This has been a December to remember as far as weather is concerned. We have had more than the normal amount of snow and certainly more than our share of cold. New Year’s Eve is predicted to be below zero, so 2014 seems to be coming in with a bang also.
Many people go south for the winter. However, this year winter weather has landed in unexpected places. I got a letter from a cousin that moved to the Branson, Mo., area, and she noted that they have had both snow and ice storms.
I never really got the urge to go south, because I do like and dislike all parts of the weather that come to the state of Wisconsin. This year, however, I will admit that the cold seems to have gotten into my bones. Even as I sit here in my home office, I have two electric heaters blowing on my feet and legs, one on each side.
I am beginning to think I have turned into a cream puff. Also, this month has caused me to be out more at night, with Christmas parties, Advent and two Christmas Eve services. I generally prefer to curl up and hibernate at night, especially in the winter. I expect that after this busy Christmas season is over, I will be able to hibernate to my heart’s content, at least at night.
Christmas Day was spent at church in the morning, then bringing my son that was injured to my house for a quiet noon meal. However, it may not be as quiet as I might expect, because I believe I will be dog sitting for three little ragamuffins who know how to bark at nothing more than the wind.
The Christmas family gathering at my house will be on Dec. 29. By the time you read this, I expect that I will have everything as ready as possible. I thought I had all the gifts, but I didn’t count correctly, so I am short two gift cards. Either I will get somewhere to purchase them or I will be putting money in two envelopes, and I am sure that will be fine with them, also.
I am formulating an idea for next year, one that will not involve gifts. Rather, perhaps it will be more of a white elephant thing. I can imagine us sitting around a large table with these items in the middle. A pair of dice will be circulating around, and if someone shakes a matching pair, they choose a gift. When the gifts are gone, they can steal from each other. Will that be a good idea? Not sure. However, since my youngest grandchild is 14, the whole gift thing is not what it used to be.
I never really associated gifts as the largest part of Christmas anyway. Traditions are carried out, some from past generations, and others that we have liked as a family and continued. What the next generation does will be up to them. I have done my best to teach them how to make cookies, at least.
For me, Christmas is what the angels told the shepherds in Luke 2:11, “For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.”
That indeed is the greatest gift of all!
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