2011 Christmas Celebration

2011 Christmas fall on Sunday. It was very wonderful to do public Worship Service with man other Christians on the Christmas day. Almost every 5 years Christmas falls on Sunday.

On this Christmas Sunday, many Christmas carols and Hymns were sung to our Lord God, because many children were worshipping together with adults. After singing those praise songs, “Charlie Brown and Christmas” was shown.

The main idea of the story is:
“Charlie Brown and his friends decided to have a Christmas tree for their play. Charlie Brown and Linus left for the tree market to get the tree, and chose little tree. They return to the school auditorium with the tree and everybody laughs at Charlie Brown, especially Lucy. Charlie Brown begins to wonder if they really know what Christmas is all about, loudly asking the question in despair. Linus quietly says he can tell them, and walks to center stage to make his point. Linus quotes from Luke 2:8-14.
‘8And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. 9An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. 10But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. 11Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. 12This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.”
13Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying,
14“Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.”
Charlie Brown now realizes he does not have to let commercialism ruin his Christmas, and quietly picks up the little tree and walks out of the auditorium. The rest of the gang, having also heard Linus’ recitation, began to realize they were a little too rough on Charlie Brown and have quietly followed him from the auditorium. Linus goes up to the little tree and gently props the drooping branch back to its upright position, ornament and all, and wraps his security blanket around the tree. The kids then start humming the Christmas carol, ‘Hark! The Herald Angels Sing’ and give him a rousing ‘Merry Christmas, Charlie Brown!’”

After finishing to show the Charlie Brown, Pastor preached the meaning of the symbols of Christmas tree. i) ever green has been used for Christmas tree. The word of ‘ever’ makes Christian to realize ‘everlasting life’ given by the grace of Jesus Christ ii) lights on the tree let Christian to know the Light of Jesus Christ, and all Christians should be the light of the world, iii) the ornaments, a star or an angel, on the top of the tree: Angel is a messenger of the Lord God who announced the birth of Jesus Christ to the shepherds, and the star guided three wise men to Baby Jesus and presented the gifts, gold as a symbol of kingship on earth, frankincense (an incense) as a symbol of deity, and myrrh (an embalming oil) as a symbol of death.
As the followers of Jesus Christ, we’d like to meditate what we should do in 2012 to pleasing the Lord Jesus Christ God.

After the church, our annual Christmas pot-luck dinner was held at the home of Lisa and Dave as usual.

Ham and gyoza in the Hiroko’s oven were ready to go.


Christmas cactus

On the Lisa’s kitchen window shelf, Christmas cactus has always been blooming on Christmas season.

Tablecloth and runner for Christmas

Nativity scene and “Merry Christmas” runner for the coffee table
Many had already seen these runners. Hiroko used this for her Christmas greeting on her blog.

Santa Clause, snowmen, Christmas tree, reindeer, etc runner for the kitchen table

Appetizer table

Many dips and cheese for vegetable and crackers as usual. One different dip, instead of artichoke, there was new barbecue chicken dip.
 
Near and far family members:





Here and there, people was talking, watching TV, showing their presents, etc. The big news of Steven/Amanda’s marriage this coming June was the talk among girls.

Dinner

Tenderloin and Ham

Vegetable – String beans mixed with bacon cream
and cauliflower mixed with butter and milk cream

Rice and baked potato with lots of butter

Dessert table

Cream cheese cake, strawberry cake with whip cream, rice crusot, apple pie

SORRY! Dog

He can’t eat any table food.

Last 10 or more years, there is no change among the people (additional people), and no change for the menu. Many people have no job in Chicago area and have no food to eat on this holiday season.
Thanks for the health in our family
Thanks for foods on the table
Thanks for everyone’s job
It was good to hear Dan-san gave many, many thanks to our Lord God before our dinner.

2012 New Year Greeting

Happy New Year!

It is 11:30 at Chicago time now.

Thank you for visiting the House of the Rock. How did you spend the year 2011? It is good to reflect on the past year, and to look forward with refreshing new ideas.

I’m stop grumbling my old age and physical pain, instead of that I’m looking for what I can do for my Lord. It was very hard work but with God’s help I’m going to direct 2012 VBS again.

Wishing you a happy, healthy and prosperous New Year 2012.


By the Japanese calendar, it is a year of “Dragon, Heisei 24

Isn’t it superb dragon picture? Hiroko found and borrowed from internet. There is many interesting story for the ball (jewel) dragon carried.


Japanese buckwheat noodle dish for long life (Toshikoshi Soba)

Japanese people have to eat this dish at the last day of the year. This is Hiroko’s Toshikoshi Soba.
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This Bible Verses were read at New Year Worship Service this morning:
Ecclesiastes 3:1-11 A Time for Everything
1There is a time for everything,
and a season for every activity under the heavens:
2a time to be born and a time to die,
a time to plant and a time to uproot,
3a time to kill and a time to heal,
a time to tear down and a time to build,
4a time to weep and a time to laugh,
a time to mourn and a time to dance,
5a time to scatter stones and a time to gather them,
a time to embrace and a time to refrain from embracing,
6a time to search and a time to give up,
a time to keep and a time to throw away,
7a time to tear and a time to mend,
a time to be silent and a time to speak,
8a time to love and a time to hate,
a time for war and a time for peace.
9What do workers gain from their toil? 10I have seen the burden God has laid on the human race. 11He has made everything beautiful in its time. He has also set eternity in the human heart; yet no one can fathom what God has done from beginning to end.

Bible said “There is a time for everything” and the first one of the list, this author mention “a time to be born and a time to die.” God is control our life and death.

It is no use to eat the “Toshikoshi Soba” for long life, ha-ha-ha-ha, but the soba is very healthy and good customs for Japanese. Hiroko likes to keep these Japanese customs, especially, the big cleaning day at the last day of the year. Hiroko didn’t do it.

Christmas Window Decorations

On Thursday, December 8, Hiroko went to see the opera “Magic Flute.” It was very appropriate opera for this busy Holiday seasons, because of very magical, fantastical, comical, and happy ending opera. Hiroko was very much enjoying it.

Before the opera, Hiroko went to see the Macy’s Christmas windows. It was very disappointing the window decorations, because it was not fantastical, magical Christmas story telling windows which were made by the rich and famous people in Chicago. It can be called “the Fantasy of Christmas Ornaments”. Please see my photo and judged by you.






What do you think?

Those Christmas window used to use the theme of the famous Christmas stories such as “Christmas Carol”, “White Christmas,” “Nuts Cracker,” etc. which was much more beautiful and fantastic.

Tallest Tree in the store

It was also very disappointing sight, because there was no train or railroad track. The beautiful train used to run all around the tree. Hiroko used to eat lunch here sitting down by the train.
 
After the department store, Hiroko went to the city hall square where she visited last year. It is called Christkindlmarket Chicago

This year again the ceramic shoe mugs are sold, but these cups are in blue. I’m glad to get red mug. Don’t you think the red mug is better? I’m glad I bought it last year.


There is beautiful Nativity scene. Hiroko dong’t remember seeing the Nativity scene last year. Nativity scene might not have been here last year because the figure of the baby Jesus was stolen.

Hiroko took three pictures because this whole scene did not fit into one photo. It is very difficult to make three photos into one photo.
Three Wiseman were stolen from the private house decoration somewhere in Chicago suburb. Isn’t it a shame to steal something like these figures.

These Chicago’s “dead trees” called by a 5 years old Hawaiian boy, are decorated by the light beautifully.
Now, they are live with small light flowers

Day time and night time view of those trees

Hiroko took these photos while walking. The lights were making interesting shade.
 
The Light is very important symbol for the Chrstians. Jesus is called the “Light of the World.” All Christian should be a beam of light mentioned in Bible.
Matthew 5:13-16 Salt and Light
13“You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled underfoot.
14“You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. 15Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. 16In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.

What does the light do? The light gives the bright light to the darkness. People would be lost or stumble down in the darkness. Christian nature should be as the light, and then what and how should Christian be living in this dark world? Please leave your comments and let’s talk and learn about it.

Christmas Greeting

Let us rejoice in the birth of our Savior, at Christmas and always.

Thank you for coming to the House of the Rock.

Christmas falls on this coming Sunday. Please go to any church to celebrate Christmas.


　
　
　
Christmas is celebrate Jesus’ Birthday. But for many people it can’t be Christmas without Santa Clause, Christmas trees, etc. Hiroko made the picture of Santa, reindeers, Christmas tree, etc on the tablecloth and runner.

Please have a wonderful, peaceful, and joyful Christmas. Hiroko