Wise men still seek him–and find him.
Beloveds,
(This is a short form for my mantra: You are a divinely created, infinitely loved, spiritually indwelt, evolutionary, free-will, son or daughter of God!)
Christmas—for so many of us, a holiday brimming with meaning and value. It is also a great time for family and friends to catch up on news. Can we do two things at once? Of course we can, especially since the son of Mary and Joseph introduced us into the universal family, and since then the meaning of human family relationships has never been the same.
For our family it has been a year of new adventures. Our totally bilingual, 29-year-old son Ben left the U.S. for Tokyo, where he took a new job in international sales with an IT start-up. We took in Ben’s cat when he left for Japan, a cat that has proven surprisingly affectionate, obedient, and delightful (most of the time). The latest from Ben: he’s meeting a lot of new people; some old friends are trying to get him to play lacrosse again next year; and he’s distinguishing himself at work. The meaning and value of this kind of information is almost totally limited to family and parents and close friends; but I’m so grateful to get some news in one of his rare communications that my desire to share this with you easily overcomes my tiny worry about descending into what to most of you must be trivia. Parental emotion on display.
My Japanese wife Hagiko has begun what could be the last two years of her translation work. She mellows more and more every year, while retaining all of her quick wit and readiness to serve when need arises, as it often does with her friends. A great joy for her this year comes from all the time she can spend with her very close friend who retired last spring.
Hagiko and I went to Israel with a group for two weeks. She’s a country girl from a tiny island in Japan, and she responded most to the countryside and the lake in Galilee; she also loved the ocean in Haifa—what a garden city!—and Tel Aviv, where we spent a couple days before and after time with the group. My goal for the trip was to develop a better relation with Jesus, and I began profoundly to focus on that goal as soon as I knew I was going, for months before the trip, as well as during and after the trip. Even before I stepped on the plane, it had all been worth it, and things only got better. Visiting such significant places, perception stimulates imagination and recollection, which stimulate reflection and communion. I have not ceased pursing that goal, and the relationship continues to become more intimate, meaningful, and joyous.
This past year I’ve plunged into social media, mostly with this blog, designed to “prepare the world” (smile) for my book, Values and Virtues. I’ve moved out of my office at Kent State University and brought a lot more stuff into our small and already full house; my goal is for my space to be as beautifully organized as one of Hagiko’s ikebana flower arrangements. I’ve taken online courses on internet book marketing, have interested a couple of editors in seeing a book proposal, and have begun working with a copyeditor to prepare the manuscript for submission. The book’s thesis is that truth, beauty, and goodness are qualities of God and values that we can live. The trick (which is not a trick) is to live those values so that they pervade the emotions and activities that attend the current phase of this decades-long project. The ship is coming into port.
Merry Christmas!
Jeff
Brother Jeff,
I wish you and your family a Merry Christmas and thanks for sharing. The more we know and understand our brothers and sisters, the more we will love them. You have made a sincere effort to do just that. Again thanks for all that you do, and I know you will be successful in your quest to better understand the relationship between you and Jesus, for after all that is the Father’s will.
Dr. Perry
As you well know, Dr. Perry, getting to know another person, gaining a glimpse of that unique personality, constant through change, is a breathtaking gift. I believe that we are never the same after we truly meet another person.
As a physician and in your other roles, you have had more opportunities than most to get to know people. This past year’s weblog, you have allowed us to get to know you to a remarkable degree.
May that inner and divine core of health continue to bless you with all the strength and power and illumination that you can possibly receive!
Dear Jeff,
Thank you for sharing your highlights from this year. They are always inspiring. I wish you, Hagiko and Ben a wonderful Christmas and year ahead. I hope it will be filled with success and harvest of your hard work on every front.
Love and Blessings,
Mahtab
Thanks, Mahtab, and I look forward as well to more blessings and triumphs in your family for your hard work! Actually, in my own case, my hard work approach is beginning to moderate through the influence of divine beauty: less drivenness, more relaxation, attunement, and joy along the way.
Dearest & Beloved Jeff: Thank you SO much for this glimpse into your heart. What a lovely Christmas gift it is, this sharing of the passions, pursuits, relationships and events of a friend’s life. Never hesitate so to share. Those who see and hear will do so and rejoice with you. Those who do not cannot be harmed and may one day be helped.
May a blessed holiday season be yours and Hagiko’s!
Love, Cheryl
Thanks, Cheryl. I enjoy seeing your wonderful pictures on Facebook, and it’s very meaningful to have you visit here and contribute. I’m in a new phase of my weblog now, less systematic, more personal (though the Christmas message is by no means typical). Thanks for the encouragement.
Jeff,
Thank you for sharing!
All the best,
Albert
And thanks to you, Albert, for sharing your spiritual journey with me. Sincere, persistent, wholehearted searching for the highest illumination leads us all to be able to respond to the truth that touches and transcends everyone of our paths.
Your goals are noble and so very needed by the world today. Thank you for all you are “actualizing”. Our younger son, Evan, lived in Tokyo for a year working at Disney Tokyo in 2010/11. We had an opportunity to visit Japan for a whole month while he was there. We love Japan and were so glad to spend time there. Evan taught himself Japanese and still uses it. We also were so grateful for the opportunity to travel to Israel with Diane and the Fellowship Group. We all shared the same inspiring words together and experienced present day Israel from Jesus’ perspective. It is sad that there is still so much strife and hatred in the Middle East. I pray for a solution that allows people of different faiths to live peacefully together. God bless you and your work. Love to you and your family at Christmas and always. Roxie and Pete
What a pleasure to have met the two of you in Israel and to find a real depth of connection! I look forward to more years of great blessings to you and through you in this life and beyond.
Thank you, Jeff. Your book may be one of those that matters.
Coming from you, Paul, these words mean a lot. I remember standing in line for a stall in the men’s bathroom at Severance Hall and seeing you ahead of me, and laughing to realize that everywhere I run into you, you are ahead of me: as Provost at Kent State University, as deacon and then priest in church, and then, at the home of the Cleveland Orchestra . . . . Let’s have laughter and joy in the New Year!
Jeff,
Thanks for the inspirational Christmas message, a message that we all need to hear and be reminded of from time to time. I am so happy to hear that all is well with you, Hagiko, and Ben. May you continue to be blessed. I can’t wait to read your new book and follow your blog!
Merry Christmas,
Bobby Dixon
I was thinking of you a couple days ago in connection with Ralph Ellison’s Invisible Man and how the message of the brotherhood of man is first betrayed by Christians and then by Communists . . . until the end where I see the protagonist rising up into the full power of the authenticity of Decision (my interpretation). There have been other reasons for thinking of you lately that I’ll save for another forum. I’m most grateful to hear from you today, and I rejoice to know that you are blessing others by your way of living.
Dear Jeff!
Merry, Merry, Merry Christmas! Yes, this is so beautiful a day, to celebrate the birth of Jesus and the rebirth of Mankind! It is a sunny temperate Christmas Day in Chicago!
The tide surely is a changing! My next-door neighbor, who does quite a bit of missionary work– all over the world introduced me to a couple, Mark and Michele, who were evangelizing some hard-core, killer, Muslims, in the Chicago area and have now, traveled to Jordan to teach Syrian refugees who have lost family, homes, and livelihood about Our Redeemer. The Chicago organization, that they started, still carries on their work. They are planning to teach these homeless people about Jesus through stories written in the King James bible. They are evangelicals, so, there are a few issues with which I disagree with them. As Pope Francis has changed the Gloria of the Mass to include all people of good will, as members of the universal family, they believe that the universal family is all Christian, and no-one that is homosexual is included in their Christianity. I do like their gusto, enthusiasm, to go about these teachings, slowly, by example, questions asked about their beliefs, and slowly bringing out stories of the bible, in the New Testament to all those they meet in Jordan. This couple has done much beautiful work in Chicago and I truly hope to hear wonderful stories about their new home. Yes, they have left the USA, semi- permanently, sold their home, but are planning to come home for big family events– 3, newly married daughters, births of grandchildren, and to obtain funds from any person able to do so, that they meet, or have met, already.
I, like the Pope, believe in a father and mother to be heads of a family. Though, there are many loving families that do not have both a mother and a father, death, divorce, abandonment, as examples.
I enjoy hearing wonderful news concerning your family. Corinne is quite excited that Ben’s cat has a new home! She adds, “that we have had the pleasure of the company of 6 cats since 1970– including our present cat. We marvel at their individuality– all different personalities! These wonderful creatures have such a short lifespan, they are missed thoroughly when gone.” Hagiko’s joy and Ben’s doing well is joy to our ears! We are having a small Christmas celebration, as the flue season is rampant in Lincolnwood and the Chicago area. The very best place to go on Christmas is to be with other church members at Mass! My sister, the doctor, has banned Mom and I from attending Mass on Christmas and New Year’s Day, because, usually, there are many one or two-day attenders at Mass and a lot of times, many sickly people that enjoy the music and singing as much as we do, too! Mom, Celia, and I are invited to go next-door to an open-house Christmas dinner and celebration. Of this invite, I am the one going, a pleasure, also, though I like to be with my family, more.
My brother Marc and his family will be joining his wife’s huge family dinner and celebration this Christmas, as usual. Marc and his family will be coming to our home on New Year’s day.
Very excited to hear about your book being published, I am awaiting with joy, and you must tell us when this date comes into being!
much love,
God blesses us all thoroughly, and especially when we ask!
Paula and Corinne
What a way to spend a chunk of Christmas day, Paula and Corinne–sharing news and thoughts with beloved friends! Let’s make next year the very best for our own growth and our contribution to others.
Beloved Jeff and Hagiko, Thank you for all you both do to enlighten mankind. I know it is a labor of love from both of you. If this poor ole Tennessee boy can in any way contribute to your missions, please let me know. Peace, Travis
Just by being you, Travis, you have contributed to my life; it doesn’t stop. For me, you are a pillar of intelligent faith and generous service. Not a bad way to function as a symbol for someone, eh?
Jeff,
Merry Christmas! What a blessing it has been to hear of your blessed year! It has been an honor to have taken Ethics with you at Kent State. I’ve taken the knowledge of truth and goodness and applied it to my graduate work at Virginia Tech.
Many blessings to you in the coming New Year!
God Bless,
Brian Chanda
Thank you for including me in your blog news. I sincerely enjoyed every word and Best wishes to you and yours thru the Holiday season. Keep in touch.
Hi, Jeff ~
Thanks for sending me the link to your site! Already enjoyed reading the above accounts of your friends and the sharing of your families experience this past year. I could see you beaming with joy when telling of Ben’s assignment to Tokyo. Geri, my former wife, came into town (Phoenix) a few days ago and my youngest son, David, arrived from Vegas with his wife Eve and youngest grandson in tow and we had a wonder time these past few hours of sharing our Heavenly Father’s Love and the Love of our Family. Geri and I are off tomorrow for more of the same with David’s oldest brother, Michael, and his family. Joy to the world!
Looking forward to hearing more about your labor of love and work in progress with your book.
Brother In Faith,
JJ
JJ, how meaningful to see you manifest here. After a quick meeting this summer (where I was delighted to see Geri) and looking forward to a belated follow up on Skype, it is most welcome to have a little news-exchange. Until soon,
A very Merry Christmas. So glad to hear the update on you and your family as well as being linked by your blog. It helps me to remember that even though I’ve had a lot of changes in my life this year, I need to remember to have a time of communion with my Holy Creator. Love to you and your family as we continue to journey through this life.
You, Patty, a healer, have reflected deeply, engaged yourself in the service of others, all of which surely enhances your time with our Creator.
Great to hear from you!!! Glad you are doing so well
Miranda, thanks very much for stopping in to leave a much-valued greeting.
Dear Jeff,
Thanks for sharing your wonderful news and Christmas message of unity and peace. All is well at our end here in Geneva. Like you, it is exciting to witness our own sons’ growth as people and world citizens. Rob and I extend our warm Season’s Greetings to you and Hagiko. Good luck with the book!
…Ruth
Ruth, I will always remember the hospitality that you and your family generously extended to us during those four months in Geneva. I’m thrilled to hear even the tip-of-the-iceberg indication of your sons’ progress. May each of you enjoy the most satisfying progress in meaning and value in the coming year.
Merry Christmas! It was a pleasure to read your blog. I look forward to your book!
Happy new year…may we all grow in understanding and grace.
With loving regards,
Janet
What a treat to have you manifest here, Janet!
Greetings Jeff and family. I wish you God Speed on your book publishing. Your “thesis” “that truth, beauty, and goodness are qualities of God and values that we can live” is a perfect theme since it was the very method Jesus used in his own pursuit of the Father in heaven. Let me know when it is published and I will do all I can to propagate it on the world wide web.
Paul, your encouragement and support is profoundly meaningful to me.
It’s always delightful to hear of your adventures through personal insight and relationship discovery! Thank you for the catch-up and sharing of your personal goals. You inspire me!
Hugs and blessings,
Francyl
Speaking of friendship, dear Francyl–friend of several decades–check out the Dec. 29 blogpost and feel included.
If you want to spend quality time in conversation with your son in Japan, may I suggest that you arrange to “meet” him on Skype? It is wonderful.
peace
t
Merry Christmas! Very much looking forward to your book. The subject is one near and dear to me of late, not only for my own continued growth and development, but also what I hope will become a new trend as I see so much narcissism, pessimism, and decadence in our culture. I am also looking forward to continued interaction on this blog. Keep on keeping on.
Happy new year!
Thank you for introducing me to a new way to become more enlightened! Wishing you and your family the best in 2015.
Peace,
Surinder
Surinder, it is very good of you to visit and leave a greeting. My prayer goes forth for you and your family. Many good memories come back quickly, reactivating my great faith in you–such a God-knowing person of great strength.