“And everyone went to his own town to register. So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David. He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child. (Luke 2:3-5).
We walk our heritage. What roots us moves us. Our family lineage reveals our steps. Past, present, future. Whatever our “was” has shaped our “is,” and now we journey its truth. And if we know the truth of Truth, then our steps are forged and shaped by the confines of a wooden cradle.
Both at Bethlehem, and then at Calvary.
Neither could contain him, yet both were the necessary pause of his sacred heart. I cannot fathom the worth of such surrender, but I am trying. It’s been difficult for me this year. I’m not sure as to the reason why, but regardless of the struggle, my obedience remains steadfast.
Each day I awake with my feet pointed eastward and my eyes cast to the sky. My heart looks for signs and wonders and lingers in the hope of catching a single glimpse of heaven’s Applause—the One who slipped into my heart, even as he did his mother’s on the night of his birth. Every now and again I witness the splendor of that hope. This past weekend held a few such moments.
On Saturday, my family, alongside the members of our adult choir, pilgrimed through the hallways of four local nursing homes. We sang our faith as we went. Carols—one of the purest measures of the Christmas tradition that remains untouched, despite the worlds attempts to the contrary.
One by one, doors began to open. Smiles began to form. Minds that have long since closed off their capacity for reasoning began to mouth the words in unison with ours. I saw tears. I wept some of my own. Hugged necks. Gave good wishes and watched my young children walk their heritage in a way that would tug at the heart strings of even the most cynical. Why make the journey?
Because we are a Jesus people, and the family bloodline runs deep. He has called us to the hallways of life. To the least of these who need to remember the hope of a long forgotten story that is closer now to its conclusion than it has ever been. Especially for them as they stand on the edges of their “next.” Perhaps the reason behind their smiles. Greater still, the reason for their remembrance of the words.
There’s something about the song, friends, that never loses its power … that forever holds its worth. That always speaks the Truth.
After leaving our group, we decided to continue our pilgrimage and stopped at a local church to view a live Nativity scene. We watched as a real baby struggled in the cold and with the confines of his own wooden cradle. I imagined, alongside the imaginations of my children, what it must have been like on the night of our dear Savior’s birth. 
Less noisy, I’m sure. Surrounding highways don’t bode well for atmosphere. Certainly less cameras, unless you count the eyes of heaven. Most assuredly, that first Bethlehem night embodied more light than the illumination of my flash photography. I’m quite certain that the angels created a brilliancy untouched by human comparison. Still and yet, for all of the ways this manger scene fell short of the real, it came through on the one measure that mattered.
Remembrance.
And we Jesus people were better off for the time spent walking the memories of our family bloodline. A story that no longer belongs to one couple, but instead belongs to all of humanity. To you and to me. To those who’ve come before and to those who are soon to follow. To all who are willing to cradle the baby Jesus close to their hearts and claim him as their own.
There’s something about that remembrance that never loses it power … that forever holds its worth. That always speaks the Truth.
Our final stop of the evening took us to a well-lighted neighborhood, notorious for huge participation in the Christmas season. House after house. Scene after scene. A festival of lights, and a feast for the senses. Our favorite house sits toward the back; the owners go to great lengths to tell Christ’s story in completion. From the angel announcing the wombed arrival of Jesus to Mary, to Bethlehem’s cradle, to Calvary’s cross, to Easter’s resurrection. Each scene is worthy of deliberate pause.
Thus, we obliged. Stopped the van long enough to linger in the moment and for me to take a few pictures. When I returned to the car, my daughter was in tears. When I asked her as to the reason for her wet, she replied, “Mommy, I don’t want Jesus to have to die again.” Her heart was hurting, and I understood. I don’t think she has ever seen a depiction of Christ’s crucifixion that grabbed her emotions at the level that this one did.
The story came to life for baby girl as she witnessed her family bloodline in deeper measure. She’s only just begun to trace her roots, but the cross’ hold is one that never loses it power … that forever holds its worth. That always speaks the Truth.
Indeed, we walked our heritage this past weekend, and it wasn’t hard to see Jesus. He came to us in a song, in our remembrance of his birth, and through the tears of child whose faith is being shaped by a Father who intends for her steps to be forged by the necessary pause of his sacred heart–Calvary’s pause.
An intention that calls to each one of us from the cradle and from the cross and that beckons our feet homeward to remember our bloodlines and to register our names. That is the truth of Truth. That is the walk of Christmas. May we all, like Joseph, return in expectant obedience to the scene of our Bethlehem beginnings. It’s our privileged right to do so, for we are of the family of the Most High God, and a baby—his Son—awaits his birth in our hearts and through our witness.
Come quickly to Bethlehem this day. Your salvation draweth nigh. Seek him now, while he still may be found. As always,
~elaine
PS: The “Ancients” are coming for lunch at my house on Tuesday, and you know how I love my ancients! Wish you could share the table with us. Shalom.
What a beautiful pilgrimage. I’m so moved by sweet Amelia’s tears; oh the tenderness of the youthful heart.
Oh that we would shed the hard exterior of our own hearts to reveal the same tenderness.
Hugs,
Melinda
P.S. I love your family picture and I would especially love to be around your table of Ancients!
your daughter’s tender heart is precious. Seeing Jesus through my children’s eyes is nearly as dear to me as my own relationship with Him.
Your family pic is great! Hope you and your sweet family have a blessed Christmas.
Yes, I like that… remembrance… now that resonates with me. Thank you for sharing your daily with us.
Elaine…I have been in a bog. Mentally, emotionally and physically. Though not spiritually Thankfully.
I came here tonight—just before bed—knowing I would find good meat to chew on before I slept. You did not dissappoint. Your words are truth and powerful. Anointed for sure.
I cried when I saw and read of the nursing home visits. It brought back a vivid many pictures of my own grandparents as we visited year after year in the nursing facility. And we too sang. And read His Word. And His glory was felt.
I appreciate your dedication. I have not been able to write for days. Tonight I posted —or rather re-posted bits from part of our Bible Study. But it fit. AND for my heart tonight–it fit.
Love you dearly friend!
Elaine, this is so timely as tomorrow my son is going to a local nursing home with some other kids to sing Chinese christmas carols. I’m glad they are going, but in my heart I really did not have hope that anything will come of it. My hard heart.
Yet isn’t it just like Jesus to come as a small one and turn the world upside down? So I will pray for this venture tomorrow with the faith to believe that the name “Jesus” will work…as it has always done.
Enjoy your lunch today my friend. I remember being able to share the table with you in this way. It was awesome. Looking forward to our own church’s live nativity this weekend. God Bless you as you continue to be faithful in delivering God’s words from your heart. Merry Christmas!
How beautiful to read about heritage today. I’m having breakfast with some “Ancients” this morning. My Dad turns 83 today and I’m taking he and my Mom out for a little treat. I have a blessed heritage, physically and spiritually.
Today also holds a funeral of a very dear friend. He walked his heritage here on earth and has left a legacy to three young boys. Today he sees the fulfillment of his walk…for he is home.
Hebrews 11:2 reminds us that the saints of old, “were living by faith when they died”. Oh that my heritage walk would be marked by faith.
Remembering,
Joy
Lovely, lovely post Elaine! For over ten years during the time our kids were small, our family went to the nursing home and sang for 30 minutes every other week. We got to know and love so many of those sweet special people . I know they especially loved seeing your younger children. It always bring a light to the eyes of the elderly to have the young ones come and visit. You are leaving a “goodly heritage” to your children!
Love ya,
Marilyn
Elaine, what a wonderful family picture! Can’t get much better than that, huh?!
I cried over this one. I can’t tell you how thankful I am for my heritage in Jesus Christ. It was a comfort for a person with an earthly bloodline such as mine. HUGE comfort.
“Because we are a Jesus people, and the family bloodline runs deep. He has called us to the hallways of life.”
Hallway after hallway, I pray that my bloodline is evident with every step down them. Beautiful, Elaine.
Elaine, once again you have stirred my soul! Beautiful post. I am praising God today that you are my sister in my “heavenly” family!
Merry Christmas and give the kids a hug for me. Do Nick and Colton remember us???
Lori B. from Brewster
Elaine, the was the most glorious heritage walk I've ever seen & read outside of Jesus' heritage walk.
Thank you and bless you.
Incredible pilgrimage that I felt like I was on along with you. Beautiful.
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Oh Elaine, last Thursday my husband and I journed to Pueblo, CO for the day on business. I was asked to consider having lunch at Red Lobster and when we were seated there were 8 women all sitting together and 7 were “Ancients”. Honestly, I had an awesome visual of you and your “Girlfriends” that day, as I sat there, thinking those very thoughts of Elaine and her Ancients.
Love to you!!!
What a great family portrait! You have a beautiful family. Amelia has such a tender spirit. That made my own face wet. :o) Did she make the bookmark that you included with the Epic book? I love it!
Blessings to you and your family…
God bless you, Elaine for sharing all of this with us! “What roots us, moves us.” POWERFUL, POWERFUL words!!! Your baby girl’s tears brought me to my own – I know this is what Christ meant when He said we must come to Him as a little child. I also loved your adventures at the nursing homes – as a nurse, I am always amazed at the power of the old hymns and carols to penetrate the deepest fog of the most demented. Their minds may be gone, but God’s Word in song remains in their hearts. God bless you and yours!
What a beautiful, truly beautiful post!! I love how your family shared Christmas with so many, especially those in the nursing home. God bless you!!
Leah
Hi Elaine!
Love your thoughts, as always. Beautiful.
I have been missing you! Let’s catch up in email soon. You are in my thoughts and prayers.
Lisa 🙂
Oh I know you had a great time with the ancients! I would have loved to have been there.
I have really loved getting to know the ancients that make up 90% of our music group that meets on Monday nights. They are so open and freeing!
Your trip to the nursing brought back great memories of our last church. We would go to sing and then pass out presents to some of those who had no family.It was so sad to think they would be there all alone on Christmas. They need the love that we have been freely given. Breaks my heart.
We will go Saturday night to our churches live nativity..if the weather cooperates. I am looking forward to it. I just love our new church! We have had some really great times already and our Sunday school class is fabulous. Our Sunday school is taught by a woman and I just want to give her a standing ovation every time we are there. It is great to see a strong godly woman with a heart for Him who is not afraid to open her mouth.
Love ya girl!
Hi Elaine,
What a NICE family picture – you guys are sure a good-looking bunch!
Just stopped by to wish you a merry Christmas.
Blessings!
wifeforthejourney:
Thank you for sharing the modern day revelation that was our December 13, 2008. I love having those images captured in one place where I can see them – and I am again stirred with the remembrance of Brithaven, Brain Center, Sterling House and The Pines.
If this side of the Atlantic is as close as I ever get to the Holy Land, its days like December 13 that make me feel like I’ve still put my feet on holy ground.
Love you,
Billy
What an absolutely beautiful weekend your family shared. I was smiling thinking about the senior saints in those nursing homes as you visited and sang to and with them.
My heart was moved as I read about your sweet girl. What a tender, sweet heart she has.
What a wonderful picture of your family! I know it must be wonderful having Nick home! Brennan will be home Sunday and we cannot wait!
Blessings,
Tracy
Thank you for this breath of Jesus this afternoon. And for the views from your pilgrimage. Quite impressive, indeed!
What a gift…the roots that come from your heritage in Jesus. You are certainly doing your part to share in that legacy.
Blessings,
Kelli
I love coming to your blog for the heart-felt lessons on living out the Christian faith in real life.
Mrs. Elaine, I love your pics, and was blessed by reading your thoughts:)
katiegfromtennessee
Thank you for letting us walk this lovely walk with you.
I am speachless…your daughters words…Oh Elaine, thank you. I so want to develop a heritage in our blended family. That my girls could see their rel heritage…
In His Graces~Pamela