December, anticipating Christmas festivities and joys
It's hard to beat the gratitude and joy I feel at Thanksgiving, especially this year with so much family here, but Christmas is always joyful and exciting, with so many magical events.
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Everything made of toothpicks |
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Mike had to arm-wrestle Batman |
An evening concert by the Mountain View High School Madrigals, was part of our 32nd annual Creche Exhibit "Star of Wonder, Star of Night"(250+ nativities from all over the world, beautifully displayed in our whole church building, with exceptional working artists...this year, sculptor Leroy Transfield and painter Linda Etherington and others...and live vocal and instrumental music throughout the five days). (photos of the exhibit are not permitted). Around 10,000 attend and enjoy this "gift to the community" each year.
http://lindaetherington.com/
I always try to attend the Holiday Musicale the first Saturday afternoon of December. It was gorgeous this year. I will attend the Christmas eve candlelight service tonight, too. Such a delight.
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I held my annual holiday open house (started in 1972, only interrupted by 4 missions away from home) for friends on Sunday. I was so busy I forgot to take photos except at the end, as my former students and their families were leaving. It was wonderful to hear about the productive lives of many students, including Juliana and Pui, and to renew and continue friendships with so many people who have enriched my life over the past many years.
And thanks to so many who have sent holiday cards and emails. I treasure them all. Love and connection to people all over the world is so valuable. I know our Heavenly Father loves each of us, as He sent His son Jesus Christ to teach us correct values, inspire us to be better, to serve Him as we serve those near and far, and to invite us home again to live with Him in a better place without so much strife and turmoil. But we can still find peace with our friends and family here. My your Christmas be filled with the light and love brought into the world with the tiny baby born long ago in humble circumstances. If He had been born in a fancy inn, would the shepherds and poor felt as welcome as the kings?
Merry Christmas, Joyeux Noel, Frohe Weihnachten, Feliz Navidad and many more ways to say it) .Wishing you a blessed 2020.