Monday, December 22, 2014

Merry Christmas, Dear Readers!

Since just before Halloween the Canadian geese have been floating into Lubbock County heralding the coming of the holiday season.  The weather turned crisp as West Texas welcomed these our long time winter visitors.  The cacophony of their greetings serve as the ready-set-go for the busy-ness of getting ready for the celebrations to come.  By the hundreds, they bob in our neighborhood playa lakes whiling away the hours.  

While the geese have lingered by the ponds, I have been busy with busy-ness.

baking pretty cookies.





(for every beautiful cookie I decorate, there are 17 un-pinworthy ones)


























And some rather unfortunate-looking snowmen that had to be consumed immediately.











decorated some marshmallows just for the fun of it.

decked our halls.
























and, wrapped some gifts.



























I love all of the trappings of Christmas.    As my firstborn used to sing when he was a preschooler, "It's thuh mote wannaful tine of thuh ye-ah."  Joy.  Goodwill.  Family.

I'm all done.  Wrapped and ready.  The refrigerator and pantry are abundantly full.  The table is set for our Christmas Eve dinner.

Now, it's time to take a deep breath.  Time to focus.  To listen to the geese as they remind me of what's important.  Ah, yes.  I can  hear them in the distance.  I can hear them as they skim along just above our house.  "Re-Mem-Ber.  The.  Rea-son."

 the reason for the season.



But the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid!  For behold, I bring you good news of GREAT JOY which will be for ALL PEOPLE!  For today in the city of David there has been BORN FOR YOU a SAVIOR, who is Christ the LORD.  This will be a sign for you:  You will find a baby wrapped in cloths.  Lying in a manger.
Luke 2:10-12

Merry Christmas, Dear Readers.  You are loved.
cel

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