December 23, 2005
Come, Thou Long Expected Jesus
Rose Window with advent wreathes
I am spending this holiday season in a very new circumstance as you know. I have often felt a stranger here even though we have been warmly welcomed by the community.
The last few Christmases were spent in a flurry of working, I am working just as hard as I did when I worked for myself, but the walking out at the end of the day has been nice...
I drive home to the sound of Christmas songs old and new... the radio station proudly boasts of hits from the last five decades. The music of my teen years is now an "Oldie" uggh! I am finding that I cant cope with the irritating sounds of my co workers "head banger" music. I complained about it today when a vendor asked 'if we had a party going on in the office. 'A bit over the top, Id say.
The weather guessers are predicting a white Christmas, which is nice for us as we will be sticking close to home...and the blazing gas log. We are warm and cozy, with the sterio and the kitties. Saturday night we have a Candlelight service at the church and Sunday morning there is one service...later at 11:00am, with a meal after. It is thought that two thirds of the congragation is out of town to families for holiday festivites...(we are the only ones at home on our street this week end)
Today the church pianist had a small gathering in her place of emplyment. She is the manager of the
Mildred B. Cooper Memorial Chapel check out the website and catch a glimpse of the gem of our lovely village.The place seats about 100 and was fills with people, most involved with the choirs of their churches. We sang for two hours watching the glorious winter sunset throught the barren trees. It was a delight.
It was a difficult week at work. I was told something I already knew, this is one of the most difficult weeks in Transportation. First, the object of the over the road driver is to go home, preferably with a loaded truck, once home he or she wont stir until January. So as the week rolls by capascity shrinks hourly. Next week will be impossible...Then you have retail realizing that they have all of this stuff ordered and they have to get into the stores in time for the after Christmas sales. My account is a major US retailer (and not Wal Mart). All of this Irrisitable force meet Immovable wall gives me and my fellow transportation coordinators one huge headache. Add to that shippers having parties and we are having parties and the "why cant we go home early" crowd...Give me a Tylenol please....
Its not a good time to learn a new job. But I am comming along. I feel like I am slow and not learning as fast as I should. I am uncomfortable in this group of people (I dont know why, but a lot of them rub me the wrong way) And I know that this account is for sure leaving the company in the spring. I have been assured that I will have a job, but they arent sure where yet. This is the first place that I have ever worked for that hires in advance of need. (they estimate they have 100 new positions opening in 2006, not counting attrition. Their goal is 100 percent retention of new hires. Pretty amazing.)
Which brings me to tonights carol. The lady I am replacing is about to give birth. When she comes back from her leave she is joining a brand new account in a promoted position. She calls it two births in one... She is a Catholic,as are many of the team members and announced that she was off to her Advent Confession a few nights ago, and as she did her little son started kicking so we could all see him through her tshirt. She sighed and said..." Can you imagine riding 80 miles on a donkey in THIS condition? I' be singing 'Come thou long expected Jesus' too... See even this one cant wait for the choirs and the singing!"
I had to agree. We are all in that place of expectation, maybe not so much as our mother to be but doesnt it seem like the world is holding its breath waiting for something? As I sang the carols tonight I felt it stongly, that the world knows it needs a Saviour, we each do every one...so...
Come, Thou long expected Jesus
Born to set Thy people free;
From our fears and sins release us,
Let us find our rest in Thee.
Israel’s Strength and Consolation,
Hope of all the earth Thou art;
Dear Desire of every nation,
Joy of every longing heart.
Born Thy people to deliver,
Born a child and yet a King,
Born to reign in us forever,
Now Thy gracious kingdom bring.
By Thine own eternal Spirit
Rule in all our hearts alone;
By Thine all sufficient merit,
Raise us to Thy glorious throne.
Charles WesleyMay He come to you in a very real way this Christmas....
Cooper Chapel Bella Vista AR
