Winnie the Pooh
2012: Only on the Outside
Ornament Details
artist: Anita Marra Rogers
artist: Anita Marra Rogers
2011: A BIG Present for Piglet
Ornament Details
artist: Don Palmiter
This ornament reminds us that the best present is each other. When all is said and done, it's the relationships in life that are most important. Material possessions come and go, accomplishments are forgotten, even enormous monuments to world rulers erode and are lost in the mists of time. But real love takes on an eternal quality. It's the doorway into heaven.
Real love means being willing to be part of the chaos of other people's lives, to suffer with them, to support them, to help them carry their cross. This was modeled by Simon of Cyrene, who, as Scripture tells us, was on his way back in from the fields when he was pressed into helping Jesus carry his cross. This short statement lets us know that Simon had already likely put in hours of hard work, and was probably looking forward to a meal and a break. Yet, he ends up picking up an extra load of a man he didn't even know. Of course, true love is first modeled by Jesus, who willingly leaves heaven - the place of perfect peace, harmony and tranquility - to dwell among the chaos of the human world in order to end that chaos and restore it to the same state as heaven. And he did more than just silently watch from the sidelines. Jesus became fully human, so that he felt hunger, sadness and joy. He suffered like we suffer. He pitched his tent right in among our lives and lived as we do.
Ultimately, its our particular relationship with Jesus that is the most important relationship. It's difficult to be loving, patient, wise and prudent with other people when you are disconnected from the source of Love, Patience, Wisdom and Prudence. It's this relationship that ultimately leads us into healthy relationships with other people. So that just like Pooh and Piglet, we can realize that the true treasure is "a friend who helps you up when you're down, and if they can't, they lay down beside you and listen." (Not sure if that quote is from Pooh Bear, but it fits!)
artist: Don Palmiter
This ornament reminds us that the best present is each other. When all is said and done, it's the relationships in life that are most important. Material possessions come and go, accomplishments are forgotten, even enormous monuments to world rulers erode and are lost in the mists of time. But real love takes on an eternal quality. It's the doorway into heaven.
Real love means being willing to be part of the chaos of other people's lives, to suffer with them, to support them, to help them carry their cross. This was modeled by Simon of Cyrene, who, as Scripture tells us, was on his way back in from the fields when he was pressed into helping Jesus carry his cross. This short statement lets us know that Simon had already likely put in hours of hard work, and was probably looking forward to a meal and a break. Yet, he ends up picking up an extra load of a man he didn't even know. Of course, true love is first modeled by Jesus, who willingly leaves heaven - the place of perfect peace, harmony and tranquility - to dwell among the chaos of the human world in order to end that chaos and restore it to the same state as heaven. And he did more than just silently watch from the sidelines. Jesus became fully human, so that he felt hunger, sadness and joy. He suffered like we suffer. He pitched his tent right in among our lives and lived as we do.
Ultimately, its our particular relationship with Jesus that is the most important relationship. It's difficult to be loving, patient, wise and prudent with other people when you are disconnected from the source of Love, Patience, Wisdom and Prudence. It's this relationship that ultimately leads us into healthy relationships with other people. So that just like Pooh and Piglet, we can realize that the true treasure is "a friend who helps you up when you're down, and if they can't, they lay down beside you and listen." (Not sure if that quote is from Pooh Bear, but it fits!)
Photo from HerryLawford
