Post-Christmas Theologizing

Aaaaaaaaaaaargghhh!!! The madness, the madness!

That's me going slightly insane from staying inside all day trying to finish writing my ordination papers. Well, technically they're commissioning papers, as I won't be eligible for full ordination for three years yet, but it's all toward the same goal. And no one knows what commissioning papers are in the context of the church.

And mostly no one cares, except the Board of Ordained Ministry, the group of clergy and laity who will examine me in February (assuming I get all this paperwork turned in on time!!) to make sure (a) I can articulate my personal faith and intellectual/historical/critical perspectives on Scripture, church history, theology, the United Methodist tradition, doctrine, my personal ethical standard, the Wesleyan quadrilateral, etc., and (b) when I do so, I stay within certain bounds of "acceptable" Christian teaching.

They're nice people, I'm sure, and I believe in the importance of the connectional church - it's how we do good work in mission, how we support each other and hold one another accountable in covenant, how we bear witness to the good news of God's love in diverse situations and circumstances - but honestly, sometimes the bureaucracy of institutional processes becomes so many flaming hoops and daggers to pass through in order to receive the stamp of the church's authority on one's ministry. The nature of the beast, I suppose. And it would have helped if I had gotten more of the writing done before Advent and Christmas craziness took over my life in December. Still... you spend a few days cooped up staring at a computer and trying for the umpteenth time to explain your beliefs on the nature and mission of the church in the world today, you start to wish there were a more streamlined way of going about all this.

Okay, whining done.

Christmas Eve services went well, and I think our Christmas morning brunch fellowship was a good call for the community we serve; we'd worshiped our heads off the night before, so sharing table fellowship and singing Christmas carols was a nice change of pace. I think it was also a good compromise between full-on worship just because it's Sunday and canceling worship because it's Christmas and people want to be with their families.

My own family Christmas itself was nice, worth the long flight from Denver to New Hampshire on Christmas Day to see my parents and brother and do presents and dinner on the 26th. I'll head back to Denver for New Year's Eve, but haven't decided whether I'll try to find some celebratory festivities that night or not. I have to be at church again on January 1 (because, after all, it is Sunday, and that's what we do), but we're having a performance of "The Gift of the Magi" from a local theatre school, so that should also be a good change from "worship as usual" (which will resume January 8).

How about y'all out there? Traditions, innovations, surprises this Christmas?

Okay. Back to the fray. And by "fray," I mean "finishing these darn commissioning papers tonight if it kills me - not that that would be helpful toward my goal of ordination."

Movie reviews

Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire: Excellent. Of course, they had to cut all the subplots, superfluous exposition, most of the character development, and a couple of the characters in order to fit into acceptable-movie-viewing-length, but still. Powerful. And because it's so condensed, I found I was still processing it for a couple days afterwards. Even if you've read the book and know how it ends (and you really should read the books if you haven't already), prepare to be deeply moved.

Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe: Excellent. Some minor plot points and characters were cut for length, but I don't think you lose anything by it. And I'm sure the debate on this will continue, but as a liberal Christian, I personally felt that Disney did justice to the book as a fantasy story without shoving the allegorical elements down anyone's throat. Other notes:

• I liked the portrayal of Edmund early in the film better than I expected to - the opening scenes give just a touch more background than I remember (though admittedly, I haven't read it in several years now).
• The battle scenes are violent, of course, but amazingly, there is no sign of blood. (No blood = less traumatic?)
• And the award for best dramatic range portrayed digitally: Aslan.

Walk the Line: Excellent. (I know, it sounds like I love everything I see. I make no guarantees that anyone else will enjoy these - but they suited my tastes!) I have no idea what level of historical accuracy the film either aspires to or attains, but this was a compelling story, powerfully acted. And, of course, the music will stay with you. I'm a little conflicted about the portrayal of June Carter (Cash); it's a wonderful role - a strong, talented woman who won't be moved until she's ready, who's caring and compassionate, stubborn and independent, attractive and her own person too. But it's such a great portrayal that the effect is to lift up this real woman as "an angel" (although she denies it in the film when Johnny tells her she is). She shows pique, but no real rage; the film is more interested in Cash's failed attempts to live up to the standards set by his parents than by her struggle to stand apart from her family. So it becomes a story about a lost boy trying to destroy himself until he's saved by the love of a good woman. If you're okay with that kind of story, this is a good one.

I'll post more on the afore-mentioned topics (and others) in the next few days. Thanks for stopping by!

Christmas is coming...

It is late, but I will post soon on one or more of the following topics (in no particular order):

• Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire (see it!)
• The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe (see it!)
• preaching today (funny story... well, mildly funny)
• Thanksgiving
• my 10-year high school reunion
• Minneapolis
• Seussical the Musical
• the cutest performance ever of a story from House at Pooh Corner
• ordination process frustrations
• The Song of the Lark, by Willa Cather
• theological conversations I should not have gotten into

And can somebody please tell me the best way to send a Christmas letter that is interesting and informative but not overly long and won't duplicate stuff my parents are sending in their letters? Should I do separate letters for family and my friends? Can I use bullet points? Can I just make stuff up instead of reporting (for what mostly seems like the umpteen-thousandth time) all of the exciting and not-so-exciting things that occurred in my life this year? (well, the past couple years, since I don't think I got a Christmas letter out last year... or the year before...) I like reading the ones I get from people I don't hear from too regularly, but I'm never sure how big that circle of people in my life is supposed to be - people I talk to less than once a month but at least once a year, I guess, plus a certain level of extended family.

But hey, I got some Christmas lights up yesterday! And my housemate bought us stockings to hang by the woodstove with care! Yay... :)