the weary world rejoices

oh, the holidays. 

they come up so slowly, and then they are over in a flash.

and all of the anticipation and planning, and execution can leave you weary.

things don't always go as planned, some of it is great, some of it can be a let down.

however, i've learned that it is what we make of it,

and if we expect perfection and the total package, we will always be let down.

the holidays look different for each of us, and we should embrace that,

instead of trying to make it look so glamorous, or fancy, or perfect.

perfection really bugs me, or at least the illusion of it.

there was nothing glamorous about the manger,

yet in and of itself, it was the most beautiful thing in our lives.

we have been relaxing since christmas day, trying to recover.

even though we keep gift giving at a minimal, it's pretty much santa and stockings around here,

it still catches up with us.

{or maybe it's the crazy amount of calories we've consumed. yes, that's it}.

are you feeling it too?

it seems like the holidays, and just the fact of wrapping up another year, 

can leave you with a little bit of whiplash.
the holidays don't come, and erase all of the hard in life. it's still there.

and so, i understand why we are weary at this time of year...

such a combination of things.

yet, we rejoice, because christ was born, and no matter how weary we become,

we rejoice that we have the promise of eternity because of that night in the manger, so long ago.

i love when strangers drive by our nativity that we have in the yard,

and say thank you for remembering why we celebrate.

each year we have a few thank yous, and it just makes me a little weepy, and i love it.

and while the nativity sometimes seems to fade in our month long celebration, 

because we get caught up in all of the activities just like everyone else, 

the reminder is always there, for anyone to see, who might be in need.

and the truth is, we are all in need.

we've been doing a lot of good things this month.

christmas coffee, christmas cheer, christmas parties, with an emphasis on food.

i think we're about to explode.

 at boyd's class party,

when the room was fairly silent,

he announced, mom, sarah is not here because she celebrates the hanukkah.

and everyone got a laugh out of boyd, 

and i told him that i think it's lovely that she celebrates hanukkah, and that we all celebrate in our own way.

 the weekend before christmas,

we spent a few days at my uncle's cabin down south, on the bosque river.

we did un-christmasy things, and we just loved getting away.

we've been down there a few times now, and it's always fun, always an adventure.

we hung out with my uncle and his girlfriend, and their sweet new puppy.

{and a possum and some deer and a lizard and a few other creatures, i'm sure}.

can these boys behave for just one picture?
i guess not, but i sure do love them.

my uncle made this delicious creation...

bacon wrapped venision, stuffed with cheese and boudin.

we always take a hike down to the river, 

and i add a few more heart rocks to my collection.

my uncle's friend just bought a civil war cannon, 

so they hauled it out to the cabin, 

and shot some soup cans out of it.

it was pretty exciting to see.

my sister came to town for christmas.

on christmas eve we snacked on 7 layer dip, 

and had a blast just being together.

boyd set out his cookies for santa,

and we all stayed up way too late, some later than others.

on christmas day we had kevin's mom, my mom, stepdad and grandma over.
everyone brought yummy food to share.

we had a great day, and just like thanksgiving, i just didn't pick up my camera.

 but like i've said before, sometimes those memories are just as good preserved in your heart,

as on paper.

{and maybe i was tired and lazy}.

i hope that you had a good christmas.

that night in the manger, that gift,

better than any gift under the tree.

O holy night! The stars are brightly shining,

It is the night of our dear Saviour's birth.

Long lay the world in sin and error pining,

'Til He appear'd and the soul felt its worth.

A thrill of hope, the weary world rejoices,

For yonder breaks a new and glorious morn.

Fall on your knees! O hear the angel voices!

O night divine, O night when Christ was born;

O night divine, O night, O night Divine.

Led by the light of Faith serenely beaming,

With glowing hearts by His cradle we stand.

So led by light of a star sweetly gleaming,

Here come the wise men from the Orient land.

The King of Kings lay thus in lowly manger;

In all our trials born to be our friend.

He knows our need, to our weaknesses no stranger,

Behold your King! Before Him lowly bend!

Behold your King, Before Him lowly bend!

Truly He taught us to love one another;

His law is love and His gospel is peace.

Chains shall He break for the slave is our brother;

And in His name all oppression shall cease.

Sweet hymns of joy in grateful chorus raise we,

Let all within us praise His holy name.

Christ is the Lord! O praise His Name forever,

His power and glory evermore proclaim.

His power and glory evermore proclaim.

love,

nicolle