Merry Christmas

Christmas was my mom's favorite time of the year. She loved to decorate and no matter how tight the budget was she always made Christmas special. My sister and I inherited this love of finding the right ornament to give to each family member and friend. We're talking over fifty years of collecting and many more of memories. This year I inherited boxes of her decorations and added them to my overflowing collection. While there can never be too much Christmas spirit, one of goodwill, sharing and blessings, there can be tooooo much decorating. I needed help putting up mom's Christmas village and thankfully my sister and her husband came to the rescue. As we set up the pieces we found out that mom had made most of the shops, because they are signed and dated. The church with its stained glass windows was made by her years ago, and she gave one to each of us. The framed Christmas Tree was made by her friends and fellow parishners at Saint Williams, with costume jewelry (some from our grandmother) and tiny lights nestled on a background of black velvet. Around the house there are carolers, snowmen, and angels galore. Finally there is my unconventional manger scene-read last years Christmas blog for more on this-I now have added her Shofar, more olive wood camels from the Holy Land, and a tiny oil lamp to remind me that Jesus is the light of the world. As I gaze on each vinette and remember mom and Christmas' past, I also recall that God has given us the best gift...His Son. God bless you one and all.