Merry Christmas - guess what - Baby Jesus is here!

Well, just about Happy New Year!

This year I feel successful ... my son walked up to the church ready to put on his shepherd's costume and saw Baby Jesus in the outside nativity. He just took off, running wildly up to the scene, calling out "Mommy baby Jesus us here! Baby Jesus is here!" His voice was the joyous peel of the bells celebrating that miraculous birth! And although he is still quite excited about Santa, I am overjoyed that he is also aware that the tiny Christ child is so important.

Also, I must apologize to the other people at church. I was one of those awful mothers that took sick children to church that evening - two of my children were in the Christmas program. Well, it turned out to be a wonderful gift to me, I hope it didn't impact anyone else.

We did no crafts, although we certainly made some food! After going to a Christmas Cultures around the World Celebration, we were thrilled to hear about some Scilian traditions we tried to incorporate into our own Christmas Eve. We ended up having way too much food.

Merry Christmas

Well, I have arrived in that classic position of mother frantic the day before Christmas. I finally finished my son's shepherd costume. Very simple, but made with much fanfare to show how proud we are of him and how special his role is. My daughter's angel costume was repaired from a year's use as dress up clothing. And now, I am attempting to finish a dress for her for tongiht's Christmas mass. We'll see.

We have relatives visiting, the kids are all thrilled, they were counting minutes, looking out the front window waiting for their Grandma and Aunt to arrive! Their idea of a long time involves many trips to the clock counting minutes.

I lost the box meant to send to my neice and nefew, so they will have a belated Christmas box coming in the mail. I remember that happening to us and just being overjoyed to hear there was one more gift!

I hear little feet! Have a wonderful Christmas - a joyous celebration and a miraculous Love that spans time.

All my Love,
Nicole