Have you ever noticed that it’s the simplest, most unassuming things that often have the most worth and value?  It’s the things that seem on the surface, so very ordinary, that are often the most profound.  And it’s those who take the time to see and ponder the rich underlying message of seemingly simple things, who derive the most benefit and joy from them.

“Paper Star” is a term that’s really a paradox. “Paper” is a simple, inexpensive common product that we can touch and feel and crumple up and discard.  But a “star” isn’t.  Stars are bright, massive, fiery hot, powerful cosmic wonders whose twinkle can barely be perceived by the human eye, and which certainly can’t be held or contained in a human hand. Paper. Star. It seems like these two extremes could not coexist.  How can the common, ordinary, simple and fragile possibly be extraordinary, packed full of power, spectacular and beyond reach – all at the same time?

I believe that this paradoxical wonder is exemplified in the Christmas Season – for the babe in the manger is like that. Like paper – ordinary, common, touchable, earthly – Manger, hay, donkeys, blood-soaked birthing blanket, strips of swaddling cloth.  Yet there’s much more to this child than meets the eye.  He’s a star – extraordinary, uncommon, beyond our reach, supernatural/unfathomable – This Christmas babe is Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace… the Desire of all Nations… the ONE who set history in motion and whom around which history centers and revolves and will one day resolve. Paper Star. The wonder of Christmas…

Many of you have contacted me to find out how to make your own paper stars.  I wasn’t able to find instructions anywhere, so I asked my Dad to help me put some together for you.  I hope you enjoy joining my family in this Advent tradition…. and in reflecting on the wonder of the paradox of the Christ-Child – the true “Paper Star” of Christmas.

Paper Star Directions

My Dad was 17 years old when he was drafted into the German army. He spent the war years fighting on the Russian front, injured, sent back to the front, suffering and being tortured in a Russian prison camp. His war stories (and mom’s too) are unbelievable testimonies to the depravity of man, and to God’s providence and grace. After the war, Dad helped many people cross the border and escape East Germany to freedom. There are many more stories from that period of his life. After being refugees in West Germany, facing hunger, starvation, and extreme poverty, my parents immigrated to Canada to start a new life. More stories there, as well.

I am ever so grateful for the story of my parent’s lives. I wear a poppy not only remember and pay tribute to the Canadian war veterans, but to remember and pay tribute to them… Remembrance Day is about remembering and telling stories of the past, and learning from them.

To help you remember, why don’t you read and think about the famous Canadian Remembrance Day poem, “In Flanders Fields.” It’s posted below.

Canadian physician and Lieutenant Colonel John McCrae wrote the poem, “In Flanders Fields” on May 3, 1915, during World War I, after he witnessed the death of his 22-year-old friend, Lieutenant Alexis Helmer, the day before.

The poppies referred to in the poem grew in profusion in Flanders, the site near the battlefields, where war casualties were buried. The poppy thus became the symbol of Remembrance Day.  The poem has achieved near-mythic status in Canada, and is one of the nation’s most prominent symbols. Most Remembrance Day ceremonies will feature a reading of the poem in some form, and many Canadian schoolchildren memorize the verse. The poem is now also a common part of Remembrance Day ceremonies in the United Kingdom, where it holds as one of the nation’s best-loved.

In Flanders Fields

In Flanders fields the poppies blow
Between the crosses, row on row,
That mark our place; and in the sky
The larks, still bravely singing, fly
Scarce heard amid the guns below.

We are the dead. Short days ago
We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow,
Loved, and were loved, and now we lie
In Flanders fields.

Take up our quarrel with the foe:
To you from failing hands we throw
The torch; be yours to hold it high.
If ye break faith with us who die
We shall not sleep, though poppies grow
In Flanders fields.

- Lt.-Col. John McCrae (1872 – 1918)

© Mary A. Kassian

Permissions: You are permitted to reproduce this material on your blog or website given that you do not alter the wording in any way and that you provide the appropriate credit and a link to this website. Any printed copy or exceptions to the above must be approved by Girls Gone Wise.

Please include the following statement on any internet copy: © Mary A. Kassian, Girls Gone Wise. Visit Mary’s Website at: GirlsGoneWise.com

Another part of the reason my blog has been neglected is that I’ve had a lion’s share of unexpected things come up. There have been a few family “fires” to put out, and a bunch of household and “life stuff” to deal with. . . just yesterday, my sewer backed up in the basement. Not once, but three times! I have to run out in a few minutes and buy another big bottle of disinfectant. Right now, we can’t run the dishwasher or washing machine in our house, and need to make sure no one flushes a toilet at the same time as someone else is taking a shower or draining the sink.  I’m literally “holding my breath” for the sewer line inspection and repair people to get here. Last week, someone rear-ended my youngest son and made a mess of the back end of my car. Tons of “life stuff” this summer. You get the picture.

But the biggest reason it’s been so challenging to get around to writing on my blog, is that right now, I’m committing every available moment to writing a book.My deadline is looming large, and it’s going to be a massive challenge to meet it.

The book will be entitled, “Girls Gone Wise… in a world gone wild” and will be published by Moody Press. It will feature 21 points of contrast between a Wild and a Wise woman, based on a study of Proverbs 7. I just started on point #7 yesterday. I’m very excited about the book, the material is rich–and so necessary for today’s women. But writing never seems to come along as quickly as I think it should. And by the end of the day, I’m “typed out” and have no time or energy left to attend to the blog.

So here’s what I think I’ll do. Next week, I’ll start giving you little snippets from my upcoming “Girls Gone Wise” book. I’ll continue posting them until I finish writing (hopefully by the end of October). That way, I can “kill two birds with one stone,” and won’t leave you wondering if I’ve fallen off the face of the earth.

Dannah, Leslie, and Carolyn will also continue to contribute posts. Those gals have also had eventful summers. Carolyn hasn’t fallen off the face of the earth, but she is currently on the other side of it–filming a new documentary. And Leslie had a baby in July, so she’s adjusting to all that that means for her and her household. (Yeah, Leslie! We are so happy for you!!!) As I tell my blog team, Girls-Gone-Wise need to look after first things first, and as much as we love the blog, it’s not at the top of our lists.

Nevertheless, I want to be faithful to do the best I can in the blogging department. So over the upcoming weeks, I’ll give you sneak peaks at the Girls Gone Wise book content, and then when I finish that, I’ll get back to finishing my Mary’s Cliff Notes on Authority and Submission .. there’s a whole lot more I want to say about that topic.

So anyway, long and short of this, is that I would appreciate your prayers over the next few months as I work to finish the book. Pray for focus, writing speed, and above all, that I may keep my finger on the pulse of what God’s Spirit has to say. Thanks so much!  And now,… I better go get that bottle of disinfectant.

© Mary A. Kassian

Permissions: You are permitted to reproduce this material on your blog or website given that you do not alter the wording in any way and that you provide the appropriate credit and a link to this website. Any printed copy or exceptions to the above must be approved by Girls Gone Wise.

Please include the following statement on any internet copy: © Mary A. Kassian, Girls Gone Wise. Visit Mary’s Website at: GirlsGoneWise.com

2007 was “The Year of the Milestone” for our family.

CAREER MILESTONES:

This year, each son set an important milestone in their career paths: Our oldest son, Clark, graduated from University with a degree in Political Science and History and embarked on a career as a government policy advisor. Our middle son, Matt, signed his first professional NHL contract after being drafted second round by the Minnesota Wild, entering his first year as a pro in the AHL. He was also recognized with a WHL “Academic Player of the Year” award for maintaining a 3.7 GPA in four University courses which he completed during the year. Jonathan, our youngest, graduated with honors from High School. Jonathan’s high school volleyball team were division champs. We are so very proud of all of our sons and celebrate their achievements! We marked these milestones with a special family night out on the town at the exclusive La-Ronde, a sky-high revolving restaurant that overlooks Edmonton’s downtown and beautiful river valley.

Speaking of career milestones, Brent also set a major one this year. He was honored by his professional association with a “Professional Achievement Award” for 25 years of outstanding contributions to the Physical Therapy profession. He has served as president of the association, been a member on several boards and committees, and has demonstrated ongoing excellence in clinical care and professional development.

GOLD MILESTONE:

We celebrated Mom and Dad Kassian’s 50th wedding anniversary milestone this year – family and friends gathered under the “big tent” to mark the occasion. The only real glitch was that the big tent blew over into the neighbor’s yard during a storm in the middle of the night, causing some last minute panic and work. But we managed to dry everything off and patch up the tent in time for the party.

SILVER MILESTONE:

Brent and I also reached a relationship milestone this year. Twenty five years of marriage! The two of us spent a romantic evening back at La Ronde and reminising through old pictures and memories. Brent surprised me with a gorgeous “friendship” ring (white & yellow diamonds- white, yellow & pink gold.) It’s very spectacular & unique. We’ll continue our celebration into 2008 as we head off for a trip to the Mayan Riviera and then celebrate with a family get-together in May or June when Matt finishes his hockey season.

WHITE MILESTONE:

White Gold. White Diamond. The day afer our 25th anniversary, Clark popped the big question and is now engaged to a wonderful, beautiful young woman, Jaqueline. Wedding is planned for August of 2008. Looks like I’m finally going to get some girls in this family!

GLAD & SAD MILESTONES:

Not all milestones are easy or pleasant. Some are sad and difficult. This year, we said goodbye to my brother’s wife, Elizabeth, who died at the age of 49. She is in a better place, but we miss her quick smile and laughter. Another sad milestone is the five year anniversary of our Christmas Eve car accident. I have struggled so much with back and neck pain in the past five years, and a few weeks ago had to endure the stress of a court trial, as the insurance company was slow to offer settlement, and refuses to acknowledge that my injuries affect my capacity to work. Judgment may take up to a year, and appeals are always a possibility. I would dearly love to mark the end of this difficult challenge, so I would appreciate your prayers in this regard.

CHRISTMAS MILESTONE:

Christmas is my favorite time of year. My German heritage has taught me to celebrate “advent” for each of the four Sundays leading up to Christmas Eve. My house is decorated with garlands, poinsettas, Christmas arrangements, wreaths, and Nativity Scenes. This Christmas we are leaving the snow and familiarity of home to celebrate in Houston with Matt and with Brent’s sister & husband. It will be a different environment for us, but we are looking forward to being together. Each Christmas is a milestone marking the most significant event in history – the “advent” of Immanuel, which means “God with Us.” Each year we mark off another Christmas milestone to remember this amazing gift. I am so grateful that the Son of God, Jesus, came to be “with us.” As we mark the glad and the sad milestones of our lives, he is always there.

May your Christmas and the coming year be filled with “Glad Tidings of Great Joy!”

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