Que Preciosa - How Precious

We're having a great time waiting during our Bible studies here in Mexico City! The Mexicans who are studying aren't seasoned Christians who know their way around a Bible. They begin looking for Revelation at the front of the Bible and often locate the "wrong" book of John (there are four to choose from). We really don't mind waiting a bit while they search and with a little direction, eventually find the passage we're reading.

Yesterday, a new lady came to the ladies' Bible study. At the end of our study, she kindly offered to read aloud the closing passage of our study for the day, Psalm 139. "Psalm 139. One. O Lord, You have searched me and known me. Two. You know when I sit down and when I rise up; You understand my thoughts from afar. Three. You scrutinize my path and my lying down, And are intimately acquainted with all my ways." I smiled as she carefully read each verse number as she went along. Verses 21 and 22 brought nervous giggles from several ladies. "Do I not hate those who hate You, O Lord? And do I not loathe those who rise up against You? I hate them with perfect hatred; I count them my enemies."

At the end of the chapter, various ladies all chattered, "Oooh, que preciosa! Que linda!" - "Oooh, how precious! How beautiful!" They loved this chapter! I was further amazed to see three ladies all start searching back in the passage and then one read, "This is my favorite: verse 14. 'I will praise You for I am fearfully and wonderfully made; Marvelous are Your works, and that my soul knows very well.' Did you hear that? 'And that my SOUL knows very well.'" They were immediately drawn to the most famous verse of the chapter without the leaders pointing this out to them. It spoke to their souls.

Super Bowl XLIII Fun and Baby Jesus Dolls

We hosted a small group of people in our home for a SuperBowl XLIII party yesterday. What an exciting game, right until the end! We had fewer men show up than we had hoped but the two who did come, we had really hoped would. Our large windows were a problem for the first hour so we borrowed extra blankets from the Ruizes and duct taped the blankets up to block the sunlight. The projector worked well and once the sun set behind the mountains, we could see even better. We had hamburgers, chips, olives, salsa, potato salad, and brisket. Marcel was the BBQ chef and the 8 pounds of brisket were quickly devoured. Yum!
We watched the first half of the game in English and the second half, in Spanish. I'm surprised at how many Mexicans like American football although soccer is definately their favorite sport.
On the streets today, we saw many people carrying their porcelin baby Jesus dolls. February 2 marks the mid point between winter solstice and spring equinox, Groundhog Day, when we "find out" how the weather will be for the rest of the winter. In Mexico, a clear day means cold is coming and clouds means it will get warmer. It's a tough call in Mexico City with the usual smog. This day is also 40 days after Jesus' birth when Mary and Joseph presented Jesus at the temple and Mary was purified according to Mosaic law.
In Mexico, if you found the tiny plastic baby Jesus doll inside your slice of Ring of the Kings Bread back on January 6th, it's your turn to host a party today. Our neighborhood had a block party like this for our local policemen. You are to serve atole (a thick cornmeal warm drink - vanilla, strawberry or chocolate flavor) and tamales (cornmeal, meat, raisins, and a bit of sauce wrapped in cornhusks). This is work and expensive so apparently, people used to hide the baby Jesus doll in their mouth or even swallow it to avoid this party hosting responsibility!
Often life-sized ceramic doll representations of Jesus are taken out of the nativity manger, dressed in special outfits and taken to the local Catholic church to receive a blessing. The dolls even have godparents. A special blessing is believed to be received by the entire household. The baby Jesus is often set on a chair to symbolize that he is no longer a newborn. My neighbor has a very humble home but during my first visit to her house, she proudly showed me her Nino Dios - God Boy. Shops have been advertising repairs of your Jesus dolls and the street market was selling new satin christening outfits for the dolls. Many children are also christened today in Mexico. Candles honoring the Virgin Guadalupe (Mexico's Mary figure) are blessed during mass and so the name Candlemas came to be given to February 2 or in Spanish, Dia de la Candelaria. Our camera battery needs charging so I don't have photos but this link has 18 very nice photos. http://gomexico.about.com/od/festivalsholidays/ig/Dia-de-la-Candelaria-Photos/Ni-os-Dioses.html
There is a lot of familiarity with scripture here in Mexico, in this case, with Jesus' life as a child. So much time and money is spent doing things to please God and receive his blessing. The right goal but the wrong method. Salvation is simple and free! I hope that during tomorrow's bible study, opportunity will arise to discuss this with the ladies in my neighborhood.