Christmas

Hello again! I don’t get to do this much, so now that I have the stage for a little while here, let me take the time to wish the SI family a very merry Christmas and a happy New Year.

Christmas Greetings from Pennsylvania:
As this year comes to a close, there is much for which we are thankful. God has continued to bless our family and has given us the joy and privilege of serving Him.

2008 has been another, very eventful year for us. First, we have had a great run of book reviews this year and I want to say “Thank you!” to each of our reviewers and to all of you who have read these reviews and have commented on their usefulness. I have thoroughly enjoyed working with this aspect of the ministry here at SI, especially all of the behind the scenes conversations with publishers, reviewers and readers.

The Lord continues to bless our family and helps us throughout our daily lives and activities. This year was one of some travel and excitement also. Our “big” trip was a vacation out east to see sights and attend a big family reunion on Toni’s side. Her parents celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary this year. All the sisters and grandchildren (and 2 greats!) were able to attend. What a blessing! There were 52 in all. We all landed at Toni’s sister’s home in PA. She has a beautiful place and was gracious enough to put up with all of us.

Every year brings its life lessons. I think 2008 taught the Raber Family that …

Want to know a secret? Something really personal? The kind of thing that could actually end up in a tabloid?

Well, here it is.

I love Christmas.

No, really. I love Christmas.

I love seeing trees and buildings aglow with colored lights. I love the smell of fresh-baked gingerbread. I love the red of bows and berries against the deep green of pine and holly. I love the jingling of sleigh bells and the soft sound of carols wafting in the streets.

First, I had probably better clarify something folks find a bit confusing. There are two Blumers actively involved in SharperIron.org. The one on the left is me. The one on the right is my brother, Adam. Adam is the younger and better looking one. I’m the nearsighted, bearded, and nearly bald one. Adam studied journalism. I studied “divinity.” Adam handles the editing and coordinates advertising. I get most of the hate and “other” mail (so far, mostly “other”). Adam is married to Kim, has two lovely daughters, and lives in the north woods in Michigan.

Peering out the window, we realize that the falling snowflakes are as numerous as God’s blessings in 2008—simply too many to count. Laura (7) and Julia (4) are growing taller and looking more like little ladies all the time. We are praying that they will learn to love the Lord more and yield their lives to Him. They continue to do well in homeschooling and enjoy making new friends at church.

And I will shake all nations, and the desire of all nations shall come … Haggai 2:7
The faithful Old Testament saints looked for the coming of the Messiah. We see this in the person of Simeon who “was just and devout, waiting for the Consolation of Israel” (Luke 2:25-32) and Anna (Luke 2:36-38).

On this side of the First Advent we look for the second Advent of our Savior.