I spent some time with the toadlers today building train tracks. We had one track to the North Pole, on to Orem, one to Ohio, and one that meant to go to Wyoming and then got carried away and went all the way to Nebraska. Nebraska is new; Isaac has some limited geography, and that one wasn’t in the noggin until today. (Isaac knows Wyoming from a drive with me, Seattle for Great-Grandma’s house, Orem for obvious reasons, and Ohio for Grandma Bunny). 
We had family over. My folks (less one) and Krista, Paul and little Paul. We had a good time acting out the Nativity. Charlotte was a good little angel: "Don’t be scared. I have good news. Jesus is born!" And Isaac was a good little shepherd: "Let’s go to Bethlehem to see the baby Jesus!" Nicole played baby Jesus for us.
We had some good snacks, had some stories and our family prayer, and off to bed went the kids. Charlotte was out like a light, but Isaac was excited and watched for Rudolph (just like I used to).
It was nice to play games with the family. There’s some inertia when it comes to games; we have a great time once we get going, but letting ourselves play sometimes takes an effort (and I’m among the worst offenders there). It was good fun, though.
We’re down one member of the family (on my side). My youngest sister is with her boyfriend’s family this year. I would like the children to know her better and to have a relationship with her. We can’t crash her place with all five of us, and she doesn’t come home often, so it’s tough. I guess life does that to you.
Christmas is funny for me. Once I grew out of the "magic" and "anticipation" phases, I don’t think I ever got the "worship" phase right. I’m a firm believer in Jesus Christ; I’ve had many experiences in my life that confirmed any faith I’ve shown. I never really get it right, though. I’ve had a few moments where I felt the spirit of Christmas, but I feel like I can do more. Nevertheless, we do what we can to remember and to teach our children.
The same sister I mentioned above posted a note about hating Christmas. I can put that in the context of some personal devastation she’s experiencing, but I suppose Christmas is what you make of it. Tragedies come to us. Nothing gold can stay, at least in this world. With apologies if I sound preachy, the answer to Frost’s lament is here. If this sister of mine chances to read this, and would take a moment to read the passages linked above, I hope it gives some comfort and perspective. I didn’t mean to spend much time writing about this, but my mind is troubled and sad. It seems there’s no opportunity (and maybe no real wish from her) for me to help.
And now it’s Christmas. I think I’ll close this post with a carol. I had the chance to sing this in church last week (it went much better than I thought, in spite of me being a bit nervous). I don’t think most people get to hear the 4th and 5th verses very often, so I took the liberty of singing those as well:
O little town of Bethlehem, how still we see thee lie!
Above thy deep and dreamless sleep the silent stars go by.
Yet in thy dark streets shineth the everlasting Light;
The hopes and fears of all the years are met in thee tonight.
For Christ is born of Mary, and gathered all above,
While mortals sleep, the angels keep their watch of wondering love.
O morning stars together, proclaim the holy birth,
And praises sing to God the King, and peace to men on earth!
How silently, how silently, the wondrous Gift is giv’n;
So God imparts to human hearts the blessings of His Heav’n.
No ear may hear His coming, but in this world of sin,
Where meek souls will receive Him still, the dear Christ enters in.
Where children pure and happy recall the blessèd Child,
Where misery cries out to Thee, Son of the mother mild;
Where charity stands watching and faith holds wide the door,
The dark night wakes, the glory breaks, and Christmas comes once more.
O holy Child of Bethlehem, descend to us, we pray;
Cast out our sin, and enter in, be born in us today.
We hear the Christmas angels the great glad tidings tell;
O come to us, abide with us, our Lord Emmanuel!
Merry Christmas, everyone, and may God bless each of you.
