Merry Christmas

 Christmas was my dad's favorite holiday. On Black Friday he would get the tree out and find the right place in the house.  Out came all the ornaments and the lights and the tinsel.  The tinsel went on one piece at a time, never just throw it on cos you will be picking it all off and made to put it on one by one where dad told you to.  I finally convinced him not to have tinsel with a cat in the house.

When we lived in Carlsbad, New Mexico we would go to the rich part of town.  We had cocoa and cookies and we would look at the decorations< I drooled over the houses and dreamed one day I could live in one.  Before we went home we drove up to the top of a large hill and looked down on the city, it was so beautiful.  This was our Christmas Eve celebration.  

For the past few years I had bundled my dad up with cocoa and cookies and off we drove to the rich houses.  Rich people often have really cheap ugly decorations.  I had my favorite houses in the 2 places we went and dad would often comment on the decorations or if there was a house he really liked he would yell stop and we would just sit for a minute and watch the decorations.  

This is my 2nd Christmas without my dad and the first one that really has hit me hard.  Last year he had died in November and I was so busy moving my mom to a smaller apartment one she could afford and do all the paperwork and get my dad interred I did not really have the time to sit and think about what it would be like to not have him here for Christmas.  I did not put up much this year, I was going to go all out for dad but I just couldn't get past him not being here.  Maybe next year.

So dad, I hope you found some favorite decorations across the country and that grandma made you cocoa and cookies.  Merry Christmas Dad, I miss you and love you.

Oh The Smell

 There is nothing better than baking something with yeast in it.  The house smells good for hours first with the several risings of the dough and then the actual baking.  I needed to make some cinnamon rolls for a brunch tomorrow for knit group.  I have a book with nothing but cinn roll recipe in it.  I know I could go buy some but really when you can take 4 hours and make a batch.  I will put a slight cream cheese icing on them.  I hope there are one or two left for my breakfast the next couple of days.  I love to bake but hate to clean up the mess.  

My Dad Loved Christmas

 

Christmas Star

 

In the year when Jesus was born, there was violence, chaos, political and social unrest. It was dark.

The Magi found him by way of the star, which was the "meeting" of 3 stars: Jupiter, Saturn and Mars. They followed the star until it rested on where he was and they began to worship him. In a time where is was dark, Light was brought in to our world. Jesus stepped in to the chaos and brought peace.

Fast forward to this year, 2020. It's a time of violence, chaos, political and social unrest. It is dark. Winter Solstice, December 21st, being a time where the day is the shortest and night is the longest...it's literally the "darkest day" and is the beginning of what most would say the cold, dark winter season.

But on the darkest day this year, Jupiter and Saturn meet, giving us the Christmas Star! How fitting...that in the moment of time during the Christmas season that we get to see this beautiful reminder...that even in the darkest of times...Light will, and has, stepped in. In our chaos He is there. In our darkest time, He is there. He brings Light, and makes all things new.

So as you look out on Dec 21st for the Christmas Star, may we be reminded of His power, and His Light that he brings for all mankind. He is perfect at stepping into chaos and bringing it into peace. Trust him and He will carry you through.