Light Up the Night!!!!!!

The Hawk House

Hello, outrageous hospitality! A couple of years ago we were welcomed into the home of the Mish family one chilly December night. This happened as we were standing at the curb be-dazzled by the amazing light show on and around their home. We gladly went in to visit and chitchat. How often does a kind person invite you – a stranger! - inside their home, anyway?

Gwen and Anthony Mish on a recent visit

This year, we learned that we are just a few of the 100,000 visitors they expect to see their expression for the love of the holidays and their favorite sports teams. They go all out with 175,000 lights in their front yard and on the house – all dancing to music! Their lights show the Seahawks Logo; a big “12” for the 12^th Man; the Seattle Mariners, Supersonics (RIP), and Huskies logos (Cougars and Sounders logos are in the works); and Santa on his Sleigh, among others. 

Anthony and Steve Mish, the masterminds, are brilliant designers, engineers, community builders, and friendly and welcoming people with generous hearts. They have created a light show where the lights themselves dance. The lights get down to groovy songs like VellVett’s, ‘We Run This City.’ They welcome you to swing on by between 5 and 9 (5-10 Fri./Sat.) almost any night to experience their hospitality! Here is what you will find:

The garage door is open and there is a children’s tunnel that leads to a secret fish tank inside. Shh – it’s a surprise! There’s a whole village scene with trains, buildings and “snow.” From there, you can go inside the house, where the charming Victorian country village of snow with a real river continues. Be sure to look for the Nutcracker display, including the Seahawks Nutcracker! To top it off they even have a Seahawks Santa to greet the kids – you can get your picture taken, if you’d like. You can also just hang out on the street and see the lights - though there's no charge for any of it, so go on in! Donations are taken for great causes, such as HopeLink, Children’s Hospital, Toys for Tots, and local food pantries. Feel free to come with a donation (not required). Tis the season of sharing, right?

The word is out on their hospitality and light show. The Mish’s love for lighting up the night has been picked up by ABC’s Great Christmas Light Fight. This is a “reality tv” show that highlights great Christmas lights throughout the US. They will be featured this house on December 21^st at 8pm. Let’s watch and learn more about the hearts behind this huge nightlight of hospitality. Also, check out thehawkhouse.com to get directions and learn more… Hope you enjoy your next visit to TheHawkHouse!

The Silent Dreams of Christmas

Me Taking Part in Nutcracker Silliness

I must admit that I am horribly sentimental in my approach to to Christmas. The month begins and my hopes and plans unfold as the dream of Christmas comes to a reality. I find myself naturally placed in the midst of parties to host, attend, cards to mail, fancy house lights to drive by and see, decorations to put up, Christmas programs at school and church, the Nutcracker, family advent services, worship, and shopping for the perfect gift at the perfect price. For some people, meandering through the month of December is like riding a ferris wheel, always in motion.

On these December days, there are many invisible dreams of Christmas that I don’t even realize that I am longing for until they catch me off guard. They are realized during the stillness of a “pause” in the midst of the hustle and bustle of the holidays. They are heard in the midst of the noise of my scurrying about. They are felt deeply as loved ones reach out.

Some of these dreams aren’t just plain silly. They are the hopes of a Christmas that is fulfilling in giving and sharing all that God has given. There are some invisible things about Christmas that we may discover glimpses of as the holiday unfolds. These quiet things may even bring out a sincerity and tenderness that that we don't expect. Here are a few of mine:

- Beautiful Lights remind me of the darkness which is painted on by an artists’ palate of light. It is a hope given that light can come even in the darkest times and joy covers the dark nighttime homes and trees with illumination.

-A red bell at the grocery store rings out. It is seeking funds to feed the poor and house the homeless. It is asking us to share hope. This is truly the season of giving. Whether we are sharing through filling the red kettle, the Operation Christmas Child box, the Angel Tree, or something else, humanity feels a need for collective support and interdependence as we give this season to make this world a better place.

-The tree, nativity, and stockings reminds us of surprises headed our way on Christmas. Regardless of whether we are naughty or nice, decorating invigorates the holiday and the heart of the home. When hospitality is extended it engages others with peace, hope, love, and joy. Although decorations are visible, they fade away when they provide a backdrop for our communal lives with loved ones, which is what really matters.

-The family getting together for the traditional advent services and greeting a chubby and jolly Santa are special. They make memories that provide cadence to family life. Kids feel special when their dream gifts are shared with loved ones and the adults take time to listen and find out what makes them happy. They know that they matter when it is their turn to light the candle.

-The culmination of many Christmas celebrations bring us to notice the beautiful things which are reminiscent of a simple life. We see this as we go to watch Clara twirl freely in the Nutcracker, see little Mary and Joseph love their baby in the Church Nativity Play, hear the drum section ring out in the winter band concert, laugh together at the office Christmas Party, read the ever so sweet Christmas Cards, and prepare red paper packages tied up with strings under the tree.

I could easily get lost in the details, expectations, and frantic style of Christmas as a mother of four, busy employee, and pastor’s wife. I could never even stop to sit and savor it all. Yet, those invisible moments catch up to me and tenderly remind me of my deeper, invisible wealth. The mercy in the quiet places finds me and fulfills my Christmas dreams one day at a time as I wait for the real Christmas miracle to become a reality.