Venite Adoremus Dominum

And thus that manger poor became a throne;
For he whom Mary bore was God the Son.
O come, then, let us join the heavenly host;
To praise the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost.

Traditions are well and good, but once in a while it makes sense to do something different. Thus, rather than try to make a long list of this year's new friends (between Thrive and my new job), I just want to say a few words.

Driving to my parents' for this Christmas, I made a point to listen (for the first time in a while - a couple of months at least, I'd say) to a new (to me) Tim Keller sermon from off the iTunes feed. It was about covenant, and the significance of the one God made with Abraham, and it was a sermon of a kind I love - bringing cultural context to bear in a way that illuminated what God has done rather than try to explain it away. I love when that kind of thing makes it obvious how amazing God is and how brilliantly Scripture tells stories. Keller is par excellence a credit to English majors everywhere, but my very favorite sermons of his are the ones where, instead of admiring his rhetorical skill, I end up mainly looking past him, along his pointing arm, straight to Christ.

It was what I needed; it's been a good year, but it's had its difficult moments. I have had a hard time doing anything besides going through the motions this Advent - as these days I often also do, honestly, at church.

But the way that God broke in through that sermon...it didn't last as long as I'd have liked, but it reminded me of what He's like.

He never leaves His children. He always comes to rescue us. I am so glad, worlds glad, for that.

Full Circle

[I know I've already posted something similar to parts of this on Facebook, but whatever.]

If I'm correct (and for a couple of reasons I think I am), a year ago today was when I interviewed for the job that I have right now.

Today, that year later, I spent most of my day sitting on an interview panel.

On the panel, you understand, not in the interview seat. My position wasn't the one up for interview. I'm still possibly the newest member of the full-time English-department staff (depending on how you look at it - I don't mean this with any animosity, but it's probably simpler not to ask).

But this week, I get to help decide who gets to have that honor next.

Fittingly, and thinking of that interview (although not realizing yet that it'd been exactly a year before), I decided to wear the same dress shirt today that I did back then.

I praise God for a year full of blessings.