I'm sitting here less than two hours before the clock strikes midnight on Christmas Eve, sipping some apple cider. No empty stockings hung here. No Santa gifts to wake up in the morning. You see - St. Nicholas already made a visit to our place a couple weeks ago on his feast day. I'm glad he's just always paid his visit to our family early, so we can focus on Jesus and not have the crazy hustling and bustling that entails when it happens on Christmas morning. To each his own, but I'm sure thankful for the peace our traditions allow for on the day we celebrate Jesus' birth.
Waking up to a winter wonderland brought so much joy to all of us. This was actually our first snow of the season. The littles all went out right away to play. Big boys had to be shoved out and only because they had a reason to go out...
(one of the many blessings of having lots of kiddos - so many hands to help!!)
Our poor kitties didn't like the first snow. They kept darting in anytime the door was opened. Goofy things! Your home is outdoors!
We were able to celebrate Mass tonight in celebration of the Word becoming Flesh. It was such a beautiful Mass and always so touching to remember why we celebrate Christmas. Our Lord loves us so much to come as an infant. A cute sweet adorable cooing baby. We all love babies. So it's easy to have joy when we think of Our Lord as a wee one. But at the same time, we know the whole story. We know *why* he came. We receive the Body of Christ to feed and nourish us and love us and help us get to our Heavenly Home. From the cradle to the grave. He reigns and hopes and waits for us now. May we all be blessed and gifted to spend all eternity with Him.
At Mass tonight, we only had 3 young ones with us!! It was so strange. But a blessing indeed to share my children as they serve Our Lord and His Church.
Three served up on the altar...
Three beauties gave the gift of their voice...
We shall celebrate on. For Christmas begins on Christmas Day and continues 12 days til Epiphany! So, keep up your tree and decorations. Keep singing those Christmas carols. Keep the Christmas spirit alive and spread Jesus' love and presence to those around you.
++Thank you, Jesus, for coming to live with us and guide us and love us. Help us to return that love to back to you and to those in our lives.++