Greeting cards have all been sent, the Christmas rush is through. But I still have one wish to make, a special one for you. Merry Christmas! (and yes, I borrowed the lyrics from the Carpenters!)
In the spirit of relaxing and relishing this time, I am borrowing heavily from Christmas songs for this post, rather than put in all the work of writing my own prose. Perhaps that is as much a gift to you as it is to me!!!
For me, the Christmas season officially begins the day after Thanksgiving, the first day Spousal Unit will let me play Christmas music. I wasted no time on that, as well as creating pine swags for our fence and near our front door.
Some aspects of Christmas start earlier in the year, such as selecting designs for cross-stitch ornaments for the "kids", and then executing them. I can show these to you now since they have already opened these presents!Haul out the holly Put up the tree before my spirit falls again
Fill up the stocking I may be rushing things, but deck the halls again now
For we need a little Christmas, right this very minute
Candles in the window, carols at the spinet
Yes, we need a little Christmas, right this very minute
Hasn't snowed a single flurry, but Santa dear we're in a hurry
The snow was late in arriving (the ski resort had to delay opening two days, and with limited terrain) but in the last week or so, Mother Nature has been making up for lost time!
Winter sports help me outweigh eating my way through the holidays! At the encouragement of my Dear Neighbor Friend, I am now the proud owner of a set of cross-country skis. Swishing my way through the woods and meadows near our house is just about as Currier and Ives as you're going to get!
Hark the herald angels sing
"Glory to the newborn King!
Peace on earth and mercy mild
God and sinners reconciled"
Joyful, all ye nations rise
Join the triumph of the skies
With the angelic host proclaim:
"Christ is born in Bethlehem"
Hark the herald angels sing
"Glory to the newborn King!"
A week ago, the moon rose over the hillside opposite our house, and we were in awe. It wasn't the Star, but I could easily imagine how the Three Kings might have felt upon observing it as I gazed at that shimmering orb.
O star of wonder, star of light, star with royal beauty bright,
Westward leading, still proceeding, guide us to thy perfect light.