He was despised, and
rejected of men; a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief: and as one
from whom men hide their face he was despised; and we esteemed him not. 4 Surely he hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows; yet we did esteem him stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted. Isaiah 53
Lets just all agree that, more times than not, Christmas is not anything like the Hallmark channel or a Rockwell painting.
You
know; those images of all the family huddled around the newly arrived
nephew, or joyfully belting out Christmas carols; happy, laughing, and
content in neat lives that radiate success and contentment.
But
I cannot shake the thought that somehow something with Christmas is not
right, and that it shouldn't be that way. I am guessing that I am not
the only person who thinks this way, not the only one who won't let go
of expectations. Each year, I find myself feeling perhaps like you;
perpetually mildly disappointed as Christmas recedes in the rear view
mirror.
A Turkey, Ham.....
As I
look back at my life of 53 years, and all the Christmas Family dinners I
have been through, I am beginning to finally be grown up enough to
notice some general themes. In the midst of all those rooms full of
holiday revelers, I am guessing that you have seen some of these same
people, or know of similar stories as well. All of us have a story to
tell, and all of us have lives that, in varying ways, reflect the
suffering and joy of the human condition.
Every year, we seem to be involved in one or more large, noisy,
extended family Christmas celebration. These are invariably held with
far too many people in a house slightly too small for the crowd. And
every year, there will be people there you have either know for years,
or hardly know. Both the ones you look forward to seeing, and the one
that, well, you could do without. We all come with our contributions to
the festivities, a salad here, an apple pie there. I come bringing my
roasted turkey, still wrapped in beach blankets, keeping warm right out
of the oven. Those who are cooking challenged come bearing their Honey
Baked Hams and salads from the designer grocery chain. We all do our
part.
Lets take a look around the room.
.....and Family Dysfunction
Bustling around in the center of the kitchen, the focal point
of this holiday bacchanalia, is the not-so-middle-aged mom of the host
family. She has been the driving force of this Christmas gathering for
more than a decade now, organizing, decorating, now hugging new comers
upon entry, and making sure the punch bowl is full and the conversation
is lively and cheerful. But within her, life has not all been easy and
cheerful. There has been the death of parents, the worry over children,
and her own health struggles that have carved lines into her smile.
Lines that speak of life, and loving, and worry. She has a story to
tell of her life that is rich, and full, with some parts not easy to
hear and other parts enough to make you cry with laughter. But that
story will have to wait, dinner must be served.
Over there, by the salted nut bowl, there is the loud
and crazy uncle, the one who is on his 4th marriage, (is it 4th or 5th,
we never can seem to remember?) who has the omniscient knowledge of all
things both political and moral. He can speak for hours on any subject,
but is nearly incapable of asking anyone how they are doing.
Whenever the Christmas carols begin, he is the one who starts to sing
his own song, separate and apart and far louder that whatever the chosen
carol is. He has always been that way. His whole life. It drives you
batty.
Sitting by the onion dip bowl over there is
the divorcee in the family, who is attempting to make herself look all
put together, her hair is just so, and the outfit that is charmingly
Christmasy. In reality, her last two years have been full of enough
emotion, pain, and distance from her family to the extent that it hurts
to think about it. Its not really entirely her fault. She has mastered
the art of the happy holiday smile and greeting, but you get the sense
of a hollow ring to her greeting. You wish you had something to say
that could offer hope, but words fail you. And so, you return the
greeting with the best warm hug you can offer, and a few minutes of idle
chatter about the kids and the weather.
Seated in the kitchen almost like a centerpiece in the midst of the
bustle, looking almost regal, is the family matron of 83 years. In one
way or another, all of us here have been touched by her warmth, her
engaging way of conversation, and the apparently real love she has for
each person in the room. She has a life story to tell that is
remarkable; of teen years saving various household items for the effort
of World War II, and of the meeting and marriage of her young soldier
sweetheart, with whom she was married for 48 years, until his death
several years ago. She is quite alert for her age, and so full of
grace, you want to sit next to her and listen for the rest of the
night. But, there are others in the room you need to catch up with.
And look, in the kitchen. The gaggle of late teens and
early twenties, the kids of several different families. They have
surrounded a bowl of guacamole dip and chips, which will be history in
five minutes or less. Our of the corner of your eye, you notice on the
periphery of this group the moody college freshman who doesn't quite fit
- who is not exactly socially graceful. She tends to put the other
kids at slight unease, never really feeling comfortable in this crowd.
These kids don't really understand where she comes from. Neither do the
adults. Diagnosed with a mild learning disability and depression in
her younger years, it feels to her like no one really understands her.
Although her parents have tried just about everything, she will not see a
therapist, nor will she consider taking any medication that might
alleviate her moodiness. She doesn't like the dull ache she feels when
on medication, perhaps she also revels in her shadowy personality. Its
easier to think everyone else is a butt hole, rather than than face up
to your own pain. We are all like that in some ways.
Unexpectedly, A Baby
Over
there by the fireplace. A sight that is in simple stark contrast to the
carnival of family issues filling the rest of the house. A
dark-haired, younger mother is sitting quietly; the only person who
seems entirely disconnected from all the noise, and bustle, all the
preparation and masked pain. She has a baby boy of less than six
months, wrapped in a blanket adorned with little tiny snowmen.
This sight nearly stops you in your tracks, and you feel your
breath softly exhaling as you take in this sight. A baby. Sleeping
soundly. You lean forward to watch that little face, softly twitching
in slumber. What thoughts are filling that new little mind? Look how
peaceful he is, not a care in the world. No issues, no confusion about
life, no dysfunction. No having to act glued together and dressed up
well.
Just how did we get here, at this Christmas
party, carrying in the door our culinary contributions along with our
pain, and sadness, our confusion and our fears? And how, in the midst
of all this noise and food, abundance and insecurity, can there be a
little soul sleeping so soundly, oblivious to all the struggle,
heartache, and frustrations the rest of us feel?
Our
Christmas feelings may not end up with everyone happy, with each person
in the room fondly reflecting on a life well lived thus far. But at
the deep, subtle, and shadowed center of all this Advent revelry, there
is this; a baby. We cannot avoid him. For in a moment, more than two
centuries ago, his screams of new life, brought forth in a crappy barn
in the middle of nowhere, changed everything for all of us. Forever.
Merry Belated Christmas.
Friday, January 06, 2012
Monday, January 02, 2012
From This Valley - Civil Wars
Oh, the desert dreams of a river
that will run down to the sea
like my heart longs for an ocean
to wash down over me.
Oh, won't you take me from this valley
to that mountain high above?
I will pray, pray, pray
until I see your smiling face.
I will pray, pray, pray
to the one I love.
Oh, the outcast dreams of acceptance,
just to find pure love's embrace
like an orphan longs for his mother.
May you hold me in your grace.
Won't you take me from this valley
to that mountain high above?
I will pray, pray, pray
until I see your smiling face.
I will pray, pray, pray
to the one I love.
Oh, the caged bird dreams of a strong wind
that will flow 'neath her wings.
Like a voice longs for a melody,
oh, Jesus carry me.
Won't you take me from this valley
to that mountain high above?
I will pray, pray, pray
until I see your smiling face.
I will pray, pray, pray
to the one I love.
I will pray, pray, pray
until I see your smiling face.
I will pray, pray, pray
to the one I love.
Friday, December 16, 2011
Norris Christmas Letter 2011
Across the miles,
and memories, and dear friendships, from our home to yours, greetings of Advent
Peace from the Norris Family! As 2011
comes to a close, we can all say this sure has been an interesting year. Read on, for a brief overview of what we have
been up to in the past 12 months.
A Junior and a Senior
As if life was not
rushing headlong faster than any of us could imagine, Kelly is now a Junior at
DePaul University in Chicago, and Heather is a Senior at Flintridge Sacred
Heart Academy. Kelly is looking forward
to her last 18 months of college instruction (after spending the past three
months with us here, as she finished some general ed classes in Southern
California), and to being fully certified as an elementary level teacher upon
graduation. From there, only God knows
what comes next, but the current plan is teaching someplace overseas for a few
years. She is quite used to world
travel, having almost spent last Christmas in London, close to being snowed in
on her way home from Livingstone, Zambia.
Heathrow in disarray, stranded in London, without luggage, and wearing
only sweats and Tom’s shoes, she spent the next 72 hours improvising a new wardrobe,
planning travel home, but also enjoying the snowy sights of London at
Christmastide! She made it home, via
Houston to Los Angeles, on the 21st; it was the best Christmas present of the
year for our family. Her smile on our doorstep will not quickly be forgotten.
Meanwhile, Heather’s
life is never a dull moment, with present plans for 15 (yes, count them)
separate college applications. Thus far
two acceptances, 13 more to go. We are
all so proud of Heather’s hard work, and Dad is just overjoyed he did not have
to write an application check to USC.
Stayed tuned for more news. The
fall presented a surprise, as Heather’s grace and poise (characteristics having
nothing at all to do with her Dad) propelled her to the final 30 young ladies to
be considered for the Tournament of Roses Royal Court. Alas, royalty was not to be, but Heather is
quite happy with her life as a commoner, and another year on Varsity softball. We love this girl.
Intramucosal Carcinoma of the Colon
Just a few words,
but the gravity they contain can be life changing. With those medical reference words, our lives
together as a family took a summer detour we did not expect. We don’t have a story of how our majestic and
exemplary faith made this experience entirely free of questions or worry. We learned deep lessons of love, commitment
and friendship from so many during this time.
Surgery was required, and the result: no evidence of ongoing serious cancer. In fact, what had previously looked likely
cancerous was in fact, benign. One more
related surgery is scheduled for later this month; a purely preventative
procedure. Nancy is back to full and
complete health, and we are all deeply and profoundly thankful. Words simply will not do. A word of prayer for one more short hospital
visit for Nancy would be a gift to us. The
doctors want to keep a close eye on her in the years to come, but for now, the
way ahead is clear. Suffice it to say,
we have a different understanding of the concept of the gift of each new day. And in thanks, and as a celebration, we will
be giving a financial gift this year in your names to the City of Hope (www.cityofhope.org), where Nancy received truly
remarkable and compassionate care. This
was a summer we will never forget.
More Modest and Thankfully Dull Adventures
As for me, the
balding guy who is the oldest around here, this has certainly been a year. From emails to and from Zambia, sitting in the
City of Hope hospital waiting room wondering about the future, to awaiting a
Rose Court announcement; it never, ever, got boring. This included a business trip to Alaska last
year just before Christmas (spotted several moose on major streets in
Anchorage, high temperature +15 degrees), a conference in Washington DC in
November, with a day to enjoy the nation’s capital. The year was filled with some wonderful musical
interludes with good friends, the Watkins Family hour at the Coronet, Alison
Kraus and Union Station under the stars at the Greek, The Civil Wars at the
Wiltern, and fall evenings at Disney Hall with good friends. A week at the beach at the close of summer,
complete with rooftop sunset dinners full of the kids and their friends and
much laughter. Summer evening barbeque
dinners on the back deck with friends old and new. Bruin games at Pauley with friends new. Life is rich and full, each day. Thankfulness abounds.
And so, in this past
year, as Kelly traveled to Livingstone, via London and Los Angeles, I wondered about
what seems to be the only event that can unite the people of these distant and
disparate cities. An event that occurred in obscurity more than two hundred
centuries ago, in a dusty village in the middle of, well, nowhere.
At the point of a single birth, everything changed. Time was carved in two. For everyone, forever. For countless thousands alone, with their thoughts on Los Angeles freeways, for the masses riding the London tube, and for the dusty streets of Livingstone. And even for you too, standing in your kitchen reading this Christmas letter. All these places, all us people, given a chance again. Given hope. Christmas hope. Christmas love. Across continents, and time zones, and time itself. This is what Christmas is all about.
Merry
Christmas from Steve, Nancy, Kelly, and Heather
Sunday, November 13, 2011
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