December Daily/Journal Your Christmas
I had one of those super busy, but super great days, that often define the Holiday season. I find myself, during this time of year, more open and more willing to step outside of my comfort zone.
Last night, I went on the Holiday Home Tour in the neighborhood of the old army base. Today, I got up (very early) and made the hour long commute to my folks place for church, followed by lunch, and then a Christmas Tea hosted by the women's group. Today was special in so many ways.
First, today is the first Sunday of Advent. Advent is one of my favorite parts of the liturgical year. I always keep an advent wreath in my home (although like all my Christmas decorations, it's not out yet) as well as an advent calendar. In Sunday School today, we got a gift from our leader - a little Advent devotional book written by Richard Rohr. I've read today's scripture and meditation a few times and I keep coming back to this part, "Come, Lord Jesus" [the Advent mantra] is a leap into the kind of freedom and surrender that is rightly called the virtue of hope. ...hope is the patient and trustful willingness to live without closure, without resolution, and still be content and even happy because...our Source is beyond ourselves."
Second, I got to spend time with my folks. We had lunch together after church then visited together at home. I sat down at the piano and played through some of our favorite old hymns. The piano calls me more at Christmas time than at any other. I don't only play Christmas songs, by they certainly get me going. Me at the piano equals mom and dad both in the house and us assured of visiting for a while. The cute little fire engine above and also pictured below...one of my daddy's childhood toys which was built by his daddy. He had to do a little repair job, but isn't it adorable. In 1943 there were no steel/metal toys because all metal was needed for the war so grandpa had to build this for his boy. Dad has done a little bit of work on it - the ladders are new and the front plate and a wheel needed a little repair job and fresh paint.
Third, there was a Christmas tea at the church this afternoon. It was sponsored by the women's group. The tea was lovely, but the entertainment made me smile and laugh. It was a puppet troupe from a church near Indianapolis. I snagged a little video of my favorite song, but until I can get that posted, this shot will have to do.
Fourth, we stopped in for an all too brief visit with my aunt and uncle. They are getting ready to move so my aunt has been cleaning and packing. Lots of memories have popped back up as she's run across them and some treasures are being passed around to new homes. And...they brought me wine from my favorite Indiana winery!!! Yeah early Christmas.
Fifth, my friend Gayle and I talked while I drove home. The hour long trip went in a flash and we planned trips!!! Gayle is a travel agent (best EVER!!) so I typically just get to enjoy the fruits of her labor, but it is fun to play along. And, the conversation made the drive go fast.
And sixth and finally...I won a giveaway on Alisa Burke's blog for an online class!!!
I could be tired because of the long drive and running all day today, but I find I'm smiling and happy and full of joy because I lived the depth and the breadth of life today.