Friday, December 23, 2011

Blessed Christmas

All of the Angel Tree deliveries are made and the gifts are under the trees.  At the home of the last visit I made -- the gifts I brought were the only gifts under the tree -- and Mom said no more would be added.  Thanks so much for all who participated in Angel Tree.  You made it possible for all those children to smile and think of their incarcarated parent on Christmas morning and know that even though they aren't there -- their parent loves them -- and so does Jesus!

Our gifts are now all purchased and wrapped.  Monty delivered the ones to his mother and step dad yesterday.

All (well, almost all) of my cooking and baking is done.  I have a couple of last minute touches to my salads tomorrow morning before we head off to my daughter's to have Christmas with all my kids and their spouses/fiances and grandchildren.  It's always so exciting to see the looks on everyone's face since we all toss our names in the hat and draw for gift buying.  We take time for each person to open theirs before the next person is allowed to do the same.  It makes it alot more fun and always brings back memories of Christmas "back then."

Tomorrow night Monty and I will be heading to church.  Our home church doesn't have a service so we have decided to go the local Catholic church -- and I know we'll need to arrive early as they will pack it full.  He has never been to a Catholic service and this church is the oldest and largest one here in town so we are really looking forward to their service.

Sunday morning we will be celebrating the birth of Jesus in our home church.  Pastor Dave says it will be a bit more traditional and litergical than we usually have -- but that's what Christmas is all about.  That's the way I grew up, singing the old familiar hymns and hearing the scriptures read from Luke 2 and just resting in that Spirit of Peace.

From there we will be spending the rest of the day with my family.  No doubt there will be way too much food, too many gifts and laughter loud enough to hear across the road.  To me, it's what "coming home for Christmas" is all about. 

It is our hope and prayer that all of you will be celebrating the birth of our Saviour, our Wonderful Counselor, our King of Kings and Lord of Lords in a way that will bring a smile to your face and peace and warmth to your heart.

Until next time . . . Merry Christmas to one and all.  With all our love,           Susan and Monty

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