Re: New Year

Yep.  It’s one of those times and occasions during which, as a blogger, you almost feel obligated to write and post something. Or else you could be counted as a lazy blogger, indifferent to the rest of the blogosphereans. Worse yet, if they (blogosphereans) can, they might send viruses, malware, spyware or hate cookies to the server/computer that hosts your blog. Who should we blame for such malice? The Romans - Janus specifically - and other calendar makers and inventors? Without them maybe we would not have new years, let alone new year resolutions.  Romans. Yes. But let’s not forget that the pre-contact Samoans too had a calendar of their own based on the planting/harvesting seasons (Tau, hence “tausaga” for year; also tautotogo, tauvevela, vaitau) as well as on the lunar cycles/phases, therefore “masina” (moon) is word for “month”.

So the calendar concept is universal and I must say that it’s a nifty and dandy idea. Imagine life without yearly calendar recurrences, but consisting of only one infinite and unbroken stretch of tedious and monotonous time continuum? That will be so tedious and monotonous - and dull, aye?
But the calendar structure/format can remind us of the “Re” prefix which presupposes doing something again and better, cycles and second chances. And as flawed and fallible creatures we all are, we need cycles and second chances to do better.  Cycles - of times and seasons - can be good, valuable and constructive.

Therefore the New Year and the “Re” prefix make good relaxing bedfellows. The new year reminds us of our duty and responsibility to renew our personal and social relationships. It can also be a time to be resilient and not resort to repression. Resolve to restitute and reconcile with relatives and others, but especially with God. For the latter, remorse and repentance are required. Refuse to be a recalcitrant. Recommended, however, is renewal through relinquishment, renouncing and rejection of any old repulsive habits. It’s also a time to review and reevaluate through retrospection, reflection and recollection any of the things that need to be redressed, repaired, remediated and rectified. Let’s refrain from - and reject - any repugnant behavior. Instead let’s resume and revive those attitudes and behavior that give us the greatest rewards and returns, whether it’s reinvigorating and rebuilding our bodies, mind or spirit, we just need to relax, recommit and not regress. And no relapse either. We need to rewind, reform and/or restore ourselves. So whatever resolutions we have made for this new year, remember to remain resolute!

A Christmas Perspective

And so it was Christmas, and the time-honored tradition was feted as usual in our home with decorations, gifts, presents, tree(s) and lights, food, music and the controlled pandemonium (of the grandchildren - in our case). All of which served a specific purpose: to help and promote good enjoyable time and fun with family. But sometimes family fun can get in the way of the true, profound, spiritual meaning and essence of Christmas. So if we - as individuals and/or as a family - take time within the fun and excitement to absorb and understand this meaning and essence, at least symbolically, we will feel even more grateful for the Savior’s role in our lives.

The symbolic meaning and essence can be found in the two of the most genuine and authentic symbols of Christmas - the tree and lights. The gospel, after all, is replete with symbols through which we learn, remember and honor our relationship with God. Christ also taught important gospel principles and doctrine using parabolic symbols.

The tree is an important symbol in the scriptures. The Tree of Knowledge of Good and Evil and the Tree of Life have become primal and principal symbols and archetypes in Christianity. The latter of the two trees was off-limits to Adam - and his posterity - after he partook of the former. And when God placed Cherubim and the flaming sword to guard the Tree of Life, it took on an appearance of a lighted tree - like a Christmas tree. The Tree of Life was thereafter designated as a goal and final reward for those who will repent and endure to the end in keeping the commandments - in other words, those who will overcome [the natural man].

“To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the tree of life, which is in the midst of the paradise of God.” (Revelations 2:7  Emphasis added)

A typical tree is also the standard symbol for the family, hence the term “family tree”. And since Christmas time is principally family time, the Christmas tree enhances the focus on the family theme, especially for LDS families who, through Church teachings, are taught the importance, value and unity of families to extend beyond death, even forever. The expression “Families are Forever” and temple/genealogical work (re: family trees) are uniquely LDS.

Moreover, in The Book of Mormon, the central symbol in Lehi’s dream/vision is the “tree of life” representing “the love of God” and whose fruits are most desirable and would make one happy. Lehi’s first and immediate wish after partaking of the fruit - and found to be “desirable above all other fruit” - was for his family to also press forward and partake.

In this sense, the Christmas tree can be a symbol for the love of family and love of God.

The lights are equally if not more pertinent. Light is a pervasive symbol of Christ/God.

“...I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life.” (John 8:12)
“... God is light, and in him is no darkness at all." (1 John 1:5)
“The Lord is my light and my salvation ....” (Psalms 27:1).

Furthermore, when God (Jehovah/Christ) appeared to Moses, the burning bush was the representation of His presence. So a well lit Christmas tree (like a burning bush) strategically placed in the house can be viewed as a symbol and reminder of God’s presence in the home during the Christmas season.

Lastly, the word “tree”  itself in the context of the crucifixion (hence "the cross"), is a reminder of Christ’s infinite Atonement and Sacrifice.

“Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes ye were healed.” (1 Peter 2:24  Emphasis added).

And so a Christmas tree with its lights symbolically remind us of an important means, and an end. We are only able to reach - and partake - of the Tree of Life (end) if/when we walk in the Light of Christ (means).

Manuia le Kerisimasi ma le Tausaga Fou!

Christmas 2013 - a few pics

...getting the house ready for annual family Christmas get-together 

... the moment draws closer

... naughty or nice?  moment of truth ...LOL!



... dearie finding time to relax

 

... our very favorite picture!!! - with all the nineteen grandchildren

... game room abandoned after the party

... and best moment of Christmas: on Skype with The Elder
 

Manuia le Kerisimasi!!




From this Malae of mine, here's wishing you and yours a very merry Christmas ....

ObamaDare?

While Mr. Obama is promoting and selling his ObamaCare at home, abroad he is promoting a similar product - ObamaDare, while attending Mandela’s funeral. As evident from the pictures, Michelle seems repulsed by ObamaDare.


Taking a selfie with British Prime Minister David Cameron and Denmark Prime Minister Helle Thorning-Schmidt
Say "Cheeees-y!!"

Some media scrutinizers have said that the President ended up swapping seats with Michelle to better "accommodate" the Prime Minister of Denmark.  LOL!

Michelle: "Faiga a la'ua ia a, pei a e le se maliu lea e fai"

(Photos: Roberto Schmidt/AFP/Getty Images)

Then again there's always "the other side" of the story maybe by Obama's supporters who claim Obama[does]Care!

"Aso Fiafia" 2013 version ...

As mentioned in some previous posts, the so-called “aso fiafia”  (happy/festive days)  in Samoa start in early December building up to Christmas and then New Year’s when there’s oodles of fun, celebration and revelry. In America “aso fiafia” I think start much sooner in October with Halloween, Thanksgiving in November, Christmas in December and New Year’s in January - yes, that whole celebratory progression. Need proof? Well if Christmas is the climax and main draw of the fiafia season, the whole rising action now starts in November (but as early as October) when Christmas music starts to “fill the air”. Christmas bright lights also start going up right after Halloween spooky lights come down.

Interestingly, Samoa is starting to catch on to the Halloween craze and so in the foreseeable future Samoa’s “aso fiafia”, too, may start in October. Thanksgiving may also become a Samoan holiday (Samoans are obsessive when it comes to creating, adopting and celebrating holidays); after all Christmas and New Year’s are imported as well.

Our family did have our Annual Halloween party.  But Dearie and I had an early social function to attend that evening, and so our children made sure that “the show must go on”. We joined them afterwards. Part of their preparations included a rustic set - complete with halogen lights - in our front yard and used as a photo booth/background. I did not have an official bonafide costume and so I had to borrow one from one of our grandsons, at least for this picture:


the rustic "hee-haw" set ..lol

It’s Steve Urkel (Jonah) of “Family Matters” meeting Si[las] Robertson (me) of “Duck Dynasty” ... (insets: the real characters) LOL!  
But the winners were .... [drum roll] .....theeeee Minions! LOL!

Minions in our home ....

One of our daughters, her husband and kids stole the show that night and even in the neighborhood when they went trick-or-treating with these creative costumes that they made themselves. Enthusiasm and hard work always reap success.  Kudos!

October also signals the end of the regular football season for some of the grandsons.

l-r: Tahi, Taezen, Devon and Taleni

This year Tahi’s (one of the “minions” lol!) team won the championship for their division.  So it was a "aso fiafia" ..:)  Congratz  #77!

...post game pic