12 Days of Christmas

Well since everywhere I look I see Christmas (even in my own Concordia University's Chapel), I thought I would post a video of a rather humorous rendition of The 12 Days of Christmas.

Hope you enjoy!

Reading Level?

So apparently my Blog reading level is High School. Makes sense since I wrote most posts while I was in High School.

No I haven't forgotten about this or my HT blog.. I kinda miss it actually. Things have just been very very very busy.

Linux!

So over the past couple days I've been switching over from Vista to Ubuntu. And look what I can do! A screenshot of my desktop!

Mind's Serenity?

The above shows how I feel pretty well. Everything is crazy. My mind is all over the place.

And I should definitely be in Fort Wayne this weekend!

O Love, How Deep!

When it comes to sacred music there are two options. The first we can sing about how Jesus is worthy of OUR worship. The law in how WE lift his name and sing his praises. Then there is the second option, the better option. The option where the Gospel is present.

What is the Gospel specifically? The number of people who don’t know is both surprising and sad. Specifically, the Gospel is the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ FOR MY SINS, FOR YOUR SINS, FOR OUR SINS, FOR THE SINS OF THE WORLD!

The Higher Things Conference hymn definitely shows us the Gospel.

O Love, How Deep - LSB 544

“O love, how deep, how broad, how high,
Beyond all thought and fantasy,
That God, the Son of God, should take,
Our mortal form for mortals’ sake!”

John 3:16: “For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son…” The ‘so’ in this verse does not say that God loved the world so much, but it shows how God loved the World. “God loved the World in this way, He gave His one and only Son”

God’s love in this act is greater then we can even dream about! This stanza also shows us that it was no mere man who came for us. This was God the Son of God, 100% God who took on our mortal form, 100% man, FOR US!

“He sent no angel to our race,
Of higher or of lower place,
But wore the robe of human frame,
And to this world Himself He came.”

What? He thought that we were important enough for Him to come to us Himself? Surely an angel would have been sufficient right? No, FOR US God came as a man. His glory was covered up by the robe of human flesh only for His grace and mercy to show through in His bloody body on the cross.

“For us baptized, for us He bore
His holy fast and hungered sore;
For us temptation sharp he knew;
For us the tempter overthrew.”

Christ Baptized? But why? (Pr. Kuhlman put it wonderfully: http://blog.higherthings.org/bb55841/article/2922.html) In His baptism Christ takes all the sin out of the water and places it on himself. He was Baptized FOR US, so he could die IN OUR PLACE (FOR US) He was tempted FOR US in every way yet FOR US he did not succumb to temptation!

“For us He prayed; for us He taught;
For us His daily works He wrought,
By words and signs and actions thus
Still seeking not Himself but us.”

Jesus prayed for us? Sure He did! Just look at John 17. Or even his words on the Cross, “Father, forgive them for they know not what they do.” He taught for us too! Just look at the Scriptures, he didn’t teach those things just for the people there, otherwise why would they have been written down. Every week we hear Jesus teaching, through the reading of the Scriptures and through the words of the Pastor’s Sermon.

“For us by wickedness betrayed,
For us, in crown of thorns arrayed,
He bore the shameful cross and death;
For us He gave His dying breath.”

The Gospel FOR US! FOR US He let those thorns pierce His head. FOR US His bloody body was put up on the cross, for all those around to mock. They told Him to prove Himself as the Son of God to take Himself down from there. FOR US he does not give into that temptation. FOR US He stays up there, FOR US He prays, and FOR US He Dies.

“For us He rose from death again;
For us He went on high to reign;
For us He sent His Spirit here
To guide, to strengthen , and to cheer.”

Death could not hold Him! He rose again, just as he said he would, three days later! He rose FOR US. We rose with Him! He left His apostles just weeks later. Did He leave His apostles and us to fend for ourselves? Of course not, He is at the Father's right hand on our behalf. He didn’t leave us alone. He sent His Spirit!

“All glory to our Lord and God
For love so deep, so high, so broad;
The Trinity whom we adore
Forever and forevermore.”

Through the Gospel we join with the angels singing, “Glory to God in the Highest!” Only through His love in the Gospel can we do so. We are not worthy to praise God by ourselves. We rely on the blood of Jesus to make us worthy. That name we were marked with at our Baptism makes us worthy. We were washed, cleansed in the Name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit! With that we can sing His praises forever and forevermore!

So what is the response to the FOR YOU of the Gospel? Is it go and do this, this and this? Of course not because we can’t, but Jesus did! The only proper response to the FOR YOU of the Gospel is AMEN!

Pax Christi!

Harry Humor

Last night, I finally finished Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows! I won't post anything about it just yet, because I know how angry I would have been if people gave anything away before I had a chance to finish it. But I did find an icon with an awesome Knock-Knock Joke on it:

Very Brief update

Well I'm sitting in the Orlando Airport right now! National Youth Gathering is over!!! Over-all the speakers were better this time then last. They didn't let anyone on the main stage who wasn't LCMS. The worship service was terrible compared to 3 years ago though.

If you want more information about it. Emailing me would probably be faster then waiting for me to post something again.

Pax Christi

-Jon Kohlmeier

Update-ish

So how does one Jon keep himself busy throughout the summer months? Reading mostly! Everyone should read the Sword of Truth Series! Best Fantasy EVER!

But aside from reading, this past week I have been stuck at my uncles house in Racine house/animal sitting. Three dogs, three cats, and 8 chickens can keep you kind of busy, especially when the little black dog runs away on you and you have to go running round the neighborhood looking for him. This week I have come to realize that I will be home for around 48 hours (cumulatively) before the end of the National Youth Gathering (yes, I'm going). First though comes something I have been looking forward to for a very long time: Higher Things FOR YOU conference in MN, which I leave Monday for. Finally, I will be able to meet many of the people I have just been able to talk to online, including Pastor "Darth" "Padre" Borghardt! Get back from that Friday and fly down to Orlando Saturday morning for the NYG which should be an experience.

So here ends an update for now. I'll probably post again during the NYG (no internet during For You)

Pax Domini

Life

So it begins.. The rest of my Life.

This summer has brought me a lot of things to think about. Life as I know it is gone. Soon I will not be living at home. Past great friends have already begun to fade. My sister no longer lives in the same state as me and who knows how many times I will get to see her and my brother-in-law through the course of the year. The time has come and passed for me to be thinking about what to do with the rest of my life.

Throughout this summer I have been asking myself “What is wrong with me?” more and more. The main cause of this I think is that I can't seem to get a girl off my mind. I have liked this girl for a very long time, yet it would appear that I have no chance with her. I am constantly surrounded by people in relationships and to be honest it gets very frustrating at times. I'm Jon, that guy who is always there to listen to people, whether they have problems they wish to share, or some amazing story of great joy that recently happened to them. I love to be there for people. Yet, it gives me that “he's a great friend” but nothing more. Now I don't listen to people just to see what it will get me. I'm the one who doesn't even like getting a thank you. But recently I have felt alone. I have also heard, “There's always college and I'm sure you'll find a great girl in college.” but that really brings no comfort to me and I don't know why.

A secondary cause for me asking what is wrong with me also goes with me feeling alone. College – for a long time I have been trying to figure out what to do with my life. I really don't have any great talents that would prove useful in some sort of profession. I have always just been a mediocre or less then mediocre student. So those things right there don't really help anything. Last summer around this time, I finally decided that I was going to go to college thanks a lot to Pr. Dreyer. Before last summer, I honestly wished that I would just die before I had to deal with decisions about college. But from that time on I realized I needed to deal with it and rather quickly.

So what was Jon going to do with the rest of his life? As much as people annoy me sometimes, I wanted nothing more then to help them in some way. I do not want to be working for myself for the rest of my life. I would much rather be working for others, to make a difference in some peoples lives. So I narrowed it down to three choices; go into Pre-Sem, go into Secondary Education, or go into philosophy. Pretty quickly I took Pre-Sem out of the choices. I took it out first of all because Pr. Dreyer said it was a waste of time and secondly I am fairly certain my parents would strangle me to death based on their experience. Another reason is how much crap pastors have to deal with.

Secondary Education was also eliminated. I am not sure what my parents would think of that one. I would not be able to stand the education classes. And I don't know what I would have my concentration in since Theology isn't licensable.

So that leaves Philosophy. I chose Philosophy because with that degree I can go on to Sem if I choose to or stay in school and get some higher degrees and teach either at a Private High School or College level. Over the past couple years I have really had an interest in Philosophy, so I know I would enjoy the classes. It is because of that Major that I chose CUW.
I looked at schools mostly Concordia's because of the major I chose. I knew my parents would not be happy about it so I tried my hardest to have them not find out until it was absolutely necessary. I finally got my acceptance letter from CUW. Most people's parents are thrilled when their children get accepted into college. Mine... I don't think even smiled. From they day they found out they haven't gone a day without trying to make me regret it. Through this past year I realized that I love to learn! Before school just sucked, It was a place where I sat for 8 hours a day. So despite how frustrating things are I am glad that I will be going to school in the Fall. And at times it really is a comfort to know I wont be living at home in a couple weeks. Housing did not work out as we had planned, I wont be rooming with Jesse and Josh but will be in a single room all by myself. Which I am okay with, but I hope I don't just sit around in my room the entire time and not meet anyone. It will be an interesting change of scenery.

Aside from that, I have been finding out more and more that people are moving on. Friends who I used to talk to for hours, I now have trouble carrying on conversations for 15mins. That in itself is kind of depressing.

Ah well.. I'm done for now.. hopefully I'll get up a thought provoking post soon.

Pax Christi

-Jon

Well...

Well I had a post all typed up... but I didn't like it so for now this is all you get "An Update on the Life of Jon"

Well I graduated, they gave me a diploma signed and everything. Since graduation summer has been pretty busy. Worked 85 hours in 8 days helping set up for A Taste of Summer starting the Wednesday after graduation. The weekend after that was my sisters Liz's wedding, which was surprisingly very fun. Then last Wednesday I helped move her and Jeff to Ft. Wayne. Now I wish I was there for Christ Academy but.. I'm not.

Thats all for now and hopefully I'll write a post worthy of being put up here soon.

On Choir Tours

From Bus Ride on 4/13

And there we were! In the mountains.. Riding on the bus… watching some stupid movie.

And yet here I am typing away on the computer, on the road from DC to Ohio.

So far tour has been.. tour. Rather boring as far as tours go. But tour none-the-less. Tours are very interesting times. You learn more about people then you could ever want to know. You are basically living with 50 other people for a week, with much time spend on a cramped bus. Then again not all you learn is bad -- Relationships are strengthened throughout the time spent together. You learn amazing things about people, some of whom you may never have talked to before.

What is also unique about tours is that once it is over most things go back to being exactly the same. Those people who you talked too a lot during the coarse of tour, go back to completely ignoring your presence when you get back to “real life.” What’s weird for me is that this is my final tour. When I get back I won’t have much time to form or strengthen relationships with those people who I have been in school with for four years. A month and a half left-- then everything begins again. New people, new school, new teachers a new place to live for the next few years. So what did these past four years, specifically choir tours mean? All they become is a flash of memories and a few pictures, but have they really impacted me? Choir tours… perhaps not, but being singing for the past four years? Definitely!

It was about this time 8th grade year when my sister was trying to talk me into trying out for Troubadours. I really was never much into music, especially singing. I never really listened to all that much music or anything. But there I was an 8th grader who was about to leave grade school. She finally did talk me into trying out for the best singing group offered at the school I would be attending next year. Then to fast forward a few months. There I was the kid in the middle of the summer before he entered high school who opened a letter not expecting much. Then reading that he had made it into troubadours and was one of three basses and the other two were seniors. From then on.. I developed a love and respect for music. It became the sanctuary for my mind. The best way to control my feelings or develop feeling within me. I love the quote that I found recently, “Who needs psychotherapy when you can listen to B Minor Mass?” Its true through music you have one of the greatest things for your mind. Music calms your mind, it clears it, it works, and it stretches the imagination. As I look back at the kid who stood there and opened the letter I can barely recognize him. Music has truly changed my life and without it I don’t know where I would be today.

So choir has definitely changed me, but what of tours? There are lots of memories from tours, But have they changed me? Perhaps some. Such as singing “Kyrie, Eleision” at ground zero in New York. That is not something one forgets quickly. I have seen many places I probably would have never seen if not for choir tours such as the sight of JFK’s assassination, or all the things that I saw in Washington DC this year. But still has tour meant anything? Perhaps not much for me, but for those who heard the choir sing. Hopefully, for that is what tour is really about. It’s about us proclaiming Christ. Especially this year as we tour right after Easter! Christ Crucified, Died, and Risen! Alleluia We Sing! So even if tour doesn’t seem to have that much meaning for me, it does for some of those who hear us sing and those hosts that we stay with. We have the great opportunity to interact with others and spread the Gospel.

So I guess tours do mean something. Even one’s like this where we only have the chance to sing two concerts.

The Peace of Christ who has been raised be with you! Alleluia!

Easter 2007

Alleluia! Joy unending, Praise ascending to the sky
Death is vanquished, life has triumphed.
Christ is Risen today!
Alleluia! Alleluia!
Christ is risen! Alleluia!

Christ the Lord is risen today, Alleluia!
Earth and heaven in chorus say, Alleluia!
Raise your joys and triumphs high, Alleluia!
Sing, ye heavens, and earth reply, Alleluia!

Love’s redeeming work is done, Alleluia!
Fought the fight, the battle won, Alleluia!
Death in vain forbids him rise, Alleluia!
Christ has opened paradise, Alleluia!

Lives again our glorious King, Alleluia!
Where, O death, is now thy sting? Alleluia!
Once he died our souls to save, Alleluia!
Where’s they victory, boasting grave? Alleluia!

Soar we now where Christ has lead, Alleluia!
Following our exalted Head, Alleluia!
Made like him, like him we rise, Alleluia!
Ours the cross, the grave, the skies, Alleluia!

Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia! Christ is risen Today!

Yet Though despised and gory, I joy to call Thee Mine!

TLH 172

1. O sacred Head, now wounded,
With grief and shame weighed down,
Now scornfully surrounded
With thorns, Thine only crown.
O sacred Head, what glory,
What bliss, till now was Thine!
Yet, though despised and gory,
I joy to call Thee mine.

2. Men mock and taunt and jeer Thee,
Thou noble countenance,
Though mighty worlds shall fear Thee
And flee before Thy glance.
How art thou pale with anguish,
With sore abuse and scorn!
How doth Thy visage languish
That once was bright as morn!

3. Now from Thy cheeks has vanished
Their color, once so fair;
From Thy red lips is banished
The splendor that was there.
Grim Death, with cruel rigor,
Hath robbed Thee of Thy life;
Thus Thou has lost Thy vigor,
Thy strength, in this sad strife.

4. My burden in Thy Passion,
Lord, Thou hast borne for me,
For it was my transgression
Which brought this woe on thee.
I cast me down before Thee,
Wrath were my rightful lot;
Have mercy, I implore Thee;
Redeemer, spurn me not!

5. My Shepherd, now receive me;
My Guardian, own me Thine.
Great blessings Thou didst give me,
O Source of gifts divine!
Thy lips have often fed me
With words of truth and love,
Thy Spirit oft hath led me
To heavenly joys above.

6. Here I will stand beside Thee,
From Thee I will not part;
O Savior, do not chide me!
When breaks Thy loving heart,
When soul and body languish
In death's cold, cruel grasp,
Then, in Thy deepest anguish,
Thee in mine arms I'll clasp.

7. The joy can ne'er be spoken,
Above all joys beside,
When in Thy body broken
I thus with safety hide.
O Lord of life, desiring
Thy glory now to see,
Beside Thy cross expiring,
I'd breathe my soul to Thee.

8. What language shall I borrow
To thank Thee, dearest Friend,
For this, Thy dying sorrow,
Thy pity without end?
Oh, make me thine forever!
And should I fainting be,
Lord, let me never, never,
Outlive my love for Thee.

9. My Savior, be Thou near me
When death is at my door;
Then let Thy presence cheer me,
Forsake me nevermore!
When soul and body languish,
Oh, leave me not alone,
But take away mine anguish
By virtue of Thine own!

10. Be Thou my Consolation,
My Shield when I must die;
Remind me of Thy Passion
When my last hour draws nigh.
Mine eyes shall then behold Thee,
Upon Thy cross shall dwell,
My heart by faith enfold Thee.
Who dieth thus dies well!

"Later, knowing that all was now completed, and so that the Scripture would be fulfilled, Jesus said, "I am thirsty." A jar of wine vinegar was there, so they soaked a sponge in it, put the sponge on a stalk of the hyssop plant, and lifted it to Jesus' lips. When he had received the drink, Jesus said, "It is finished." With that, he bowed his head and gave up his spirit." John 19:28-30


When Jesus says "It is finished" He is saying that your salvation has been completed. Nothing more is needed!

"Instead, one of the soldiers pierced Jesus' side with a spear, bringing a sudden flow of blood and water." John 19:34

From His broken body the blood of Communion and the water of Baptism flow. The means by which we receive the gifts won for us that day.


Vs. 2-4 Stricken, Smitten, and Afflicted

Ye who think of sin but lightly,
Nor suppose the evil great,
Here may view its nature rightly,
Here its guilt may estimate.
Mark the Sacrifice appointed!
See Who bears the awful load!
’Tis the Word, the Lord’s Anointed,
Son of Man, and Son of God.

Here we have a firm foundation,
Here the refuge of the lost.
Christ the Rock of our salvation,
Christ the Name of which we boast.
Lamb of God for sinners wounded!
Sacrifice to cancel guilt!
None shall ever be confounded
Who on Him their hope have built.

Monday of Holy Week

LSB 439

1. O dearest Jesus, what law hast thou broken
That such sharp sentence should on Thee be spoken?
Of what great crime hast Thou to make confession,
What dark transgression?

2. They crown Thy head with thorns, they smite, they scourge Thee;
With cruel mockings to the cross they urge Thee;
They give Thee gall to drink, they still decry Thee;
They crucify Thee.

3. Whence come these sorrows, whence this mortal anguish?
It is my sins for which Thou, Lord, must languish;
Yea, all the wrath, the woe, Thou dost inherit,
This I do merit.

4. What punishment so strange is suffered yonder!
The Shepherd dies for sheep that loved to wander;
The master pays the debt His servants owe Him,
Who would not know Him.

5. The sinless Son of God must die in sadness;
The sinful child of man may live in gladness;
Man forfeited his life and is acquitted,
God is committed.

6. There was no spot in me by sin untainted;
Sick with sin’s poison, all my heart had fainted;
My heavy guilt to hell had well-nigh brought me,
Such woe it wrought me.

7. O wondrous love, whose depth no heart hath sounded,
That brought Thee here, by foes and thieves surrounded!
All worldly pleasures, heedless, I was trying
While Thou wert dying.

8. Mighty King, no time can dim Thy glory!
How shall I spread abroad Thy wondrous story?
How shall I find some worthy gifts to proffer?
What dare I offer?

9. For vainly doth our human wisdom ponder,
Thy woes, They mercy, still transcend our wonder.
Oh, how should I do aught that could delight Thee!
Can I requite Thee?

10. Yet unrequited, Lord, I would not leave Thee;
I will renounce whate’er doth vex or grieve Thee
And quench with thoughts of Thee and prayers most lowly
All fires unholy.

11. But since my strength will never more suffice me
To crucify desires that still entice me,
To all good deeds, oh, let Thy Spirit win me
And reign within me!
12. I’ll think upon Thy mercy without ceasing,
That earth’s vain joys to me no more be pleasing;
To do Thy will shall be my sole endeavor
Henceforth forever.

13. Whate’er of earthly good this life may grant me,
I’ll risk for Thee; no shame, no cross, shall daunt me;
I shall not fear what man can do to harm me
Nor death alarm me.

14. But worthless is my sacrifice, I own it;
Yet, Lord, for love’s sake Thou wilt not disown it;
Thou wilt accept my gift in thy great meekness
Nor shame my weakness.

15. And when, dear Lord, before Thy throne in heaven
To me the crown of joy at last is given,
Where sweetest hymns Thy saints forever raise Thee,
I, too, shall praise Thee.


Such a beautiful hymn that we do not get to sing that often. It speaks of the crucifixion - of how this pain is for us. Throughout the Lenten season and especially Holy Week people try to “sin less” then end up focusing more on themselves, on how sinful they are, then on the Gospel. That Gospel which came physically to all mankind on that Friday and still comes physically to each of us through the sacraments. This Thursday we remember the day when Christ first instituted The Sacrament of the Altar. Each time we partake in the Lord’s Supper the Gospel is being put directly in our mouths, you receive the forgiveness that was won FOR YOU on the cross. You receive the same blood that flowed from Christ’s side when his body was broken. How wonderful the Gospel is!

Though hymns like the one above sound “depressing” musically, they carry the wonderful message from the Gospel.
This sinless son of God chose to die for us. We who forfeited our own lives. In his love Jesus felt complete and utter loneliness, and also felt the full hammer of God’s Wrath all For You! And For Me Too!

Throughout this holy week keep that at the front of your mind. Christ Crucified for the Forgiveness of your sins.

Blessed Holy Week to each of you!

Spring Break

Ahh... Spring Break, a break away from School, people, waking up early…. ANYTHING HAVING ANY EXCITEMENT WHATSOEVER!!! (breathe Jon its ok just breathe)

Actually so far spring break has not been that bad, except for having to spend an inhuman amount of time with my insane family. I started “Wizards First Rule” the first book in the Sword of Truth Series. So far it is one of the best fantasy books I’ve ever read. Unfortunately, people usually come into the room I’m reading in and make noise, so most of my reading comes late at night. Otherwise, I’ve been spending way to much time on the computer as usual.

Most of the normal people I talk to online are away having fun in Texas without me. Most people would probably say something about the weather, but Its been warm here and I would much rather have it cold and snowing, then hot and humid. Eh.. Hope if any of you bandies read this, your having a wonderful time on tour.

I keep trying to think of something thought provoking to write about, but it just isn’t coming to me, probably because I’m sitting in a room where the BRAIN-EATER is on. Stupid family and Stupid TV. GRR! Ah well, give me something to write about and hopefully a good post will come this week.

Pax Christi

Valentine?

Ah.. Valentines day! What meaning do you have?

A few posts ago I wrote about how I didn't understand celebrating the New Year. Now a 'holiday' almost as wide spread as New Years which I also don't get.

Perhaps its because I'm single that I don't understand the reasons that one day in February couples go out and by each other flowers or chocolate. Even in my own high school they use valentines day as a fundraiser of sorts. You have the option to buy a flower for someone else and on Valentines day (named after the patron saint of flowers and chocolates?). Then they distribute them in the ever-so-romantic way of calling out peoples names at lunch and having them walk up and get the flowers.

So what is so great about Valentines Day? Is it just that fun to go waste money on flowers that will die or chocolate that will be eaten? Maybe, I'm just not understanding or maybe I just have a different opinion of love.

If you're looking for an article with some depth to it and not just me talking about how I don't get the reason for the holiday and think its stupid, head over to Rev. Cwirla's Blogosphere where he wrote a post that is much more thought provoking than mine.

I now leave you with a quote on love that has fast become a favorite of mine:

"I could love you today and hate you tomorrow, those feelings don't mean anything they change like the wind and will die with me. If I love you in Christ THAT is eternal."


Pax Christi

Running

*very rough post, just wanted to write something and thats what was going through my head*

Running....

There are many reasons to run. Some run for exercise and health while others run for fun their goal to achieve the ultimate runners high. My running is none of those. Mine is a figurative running. Running from the Future, running from the past, running to leave the present. I also run in circles, I can't make up my mind. To go to college here where who knows if I'll be happy with it, to go to college there when half seem to be pushing for it and half warning against it. My mind cannot weigh the pro's and con's against each other. So around my track I continue to run.

Running around and around I go. I run past many people just watching and thinking. How strange people are. Do they see the world that exists outside of their bubble of life and close friends? If they can see it do they care for anything? To they pay any attention to those who have dedicated their lives to them? Old friends, teachers, parents, pastors all those that keep their world from crashing and burning. As my mind runs past all different kinds of people, I see much that I hate, yet there is this desire to be there for them, to help in anyway I can, even if that means being no help at all. I continue to run around all the people I have known. What keeps stronger relationships with these people from forming? Perhaps it is my running away without even realizing it.

What is this hydration that keeps me going. Why don't I quit, for the thought is there more often then it is not. Onward, onward i press, perhaps even quickening pace. What, what could it be, I try to stop but I just can't. Where am I going, do I have any say in that. For even where I think I am going spins uncontrollably. What keeps a runner going, looking for the prize of a finish? I guess I shall continue running until my feet stumble across that line.

A Christmas Post on New Year's Eve

Thats right! I'm posting about Christmas on New Year's Eve. Why? Because I don't really get the celebrating of a new year beginning. Certainly there are things that I am looking forward to in 2007, like my graduation, my sisters wedding, and of course FOR YOU in MN. I just don't understand why we celebrate midnight of January 1st.

The year is a very strange thing. Its the name we give to 365 days. Wait thats not even right because we have a year with 366 days every 4 years. A year is 12 months. What kind of number is 12? Wouldn't it make more sense if it were 10, a nice even number. But apparently a month is based on the moon and Years are based on the Sun rotating around the earth. Wait! I guess they found out that its the earth that goes around the Sun. So those smart scientists people decided to teach us something even it it doesn't make much sense to people like me. Maybe I will understand more through my astronomy class next semester.

But what about other ways of measuring time: Days I can understand it gets bright then it gets dark even if its cloudy. Though I am not sure why the day starts when it still dark out when it would be much easier to start when the sun rises. But hours Why are there 24 hours in a day? 24 not 25 not 50 not 20 not nice even numbers but 24. What makes up a hour? 60 minuets 60, not 100 not 50 but 60. Then they break up the minuets into 60 seconds. What do we need seconds for? All of this came from me mentioning the New Year.

So how about the Christmas part of this post?

I love music! All kinds of music I just love it. (Except rap but is that really music?) I can't get enough of singing music, listening to music, attempting to play music on my keyboard I got for Christmas. Advent is full of really Good hymns. I like Advent hymns more then I like Christmas hymns.

But why is that? With other things advent is full of good things leading up to the great things of Christmas. One thing that comes to mind is when I was younger and we used to have those chocolate Advent calenders. We got a piece of chocolate each day and then during Christmas we got a ton of it in our stockings or my favorite chocolate cookies that my aunt makes for Christmas every year. But for some reason I just like the Advent hymns more then Christmas ones.

Even though in general I do like Advent hymns more then Christmas hymns none of my favorite hymns come from the Advent section. Two of them come from the Christmas section. One of them is From Heaven above to Earth I come, and the other I have typed out below.

LSB #384

Of the Father's love begotten, ere the worlds began to be,
He is Alpha and Omega, He the source, the ending He,
Of the things that are, that have been,
And that future years shall see, evermore and evermore!

O that birth forever blessed, when the virgin, full of grace,
By the Holy Ghost conceiving, bare the Savior of our race;
And the Babe, the world's Redeemer,
First revealed His sacred face, evermore and evermore!

This is He whom seers in old time canted of with one accord,
Whom the voices of the prophets promised in their faithful word.
Now He shines, the Long expected;
Let creation praise its Lord, evermore and evermore!

O ye heights of heaven adore Him; angel hosts, His praises sing;
Powers, dominions, bow before Him, and extol our God and King!
Let no tongue on earth be silent,
Every voice in concert sing, evermore and evermore!

Christ, to Thee with God the Father, and, O Holy Ghost, to Thee,
Hymn and chant with high thanksgiving, and unwearied praises be:
Honor, glory, and dominion,
And eternal victory, evermore and evermore!

A very blessed Christmas and New Year to you all!

Higher Things - Dare to be Lutheran

A promotional DVD featuring Higher Things, the greatest Lutheran youth organization on the planet. This promotional video was filmed this summer at Higher Things' annual summer conference, The Feast in Colorado Springs, CO. Check out Higher Things online at http://www.higherthings.org

11/22/1963

Today I would like to take a moment to remember a great author, Clive Staples (C.S.) Lewis. He died November 22, 1963 after collapsing in his bedroom at 5:30pm and died a few minutes later. He is now buried in the churchyard of Holy Trinity Church in Oxford.

Media coverage of his death was overshadowed by news of teh assassination of President John F. Kennedy which happened on the same day, as did the death of Aldous Huxly.

C. S. Lewis' feast day in the Anglican calendar is November 22

RIP C. S. Lewis