Christmas Season

Yes, it's been a long time. Yes, I'm sorry about it.

We just went down to the tree-lot a mile from our house... simply didn't have the time to head out to a tree-farm this year, a disappointment to all, but we can deal with it. Our tree is a 5'6 (or so) Noble Fir, one which I can carry by myself (a plus!) I do love to put up the Christmas tree during Advent season... bringing out each time-worn ornament with care and finding just the right place for it. I love remembering the stories behind each of our large selection of Christmas tree decorations. We have German wood-shavings that Mom brought back from her Air Force station, German straw-stars and straw-angels from the same, cheap plastic globes that we've been given, delicate glass birth-day angels, hand-painted metal bells, snowflakes of various shapes and sizes... the list goes on. I'm not a photographer, really, so I can't include pictures of some of our things, sad to say.
When our tree is fully decorated - tinsel, lights, the works - I'll sit back on the couch with a cup of hot chocolate and a plate (bowl?) of fondue and think abut the true meaning of Christmas.

For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten son, that whoever should believe in him should not perish but have everlasting life.

That God could give up his only son, send him to a mortal life on earth, and let him die unjustly for the sins of the elect, this is the true meaning of Christmas. I pray that we will never forget that, in the hurry and shuffle of Christmas, with its presents and secular message of materialism, there is a higher meaning, a higher calling... a calling to remember the love that sent Christ to earth.

Peace on earth, good will to men.