed once more:
“And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid. And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, which is Christ the Lord. And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger. And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying, Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.” Luke 2:8-14 KJV
Peace, as man defines it, will not occur – no matter how hard we try. However, peace, as defined by God, has been accomplished through that baby born in Bethlehem – and He is Jesus the Christ. I still can’t make sense of it all – but I do greatly rejoice in it!
“Infant holy, Infant lowly…Christ the Babe is Lord of All.” (Infant Holy, Infant Lowly)
Caladiums Lighting the Darkness
Here are last Spring’s caladiums under the Dogwood tree. As you see, I plant the white ones with a few green veins. I like this variety because we can see them “glowing” in the shade, and they seem to light up the darkness.
Of course they don’t create light on their own. They only gather and reflect the light around them. It makes for a pleasant scene in the middle of the day when the sun is bright – But it’s also pleasant in the darkness when they pick up whatever light there is around, and do seem to glow in the dark.
We also need to be reflecting God’s light to those around us in the darkness. Our attitude, our caring for and loving others may be the only light they see.
“For it is you who light my lamp; the LORD my God lightens my darkness.” Psalms 18:28 ESV
Cucumber Failure
God really blessed my vegetable garden this summer. If you’ve followed my blog you’ve seen some of the pictures of zucchini, peppers, beans, etc. etc. I truly enjoyed the growing and eating!
But, the cucumbers had a problem. They were slow to sprout (some had to be replanted) and never made it as you can see from this picture. That was a surprise because last summer I couldn’t keep up with them. If I skipped even a few days of picking, they outgrew their good and became too large and tough with giant seeds.
Last year we had more than needed, so I was able to pass the extras around (and that’s one of the best blessings of a bountiful garden). But not this year. The vines looked like they had a disease or other malady but I don’t know what it was. I may try to do a little investigation before next year.
However, I am optimistic about next year. Even as the vines were sitting there fading away this year, I bought a neat frame with netting that the cucumbers can climb up and around. I won’t hesitate to try again with the hopes of numerous burpless cucumbers for eating and giving away.
Being a gardener (or a farmer, or many other undertakings) requires hope. We look forward to next week or next season, or next year with hope. That also follows our walk with Christ. But the “hopes” have different meanings.
I will hope for a good cucumber crop next year – and it may or may not happen.
I will put my hope in Christ in all things – and that hope is assured because of Who He is and what He has done for me. “My hope is built on nothing less, than Jesus’ blood and righteousness!” That’s a hope that will not fail.
“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! According to his great mercy, he has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead,” 1 Peter 1:3 ESV
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