christmas lights remind me, that we're closing in on the second anniversary of our disassociation.. two years ago, around this time, "gifts in men" from our old congregation paid us a visit regarding our christmas display.
we invited them in, ushering them slowly past our decorated tree, and seated them at our dining room table.
they said that it had come to their attention that we appeared to be celbrating christmas..."indeed we are," i saiid, "as we have for the last four years.
but this year it is right next to the sliding glass door with the blinds wide open.. it is a freeing feeling..
Way to go, Sassy! Looking forward to those pics of your Dad's display...
Driving around to see the best light displays has become an annual tradition for us. Last year, we did it while slurpin' eggnog milkshakes... I think we'll keep that up, too.
Steve
note: i appreciate everyone's comments, and i'll start replying to them at the end...but keep them coming!
episode iii: the badger starts digging out
?a good sailor never knows where he?s going until he gets there, and even then he?s not sure.?
1, 2 , 3...
Keep 'em coming, Badger!
I don't suppose you have time for a hand of "Dr. Pepper" wild, before the next episode?
Cheers,
Steve
we put up our christmas tree and decorated it today!!!
here it is in all its glory!!!.
the kids helped pick out the ornaments and decorate, they did a great job.
Gumby,
I'll settle for sittin round the Egners Tree eatin cookies.
We're looking forward to that, Gumby. We'll leave the lights on for ya.
Steve
we put up our christmas tree and decorated it today!!!
here it is in all its glory!!!.
the kids helped pick out the ornaments and decorate, they did a great job.
Hey Doodle,
Well, here it is, the Egner family Christmas tree for 2004. These artificial numbers illuminate beautifully, but the natural evergreen scent is missing... so I'm going to take a tip from LDH and seek out a naturally fragrant Noble Fir wreath. Zoe tried to compensate for it's shortcoming this evening, liberally spraying an aeresol can of "The Perfect Christmas Tree" about the room. Sheesh, that's nasty stuff. We had to open windows and doors for air...
Zoe, Rhys, Rachel, and Steve
christmas lights remind me, that we're closing in on the second anniversary of our disassociation.. two years ago, around this time, "gifts in men" from our old congregation paid us a visit regarding our christmas display.
we invited them in, ushering them slowly past our decorated tree, and seated them at our dining room table.
they said that it had come to their attention that we appeared to be celbrating christmas..."indeed we are," i saiid, "as we have for the last four years.
LDH,
I put some up yesterday, and the wreath on the door. We just got a real noble fir wreath for indoors to make the house smell great
I love that evergreen scent... I've been missing it this year, because of our artificial tree, but the indoor wreath idea sounds like the cure! Looking forward to your photos...
Travis,
eh make Steve come over and help w/the mischief..eheh
That sounds like a party plan. We might even actually get around to putting up some lights! Kind of a spirited barn-raising event...
Mulan,
Steve: Guess I had better be more careful what I am wearing as I walk around the house, eh?
Yup.
jimbob,
Wonderful display! When you drive home from work after dark, 'round that last corner, and see your home aglow, do you get a nice lift from that, too? BTW, I've got an electrician friend who would be able to help you with your panel, if needed.
Merry Christmas!
Steve
i love to get into the whole christmas spirit thing, but i never take it to the point of lying to or deceiving children about it.
i try to teach kids that it is the spirit of christmas that matters... then i saw this thing.
parents are actively trying to deceive their kids by offering them "proof" that santa is real.
Hey Else,
I appreciated this sentiment:
I try to teach kids that it is the spirit of Christmas that matters...
That's great. It's quite challenging, to wade through the quagmire of commercialism, and convey any meaningful "spirit" to your children... and still we try.
I, too, feel that the form-letter from Santa is a bit over the top.
I was pleasantly surprised, however, when our own local post office replied, under the alias of Santa, to our children's letters. They wrote the letters themselves (as clearly as 4 and 6 year olds can), addressed them to the North Pole, and placed them in our mailbox. Their joy on receiving a reply was uncontainable... a treasured memory to me. I had never considered that the post office or it's volunteers would take it upon themselves to reply.
As a relatively new father (my children are now aged 8 and 6) from a witness background, the events surrounding the progress of their belief in Santa are still fresh on my mind. So as not to bore you with long, syrupy stories of my children (as proud parents often do...) I'll just say this: Most of the elements of your children's belief systems are beyond your control. They will construct their realities from their anecdotal experience, just as you do (amazing, huh? smart buggars...) and your influence will be limited to enabling or discouraging those beliefs, that is all.
Personally, I've chosen not to be the Grinch, and I've been witness to the unfolding of a natural, beautiful process... the adoption and gradual dismissal of their belief in Santa Claus. Looking back, I'm glad Rachel and I chose this course, and I hope our children will be grateful too. I'll try to remember to ask them, someday.
StinkyPantz,
I am going to be straight up with my kids. Knowing the turth about Santa never hurt me, so I'm choosing not to lie to them either.
Before the arrival of our first child, our views were much the same. Real life, though, has a way of shattering one's preconceptions in the area of child rearing. You'll keep us posted?
Steve
christmas lights remind me, that we're closing in on the second anniversary of our disassociation.. two years ago, around this time, "gifts in men" from our old congregation paid us a visit regarding our christmas display.
we invited them in, ushering them slowly past our decorated tree, and seated them at our dining room table.
they said that it had come to their attention that we appeared to be celbrating christmas..."indeed we are," i saiid, "as we have for the last four years.
Mulan,
Steve: You're kidding aren't you? They are actually taking pictures? Or do you mean on our street?
Let's just say, always look your best, and randomly flip the bird toward the street occasionally. I'd want a copy of that one...
Steve
christmas lights remind me, that we're closing in on the second anniversary of our disassociation.. two years ago, around this time, "gifts in men" from our old congregation paid us a visit regarding our christmas display.
we invited them in, ushering them slowly past our decorated tree, and seated them at our dining room table.
they said that it had come to their attention that we appeared to be celbrating christmas..."indeed we are," i saiid, "as we have for the last four years.
jimbob,
They have no control over us anymore, and if we were worried what our family or other JW's would say, we wouldn't have the lights on the house.
Great attitude!
The wife and I have discussed what could happen if they were to see our Christmas display, and we no longer care. Life is too short to not enjoy. We no longer hide anything we do.
Excellent. A fine philosophy to embrace. A bold example to other faders, as well.
We're looking forward to seeing you and your family after Christmas. Happy Holidays and Merry Christmas!
Thanks! Your home display is grand, and by the way, I too, envy your snow. Bring some with you to the party?
SNG,
The house I'm staying in right now (I rented a room in a house in Redmond to be closer to work) has put up lights, and Christmas decorations in the living room. It just feels so homey and nice, it's hard to believe that only a couple years ago I would have seen these items as satanic.
Isn't it great, living life without all that ridiculous mental baggage? The lights do scare away demons, though. Ask any of 'em.
And thank you for the nice compliment.
Mulan,
I have lots of lights inside but no digital camera, so I can't share. I keep hoping Santa will bring me one.
Maybe you could ask for copies of the telephoto pics the J-Ho spies are taking right now....from across the street! You've still got some time, though. It took them months to save enough for a camera, they couldn't afford a digital, and it will be weeks before the congregation has enough to pay for film developing. Perhaps Santa will come through by then.
Princess,
can't wait for them to come down after New Years!
Reliable sources inform me, there is a movement afoot, encouraging us to leave the lights up year 'round. It's being promoted as a labor-saving measure, but I suspect they're just real scared of demons...
Thank you all! Happy Holiday wishes, from the Egner family.
Steve
christmas lights remind me, that we're closing in on the second anniversary of our disassociation.. two years ago, around this time, "gifts in men" from our old congregation paid us a visit regarding our christmas display.
we invited them in, ushering them slowly past our decorated tree, and seated them at our dining room table.
they said that it had come to their attention that we appeared to be celbrating christmas..."indeed we are," i saiid, "as we have for the last four years.
Hey Doodle,
Yup, rain sucks. I don't know what got into me, I got ours up Thanksgiving weekend, while it was still dry.
We're looking forward to the party too. Something to take our minds off the weather? See you and Jason there!
Steve
p.s. Be careful on that roof.
christmas lights remind me, that we're closing in on the second anniversary of our disassociation.. two years ago, around this time, "gifts in men" from our old congregation paid us a visit regarding our christmas display.
we invited them in, ushering them slowly past our decorated tree, and seated them at our dining room table.
they said that it had come to their attention that we appeared to be celbrating christmas..."indeed we are," i saiid, "as we have for the last four years.
Christmas lights remind me, that we're closing in on the second anniversary of our disassociation.
Two years ago, around this time, "gifts in men" from our old congregation paid us a visit regarding our Christmas display. We invited them in, ushering them slowly past our decorated tree, and seated them at our dining room table. They said that it had come to their attention that we appeared to be celbrating Christmas..."Indeed we are," I saiid, "as we have for the last four years." We had a lively discussion, and relished their discomfort as they tried to explain why this had been their first visit to us in almost seven years. This is the link:
http://www.jehovahs-witness.com/6/42954/1.ashx
Now, every Christmas display I see serves as a reminder of the freedom my family and I now enjoy. Knowing that my children's futures will never be stifled by the ridgidity of a religious cult, priceless.
It was a great feeling, in those years before our disassociation, displaying those lights. It proved that no one had control over us, that we lived our lives openly and honestly, and by our own standards. I would smoke a cigar while putting them up, daring the shepherds to come by.
So the lights are a special anniversary reminder. They also scare away demons, and guide in Santa.
Any other holiday displays out there? Can you post pictures?
Light 'em up!
Steve
