And yet Christmas lives on...

From the bulletin at John Black Memorial United Church, December 24, 2012

This Christmas Eve is at an end...
And yet Christmas lives on.

After the presents are opened; the tree dismantled or taken to the chipper,
the radio stations go back to their regular list of songs;
the Christmas T.V. specials wait to be resurrected for another year;

Christmas lives on.

It lives in the hearts of all of us who dream of peace,
and who wake to do the hard work of loving our neighbour
and the stranger and those closest to us who are demanding,
and those who need us who never say anything at all.

Christmas lives on.

Not as a burden to serve, but a gift of joy.
We have people to love, and a God that loves us.
A God who calls us to leave where we are,
to open our eyes to the signs of newness in our midst,
whether we travel across the globe to give aide,
or across the table to give comfort or challenge,
we continually go to the manger, and Christ is there for us.

Christmas lives on.


Merry Christmas one and all!

He knows when you're awake...

So off we went with #2 grandson in tow to see #3 granddaughter's first nursery school concert.  It was great fun - about 2 minutes of singing followed by a rather huge snack buffet.  #1 grandson was so happy to be the old pro, as he has graduated from nursery and is now a big kindergarten student (see last blog entry).  He could spend his time running through the entire building, and was more than happy to show his younger cousin just how to take those corners.  Fortunately, he didn't teach younger cousin how to hide.  We would still be looking. 

#2 grandson has a reputation for being rather fussy when it comes to eating.  Mom, here's the trick.  Just lay everything out on the table buffet-style, and let him graze.  He loved to help himself to most everything, especially since most everything fell into the "cheese, fruit, pretzel" food group.

That event took the morning.  For the afternoon (after a "rest"), #2 grandson "helped" put the lights and decorations on the tree.  There is nothing like seeing 75% of the ornaments hung at the three foot level to take grandparents back a few years.

He sees you when you're sleeping...

Off we went to visit Santa at the local mall, hoping for more smiles than tears.  Thankfully, that's what we got - well, if not true smiles, at least tolerance of the experience! The pros in the group showed the sort of rookies the ropes, and all were happy to enjoy the candy cane and sticker book after the visit!

And this young man performed well as a sheep in his first "really" Christmas Concert. The place was packed but the seats were comfortable!  We couldn't help but remember "tappa tappa tappa" and wonder if the sheep experience will follow Cole as the elf rendition has followed Tyler.

And so the madness begins...

She sits!

Look who is a big girl and can sit up and play with (large size) Lego (sorry Lily, it wasn't girl lego!)  Just in time to sit on Santa's knee!  Wonder what she wants for Christmas?

We know what he wants - Woodybuzz!  (Although he does really like the small Lego too, Cole!)