A Merry Memorandum and an Important Resource for Epiphany

Posted with thanks, unabashed hero worship, and apologies to the memory of E.B.White (7/11/1899 – 10/1/1985), author of Charlotte’s Web and other beloved tales.   He wrote “Memorandum,” originally published in Harper’s Magazine in October of 1941 and then compiled into One Man’s Meat in 1942, along with numerous other exquisite essays from White’s writing life.  Please celebrate with me the beauty of “mundane faithfulness” in this lighthearted essay that borrows White’s format and style.

December 27, 2023

Today I should start dismantling the Christmas tree. The needles have begun to fall off, and if I don’t drag it out of the living room soon, there will be more needles in the vacuum cleaner bag than there are on its branches. Before I begin, however, I should bring down all the storage boxes so that everything will be put away properly. 

This would be a good day to do that because my husband is home and can help with the sorting. I ought to repair the damaged ornaments and find hooks for all the damaged decorations that are piled on top of the piano. Then everything can be packed away in good condition. 

First, though, I need to find the glue gun. I’ll try to recall where I left it when I used it to repair one of the nativity scenes. Then I will pack up all the leftover wrapping paper, gift bags, ribbons, and tags so that I will know if I need to buy more on clearance. I will store them under my bed, and if I write a note to myself in my planner, I’ll remember that they are there next Christmas. Maybe…

Today I will drag the Christmas tree farther out into the woods than I did last year. I’ll take it out where I threw the pumpkins back in November. The cardinals have all but cleaned up the seeds — scarlet on orange brightening the dull brush pile.  Maybe they’d like a new place to perch. 

While I’m at it, I ought to fill up all the birdfeeders. I’ll have to get a wheelbarrow and find the red scoop so I can do all those chores at the same time.

Once that Christmas tree is out of the house and the floor is vacuumed and the gift wrap is put away,  I should hang the framed print of Andrew Wyeth’s Wind from the Sea that our good friends gave us for Christmas. That will require a length of picture wire and the right kind of nails, which means a trip to True Value. As long as I’m going there anyway, I ought to ask Calvin if we need anything fixed on the chainsaws. 

While I’m in town, I ought to run into Lincoln’s for some more sour cream. We’ve got chips left over from Christmas Eve dinner, and the grandkids will eat them up if I make some onion dip to help them slide down. Some clementines would be good too.

It is high time I cleaned out the refrigerator which is packed full of little scrids of this and that, leftovers from Christmas entertaining. This would be a good time to take on that task because the grandkids will be coming for a visit, and they won’t mind leftovers for lunch.

This would be a good day to run some Christmas goodies down to the neighbors, too. I’ll do that before I go to town. Since I’m going out, I’d better finish up my thank you notes and drop them in the mailbox before the mail comes. Some of those thank you’s are long overdue. I should do it today while it is in my mind.

That reminds me that I’ve given away a fair amount of canned vegetables, pickles, and jams this Christmas, which has freed up space on the basement shelves. I could rearrange and consolidate things down there. 

But I see it’s half-past eleven already, though, and everyone will be getting hungry soon. I’d better get moving, especially since family will be here for lunch at noon.

Blessings to all on this “quiet” week after Christmas as we all do eternally important things without realizing it!

Blessings to all on this “quiet” week after Christmas as we all do eternally important things without realizing it! Celebrate the beauty of mundane faithfulness!

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And Now Let’s Talk Books…

Twenty-first-century believers need this succinct tutorial on the glory of Christ to encourage our celebration of this overlooked date on the church calendar. I was surprised to learn that the January 6th date for Epiphany was established long before the December 25th date for Christmas. Rutledge’s long years of serving the church are evident in the very practical guidance she offers for celebrating the feast.

Of course, a meaningful celebration of the church gathered for any date on the church calendar begins with individual hearts committed to worship and solemn reflection upon our answer to one of the most important questions Scripture poses: “Who do you say that I am?” Our response to the revelation of Jesus’s identity and power will shape our response to his teaching. We cannot shine with the radiance of Christ’s glory if we have failed to see it.

Holding You in the Light,

Twenty-first-century believers need @flemingrut’s new book to deepen our celebration of #Epiphany. Her long years of serving the church are evident in the very practical guidance she offers for celebrating the feast. @ivpress

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In case you’re still in the mood for some Christmas reading, CLICK HERE for Part Four of my Advent series for 2023: Carols I Want My Grandchildren to Know. We’re a singing family, and I love the traditional carols, so I’m grateful that our grandkids are growing up in homes where hymnals are used. Stay tuned for upcoming Sunday posts featuring theological musings on some of our most-loved Christmas carols.

You can start from the beginning with Part One: CLICK HERE for thoughts on “Come, Thou Long-Expected Jesus” and HERE for my musings on “Silent Night.” Then, PART THREE takes us to Bethlehem where we remember what to do about “the hopes and fears of all the years.

Thank you for celebrating this season with me!

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On the third Thursday of every month, I send a newsletter with biblical encouragement straight to my subscribers’ email inboxes. Frequently, I share free resources, and the newsletter is where everything lands first. I’m committed to the truth that women can become confident followers of God and students of his Word, and it’s my goal to help you along that path.

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Many thanks to IV Press for providing a copy of this book to facilitate my review, which is, of course, offered freely and with honesty.