A Very Merry Christmas to You!!!

Hello friends!  I would like to wish you and your families a very Merry Christmas!  Just like Catherine @ The Rebelling Muse, my family and I celebrate the Christmas season from Dec. 25th to Feb. 2nd!  Today is the 3rd day of Christmas.  You know, like in the song?

I enjoyed a beautiful Mass on Christmas morning with friends and family.  It was very moving to see the statue of Baby Jesus at the foot of the altar where Father and the servers said their prayers as we sang "O Come, All Ye Faithful." 😢💗

Photo Credit: Mr. Wilson

I'm so grateful to God for all the blessings I have received this Advent and Christmas. It has truly been a season that embodied the saying, "It is better to give than to receive." 

I have a story to tell you.  One that I will treasure always.  It was a few days before this Christmas.  Walmart was bustling with many last minute Christmas shoppers and the traditional Christmas carols brought a smile to my face.  Everyone, although rushed, seemed a little more happy.  A little more pleasant.  Smiles and sayings of "Merry Christmas" were exchanged.  As my family and I stood in line to check out, the lady behind us in line inquired after the chocolate oranges we were purchasing.  We told her what section of the store they were in and she proceeded to go look for them.  After a little absence from her cart, she returned, empty handed.  I figured she probably wasn't able to find them and then got the idea to go get them for her.  I asked my sister if she knew exactly where the oranges were and she did, so we offered to the lady to run and get them for her.  She gratefully accepted and we were off in a hurry to find 3 chocolate oranges.  I felt like an elf on a mission.  We walked hastily through the crowded aisles right to the candy section.  Then Jacquie spotted them.  We carefully picked out 3 pretty boxes, inspecting the packaging to make sure they looked nice, and then sped off back to the checkout.  We delivered the delicious oranges to a grateful shopper.  It was so much fun to bring a little joy to someone!!

Jesus has truly blessed me with some great opportunities for giving this Christmas and this year.  I have been given so much that I could never repay; but I'm so glad I had even this little opportunity to give back and share the light of CHRISTmas.

Photo credit: Jacquie, my sister.  I made this ornament in 2003.  😍​ I loved the violin and still do.

Merry Christmas, dear friends!  May the newborn Christ Child bless and keep you all.