Loving God, we open ourselves to you, trusting that this is how you made us: you created us for joy-filled hearts and lives. Show us the creative power of hope. Teach us the peace that comes from justice. Fill us with the kind of joy that cannot be contained but must be shared. Prepare our hearts to be transformed by you, That we may walk in the light of Christ. Amen.

There are so oo…many memories that come at this time of year. We remember the times when Santa Claus was right on target but more than that when he didn’t hit the mark. As a grown up, I now understand why Santa didn’t quite fulfill my fervent wishes and prayers. Somehow it all seemed to work out and what wasn’t under the tree was almost okay because there were pies and cakes and no limits.

Odd thing our taste buds. People from Nordic countries eat a fish dish called Lutefisk on special occasions. Lutefisk (Norwegian, pronounced lutafisk in Northern and parts of Central Norway, in Southern Norway; Sweden Finland literally "lye fish") is dried whitefish (normally cod, but ling and burbot are also used. It is made from aged stockfish (air-dried whitefish), or dried and salted cod, cured in lye. It is gelatinous in texture after being rehydrated for days prior to eating. It is traditionally part of the Christmas feast.

Give me ham and a slice of coconut pie late Christmas night. When we think back to the Christmases before this one…may we remember how what we thought was our worst Christmas was… really one of our best. Maybe not “the best Christmas ever” but looking back it wasn’t as bad as I thought with little girl wishing. When we have those “remember when” conversations….I remember that I don’t have to have everything my way to be REALLY happy.



Merry and Blessed Christmas and God Bless You!!

                                  Pr. Orinda