Christmas Holidays

Before I knew it, Christmas holidays had begun!

We had good intentions of getting down to Lethbridge where we would spend Christmas well in time for our Grandson, Jordan's first birthday. However, we decided not to leave until Wednesday, the 22nd. John's folks drove down to our place the morning of, we had lunch and then left for Sherwood Park.

Of course, it wasn't that easy. :-) John was putting the finishing touches on his gifts and I was still sewing buttons on the ones I was making, Monday evening. Wrapping the last of the gifts was done Tuesday evening. Then it was the super human effort of getting everything organized and packed into our truck. We not only had Christmas gifts and luggage to take with us, but 800 pounds of moose meat for our son-in-law's brother and friend. Finally, we were ready. John's mom and dad arrived shortly after 11 am. I made us soup and had buns for sandwiches ready.

We were grateful to God that John's mom and dad were able to accompany us and the rest of the family that awaited us at John's sister's house were also very happy to see us all. Our son, James and his family: Sophie, Evie, and Noah joined us at Johanna's for the evening meal. Johanna outdid herself again: roast pork, potatoes and veggies, salad and Swedish latkes (I think this is what they're called.). Dessert was apple crisp and ice cream. Tim and Brendan were also there to make us feel at home. John's brother, Bill and his wife, Jo and her brother, Johnnie were also there for supper. Nelly, John's sister (same age as me), also came for a visit after supper. John and I stayed at Nelly's overnight.

Early Thursday morning, John and I left for Lethbridge and arrived there at noon. We stopped for a few groceries for Penny and then we were off to the farm at Wrentham. We arrived just in time for Jordan's first birthday party. His little cousin, Tim, was there along with many of the family of Dagnone. It was a great time and Jordan enjoyed his birthday cake immensely. It was blueberry cobbler with whipped cream. He especially enjoyed the whipped cream and blueberries. Jordan had fun opening his presents and playing with the paper and boxes. :-)

James and his family had hoped to arrive on Thursday as well, but trouble with the van lights kept them in Nanton overnight. However, they were in Wrentham by 10am. The cousins had a blast playing together. Noah made a new friend in Morris the cat, and with the combined toys received over the birthday and Christmas, all the kids had fun! Even the big kids. I know Grandpa spent some time checking them all out. Uncle Tony came down from Calgary to join in the fun too.

We all went to the Christmas Eve service at Wrentham and although it was not a Catholic mass, I enjoyed the Christmas reading and the singing. It was especially poignant when the children lit the candles to put them in the windows of the little community church as is the custom each Christmas eve. After the service, we went back to Penny's for a fantastic meal and visiting with each other.

Of course, no holiday is without incident. Evie came down with an ear infection and I ended up with a doosy of a cold that I am just today beginning to recover from. Still, we enjoyed each other's company and I'm sad that I'm home alone today.

Every Christmas I miss those I cannot be with, especially my mom, who is in heaven, I'm sure. She's been gone seven years now and I'm thinking that she smiles down on us each time we get together. Those Christmases past were her favourites too - the ones where we all came home and brought our families. I remember the meals and the pictures and the games we used to play, along with the singing and music.

That is what Christmas is all about - sharing the love of God in our families and being grateful for the loved ones we still have with us. God bless us every one!

Contradictions

This last Saturday, at a workshop entitled "The Many Faces of Jesus" given by Father Roger Keeler, something happened to make me just a little angry.

I was sitting with a dear friend and having my lunch while the speaker began the afternoon presentation. Out of the corner of my eye, I saw our parish priest bring in one of the homeless people and sit him down for a coffee and a snack while the meeting was on.

Now this act did not make me angry. It was what my friend said next that gave me pause. "Why does he always do that!" I said in response, "He probably just wants to come in out of the cold." And she said, "But he's always in here!"

The anger got me and I just said, "Don't talk to me." I think she thought I meant for her to talk to Father about it and I didn't clarify. However, I just couldn't see how she could sit in a presentation on the "many faces of Jesus" and not be inspired to do as Father did.

I regret that I did not go over to the man while he was having his coffee and say, "Welcome!"

Advent

Our Catholic Women's League has always made plans for the advent period before Christmas to get everyone in the mood.

This year, we invited Father Roger Keeler to speak at the church hall on the "many faces of Jesus". I wasn't able to take in the whole session, but what I did hear was so appropriate for advent. We are preparing to receive Jesus once again at Christmas, to celebrate his coming into the world as a human being and to renew our belief in Him.

The presentation was organized so that a slide image was projected on the wall that showed a picture of Jesus (some of these images were old paintings; some were contemporary depictions of the Christ), then a label such as Jesus at Cana (showed a smiling Jesus turning water into wine), then a Bible quotation (John 2:7-9).

Father Keeler talked about the many sides of Jesus: the one with a sense of humour, the builder, the miracle worker, the friend, etc. He showed how human Jesus actually was. As he introduced each Jesus, I underlined the quotes in my Bible. Afterwards, I counted at least 20 quotations, and that was just the afternoon.

By looking at the human Jesus, I could see how he would fit in with us even today. This makes me think of the Jesus in each of the people I meet this advent and Christmas season. How glorious is the Lord!

I am so thankful that we were able to get Father Keeler to come and speak to us.

Other events this season:
Dec 5 - Sunday, an evening ecumenical advent service.
Dec 11 - Sunday evening, the Northern Lites Choir is coming to sing for us
Dec 31 - Friday evening, New Years Eve potluck and celebration