Christmas!

Christmas was marvelous. A 4-day weekend, snow, family, friends, Christmas, a great mass made for a really great Christmas this year. Definitely way better than last year. Last year had some really good moments, but I was just so stressed out that I couldn't really enjoy things fully. But this year... this year was something wonderful. :) I really enjoyed getting to visit with my friend, Lara. I don't get to see her much since she and her husband live in Chicago. It was enriching to hang out with her and talk about religion. I definitely felt fortified after we talked, cause sometimes I feel like the lonely Christian in my circle of friends. What a blessing to visit with Lara and Brad.
Mass this year was wonderful. I usually go to a 4:00 pm service on Christmas Eve to see the children in their nativity attire. It's been so crowded the last couple years that I changed it up a little this time around, and went to a 4:10 'overflow' mass. Father Michael gave a really excellent homily (one point I really liked was where he said that having Jesus in your life doesn't mean that everything is going to be OK, but that whether things are OK or not, you have Jesus with you always.... so cool!), and there was a lot of great singing. We sang many of my favorite Christmas songs, including O Holy Night and Joy to the World.
Christmas Day I got to visit with Dad and Rebecca, talk to Sarah, open presents with Charles, see his mother's side of the family, and chill out at home. It was just super to be able to rest. And the day after Christmas, we went to Home Depot and took advantage of the after-Christmas sale. We bought a 7.5' Christmas tree, some colored lights, and some ornaments. Now I'm all ready to go for next year!
Looking forward to seeing more folks this week. Life is good. :) :)