Christmas

Regina , Elizabeth , and I - after the Christmas Eve mass

Andrew . What kind of look is that ? Too much coffee ?

Or a see how long I can-stop-blinking contest ? or maybe it's

just really late at night? Any ideas?

We had a nice Christmas Season this year. Humm. Christmas seemed to start with writing Christmas cards. One Sunday afternoon, back at the end of November, Sveta and I addressed and stamped about 60 envelopes. Then leaving Mommy and Daddy with the fun job of writing to the friends and relatives.( Unlike most, we like to write a personal little letter in each card which makes it no small job) So we sent out a record maybe 90 - that would include local ones too. Then their was the Christmas play. We had 3 weeks and about 6 practices. I personally enjoy practicing for our play because of the excitement of working together to bring this joyous message to people. This years play was tittled "the Shepard's Tale" . Ethan acting as the Shepard is relating the story of the Savior to his great-granddaughter. We act scenes as he remembers them ... Fr. Bob and Jerome wrote the script. It really turned out well. Sveta was the narrator and did a good job. She posted some pictures of it on her blog http://www.svetasstation.blogspot.com/ . Their was also the Christmas caroling , the gifts, the manger, the hot Chocolate and cookies, lighting the Advent candles each Sunday ... But what is Christmas to you? What are these things we do mean? What are they pointing to? It started so long ago when God chose the foolish things of this world to put to shame the wise, when God chose the weak things of the world to put to shame the things which are mighty (1 cor.1:27) When God chose to become incarnate and enter this world as a Babe, the lowliest of all states. In order to bring the hope of salvation to all the world ... mere words cannot explain the love of God toward people He showed to us in sending His Son into this world. Anyhow, this Advent season the example of Mary kept replaying in my mind ... After the Angel had spoken to her bringing her this message from God She responded, " Behold the maidservant of the Lord! Let it be to me according to Thy word ". She "embraced surrender" then look at all the LIFE that resulted from her submission. Those two words "embrace surrender" have challenged me ... I want to like Mary also say " do unto me according to your word (your will).