Well, we survived. Christmas day has come and gone, although we are still in celebration mode. We are now looking forward of course to New Years and then Epiphany (when tradition says that the wise men arrived to see the babe). New Years is not huge for me. Never has been. This year, as with many years in the past, we will celebrate with some good friends. This year it's gonna be a movie and then home for games, some woo-hoo at midnight and bed. New Years Day will be over to some friends who live on Kawkawa Lake for brunch and the 3rd annual Polar Bear Swim. Although 'swim' is a bit of a stretch. It's more like the "Polar Bear Run in the water, get wet really quickly and run out and into the hot tub". But hey, that's just too long! Last year we had quite a range of folks come out - right from young kids to a wonderful woman (who I want to be when I grow up) who is well into her 60's.

Once again I've got change on the mind. Which is par for this time of year. It is a time for reflection, for seeing where I 'walked humbly with my God' and where I need to let the Holy Spirit have a little more control.

It's my time to rejoice and count my blessings.

And when I pause to remember - I am always overwhelmed with the wonder of the year that was.

May it be so for you too.

Christmas eve. Well, Christmas eve day anyway. But honestly there is no difference to my children! It's the DAY BEFORE CHRISTMAS!!!!!

Last night my parents took the girls on their annual tour of the Minter Garden Christmas Lights. They go every year and every year they come back in awe of what has been created there. Go if you can.

Reid & I hit a Christmas open house at some new friends and then headed over to see a couple of friends play at a local restaurant. We had a great time. For Reid, it was great to be out and be social. He loves meeting and talking to people, loves schmoozing and visiting. It's a little harder for me but he was so happy that I couldn't mind at all. Our friends play at Skinny's Grill every year on the Sat. before Christmas. It's usually fairly well attended but this year - well, let's just say we should have made reservations. Packed! We managed to mooch into a table of friends we saw - or we would have had to wait for 1/2 hr or more! Unheard of in Hope. It felt like Christmas. We knew well over half the people in the place, Mark & LaVern singing Christmas songs, visiting with friends.... things I love about living where we live.

It struck me that in the middle of the chaos in the world - Afghanistan, Iraq, Iran, AIDS, hunger, poverty.... we found joy & peace in a little restaurant in a town called Hope. May you find joy and peace in an unlikely spot this season.

A peace filled Christmas to you all.

Oh my. I must confess that even I am getting a tad excited for Christmas.

I spent last evening at the elementary school for their annual Christmas concert Even though we homeschool we still have 2 nieces who go and so off we go every year to see. Every year I am struck by how much Jesus is still included in this event. I think we are very fortunate indeed. We also had our Sunday School concert last Sunday evening. Since both our girls had speaking and singing parts - it's been a part of our week for some time. It was great to watch - and there is something simple and wonderful about watching children proclaim the birth of Jesus.

I also spent last night wrapping. Now this gets me downright giddy. I love going over the girls gifts, imagining just how excited they will be on Christmas morning.

But the one thing that I love about this season are the traditions that have evolved into important parts of our Christmas celebrations. Christmas eve dinner is always at our house. I make seafood chowder in maritime tradition (in Reid's family anyway) and it is rich and wonderful. Then it's off to Church and back to my parents for "the Davies snack" as it has come to be called. We are quite a crowd. My family of 4, my parents, my sister's family of 6 plus 2 young adults that my sister's family has "adopted". This year we're joined by my brother-in-law's parents from North Carolina. Christmas morning is us waking up to see what Santa has brought. There are no other gifts at our house. Just stockings and whatever Santa has left under the tree. After enjoying this we head off to my sister's house for a yummy breakfast and the lighting of the "Jesus" candle in our advent wreath, and finally then head down to my folks to open the rest of our gifts.

It spreads the day out a bit and slows us down to enjoy each individual activity. Slowness is important. You can imagine what it's like with 6, yup, six, girls, 12 and under. Crazy. and fabulous.

I wouldn't trade it for anything.

Merry Christmas everyone.

I came across this post while I was reading some other blogs. Enjoy.

Jesus Enters the War on Christmas
by smr33
Tue Dec 12, 2006 at 04:06:40 PM PST

This is my Jesus. I think many of you would like him. This is my first diary, but just had to share what I imagine would be Jesus' response to the War on Christmas nonsense.

* smr33's diary :: ::
*

Letter From Jesus Christ, concerning His birthday celebration.

Dear children,

It has come to my attention that many of you are upset that folks are taking My name out of the season. Maybe you've forgotten that I wasn't actually born during this time of the year and that it was some of your predecessors who decided to celebrate My birthday on what was actually a time of pagan festival. Although I do appreciate being remembered anytime.

How I personally feel about this celebration can probably be most easily understood by those of you who have been blessed with children of your own. I don't care what you call the day. If you want to celebrate My birth just, GET ALONG AND LOVE ONE ANOTHER. Now, having said that let Me go on.

If it bothers you that the town in which you live doesn't allow a scene depicting My birth, then just get rid of a couple of Santa's and snowmen and put in a small Nativity scene on your own front lawn. If all My followers did that there wouldn't be any need for such a scene on the town square because there would be many of them all around town.

Stop worrying about the fact that people are calling the tree a holiday tree, instead of a Christmas tree. It was I who made all trees. You can & may remember Me anytime you see any tree. Decorate a grape vine if you wish: I actually spoke of that one in a teaching explaining who I am in relation to you & what each of our tasks were. If you have forgot that one, look up John 15: 1 - 8.

If you want to give Me a present in remembrance of My birth here is my wish list. Choose something from it.

1. Instead of writing protest letters objecting to the way My birthday is being celebrated, write letters of love and hope to soldiers away from home. They are terribly afraid and lonely this time of year.

I know, they tell Me all the time.

2. Visit someone in a nursing home. You don't have to know them personally. They just need to know that someone cares about them.

3. Instead of writing George complaining about the wording on the cards his staff sent out this year, why don't you write and tell him that you'll be praying for him and his family this year. Then follow up.

It will be nice hearing from you again.

4. Instead of giving your children a lot of giftsy you can't afford and they don't need, spend time with them. Tell them the story of My birth, and why I came to live with you down here. Hold them in your arms and remind them that I love them.

5. Pick someone that has hurt you in the past and forgive him or her.

6. Did you know that someone in your town will attempt to take their own life this season because they feel so alone and hopeless? Since you don't know who that person is, try giving everyone you meet a warm smile it could make the difference. Also, you might consider supporting the local Hot-Line: they talk with people like that every day.

7. Instead of nit picking about what the retailer in your town calls the holiday, be patient with the people who work there. Give them a warm smile and a kind word. Even if they aren't allowed to wish you a "Merry Christmas" that doesn't keep you from wishing them one. Then stop shopping there on Sunday. If the store didn't make so much money on that day they'd close and let their employees spend the day at home with their families.

8. If you really want to make a difference, support a missionary, especially one who takes My love & Good News to those who have never heard My name. You may already know someone like that.

9. Here's a good one. There are individuals & whole families in your town who not only will have no "Christmas" tree, but neither will they have any presents to give or receive. If you don't know them (and I suspect you don't) buy some food & a few gifts & give them to the Marines, the Salvation Army or some other charity which believes in Me & they will make the delivery for you.

10. Finally if you want to make a statement about your belief in and loyalty to Me, then behave like a Christian. Don't do things in secret that you wouldn't do in My presence. Let people know by your actions that you are one of mine.

P.S. Don't forget; I am God and can take care of Myself. Just love Me and do what I have told you to do. I'll take care of all the rest.
Check out the list above & get to work; time is short. I'll help you, but the ball is now in your court. And do have a most blessed Christmas with all those whom you love and remember,

I LOVE YOU

On Sunday we celebrated the first Sunday of Advent. It was a beautiful service - I walked away feeling several things. One, we really live in a time where we need hope. The news is filled with story after story of crazy things happening in our world, the streets of our town are filled with hungry and cold addicts who have no hope, my living room has been filled this week with ladies who are scared and feeling like there is no hope in the future...we need hope. The second thing I walked out of Church with was that hope is here. He arrived in a dirty smelly little cave filled with simple people, animals and shepherds. As we reflect on life. As we reflect on this season of fun and laughter, of gifts and bright lights... lets also reflect on what brings us hope. Hope that lasts, hope that offers something deeper and eternal.

Hope found in that bed of hay looking nothing like the saviour of the world.