It is going to be a warm Christmas. Perhaps a record breaker. The children are nestled all snug in their beds. We wait for the promise. Since our youth, we were taught to believe. As time and chance bring change, we embrace it for its possibilities.

The Christmas Puzzle is ready to be put together. The one thousand pieces are there in random order. What is our role in life and where do we fit in the puzzle? Listen, we do more than speak. By listening and watching, we begin to see the puzzle pieces take their place. The piece that seems necessary is often the key to the puzzle’s answer.

The Old Man walked in the Christmas Woods. The deer walked with him and asked him if he was coming to the Christmas Eve Service. ‘We will have a feast before Christmas,’ Herman said. ‘Now by a feast I mean we are getting pizzas from Dominos as they are on Christmas Eve sale and we all know there will be some belt loosening Christmas Day,’ Herman Deer continued. ‘There will be homemade fudge and Christmas Coffee Cake, Figgy Pudding and pumpkin pie, ‘Herman Deer added. ‘Mr. Badger and Mr. Mole are coming along with Toady and Ratty, and they are coming by boat with Toady manning the mainsail,’ Herman laughed. ‘Next year shall be better, we will live in more peace, we will listen to our hearts and not our wallets,’ Herman promised.

‘I am going to the Christmas Eve Service, it will be Pastor Kerry’s last as he is retiring,’ Chet noted. ‘It will be a marvelous and poigniant affair with poinsettias and Christmas Trees, garland and Christmas Songs,’ Chet said with a big smile. ‘We will sing Silent Night by candlelight,’ Chet observed. ‘Our hearts will be set in peace and place and purpose for the present and the future,’ Chet said. ‘We are fellow travelers and friends who must help each other make the rest of our journey home,’ Chet explained.

‘I see the Star in the eastern sky,’ Wiseman said. ‘We must follow it to where the Baby lies,’ Wiseman said. ‘He will bring peace where there is strife and hope to replace despair,’ Wiseman said with a tear in his eyes. ‘Truth will replace lies and hurtful, mean words meant to destroy people,’ Wiseman said. ‘The hope of all of us comes under the cover of night with a Star to lead the way to a manger in a barn surrounded by sheep and oxen and shepherds to record the event of the Earth,’ Wiseman observed with a look to the Star that was leading him.

‘Come and get your Christmas Quilt,’ Grandma A said. ‘I worked on it back in the Spring to keep you warm and safe in the New Year,’ Grandmas A continued. ‘I prayed for you and thought of you for the coming cold and ice while you enjoyed warm days of spring,’ Grandma A said. ‘Christ has made preparations for us as we travel up the road of life to our home,’ Grandma A promised.