My belly is full of turkey and pumpkin pie, and my heart is full of family and thanksgiving. It has been a tough year for my family, but we are together and that makes for happy golden days despite illness and job loss and  temporal uncertainty. 

"The course of the liturgical year and the message continues, and we keep on doing things--but not for the sake of custom and tradition. It comes from a sense of certitude about things and mankind and revelation--things that are fixed and valid in and of themselves. These give mankind the right to light candles and to believe in the light and brightness of existence." ~Fr. Alfred Delp (†1945) was a German Jesuit priest condemned to death by the Nazis in Berlin, Germany. 

Dogs are paragons of patience. If they think there is something good to be had they will wait ever so nicely for as long as necessary. They have faith in the goodness of their master. 

On the Saturday evening after Thanksgiving, our town holds its annual tree lighting festival. We never miss it. There are horse drawn wagon rides, choirs of carolers, sheep and goats to pet, ice sculptures, and glittering trees and lights. Everything is free. The Towanda Club even gave out free hot chocolate.

I have always loved Christmas music. But, what I didn't realize is that, really, the only kind of music I like is Christmas music. Most people assume that I am a music lover because I sing and my family are musicians. The truth is that I don't intentionally listen to music except at Christmastime. Mind you, there is always music being played by someone in the house: guitar, piano, drums, or ukulele; and it's wonderful, but it's their music.

Now is the time for my music, and I am loving it. My favorite carols of all are by Alfred Burt. The Singers Unlimited have done nice acapella versions. Do you have a favorite Christmas carol?

 My house never looks better than it does at Christmastime. While people were out Black Friday shopping, we got busy with some of our decorating:

This bureau, and almost everything on it, are second hand flea market purchases. I found the wee Christmas mice a couple of Sundays ago. And, this morning  I was so pleased to find a very good Grandma Moses print entitled, "Out for the Christmas Trees". Paul hung it up for me as soon as we got home. I love the wintry scene of upstate New York and plan to leave it up all winter. Unfortunately, there is a bit of window glare on the glass in this photo, so you can't really see how wonderful it is. Today was the last day of the market until next spring. The little Christmas tree we've had for years and years. When my daughters were little, it was their dollies' tree.

Over the weekend, I had some moments of sorrowful reflection about this hurting planet. It seems to me that with a bounty of things already in existence, there should be enough for everyone without having to continue to make more and more and more. Maybe old things need a little care, a little polish or a few stitches, but they are still good.

I've read some good things in my prayer book that I want to share over the next few days. For now I will leave you with these verses from today's morning prayer: 

We urge you, brothers, admonish the idle, cheer the fainthearted, support the weak, be patient with all. See that no one returns evil for evil; rather, always seek what is good [both] for each other and for all. Rejoice always. Pray without ceasing. Thessalonians 5:14-17