This Christmas has been especially enjoyable. I watched Hannah Waddingham’s Christmas Special on Apple TV + and was transported into the season’s joy. Aaron got me a six-month membership in Ancestry and I am ready to delve into the mystery of where I came from. Jonathon gave me a magnificent vintage Santa Claus Stein and I will keep it on display all year long…as is my habit with everything related to Kris Kringel. MJ surprised me with a bottle of Grand Mariner and I am enjoying a glass of it at this writing and it is even in a Grand Mariner Glass…

I was reminded of what a wonderful family the Fleemans are which is MJ and my niece and nephew and their outstanding grown children and our great niece and nephew…Paige and Tyler. I can not get enough of them and hope to get more in 2024!

Our Christmas Eve service always enriches my Christmas Experience. The work of my fellow congregants to make this service so special is the penultimate to the conclusion of the Christmas Season. 

I would be remiss if I did not include the purchase of a vintage Blo-Mold Santa Claus to stand on our front porch and greet all who pass. 

So, Christmas causes me to reflect on the past and what is coming down the road in 2024. When we are young we know that our time is infinite on the Earth and thus we have more than enough minutes hours days and years to accomplish all that we set our minds to doing. I remember my high school graduation and the feeling I had of embarkation. Now I am a senior citizen and a few constants have kept me with a true feeling of place and purpose. Love of people which equates to my vision of the Christ. The blessing of family and their daily comfort in my journey. Looking for a miracle and astounded by the mystery of life. 

‘Weeping may endure for a night but joy cometh in the morning, the Bible tells us. 

Soon we will be in 2024. The blessings and the challenges of it will come daily. Each day is a playing out of our supreme gift…life…