Winter Solstice has arrived. The shortest day of the year. After this, they become a little longer each day. The darkness is a Christmas Quilt to wrap ourselves in. ‘The stockings have been hung by the chimney with care.’ We anticipate the birth of the Baby. We follow the Star to the manger. For a moment, life stands still. The fears and concerns of day-to-day life stop out of respect for the Christ Child.

The Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy swirls about the Theatre audience. A resonant bass voice arises from the back of the House. We Three Kings, he sings. We are proud of our memory of small things, but enjoy the temporary cleansing of the bad ones in preparation for the joy of the ages.

This is where we settle and wait for the beckoning of home. The Old Man has been on the road to Home for a while. The Star shows the way. Some say, Look at me, I am great with land and money. Others plead look away from me, for I am poor and wretched, blind and hungry. We are all traveling Home.

‘Sit at the Christmas Feast with me,’ the Preacher said. ‘There is plenty for everyone,’ the Preacher continued. ‘I am pleased to see you brought your Christmas Quilts with you as the weather gets a bit chilly on the First Day of Winter,’ the Preacher laughed. ‘We are different in many ways yet the same in our Father’s preparation for our journey,’ the Preacher noted. ‘Each of you has a wonderful homemade Christmas Quilt that shields you from the cold,’ the Preacher explained. ‘Change is coming, and it is just around the corner,’ the Preacher said. ‘The powerful, influential, and rich did not see the change when Christ was born, as it was hidden from their eyes,’ the Preacher continued. ‘We wait with the family of the Forest for the revealing of the Secret,’ the Preacher said, laughing happily.

‘I want a Christmas Quilt for Christmas,’ Jane said. ‘I can think of nothing else that would be more comforting and fun than a homemade Christmas Quilt made by Grandma A,’ Jane continued. ‘She makes them all year, and they provide warmth and solace to many,’ Jane noted.

‘Grandma A is making with her own hands a gift that money can not buy…she is giving the love of the Baby Jesus,’ Neva J said. ‘You will have her Christmas Quilt all of your life,’ Neva J promised. ‘This year we sisters are all helping Grandma A make many Christmas Quilts for the homeless,’ Neva J said.