1. The Last Airbender is hands down one of the worst movies in the history of film-making. Horrid acting, miserable effects and I've seen my kids develop better plots and dialogue just messing around with my video camera. I wish Santa hadn't brought it, heck, I wouldn't have even paid to rent it. (No, I could not bear to sit through the entire movie--I got up after about 20 minutes and retreated to my bedroom.)
2. In great contrast, I am engrossed by Jonathan Franzen's Freedom. I cannot just read a few pages--I have to block out a couple hours at a time because I cannot put it down. It's an amazing mix of literary, brilliance, insight, plotting, characterization and theme. Normally I have a low tolerance for "literary" novels--I find them pedantic, show-offy and poorly edited. It's refreshing to read an exception. Am very anxious for the Bumble Book Club discussion about it.
3. Our bird feeders are bringing us daily visits from all nature of songbirds--we sit entranced, looking out the windows at them flitting around.
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I've read the Christmas story in Luke and Matthew probably a hundred times, but on Christmas Eve our pastor pointed out something kind of interesting that I hadn't noticed before. When the magi (not necessarily three of them, but I tossed that in the post title because I'm obnoxious about symmetry that way) were searching for Jesus, they stopped by Herod's palace first, figuring he'd know the skinny on where the new king could be found. Herod called in the religious leaders of the time, who then advised everyone where to look: Bethlehem. They didn't hesitate in providing an answer. But then our pastor highlighted this fact: the religious leaders didn't go with the magi to see the new king. They didn't even send along a servant kid to check it out. I mean, here are wealthy, wise leaders from the east (Persia? further out?) who have risked their safety and spent money to follow a sign in the sky in search of the king of the Jews. King Herod welcomes them with a red carpet. But the religious leaders of the time don't give their interest or effort more than a passing answer. The magi head out alone from Jerusalem to find Jesus and Mary in Bethlehem.
Our pastor's point? Just because you know the Bible inside and out doesn't mean squat if you aren't acting on that knowledge. Pretty convicting.
My point? I can read something over and over and still learn from it and gain a new perspective.
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December's FABULOUS is hand-made by moi: wool hand mitts, raspberry jam, good-for-you granola. How can you win? Each comment in the comment box is an entry to win. I'll announce the lucky winner next Monday.
Spill it, reader: are you recovered from your Christmas or are you still buried in wrapping paper and relatives?
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